Best trail running shoes for women – Trail running takes your normal running regime up another level by moving your typical running workout into nature. Whether it be through the woods, or near the water, trail running fuels our human desire to be outdoors.
Runners are flocking to the trails for various reasons, including less stress on the body than running on asphalt, and the connection to the great outdoors.
Although trail running is typically thought of as an individual exercise, trail running races, and group trail running has experienced a recent increase in popularity.
Most Popular Best Trail Running Shoes For Women
Best Trail Running Shoes For Women – Salomon Speedcross 4
The Salomon Speedcross 4 is something hordes of fans of the line will be very familiar with. There is still that insane traction on almost all surfaces, but with the added durability in the outsole to match its performance. It is quite light and nimble and comes in a variety of colors that will suit the fashion tastes of just about everyone. The shoe excels on steep inclines, grass, loose gravel, and almost any slippery surfaces.
Best Trail Running Shoes For Women – Asics Gel Venture 6
The Asics Gel Venture 6 is a versatile shoe with all the qualities a runner would expect in a pair of agreeable trail running shoes. Its soft cushion offers high comfortability; the aggressive lugs an excellent grip; and the very intelligent upper design a snug fit. All in all, it is a wise option for most individuals looking for an all-rounder in a reasonable price range.
Best Trail Running Shoes For Women – Asics Gel Sonoma 3
Many of those who have tried out the Asics Gel Sonoma 3 were satisfied with its performance. For them, this neutral trail running shoe was able to give them comfort in a durable and versatile package. Some even thought that it was a step up over the previous version. Conversely, there were a few runners who complained about the fit and the sizing scheme.
Best Trail Running Shoes For Women – Merrell Trail Glove 4
Many claimed that the Merrell Trail Glove 4 is one of the most appealing shoes that a runner could ever have. A lot of testers admired the flexibility, slip resistance, construction and durability of the shoe. Trail Runners recommended the Merrell Trail Glove 4 because of its appealing and stylish look. They also commented that the shoe performed fairly well on short and long trail running sessions, with minimal pain at the start of wearing the shoe.
Best Trail Running Shoes For Women – Salomon Sense Ride
Many runners loved the Salomon Sense Ride. They agreed that it was lightweight, durable, breathable and comfortable. They commented that the shoe worked reasonably well on any hiking, walking and running activities. Some runners said that it was not best for rocky terrains but others still recommended the Salomon Sense Ride because of the right amount of traction it provided for long and short-distance running sessions.
Best Trail Running Shoes For Women – Hoka One One Speedgoat 2
The Hoka One One Speedgoat 2 is a great redesign and thus an improvement of the original Speedgoat. As a trail running shoe, it is not recommended for road-running, but it does very well on groomed trails requiring little to moderate efforts. Many of its users have had positive experiences with the shoe’s comfort, protection, and traction. While it is designed for tougher terrain and is compatible with long distance running, some users do not recommend the Speedgoat 2 for high and sloping routes. Overall, consumers believe that the Speedgoat 2 is worth their money despite its expensiveness.
Best Trail Running Shoes For Women – Adidas Rockadia Trail
The Adidas Rockadia Trail was welcomed by many runners because they liked its price, its design and its overall functionality. Even though it’s for trails, a number of consumers were also able to use this on the roads and it worked well for them. Although it was a bit narrow and small for some, this neutral shoe was still able to gain generally positive remarks.
Best Trail Running Shoes For Women – Salomon XA Pro 3D
The Salomon XA Pro 3D is a trail running shoe that’s built with some of the most impressive technologies. The features of the upper were really made dependable, and the mid-sole offers a very comfortable system to keep the foot protected and supported. Although it is an expensive shoe, its quality, value, performance, and design are worth the price.
Best Trail Running Shoes For Women – Brooks Cascadia 12
The Brooks Cascadia 12 was able to perform admirably, according to many trail runners. They wrote that its trail-optimized features were helpful and appropriate, especially when traversing uneven surfaces. Some were also impressed by its durability, its looks and its overall construction.
Best Trail Running Shoes For Women – Asics Gel Venture 5
A lot of runners wrote that they were able to use the Asics Gel Venture 5 on both the trails and the roads. For them, it was versatile when used on a variety of surfaces. They praised its cushioning units, which responsibly carried their feet well and even provided some arch support. But there were those who doubted the general durability of this trail shoe because some parts started to fall apart on them.
Choosing the best trail running shoes
We feature reviews of trail running shoes for daily use or competition. During race days or day to day training, every runner must wear the appropriate shoe on the trail. In finding the best trail running shoe, ask these following questions:
Where will you be running?
It is important to think about where you are going to run. Ask yourself – Will you be running on wet and muddy surfaces or grounds with stones and sharp rocks? You might need a shoe that can cross from road to trail or running shoe that can survive a rough, technical terrain. Getting the right shoe for a specific terrain is very crucial as it will not only make your running experience more satisfying, it will also affect the overall durability of the shoe.
