The best trail running shoes for men
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Trail running shoes keep your feet protected against the rocks, roots, and ever-changing terrain you'll find on those backwoods jogs, giving you the traction and support you need to log the distance. The Columbia Conspiracy Titanium OutDry trail runners are our top pick because they're comfortable the first time you slip them on and durable enough to last for hundreds of miles.
I know you're thinking about it, so let's start with the most common question: What is the difference between trail running shoes and hiking shoes? The primary difference is simple. Hiking shoes are designed for use while you're carrying a pack and covering long distances, while trail runners are ideal for the unladen user out for a few hours at a time. The presumed user of a hiking shoe has weight on his or her back and will be logging many miles over the course of multiple consecutive days. Hiking shoes tend to be heavier than trail runners due to added cushioning in the sole and the extra support needed to prevent a rolled ankle, exacerbated by pack weight and/or the rugged terrain that comes with trekking both off the trail.
OK, now what's the difference between a trail running shoe and a running shoe more generally? There are two design elements that separate trail runners from road running shoes: The type of traction and the sole thickness (e.g. level of cushioning). On paved roads, sidewalks, or other prepared surfaces, you don't really need much additional traction, and you can generally count on a consistency of terrain, thus there's no need for extreme tread patterns or extra cushioning. Out on the trail, however, one step might fall on hard packed dirt while the next might see you cruising over a scree field filled with loose stones and fallen brambles.
The traction and cushioning offered by a good trail running shoe keep you prepared to meet and conquer all sorts of ground and in myriad weather conditions. They weigh a bit more than regular running shoes, so when you're training for the Boston Marathon, stick with road shoes. They don't necessarily offer the proper support for the hiker carrying a 50-pound pack and enduring the heel strikes of a granite boulder field, either. That's why hiking boots are a thing.
But for the runner out for a morning run on the mountain trails, trail running shoes are the ideal footwear. Go ahead and use them for any casual hike, too. They can handle it. And so can you. Read on to see which of our top picks are best for your needs.
Although the Columbia Conspiracy Titanium Trail Running Shoe is our top pick, for the reasons laid out in the slides below, you should also consider the ASICS GEL Venture 5 Trail Running Shoe, the Salomon Speedcross 3 Trail Running Shoe, the New Balance Minimus Trail 10v1 Trail Running Shoe, and the Tesla Bare Trek BK31 Minimalist Barefoot Trail Running Shoe.
The best trail running shoes overall
Why you'll love them: The Columbia Conspiracy Titanium OutDry Trail Running Shoes will be comfortable the very first time you slip them on and they're rugged enough to last for miles without getting wet or worn down.
In the good ol' spirit of full disclosure, I should tell you that don't own a pair of Columbia Conspiracy Titanium OutDry trail running shoes ... I have two pairs. One got worn down thanks to heavy use, but I couldn't part with them, so now they're my lawn mowing and general muck around shoes. The second pair I'm lovingly grinding down every time I get a chance for a shorter hike or an off-road jog. If buying the exact same pair of shoes to replace those that have worn down is not a seal of approval, then I don't know what is. Oh, and my wife has a pair also. Yeah. We like them.
The first day I wore a pair of Conspiracies, I actually went for a ten-mile hike. My feet felt great the whole time despite the total lack of break-in period. The shoes manage to provide decent ventilation even though they are fully waterproof, an attribute I can confirm, having worn them in the rain and mud. Columbia calls the shoe's Omni-GRIP soles sticky, meaning that they grab onto rocks, roots, and more, creating plenty of friction to help you establish a firm grip on all sorts of ground. The tread pattern is not aggressive, but it is ideal for a moderately maintained trail.
Depending on which color you choose, you can even wear the Conspiracy Titaniums as casual footwear, making them a good choice for use during travel when you're not sure just where the journey might lead. The electric blue shoes are probably best relegated to the trail, though.
One five-star rating on Amazon came with the comment: "It was pouring rain on the 47 [degree] day ... but my feet stayed dry." Another satisfied owner was unambiguous with his sentiments, saying: "These are my favorite shoes now."
