Trail running shoes are like adventure partners: find a good one, and you feel safe, confident, and excited to explore all sorts of terrain. We put the season鈥檚 offerings to the test on every kind of topography, from Rocky Mountain singletrack to Santa Barbara bluffs, Nebraska gravel backroads, and the rocky, rooty maze of the Appalachian Trail. Our team scrutinized every model鈥檚 fit, traction, and ride, and selected the winners for their ability to confidently and comfortably take us where we want to go, time and again.

Update April 2025: We鈥檝e tested and selected new models in nine categories, including a new best all-around pick of the Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide. We are continually testing and will be updating this list of best trail running shoes throughout the year as new models impress our testers and editors.

At a Glance

• Best All-Around: Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide ($250)
• Runner-Up All-Around: La Sportiva Prodigio Pro ($195)
• Best Trail Super Shoe: Adidas Agravic Speed Ultra ($220)
• Best for Ultrarunning: Hoka Tecton X 3 ($275)
• Best Daily Workhorse: Scarpa Spin Ultra 2 ($179)
• Best Value: Saucony Peregrine 15 ($140)
• Best Zero Drop: Altra Lone Peak 9 ($140)
• Best for Speedy Scrambles: Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 Matryx ($112)
• Best for Soft Terrain: Scarpa Spin ST ($179)
• Best for Groomed Trails/Gravel: The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4 ($160)
• Best Road-to-Trail: Nike Pegasus Trail 5 ($140)
• Best Max Cushioned: Brooks Caldera 8 ($150)
• Most Natural Ride: Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 ($150)
• Best for Beginner Trail Runners: New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 ($155)
• How to Choose a Trail Running Shoe
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Testers

Best All-Around

Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide

Weight: 10.2 oz (unisex)
Stack Height: 41鈥�35 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Sizing: 4.5-13, 14 (men鈥檚), 5.5-14, 15 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Unmatched combo of comfort and trail performance
鈯� Quick-feeling for such a cushioned shoe
鈯� Outstanding grip
鈯� Quicklace system is difficult to adjust

Thick soles typically feel unstable on rocky, rooty trails, sloped surfaces, or sharp descents. But the Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide defies expectations, delivering a surprising blend of cushioning, stability, and responsiveness. 鈥淚’m always a little wary of big-stack trail shoes because some of them feel mushy and slow, or even worse, unstable,鈥� said one tester. 鈥淭hese were none of those. I felt like I nestled right into the soles and bounced right along.鈥�

Aesthetically, the S/Lab Ultra Glide looks like no other. The funky-looking wavy midsole with ankle-deep sidewalls combines a chassis of firmer EVA for stability with a softer, bouncier PEBA/EVA core underfoot. The outsole molds to the wavy midsole, creating circular indents across the bottom of the foot, designed to defuse impact. The combination works: the shoe delivered a soft, responsive, and adaptable ride that morphed over uneven terrain. On the open trail, the four-millimeter lugs proved reliable, biting into packed dirt and loose gravel with ease.

鈥淭he shoe provided a smooth, supported run on a variety of terrains,鈥� noted one tester, who was surprised that even when the footing got rocky, the S/Lab Ultra Glide 鈥渄elivered a commanding performance, allowing for precise, responsive running.鈥�

The soft but strong engineered mesh upper molded and moved with the contours of the foot, while providing a slight stretch for added toe box room. The gusseted tongue snugged our insteps nicely, but Salomon鈥檚 signature Quicklace system takes some adjusting each time you lace up to get the proper amount of pressure鈥攏ot a dealbreaker, but not quite an effortless 鈥渟et it and forget it鈥� experience.

Once dialed in, however, the fit and ride topped every shoe in this year鈥檚 test selection, making them the shoes we always seemed to reach for.

Runner-Up All-Around

La Sportiva Prodigio Pro

Weight: 8.9 oz, 7.9 oz
Stack height: 34鈥�28 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Sizes: 7.5-15.5 (men鈥檚), 5.5-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lively midsole that still allows ground feel
鈯� Great traction
鈯� Some pressure on the top of the foot

The Prodigio Pro runs unlike any other La Sportiva shoe we鈥檝e ever tested. We鈥檝e enjoyed many from the brand, known for its nimble, rugged trail models. But this one is the softest to date and delivers a remarkably lively, fun ride. The midsole鈥攁 core of bouncy, nitrogen-infused TPU surrounded by a more stable, nitrogen-infused EVA cage鈥攆eels snappy underfoot. 鈥淵our foot just pops off the ground with each step,鈥� said one tester.

The bootie construction鈥攁 sock-like, engineered mesh upper encircling the ankle鈥攕uccessfully kept trail debris from sneaking inside the shoe. The durable upper, made from a mix of polyester, TPU, and nylon threads that the brand is calling 鈥淧ower Wire鈥� mesh worked in conjunction with the secure midfoot wrap to hold our feet securely and comfortably. One knock on the upper: The tongue, with an interesting, tubular padding, caused a little irritation on the top of the foot beneath the laces for some testers. Most, however, found it a comfortable upper overall, one that was a pleasure to pull on.

Underfoot, a Frixion outsole with multidirectional, four-millimeter lugs did a fantastic job at gripping all surfaces. 鈥淭his shoe has great traction in mud, slush, dirt, rocks, and roots,鈥� said one tester, who noted that the shoe performs expertly on off-camber terrain. 鈥淭his shoe makes me feel more nimble and quick than most shoes do.鈥�

Best Trail Super Shoe

Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra

Weight: 9.5 oz (men鈥檚), 8.1 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 38鈥�30 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Sizing: 6-13, 14 (men鈥檚), 5-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Fast, smooth, and lively ride
鈯� Adaptive stability
鈯� Not great in really rocky terrain

Every Agravic Speed Ultra tester was in awe of how easily faster paces felt while wearing this shoe. 鈥淚 consistently ran about 30 seconds per mile faster while running in these shoes than what the effort felt like,鈥� said a masters tester. Adidas designers skillfully adapted the elements of a road super shoe to create a similar, effort-reducing, propulsive feel in a shoe that works on the uncertain terrain of the trail.

Underfoot, the main ingredients are a bouncy-but-not-too-soft gas-infused TPEE-based midsole working harmoniously with an embedded, trail-specific 鈥減late.鈥� Instead of a solid, rigid plate, Adidas uses semi-flexible rods that react independently to variations in the terrain. Made of PEBA in its hard plastic form as often found in track spike plates, the four prongs in the forefoot and two in the heel are splayed wider and closer to the edges than those in Adidas鈥檚 road shoes, to enhance stability. One tester said the resulting ride 鈥減rovided a lively pop without being tippy on variable surfaces or prescribing a set, rigid roll.鈥�

Deep sculpted side walls surround a beveled heel, delivering smooth, secure landings, and a narrow midfoot waist widens to a generous, flared forefoot, providing an agile and stable stance. The aggressively rockered geometry from heel to toe delivers what one tester described as 鈥渁 balanced ride that makes it easy to stay forward on my feet and drive backward with each stride, creating a quick, powerful push-off.鈥�

For the outsole, Adidas uses the same trustworthy, grippy Continental rubber found on most of the brand鈥檚 running shoes. This trail-specific version features variable 2.5- to 3-millimeter lugs for surefooted, no-stress traction. As one might expect in a high-level racing shoe, the upper is kept to a minimum for weight reduction. Made with a non-stretch, breathable, quick-drying, woven material, we found it offered a secure, snug lockdown while providing a touch of abrasion protection.

Given the tall stack height, testers had to cautiously check their foot placements through technical rocky terrain. But wherever the terrain smoothed out and allowed for full strides, the Agravic Speed Ultra came alive and delivered a ride that testers said felt like flying. If you鈥檝e been holding out for a plated trail racing shoe that gets almost everything right, the wait is over.

Read our full review of the Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra.

Best for Ultrarunning

Hoka Tecton X 3

Weight: 10 oz (men鈥檚), 7.9 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 40鈥�35mm (men鈥檚); 39鈥�34mm (women鈥檚)
Drop: 5 mm
Sizes: Men鈥檚 7-14, Women鈥檚 5-11

Pros and Cons
鈯� Gaiter keeps out trail debris
鈯� Excellent balance of comfort and responsiveness
鈯� Doesn鈥檛 feel tippy, despite carbon fiber plates
鈯� Pricey

This third iteration of Hoka’s Tecton X is the best yet (and we鈥檝e loved them all, awarding the debut model Gear of the Year in 2022). Like the first two, the Tecton X 3 features two carbon fiber plates within each shoe that sit parallel to each other, allowing them to move independently. This enables the shoe to morph over rocks and roots instead of tipping the foot, a sensation we鈥檝e felt in some trail running shoes that utilize one large plate. The two plates in the Tecton X 3 are slightly wider than those in version 2 and feature a winged shape under the heel that鈥檚 meant to add to the shoe鈥檚 stability on technical terrain.

Other updates include a softer layer of PEBA foam above the plate and directly beneath the foot which testers reported enhances the joint-comforting cushion over long, rugged runs. The bottom layer of foam remains firmly responsive for a tactile ground feel.

And then there鈥檚 the unique upper. While some testers were skeptical of having a gaiter built into the shoe, it proved not only comfortable but also highly effective. A tester who worried the material around the ankle would annoy her reported, 鈥淭he gaiter is stretchy and adds to the overall comfort and techy feel.鈥� Every tester appreciated how the built-in gaiter kept debris out of the shoes with zero irritation or awkward clips. The Matryx upper, made of high-strength synthetic yarns, was stretchy enough for easy on-and-offs and to move with the foot, while also doing a great job holding feet in place over wild terrain. Its also highly breathable: 鈥淚 ran straight through a river, and the shoe dried out very quickly,鈥� said a Boulder, Colorado-based tester.

The entire package鈥攖wo layers of foam, four-millimeter Vibram Magagrip lugs, carbon-fiber plating, and a gaiter鈥攃omes in at minimal weight for such a rugged and feature-rich ride. 鈥淭his thing is light, especially for a trail shoe,鈥� marveled a female tester, adding, 鈥淚t鈥檚 absolutely speed-inspiring.鈥� The Tecton X 3 is our pick for ultra-runners and regular folks looking for a great shoe that can tackle the most mountainous terrain in comfort.

Best Daily Workhorse

Scarpa Spin Ultra 2

Weight: 10.2 oz (men), 8.8 oz (women)
Stack Height: 28鈥�24 mm
Drop: 4 mm
Sizing: EU 40-47, 48 (men鈥檚), EU 36-43 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Durable outsole, midsole, and upper construction
鈯� Nimble and cushioned ride
鈯� Runs narrow

When the Scarpa Spin Ultra first came out in 2019, it impressed our crew so much that we named it the Gear of the Year. It embodied everything we looked for in a trail running shoe鈥攁 secure yet comfortable fit, a protective midsole with dependable cushioning, and an outsole with outstanding traction. Six years later, Scarpa has completely updated this award-winning model, retaining those award-winning characteristics while making it tougher than ever.

The most notable update is Scarpa鈥檚 debut use of Supercritical TPEE foam. This high-tech midsole material is created by injecting a gas into the foam and exposing it to extreme pressure and heat, creating bubbles that make the foam light and bouncy. While the Scarpa midsole is not as soft and trampoline-like as some of the supercritical foams we鈥檝e tested, its firmer nature provides impressive durability, stability, and quick underfoot responsiveness. One tester described the shoe as a 鈥渧ery stable, rugged trail runner, with minimal flex.鈥� Another said, 鈥淭he midsole cushions just enough to dampen impact without dulling the feel for and engagement with the trail, enhancing nimble footplants and springy toe-offs.鈥�

Like a lot of European-made shoes, testers found the Spin Ultra 2 to fit rather tight, especially in the toe box. Once laced up, the recycled mesh upper with bio-based TPU print overlays doesn鈥檛 have much give, locking your foot securely in place. While it enhances stability on technical terrain, it may feel restrictive for runners who prefer a bit more wiggle room.

If you鈥檙e after an easygoing, plush shoe, this isn鈥檛 it. But if you prefer a firmly-responsive stance and stable ride that can get beat to hell and keep going, these are for you.

