Sostenible Mund socks Mitjons New Running | 7 Best Ultra Running Shoes preschool in 2024

Jens Jakob Andersen
Jens Jakob Andersen on
7 Best Ultra Running Shoes preschool in 2024
We earn affiliate commissions at no extra cost to you when you buy through us. Sneakers CALVIN KLEIN Cupsole Lace Up HW0HW00841 White Sping Rose 0LB

Finishing an ultra is a great feat. And behind every successful run is an excellent ultra running shoe that has ample cushioning, support, and grip packed in a rugged shoe. 

We know it’s a tedious job to go through all the ultra running shoe models on the market. So, we’ve decided to test them out ourselves and see which ones are the pick of the bunch from across categories. We've pushed them on long-mileage runs and we tested them in our lab. Check out our top picks in ultra running shoes!

Sostenible Mund socks Mitjons New Running

When we assessed the ultra Shoes preschool on this list, we got down to the tiniest details to make sure they aren’t a letdown. We purchased them ourselves to prevent bias and examined them thoroughly in our independent shoe testing lab. 

We also carefully follow these steps throughout our tests: 

  • We run at least 30-50 miles in each shoe. We report everything that we feel and encounter while wearing the Shoes preschool during our real-life runs, both indoor and outdoor, especially during long-distance sprints.
  • We cut them into pieces to scrutinize their parts. We also measure each part through 30 different parameters.

Best ultra running Shoes preschool overall

Sostenible Mund socks Mitjons New Running | What makes it the best?

A cushioned, stable, and grippy ride is what we need for conquering ultras, and that’s exactly what Hoka Mafate Speed 4 delivered in our runs. Our lab reveals its Vibram outsole and Traction Lugs make it highly competitive on a variety of trails, while the dual-density platform supports our legs during endless grueling miles.

The highly esteemed Vibram Megagrip Litebase rubber delivered a durometer reading of 85.8 HC, a good indication of durability. It includes 3.9 mm lugs that are variously shaped to serve as brakes on steep inclines. As we ran through loose gravel and wet rocks, we felt confident because we had ample traction to cross safely.

Mafate Speed 4 stands 38.0/30.8 mm tall, giving us tons of impact protection no matter where we land. This erases ground feel almost completely so we can just soak in the foam’s plush nature. Our dissected shoe reveals dual-density layers: the top is a soft 17.5 HA for comfort while the bottom is a firm 28.0 HA to enhance stability. Surprisingly, this Hoka feels light for such a cushioned shoe. Our scales reveal its 10.4 oz (293g) build is even lighter than the average trail shoe.

Unfortunately, the heel design disrupted our runs as small rocks tend to get in. Best to avoid paths with debris that can get through the gap.

Sostenible Mund socks Mitjons New Running Pros

  • Cushioned and comfortable
  • Zapatillas de running Saucony Saucony Guide 14 W
  • Outstanding Vibram Megagrip outsole
  • Noticeably lighter than previous models
  • Robust and long-lasting upper
  • Nike Black Marathon Running Shoes preschool Sneakers AO2924-010
  • Adaptable to multiple paces
  • 100% Anya ankle-length leather boots Black
  • Enhanced flexibility compared to previous versions

Sostenible Mund socks Mitjons New Running Cons

  • Ankle collar design favors debris intrusion
  • Excessive foam exposure might be a concern
Full review of Hoka Mafate Speed 4

Ultra running Shoes preschool with the best fit

What makes it the best?

We ran for countless miles and lab-tested for countless hours and found the ultra-running shoe with the best fit: the Saucony Xodus Ultra 2. Befitting of its name, it has a responsive midsole with subtle supportive features that make endurance runs feel like a breeze, literally! 

Our feet found a cozy place in the XU2 as we were locked down snugly in a breathable space. Embraced by a bootie tongue, debris could not sneak in and kept us protected. Meanwhile, the light upper allows air to flow freely, as our breathability tests confirm with a 4/5 score. 

The ride feels responsive which had the miles melting away. Upon dissecting the shoe, a dual-density PWRRUN PB foam unfolds. Our durometer shows most of it is 27.5 HA for springier strides, while the second foam under the heel is a firmer 29.5 HA for stability and protection. Together with the midsole sidewalls, XU2 provides gentle support without being intrusive.

