The Best 5Aggregated review·15 sources·updated May 24, 2026·checked July 30, 2026

Best Trail Running Shoes

Top trail running shoes for technical terrain, mud, and long miles, ranked by aggregate score from 15 published reviews from real multi-source testing.

This guide aggregates 15 published reviews across 5 products; the thinnest-sourced pick rests on 3. No publisher printed a score for the top pick — its rating is derived from what reviewers wrote. How we rank.

Verdict is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links — if you click through and buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our ratings are sourced from independent publications, not sponsors.

Quick answer

Hoka Speedgoat 7 is our top pick for trail running shoes — an averaged 4.7/5 across 3 published reviews at about $39.99. Runner-up: Saucony Peregrine 14 (~$79.8).

Read the Hoka Speedgoat 7 review →$39.99 · Check Price on Amazon

At a glance

Tap any product for the full review

#	Product	Rating	Price	Best for
1	Hoka Speedgoat 7Top Score	4.7 3 sourcesall derived	$39.99	trail runners who want one highly cushioned, grippy shoe for varied terrain and long miles	$39.99 · Check Price on Amazon
2	Saucony Peregrine 14	4.5 3 sources2 derived	$79.8	value-minded trail runners — from beginners to experienced — who want a capable all-rounder	$79.8 · Check Price on Amazon
3	Altra Lone Peak 9	4.5 3 sources2 derived	$142.98	trail runners and hikers who want zero-drop, a roomy toe box, and natural ground feel	$142.98 · Check Price on Amazon
4	Brooks Cascadia 19	4.4 3 sources1 derived	$119.95	trail runners and hikers who want a versatile, durable all-rounder at a sensible price	$119.95 · Check Price on Amazon
5	Salomon Speedcross 6	4.3 3 sources2 derived	$130.04	trail runners who tackle mud, soft ground, and wet, technical terrain and want maximum grip	$130.04 · Check Price on Amazon

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

At a glance5 products ▾

1Hoka Speedgoat 7Top Score

4.7

3 sourcesall derived

$39.99Best for: trail runners who want one highly cushioned, grippy shoe for varied terrain and long miles

$39.99 · Check Price on Amazon

2Saucony Peregrine 14

4.5

3 sources2 derived

$79.8Best for: value-minded trail runners — from beginners to experienced — who want a capable all-rounder

$79.8 · Check Price on Amazon

3Altra Lone Peak 9

4.5

3 sources2 derived

$142.98Best for: trail runners and hikers who want zero-drop, a roomy toe box, and natural ground feel

$142.98 · Check Price on Amazon

4Brooks Cascadia 19

4.4

3 sources1 derived

$119.95Best for: trail runners and hikers who want a versatile, durable all-rounder at a sensible price

$119.95 · Check Price on Amazon

5Salomon Speedcross 6

4.3

3 sources2 derived

$130.04Best for: trail runners who tackle mud, soft ground, and wet, technical terrain and want maximum grip

$130.04 · Check Price on Amazon

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

Reviews aggregated from

RunrepeatIrunfarRoadtrailrunBelieveintherunRunningshoesguruFleetfeetRuntothefinish

The full ranking

How we rank →

#1 · Top Score

Best for: trail runners who want one highly cushioned, grippy shoe for varied terrain and long miles

Hoka Speedgoat 7

4.7

3 sourcesall derived$39.99as of Jun 7

The Speedgoat 7 is the best-overall trail shoe. Hoka's flagship pairs a new supercritical midsole with the gold-standard Vibram Megagrip outsole for a cushioned, grippy, genuinely do-everything ride. RoadTrailRun's testers scored it around 9.7/10, iRunFar named it a top pick, and Believe in the Run praised how refined and adaptable it feels.

