Best trail running shoes to get you started

This post is dedicated to unveiling the finest selection of trail running shoes for beginners eager to take their first strides in mountain running. Experienced runners often highlight the enchanting allure of trail running, a sport known for its ability to captivate and engage newcomers. However, selecting the appropriate gear is crucial for ensuring a fulfilling trail running experience.

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At RUNNEA, our goal is to assist you as you start running, ensuring your initial experiences are not only enjoyable and entertaining but also safe, offering benefits that enhance your security on the trail. It's a well-known fact that mountain running requires specialised footwear. Hence, we're here to guide you through our top recommendations for trail running shoes perfect for beginners.

Trail running shoes: main differences

The distinction between trail running shoes and standard running shoes, designed for road use, is significant. Key differences include:

• Maximize grip: Trail running shoes use specific soles with compounds to adapt to the roughest terrain to move with greater security and stability.
• Stiffer construction: models designed for mountain running try to avoid allowing excessive rotation of the foot. Unlike models for running on the road, pronation control is not so important in trail running, because the running technique varies with shorter strides, continuously adapting to the oscillations of the terrain itself.
• Increased protection: Running on dirt, mud, boulders, rock, gravel and roots means trail shoes are made with materials and compounds that are more durable to wear and abrasion. These materials ensure optimum protection, no matter where you run.

What features should you look for to find the trail running shoe you need?

For beginners transitioning from the road to mountain trails, certain factors should be considered when choosing trail running shoes that best fit your needs:

• Cushioning: Here different variables come into play, associated with the physical aspect, such as weight. But, as a general rule, it is best to opt for maximum cushioning, which ensures you run without worries.

• Drop: The drop from heel to toe also plays a major role, because this measure directly influences the mechanics of each trail runner. A higher heel drop tends to incorporate more cushioning material, while a lower heel drop provide a more natural feeling of contact with the ground.

• Fit: Running with a model that fits and adapts to the movements of the foot guarantees greater comfort in each stride, and therefore also a more efficient and satisfying run.

Therefore, the ideal trail running shoe for beginners is an all-terrain model that combines maximum protection with durable plates and coatings, ample cushioning via shock-absorbent midsoles, supportive and stable uppers for comfort on uneven surfaces, and outsoles with aggressive, multidirectional lugs for superior grip and traction.

The 13 best trail running shoes to get you started in running

1. New Balance Dynasoft Nitrel v5 GTX
2. Brooks Divide 3
3. Adidas Terrex Soulstride
4. ASICS Gel Sonoma 7 GTX
5. Joma Sima
6. Merrell Morphlite
7. Mizuno Wave Ibuki 4 GTX
8. Nike Pegasus Trail 4 Gore-Tex
9. Nike Juniper Trail 2 Next Nature
10. Under Armour Charged Bandit Trail 2
11. Salomon Speedcross 6
12. Saucony Blaze TR
13. ATOM Terra

New Balance Dynasoft Nitrel v5 GTX

The New Balance Dynasoft Nitrel v5 GTX is a trail running shoe from the American brand aimed at beginner mountain runners, with a waterproof membrane aimed to keep your feet dry, whatever the weather. 

• Surface: Trail
• Use: Training
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Pace: Low

Brooks Divide 3

These Brooks Divide 3 trail running shoes are a very attractive option for runners looking to make the leap from the road to the mountain. With comfortable DNA LOFT cushioning that ensures smoother transitions, they offer a level of flexibility and unsurpassed protection. Its new upper, made with a breathable mesh, will allow you to move safely and confidently through the roughest terrain.

• Surface: Trail
• Use: Training
• Cushion: Soft
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 8 mm
• Pace: Low, Medium
• Weight: 286 gr

Adidas Terrex Soulstride

The adidas Terrex Soulstride are shoes designed to accompany you on each and every one of your outdoor adventures. It is a model that is a midpoint between the road and the mountain, since its hybrid sole has been optimised to offer a quality response, regardless of the terrain. It incorporates some of the most advanced technologies of the German company.