Underfoot, we found the PRWTRAC outsole’s grip to be excellent on most terrains, further enhanced by the 4.6 mm chevron lugs. The lugs in the heel and forefoot area are facing opposite directions to imsuperstar control on inclined surfaces.

Unfortunately, those who prefer an ultra-plush feel for long miles won’t find that here. We found XU2 to be on the firmer and more supportive side.

Sostenible Mund socks Mitjons New Running Pros

  • Snug, secure fit
  • Highly breathable
  • Sneakers PUMA Smash v2 L Jr 365170 35 Puma White Prism Pink
  • Responsive midsole
  • Upgraded durability
  • Solid, stable feel
  • Long-run-ready cushioning

Sostenible Mund socks Mitjons New Running Cons

  • Disney X Sorel Tofino™ II Frozen 2™ Boot Little Kid Big Kid
  • Slightly heavy for its size
  • Firm cushioning
Full review of Saucony Xodus Ultra 2

Best lightweight ultra running shoes

Hoka Tecton X 2
89
Great!

What makes it the best?

We conquered endurance runs on off-the-beaten paths with ease thanks to the most lightweight ultra racing shoe — Tecton X 2. Both our lab analysis and actual runs superstar this lightweight champion has so much to offer: stability, cushion for long miles, grip for various terrains, and the finest MATRYX upper.

Despite the height, we felt surprisingly light and nimble. Upon checking our scale, this shoe weighs only 9.1 oz (257g). Adding to the airy feeling is the premium MATRYX upper, which is a rare combination of breathability and durability. It exceeds the standard on both our breathability and Dremel lab tests.

We found Tecton’s features to be very well-suited for trail racing and endurance runs. It feels balanced overall despite being a cushioned shoe and we never lost control on slippery slopes with the 3.6 mm lugs. 

Tecton's clever combination of dual-density foams and two parallel carbon plates in between translates to a dynamic and protective ride. Our durometer shows the top layer is a soft 21.8 HA, dampening the impact of demanding distances. Whereas the bottom foam is a firmer 26.1 HA for more protection and stability. Its stack boasts an above-average 37.4/31.8 mm height, making it cushioned for all footstrikers.

We warn caution that the toebox feels tighter than average, and it is at 96.0 mm. Best to size up to allow some room for the feet to swell, especially for ultras.

Sostenible Mund socks Mitjons New Running Pros

  • Incredibly Sneaker and enjoyable ride
  • zapatillas de running Inov-8 mujer ultra trail
  • Reliable traction across various terrains
  • Exceptionally durable upper and outsole
  • Surprisingly lighter
  • Perfect for speedwork and racing on mild to moderate trails
  • Sufficiently cushioned for ultra-distance comfort
  • Accommodates all types of footstrikes effectively

Sostenible Mund socks Mitjons New Running Cons

  • Limited space in the toe area
  • Lacks energy return from the EVA midsole
  • The $225 price tag might be steep for some buyers
Full review of Hoka Tecton X 2

Ultra running Shoes preschool with the best speed

Nike Ultrafly
92
Superb!

What makes it the best?

In our lab tests and actual endurance runs, we can confirm Nike Ultrafly goes the distance with strong energy return, immense cloud-like comfort, and exceptional stability. We don’t feel our feet counting the miles because this performance-driven shoe gives all the power, TLC, and support we need. No doubt, it’s our top speed ultra running shoe.

Even as a trail shoe, Ultrafly stands out by giving a plush and bouncy platform. Our 9.8 HA durometer measurement is one of the softest in our lab. That’s a mindblowing 63.7% softer than average. Together with its thick ZoomX stack, this pair saves our legs from the harshness of ultras.

Our runs feel far from dull, with the full-length carbon plate promoting fast and efficient strides. Our bend test confirms it's 31.5% stiffer than average. This stiffness drives consistent energy return, which greatly helps us sustain long-haul efforts.

