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Protective upper, incredible traction, lasting comfort, and energy return — these are just some of the qualities we saw in the lab and experienced in our test runs. The outstanding and versatile Nike Pegasus Trail 4 GTX is the best among all trail trail running shoes we tested. 

Wrapped in several protective layers and a Gore-Tex membrane, the upper can surely take a beating. It proves itself durable even further as our brutal Dremel barely made an impact on the upper.

We ran on wet grass, uneven terrains, and even snow to test the outsole’s traction. We’re ultimately impressed with the shoe’s grip as we remained in control the whole time thanks to its variety of 3.5 mm lugs.

The Pegasus Trail 4 GTX has a brilliant midsole that feels comfy and energetic underfoot. The foam comes at a generous stack height of 37.7 mm (5.5 mm higher than the average of trail running shoes) while also measuring 29.0% softer than average. To say that our feet enjoyed maximum protection and TLC during our trail adventures is an understatement.

Though the upper offers excellent trailing, its tongue is not fully gusseted. We believe this is a crucial feature for the complete trail experience.

Our test runs and lab analysis show that Speedcross 6 GTX offers the best grip among trail trail running shoes. It’s built for action and technical terrains — ensuring we’re in control with its deep lugs, protective upper, and supportive platform.

We felt steady on loose gravel, muddy terrains, and wet paths thanks to the reliable traction of the 5.0 mm lugs. Our caliper measurement shows it’s 1.5 mm deeper than average, giving that extra bite on softer ground. The lugs are cleverly spaced to shed off mud and are chevron-shaped to act as brakes on hills and sharp turns. 

Speedcross ensures our feet remain dry on rainy days and below-the-ankle river crossings. Under our microscope, we noticed one of the densest uppers we’ve seen. It leaves no room for air to pass through, and all the more water! It scored the lowest 1/5 on our lab breathability test.

The platform blends rigid and fluid elements for support and comfort. The foam provides enough cushion for relief yet feels firm for stability. Our durometer confirms it’s 21.3% harder than average. Speedcross allows for longitudinal flexibility yet it's hard to twist, earning the highest 5/5 on our torsional rigidity test. Together with the stiff heel, we remain steady even on challenging terrains.

Unfortunately, its 11.5 oz (325g) weight is hard to ignore and feels quite heavy on foot.

Going faster and longer on the trails while being comfortable—Kiton mesh-panel low-top sneakers. A cushioned, grippy, jack-of-all-trades trail shoe that’s also water-resistant, the Hoka Speedgoat 5 GTX is our pick for having the best cushioning in the trail trail running shoe group.

A combination of soft and thick midsole foam makes the Speedgoat 5 GTX a massively comfortable shoe to run with. Running in these shoes makes the rough terrain somewhat smoother and more manageable. It's an understatement to say we truly enjoyed our trail runs and day hikes.

The Speedgoat 5 GTX is mind-boggling. The durable and grippy Vibram outsole grips loose trail surfaces, mud, and even frozen surfaces. Along with the excellent trailing, these are the shoes to wear in wet conditions.

Getting cold and wet feet is one of the most uncomfortable feelings during a run. Luckily, we did not experience this thanks to the excellent trailing the Speedgoat 5 GTX offers. Its Gore-tex upper kept our feet dry and warm through and through. 

However, the Gore-tex may make the shoe too warm in hotter conditions. For cooler weather, these shoes are perfect.

We tested Hoka’s Challenger 7 GTX on our wet excursions and against intensive lab tests and it proves its versatility in any weather and terrain. It serves the grip, protection, and cushion we need to run securely from the roads to the trails, making it our best hybrid shoe in the trail trail running category.

We pushed our durometer against the outsole and the Durabrasion rubber measures a balanced 81.0 HC, ensuring traction without sacrificing durability. We found the shoe suitable enough for moderate trails thanks to the 3.8 mm lugs. Thankfully, they didn’t feel intrusive on hard concrete and asphalt.

Challenger 7 GTX features a robust upper with a fully gusseted tongue to ensure protection from debris. Upon checking our microscope, the thick mesh has several protective layers and a Gore-Tex membrane to shield off water. We can confirm our feet remained dry as we ran through rain and puddles.

This hybrid shoe offers exceptional comfort that lasts all day through its plush platform. Our caliper shows it rises above average, especially its 39.2 mm heel stack. The velvet cushion ensures our legs don’t feel tired during long runs. Our durometer confirms the foam is 25.3% softer than average.

Because of its maximalist nature, we recommend runners who prefer having more ground feel to look elsewhere.

The Salomon XA Pro 3D v9 GTX is a shield like no other, offering defense from top to bottom so we can run confidently in various terrains. It’s built like a tank with its dense upper, firm cushion, and balanced outsole. Our lab results back up our run observation that this trail trail running shoe delivers the best foot protection.

We first tested the Gore-Tex upper through our smoke and light test, and it cemented its impermeability by receiving a low 1/5 score. Low doesn’t mean bad because this confirms it’s extremely protective against water, cold weather, and debris.

Moving to the next layer, the cushion has a brick-like feeling, which our durometer confirms is a firm 32.5 HA. We found that it dampens landing impact well and maintains our balance since it doesn’t bottom out. The stiff 3D chassis also serves as an additional stability element and rock plate of the shoe.

Underfoot, this trail monster is supported by a Contagrip outsole with 2.8 mm lugs. We have no issues with its traction on loose sand, snow, and rocks. The shoe also displayed minimal wear after miles of outdoor testing, proving its durability.

Unfortunately, all the extra protection comes at a heavy 12.7 oz (359g), 22.1% heavier than average. Backpackers and hikers might appreciate this shoe more than speedy, agile runners.

Finding a stable and protective trail running shoe for the trails doesn’t have to break the bank as seen in our best budget pick: the Nike Juniper Trail 2 GTX. With a non-intimidating $130 price, it's more affordable than the $161 average trail running shoe in our lab. 

Our feet remained dry as we encountered wet conditions in the wild. To prove its trailing abilities further, we counterchecked with our breathability tests and the 2/5 score aligns with our observations. Its dense upper doesn’t allow liquid particles to enter but still has some room for ventilation, which is a plus! Not only that, the padding greatly resisted our Dremel and proved its durability with a flawless 5/5 rating.

Juniper Trail 2 GTX offers a firm ride, as confirmed by our durometer measurement which is 27.8% denser than average. This delivers surefooted strides, further boosted by its high level of torsional rigidity and vast landing base. Our caliper reveals a generous width to find our footing, with 114.4/94.3 mm in the forefoot and heel. To balance off all the rigidity, the midsole feels easy to maneuver, needing 20.3% less force than average to bend.

However, we recommend sticking to easy to moderate trails with this pair, as it lacks grip for more challenging terrains.