Are you a trail running enthusiast but have doubts about which shoes to choose for your mountain challenges? If so, don't worry, we at RUNNEA want to help you. How? Very easy, by listing the best model of each brand depending on the distance you usually run. There is a shoe model for each distance.
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Go to the Shoe FinderEvery self-respecting trail runner knows that it will not be the same to face races or training of short, medium or ultra distance. The peculiarities of trail running shoes will vary depending mainly on the distance and type of terrain , so it is necessary to know which models will best fit your challenges.
Today, from RUNNEA, we will make a broad summary of the best models of each brand depending on the target distance (also evaluating its weight in a European size 43, its drop and if it has carbon plate or not), which will be divided into three different sections. On the one hand, we will present those trail shoes faster for short distances below marathon or 50 kilometers. Secondly, we will look at the more versatile mountain shoes, which cover paces and average distances of around 50 - 80 kilometers. And finally we will address the shoes for ultra distance, those designed to go at gentle rhythms but for more than 100 kilometers of distance. Let's go there!
For the elaboration of this article we have counted with the collaboration of the RUNNEA Trail Team. Our trail team that is in charge of the analysis of trail shoes and that tests the models that we are going to present you.
Trail running shoes for fast paces and short distances (<50k)
| BRANDS | MODELS | WEIGHT / DROP / CARBON PLATE |
| adidas | Terrex Speed SG | 231 gr / 4 mm / No |
| Altra | Superior 6 | 269 gr / 0 mm / No |
| ASICS | Fuji Speed 2 | 220 gr / 5 mm / Yes |
| Brooks | Catamount 2 | 275 gr / 6 mm / No |
| Dynafit | Sky DNA | 239 gr / 4 mm / No |
| HOKA | Tecton X 2 | 252 gr / 5 mm / Yes |
| La Sportiva | Jackal II | 275 gr / 7 mm / No |
| Merrell | MTL Skyfire 2 | 195 gr / 6 mm / No |
| Mizuno | Wave Rider TT 3 | 285 gr / 12 mm / No |
| New Balance | FuelCell SuperComp Trail | 272 gr / 10 mm / Yes |
| Nike | Kiger 9 | 290 gr / 45 mm / No |
| NNormal | Kjerag | 200 gr / 6 mm / No |
| On | CloudVenture | 295 gr / 6 mm / No |
| Salomon | Speedcross 6 | 297 gr / 10 mm / No |
| Saucony | Endorphin Edge | 255 gr / 6 mm / Yes |
| Scarpa | Spin Planet | 290 gr / 4 mm / No |
| Scott | Supertrac RC 2 | 270 gr / 5 mm / No |
| The North Face | Summit Vectiv Sky | 272 gr / 4 mm / Yes |
| Under Armour | Charged Bandit Trail 2 | 300 gr / 8 mm / No |
There are many optimal models for this niche market. A sector in which the speed and running technique of each runner, on all types of terrain, from the most compact to the most technical, is essential. Some of the models to highlight within this group may be the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trail or the Brooks Catamount 2, for being 2 of the models with the greatest impact this season.
However, models such as those of Salomon, HOKA or The North Face are not far behind in terms of performance and technical quality. Not forgetting, of course, the NNormal Kjerag, the first trail running shoes launched by Kilian Jornet's own company.
