7 Best Nike Trail Running Shoes in 2022

Nike is a household name in the running world. Although it’s better known for its road running shoes, Nike doesn’t cut corners when it comes to its trail shoes. They’re sturdy, traction-ready, stable, and responsive, helping you can blaze through the trails with no sweat.
Because there’s so much hype over Nike trail running shoes, we tested them out ourselves, and ended up picking the best models from five different categories.
These shoes have been tested meticulously, and we are confident they can help you run the gnarliest terrain with ease.
Overview of this guide
How we test trail running shoes
We have our independent shoe testing lab to help us identify which shoes are good and bad. And with the data we’ve gathered, our aim is to help you. To do so, we strictly execute the following during our tests:
- Buy all shoes with our own money to prevent bias-filled reviews
- Run in them for 30-50 miles
- Slice each shoe into pieces
- Measure them in 30 different parameters like breathability, sturdiness, cushion, etc.
- Rank them against other shoes through our CoreScore
The CoreScore is a rating from 0-100 that gives you an idea of how good or bad the shoe is. It is generated based on thousands of expert and user reviews.
Best Nike trail running shoes overall
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 10% in trail running shoes
- Top 10% in Nike running shoes
- Top 1% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Soft, bouncy ride
- Very comfortable
- True to size
- Wide for a Nike
- Wide loop on heel
- Built to last
- Reflective swoosh
- Killer grip on dry trails
Cons
- Not grippy in wet
- Runs warm
Verdict
We love the road version of the Pegasus so much, we need one for the trails. And here we are with the best one yet - the Pegasus Trail 3.
The Pegasus line has been hailed as THE workhorse. Even better, it’s THE comfortable workhorse - which is why runners (including us) can’t get enough of it. And with the Pegasus Trail 3, nothing changes in the comfort arena. It’s still as great as its road sibling.
It only gets better in stability. In our lab tests, we’ve measured that the base is so wide at 116mm in the forefoot and 92.6mm in the heel, it’s hard to lose your step in this trail monster.
Of course, we wouldn’t be calling the Peg a “trail monster” if not for its durability. This shoe is extremely tough, its outsole measured 86HC in our rigidity test. For context, the average shoe is only 79.2HC.
True to its Pegasus roots, it stays nice and versatile. If you want a road-to-trail shoe, or a shoe you can walk to the park while catching a break from the trails, it won’t fail you.
And if there’s one thing that makes the Nike Pegasus Trail 3 incomparable, it’s the unmatched comfort. Simply, it’s everything trail-ready minus the stiffness.
Best off-trail Nike trail running shoes
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 4% most popular running shoes
Pros
- True to size
- Superb grip in dry conditions
- Rock plate for extra protection
- Semi gaiters keep the debris out
- Built for off trails
- Pushes you to run
- Great for hiking as well
- Awesome looks
Cons
- Needs breaking in
- Runs hot
- Heel might slip
- Not for a wide forefoot
Verdict
The Nike Wildhorse 7’s spot on this list is unquestioned. Without a doubt, it’s the grippiest Nike trail shoe we’ve ever put on.
It’s obvious, the real show stopper here is the outsole. It’s so well-lugged, it sticks fantastically on dirt roads, rocky trails, and soft grounds. There’s no other shoe that made us go stable AF!
Speaking of stability, the upper is something else. It doesn’t just lock the feet in place, it provides solid structure to maintain a wobble-free ride. Even when cornering, we were confident and surefooted as ever.
And who could forget that rock plate? It does one heck of a job shielding feet from the harshness underfoot. Seriously, we even felt like we could run more miles. Even better, our feet and legs didn’t need recovery.
The Nike Wildhorse 7 may not be plush, but its job is to keep your feet well-protected and your strides steady. And with its performance, we can truly say it delivered amazingly!
Best waterproof Nike trail running shoes
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 5% in trail running shoes
- Top 3% in Nike running shoes
- Top 17% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Outstanding waterproofness
- Great for road-to-trail transitions
- Lively ride
- Feels lighter than it is
- Good grip
- Perfect for autumn and winter
- Runs true to size
- Undeniably durable
Cons
- Not breathable
- Semi-gaiter lets snow in
- Bulky
Verdict
We aren’t lying when we say that we are a huge fan of the Pegasus line. This list is enough proof.
If you’re looking for a shoe that’s going to keep your feet dry during wet conditions, and warm during the cold, we can’t recommend the Nike Pegasus Trail 2 GTX enough.