Best Value

Saucony Peregrine 15

Weight: 9.7 oz (men鈥檚), 8.6 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack height: 28鈥�24 mm
Drop: 4 mm
SIZES: 7-13, 14, 15 (men鈥檚); 5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Performance features at a reasonable price
鈯� Light, flexible, and nimble ride
鈯� Deep outsole lugs
鈯� Forefoot cushioning can feel slight on long runs

In an era that鈥檚 serving up increasingly fat midsoles, we鈥檙e happy to see that Saucony鈥檚 longtime performer remains relatively low to the ground, making it flexible and connected to the trail. It doesn鈥檛, however, run too firm. The reformulated EVA-based midsole with a premium, bouncy TPU-based insole feels soft underfoot and is plentiful enough to cushion the impact even on hard rocks and packed dirt.

The Peregrine 15鈥檚 outsole features aggressive, widely spaced, five-millimeter-deep, chevron-shaped lugs made of Saucony鈥檚 proprietary rubber compound. The bite gives the Peregrine secure traction on soft terrain, like loamy soil and fresh snow. Due to its low profile, secure-fitting upper, and light weight, the shoe also feels nimble on rocky, technical terrain. That upper is a simple, flexible-but-rugged mesh with a gusseted tongue and midfoot straps that tie into the laces, keeping the foot snugly in place.

鈥淭hese kept me stable while running on both singletrack and wider fireroad trails, and I felt fast because they鈥檙e so lightweight,鈥� said a tester. Another raved, 鈥淲ith the light and flexible feel of a toothy racing flat, the Peregrine always inspires me to pick up the pace and fly, but I never feel beat up in them no matter how far I go.鈥�

For a shoe that can tackle all sorts of off-road adventures comfortably and capably, $140 is a steal.

Best Zero Drop

Altra Lone Peak 9

Weight: 11.1 oz (men), 9.3 oz (women)
Stack Height: 25鈥�25 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Sizing: 7 – 13, 14, 15, 16 (men鈥檚), 5.5 – 12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Retains the best qualities of Lone Peak 8
鈯� Outstanding traction and grip
鈯� New protective toe bumper reduces flexibility in the toe box

鈥淚f it ain鈥檛 broke, don鈥檛 fix it鈥� has been Altra’s motto regarding their flagship trail shoe for years. The Lone Peak 9 stays true to its roots, maintaining the zero-drop platform, wide toe box, and reliable grip, with a few minor updates, including a re-engineered upper, improved outsole, and lighter midsole.

The midsole is still made of Altra EGO foam, but the compound has been reformulated to weigh less and have more resilient compression, so it should last longer. Testers found the changes minimal, with the shoe maintaining its signature flexibility and excellent ground feel.

The upper, which received the lion’s share of updates, features 100 percent recycled ripstop mesh with no-sew overlays. A new protective toe bumper wraps up and extends over the top of the toe box in the front and along the sides. One tester with toe arthritis dinged the new bumper for reducing the flexibility in the toe box, but no other tester noted a problem. One small but clever addition is an additional set of eyelets, spaced farther apart, that allows the option of creating a tighter midfoot hold for those with low-volume feet.

Underfoot, Altra continues to use their proprietary MaxTrac outsole with 3.5-millimeter lugs but increased the rubber coverage for this version. One tester who slogged through the wet, snowy Wisconsin winter described the outsole as 鈥渢op-notch.鈥� The heel rudder that extends out the back has been split, improving stability by reducing lateral torque. (Note, a version 9+ was recently released that is identical except for a Vibram Megagrip outsole and a new ripstop mesh).

Bottom line: If you鈥檙e a Lone Peak fan there鈥檚 nothing new here that will jeopardize that. Slight improvements sharpen the ride without altering the shoe鈥檚 core identity. 鈥淭he Lone Peak鈥檚 strengths haven’t changed for me,鈥� said one longtime Lone Peak fan.

Best For Speedy Scrambles

Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 Matryx

Weight: 8.3 oz (men鈥檚), 6.9 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 23.5鈥�19.5 mm
Drop: 4 mm
Sizing: 7-15 (men鈥檚), 5-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lightweight, low-profile
鈯� Secure foothold
鈯� Nimble over rough terrain
鈯� Cushioning can feel slight under toes

If you鈥檙e in need of an amazingly agile shoe to scale mountain trails like a bighorn sheep, the Long Sky 2 Matryx is here for it. The new upper, made out of Matryx鈥攁 thin, breathable, quick-drying synthetic fabric reinforced with super-durable Kevlar threads鈥攕ecures the foot, with a half-booty tongue adding extra hold. Cutouts in the Vibram Megagrip outsole save weight between the tacky, grippy-rubber, five-millimeter lugs. The flexible, compression-molded EVA midsole is on the slight end, enabling confidence-inspiring proprioception and secure footplants on tricky terrain, and firm-but-adequate cushioning on hard-surface trails.

The upper and sole combination locks each stride to the ground. 鈥淚t is such a lightweight shoe, with great traction and fit, that moving your feet over terrain is easier than in a more bulky, highly-cushioned shoe,鈥� said Lousiville, Colorado-based tester Terri Kazanjian.

This was our go-to shoe for any fast-effort trail runs, or days we craved a highly nimble shoe that felt like an extension of our body. Kanzanjian summed up: 鈥淭his shoe makes you feel nimble and peppy on technical terrain, like you can run up those hills and bomb those descents faster than normal.鈥�

Best for Soft Terrain

Scarpa Spin ST

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Weight: 9.5 oz (men鈥檚), 7.9 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 22鈥�18 mm
Drop: 4 mm
Sizing: European sizing 40-48 (men鈥檚), 36-43 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Effective, toothy grip on soft surfaces
鈯� Low gaiter-link heel collar helps keep out debris
鈯� Harsh ride on hard-packed trails

The 鈥淪T鈥� in the name stands for 鈥淪oft Terrain,鈥� which is what this shoe is best suited for. Here鈥檚 the main reason why: 7 mm(!) lugs made out of Vibram Mega Grip rubber take hold in soft dirt, mud, and snow, offering secure footing on even the sloppiest surfaces. Complementing the toothiness is an impressively secure foothold from PU overlays that encase a stretchy mesh-paneled upper and pull securely around the foot when the laces are tightened. A tester with a bunion on one foot noted the shoe鈥檚 narrow and unstretchy toe box caused some irritation but raved about the shoe鈥檚 ability to grab hold in soft dirt.

We reached for this shoe often on snowy terrain鈥攅ither on trails or when snow turned neighborhood roads into trails. The high heel collar made out of a neoprene-like stretch woven textile, which keeps trail debris out of the shoe in summer, also does a good job keeping kicked-up snow from infiltrating socks. The upper isn鈥檛 Gore-Tex, however, and doesn鈥檛 try to keep water out. Instead, moisture flows both in and out, and we appreciated the breathability on all-season runs where high effort caused hot feet, and for wet conditions when we wanted drainage. A plus: a lace-locking device and hidden lace pocket both eliminates unwanted loosening and snagging on low branches and roots.

With slight EVA cushioning in the midsole (22 mm under the heel and 18 mm under the forefoot), this isn鈥檛 a shoe you鈥檇 want to wear running hard-packed trails or road sections. But for the soft terrain it was intended for, the underfoot feel was just right, making the Scarpa Spin ST excel at tearing up the trail.

Best For Groomed Trails/Gravel

The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4

Weight: 10.1 oz (men鈥檚), 9 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack height: 32鈥�26 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Sizes: 7-13, 14 (men鈥檚); 5-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Great balance of stable and cushy
鈯� Propulsive feel
鈯� Can feel tippy on technical terrain

The North Face Enduris 4 is a downright comfortable shoe with a performance ride. Upon step -in, our feet felt cradled, secure, and ready for anything. The shoe excelled on routes like the 5.25-mile dirt-road loop around the Boulder Reservoir that is mostly loose gravel with occasional rocks and ruts. On smoother terrain like that, the super-trainer combination of lively cushioning sandwiched around a full-length TPU plate with rockered geometry made us feel smooth and energetic. The shoe can also handle technical terrain, but the plate makes it feel a tad tippy.

The swallow-tail design鈥攖he sole flares out behind the heel with a notch in the middle鈥攕eemed to aid a heel-striking gait, cushioning landings and helping to roll feet forward rather than torquing them inward. Traction comes from four-millimeter multidirectional lugs which worked well on a variety of surfaces and didn鈥檛 feel too clunky on smooth terrain, although one tester noted, 鈥淢ud seemed to stick to the outsole and stay there.鈥� All testers found the seamless engineered mesh upper breathed great and kept feet in place.

Overall, we鈥檙e big fans of the updated Enduris 4 with more cush. 鈥淭he shoe actually felt lighter than expected and easy to run in for both road-to-trail routes and straight trail running,鈥� said one tester.

Best Road-To-Trail

Nike Pegasus Trail 5

Weight: 10.6 oz (men鈥檚), 8.6 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 37鈥�27.5 mm
Drop: 9.5 mm
Sizes: 6-15 (men鈥檚) 5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Transitions well from asphalt to dirt
鈯� Secure fit for off-road confidence
鈯� Good-looking enough for casual wear
鈯� Not as cushioned as some other road-to-trail shoes

The Nike Pegasus Trail 5 is for runners who value a shoe that can take them from home to the trail and back, running smoothly on pavement while offering traction and foothold on even the most technical off-road terrain. What puts this shoe above other road-to-trail options is its superior performance on uneven, rooty, and rocky terrain. Flywire technology (super-strong, thin, and lightweight thread) in the upper kept our feet from sloshing around inside the shoe and helped us maintain quick, secure foot plants. 鈥淚 felt confident in both the traction and how my feet remained in control on a burly trail with lots of rocks and ups and downs,鈥� said a Boulder, Colorado, tester.

The cushioning is updated in this version to Nike鈥檚 smoothly responsive ReactX foam, with a stack soft and thick enough to soften pavement impact, especially under the forefoot. The shoe runs smoothly on roads with its flexible forefoot and 3.5 mm lugs that are hardly noticeable. But when you reach dirt those lugs kick into action and deliver solid traction.

Tightly woven mesh around the toe box adds durability, while strategically placed holes around the midfoot allow breathability. The addition of a looped cord at the heel makes this shoe easy to pull on鈥攁 simple feature we appreciated every time we used it.

This shoe also looks fashionable enough to crossover to casual wear, adding to its versatility. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great shoe for travel that might include hiking, running, walking, and general adventuring,鈥� said our lead tester, who put it through its paces in Colorado and Costa Rica.

Best Max Cushioned

Brooks Caldera 8

Weight: 10.6 oz (men鈥檚), 9.3 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack height: 38.5鈥�32.5 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Sizes: men鈥檚: 7-14, 15 (men鈥檚); 5-11, 12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Comfort on long and short runs
鈯� Wide, stable base
鈯� Protective upper
鈯� Minimal ground feel

We鈥檝e long loved the high-cush, wide-silhouette Caldera for its ability to let us just zone out on a run. It鈥檚 a forgiving shoe, like a truck with really good shocks that allows you to mindlessly roll over rocks and roots. The Caldera 8 is a good companion for anything from short after-work trail jaunts to ultra-distance epics.

The midsole cushioning鈥擝rooks鈥� nitrogen-infused, EVA-based DNA Loft 3鈥攊s ample, while still lightweight. The Caldera 8 can feel like a lot underfoot, especially for lighter-weight runners, but testers said it successfully softened the ground impact of every step without wallowing in cush. Despite the massive stack height, flex grooves on the outsole help enable a smooth flowing stride. Aiding the Caldera鈥檚 forgiving nature is its wide silhouette that keeps it from being tippy, a large surface area for secure ground contact, and solid traction.

This year鈥檚 model features higher raised sidewalls to provide extra stability, and a smooth upper intended to evade snags from branches, both of which seem to work in our testing.

Best Natural Ride

Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4

Weight: 10.4 oz (men鈥檚), 8.2 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack height: 35鈥�30 mm
Drop: 5 mm
Sizes: 7-13, 14, 15 (men鈥檚); 6.5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Instantly comfortable on a variety of feet
鈯� Highly cushioned while still allowing ground feel
鈯� Doesn鈥檛 grab loose dirt well

The Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 fits like a classic Topo shoe鈥攁 secure heel hold gives way to a wide toe box allowing the foot to splay out naturally. Even narrow-footed testers noted the secure and comfortable hold of this shoe, and enjoyed the feeling of support under the arch, which seems to further promote a relaxed forefoot.

The Topo Ultraventure 4 has a relatively high stack height and an ample amount of lively cushioning, which testers particularly noticed and appreciated under the ball of the foot. But unlike its high-cush contemporaries, the slightly firm, responsive, flexible midsole allows great feel for the ground. We enjoyed the surefooted feeling of being connected to the trails instead of floating on top of them.

