If you’re new to trail running, you might wonder why you can’t just wear your regular running shoes. You can — they just won’t work as well. Trail running shoes are designed to handle wilder conditions than asphalt, such as steep inclines, patches of mud and snow, and areas full of roots and rocks.
Great as trail running shoes are, you’ll still want to wear your regular running shoes on roads. Abrasive pavement can wear down rubber lugs on trail running shoes.
Which shoes are the best for trails? “There is no one-size-fits-all trail shoe,” said Steve Moore, owner of Run Moore, a specialty shoe store in Maryland. “The best trail shoe for you depends on factors such as foot shape, injury history, and the types of trails you run on.”
So, to find some of the best trail running shoes, we surveyed avid trail runners to get their opinions. Here’s what they had to say.