Best Trail Running Shoes for Men of 2024

We love the Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 for its wide toe box, super breathable uppers, and plush, flexible soles. For those who prioritize long running days and big miles on the trail, the versatile and comfy Ultraventures could easily become your new favorites.

What sets the Ultraventures apart is their natural foot shape, with a large toe box, narrower heel cup, and midfoot that hugs close. And if you’re looking for out-of-the-box comfort, the Ultraventures are good to go right away. We found they didn’t need much break-in time at all. The padded tongue and pleasantly soft insoles inspired confidence immediately, and we were ready to run.

We highly recommend the Ultraventures for hot summer runs and arid environments because of the well-ventilated mesh upper. They also dry very quickly, so we don’t mind splashing through puddles or streams during long summer runs or occasional afternoon storms. 

The compromise with the Ultraventures is with their traction depth. The lugs are not deep enough to bite as effectively on wet rocks or trails with lots of steep ascent and descent so we prefer them for easy and moderate established trails.

And while the mesh uppers are a dream for ventilated runs, they don’t last quite as many miles as those made with TPU reinforcements or thicker construction. Still, we found we’re averaging around 400 trail miles before the fabric starts to break down.

That said, if you’re looking for a lightweight shoe with a bit of extra wiggle room for your toes, superior ventilation, and a stable ride for long trail runs, these could be the perfect kicks to keep you ahead of the pack.

If you’re looking for the ultimate zero-drop trail shoe, the Altra Lone Peak 8 is our top choice for long-distance runners. These workhorses have been on our list of the best trail runners (and best hiking shoes) for years thanks to their airy feel, grippy outsole, and ergonomic foot shape.

When it comes to comfort, this iteration of the Lone Peaks is dialed in. These shoes have a natural foot shape, meaning the toe box is larger than most on this list – but not sloppy – so your piggies have lots of room to wiggle and spread naturally with each footfall. The midfoot is narrow but cushy and the heel cup is snug, which creates a soft and supportive ride out of the box.

There are lots of details to love on the Lone Peak 8s. The lacing system got a bit of an upgrade, with slight adjustments to the spacing of the holes to lock tension where we want it and release pressure where we don’t. The Velcro gaiter attachment at the heel is now bigger to keep ankle gaiters attached more securely. And, the uppers are light and airy, so they dry fast if you step in through a creek, and they vent exceptionally well on hot and dry hikes.

The main drawback of these shoes is that they are not as durable as other options on this list, with notable wear to the outsoles and uppers after 250 miles. At 10.7 ounces, they’re also one of the heavier pairs we reviewed. And, zero-drop shoes aren’t for everyone – going from higher heel-to-toe-drop footwear to a zero-drop shoe often requires a bit of a transition period to avoid injury, so make sure to account for this if you haven’t used zero-drop shoes before.

That said, the Lone Peaks are tough to beat when it comes to stellar traction and breathable uppers. We recommend them to anyone who wants a comfortable, roomy, and affordable running shoe with a natural feel.

The North Face Vectiv Enduris 3 is an excellent all-around trail-to-town running shoe with an ergonomic design, solid construction, and great support. For those who run mostly on dry, non-technical trails or mixed pavement and dirt in warm conditions, the Enduris 3 is worth a closer look.

These babies are comfortable right out of the box and need very little break-in time. In fact, we felt so confident in them, we went straight to the trailhead for a quick up-and-back after picking them up. The toe box is roomy enough to let your toes wiggle free, the midsole feels springy but soft, and the mesh upper is super breathable – a combo that makes for an airy and fun ride.

While many shoes on this list have a slightly rockered sole, the Enduris 3 is a bit stiffer, so you’ll notice this slope at the toe and heel more too. But, we’re big fans of this design: the curved toe spring makes propelling forward on each step just a bit easier, and the energy return on the heel strike is noticeable. In other words, this is a fun shoe that will make you feel fast.

The smaller, shallower lugs don’t grip as well on mud, rocks, or roots compared to other shoes on this list so we recommend saving these shoes for dry, warm summer runs.

We also found the upper runs a bit wide and long, so they are better suited for folks with larger ankles and/or high-volume feet. For everyone else, consider going down by a half-size if you’re buying online, or trying them on in person to get the perfect fit.

The Enduris 3s are durable and comfortable trail runners that look great and feel great on trail and pavement. They are a major improvement over the prior versions in every way, and deserve to be in the rotation for daily town-to-trail runs or dedicated training shoes – they may be the key to winning your next 5K.

Every iteration of the Salomon Speedcross has made our list, and we’re pleased to welcome the Speedcross 6 as well. Like prior versions, this Salomon model offers excellent arch support, a snug fit, and a stylish profile for fast and spry runs on wet and soft trails.

If you’re the type that frequently tackles trails with lots of loose terrain like mud or sand, the Speedcross 6s will be your new best friend. These shoes have deep lugs that provide exceptional traction in muck, gravel, snow, and other soft surfaces. The aggressive tread pattern bites the ground and offers great stability, but the traction still easily sheds debris. 

We’re also big fans of the Speedcross 6 for their snug (but not too tight) fit and outstanding arch support. Those who want their running shoes to fit like a glove will love this slightly narrower pair. That said, if you have wide feet or you’re between a regular and wide fit, we recommend going with the wide version.