The upper鈥攁 recycled mesh with a polyurethane wrap around the front of the shoe for protection from toe stubs鈥攊s slightly stretchy and conforms around the foot. 鈥淭his felt like a slipper with traction,鈥� said one tester.

Underfoot, wide, flat, 3.5-millimeter-deep lugs made of Vibram rubber stuck to steep rock slabs on dry trail runs in Boulder, Colorado, and ran smoothly on packed dirt. We craved a little more toothiness on loose trails, but appreciated the versatility and overall natural feel of this shoe. 鈥淭he Ultraventure 4 felt better the longer I went and more tired I got, encouraging and supporting a soft midfoot landing and gentle roll that ate up the miles,鈥� said one tester.

Best For Beginner Trail Runners

New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9

Weight: 10.3 oz (men), 8.3 oz (women)
Stack Height: 42鈥�38 mm
Drop: 4 mm
Sizing: 7-13, 14, 15, 16, 17 (men鈥檚); 5-11, 12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Both well-cushioned and stable
鈯� Aggressive traction
鈯� Large lugs can feel rough on hard pack

If you鈥檙e just getting into trail running, you need a shoe that provides stability, grip, and comfort鈥攊n essence, one that makes you more confident on the trail. Testers all agreed the New Balance Hierro v9 fit that bill better than any other shoe we tested. In this version, New Balance used two layers of their EVA-based Fresh Foam X in the midsole鈥攁 softer layer closer to the foot for cushioned comfort sits on top of a firmer layer that enhances stability. One tester noted this midsole combo 鈥渁bsorbs shock well and returns energy efficiently.鈥� She also praised the shoe鈥檚 forefoot rocker profile, which 鈥渕akes for a smooth push-off and helps with your forward motion and efficiency.鈥�

Despite having four millimeters more cushioning under the heel (and eight more under the forefoot) than version 8, bringing the total stack to a whopping 42鈥�38 millimeters, we found the Hierro v9 shockingly stable as long as we steered clear of technical terrain鈥攚hich most beginners tend to do anyway. Grippy 4.5-millimeter lugs鈥攚hich one tester described as 鈥渧ery aggressive鈥濃�攊nstill confidence, particularly on loose dirt and gravelly trails. The downside is that those long lugs contributed to a rough ride on hard-packed dirt or road.

A tough-skinned mesh upper with a gusseted tongue felt supportive, yet provided enough comfort for all-day use. All in all, the combination of a thick stack of soft cushioning, grippy outsole, and comfortable and secure upper make this a standout choice for beginner trail runners eager to explore.

How to Choose a Trail Running Shoe

If you鈥檙e in the market for a trail running shoe, first consider the type of trails you run on regularly: do you tackle rugged, mountainous terrain, or stick to mellow dirt paths? Some trail shoes can handle both adequately, while others are specialized and excel in one or the other. Shoes with smaller lugs are generally better on smoother, firmer terrain, whereas shoes with deeper, more aggressive outsoles are optimized for steep, muddy, or rocky trails. If you like to feel the trail and dance around rocks and roots, you鈥檒l likely prefer a light, more minimal shoe, but if you鈥檇 rather let the shoe roll over trail variations, cushioning and protecting while you zone out, you should look for a shoe with a thicker midsole.

Once you鈥檝e narrowed the search to a certain type of trail shoe, you need to find a pair that complements your unique body and stride. Every runner鈥檚 body, gait, speed, experience, and ride preferences are different, so every runner will interact differently with each trail shoe. The shoe that your best friend or your sister-in-law loves may be uncomfortable for you and make running feel slow, sluggish, or even painful. Finding the perfect pair of trail running shoes is a seriously personal affair.

The process for choosing the best running shoes is a matter of finding the models that both fit your foot and also feel best when you鈥檙e running. To determine fit and feel, there鈥檚 no substitute for trying the shoes on and running in them.

Fit: Match Your Foot Shape

When assessing fit, first pay attention to length. You need room at the end of your toes as your feet lengthen during their dynamic movements on the run. A rule of thumb is to allow a thumb鈥檚 width between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Runners often wear a running shoe a half or full size bigger than their street shoes.

Ensure that the shape of the sole and the upper matches your foot shape. The sole should be as wide or wider than your foot for the whole length, and match the curve of your arch comfortably. The shoe should hold your foot securely over the instep, while allowing the ball of the foot and the toes to splay and flex when you roll forward onto them. Your heel shouldn鈥檛 slip when you lift it, and the arch should be able to dome and lengthen naturally. Nothing should bind or rub as you roll through the stride.

Feel: Match Your Movement Path

If the shoe fits, it鈥檚 time to take them on a short run on a treadmill, around the store, or, ideally, down the block and back. Every running shoe has a unique ride created by the type and density of foam in the midsole and the geometry of that foam: its thickness, width, heel-to-toe drop, molded sidewalls or flares, and forefoot flexibility or rocker shape (plus, in an increasing number of models, the presence of and type of embedded plate). Each of these elements interact with each other and your stride to determine how the shoe reacts on landing, how much it cushions, how stably it supports, how smoothly it transitions from landing to toe off, and how quickly and powerfully it rebounds.

The best way to choose the shoes that complement your body and stride is to find the ones that feel right on the run. Benno Nigg, the world-leading biomechanics professor who , calls it the 鈥渃omfort filter,鈥� but makes clear it is far more than how plush the shoe feels when you step into it. What you want to assess is whether the shoe allows and supports the way your feet want to move, what Nigg calls your 鈥減referred movement path.鈥� In the right shoe, while running at your normal pace, you will touch down where you expect to land, roll smoothly and stably through the stride without noticing the shoe, feel both cushioned from and connected to the ground, and push off naturally, quickly, and powerfully. When this comes together you鈥檒l know that you鈥檝e found your pair.

It鈥檚 likely that several shoes will feel good on your feet. To find the most comfortable, it helps to compare them back to back, like an eye doctor will do with corrective lenses: flipping between 鈥淎鈥� or 鈥淏,鈥� 鈥�1鈥� or 鈥�2.鈥� You may also find that different shoes feel better at different paces or level of fatigue, and you may want more than one pair. In fact, research shows that wearing a variety of different shoes is one of the few to reduce injury risk as it appears to vary the stresses on your feet and joints.

What About Injury Prevention?

Running shoes have long been marketed and sold as prescriptive devices to help runners stay healthy, but there is correlating shoes, or any specific shoe properties鈥攍ike cushioning or pronation control鈥攚ith running injuries. Medical professionals say that it is highly difficult to determine whether a runner needs a certain type of shoe, and studies have shown that prescribing shoes using traditional methods like treadmill gait analyses or wet-foot arch height tests don鈥檛 consistently reduce injuries.

Don鈥檛 assume that you need more cushioning or more stability if you have sore joints, or if you鈥檙e a heavier runner, or if you鈥檙e a beginner鈥攅vidence doesn鈥檛 support many common beliefs. The best way prevent injury is find two or three different pairs that feel right on the run, ease into using them, and vary your shoes, your running surface and your pace regularly (plus avoid rapid increases in your training load and work on ).

How We Test

• Number of testers: 18
• Number of shoes tested: 84
• Number of miles: 22,000+ over a year
• Most Memorable Trail Run: Having a mild winter afternoon turn into a blizzard while three miles from home in the western Nebraska sandhills.

To test running shoes, we begin by researching every brand鈥檚 new offerings for the coming season. We wind up with dozens of samples of the models (84 throughout the year, 34 trail running shoes this season) that are most promising, and distribute them to 26 testers who range in age, ability, running form, geographical location, terrain, and preferred shoe types. We try to put each tester in shoes from within the same category (all rugged, backcountry trail shoes, or all road-to-trail crossovers) so everyone can test apples-to-apples.

After three to six months of running in each model on varied terrain and in all conditions, our crew members report back with their assessments of fit, comfort, traction, cushioning, flexibility, stiffness, pop, what type of running the model is best used for, how the shoe compares to other models, and more. We also run in every trail running shoe ourselves, and, combining all the tester feedback with years of personal experience, hone in on the best. We then weigh this season鈥檚 bests against the heroes from previous seasons that are still available and choose winners and honorable mentions for each category.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Lisa Jhung

Freelance journalist, editor, and author has researched, tested, and written about running shoes for the past decade and a half, much of that time for 国产吃瓜黑料. She coordinates a fleet of female shoe testers out of Boulder, Colorado, and says her home office is a perpetual obstacle course of cardboard boxes and piles of running shoes. Lisa鈥檚 written about gear of all kinds for numerous national magazines as both an editor and freelancer, including a stint as the shoes and gear blogger and trail running microsite editor for Runner鈥檚 World.

A high school jumper and occasional sprinter/hurdler, she started running鈥攔eally running鈥攁fter walking off the collegiate volleyball team, and moved on to road and trail races of any distance, triathlons, adventure races, and mountain running. She鈥檚 happiest testing rugged trail shoes on gnarly terrain, and also loves a good neighborhood jaunt鈥ut is almost always looking for ribbons of dirt. Lisa is the author of Running That Doesn鈥檛 Suck: How to Love Running (Even if You Think You Hate It) and Trailhead: The Dirt on All Things Trail Running.

Cory Smith

passion for running started over 30 years ago in high school when he became the number six ranked runner in the nation at 3000 meters his senior year. After high school, he competed at Villanova University, earning two NCAA Division I Championship showings. Today, he鈥檚 determined not to let age slow him down and competes on the national master鈥檚 circuit, running a 4:12 (4:30 mile pace)) 1500 meters and 9:04 (4:52 mile pace) 3000 meters in 2021 at age 43. He prefers a hard track workout or tempo run over an easy long run any day but also appreciates a challenging trail or mountain run.

His obsession with running shoes started in 2014 when he wrote his first shoe review for Gear Institute. Since then, he鈥檚 tested and reviewed hundreds of running shoes, clothing, and gear for 国产吃瓜黑料, Runner鈥檚 World, Footwear News, and other outlets. He has a soft spot for speedy shoes over heavy trainers but loves dissecting all shoes equally and thinking like a product engineer to explain the why behind every design detail. Cory is the Founder of , an online running coaching business, and since its inception in 2014, has coached runners鈥� to over 100 Boston Marathon Qualifying times.

One of Cory Smith鈥檚 go-to routes for testing trail running shoes:

Jonathan Beverly

Jonathan fell in love with running his freshman year of high school and quickly became fascinated with finding the perfect pair of running shoes. That quest got a boost when he became editor of Running Times in 2000 and started receiving every new model as they were released. The parade of shoes continued while he served as shoe editor for Runner鈥檚 World, then editor of PodiumRunner, and currently fitness gear editor at 国产吃瓜黑料. Having now worn nearly every running shoe created in this century鈥攁nd a fair amount of those dating back to the early models of the 鈥�70s鈥攈e鈥檚 given up on finding the one best and now relishes the wide variety of excellent options.

Once a 2:46 marathoner regularly doing 50+ mile weeks, recent injuries and his age have reduced his volume and slowed his pace鈥攂ut he still enjoys an uptempo workout or two each week. Beverly is the author of the book which explores how each individual鈥檚 gait鈥攁nd thus shoe preference鈥攊s unique. He enjoys getting scientists鈥� take on new shoe trends and trying to describe the nuances of each shoe鈥檚 ride.

One of Jonathan Beverly鈥檚 go-to routes for testing trail running shoes:

The post The Best Trail Running Shoes for Every Terrain appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Ever since Nike introduced the Vaporfly 4% in 2017, brands have competed fiercly to craft the ultimate road racing shoe. Commonly referred to as “supershoes,” this innovative footwear employs high-rebound foams and curved, rigid plates to enhance running efficiency while minimizing muscle damage.

Simply put, these high-performance shoes are engineered to make you run faster with greater ease. And they work, as proven in labs and on roads around the world. Designers have struggled, however, to harness the performance-enhancing benefits of road-running supershoes for the trail. (See our full list of the best trail running shoes.)

The Challenge of Trail Supershoes

The difficulty stems from the very components that make a supershoe super: a stiff plate, combined with a tall stack of soft and bouncy midsole, creates an unstable and potentially ankle-breaking platform on the undulating and rocky terrain of trail running. To deal with the unpredictability of trails, companies have adjusted the full-length stiff plates found in road supershoes and introduced forked- or parallel-plate designs, aiming for enhanced flexibility and adaptability to diverse terrains. While they鈥檝e succeeded in creating comfortable and capable trail supershoes, some award-winning and podium-gracing, none have captured the full magic. Some shoes struggle to handle varied terrain effectively while others fail to deliver the efficiency and recovery benefits witnessed in road supershoes.