Are you going to use the shoe for racing or training?
Racing trail shoes are built differently from training shoes. Trail shoes for competition are usually lightweight, they use less cushioning, and have a lower heel-to-toe drop. Trail race shoes are made for speed, and you should get the best pair if you want to win a race.
Do you need a waterproof shoe?
Will you be running more often through puddles or in the rain? If yes, then you must purchase a waterproof trail running shoe. It is important that you are well-protected as you run through wet surfaces.
How stiff the sole should be?
When trail running, you might need a stiffer sole because it provides enough foot protection. Sole stiffness also plays a significant role in providing a springy and comfortable ride. You must find a trail running shoe with a stiffness that is right for you.
How much support do you need?
You should find a trail running shoe that can provide you with the right amount of stability. Your ankle and foot should have enough support, so your ankle won’t roll. The best trail running shoe should also allow your foot to adapt immediately to uneven surfaces.
Barefoot or maximum cushioning?
Pick the right trail shoe by determining the amount of cushioning you need. More cushioning means lesser impact and more comfortable running. Cushioning often comes with stability, and you need more of it, especially on hard foot strikes. If you prefer a closer contact to the ground, then buy a barefoot trail shoe that also offers a decent amount of foot protection.
Will the shoe provide me with the grip I needed?
The grip is one of the most important aspects you should consider when buying a trail running shoe. You should purchase a shoe that offers a durable grip on both wet and uneven surfaces. If you are running mostly on a muddy, soft surface, then you need a shoe with more aggressive outsole lugs.
Close or snug fitting?
Every runner has its preference when it comes the shoe fit – others prefer a close-fitting while others want it snug. Ideally, to perform better on the trail, you should get a running shoe with a tight fitting. It should be tight and secure in the heel and a bit roomy in the toe-box area to allow the toes to move freely for added stability on various terrains.
Notable trail running shoe brands
Over the past few years, trail running has become very popular. Several running shoe brands are continuously developing new models to accommodate the fast-growing demand for trail shoes in the market. Below are some of the reliable trail running shoe manufacturers:
Salomon
Salomon focuses more on trail shoes, and this brand offers reliable footwear for both casual and hardcore off-road runners. Some of the best performing Salomon trail shoes include the Salomon S-Lab Sense 6, Salomon Kalalau, and Salomon Speedcross 4 CS.
Most of the Salomon shoes are expensive, but they are packed with durable technologies. The brand is known for its reliable grip brought by the Wet Traction Contragrip® technology. It is specifically built to provide non-slip traction on both muddy and wet trail surfaces. Other notable Salomon technologies are the Endofit™, OS Tendon System, and EnergyCell + midsole.
The North Face
The North Face offers trail running shoes for daily running. Some of the must-try shoes are The North Face Ultra 109 GTX, The North Face Litewave TR II, The North Face Ultra Endurance, The North Face Ultra Cardiac, and The North Face Ultra 110 GTX.
The brand is also known because of their innovative technologies and premium materials. Waterproof shoes from The North Face are equipped with Gore-Tex® membrane which provides the foot with a well-protected coverage against rain and snow. Aside from the UltrATAC™ outsole, TPU Snake Plate, and Pebax Heel Cradle, The North Face running shoes also have additional protective elements such as TPU toe cap and mudguards.
Saucony
Saucony is a trusted brand when it comes to road and trail running shoes. The brand also offers running shoes for daily training and competition. The Saucony Cohesion TR 10 is among the top performing shoe built for the trail. Other trail shoes to try are the Saucony Peregrine 7, Saucony Peregrine 7 ICE+, and Saucony Xodus ISO Runshield.
Most of the Saucony trail running shoes are expensive, but they are also packed with reliable and premium technologies. Notable technologies from Saucony are the EVERUN Full-length Topsole, PWRTRAC outsole, ISOFIT and FlexFilm technology. Aside from running shoes, Saucony is also a well-known brand when it comes to lifestyle shoes.
Inov-8
When it comes to trail running shoes, Inov-8 is another well-trusted brand. Inov-8 is known for its durable design and reliable grip on technical terrain. The brand has created a wide range of trail running shoes – there are low drop, lightweight, and waterproof shoes. Inov-8 X-Talon 212, Inov-8 Roclite 290, Inov-8 Terraclaw 250, Inov-8 Trail Talon 250, and Inov-8 X-Talon 200 are some of the popular shoes from Inov-8.
Merrell
Merrell is another brand known for its durable and performance-driven trail running shoes. Aside from the reliable grip on technical terrains, Merrell trail shoes are also popular because of its lightweight, low-drop design. Popular shoes include Merrell Trail Glove 4, Merrell All Out Crush Tough Mudder, Merrell Agility Peak Flex, and Merrell All Out Charge.