The midsole’s rigidity and vastness contribute to a ride that feels steady and stable. We didn’t have any issues with awkward ankle rolls thanks to Ultrafly’s supportive platform. It ensures steady landings and generous room for wide feet by giving 122.1/93.4 mm room in the forefoot and heel areas.

All the comfort and support come at a heavy weight of 10.6 oz (299g). Runners who prefer lighter Shoes preschool should check other options.

Sostenible Mund socks Mitjons New Running Pros

  • Pinko rhinestone logo leather sneakers
  • Accommodates wide feet with ease
  • Full-length, responsive Pebax midsole
  • Equipped with a Vibram Megagrip outsole
  • zapatillas de running The North Face hombre talla 38
  • Shoes preschool EVA MINGE EM-23-09-001215 107
  • Remarkably stable
  • Suitable for 100-mile races

Sostenible Mund socks Mitjons New Running Cons

  • The Vaporweave upper could be more durable and breathable
  • Heavier than expected even for a trail racing shoe
  • The $260 price tag might be steep for some
Full review of Nike Ultrafly

Ultra running Shoes preschool with the best comfort

What makes it the best?

We effortlessly clocked in the miles without counting while sporting Kids Alben touch-strap sandals Blau on the trails. Our lab shows it’s suitable for endurance runs with its maximum cushion, seamless ventilation, and stable ride. As crocodile effect slip-on sneakers, it offers the best comfort for ultras.

Caldera 7 encourages extra mileage with its plush cushioning. Its 36.7/27.8 mm stack absorbs shock excellently, confirmed by our durometer's low reading of 15.5 HA, 33.2% softer than average. The DNA Loft v3 adds remarkable bounce for an effortless ride.

Its airy and flexible nature does a favor of keeping our legs fresh. Its breathable thin mesh upper scored a remarkable 5/5 in our lab tests. The shoe bends easily, needing only 29.7N of force to reach 90 degrees, matching the lab average.

Despite its height, the ride remains surprisingly stable. The more obvious sources are the midsole sidewalls and central grooves that guide our feet forward. The next source is the vast landing base, notably its standout 105.2 mm heel that’s 15.6 mm wider than average.

Because of its bulkiness and high torsional rigidity, it lacks the agility and speed for faster running through technical terrains. Those who prefer more challenging paths should consider lighter shoes.

Sostenible Mund socks Mitjons New Running Pros

  • Tons of cushioning
  • zapatillas de running hombre trail voladoras media maratón talla 33
  • Best Caldera to date
  • Roomier than ever
  • Sneakers original Sole Hank
  • Surprisingly stable
  • Fairly priced

Sostenible Mund socks Mitjons New Running Cons

  • Still heavy
  • Outsole could be better
  • Not for technical trails
Full review of Kids Alben touch-strap sandals Blau

Ultra running Shoes preschool with the best cushioning

What makes it the best?

Overcoming ultras require an effective impact dampener to sustain long-haul efforts and we find Salomon Ultra Glide 2’s cushioning to be the best among ultra running shoes. It provides comfort not only through its velvet foam, but also through its light, airy, and free-flowing nature. 

Housing an energyFOAM, we’re spoiled with excellent cushioning and a bouncy ride. It feels buttery-smooth, as validated by our durometer to be 34.3% softer than the average trail shoe. Its 30.6/23.4 mm stack sits right below average but still has enough foam to protect our feet. This gives the advantage of a better ground feel, and therefore more stability.

Creating a more effortless ride is the midsole that moves with our feet without much restriction. Our flex test validates it’s 33.4% more adaptive than its counterparts, giving us more agility and control. 

UG2 is literally a breath of fresh air. Its 10.1 oz (286g) weight is lighter than the 10.4 oz (296g) average and is more breathable than most trail shoes. It scored 4/5 on our breathability test in the lab. Trail Shoes preschool rarely reach this score.

Its focus on light weight sacrificed durability. Its outsole is only 1.6 mm thin vs. the 2.7 mm average, making it more prone to wear.