As one of 国产吃瓜黑料’s shoe testers for the last nine years, I can confidently say that no plated trail supershoe to date has delivered the same level of ride and benefits as provided by road-running counterparts. Until now.

Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra

Weight: 9.5 oz (men), 8.1 oz (women)
Stack Height: 38鈥�30 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Sizing: 6-13, 14 (men鈥檚), 5-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons

鈯� Fast, smooth, and lively ride
鈯� Adaptive stability
鈯� Not great in really rocky terrain

When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside.听Learn more.

Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra Review

The Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra is the culmination of a two-year collaborative project with Adidas professional runner Tom Evans, driven by the singular goal of creating footwear optimized for speed in the Western States Endurance Run, which Evans won in 2023, and Ruth Croft won in 2022, both wearing a prototype. The strategy was to leverage the successful elements found in their road supershoe, the Adizero Adios Pro 3, and tailor them specifically for trail running.

Having tested both the Adizero Adios Pro 3 and the Agravic Speed Ultra, I can vouch that the Adidas team was successful. During my testing, the Agravic Speed Ultra exhibited a lively, forward-propelling motion similar to that of the Adizero Adios Pro 3, with perhaps even a little more bounce.

The Agravic Speed Ultra features an ultralight, hyper-bouncy, gas-infused TPEE Lightstrike Pro midsole with embedded, curved Energy Rods (like the Adizero Adios Pro 3). In lieu of a solid plate, Adidas uses independent rods that roughly parallel the bones in the foot, and are made of Pebax in its hard plastic form as often found in track spike plates. The Agravic Speed Ultra鈥檚 trail-specific configuration features four prongs in the forefoot and two in the heel, which are splayed wider and closer to the edges than those in Adidas鈥檚 road shoes to enhance stability, and flex independently, to adapt to uneven terrain underfoot.

Deep, sculpted sidewalls surround the heel, delivering secure landings, and a narrow midfoot waist widens to a generous, flared forefoot, providing an agile and stable stance. The aggressively rockered shape from heel to toe feels pronounced and a bit odd out of the box but comes to life on the run. The shoe naturally lands midfoot first, but as your balance shifts forward, the rockered forefoot transitions your weight through the toes, giving the shoe an effortless forward roll. At nearly every pace, the shoe provided a propulsive thrust forward with each stride as my foot landed, compressed the foam in the scooped curve of the rocker鈥攖hat starts at just the right location past the ball of the foot鈥攁nd rebounded as I rolled onto my toes.

One of the biggest concerns with any plated trail running shoe is the potential for the stiff plate to induce lateral instability, torquing or bouncing the stride sideways when it becomes unbalanced. My typical local testing loop is a winding, hilly, smooth singletrack with significant off-camber footing and short sections of modestly rocky and technical footing. For such a tall shoe (38mm/30mm), I was worried all the off-camber running would be dicey; however, I found the Agravic Speed Ultra to fare considerably well. Between the spacing and flexibility of the Energy Rods and the wide forefoot, the shoe felt controlled through all terrain challenges. I did feel that the stack height started to feel tippy in extremely rocky terrain, and for truly technical trails, I would want a shoe that sits closer to the ground.

One of Cory Smith’s routes for testing the Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra:

I usually approach running downhill cautiously, consistently keeping one foot on the brake, but when wearing the Agravic Speed Ultra鈥檚, I experienced a bit of a personality change. The combination of the rockered heel, cushioned midsole, and grippy outsole instilled confidence, enabling me to cast aside my typical timidity and unleash a more unrestrained approach downhill. In other words, I bombed down slopes with abandon.

The Agravic Speed Ultra absolutely shines on smoother, runnable terrain where you can put the pedal to the metal without hesitation. My pace quickened in smooth, open terrain without much additional effort. The shoe naturally wants to move fast and efficiently. The faster and harder you push it, the more energy it gives back.

The foot-hugging, breathable upper is made with thin woven abrasion-resistant mesh. Strategically placed overlays add durability and support. As is common for a racing shoe, the tongue, heel collar, and counter are razor-thin with no extra padding or support to keep weight to a minimum. While I found the midfoot lockdown to be on point, the thin, unstructured heel allowed some heel lift. This wasn鈥檛 enough to cause performance issues, but a more supportive heel would be nice on the trail.

The Agravic Speed Ultra features a thin version of Adidas鈥� signature grippy Continental rubber outsole. To enhance traction during cornering, the outsole employs 2.5mm lugs inspired by bike tire design, with slightly larger 3mm lugs on the edges for an increased bite when cornering. I found the grip on packed dirt and rock to be outstanding; however, the rather shallow lug depth felt skittish on loose kitty-litter-type footing.

While we haven鈥檛 yet tested the performance gains in the lab, my experience in the Adidas Agravic Speed Ultra鈥攁nd that of other 国产吃瓜黑料 testers, some who reported running four to five percent faster than usual with the same effort鈥攃onvinces me that it compares with carbon-plated road marathon racers and stands out as the first plated trail shoe that earns the title of supershoe. And it delivers these benefits without compromising its trail-handling creds. It impressed us enough to garner our Editors鈥� Choice award for best new trail running shoe this year.

The post This Adidas Is the Best Trail Supershoe We鈥檝e Tested appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

It was a big year for outdoor gear. From e-bike technology that promises to revolutionize kayaking to the invention of a new super steel that makes knives more indestructible, there was a lot for gearheads to get excited about in 2023. These are the six innovations in outdoor gear that topped the list.

BOA Fit System for Ski Boots

For decades skiers have been clamoring for something (anything) that would make ski boots more comfortable and less complicated. This year, four prominent boot brands鈥擜tomic, K2, Salomon, and Fischer鈥攆inally heard those cries and delivered a solution to address fit and function: a BOA Fit System to replace the lower buckles on select ski boots. BOA lacing itself isn鈥檛 new; it鈥檚 been commonplace on snowboard boots and cycling shoes for years. But it hasn鈥檛 been adopted by ski boot manufacturers until now because of durability and performance concerns. However, the new BOA H+i1 dial, specifically designed to withstand the type of wear and tear ski boots are accustomed to, alleviates those concerns and won over major boot brands. What does this mean for skiers? Dialing in your ski boot fit just got a little easier. .

Safeback SBX Technology for Avalanche Safety

An avalanche airbag can decrease your risk of being buried in an avalanche, but if you do (heaven forbid) get caught up in sliding snow and find yourself under it, an airbag won鈥檛 do you much good. In that event, your best hope of survival is being found and rescued before you run out of oxygen. Asphyxiation is the leading cause of death in avalanche victims, a statistic Norwegian brand Safeback hopes to change with its innovative SBX Technology. This fan system, which is integrated into the DB Snowpro Vest 8L and the Y MountainLine Daypack 40L, provides clean oxygen to an avalanche victim鈥檚 air pocket, decreasing the risk of asphyxiation before rescue. .

Kayaks with Electric Pedal Assist

Pedal kayaks aren鈥檛 new鈥攖hey鈥檝e been around since the nineties. But in 2023, the first electric pedal kayak came to market. The Old Town Bigwater ePDL+ 132, the first kayak ever fitted with electric pedal assist, gives users the choice between manual pedal power, power-assisted pedal, or fully-motorized propulsion at the push of a button. Casual kayakers out for a cruise are sure to appreciate the assist when they run out of muscle power. But our tester, Wes Siler, thinks anglers stand to benefit the most from this new technology. 鈥淥ld Town鈥檚 electric pedal assist technology is so effective, that many anglers will likely be able to use it to replace gasoline-powered skiffs, utility boats, and fishing rigs in many, if not most applications,鈥� noted Siler. 鈥淎nd in so doing they won鈥檛 just be eliminating emissions, they鈥檒l be gaining ease of transport, simplicity of use, lower maintenance, and a smaller, less invasive footprint on the water, all at a lower cost.鈥� Read Siler鈥檚 deep-dive review here.

Supershoe Foam Harnessed for the Trail

For the past several years, shoe brands have been trying to translate the technology found in road racing super shoes (first introduced in the 2016 Nike Vaporfly) to work on the uneven, unstable surface of trails. The challenge requires enabling the shoe to adapt to the terrain and not roll or bounce off in random directions while retaining the trampoline-like rebound that makes super shoes super. While several models have been released since 2021, none, quite frankly, have mastered the feat. In the summer of 2022, Nike released a prototype trail model to its athletes that used the same ultra-soft and bouncy foam as found in its signature racing models. While it was more energetic than other trail models to date, athletes found it too unstable, particularly in the high-stacked heel. In creating their 2023 production Ultrafly, rather than opting for a less-bouncy foam or making it denser, Nike creatively wrapped the foam in a thin, durable mesh fabric, which controlled the squish and wobbliness without dampening the rebound. Plus, it served as a skin for the soft foam, protecting against punctures and tears from trail hazards. The innovative solution worked so well the shoe won our Editor鈥檚 Choice award for all running shoes in 2023.

Knives Featuring MagnaCut Super Steel

When you shell out big bucks for a quality knife, it鈥檚 fair to expect that knife to be tough, durable, and have a superior edge. But the reality is, common steel doesn鈥檛 usually excel in all three of those properties. Enter MagnaCut, a new stainless steel that resists rusting, holds an edge well between sharpening, and is resistant to edge rolling and chipping. How is that possible? Metal magic, or metallurgy. MagnaCut is produced by Crucible Industries, a New York-based steel manufacturer whose specialty is a powder metallurgy process鈥攌nown as Crucible Particle Metallurgy鈥攚hich allows for fine control of a steel鈥檚 molecular properties. Learn more about MagnaCut steel and our favorite MagnaCut knives here.

Lightweight Tents and Tarps Made From UltraTNT

Big news in the ultralight backpacking world: Dyneema finally has a stronger, more affordable rival. This year Challenge Sailcloth, the fabric-maker that produces Ultraweave (the superstrong material found on many new ultralight backpacks), released UltraTNT, an even lighter-weight fabric designed for shelters. It鈥檚 100 percent waterproof and supposedly becomes more resistant to tears and punctures as the fabric breaks in. Will this new fabric replace Dyneema or silnylon, the two most popular fabrics in the ultralight gear world? Not likely. Instead, our ultralight backpacking expert Nathan Pipenberg expects it to become a popular choice for four season shelters. .

The post The Top 6 Gear Innovations of 2023 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

With the new year approaching, running shoe brands have started previewing the models they鈥檒l roll out out in 2024. The new crop shows lots of promise, with advanced materials and innovative designs delivering versatile shoes that are smoother-riding, faster, more comfortable, and more durable than ever. Here are some of the models that we鈥檙e most excited about running in when they鈥檙e available in the coming months.听

Topo Specter 2 ($165)

Slated for May 2024

I was leery when Topo鈥攁 brand that started out making second-generation, slightly more cushioned minimalist models鈥攍aunched the high-stack, well-cushioned Specter in 2022. But the shoe won me over because it maintained the stable ground feel I expect from the brand while delivering bouncy, lively cushioning. Topo achieved this by encasing a Pebax footbed in a firmer EVA frame that kept the foot rolling forward, not sideways. Even I admitted, however, that the frame sacrificed some of the exciting boing delivered by full-Pebax midsoles.

Last year, Topo delivered a full-Pebax shoe, the Cyclone 2, which avoided squishiness and instability by having a lower stack height and wide platform underfoot. I fell instantly in love, and it is now my favorite Topo鈥攐ne of my favorite running shoes ever, in fact.

Now Topo has announced a new Specter, which will also have a full Pebax midsole, but maintains its high stack height. It even gains two millimeters, making it a whopping 37 millimeters in the heel, 32 in the forefoot鈥攏ine millimeters higher than the Cyclone 2. Despite the thick stack of soft, bouncy foam (the same density as in the Cyclone 2), and the lack of a plate to control that foam, Russ Stevens, product manager at Topo, says I won鈥檛 be wobbling or wallowing in them due to their geometry. 鈥淭he heel is quite wide and you鈥檙e almost sitting down inside the midsole platform,鈥� Stevens says. 鈥淪o when you鈥檙e landing, you鈥檙e not rocking side to side鈥攜ou roll nicely through the gait cycle. It does a great job of feeling light and responsive while still providing that stability.鈥�

While I鈥檒l have to experience it to believe it, I have been impressed with other recent models that create stability through geometry. I also prefer not to have a rigid plate in a training shoe because of injury risk and loss of foot strength. Stevens added another good reason why they went plateless: 鈥淲e wanted to make sure that this shoe stayed fast, light, and responsive regardless of pace. By putting a plate in the shoe, we were concerned that we had to dictate the pace that the shoe was best at, because you have to tune the plate to an ideal runner. By keeping the plate out of it, it made the shoe more democratic.鈥� Plus, omitting the plate saves some weight鈥攖he shoe comes in at only 7.6 ounces.

