Best Trail Running Shoes
Reviews and Recommendations

Are you interested in getting outdoors and searching for the best trail running shoes? If you’re unsure, ask the 5 million Americans who enjoyed over 150 million trail running outings just last year. Needless to say, trail running is huge!

Many runners express boredom and want to release the shackles of the same old scenery. The track and the treadmill can become quite redundant for the most serious runner or even the beginning novice. How many times can you count the laps or stare down at the odometer on the machine?

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As an avid cross trainer, I can not tell you enough that the same old routine can derail even the most dedicated athlete. I was an avid treadmill guy that liked to lift weights before the treadmill. I found myself pushing through the routine and debating if I should run or just hit the steam room.

I couldn’t bring myself to do the same old thing time and time again, until a colleague and fellow nature lover suggested that I find the power of mind distraction.

Why not run in a beautiful setting and focus on my surroundings rather than stare at a clock or odometer. Luckily, there was a local state park within 10 minutes from my gym.

I explored the terrain and found dirt road trails for miles on end. I was hooked, and ran out to purchase a pair of trail running shoes. I can’t think of a better way to gain cardiovascular strength, shed pounds, improve time, or flat out enjoy nature than running through a wooded area or mountainous path.

Up until a few years ago, trail shoe production was only focused on by outdoor equipment companies. Major running shoe companies such as Adidas, Brooks, New Balance, Nike, Mizuno and Saucony have begun to manufacture trail shoes to compete with likes of Salomon.

Previously, the larger running shoe companies concentrated on a crossover that was basically blown rubber and extra outsole grip added to there most popular brands and pure trail runner alone.

In this section of shoe reviews, we breakdown a number of different trail shoes by several manufacturers. There are many different types of trail shoe to choose from.

We will discuss how to identify what shoe your personal needs as an outdoor trail runner dictate. For instance, what environment are you running in? Is water proofing necessary for you? What is this GORE-TEX you keep hearing about? Is there a trail shoe for overpronators?

All these questions and many more will be answered in our reviews of the best trail running shoes. Leave your own shoe reviews, or see what other trail runners have to say.

So before you head out and conquer Mother Nature be sure and do you homework. Read the reviews, check out our list of recommended trail running shoes, and then start enjoying the great outdoors.