Strengths

— New supercritical midsole adds noticeable pop and responsiveness, especially uphill
— Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5mm lugs grips confidently in nearly any condition

Watch-outs

— Tall, max-cushion stack isn't for minimalist or low-to-the-ground runners
— Ride firmed up slightly versus earlier Speedgoats

▾Why it's ranked here

Strengths

— New supercritical midsole adds noticeable pop and responsiveness, especially uphill
— Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5mm lugs grips confidently in nearly any condition

Watch-outs

— Tall, max-cushion stack isn't for minimalist or low-to-the-ground runners
— Ride firmed up slightly versus earlier Speedgoats

$39.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →vs. Saucony Peregrine 14 →

Best for: value-minded trail runners — from beginners to experienced — who want a capable all-rounder

Saucony Peregrine 14

4.5

3 sources2 derived$79.8as of Aug 1

The Peregrine 14 is the best-value trail shoe: lightweight, comfortable, capable across terrain, with deep PWRTRAC lugs and a price closer to $100 than $200. RunRepeat called it an excellent pick on value, comfort, and range, iRunFar recommended it as a do-it-all shoe at a great price, and Running Shoes Guru scored it 10/10.

Strengths

— Excellent value — strong all-around trail performance well under premium pricing
— Deep, chevron-shaped PWRTRAC lugs grip well in dry conditions and handle moderate mud

Watch-outs

— Grip slides on wet wood, moss, and slick organic matter
— Lower stack offers less cushioning than max-stack rivals on long rocky runs

▾Why it's ranked here

Strengths

— Excellent value — strong all-around trail performance well under premium pricing
— Deep, chevron-shaped PWRTRAC lugs grip well in dry conditions and handle moderate mud

Watch-outs

— Grip slides on wet wood, moss, and slick organic matter
— Lower stack offers less cushioning than max-stack rivals on long rocky runs

$79.8 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →vs. Hoka Speedgoat 7 →

Best for: trail runners and hikers who want zero-drop, a roomy toe box, and natural ground feel

Altra Lone Peak 9

4.5

3 sources2 derived$142.98as of Aug 1

The Lone Peak 9 is the zero-drop pick. Altra's classic trail shoe keeps true zero-drop geometry and the famously roomy, foot-shaped toe box, now slightly wider in the forefoot. RunRepeat scored it 91/100, and reviewers praise its natural ground feel and dual duty as trail runner and hiker, though the zero-drop, low-stack design demands a transition.

Strengths

— True zero-drop geometry and signature foot-shaped wide toe box for natural toe splay
— Extra-roomy fit — slightly wider in the forefoot than the Lone Peak 8

Watch-outs

— Zero-drop and low stack require a transition for heel strikers and high-drop runners
— Gained weight versus earlier versions at about 10.9 oz

▾Why it's ranked here

Strengths

— True zero-drop geometry and signature foot-shaped wide toe box for natural toe splay
— Extra-roomy fit — slightly wider in the forefoot than the Lone Peak 8

Watch-outs

— Zero-drop and low stack require a transition for heel strikers and high-drop runners
— Gained weight versus earlier versions at about 10.9 oz

$142.98 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →vs. Hoka Speedgoat 7 →

Best for: trail runners and hikers who want a versatile, durable all-rounder at a sensible price

Brooks Cascadia 19

4.4

3 sources1 derived$119.95as of Aug 1

The Cascadia 19 is the value all-rounder here. Brooks slimmed and sharpened its long-running trail workhorse into a faster, more fun shoe that still handles varied terrain and doubles as a hiker. RunRepeat scored it 85/100, Run To The Finish rated it 90%, and reviewers praise its reliable traction, comfort, and adventure-ready durability.

Strengths

— Slimmer, faster, and more fun than recent Cascadias while staying versatile
— Reliable TrailTack Green traction across varied surfaces and weather

Watch-outs

— Shallower 3.8mm lugs are outclassed in deep mud
— Heavier than nimbler trail shoes at about 10.8 oz

▾Why it's ranked here

Strengths

— Slimmer, faster, and more fun than recent Cascadias while staying versatile
— Reliable TrailTack Green traction across varied surfaces and weather

Watch-outs

— Shallower 3.8mm lugs are outclassed in deep mud
— Heavier than nimbler trail shoes at about 10.8 oz

$119.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →vs. Hoka Speedgoat 7 →

Best for: trail runners who tackle mud, soft ground, and wet, technical terrain and want maximum grip

Salomon Speedcross 6

4.3

3 sources2 derived$130.04as of Aug 1

The Speedcross 6 is the mud-and-soft-ground specialist: deep 5.8mm Mud Contagrip lugs and a foot-hugging, protective upper make it the grip king on soft, loose, and wet terrain. RunRepeat scored it 89/100, and reviewers from iRunFar to Running Shoes Guru praise its reliable traction, with the caution that it is tailored to mud rather than all-around running.