Even a cushion-leery curmudgeon like me can鈥檛 help getting excited about the promise of a shoe with Topo鈥檚 fit鈥攕nug from heel to arch with plenty of toe room鈥攁nd the bounce of a full stack of super foam that stays in control through clever geometry. I鈥檓 eager to run in the new Spectrum to see if they pulled it off.

New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos ($200)

Slated for August 2024

Early Fresh Foam shoes from New Balance like the circa-2015 Zante were responsive, nimble, and rather firm, as befitted fast shoes of the day. I recall many pleasant up-tempo training miles in them. Through the years, the line has lost its speedy heritage and morphed into super-soft models that the brand admits are made more for wearing 24/7 than for logging serious miles. This shoe is a return to high-performance training, executed in a new way in this age of super foams. 鈥淲hat we wanted to do was to bring a super trainer into Fresh Foam,鈥� says Constanza Campos, global product manager for performance running at New Balance.听

What makes the Balos stand out is the Peba-based foam (the first use of the industry-leading midsole material in the Fresh Foam line), and the shoe鈥檚 unique geometry. The forefoot is aggressively rockered, like most fast models today. The Balos goes one step further with significant heel camber as well, which, combined with the malleable Peba foam and the gound-contact EVA outsole (remember the Beacon?), promises super-smooth landings and a seamless, fast-rolling ride from touchdown to toe-off. Like the Topo Specter, the Balos won鈥檛 have a prescriptive plate, allowing for each runner鈥檚 preferred movement pattern during training miles. High sidewalls and a wide base should keep the foot centered on the platform as you compress and rebound off the sole.

Rounding out the package is a comfy and secure upper. 鈥淥ur inspiration was to create a crossover between racing and training,鈥� Campos says. 鈥淪o we wanted the lightweight, the breathability, the technicality of a racing shoe, but with the comfort of a training shoe.鈥� Centering the fit is a stretchy, gusseted knit tongue that Campos calls, 鈥淐razy nice.鈥�

It鈥檚 easy to imagine putting in comfortable long miles and bouncy tempo runs in this 9.2-ounce trainer when it comes out in August.

Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 2

Slated for February 2024

Two years ago, I named the first Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite as one of the shoes I was most excited to try in 2022 because of its decoupled sole, which allowed the heel and toe to move independently (and made it look 眉ber-cool). That shoe did indeed deliver a unique ride, but the different midsole compounds鈥擯ebax in the forefoot, EVA in the heel鈥攎ade the decoupling feel somewhat disjointed. This second version has the same foam under both ends, promising to smooth out the ride, plus Puma introduced new materials and innovations that have me salivating to try this one on the roads as well.

The second version of the Fast-R got upgrades in both elements that define super shoes: the foam and the plate. Todd Falker, the brand鈥檚 head product line manager, says they went to the lab and asked, 鈥淔or the last seven years, everyone has said Pebax is the best thing in the industry. What is the next best thing?鈥� And the materials lab had an answer: Aliphatic TPU, a polymer, which, in membrane form is often for its lightweight durability. As Falker describes it, this new compound retains all the bounciness of TPU in a lighter, more consistent foam, with more energy return than Pebax (they measured the Aliphatic TPU at 93 percent). Plus, it has endurance. 鈥淚t is as strong at mile 25 as at mile one, or through a few hundred miles,鈥� Falker says. 鈥淵ou get consistency in performance; the foam doesn鈥檛 degrade like others do.鈥� The Aliphatic TPU delivers a similar squish-and-rebound trampoline effect as Pebax, but Falker says it feels a bit firmer underfoot, more bounce than squish, which I personally appreciate.

The Fast-R 2鈥檚 new plate is unique because it extends past the toe, sticking out from the midsole like the tip of an impertinent tongue. Falker says the patented design will add length to each step. 鈥淥ur researchers have shown that it saves about 50 steps over the course of a marathon,鈥� he said. Whether or not that will hold true for every runner, it will be intriguing to experience what Falker claims is the 鈥渓ongest and most aggressive plate in the industry.鈥澨�

The next best thing in foam, coupled with a step-saving plate鈥攚hat鈥檚 not to get excited about? I鈥檒l use them sparingly but will certainly be trying them out when they鈥檙e available at retail in February.听

Mount to Coast R1 Racer ($180)

Slated for April 2024

Every year we see several new brands try to break into the crowded running space. One that caught my eye this year was this clean-looking model designed for racing ultramarathons on the track. The oddly-named Hong Kong-based brand says their designs are rooted in a biomechanics lab where they can optimize the shoes’ ergonomic fit and long-run comfort and support. I don鈥檛 have a track ultra on my schedule any time soon, but I am interested in trying this shoe for several reasons.

First is the plateless, moderate-height (28/22mm) Pebax midsole with a PU insert under the highest-pressure areas that, combined, promises a smooth, bouncy ride with staying power. 鈥�They are made of very durable materials,鈥� says Victor Zhang, head of sourcing at Mount To Coast. 鈥淭hey may last over 1,000 miles.” That鈥檚 an impressive claim, but they鈥檝e got the ultrarunner testing to prove it.

Second, I love the decoupled closure system, with traditional laces on the top half of the eyelets, and a separate quick-pull lace on the bottom. I鈥檝e long felt that it makes sense to be able to tighten these parts of the shoe separately, as the tension needs on the instep鈥攚here you want to lock the fit down鈥攁nd ball鈥攚here you need room for splay鈥攄iffer at all times, and even more so when the foot swells as you鈥檙e going long. This design makes it easy to dial in the different zones, and to quickly adjust the lower half tension when needed.

I also got to step into a pair of the R1s at The Running Event in late November, and can attest to the comfort of the shoe鈥檚 ergonomic fit: both the upper and the sole matched my foot shape, holding and supporting invisibly. A few running steps revealed a lightly cushioned, firmly responsive ride (reminiscent of the Tracksmith Eliot Runner, but with a better fit), that made me want to head out the door in them. I鈥檒l have to wait for the April 18 release date before I can see if they live up to their promise on the long run.

Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra ($220)

Slated for April 2024

Lots of people have been eager to try this shoe, ever since Tom Evans wore a prototype to victory at the 2023 Western States 100. After having a chance to see and feel a production model, I鈥檓 even more excited about taking them out on my trails and dirt roads.

What impressed me most about the shoe is that it appears to be designed to act as an extension of the foot, rather than as a platform to land on and roll off of, like many max-cushioned models. The shoe鈥檚 shape is foot-like from heel to toe: the heel is rounded where you roll onto it, and relatively narrow, avoiding the rotational torque from the long levers created by flared soles鈥攚hile your foot sits inside high sidewalls to ensure you stay centered. The shoe鈥檚 midfoot is even narrower and can flex rotationally, letting the rear- and forefoot act independently as you encounter uneven footing. The forefoot, however, widens out dramatically鈥攍ike the human foot鈥攅nabling a stable, engaged stance.

Inside the midsole, the 鈥減late鈥� is actually four rods that act independently鈥攍ike foot bones鈥攁nd are made of Pebax in its firm plastic mode as you鈥檇 find in sprint spike plates. These rods splay closer to the outside edges of the forefoot than the ones on Adidas鈥檚 road models, providing more stability. They are also semi-flexible and responsive, to allow adaptation to technical terrain and add to the pop of the push-off.

The midsole itself is a thick (38鈥�30mm) stack of Lightstrike Pro, a Peba-based foam used in Adidas鈥檚 top-end Adizero marathon racing models. Based on my experience with those shoes, I believe the foam will translate well to the trail, as it provides plenty of bounce but not as much squish as other super foams, delivering more of a smooth, highly responsive roll than a soft trampoline鈥攕o it won鈥檛 be bouncing you sideways on a trail.

Given their stack height, I probably won鈥檛 use them for truly gnarly terrain, where I鈥檓 much more comfortable being close to the trail (see the Brooks Catamount Agil), but I can鈥檛 wait to take them on long tempo runs on moderate trails when they鈥檙e available after April 15.

Brooks Catamount Agil ($180)

Slated for January 2024

Many runners seem to be fine running trails on high-stack shoes, as evidenced by the proliferation of max-cushioned trail models on the market today. I鈥檓 not one of them (which probably stems from having broken a bone in my foot when I rolled it over on a root while wearing a tall, squishy trail shoe). As a former (and sometimes current) minimalist, I鈥檝e reluctantly learned to appreciate more cushioning and rebound on roads and smooth trails, but when I鈥檓 navigating rocky and rooty terrain I want to feel the trail and be able to react quickly and agilely. So I鈥檓 pleased when a company introduces a shoe that is svelte and nimble.

The original Brooks Catamount training shoe already had a moderate stack height (31鈥�25mm) and a flexible, articulated plate that gave it a stable feel and a lively ride. But, the brand says, Brooks鈥� athletes asked if they could get a lighter, more flexible shoe to race in. Ask and ye shall receive: meet the Catamount Agil.

The new model keeps you closer to the ground while promising to still provide a lively underfoot feel by using a thin (26鈥�18mm) layer of Brook鈥檚 most responsive foam, DNA Flash V2, a nitrogen-infused EVA-TPU blend found in their marathon-racing super shoes. The Agil has a new split, articulated, flexible Pebax plate that adds pop without losing proprioception, and gains deeper lugs for sure-footed foot-plants when moving fast and changing directions鈥攂ut weighs in nearly two ounces lighter than the Catamount.

I love the Catamount (it will stay around, getting an updated upper for version 3 in 2024) and plan to keep wearing it for daily miles on long trail runs. But I鈥檓 itching to dance across rocky ridges, descend gnarly switchbacks, and bounce up boulder-strewn ascents in the Catamount Agil when it comes out in January.

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Every year for the past 20 years, I鈥檝e had the fortunate opportunity to be a kid in a candy store when it comes to checking out new running gear.

Through a variety of trade shows and brand events鈥攁nd, most specifically since 2006, (TRE) trade show in Austin, Texas鈥擨鈥檝e been able to check out, try on, and run in next year鈥檚 running shoes months before they hit running stores. That includes getting to nerd out with product line managers and, in some cases, shoe developers and elite athletes who played a big role in creating those new models.

It鈥檚 been an invigorating part of my job as an editor in the running media world, but it鈥檚 also been a thrill as a lifelong runner and shoe geek.

Even before the advent of social media and the proliferation of behind-the-scenes content creation, runners wanted a look inside The Running Event. Friends, running buddies, and random running shoe aficionados would ask me what I saw and which models I was most excited about. And why not? It鈥檚 like looking into the future and getting a glimpse of your next marathon PR.

The only trouble is that the trade show is for the industry only, so you have to work for a shoe brand, retail store, media outlet, or business directly related to the running to get access to the show.听

A Sneak Peek at 2024 Running Shoes

This year, thanks to the running smarts and conversational skills of Thomas Bailey (who goes by 鈥溾��) and Gary Koutsoubos, the public can, for the first time, get a live look into The Running Event. They鈥檒l be during this year鈥檚 trade show on November 29-30 at the Austin Convention Center.

Runz is a 2:46 marathoner from the Detroit metro area who has become a popular running content creator. The host of , he鈥檚 an authentic storyteller who brings an energizing vibe to his social channels and a diverse voice to the running space. He and also produce training, racing, and running shoe content for their platform.

The goal of the TRE livestream, according to Runz, is to give runners a peek behind the curtain in a fun and informative style as Runz and Koutsoubos show off new shoes, talk about trends, and get runners pumped for 2024.

鈥淲e hope it will provide a good look into what鈥檚 happening at the show and all of the new gear that鈥檚 coming out,鈥� Runz says. 鈥淲e pitched this idea to TRE as a partnership, and that鈥檚 the way they took it. They haven’t steered us in any direction to do anything, they’re just trusting us to tell the story.鈥�

Runz and Koutsoubos will be set up at a TRE news anchor desk on the show floor, where they鈥檒l conduct 15-minute interviews with more than 30 guests over two days. That will include representatives from big and small shoe brands, apparel manufacturers, and even small accessory companies. Those chats will include lively show-and-tell sessions about some of the cool gear coming out in 2024, as well as discussions about brand initiatives and what some of their sponsored athletes will be doing next year.