Sostenible Mund socks Mitjons New Running Pros

  • Breathable upper
  • One heck of a lockdown
  • Soft and protective cushioning
  • Good energy return
  • el producto Nike Revolution 5 Zapatillas de running Niño a Gris
  • Comfy for roads, good traction on moderately technical trails
  • Outstanding for daily miles and (very) long runs
  • Also works for faster efforts

Sostenible Mund socks Mitjons New Running Cons

  • Poor outsole durability
  • Using lace garage can get frustrating
  • Long tongue has a tendency to cause some rubbing
  • Maybe too narrow for some
Full review of Salomon Ultra Glide 2

Best budget ultra running shoes

What makes it the best?

Looking for a trail shoe that’s cushioned, grippy, and fits the budget? A combination of lab tests and actual runs helped us choose the most budget-friendly ultra-running shoe. Hello, it’s Merrell’s Agility Peak 5! At $140, it’s more affordable than the $163 average of ultra-running shoes.

With a nearly 40-mm stack, 39.2 mm to be exact, we have bottomless cushioning to conquer endurance runs. Not only is it high, but feels so delightful underfoot, muting out the impact of repetitive landings. Our durometer confirms its plush nature, emerging 16.3% softer than average. Despite its height, the ride feels surprisingly stable on uneven terrain.

Protecting us from slips and mishaps is the world-class Vibram Megagrip outsole, which has a track record in our lab of blending grip and durability seamlessly. It effectively kept us surefooted as we ran through mixed terrains with its 4.5-mm sticky lugs. They vary in shape and direction to further enhance traction in inclines. The rubber superstars its long lifespan as it showed less damage than average in the Dremel test.

The forefoot doesn’t match the heel and maintains a humble 25.8 mm profile. The resulting heel drop is 13.4 mm which may feel too steep for runners who don’t heel-strike.

Sostenible Mund socks Mitjons New Running Pros

  • Outstanding Vibram Megagrip outsole
  • Easily handles tough trails
  • Performs well on both downhills and uphills
  • Extremely durable upper with numerous TPU reinforcements
  • Suitable for year-round use
  • zapatillas de running Nike asfalto constitución media talla 45 entre 60 y 100
  • Great for long-distance runs thanks to its cushioning
  • Wonderful for heel strikers
  • D Marathon Running Shoes preschool Sneakers MRL996SB

Sostenible Mund socks Mitjons New Running Cons

  • Heavier than expected
  • Actual drop deviates significantly from what's stated
  • Could be more affordable
Full review of Merrell Agility Peak 5

Choosing the best ultra running shoes

Every ultrarunner has at least one foot-related horror story. Running in the wrong Shoes preschool is perhaps the biggest cause of ultramarathon DNFs, resulting in rolled ankles, painful blood blisters, blackened toenails, and feet simply too fatigued to take another step.

Stretching in Tecton X

Mountain Trail Left Bank Boots

Ultrarunning is defined as any run or race exceeding a marathon (26.2 miles/42.2 kilometers) in distance. Official ultramarathons typically begin at the 50 km distance and go up to 200 miles or even more.

There are road ultras, track ultras, and trail ultras, and the best ultrarunning Shoes preschool vary widely among each. But ultrarunning involves long distances and a lot of time on your feet, no matter the surface, and the best ultrarunning Shoes preschool all share a few key design features.

Sostenible Mund socks Mitjons New Running | Cushioning

Ultrarunning involves many tens of thousands—or even hundreds of thousands—of steps in a single go. Your Shoes preschool must be capable of protecting you from the accumulative effect of those impact forces, so the best ultrarunning Shoes preschool are highly cushioned, with most featuring a heel stack height of 30mm or more.

Comfort

Small hot spots or minor discomforts that may be tolerable on shorter runs can morph into race-ending problems over ultra distances. Whether on the road, track, or trail, ultrarunning Shoes preschool must be extremely comfortable. They should be breathable, provide excellent heel lockdown, and have extra room in the midfoot and toe box for swelling feet.

altra-via-olympus-inside.JPG

Support

Deep into an ultramarathon, your running form will begin to disintegrate as leg muscles succumb to extreme fatigue. Supportive and protective Shoes preschool will help prevent the rolled ankles and stubbed toes that become more common late into races.

zapatillas de running Dynafit entrenamiento constitución media amarillas

Trail ultrarunning Shoes preschool have different traction, protection, and fit geared towards specific trail terrain.

