7 Best Ultra Running Shoes in 2023
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Why trust us
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 lightweight shoe.
We know it’s a tedious job to go through the tens of 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.
How we test running shoes
When we assessed the ultra shoes 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:
- Run at least 30-50 miles in each shoe.
- Cut them into pieces to scrutinize their parts.
- Measure each part through 30 different parameters.
And to analyze how they stand against other running shoes, we come up with a Corescore that’s entirely based on thousands of expert and user reviews.
Best ultra running shoes overall
Altra VIA Olympus
85
Good!
What makes it the best?
The Altra VIA Olympus is the max-cushioned road runner that zero-drop fans have been waiting for. Though it managed to rain on its own parade with a firmer-than-expected midsole, this shoe more than made up for it with a comfy upper, stable platform, smooth ride, and the wide fit Altra loyalists have long demanded.
Pros
- Comfortable and premium-feeling upper
- Roomy, unmistakably-Altra fit
- Secure lockdown even for narrow feet
- Smooth and responsive ride
- Good for any distance at an easy pace
- Effective, but not obtrusive, rocker
- Copious amount of padding
- Breathable
- Absorbs impact well
Cons
- Cushioning on the firm side, but a toss-up on how firm
- Doesn’t feel like a zero-drop shoe
- Substantial break-in period
- On the heavier side
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Zappos
Free shipping & returns
$170
Running Warehouse
Free shipping & returns
$170
Altra Running
Free shipping & returns
$170
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$170
Backcountry
Free shipping
$170
REI
Free shipping
$170
Best ultra running shoes for trail
Hoka Tecton X
92
Superb!
What makes it the best?
The Hoka Tecton X is Hoka's first carbon-plated trail running shoe. To justify the name, it just might have started a tectonic shift - that's how much it is loved by runners. It's positioned as a speed-ready, racing and training companion to the Hoka Speedgoat 5. Thanks to the dual-plated design, it shines at fast paces, especially the ultra ones. On top of this, it's a max-cushioned running shoe that keeps the feet protected without weighing them down.
Pros
- 2 carbon plates: very propulsive ride
- Insanely stable
- Looks fast and runs fast
- Lightweight
- Very cushioned & responsive
- Worth the investment
- Room for feet swelling
- Grippy
- No break-in
- Vegan materials used
Cons
- Not for technical terrains
- Might accumulate mud
- Expensive
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Zappos
Free shipping & returns
$148
Fleet Feet
Free shipping & returns
$150
Marathon Sports
Free shipping
$160
Running Warehouse
Best lightweight ultra running shoes
Hoka Carbon X 3
82
Good!
What makes it the best?
True to its roots, the Carbon X 3 remains your trusty go-to for anything ultra-distance. It's packed and loaded with a carbon-fiber plate that makes it a highly stable and snappy ride. Even more, it delivers smooth heel-to-toe transitions that make your long-distance runs bearable and easy. On top of this, it's everything you'd expect from a luxe running shoe. From looks to performance, it kills it!
Pros
- Unobtrusive carbon plate
- Responsive ride
- Smooth transitions
- Stable
- Durable
- Breathable
- Grippy
Cons
- Loose-fitting knit upper
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Amazon
Free shipping
$185
Zappos
Free shipping & returns
$200
Running Warehouse
Free shipping & returns
$200
Hoka
Free shipping & returns
$200
Backcountry
Free shipping
$200
REI
Free shipping
$200
Best ultra running shoes with wide toebox
Saucony Endorphin Trail
78
Decent!
What makes it the best?
Aggressive!!! That’s the first impression that many runners had about the Endorphin Trail. With the shoe's meaty, deep lugs, and thick, dense midsole, it flies down any terrain you can throw at it. It’s a bit of a tank, but its PB midsole is springy, and its rockered design lets you efficiently coast gentler terrain between the hard stuff. Lace these up and head into your next trail battle with confidence!
Pros
- Amazing grip
- Sock-like fit
- True to size
- Aggressive
- Peppy midsole
- Rock protection
Cons
- Heavy
- Not breathable
- Poor draining
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$60
Zappos
Running Warehouse
REI
Ultra running shoes with best cushioning
Salomon Ultra Glide
89
Great!
What makes it the best?
Plush comfort in a Salomon! It’s what the trail running community has been waiting for. The Ultra Glide is Salomon’s answer to Hoka’s reign over the cushioned trail shoe category and they nailed it. This shoe has a peppy, energetic ride, a soft, breathable upper, and a grippy, durable outsole. It’s worth a look at $140 and has a ton of great features. The only gripe I could conjure up is it’s a touch narrow if you have a wide foot.
Pros
- Durable
- Breathable
- Grippy
- Great lockdown
- Plush and comfortable
- Great lacing system
- Protective overlays
- Energetic ride
- Cushioned
Cons
- Tight midfoot for wider feet
- No reflective details
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Running Warehouse
Free shipping & returns
$56
REI
Free shipping
$70
Backcountry
Free shipping
$77
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$90
Zappos
Free shipping & returns
$98
Getzs
Free shipping
$140
Best ultra running shoes with plush cushioning
Saucony Endorphin Edge
84
Good!
What makes it the best?
The Endorphin Edge from Saucony is the brand's "sweet redemption," in the words of one runner, of the not-so-great Saucony Endorphin Trail. And others can't help but agree with this. It's everything super, they say. It has a carbon-fiber plate, it's max-cushioned, and it can go fast, fast, fast. Even better, it's ready for runs ranging from short to long distances.
Pros
- Fast as hell
- Comfort written all over it
- Super smooth ride
- Light AF
- Protection can't be more awesome
- Breathable under warm temps
- Toe box is ready for ultras
- Carbon plate is not harsh
- Grippy on wet, loose, and soft trails
- Also great for the roads
Cons
- Unstable at slow paces
- Loose heel
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Backcountry
Free shipping
$140
Zappos
Free shipping & returns
$200
Running Warehouse
Free shipping & returns
$200
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$200
REI
Free shipping
$200
Road Runner Sports
Free shipping
$200
Best ultra low drop running shoes
Saucony Peregrine 13
89
Great!
What makes it the best?
As one of the longest-running trail series, it’s safe to say the Peregrine is among the first shoes runners think about when going offroad. It can handle nearly anything you throw at it thanks to its tried-and-true comfort, agility, and traction. But what truly puts the v13 above its predecessors is its thicker slab of midsole foam—making it even more capable for easy days, long slow miles, and the occasional race through punishing terrains.
Pros
- Cushioned and protective midsole
- Better for longer efforts than the v12
- A good trail racing option
- Great traction whether on ice, snow, gravel, and dirt
- Mud just falls off the outsole
- Comfy and airy upper
- Performance-oriented fit
- No heel slippage
- Smooth and natural-feeling ride
Cons
- Debris tends to get in
- Not as fast as other speedwork trail shoes
- Too-firm midsole
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Backcountry
Free shipping
$130
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$138
Zappos
Free shipping & returns
$140
Running Warehouse
Free shipping & returns
$140
REI
Free shipping
$140
Road Runner Sports
Free shipping
$140
Comparison of the 7 best ultra running shoes
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