When it comes to shoes, there is a lot to be excited about.听

Nike will be showing off its Alphafly 3鈥攖he shoe that Kelvin Kiptum wore to set a new marathon world record of 2:00:45 last month鈥攚hile Puma will be dropping the Fast-R NITRO Elite 2 at a Wednesday morning fun run. New Balance will highlight its speedy FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 and FuelCell Rebel v4 shoes, while On will be showing off its new CloudMonster Hyper. Reebok will be unveiling its FloatZig 1, Asics will highlight its Gel-Nimbus 26, and Skechers will tout its Go Run Razor 4. There鈥檚 also a new shoe brand launching called Mount to Coast.

The are several new trail running shoes expected to generate some buzz, including La Sportiva鈥檚 Prodigio, Hoka鈥檚 Speedgoat 6, Merrell鈥檚 MTL Skyfire 2 Matryx, Adidas鈥� Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra, NNormal鈥檚 Kboix, Saucony鈥檚 Xodus Ultra 3, and Scarpa鈥檚 Ribelle Run Kalibra HT BOA.

Plus, several brands will be offering private showings of top-secret shoes that are expected to launch prior to the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon on February 3 in Orlando. But those shoes will be kept under wraps, so you won鈥檛 see those on the livestream or social media platforms for several weeks.听

Diversity Is Long Overdue

As much as Runz is eager to pursue his own personal goals as a runner and a creator, he鈥檚 equally interested in helping drive diversity in the running space. Led in part by the efforts of (RIDC), running brands have shifted marketing to have more all-inclusive appeal and engaged with BIPOC personalities with ambassador, influencer, and amateur athlete partnerships.听While some progress has been made in recent years, it鈥檚 clear there鈥檚 still a lot of work to be done at the corporate and retail levels.

If you know Runz and Koutsoubos, you know they鈥檙e all about opening up spaces to more inclusivity and diversity with purpose and style. 鈥淲e thought, Why not make the conduit of the public and brands something to help with the diversity side of things?鈥� Runz says. 鈥淚t’s not just about getting more Black folks in there, it’s so many different angles of inclusion that need to be tackled.鈥澨�

Aside from the trade show, The Running Event also has numerous seminars and speakers that address a variety of current issues and topics, an industry-only 5K race, and an awards dinner that honors the best running stores of the year.

鈥淭his matters so much, not only because it’s giving more eyes to the running industry and the brands having more exposure鈥攂asically all of the on-paper reasons,鈥� Runz added. 鈥淏ut for it to be happening with us鈥攁 Black dude and a Mexican guy from the Detroit area鈥攂asically as the face of this big event on a livestream for eight hours. It鈥檚 huge.鈥�

In addition to engaging with gear brands, Runz and Koutsoubos plan to chat with , a Boston-based runner, coach, and founder of and , , executive director of the ,听Naseemah Palmer of the women鈥檚 active wellness hub , Dave Zimmer and Ari Perez from Fleet Feet, and TRE show director Christina Henderson.

鈥淔or the consumers at home to see a diverse group of people that represent the running industry is so important,鈥� Henderson says. 鈥淲e love the idea that they came up with and thought, what if we could give a peek of The Running Event and the future of the industry to consumers? We think it will drive fun and excitement for consumers, but it will also drive value for exhibitors. There will be a lot of value for consumers to see what鈥檚 happening and what鈥檚 coming from the running industry in what otherwise is an exclusive B2B event.鈥�

Which running shoes will you be buying next spring? Not all runners are nerdy enough to care about the shoes they鈥檒l see at their local running store months in advance, but whether you鈥檙e a running shoe geek or just excited about reaching your running goals next summer, you can and catch a glimpse of 2024鈥檚 best shoes for the first time.听

Follow the social media coverage of The Running Event at and .听

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The first running shoes were created roughly 50 years ago. Compared to running shoes today, nearly everything has changed. Outsoles are thinner, lighter, and more durable; midsoles are far more cushioned and responsive; and uppers are no longer leather but crafted of thin, breathable, engineered mesh or knits. One element, however, has remained essentially the same: laces. Today鈥檚 shoes, by and large, still use a long, thin cord crisscrossed across the instep to tighten the upper over the foot.

With all the technological advances elsewhere in shoe design it鈥檚 hard to believe that no one has come up with a more effective way of securing and holding the foot than by yanking laces through eyelets and tying them in a complicated bow that we learned when we were in preschool. Not only is the method cumbersome and imprecise, but it is also unreliable, coming undone at inopportune times far too often.

Truth be told, new tech has been developed but not widely adopted. Designers have tried various and or . Others have gone with pull-cord designs like the Salomon Quicklace system, where you tighten the shoe by pulling on a thin, slick lace and securing it with a clip. While all improve convenience, it comes at the cost of control and comfort for many runners.

One prominent alternative gaining traction is the BOA fit system that uses a ratcheted dial to pull thin laces through guides to tighten the upper. Having tried several trail shoes outfitted with BOA fit systems, I鈥檒l admit I am a fan. In my experience, the BOA system addresses many of the limitations of traditional laces: tightening is convenient and smooth, with micro-adjustments dialed- and locked-in with precise clicks. And, rather than the traditional top-of-the-foot web of laces buffered by a padded tongue, the BOA system tightens panels鈥攃ustom-designed for each shoe model鈥攖hat wrap around the foot and hold it comfortably and securely.

Besides convenience and comfort, a new study鈥攖hat was, it鈥檚 worth noting, funded by BOA and carried out by the BOA-sponsored Performance Fit Laboratory鈥攕uggests that better lacing can also improve performance. A published by Frontiers in Sport and Active Living details the study that revealed improvements in stability, agility, and speed on a technical trail when wearing a shoe outfitted with the BOA PerformFit Wrap closure system over the identical shoe with traditional lacing. Despite the conflict of interest and some inherent limitations in the methodology, the study seems sound, and the results are intriguing.

In designing the study, the researchers chose to assess performance in an actual trail-running setting rather than inside a lab. Thirty runners (15 male, 15 female) ran a one-mile loop of a technical trail in Red Rocks Park near Denver, Colorado four times鈥攖wice in a pair of La Sportiva Cyklon with the BOA wrap system and twice in the identical shoe retrofitted with traditional top-of-the-foot laces鈥� in randomized, counterbalanced order. During each run, scientists used accelerators and gyroscopes, pressure-sensitive insoles, heart-rate monitors, and GPS trackers to gather biomechanical metrics on the runners. After the test, participants answered questions on the shoe鈥檚 fit and performance on each section of the trail.

I was curious who tied the laces and who controlled the tension on both laces and BOA fit system, so I asked Dan Feeney, the BOA-employed biomechanics PhD who directed the study. He said that, in keeping with the 鈥渆cologically valid conditions鈥� of the study, they let runners lace their shoes to their preference. 鈥淭his is more representative of what runners will experience in the real world, so we prefer to test that way,鈥� Feeney said.

When the numbers were crunched, the wrap-equipped shoe was shown to increase ankle stability (reducing the velocity of inward rotation) by five percent, improve heel hold by two percent, and improve running speed on all sections of the trail (uphill, downhill, and level) by one percent鈥攚ith no increase in effort. In addition, the test runners rated the wrap shoe a better choice for each section of the trail, and said it fit better and inspired more confidence.

Feeney wasn鈥檛 surprised by the results, crediting the improvement to the superior fit of the engineered wrap.

鈥淭he overlapping panels鈥� configuration that we designed specifically holds the foot differently from laces,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he targeted hold over the instep using a wider panel enables force to be spread over a wider area, reducing pressure points. This enables superior fit by pulling the heel back into the heel pocket and ultimately providing better foot-shoe coupling.鈥� This better hold, Feeney believes, is what improved the runner鈥檚 stability and helped them to run faster.

Given my experience with BOA-equipped shoes, I too wasn鈥檛 surprised that they provided a better hold, but I wouldn鈥檛 have predicted the improved speed. It does make sense, however, that not slipping around in a shoe would make each stride more effective. Granted, a one percent improvement isn鈥檛 much, but, as we鈥檝e learned with four percent, going faster without increasing effort is a path to PRs.

Before we get too excited, consider that the real-world structure of the study reduces control of all the variables and the likelihood that results can be reproduced. The paper also acknowledges the limitation that everyone involved in the study was aware of what type of lacing they were testing at all times, which could bias the results.

Even with the limitations and biases, however, this study is a reminder鈥攊n a world obsessed with the propulsive properties of foam and plates鈥攖hat a shoe is a complete system and every element, even fit, affects performance. Rather than increasing midsoles to dangerous heights, perhaps designers could spend more energy improving the connection between the shoe and the foot.

BOA has made a good start, although there are some drawbacks. One limitation on the Cyklon and other one-dial shoes is the inability to vary the tension on different parts of the foot. With traditional laces, I can leave the lower eyelets loose while tightening those closer to the ankle鈥攁lbeit clumsily and imprecisely. The BOA dial, in contrast, tightens the entire system at the same rate. While the independent wrap panels are designed to optimize the force on each section, they don鈥檛 allow for individual foot-shape variations and fit preferences (except on shoes with two BOA dials, where each tightens a different set of panels wrapping the top and bottom of the instep鈥攁 significant improvement in the technology in my opinion). BOAs are also more expensive than laces, and, admittedly, they look geeky and out of place if you鈥檙e wearing your running shoes for anything other than running, which most people do with their road shoes.

So it may be some time before we see BOAs on anything but high-performance trail shoes. But on my morning run today, as I re-tied my laces for the second time and still felt unhappy with the tension, I longed for a day when I could dial in the fit on all my shoes.

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Seven years ago, Allbirds launched with a single product:听 a merino wool running shoe. Time magazine labeled that product 鈥渢he most comfortable shoe in the world.鈥� But while it was comfortable to wear to the office or out for a meal, it lost much of its appeal out on a run. Fortunately, a lot has changed since 2016.

Allbirds鈥攏amed as an allusion to one of its founder鈥檚 native New Zealand, an island originally inhabited by all birds and no mammals鈥攖ook off with rapid growth, fueled by online purchases from tech workers attracted to the brand鈥檚 emphasis on comfort, simplicity, and sustainability. Allbirds uses natural materials such as merino wool, eucalyptus fibers, banana oil, rice husks, castor beans, and sugarcane to produce soft, breathable, odor-fighting, carbon-neutral鈥攁nd now, high-performance鈥攎aterials.

Runability Follows Nature

Allbirds was co-founded by Tim Brown, a former professional soccer player (he鈥檚 the New Zealand connection), and Joey Zwillinger, an American biotech engineer specializing in renewable materials. The two worked on the brand鈥檚 concept for several years before developing superfine New Zealand merino wool worthy of use in footwear.

The company鈥檚 stellar growth was fueled by a direct-to-consumer model that cut out the intermediate steps of wholesalers, distributors, and retail chains鈥攁ll of which exact considerable markup from the retail price. Allbirds was able to keep its prices down and, at the same time, avoid major retail discounting that often damages a brand鈥檚 reputation. Allbirds also got to where it is today by staying true to its core values of reduced impact on the planet, using ingredients that sound like they belong on a vegan menu instead of in a shoe recipe.

Jad Finck, VP of Innovation and Sustainability at Allbirds, who joined the company in its earliest days, has helped along its evolution by establishing pioneering partnerships that saw the creation of new bio-based materials which have driven the apparel and footwear industry to new eco standards. While Allbirds has emerged as a leader in developing new nature-based materials, it hasn鈥檛 kept them secret. Fink says it鈥檚 company policy to work toward being 鈥渁 leader that the industry follows.鈥�

Finck offers the example of SweetFoam, a midsole compound made from sugar cane. Allbirds uses SweetFoam in many of its shoes, but a similar formulation of this compound is now being adopted by other brands. 鈥淎llbirds invites that, and even encourages it,鈥� says Finck. Allbirds has given competitors tours of its SweetFoam facility in Brazil to spur more use of the sugarcane alternative in place of traditional, petroleum-based EVA.

Brooks Running adopted a similar follow-us-as-we-all-try-to-restore-Earth-to-a greener-planet approach back in 2008. Carson Caprara, Brooks Running鈥檚 senior vice president of footwear, says the brand offered up the formulation to its eco-friendly 鈥渂iobatch鈥� tech to all footwear companies when they launched BioMogo DNA in the Green Silence.

