Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide

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Hit the trail with carbon-capture yarn uppers, super-critical foam and Vibram® Megagrip. The women's REI Co-op Swiftland MT BlueSky trail-running shoes are undyed so nature can paint your adventures.
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View the REI Co-op Swiftland Product LineView all REI Co-op Women's Trail-Running ShoesBest Use | Trail Running |
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Trail-Running Shoe Type | Rugged-Trail |
Running Shoe Cushioning | Moderate Cushion |
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 8 |
Heel Stack Height (mm) | 27 |
Forefoot Stack Height (mm) | 19 |
Footwear Height | Ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Upper | FirmaKnit Run (yarn that uses LanzaTech carbon-capture technology) |
Lining | 75% recycled polyester |
Midsole | TerraLoft+ Run super-critical foam (20% recycled; 10% bio-based material) |
Outsole | Vibram Megagrip Litebase rubber |
Rock Plate | No |
Vegan | Yes |
Weight (Pair) | 14.7 ounces |
Gender | Women's |
Sustainability | Contains recycled materials From a Climate Label Certified brand |
6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | |
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U.S. Women's | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 |
UK | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 |
EU | 37 | 37.5 | 38 | 38.5 | 39 | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 |
From feedback to field testing, all of our gear is dialed-in by REI Co-op members. Their adventures informed every stitch and detail—making for better, longer-lasting gear.
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I would recommend these shoes overall as a solid option for walking and light running. These shoes are quite comfy and extremely easy to slip on. They’ve become my go-to for walks around the neighborhood. They are form-fitting, but will give your heels and toes blisters if don’t wear socks (I learned this the hard way a few times-ouch!). I have taken two short 1-2 mile runs in them and didn’t fine them very supportive and even though they fit like a glove, my foot and ankle slipped around a little to much for my liking, so better for walking and casual wear. They do have great grippy Vibram soles that are excellent in wet and slippery conditions. The shoes dry quickly after a wet run, too. The color way is nice and really fun, but the fabric gets dirty easily more quickly than other white running shoes I have.
Overall, Im excited about the attention to sustainability in these shoes and found them to be pretty cool, well-made, and potentially very comfortable. I gave them 4 stars because I won't be able to use them as I hoped due to fit issues, but these are specific to my feet rather than an issue with the shoe. I've included more details below (and some images) on the design, fit, and appearance so that others can figure out if it'd be the right shoe for them! DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION 5/5 * Material: stretchy fabric that feels good against the skin and hugs the foot nicely, with a deep u-shape around the ankles so that it doesnt rub against the ankle bone. * Laces: I like the low profile, almost invisible lace integration in the body of the shoe, made secure by an extra material that keeps its from stretching. Given the stretchy material of the body, these shoes could easily be worn with the laces left loose for walking around or running on flat areas, or tied tighter for more stability in hillier areas. * Pull tabs: These are easy to get on, with two pull tabs (on the "tongue" and back of the ankle) that are just the right size (big enough to easily get a finger into the loop but not so big that they're floppy and obtrusive). * Skin-feel, fit, and socks: These shoes are enough and the weave of the material is smooth enough to wear without socks and not get blisters or uncomfortable rubbing. If wearing with socks, they need to be a thin, tight, ankle height sock to avoid bunching and changing the fit of the shoe. * Sole & insole: thick cushy sole feels like it gives padding and support without being too squishy; feels like it will be durable to pretty heavy use before it wears out. The insole is pretty standard but feels comfortable and supportive. * Traction: Strong grippy traction on the bottom is great for pavement or groomed trails, but is squeaky when walking around inside, so not ideal as an all-day shoe. Toe design: the toe of the shoe has an inflexible plastic cap that adds some extra protection for the material and your toes. FIT NOTES 3/5 This is where things don't work for me, which isn't a fault of the shoe but reflect the particulars of my feet. * Arch: Good arch support - it's not super high so I dont think it would be uncomfortable for people with low arches, but I have fairly high arches and it still feels adequately supportive. * Shoe/sole shape: Shoes seem to differ in how much they curve around the ball of the foot, and these have a fairly narrow body with a pretty pronounced curve on both the inside and outside of the ball of the foot. It works okay for me walking around, but I do better in a shoe that has less curve on the outside edge. * Toe: These have a slightly tapered toe with a fairly shallow toe box - which isn't ideal for me as I prefer a wider, squarer fit with a roomier toe box. They might still work okay if the stretchy upper material extended all the way to the sole, but the extra reinforcement layer around the toe restricts any stretch and ultimately makes this shoe a no-go for me :( VISUAL AESTHETIC 4/5 * The upper and laces are a bright neutral white, with barely off white rubber on the toe, heels, and shoe lace holes. These look clean and cool together. As with any white shoe, keeping them clean is a challenge but I havent yet gotten them dirty enough yet to know how hard it is, or if its possible, to clean them back to all white. (Though at least some of the material is wool, which hold dyes pretty well, so once they get too dingy they could probably be dyed - maybe with avocado pits to match the slightly pinkish sole;) * The sole is a slightly pinkish-white that clashes a little with the cooler white of the body - minor but it kind of bugs me. It is also pretty large relative to the overall profile of the shoe with a texture sort of like a golf-ball. The very bottom is a light limey green that provides a subtle but nice color detail.