A gear tester with Gearjunkie.com wore a pair of Conspiracies for more than a week, and praised their ability to keep his feet "dry while walking through snow and puddles." And a reviewer with Camping Insider uses his pair for long mountain walks and hill running, and noted the "solid sole with a fairly wide base and really good grip."
Pros: Fully waterproof, comfortable from first use, great grip on most surfaces
Cons: Laces occasionally slip loose
Buy the Columbia Conspiracy Titanium OutDry trail running shoes on Amazon for $88.99 - $199.99
The best trail running shoes on a budget
Why you'll love them: A pair of ASICS GEL-Venture 5 trail runners costs less than fifty bucks, but they offer plenty of support and excellent protection against those punishing heel strikes you encounter on downhill stretches.
The Japanese company ASICS gets its name from the Latin phrase Anima Sana In Corpore Sano which essentially means "a strong mind in a strong body." The GEL-Venture 5 trail running shoes can't necessarily do anything to help your mental state (though the great outdoors sure can) but they do a whole lot for those feet despite a low price tag.
These trail runners feature "Rearfoot GEL cushioning" that greatly reduces the severity of the impact your heel experiences even as you pound your way over stone or down steps. As most trail running injuries occur on the downhill portions — both acute and chronic injuries, for the record — shoes that can minimize the stresses caused by downhill running on rough terrain are a smart move.
The tread pattern on these shoes is minimal, though, so they are best used on graded, well-maintained trails or on fields and meadows. These probably aren't the best choice for blazing your own path through the deep woods.
That qualification noted, more than 7,700 reviews are currently logged on Amazon, and the GEL-Venture 5s enjoy a 4.5-star rating overall. One very satisfied customer said he "bought another two pairs of them to replace [his] old pair."
A write-up with Runrepeat.com highlighted the ASICS GEL-Venture 5 trail running shoe's "grip of the outsole" and lack of "discomfort when striking" the ground. A review from Runnerclick.com praised them as "highly durable" and noted their breathability.
Pros: Affordable price point, great heel cushioning, good breathability
Cons: Too narrow for some users, long break-in period for many feet
Buy the ASICS GEL-Venture 5 Trail Running Shoe on Amazon for $43.25 - $109.99
The best trail running shoes for hot weather
Why you'll love them: The New Balance Minimus Trail 10v1 trail runners are lightweight and well-ventilated, keeping your feet cool and dry even during long runs on hot days.
One of the leading complaints people have about trail runners is that they leave the feet hot and sweaty. Warmth and dampness can be annoying and uncomfortable, and can also make feet more prone to blisters and abrasions. Having hot, clammy feet certainly doesn't help with odors. In certain conditions, such as rain, snow, or on muddy trails or paths that traverse streams and marshes, waterproof trail shoes are ideal. When it's hot and muggy out (or if your feet are prone to heavy sweating), it's a good idea to trade in those water-resistant shoes for a pair that lets your feet breathe.
The New Balance 10v1 trail runners have an exterior made largely of mesh that allows heat to radiate away from your foot. The sides and top of the shoe are relatively thin, meaning reduced insulation, and their low-rise leaves much of your foot and ankle exposed to the air.
The soles of the 10v1s are thick enough to absorb hard strikes and to keep your foot protected against bruising even when you step on loose stones or sharp roots, though I do wish the tread pattern was a bit more aggressive. These shoes won't help you kick steps into a snowy hillside, certainly, but no one will be complaining about the odor-reducing antimicrobial treatment each pair gets.
Buyers almost universally love these shoes, with more than two-thirds of the review sporting five stars and the rest mostly four-star ratings. One customer named Jay called them "quite well ventilated," while an owner named Juan called the 10v1 train runners "great all around."
A gear writer with Irunfar.com said the 10v1s "conform to the contours of your feet," while in a YouTube video review, runner Aaron Dye pointed out the Minimus 10v1's excellent flexibility and cushioning.
Pros: Superb breathability, snug foot conformity, lightweight
Cons: Not water-resistant at all, many users will require added inserts
Buy the New Balance Minimus Trail 10v1 shoes on Amazon for around $104.88 - $115.00
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