SwiftFoam, the new midsole material of the Tree Flyer, is another example of the sort of environmental ingenuity Allbirds has introduced. In 2019, Allbirds began working with the supplier that makes Pebax, a key ingredient in the super shoe revolution, to formulate SwiftFoam鈥攁lso known as BioPebax, , or . This new cushioning material is made using a more sustainable manufacturing process that requires no chemical additives, and its formula integrates low-water-using, non-edible castor plant seed oil. The resulting foam is 48% bio-based and, Finck says, rates an 11 on a performance scale where standard Pebax grades a 12. It is, however, a premium midsole compound that commands an expensive price tag, more so than standard Pebax, which is a pricey foam in the first place.

The Tree Flyer 2鈥檚 construction further pushes the eco-friendly envelope by cannibalizing what might have been wasted SwiftFoam midsole material, rendering it into TPU-like upper overlays and heel counter reinforcements that enhance rearfoot and lateral stability鈥攑lus boost durability, further reducing the environmental impact as a shoe that lasts longer keeps more out of landfills.

Allbirds Tree Flyer 2 in Action

I tested the Tree Flyer 2 over a dozen runs of various lengths and speeds, some off-road on dirt paths and rocky singletrack; some on pavement and concrete. I even ran once while wearing an original Tree Flyer on my left foot and a Tree Flyer 2 on my right.

I was impressed with the fit, feel, and ride of the Tree Flyer 2鈥攕o much so that the brand鈥檚 environment-oriented focus didn鈥檛 occupy much head space during the runs. I was simply cruising, the way you can when footwear is doing what it ought to; not interrupting a good flow. My testing confirmed that Allbirds didn鈥檛 compromise the Tree Flyer鈥檚 performance to meet its exacting environmental standards.

The Swiftfoam was firmly bouncy, like a trampoline made of homespun natural fibers, offering just the right amount of softness to provide comfort but not bog you down. The foot shape provided plenty of room in the midfoot, perhaps on the wide side for some, and allowed a comfortable splay at the toes. In action, the flexibility and roll of the shoe seemed a tad firmer than that of conventional Pebax鈥攁t least as it is tuned in most high-stack supershoes鈥攂ut was far superior to most other environmentally-oriented midsole materials (including the Allbirds Tree Dasher鈥檚 SweetFoam) and felt lively, with a snappy energy return upon impact.

The mesh upper, lined with merino wool, was skin-friendly enough to wear the Tree Flyer 2 without socks. The fit of the stretchy, eucalyptus-fiber-based, sock-like upper was both secure and smoothly enveloping, and the heel wrap held my rearfoot firmly in place.

While both the original and updated Tree Flyer share the same midsole, the new version has bigger lugs arranged in a different pattern to improve traction in the certified natural rubber tread. Added upper overlays also give the shoe better lateral support, cornering, and durability. Both updates make the new version better suited for off-road ventures and solidify the shoe鈥檚 performance.

The look appeals to the eye, which also supports the brand鈥檚 environmental goal. If shoes look good in action and inaction, you can wear them both as running shoes and casual attire, and are less likely to have additional pairs鈥攄ecreasing consumption and resource depletion. The carved, geometric, edgy, look, and the flared heel design even drew the eye of Gen-Zers I encountered, who commented on their 鈥渟leek鈥� appearance.

The only gripe I had was with the laces made of recycled plastic. Even when double-knotted, I found myself retying them midway through my runs. Plus, I鈥檝e heard the argument that it鈥檚 better to keep recycled plastic from bottles in the plastic bottle sphere instead of diverting it to the apparel and footwear market, from where it is unlikely to be recirculated.

While the Tree Flyer is a marked improvement over other eco-oriented attempts at performance running shoes, at 10.6 ounces for a men鈥檚 size nine, they are relatively heavy and lack the pop of a rockered supershoe (all of which are currently made from petrochemicals and carbon fiber). As such, I鈥檒l likely reserve the Tree Flyers for training sessions and not racing.

At $160, the Tree Flyer 2 is in line with shoes with similar tech and performance. And, as a bonus, you get to support its carbon-neutral, low-impact construction and Allbirds鈥� of using natural materials and funding carbon projects to balance out its emissions. Plus, it especially seems a fair price when you factor in that it looks smart enough to be worn casually too.

Bottom Line

Allbirds Tree Flyer 2 is the first shoe to come along since Brooks鈥� Green Silence to get both the environmental and performance qualities right, hopefully setting the pace for others to follow so conscientious consumers won鈥檛 have to compromise to feel better about our impact on the planet.

Stats:

MSRP: $160
Weight: 10.6 oz (men鈥檚); 8.3 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 30.5mm heel/ 22.0mm forefoot (8.5mm drop)

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Nike has been in the trail running game for as long as any brand in the shoe biz, dating back to its original models in the early 1980s. But despite being one of the predominant brands in track and road racing, its line has lacked high-performance trail racing shoes.听

Until now, that is.听

The mid-August launch of the Nike Ultrafly ($260) puts the brand in the race with other trail-running supershoes, and reinforces its recent all-in commitment to trail running. The shoe features a curvy, pronged, carbon-fiber Flyplate embedded in a hyper-responsive ZoomX foam midsole, a lightweight micromesh upper, and a grippy Vibram outsole with low-profile 3.5mm lugs.

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Nike released a near-final prologue version of the shoe last summer to its athletes and select retailers, influencers, and media. Those early testers reported that the outsole rubber wasn鈥檛 tacky enough, that the foam midsole was too soft and unstable鈥攑articularly in the heel鈥攁nd the sole had poor grip. Nike listened to the feedback and made the shoe much better. Although the new Ultrafly is essentially the same shoe, the final production version has a Vibram Megagrip Litebase outsole and its ZoomX midsole is tightly wrapped in a thin, durable mesh fabric that significantly stabilizes and moderates the foam.

The Ultrafly is nearly a max-cushioned shoe鈥攊t has 38.5 millimeters of foam and rubber under the heel and 30 millimeters under the forefoot鈥攎aking it cushy enough to run long distances, but it鈥檚 also light and nimble enough to run fast. The ZoomX foam鈥攖he same material found in Nike鈥檚 high-end Vaporfly and Alphafly marathon racing shoes鈥攊s incredibly responsive and puts a noticeable spring in every step. Plus, the low forefoot provides a good proprioceptive feel for the ground that makes it conducive to quick footsteps and sharp cornering at faster speeds.

The Ultrafly arrives at a time when The North Face, Adidas Terrex, Craft, Saucony, Salomon, Hoka, and New Balance have launched, or will soon be releasing, high-performance trail running shoes that follow a similar carbon-plated design that has already revolutionized road and track racing. Although the jury is still out as to how much a carbon-fiber propulsion plate is needed or wanted for long trail races鈥攁s always, it depends on the terrain, course profile, and runner preference鈥擭ike has put itself in the front pack of high-performance trail running shoes.听

Each brand uses its own strategy for modifying the carbon-fiber plate to adapt to uneven terrain, from creating parallel, independent rails to making a plate that bends in one direction and stays stiff in the other. Nike’s version is shaped in a two-prong fork to allow better flexibility and movement on the trail. It’s shorter than the plate found in the Vaporfly and Alphafly, and designed to provide more control of side-to-side movements.

RELATED: Eight Fast and Agile Carbon-Plated Trail Running Shoes

The Nike Ultrafly: Fit and Feel

The Ultrafly fits true to size, with a narrow-medium interior volume that opens in the forefoot for a little bit of toe wiggle room. The upper is secured by a thinly padded, semi-gusseted tongue and a moderate heel counter. The shoe feels light (estimated at about 8.3 ounces for a women鈥檚 size 8 and 9.8 ounces for a men鈥檚 size 9), agile, energetic, and stable on mild to moderate trails and fire roads鈥攚hich is where it excels.听

Although the foam is soft and responsive like Nike’s road running supershoes, it鈥檚 not marshmallowy (thanks to the nylon mesh-reinforced wrapping of the midsole foam) and, with a wide forefoot profile, it provides a bit of stability (especially compared to last year鈥檚 version) on off-camber terrain. As expected, it鈥檚 a little less at home on technical trail terrain, although the outsole rubber and interior plate do a good job at keeping under-foot stingers from sharp rocks at bay, and the forked plate does seem to reduce the tippiness somewhat. The rip-stop micromesh upper is modestly reinforced鈥攂ut barely so around the toe box, which can make your feet vulnerable to sidewall abrasions and stubbed toes.

The Vibram Litebase outsole rubber, although not nearly as tacky as the sticky rubber of the industry-leading La Sportiva Frixion outsole, is a huge upgrade from all previous Nike trail running shoes. Over the past several years, Nike has improved its line of trail running shoes鈥攅specially the Wildhorse, Kiger and Zegama models鈥攂ut the biggest shortcoming has always been that they鈥檝e lacked optimal traction for high-performance running. Nike solved that problem with the Ultrafly by partnering with Vibram for the first time, making it the best light-and-fast trail shoe in its lineup since the Air Tupu in 2002鈥�2003.

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Compared to other carbon-fiber trail running shoes out on the market, the Ultrafly falls somewhere between the stable and durable and the light and exceptionally springy and propulsive from The North Face. And although looks don鈥檛 have anything to do with performance, the bright white upper and midsole become dingy and dirty after the first run. (But the fast and agile ride remains even when it becomes a shade of grimy gray.)

Nike elite trail-running athletes Tyler Green, Nienke Brinkman, Brittany Peterson, Matt Daniels, Addie Bracy, Drew Holmen, and Erin Clark have been wearing prototypes of the Ultrafly for two years, and Green wore a pair (a custom model without the plate) en route to a second-place finish at this year鈥檚 Western States 100, while Bracy wore them in her recent third-place finish at the Speedgoat 50K.听听

The other notable aspect of the Ultrafly is that it鈥檚 not cheap. In fact, with a $260 price tag, it鈥檚 downright expensive and might make you consider whether you need such a high-performance shoe or whether you鈥檇 rather buy a pair of light, versatile non-plated shoes like the Altra Superior ($130), Saucony Peregrine ($140), Salomon Ultra Glide 2 ($150), or Nike Zegama 2 ($160)鈥攁nd spend the difference on other trail running gear you need.

Bottom line: The Ultrafly is a top-tier, high-performance shoe that blends a great combination of speed, agility, cushioning, and traction. If you鈥檙e interested in fast-paced training and racing on moderate trails, it鈥檚 definitely a shoe to consider adding to your quiver.

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A decade ago I attended a lecture in Munich, Germany about runners鈥� gaits. It was given by Dr. Peter Br眉ggemann, who was the head of the Institute at the German Sport University Cologne at the time. Dr.听 Br眉ggemann spent most of the lecture discussing the merits of mid-foot over rear-foot running to reduce the risk of impact injuries. At the end of the talk, I asked, 鈥淲hat about forefoot runners? I run on my forefoot and am curious why runners like me didn鈥檛 enter your calculus.鈥� Dr. Br眉ggemann curtly replied, 鈥淣atural forefoot runners are only 1% of the population and statistically irrelevant.鈥�

While we may not make up a significant percentage of runners, forefoot folks are a proud lot. We are also sensitive鈥攁t least in the toe area. And we find it frustrating that most shoe technology caters to heel strikers. For those of us whose heels hardly touch the ground, this merely translates to carrying around extra weight and paying for cushioning and control features that provide little to no benefit. Forefoot runners may be rare, but runners with a midfoot strike, who also don鈥檛 need shoes with overbuilt heels, are more common鈥攕o it makes good business sense to design shoes that support them as well as the few, proud forefooters.

Moving the Focus Forward

One key way to move away from heel-centered design is by deploying a lower heel-to-toe drop. Twenty years ago, the industry norm was for the heel to be 12 millimeters higher than the forefoot. Post-minimalism, most contemporary shoes feature a heel-toe differential of seven to nine millimeters, while shoes that favor forefoot or midfoot strikes often have a drop of six millimeters or less. A lower drop not only reduces the volume of unnecessary material under the heel, it also increases the stack height under the ball of the foot, providing additional, much-appreciated cushioning and protection for tender toes.

Saucony鈥檚 new ($170, 8.6 oz (M), 7.3 oz (W)) personifies a shoe suited for those who eschew heel strikes. Yes, it has听 33 millimeters of lightweight, energy-returning, PEBA-based PWRRUN PB foam under the heel, but a slim six-millimeter drop leaves a robust 27 millimeters under the forefoot, providing plenty of comfort for the entire foot. The Rift also integrates Saucony鈥檚 SPEEDROLL technology to encourage a quick toe-off, which works particularly well for runners who favor their forefeet.

