The best trail running shoes of each brand according to the distance you run

Mikel Bejarano
Journalist and inveterate trail runner
Posted on 07-11-2023

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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Every 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)

BRANDSMODELSWEIGHT / DROP / CARBON PLATE
adidasTerrex Speed SG231 gr / 4 mm / No
AltraSuperior 6269 gr / 0 mm / No
ASICSFuji Speed 2220 gr / 5 mm / Yes
BrooksCatamount 2275 gr / 6 mm / No
DynafitSky DNA239 gr / 4 mm / No
HOKATecton X 2252 gr / 5 mm / Yes
La SportivaJackal II275 gr / 7 mm / No
MerrellMTL Skyfire 2195 gr / 6 mm / No
MizunoWave Rider TT 3285 gr / 12 mm / No
New BalanceFuelCell SuperComp Trail272 gr / 10 mm / Yes
NikeKiger 9290 gr / 45 mm / No
NNormalKjerag200 gr / 6 mm / No
OnCloudVenture295 gr / 6 mm / No
SalomonSpeedcross 6297 gr / 10 mm / No
SauconyEndorphin Edge255 gr / 6 mm / Yes
ScarpaSpin Planet290 gr / 4 mm / No
ScottSupertrac RC 2270 gr / 5 mm / No
The North FaceSummit Vectiv Sky272 gr / 4 mm / Yes
Under ArmourCharged Bandit Trail 2300 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)

BRANDSMODELSWEIGHT / DROP / CARBON PLATE
adidasTerrex Soulstride Flow290 gr / 8 mm / No
AltraMont Blanc272 gr / 0 mm / No
ASICSGel Trabuco 11295 gr / 8 mm / No
BrooksCascadia 17300 gr / 8 mm / No
DynafitUltra 50290 gr / 8 mm / No
HOKAZinal 2230 gr / 5 mm / No
La SportivaAkasha 2304 gr / 6 mm / No
MerrellAgility Peak 5297 gr / 6 mm / No
MizunoWave Daichi 7300 gr / 8 mm / No
New BalanceFresh Foam X Hierro v7300 gr / 8 mm / No
NikePegasus 4291 gr / 10 mm / No
NNormalTomir250 gr / 8 mm / No
OnCloudvista280 gr / 7 mm / No
SalomonSense Ride 5286 gr / 8 mm / No
SauconyPeregrine 13265 gr / 4 mm / No
ScarpaRibelle Run280 gr / 4 mm / No
ScottKinabalu 2290 gr / 8 mm / No
The North FaceVectiv Enduris III307 gr / 6 mm / No
Under ArmourHovr Machina Off-Road318 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)

BRANDSMODELSWEIGHT / DROP / CARBON PLATE
adidasTerrex Agravic Speed Ultra265 gr / 8 mm / Yes
AltraOlympus 5350 gr / 0 mm / No
ASICSTrabuco Max 2305 gr / 5 mm / No
BrooksCaldera 6311 gr / 6 mm / No
DynafitUltra 100330 gr / 6 mm / No
HOKASpeedgoat 5292 gr / 5 mm / No
La SportivaUltra Raptor 2335 gr / 9 mm / No
MerrellMTL Long Sky 2260 gr / 4 mm / No
MizunoWave Mujin 9340 gr / 10 mm / No
New BalanceFresh Foam X More Trail v3323 gr / 4 mm / No
NikeWildhorse 8300 gr / 8 mm / No
NNormalTomir250 gr / 8 mm / No
OnCloudultra 2295 gr / 6 mm / No
SalomonUltra Glide 2280 gr / 6 mm / No
SauconyXodus Ultra 2272 gr / 6 mm / No
ScarpaSpin Infinity305 gr / 4 mm / No
ScottUltra Carbon RC300 gr / 5 mm / Yes
The North FaceVectiv Infinite II307 gr / 6 mm / No
Under ArmourHOVR281 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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