Best Trail Running Shoes for 2026

The Salomon Speedcross 6 is built for players on aggressive or technical terrain, and sits in the mid-range tier of the market. Aggressive 5mm lugs grip mud, loose dirt, and wet roots confidently Quicklace system locks in a snug midfoot in seconds on the trail Buyers who fit that profile will benefit from its specific design choices far more than they would from a one-size-fits-all trainer.

Across our scoring criteria, the Salomon Speedcross 6 is the strongest trail running shoes pair on the market right now. Aggressive 5mm lugs grip mud, loose dirt, and wet roots confidently The standout spec (6mm) and $140–$155 create a hard-to-beat combination for players in that exact window. The one real downside — Deep lugs feel sluggish on hard-packed fire roads and pavement — only matters if it overlaps a need you already have. Pick it if you prioritize the strengths above over the trade-offs you can live without.

The Hoka Speedgoat 6 is built for players who log long hours on their feet, and sits in the mid-range tier of the market. Max-cushion Hoka midsole softens rocky ultras of 50K and beyond Vibram Megagrip outsole holds rock slab and wet roots equally well Buyers who fit that profile will benefit from its specific design choices far more than they would from a one-size-fits-all trainer.

Across our scoring criteria, the Hoka Speedgoat 6 is a strong trail running shoes pair on the market right now. Max-cushion Hoka midsole softens rocky ultras of 50K and beyond The standout spec (5mm) and $155–$170 create a hard-to-beat combination for players in that exact window. The one real downside — Stack height feels tippy on technical scrambles — only matters if it overlaps a need you already have. Pick it if you prioritize the strengths above over the trade-offs you can live without.

The Brooks Cascadia 17 is built for recreational trail running shoes shoppers sorting by price, and sits in the mid-range tier of the market. Built-in rock plate shields the foot from sharp stone impacts Stable platform with pivot posts handles lateral trail movement Buyers who fit that profile will benefit from its specific design choices far more than they would from a one-size-fits-all trainer.

Across our scoring criteria, the Brooks Cascadia 17 is a strong trail running shoes pair on the market right now. Built-in rock plate shields the foot from sharp stone impacts The standout spec (8mm) and $130–$145 create a hard-to-beat combination for players in that exact window. The one real downside — Heavier than competitors at 11 oz for the cushioned feel — only matters if it overlaps a need you already have. Pick it if you prioritize the strengths above over the trade-offs you can live without.

The Merrell Moab Speed 2 is built for players who want one shoe for multiple uses, and sits in the mid-range tier of the market. Lightest trail shoe here at 9.5 oz — doubles well for road-to-trail days Vibram outsole grips moderate terrain without feeling sluggish on pavement Buyers who fit that profile will benefit from its specific design choices far more than they would from a one-size-fits-all trainer.

Across our scoring criteria, the Merrell Moab Speed 2 is a strong trail running shoes pair on the market right now. Lightest trail shoe here at 9.5 oz — doubles well for road-to-trail days The standout spec (6mm) and $120–$135 create a hard-to-beat combination for players in that exact window. The one real downside — Less aggressive lugs than Speedcross — struggles in deep mud — only matters if it overlaps a need you already have. Pick it if you prioritize the strengths above over the trade-offs you can live without.