Stability for the Front of the Foot

Katie Pyle, lead senior product line manager for the Endorphin Rift, pointed out another feature when asked why the shoe appealed to forefoot types like me. 鈥淚 would say that 鈥榮pecial sauce鈥� on forefoot strike really comes from the slightly lower stack height which acts/behaves slightly wider, and therefore provides a little more support in the forefoot strike,鈥� she says.

Saucony didn鈥檛 set out to make a shoe aimed at forefoot strikers, Pyle says. Her idea was to add a shoe to Saucony鈥檚 line that was similar to their carbon-plated Endorphin Edge trail racing shoe, but more versatile for everyday training鈥攕imilar to the relationship between the road Endorphin Pro racing shoe (with a rigid carbon-fiber plate) to the Speed trainer (that has a flexible, plastic plate). For the trail, the Edge has a dynamic Carbitex carbon plate and the Rift is non-plated and closer to the ground. 鈥淲hile offset remains the same as that of the Edge, the stack height is lower, offering more stability,鈥� Pyle says.

The Rift鈥檚 fit also appeals to those of us who land forward of the arch. 鈥淎s far as the upper, we wanted to create a comfortable, more sock-like feel and also keep debris out,鈥� Pyle says. That sock-like feel around the front of the shoe allows toes to splay and engage, enhancing forefoot stability. Granted, the novel lacing, with only four crossovers and a tongueless, gusseted collar, initially struck our testers as more cosmetic than functional but, once on the run, the dual-eyelet option and added padding on the instep addressed the loose fit concerns and kept trail detritus at bay.

Trail Test for Toe-Strikers

I tested the Rift on Boulder鈥檚 foothills trails, frequently on a climb that goes straight up a mountain used for paragliding launches. The forefoot agility tempted me to race the pilots down the steep slopes we had both climbed. The shoes performed well on technical footing but particularly shined when I ran at a faster clip on a dirt multi-use path.

I found that the woven rock plate didn鈥檛 diminish the Rift鈥檚 flexibility, and the aggressive four-and-half-millimeter lugs delivered outstanding bite for steep ascents and dicey descents. The low-profile midsole gave me outstanding forefoot control that stood out for quick steering when screaming downhill.

While I wasn鈥檛 as weightless as a paraglider soaring through the air, the Rift did outfit me in a way running footwear seldom does, equipping me to fly on the trail with cushioning and control that complemented my forefoot landings.

If you also land on your midfoot or toes, here are four more forefoot-favoring trail running options I recommend:

Inov-8 Trailfly Ultra G 280 ($165)

Weight: 9.8 oz in men’s size 8.5, women’s size 10,
Drop: 8 mm

With the Trailfly Ultra G 280, Inov-8 has produced a shoe that appeals to a wider audience, as in an audience with wider feet. The toe box is expanded from the brand鈥檚 usual snug fit, and that, plus its ample (33-millimeter heel / 25-millimeter forefoot) nitrogen-infused foam midsole and a flexible, grooved, Graphene-studded outsole, makes for an attractive package that allows forefoot flexibility without sacrificing underfoot protrusion protection.

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Altra Superior 6 ($130)

Weight: 9.6 oz (M), 8.1 oz (W)
Drop: 0 mm

Altra鈥檚 no-drop, expanded-toe box shoes鈥攖hat provide a balanced stance and room for toe splay鈥攈ave always appealed to those who run toward the front of their feet. The Superior 6 is a superb lightweight trail shoe with an old-school vibe. The stripped-down upper, low-to-the-ground (21 millimeter) compression-molded EVA midsole, and aggressive MaxTrac outsole offer plenty to those who appreciate ground feel as they dance over terrain on their toes.

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Topo Athletic MTN Racer 3 ($150)

Weight: 10.1 oz (M), 8.3 oz (W)
Drop: 5 mm

Topo added more cushioning and protection to this update of the MTN Racer, which was already an alluring choice for forefoot runners thanks to its low-drop geometry, a thick layer (28 millimeters) of ZipFoam midsole under the ball of the foot, and an aggressive Vibram Megagrip outsole. It has ample underfoot shielding and rebounding energy, with a generous upper fit for high-volume feet.

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Craft Nordlite Ultra ($160)

Weight: 9.3 oz (M), 8.1 oz (W)
Drop: 6 mm

For road and trail excursions, the Nordlite Ultra is alluring to forefoot runners given its max-height (40-millimeter heel / 34-millimeter forefoot) midsole and a well-designed rocker that launches the foot at the sweet spot of the stride. The midsole鈥檚 nitrogen-infused Cr Foam and the highly-responsive insole combine to deliver a lively, bouncy performance. The single-layer mesh upper is breathable, flexible, and doesn鈥檛 constrain the toes, which we appreciated on tame terrain but found doesn鈥檛 provide enough hold for technical trails or steep descents. We recommend sizing down a half step, as the fit runs big.

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Here鈥檚 why I love carbon-plated running shoes: They allow me to run farther and faster with less effort. They also allow my strained metatarsal ligament鈥攁nd other overused muscles, ligaments, and tendons in my feet鈥攖o not work as hard as they do in shoes without a plate. I reach for them when I feel like my feet need a break but I want to keep running.

Here’s why I don鈥檛 always love carbon-plated trail running shoes: They can feel tippy on technical terrain, the plate acting like a lever when stepping onto protrusions and uneven ground, rocking my foot in unpredictable directions. Also, while I love relying on plated trail shoes to give my feet a break, depending on them too often makes me think my muscles, tendons, and ligaments will weaken and not function properly when I need them. And, carbon-plated shoes are pricey.

But, while I won鈥檛 use them every day, I鈥檒l reach for carbon-plated running shoes often because they鈥檙e fun to run in, speedy, supportive, and forgiving. (I don鈥檛 feel as trashed after trail runs in plated shoes than if I wear 鈥渞egular鈥� shoes.) And today鈥檚 versions are dealing with the tippy issue by varying the shape of the plate, its stiffness, and where it鈥檚 sandwiched within the midsole. There鈥檚 a whole slew of great options now on the market, and the tech continues to improve.

Five testers, ranging widely in age and speed, and I ran in eight different models over six months on the trails around Boulder, Colorado, and the Bay Area, California. Here鈥檚 what we found:

Hoka Tecton X 2 ($225)

We loved the first iteration of this shoe鈥攊n fact, we named it the 2022 Gear of the Year pick among running shoes the summer it debuted. This version is even better, making it a favorite of this roundup. Like in the first edition, two plates run parallel to each other within the midsole, letting them operate independently, which seems to make this shoe the least tippy of the test. Combined with soft, responsive cushioning, the sole morphs around pokey rocks and sticks, and delivers a comfy and peppy ride. An updated Matrix upper improves the fit and lightens the weight from the first version. 8.8 ounces (men), 7.4 ounces (women鈥檚); 5mm drop.

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Nike ZoomX Ultrafly ($250)

There鈥檚 been a buzz around this model for nearly a year, as it鈥檚 the first shoe that applies Nike鈥檚 carbon-plating tech for the trail, and has already been spotted on the podium of races like Western States. It鈥檚 also the first Nike trail shoe with great traction, using a proven Vibram Megagrip Litebase outsole with 3.5mm lugs to grip rock and dirt. The foam, Nike’s Pebax-based ZoomX found in their Vaporfly models, is soft and springy, lively and energizing. Here, it is encased in a textile wrap that protects from punctures and reduces lateral squish, creating a noticeably more stable ride than ZoomX alone. A nicely padded heel collar and secure midfoot make this a comfy shoe that鈥檚 as ready to race as it is to log long, slow mountain miles. 10.6 ounces (men鈥檚), 8.8 ounces (women鈥檚); 8.5mm drop.

AVAILABLE IN AUGUST

Speedland GS:TAM ($275)

This is the only shoe in the test with an optional carbon plate; it can be easily inserted or removed depending on your mood or the terrain you鈥檙e running on any given day, making the shoe highly versatile. A custom-like fit comes from two BOA dials that fine-tune the tension on the instep and ball of your foot independently and can be adjusted mid-run, accommodating for foot swelling or terrain (dial tighter for technical trails, looser for comfort on smooth terrain). The outsole base is notably wide under the forefoot, which creates a stable-feeling platform despite the high stack (37mm heel/30mm forefoot) of soft, bouncy Pebax foam. 10.5 ounces (unisex); 7mm drop.

The North Face Summit VECTIV Pro ($250)

The VECTIV Pro has an aggressive rockered midsole that can feel downright strange when standing still. But on the run, its intention becomes clear: 鈥淚 could feel it helping me spring off my toes,鈥� said a tester. The carbon plate within has 鈥渨ings鈥� that are visible on the side of the midsole. The effect is a stable platform on flat to moderate trails, but we found the shoe slightly tippy on off-camber terrain or when stepping on pointy trail protusions. The traction excels, grabbing loose dirt with aplomb. It鈥檚 built for race day鈥攁nd we can tell. 鈥淚 felt superfast in these shoes, due to lightness, springy cushioning, and curved sole that helped propel my running motion forward,鈥� said another tester. That said, it seems best suited for fast, runnable terrain rather than technical rambles. 10.1 ounces (men鈥檚), 8.54 ounces (women鈥檚); 5mm drop.

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The North Face Vectiv Sky ($199)

This is the lighter, faster, lower-to-the-ground version (21mm/17mm) of the Vectiv Pro. The ground feel ranks high here, especially for a plated shoe. I appreciate the low stack height of these and love them for long, sustained climbs where light weight is a welcome commodity. Like the Vectiv Pro, the traction is amazing. It grips steep slabs of rock and loose dirt equally well. But like the Vectiv Pro, there鈥檚 hardly any protection on the upper, making them (and your feet) susceptible to hard knocks from rooty jabs and ragged rock edges. We do like this shoe for fast efforts, though. The off-set lacing鈥攚hich never came undone鈥攊s mostly comfortable, though some reported slight digging on the top of the foot after hours of wear. 9.6 ounces (men鈥檚), 8.0 ounces (women鈥檚); 4mm drop

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Craft CTM Ultra Carbon Trail ($260)

This shoe feels different. With a thick stack of foam (40mm/30mm M, 38mm/28mm W) it rides high off the ground, almost like running in platform shoes. We preferred the sensation on smooth terrain over rugged, as the stiff sole and plate combo made us feel somewhat disconnected from the ground beneath our feet, reducing agility. But we love how the nylon mesh upper with supportive overlays wards off snags and even dirt, making these feel 鈥渂omb-proof,鈥� as one tester put it. And the traction is superb. 鈥淕rips like octopus suckers!鈥� another tester said.听 If you like feeling unscathed while bushwhacking and almost like hovering while running you鈥檒l love this shoe. (I鈥檓 looking forward to using these in snow.) 12 ounces (men鈥檚), 9.7 ounces (women鈥檚); 10mm drop

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Saucony Endorphin Edge ($200)

This shoe鈥檚 adaptive Carbitex plate is pronged under the toes and flexes upon footstrike to handle uneven terrain, but stays stiff in the other direction for peppy push-offs. The cushioning around the plate鈥攖he same Pebax-based foam found in their marathon-racing Endorphin Pro supershoe鈥攆eels energetic and shock-absorbing, and a rockered shape helps encourage forward propulsion. A full-length rockguard, combined with the three-quarter-length carbon plate, makes this shoe ride on the stiff side, but ensures underfoot protection. Next to the Hoka Tecton X 2, this is the lightest shoe in this roundup, and we appreciated its slight profile, which didn鈥檛 detract from its durability or ability to handle rugged terrain. 9.0 ounces (men鈥檚); 7.8 ounces (women鈥檚) 6mm drop

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Scott Ultra Carbon RC ($230)

This is a fast-feeling shoe. The EVA-based cushioning rides on the firm side underfoot, which translates into responsiveness that made us want to turn our legs over as fast as possible, and helped us to do so. The Carbitex carbon plate is forked on both ends, which seemed to help the shoe鈥檚 agile ride, as it鈥檚 not as tippy as some others. The plate also flexes at slow speeds and gets stiffer with increased pressure, which translated to a propulsive feel when we stepped on the gas. We reach for this shoe over soft, squishier, higher-riding shoes for short trail races on varied terrain, given its ground feel and agility. 10.6 ounces (men鈥檚); 8.1 ounces (women鈥檚); 5mm drop

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