These are eco-conscious, undyed and made from recycled materials. I found them extremely comfortable in the foundation and footbed. Despite having less drop than what I am used to, the arch support is outstanding and I was able to use them comfortably. The sole is fairly stiff, but doesn't feel like it, probably because the insole is soft and cushioned and the mesh uppers are flexible. The vibram soles are great for trails. Combined with how high these shoes come up at the heel and forefoot, I found them very stable and think they would be comfortable for use in warmer weather. They're also extremely lightweight. I have a fairly narrow and low volume foot, and for me the height of the front helped me feel like my foot was secure in the shoe with no slippage in the forefoot. The tongue and shoe are of one piece, so for me the tongue gets a fold when I lace it. So far It has not rubbed at the fold, but I've been wearing them with padded socks. The forefoot is not excessively wide, which for me is a benefit but might be a concern for those who need a wider toe area. The uppers are quite soft and stretchy, though, so they would be adaptable across a range of widths. The height at the heel is a different matter, however. For me, it comes up too high and rubs against my heel and ankle. The padded area is pretty tall which for some would increase comfort and fit but for me creates friction. Finally, while I appreciate the benefits of non-dyed material, I am not wild about white trail runners. They are quickly becoming dirty, and not in an attractive way. I'm generally all about function over form but it does bother me a little! I would recommend trying these if they are the right fit for you, they have a lot of positive attributes and function well.
This was my first pair of shoes that were sock-like and one piece, and I'm impressed! I have pretty big bunions so finding shoes that don't put pressure on the bunion but have decent support is quite the task. The uppers are breathable yet supportive with lots of flex for your feet and the sole is thick enough that you don't feel every single rock or twig you step on. Swap out the insoles and these might be part of my regular rotation. I even took them out on a muddy day and there was very little staining on the white uppers. Of note, since the shoe is sock-like, thin socks or no socks are the way to go, thicker socks bunch up and are uncomfortable. I'm a size 9 in regular shoes and a 9.5 in most trail runners, I got these in a 9.5 and have no complaints.
Wasn’t sure about these at first but love them after my first run. They are super grippy on the bottoms and have excellent Even though the tops are soft, there is plenty of support because the laces hold your foot in place. Definitely a fan and I look forward to my runs in these.
These shoes are super light and airy, with excellent support. Wearing them is like walking on a cloud. I mostly walked on trails and pavement with them on for about 2 weeks so far. They fit true to size with plenty of room in the toes. The shape of the shoe at the ball of your foot almost propels you forward. I love the knobby grippy soles that really helped keep my footing when I hit some slippery leaves. Overall these shoes are excellent and I’ll definitely be purchasing more in the future.
I was looking for a beginner trail shoe to run in a nearby trail after a few mishaps the past year (i.e slipping, tripping--almost falling). After trying them on in store, I realized I did need to size up 1 full size from my normal shoe size. Normally, I would only size up 1/2 shoe size for running shoes, but the upper knitting of this shoe is more snug. I took the shoes for a trail run spin and had absolutely nothing but good review on my end. The 8mm drop is very similar to my typical daily road shoes, and felt very comfortable on my high arches. The heel has a very nice extra padding around the back for support. This may not be for you, but I liked it. Overall, I am nothing but happy with this shoe. I am interested to see how long the natural materials will hold up for durability but will not be too upset as long as I can get a good 100 miles in.
Guess I didn't realize what this shoe was - there is no tongue in the shoe, it is all one piece. Not sure what the laces are for (making it tighter??). However, despite buying a half size up (8.5 instead of my usual 8), it was way too short and way too narrow. I even tried it without a sock, and nope, no way will it fit my wide feet (it doesn't come in wide, but given the fit of this one, I don't think it would have worked). I found it hard to slip a foot in (barefoot or with sock), something I wouldn't have wanted to deal with long term. Definitely going back, and not worth trying to find a larger size. No wonder they were on sale during the anniversary sale. Anyone with a short skinny foot that doesn't like tongues? this shoe would be for you.
Unfortunately I have to return these. First fifteen minutes of wear and my smallest toes were getting a bit tingly and numb. I had liked how supportive they felt when trying on originally but didn't appreciate how narrow and snug they really are (I even sized up half a size). I loosened the laces and changed socks which unproved the situation. However, another ten minutes passes and I feel a large blister forming on my right heel and have to turn around and head home. A shame as I like the look and the cushioning, but I have not had shoes in a long while that have damaged my feet so fast.
These are definitely new and improved Swiftlands, the most comfortable REI Co-op shoes I've ever worn. The padding at the back of the shoe is comfortable over my heel and the laces stay tightened without slipping. They clean easily (I've taken a bit of soap and water to the webbing and soles to get the red trail dust off without issue) and I've worn them on and off the trail with no issues. I don't run every day but, for how often I take them on the trail, I'm pleased with their comfort above all else.