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Finishing an ultra is a huge feat. And behind every successful run is an excellent ultra running shoe with ample cushioning, support, and grip packed into a rugged shoe.
We know it’s a tedious job to browse through all the ultra running shoe models on the market. So, we tested them out ourselves and selected the best picks in different 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!
How we test running shoes
When we assessed the ultra shoes on this list, we got down to the tiniest details to ensure they weren’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 during our tests.
- We cut them into pieces to scrutinize their parts. We also measure 20+ different features like stack heights, softness of the midsole, lug thickness, outsole durability, upper breathability, and so on
- We publish in-depth reviews that contain all our findings. Our lab data makes the shoes comparable by different features. Based on all of the tests, we select the best picks.
Best ultra running shoes overall
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.
Pros
- Cushioned and comfortable
- Excellent grip across diverse terrains
- Outstanding Vibram Megagrip outsole
- Noticeably lighter than previous models
- Robust and long-lasting upper
- Delivers a responsive and impressively stable ride
- Adaptable to multiple paces
- 100% ready for ultras
- Enhanced flexibility compared to previous versions
Cons
- Ankle collar design favors debris intrusion
- Excessive foam exposure might be a concern
Ultra running shoes with the best cushioning
What makes it the best?
Overcoming ultras require an effective impact dampener to sustain long-haul efforts, and we find Saucony Xodus Ultra 3’s cushioning to be the best among ultra-running shoes. It provides comfort not only through its velvet foam but also through its airy and free-flowing nature. Its subtle support is an added competitive advantage.
We’re spoiled with excellent cushioning and responsiveness with the cutting-edge PWRRUN PB foam. Standing tall at 35.1/29.2 mm, it feels buttery-smooth, as validated by our durometer to be 29.6% softer than the average trail shoe. Additionally, it features a balanced 24.0 HA PWRRUN foam closer to the ground for stability.
Creating a more effortless ride is the midsole that moves with our feet with minimal resistance. Our flex test validates it’s 12.5% more adaptive than its counterparts, giving us more comfort for long hours on foot. It features a subtle rocker to sustain momentum when our legs get tired.
XU3 is a breath of fresh air. It scored 4/5 on our breathability test in the lab, keeping our feet fresh and blister-free. Trail shoes rarely reach this score!
However, it lacks reflective elements, so we recommend pairing it with reflective apparel or accessories for enhanced safety.
Pros
- More cushioning!
- Plush and energetic midsole
- Versatile across various terrains
- Doubles as a hiking shoe
- Highly breathable upper
- Ready for ultras
- Non-intrusive rock plate
- Stable despite increased stack
- Unique PWRRUN+ footbed
Cons
- Lacks reflective elements
- Weight increase
- Reduced agility
Best lightweight ultra running shoes
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 runs prove 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.
Pros
- Incredibly speedy and enjoyable ride
- Breathable yet sturdy upper
- 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
Cons
- Limited space in the toe area
- Lacks energy return from the EVA midsole
- The $225 price tag might be steep for some buyers
Ultra running shoes with the best speed
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 should check other options.
Pros
- Optimized for trail races
- Accommodates wide feet with ease
- Full-length, responsive Pebax midsole
- Equipped with a Vibram Megagrip outsole
- Ideal for long-distance training
- Offers outstanding comfort
- Remarkably stable
- Suitable for 100-mile races
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
Ultra running shoes with the best comfort
What makes it the best?
We effortlessly clocked in the miles without counting while sporting Brooks Caldera 7 on the trails. Our lab shows it’s suitable for endurance runs with its maximum cushion, seamless ventilation, and stable ride. As an effective impact dampener and leg-saver, 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.
Pros
- Tons of cushioning
- Plush DNA Loft v3 foam
- Best Caldera to date
- Roomier than ever
- Superb upper ventilation
- Surprisingly stable
- Fairly priced
Cons
- Still heavy
- Outsole could be better
- Not for technical trails
Ultra running shoes with the best versatility
What makes it the best?
During our prolonged and demanding efforts with the top ultra-running shoes, the Salomon Ultra Glide 2 excels with its versatility. It's highly comfortable and responsive, with an adaptive midsole and outsole for various terrains. Our lab proves its agility further with its impressively light 10.1 oz (286g) build.
Besides its weightlessness, UG2 feels natural and effortless on foot with its high level of flexibility. Emerging 26.8% more adaptive than average in our bend test, it moves seamlessly with our feet. Additionally, its minimal 2.8 mm lugs and thin 1.6 mm Contagrip rubber make it versatile for various activities and terrains.
Equipped with energyFOAM, the Ultra Glide 2 delivers superior cushioning and a springy, responsive ride. Our tests reveal it to be 20.4% softer than the average trail shoe, providing silky-smooth strides. It felt easy to pick up the pace when we wanted to.
However, its focus on lightness and versatility compromised durability. With minimal rubber in the outsole, it’s highly susceptible to wear and tear.
Pros
- Breathable upper
- One heck of a lockdown
- Soft and protective cushioning
- Good energy return
- Very smooth, fun ride
- Comfy for roads, good traction on moderately technical trails
- Outstanding for daily miles and (very) long runs
- Also works for faster efforts
Cons
- Poor outsole durability
- Using lace garage can get frustrating
- Long tongue has a tendency to cause some rubbing
- Maybe too narrow for some
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 outdoor 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 proves 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.
