How to choose a trail running shoe

A trail shoe has one job a road shoe never faces: keeping you upright on ground that changes with every step. Before you look at colours or weight, think about where you actually run.

Start with the ground

Hard-packed fire roads and gravel paths ask for little more than a road shoe with a tougher outsole. Mud, wet roots and loose scree are different: look for deeper lugs, spaced widely enough to shed dirt instead of packing with it. Rocky, technical ground rewards a firmer midsole and a dense forefoot that blunts sharp edges.

Fit for the descent

Downhills expose a poor fit faster than anything else. Your heel should stay locked without the laces biting, and your toes should have room to spread without sliding forward. Try shoes on in the afternoon, wearing the socks you run in, and walk down a slope or a flight of stairs before deciding.

Cushioning and drop

More cushioning helps on long days, but it also lifts you further from the ground and makes your ankles work harder on uneven terrain. If you are new to trails, a moderate stack and a heel-to-toe drop close to what you already run in are the safer starting point.