• Surface: Trail
• Use: Training
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Pace: Low, Medium

ASICS Gel Sonoma 7 GTX

The ASICS Gel Sonoma 7 GTX is a trail running shoe that stands out for versatility and comfort, and is ideal for those who are starting out in the world of trail running. If you need a quality shoe with great value for money, it will be difficult to match.

• Surface: Trail
• Use: Training
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 8 mm
• Pace: Low

Joma Sima

The Joma Sima is the fastest and lightest model from the Spanish company so far, in terms of their trail running shoes. Optimised for lightweight runners, they incorporate some of Joma's most outstanding technologies to offer a perfect balance between protection, traction and safety.

• Surface: Trail
• Use: Training
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 8 mm
• Pace: Low, Medium
• Weight: 345 gr

Merrell Morphlite

The Merrell Morphlite is one of the most versatile and safe trail running shoes from this company. Aimed at the most novice mountain runners, it's a model that emphasises comfort, safety and stability, making the transition from road to the mountain as easy as possible. It comes with Float Pro technology in the midsole foam, which will allow you to run comfortably for many kilometers. 

• Surface: Trail
• Use: Training
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Pace: Low, Medium
• Weight: 225 gr

Mizuno Wave Ibuki 4 GTX

The Mizuno Wave Ibuki 4 GTX is a trail running shoe that incorporates some of the most outstanding technologies of Mizuno, including Mizuno Enerzy Foam in the midsole, with guaranteed good cushioning, and the Mizuno Wave that offers stability without sacrificing cushioning. The upper of the Mizuno Wave Ibuki 4 GTX contains a Gore-Tex membrane to maintain waterproofing. And the outsole also varies slightly from the standard version, with WGrip rubber, with a design adapted to muddy terrain.

• Surface: Trail
• Use: Training
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 8 mm
• Pace: Low

Nike Pegasus Trail 4 Gore-Tex

The Nike Pegasus Trail 4 Gore-Tex bring with them all the strengths of the standard version, but with the added Gore-Tex membrane, guaranteeing good waterproofing. These shoes are perfect for the winter months, and for running in wet areas all year round.

• Surface: Trail
• Use: Training
• Cushion: High
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 10 mm
• Pace: Low, Medium
• Weight: 250 gr

Nike Juniper Trail 2 Next Nature

The Nike Juniper Trail 2 Next Nature trail running shoes are perfect for beginners to run in the mountains. They will also be perfect for mountain walks, because they are characterised by comfort, stability and durability, without losing that protection and security essential for adventures in the wild. 

• Surface: Trail
• Use: Training
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Pace: Low, Medium

Under Armour Charged Bandit Trail 2

For all trail runners, these Under Armour Charged Bandit Trail 2 from the American company is an updated trail running shoe, similar to the road runner version from UA. 

• Surface: Trail
• Use: Training
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 8 mm
• Pace: Medium
• Weight: 312H/255M

Salomon Speedcross 6

The Salomon Speedcross 6 continues to provide the trail runner with everything you need to run in the mountains - that's why they're bestsellers. Version 6 is lighter, more powerful and has better grip on the ground. A plus point is also its quick mud evacuation. These Speedcross 6 from Salomon also include an updated upper, making them more versatile, functional and dynamic.

• Surface: Trail
• Use: Training
• Cushion: High
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 10 mm
• Pace: Medium
• Weight: 297 gr

Saucony Blaze TR

The Blaze TR is a new Saucony shoe designed for road runners who want to get started in the world of trail running. With this new shoe, Saucony completes a trail running catalogue with shoes for the vast majority of runner profiles. Available from April 2023.

• Surface: Trail
• Use: Training
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 8 mm
• Pace: Low
• Weight: 269 gr

ATOM Terra

The ATOM Terra is a well-made trail running shoe with an attractive and modern design. It stands out for its good cushioning and reactivity, making it an interesting option for short- and medium-distance runs. The Low Density in Gravity (LDI) technology, with a combination of several types of EVA foam, makes the shoe comfortable and reactive in equal parts. In addition, they ensure good grip and traction, allowing for a more reactive stride, with a 5mm cleat.

• Surface: Trail
• Use: Training, Racing
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 9 mm
• Pace: Low, Medium
• Weight: 305 gr

You might be interested in:

• Best trail running shoes for heavy runners (over 85 kilos)
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