Salomon XR Mission
THE SELL: A stable, confidence-inspiring neutral trail shoe for daily training. THE TEST: We loved the 鈥檚 wide, firm forefoot, which let testers run without fear on technical, high-speed downhills and hard-packed dirt trails alike. On sloppy mud we still felt secure, thanks to the toothy tread, and once we got used to the quick-pull laces we found ourselves missing them in other shoes. No waterproofing here, although plastic accents helped ward off light rain better than a mesh upper, like on Patagonia鈥檚 Forerunner. Bummer: the cushioning was too stiff for steady uphill runs. THE VERDICT: Our pick for technical trails. 11.5 oz; 11-mm heel-to-toe drop
Helly Hansen Pace Trail HTXP
THE SELL: Protection from whatever Mother Nature throws your way. THE TEST: The has all the bells and whistles of a heavy-duty soggy-weather trail shoe: waterproof upper, bulletproof toe bumper, hefty cushioning, and the most aggressive tread of the group. Testers, especially those who prefer more traditional trail-running shoes (with heel-to-toe drops in the 10-to-12-millimeter range), raved about the Pace Trail鈥檚 competence on uneven, rocky terrain. Of course, all that armor comes at a cost鈥攁t 13.6 ounces they鈥檙e not light, and the weatherproofed uppers don鈥檛 stretch for runners who have wide (or swollen) feet. THE VERDICT: At this price, the Pace Trail makes a heck of a hiking-and-trail-running hybrid. 13.6 oz; 12-mm heel-to-toe drop
Patagonia Forerunner
THE SELL: Patagonia鈥檚 lightest-ever trail runner marks the company鈥檚 entry into the minimalist-shoe market. THE TEST: The low-drop, 9.1-ounce Forerunners were our go-to pick for fast, aggressive runs on well-maintained trails. Nubby outsoles gave solid traction, and testers liked the 鈥檚 simple, breathable upper and single-density foam cushioning. But all that mesh meant that these were the least weather-resistant shoes in the group, which left a couple of testers with wet feet on rainy days, dirty socks on dry ones, and no protection from protruding sticks. THE VERDICT: Everything you鈥檇 want from $90 shoes; too bad they鈥檙e $110. 8.3 oz; 4-mm heel-to-toe drop
La Sportiva Quantum
THE SELL: There鈥檚 more than one way to grip the trail. THE TEST: Don鈥檛 let the 鈥檚 extra-thick outsole scare you away: for runners who crave a plush ride, La Sportiva鈥檚 smooth, wavy outsole is pillow soft, and these shoes felt lighter than we expected. Testers were happiest wearing them on dry, rocky terrain, where that weird-looking bottom performed as intended, deforming around obstacles and providing grip and protection from sharp rocks at the same time. In mud or snow, though, the sole鈥檚 shallow, almost smooth lugs were a mild liability. Runners who don鈥檛 like soft shoes should look elsewhere. THE VERDICT: Stiff enough through the midfoot for overpronators, and plenty of cushion for long dry-weather runs. 11.5 oz; 11-mm heel-to-toe drop
Brooks Pure Grit
THE SELL: Brooks鈥檚 first low-drop trail runner. THE TEST: The has a 4-mm heel-to-toe drop, making it a good choice if you鈥檙e intrigued by minimalist shoes but still want a bit of cushioning. Testers found it agile enough for mixed terrain and runs over ten miles, and they were especially impressed with how the rugged, single-piece outsole dug into loose gravel. Minor gripes: the stretchy, foot-snugging strap across the laces made the shoe hard to slip into. And that weird-looking split toe box, designed to increase trail feel? All we noticed was that it picked up pebbles. THE VERDICT: Versatile high-mileage shoe for those looking to transition into barefoot running. 8.3 oz; 4-mm heel-to-toe drop
The North Face Single Track Hayasa
THE SELL: A lightweight performance shoe on- or off-road. THE TEST: With the 鈥 low-profile but surprisingly grippy lugs, air-pocket cushioning, and supremely flexible midfoot, testers were just as happy taking them on sidewalks as they were into the loose and rocky foothills outside Santa Fe. North Face claims its new cradling system can help direct a runner鈥檚 biomechanics. We couldn鈥檛 tell, but we did love that the laces tightened evenly across the top, snugging the shoe down to our feet. Plus, testers agreed these low-angle runners were 鈥slipper comfortable right out of the box.鈥 THE VERDICT: The most versatile shoe we ran in this year. Neutral runners who take to blacktop as often as dirt will love it. 9.8 oz; 10-mm heel-to-toe drop