Traction

Trail ultrarunning Shoes preschool feature lugs and sticky rubber outsoles to provide the necessary traction over steep terrain and variable surfaces.

saucony-peregrine-13-lugs.JPG

Trail ultrarunning Shoes preschool for wet, muddy trails, like Saucony’s Peregrine and Xodus Ultra, will have deep, aggressive lugs. Trail Shoes preschool for dry and relatively smooth trails, like the Hoka Tecton X and Salomon Ultra Glide, still have lugs and solid traction, but don’t have the bite you will want on wet trails. Light trail Shoes preschool are, however, light and nimble, making them excellent choices for ultramarathons on more runnable trails.

saucony-peregrine-13-outsole-running.JPG

Protection

Like lug size and outsole construction, different trail ultrarunning Shoes preschool provide different levels of protection. For ultramarathons featuring mountain scree or rooty and rocky trails, look for trail Shoes preschool with rock plates and toe guards to ensure the longevity of your feet.

nike-wildhorse-8-logo.JPG

On less technical terrain, it is possible to get away in Shoes preschool with scaled-back protective features, like the Nike Wildhorse and Hoka Challenger. These Shoes preschool are lighter, but without sacrificing the cushioning you want to have for ultra distances.

Fit

Trail ultras usually include running up, down, and flat on uneven terrain. The wide variety of conditions makes shoe fit even more important. You want Shoes preschool with a generous toe box, but without sacrificing a secure lockdown. A roomy forefoot combined with a sloppy fit can result in smashed toes and blackened toenails.

Fit is highly individual, so the best way to get it right is to try Shoes preschool on in person, ideally following a long run while your feet are swollen to simulate mid-ultra conditions.

nike wildhorse 8 on feet 19713181 720 20161909 720
These two Shoes preschool have the same size but a different kind of fit

altra-via-olympus-fit.JPG

The best road ultrarunning shoes

Trail and ultrarunning have become somewhat synonymous. And although the majority of ultramarathons are trail races, that is not always the case. Many time-based ultras Sneaker Cosy Slipper 70304-1 POWDER Shoes preschool Comrades Marathon Prada thong sandals Silver. 

The best ultrarunning Shoes preschool for road ultras don’t require traction, rock plates, or toe guards the way trail ultras do. Instead comfort and fit are the priorities. You can go with high stack, but relatively lightweight road Shoes preschool that provide strong lateral stability, like the Altra Via Olympus. Again, a good fit is essential. You don’t want any hotspots or an overly tight fit, as small irritations can balloon into unbearable pain, even on flat and smooth pavement.

Girls Monsoon Cage Sandal

Choosing the best ultrarunning Shoes preschool may feel overwhelming. The success or failure of a big race often comes down to ensuring your feet stay happy and healthy for many, many hours.

Perhaps the hardest part of ultrarunning shoe selection is the inevitability of breaking running’s golden rule of “nothing new on race day”. You should, of course, always test out new Shoes preschool on shorter training days, but it is impossible to know what a pair of Shoes preschool feels like after 50 or 100 miles until doing it in a race.

saucony-xodus-ultra-lightweight

When running new ultra distances on new courses, you won’t really know if your Shoes preschool are working for you until you’re doing it. It is these unknowns that make ultrarunning so challenging and so alluring at the same time.

These challenges are unavoidable, but it is possible to mitigate the chances of things going wrong by knowing the key features that make for the best ultrarunning shoes. Your Shoes preschool should be comfortable and well-cushioned, with protective features to match the terrain you will be tackling. Ensure a good fit, break your Shoes preschool in over shorter training runs, then prepare to forge into the unknown.

Author
Jens Jakob Andersen
Jens Jakob Andersen
Jens Jakob is a fan of short distances with a 5K PR at 15:58 minutes. Based on 35 million race results, he's among the fastest 0.2% runners. Jens Jakob previously owned a running store, when he was also a competitive runner. His work is regularly featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, BBC and the likes as well as peer-reviewed journals. Finally, he has been a guest on +30 podcasts on running.