These shoes have a couple of features to look out for. At 10 millimeters, the Speedcross has a tall heel-to-toe drop, and the quicklace system takes some getting used to. Though the lugs are great, the midsole is a bit too stiff to feel comfortable for long runs on hard surfaces like groomed trails and pavement so you’ll want to save these ones for rougher backcountry routes and wet trails.

We also found that the soles – including traction – are not as durable as others on this list. The Speedcross shoes are well-built, but the softer rubber composite will wear faster on rocky terrain and asphalt. When we ran on mixed terrain – trail, pavement, and packed dirt – we averaged about 275 miles before the shoes needed to be replaced.

That said, there’s no need to tread lightly with the Speedcross 6. If you’re looking for specialty footwear for soft terrain, these are the kicks for you: grippy, comfortable, and sleek.

If you’re a year-round runner undeterred by wet, muddy, and snowy conditions, the Nike React Pegasus Trail 4 GTX are the shoes for you. These are waterproof powerhouses that offer excellent traction, a comfortable ride, and impressive durability to keep you moving on muddy fall trails, icy winter routes, and slushy spring sidewalks.

The Pegasus 4s are incredibly comfortable thanks to cushy midsoles that feel springy and supportive during hours of nonstop movement. The responsive foam through the heel made us feel nimble and fast. We’re also big fans of the gaiter-like cuff, which hugs your ankle closely to block debris, gravel, and dirt from entering your shoe and gives a nice, cozy fit.

This Nike model also has exceptionally sticky traction. We are impressed with its performance on everything from slick pavement to steep, slippery clay. The aggressive lug pattern bites the ground so you’ll feel locked in and solid no matter where you’re running – even in light snow.

In general, we’re not big fans of Gore-Tex trail runners for warm weather and summer months because they run hot and don’t offer much ventilation. The Pegasus 4s are no exception, so we recommend them for cooler weather in fall, winter, and spring when the added warmth is welcome. 

The Gore-Tex does become less effective over time but a bit of quick maintenance with a shoe-specific waterproofing spray will help seal your shoes and keep the water out.

If you’re looking for a shoe that can keep up with your year-round training schedule, the Pegasus 4s are an excellent choice. They’re a bit spendy, but we think they’re worth every penny for those who need durable and waterproof running shoes for the road or trail – no matter what the elements are doing.

If you’re looking for a versatile shoe that can handle mixed routes – from pacing on pavement to tearing up gnarly trails – the Salomon Pulsar Trail Pro 2 is the shoe for you. This model is delightfully lightweight and nimble, offers excellent stability, and its unique shoe cuff is great for keeping out debris.

The Pulsar 2s are only eighteen ounces, making them one of the lightest shoes on this list – and they feel like it. They inspire confidence on any route: the responsive forefoot and springy foam feels spry and fast while running, with notable stability that devours most terrain. We love the supportive arch and tight heel lock, and the Pulsar’s durable uppers and excellent traction will keep you feeling strong mile after mile.

The Pulsar 2s standout feature is its tight cuff. These shoes eliminate the tongue and instead feature a unique, sock-like cuff that wraps tightly around your lower ankle. We love this cuff because it acts like a built-in gaiter, blocking sand, gravel, and debris from getting into the shoe better than any shoe on this list. Combining this tight cuff style with the slightly rockered sole and the Pulsar’s snug, glove-like feel results in an incredibly comfortable and smooth-feeling shoe.

The downside of this tight cuff, however, is the cuff makes the Pulsar 2 cumbersome to put on or take off. We found it takes an extra minute or two to get these shoes on and tinker with the quicklace system before our runs. That said, once they’re on your feet, the Pulsar 2s are awesomely snug, responsive, and ultra-comfortable mile after mile.

If you’re looking for a trail runner built for fast movement almost anywhere you need reliable traction, a smooth ride, and a stable outsole, the Pulsar Trail Pro 2s are a great option to hit the ground running.

The Nnormal Kjerag is an incredibly lightweight, durable, and technical trail runner pushing the evolution of performance shoes.

As the brainchild of Killian Jornet, one of the fastest and most efficient runners of our lifetimes, the Kjerags are predictably built for performance. At 8.07 ounces per shoe – barely over 1 pound for the pair – the Kjerags are the lightest on this list, and they feel airy and spry. And somehow, they are still impressively durable – the combination of a simple, time-tested upper, outstanding craftsmanship, and a burly outsole makes these versatile and bombproof from packed trails to the most technical, rocky, and steep routes you can find.

Our primary complaint is around the stiffness of the sole, which is necessary – and exceptional for – stability and precision on gnarly routes full of rocks, roots, and obstructions. So they might be too technical for the average runner. Despite this firmness, the shoe still offers decent sensitivity with the ground as you move through the mountains.

At almost $200, they are also the most expensive trail running shoes we’ve tested. At the end of the day though, there’s no way around it: for a premium price, you get one of the best performance trail runners. So, if you’re looking for a top-tier trail running shoe for your next 50K race or plan to set a PR on a long-distance trail effort, the Kjerag can’t be beat.

If you’re looking for a less aggressive shoe overall, check out the Nnormal Tomir 1.0. It’s a great daily trainer with a softer sole and a lower price tag.