To really see how “impermeable” it is, we ran through rain and puddles in the Pegasus Trail 2 GTX. And it didn’t let us down. No water seeped in the shoe at all. And when we took it off, our feet were completely dry.
Waterproofness is not the only reason to buy this shoe. Its ride is also one to beat. It’s superbly bouncy, we had so much fun running in it!
Even more, it’s a shoe that’s built to keep the feet protected. And protected, we were. It didn’t just dampen the ruggedness underneath, it also absorbed shock impeccably. Seriously, we didn’t even need a rock plate.
And to seal the deal, the Nike Pegasus Trail 2 GTX is one heck of a solid shoe. After 100 miles of rough wear testing, it’s been the absolute best. No scratches at all.
Best Nike neutral trail running shoes
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 8% in trail running shoes
- Top 9% in Nike running shoes
- Top 2% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Fantastic waterproofing
- Grips on everything dry and wet
- Great for road-to-trail transitions
- Also for hiking
- Responsive
- Stable on rocky terrain
- Supports moderately flat feet
- Straight-out-the-box comfort
- Lighter than other GTX shoes
- Locked-in heel
- Worth every penny
Cons
- Lacks durability
- Not for summer runs
Verdict
Best lightweight Nike trail running shoes
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 11% most popular running shoes
Pros
- True to size
- 10/10 heel lock
- Excellent grip
- Moderate cushioning
- Rock plate
- Lightweight
- Superb breathability
- Flexible
- Durable
- Great colors
Cons
- Not for long distances
Verdict
It’s versatile and above all, it’s extremely light. It’s no wonder why the Nike Air Zoom Terra Kiger 7 made us swoon over.
At 10.4 oz, it’s not light on paper. But when laced it up and logged some miles, we were beyond astounded with its barely-there feel. It didn’t drag our feet down, and more importantly, it made us forget about it on the run.
There’s more. The cushion is second to none. Despite it not being a max trail runner, it didn’t leave something to be desired. Our feet were comfy and protected, they never felt tired. It’s even good to go straight from the box. Because it’s so feet-friendly, there’s no need to break it in.
And if you’re looking for a shoe that’s alive, this is THE shoe. The midsole is crazy responsive, we were bouncing from one step to another.
It may skimp on weight, but it sure doesn’t when it comes to protection. The rock plate did terrifically when we ran through rocky terrain. Our feet didn’t feel any sharpness poking underneath.
To wrap it up, the Nike Air Zoom Terra Kiger 7 is a surefire winner in blending both durability and grip. We hammered it on mud, dirt, tree roots, and rocks, and it’s been nothing short of a star.
Best value Nike trail running shoes
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 5% in trail running shoes
- Top 5% in Nike running shoes
- Top 5% most popular running shoes
Pros
- True to size
- Well-cushioned
- Snug fit
- Durable
- Very comfortable
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Heavy
- Stiff
- Looks clunky and too bright
- Not for technical terrain
- Not breathable
Verdict
“What? $85 for a trail shoe? Get out of here!”
That’s us before running in the Nike Air Max Torch 4. We just couldn’t believe that for such a price, you could already get a solid trail shoe.
And if you’re one of the cynics, this shoe will change your mind. Whether it’s on moderate or technical trails, this shoe is more than capable. The outsole is a champ that bites so well on all terrain, slips and missteps aren’t even in its dictionary.
Protection is also a strong point of the Air Max Torch, and the toe bumper is the one to give thanks to. When we ran into some rocks and roots, our toes did not end up bruised.
Toe bumper aside, there’s also loads of cushion underfoot. It tones down the harshness beneath. Even better, it keeps the feet cozy. Our legs and feet were fresh from the first mile down to the last.
Ultimately, the Nike Air Max Torch 4 is a great pick if you want a high-performance trail shoe that won’t break the bank.
Most popular Nike trail running shoes
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
This shoe has a 10% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few reviews unjustly receives high scores.
Learn more- Top 7% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Great lockdown
- Fits true to size
- Lightweight
- Comfy
- Affordable
- Sturdy
- Good lacing system
Cons
- Forefoot can slip over the edge of the midsole
- Lack of rock plate
- Grip is pretty bad on anything technical
Verdict
What are the most popular Nike trail running shoes in 2022?
What are the cheapest Nike trail running shoes in 2022?
- Nike Juniper Trail - from $51
- Nike Air Zoom Terra Kiger 7 - from $90
- Nike Pegasus Trail 3 - from $90
- Nike Wildhorse 7 - from $90
- Nike Zoom Terra Kiger 8 - from $100
- Nike Pegasus Trail 3 GTX - from $110