The warmer weather and longer days make the summer the perfect time to hit the trails. We examine the latest footwear suitable for off-road runs
Puma – Deviate Nitro Elite Trail – £200.00
Taking inspiration from its carbon-plated road racing relative, this off-road model features the brand’s Nitro foam cushioning and the PWRPLATE carbon technology to provide maximum energy return.
Add the brand’s category-leading PUMAGRIP outsole, and we have a shoe that offers a smooth, propulsive ride as well as go-anywhere traction that’s perfect for fast-paced trail running.
A carbon-plated trail shoe may not be for everyone, but for off-road racing on drier or firmer trails, the results speak for themselves, with an off-road capable model that feels every bit as good as the road counterpart.
Salomon – S/Lab Ultra Glide Trail - £229.99
The brand’s new, range-topping trail shoe combines high stack, high-performance cushioning in a form that provides stability and agility in a uniquely engineered package.
The midsole is a mix of PEBA and EVA for a dynamic and energetic ride that wraps around the foot to offer additional stability.
A unique ‘wavy’ geometry forms the base of the shoe and outsole, which aims to diffuse pressure and impact on the trails and again aid stability. With Contagrip outsole rubber, traction is great in any conditions.
While the shoe doesn’t look like a conventional off-road model, its performance is great, and on longer, steady-paced runs where we’ve tested the shoe, it’s excelled in comfort, control and stability, making it a great option for a wide variety of terrain and runners.
Salomon – Ultra Glide 3 – £135.00
Taking its inspiration from the range-topping S/Lab Ultra Glide (above), the Ultra Glide 3 features a similar midsole geometry for cushioning and comfort and aims to make trail running more accessible for those taking their first steps off-road.
It’s a dynamic and energised ride, and energyFOAM provides a great, smooth riding experience on the trails, and at 41mm deep in the heel and 35mm in the forefoot, the shoe feels great mile after mile. The contraGRIP outsole provides 4.5mm deep lugs, so traction is confidence-inspiring wherever you care to venture.
The best value for money trail shoe in this lineup, the Ultra Glide 3, performs way beyond its price tag and makes an excellent option for those new to the trails as well as seasoned off-roaders.
ASICS – Trabuco Max 3 – £160.00
With maximal levels of cushioning, the Trabuco Max takes the brand’s popular off-roader to new heights in the cushioning department.
With a deep stack of FF BLAST PLUS midsole cushioning, the ride is soft and super-smooth, taking the bumps out of the terrain! The outsole offers relatively aggressive traction (for a shoe with this much cushioning) and can tackle most surfaces with ease, regardless of the weather.
With the feel of a highly cushioned road shoe, this model is perfect for steady-paced running on a wide range of surfaces, taking everything in its stride.
New Balance – Fresh Foam X Hierro V9 – £140.00
The Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 is the brand’s range-topping off-roader and packs in deep cushioning and 6mm deep Vibram lugs for top-level traction.
Fans of the brand will liken this shoe to a trail version of the popular 1080 road shoe, as they both feature a similar midsole and cushioned feel.
The upper is plush yet protective, with a gusseted tongue to keep trail debris at bay.A new Vibram sole features a revised tread pattern and deeper, 6mm lugs that provide excellent traction in both the wet and the dry. For a plush, cushioning ride on the trails, the Hierro continues to be a great option.
Adidas – Terrex Agravic GTX - £140.00
For those off-road runs in the wet, this Gore-Tex shoe provides waterproof protection from the elements. A new, Lightstrike 2.0 midsole provides responsive cushioning and stability on the trails, with a rockered geometry to give a smooth roll-off.
The Continental rubber outsole with 4 mm lugs works well in the wet, as you’d expect from a Gore-Tex shoe, providing a confident footing on any terrain. As well as the waterproof upper, the shoe features a slightly higher ankle collar to keep debris out and create a snug fit around the rearfoot and ankle.
The shoe feels strong and well-made, making it capable of tackling harsher conditions in both wet and dry conditions.
Mount To Coast – T1 - £170.00
A new trail model from the ultra-specialist brand, this shoe feels so plush and welcoming that you’ll begin to contemplate an ultra-event to spend more time in it!
The brand’s proprietary PEBA-hybrid midsole, LightCELL, uses supercritical foaming to create a soft yet consistent feel that’s responsive for mile after mile. A Vibram Metagrip Litebase outsole reduces weight without sacrificing traction and works well on a mixture of surfaces, being refined for all day on the trails.
A woven fabric upper created with aramid yarns is exceptionally durable, fast drying and highly breathable, again perfect for ultra events. The upper uses the brand’s slightly broader fit in the toe box area to allow the feet to spread a little, but with the TUNEDFIT lacing using twin draw cords, the fit is as unique as your foot shape.
The T1 offers a step in comfort that simply wants to get you out onto the trails at the earliest opportunity, and when there, provide you with all-day comfort!
INOV-8 – Trailfly Max - £150.00
The deepest cushioned shoe in the brand’s range, the Trailfly Max provides a 35mm stack of FLYSPEED PRO foam in the midsole with a 6mm drop, yet still manages to weigh in just under 300g.
This maxed-out version of the popular Trailfly model retains a responsive ride and natural ground feel, making it perfect for longer-distance runs over firmer trails. The supercritical, nitrogen-infused midsole foam offers a smooth and energised feel, which, alongside the brand’s BOOMERANG footbed, makes for a plush and stable ride on the trail.
The more natural, foot-shaped upper allows for the foot to spread naturally and aid stability on technical trails, as well as allowing a little more sense of freedom in the toe box.
The Graphene-infused outsole makes up the 4mm deep multi-directional lugs that give great traction in any weather, as well as providing a durable connection with the ground.
INOV-8 – Trailfly Zero - £140.00
Retaining many of the features of the Trailfly Max, this shoe, the Trailfly Zero, has a zero-drop midsole cushioning stack and a lower stack of 12mm of cushioning in both the heel and forefoot.
The supercritical, nitrogen-infused midsole foam offers a smooth and energised feel, only there’s a little bit less of it here, for a more connected ground feel. The BOOMERANG footbed feels great and means that you don’t sacrifice comfort for a closer-to-the-ground feel.
Again, the Graphene-infused outsole makes up the 4mm deep multi-directional lugs that provide excellent traction in any weather, as well as providing a durable connection with the ground.
Keen – Hyperport H2 - £100.00
While not specifically a trail running shoe, this ‘sports sandal’ offers the fit and comfort of a running shoe alongside the durability of a trail shoe, but with the breathability of a sandal.
Great for walking, recovery or general day-to-day use, the sandal features the midsole cushioning of a trainer with a structured and cushioned footbed for day-long comfort. The open, breathable upper allows a sense of freedom, and the stretch fit with drawstring fastener creates a snug and secure fit.