Strengths

— Deep 5.8mm Mud Contagrip lugs deliver outstanding grip on mud and soft ground
— Wide, self-clearing lug gaps shed mud effectively

Watch-outs

— Specialist shoe — not an all-around or door-to-trail option
— Aggressive lugs feel awkward on hard-packed trail and pavement

▾Why it's ranked here

Strengths

— Deep 5.8mm Mud Contagrip lugs deliver outstanding grip on mud and soft ground
— Wide, self-clearing lug gaps shed mud effectively

Watch-outs

— Specialist shoe — not an all-around or door-to-trail option
— Aggressive lugs feel awkward on hard-packed trail and pavement

$130.04 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →vs. Hoka Speedgoat 7 →

Reviews aggregated from

RunrepeatIrunfarRoadtrailrunBelieveintherunRunningshoesguruFleetfeetRuntothefinish

Spec comparison

5 products

Spec	Hoka Speedgoat 7	Saucony Peregrine 14	Altra Lone Peak 9	Brooks Cascadia 19	Salomon Speedcross 6
Weight	9.7 oz (M)	9.4 oz (M)	10.9 oz (M)	10.8 oz (M)	10.4 oz (M)
Drop	4mm	4mm (2.2mm measured)	0mm	6mm (7.8mm measured)	10mm (14.1mm measured)
Stack height	37mm heel / 33mm forefoot	27.3mm heel / 25.1mm forefoot	23.3mm heel / 23.3mm forefoot	34.8mm heel / 27.0mm forefoot	36.5mm heel / 22.4mm forefoot
Support type	Neutral	Neutral	Neutral (zero-drop)	Neutral	Neutral
Cushioning	Max (supercritical EVA)	Moderate (PWRRUN)	Moderate (Altra EGO)	Moderate (DNA Loft v3)	Moderate (EnergyCell)
Outsole	Vibram Megagrip	PWRTRAC	MaxTrac	TrailTack Green	Mud Contagrip
Lug depth	5mm	4.7mm	3.8mm	3.8mm	5.8mm
Width options	Standard, Wide	Standard, Wide	Standard (foot-shaped), Wide	Standard, Wide	Standard, Wide

Spec	Hoka Speedgoat 7	Saucony Peregrine 14
Weight	9.7 oz (M)	9.4 oz (M)
Drop	4mm	4mm (2.2mm measured)
Stack height	37mm heel / 33mm forefoot	27.3mm heel / 25.1mm forefoot
Support type	Neutral	Neutral
Cushioning	Max (supercritical EVA)	Moderate (PWRRUN)
Outsole	Vibram Megagrip	PWRTRAC
Lug depth	5mm	4.7mm
Width options	Standard, Wide	Standard, Wide

Frequently asked questions

What's the strongest pick among trail running shoes?

Hoka Speedgoat 7 holds the top score for trail running shoes — 4.7/5 averaged from 3 published reviews. The Speedgoat 7 is the best-overall trail shoe. Hoka's flagship pairs a new supercritical midsole with the gold-standard Vibram Megagrip outsole for a cushioned, grippy, genuinely do-everything ride. RoadTrailRun's testers scored it around 9.7/10, iRunFar named it a top pick, and Believe in the Run praised how refined and adaptable it feels.

Is this trail running shoe guide up to date?

This guide was last re-checked in May 2026. Prices, links, and source ratings are re-verified on a rolling basis, and the ranking updates when the underlying scores change.

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