Trail running shoes for medium paces and distances (50k)
| BRANDS | MODELS | WEIGHT / DROP / CARBON PLATE |
| adidas | Terrex Soulstride Flow | 290 gr / 8 mm / No |
| Altra | Mont Blanc | 272 gr / 0 mm / No |
| ASICS | Gel Trabuco 11 | 295 gr / 8 mm / No |
| Brooks | Cascadia 17 | 300 gr / 8 mm / No |
| Dynafit | Ultra 50 | 290 gr / 8 mm / No |
| HOKA | Zinal 2 | 230 gr / 5 mm / No |
| La Sportiva | Akasha 2 | 304 gr / 6 mm / No |
| Merrell | Agility Peak 5 | 297 gr / 6 mm / No |
| Mizuno | Wave Daichi 7 | 300 gr / 8 mm / No |
| New Balance | Fresh Foam X Hierro v7 | 300 gr / 8 mm / No |
| Nike | Pegasus 4 | 291 gr / 10 mm / No |
| NNormal | Tomir | 250 gr / 8 mm / No |
| On | Cloudvista | 280 gr / 7 mm / No |
| Salomon | Sense Ride 5 | 286 gr / 8 mm / No |
| Saucony | Peregrine 13 | 265 gr / 4 mm / No |
| Scarpa | Ribelle Run | 280 gr / 4 mm / No |
| Scott | Kinabalu 2 | 290 gr / 8 mm / No |
| The North Face | Vectiv Enduris III | 307 gr / 6 mm / No |
| Under Armour | Hovr Machina Off-Road | 318 gr / 4 mm / No |
As far as shoes for medium distances and medium paces are concerned, the selection is headed by models such as Salomon Sense Ride, one of the most versatile shoes on the market, or the Merrell Agility Peak 5, a model of versatility and comfort contrasted. It is a group of shoes designed to offer a perfect combination of comfort and dynamism, to face mileage from 21k to more than 50k.
It should be noted that this is one of the fans with the largest number of models within all brands and that firms such as ASICS, Scarpa or Mizuno, among many others, enjoy great models that had to be left out but do not detract from their catalog. At the same time, this is a sector in which the launching of different models with waterproofing is proliferating. Whether with Gore-Tex fabrics implemented in their upper or similar, brands add protection to increase their versatility of use. However, in this selection we have chosen to present only the traditional models.
Ultra trail shoes for light paces and long distances (>100k)
| BRANDS | MODELS | WEIGHT / DROP / CARBON PLATE |
| adidas | Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra | 265 gr / 8 mm / Yes |
| Altra | Olympus 5 | 350 gr / 0 mm / No |
| ASICS | Trabuco Max 2 | 305 gr / 5 mm / No |
| Brooks | Caldera 6 | 311 gr / 6 mm / No |
| Dynafit | Ultra 100 | 330 gr / 6 mm / No |
| HOKA | Speedgoat 5 | 292 gr / 5 mm / No |
| La Sportiva | Ultra Raptor 2 | 335 gr / 9 mm / No |
| Merrell | MTL Long Sky 2 | 260 gr / 4 mm / No |
| Mizuno | Wave Mujin 9 | 340 gr / 10 mm / No |
| New Balance | Fresh Foam X More Trail v3 | 323 gr / 4 mm / No |
| Nike | Wildhorse 8 | 300 gr / 8 mm / No |
| NNormal | Tomir | 250 gr / 8 mm / No |
| On | Cloudultra 2 | 295 gr / 6 mm / No |
| Salomon | Ultra Glide 2 | 280 gr / 6 mm / No |
| Saucony | Xodus Ultra 2 | 272 gr / 6 mm / No |
| Scarpa | Spin Infinity | 305 gr / 4 mm / No |
| Scott | Ultra Carbon RC | 300 gr / 5 mm / Yes |
| The North Face | Vectiv Infinite II | 307 gr / 6 mm / No |
| Under Armour | HOVR | 281 gr / 8 mm / No |
And we come to the category of ultra distance shoes. In this selection we present the most characteristic models of each company for all those competitions of more than 100 kilometers. As a general rule, we will talk about shoes with great cushioning and structure, whose purpose is to maintain foot protection and comfort as much as possible. Great standards in this sector are the new Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra from adidas, Fresh Foam X More Trail v3 from New Balance or Ultra Glide 2 from Salomon.
All of them are models optimized to maintain their performance during long hours of training and competitions, at not too high paces. Brands such as The North Face with its commitment to carbon plates that protect the foot beyond reactivity, HOKA with its legendary Speed goat range and On with models such as the Cloudultra 2 remain in the fight for an important place in the sector.
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