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
- Loads of recycled, eco-friendly stuff
- Great for long-distance runs thanks to its cushioning
- Wonderful for heel strikers
- Excellent all-terrain shoe
Cons
- Heavier than expected
- Actual drop deviates significantly from what's stated
- Could be more affordable
This guide applies to average trail runners and their needs. Because of this, we recommend cushioned shoes, mid-to-high heel drop, and so on. Of course, there are runners who run ultras in less-cushioned running shoes with a low heel to toe drop. However, that’s mostly reserved for more experienced runners who are well aware of the niche shoe categories and what they do for the legs and feet.
We will mention this category but will not focus on it.
What to look for in running shoes for ultras
We recommend looking for 5 things:
- Cozy fit that allows some swelling that will inevitably happen but also offers a superb lockdown
- Average-to-high breathability
- Durable toebox and outsole
- Avoiding zero or low heel drop, but looking for mid-range or high drop (higher than 5mm)
- Superb cushioning: a lot of it (at least 30mm at the heel) + responsive
- Lugs and outsole thread patterns adequate for the terrain in question
WANTED: cushioning
How cushioned should the ultra running shoes be? We recommend at least 30mm at the heel. This is, of course, based on average runners and not minimalist/barefoot enthusiasts who prefer the ground feel, even after 50k.
In our lab, we measure the stack heights according to the guidelines from WorldAthletics. For this to be properly done, the shoe has to be cut in half which is, of course, what we also do.
Now we know that just because the shoe is cushioned does not mean that it’s comfortable or responsive. Some foams are soft but dull, or squishy, or very responsive! Others can be too firm for your feet.
Softness of the foam is something we measure in our lab. We use a shore A durometer to do that.
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When it comes to responsiveness and durability of the foam itself, we highly recommend reading our Ultimate guide on running shoe foams. |
Of course, more foam usually means more weight. It’s a balance we’re looking for.
Heavier shoes slow us down but also bring more impact protection, so it’s about weighing your priorities and options.
Choose a higher heel drop for ultra runs
Now that we’ve covered the stack heights, it’s impossible to skip the heel to toe drop. Runners who land at the forefoot or midfoot tend to choose lower heel drop, while heel-striking runners go for a high heel drop.
During an ultra, our feet get tired and might appreciate any help they can get. Even forefoot strikers end up striking at the heel due to fatigue. So, some runners decide to run in a higher-drop shoe. As always, best to learn what suits you best while training for an ultra.
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To learn more (or everything that matters) about the heel drop, read our very in-depth Ultimate guide on heel to toe drop. |
Best upper for ultra running is the breathable one
First, it should be breathable. In our shoe lab, we test breathability by pumping the smoke into the shoe and watching where the smoke comes out and at which pace. Based on this, we assign a breathability rating on a 1-5 scale, where 1 is the least breathable.
Of course, if you’re running in very hot weather, look for uppers rated with 5/5 or 4/5. If not that hot, 3/5 could also work.
To understand this better, we look at the uppers under the microscope.
It’s very interesting to see how the threads are intertwined, where ventilation holes are how big they are, whether the structure is loose or tight, etc.
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If you’d like to go down the rabbit hole in this running-shoe-upper world, we highly recommend reading our guide: Running shoe upper: how to choose the best one for your needs. |
Dealing with swelling during ultra races
Our feet swell even when just spending the day regularly, at work, with our families, etc. And they swell even more when doing hard work, like an ultra race.
Because of this, it’s important to choose a roomy shoe: one that will allow your feet to swell without creating hotspots and blisters, while at the same time providing a great lockdown.
In most cases, we worry about cramping our toes as that can lead to bleeding, blisters, black toenails, and even worse. In the lab, we measure the width of the toebox in 2 places: where it’s the widest and at the big toe.
The big-toe measurement allows us to understand how much the toebox tapers or how pointy it is. This is important because we all have differently shaped toes and want to find a shoe that fits us perfectly.
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Some runners whose feet swell up a lot deal with it by changing the shoes to a wider fit or sizing up, some time mid-race. |
Upper and outsole durability lab tests
In ultras, durability matters much more than in short distances. The shoe really has to endure and we throw everything at them: mud, obstacles, debris, sharp rocks, water. Because of this, we recommend finding running shoes with very durable toeboxes and outsoles.
To test the durability of both, we use a dremel. We press it against the surface, always using the same force, RPMs and duration.
Testing the durability of the toebox in RunRepeat lab
Once the damage is done, we assess it and rate on a 1-5 scale, where 1 is the least durable and 5 the most durable.
Outsole durability test performed in RunRepeat lab
When it comes to the damage done on the outsole, we’re able to precisely measure the depth of the dent with a tire tread gauge.
Deeper dents tell us that the outsole is less durable and vice versa.
Grip and lug depth in ultra running shoes
Before running an ultra, it’s best to learn what type of terrain awaits you. Is it mostly a hard-packed trail, or are there any rocky sections, maybe it’s a fast soft-ground single track or a very muddy trail.
There are 3 things that we can look at when it comes to the grip. First, the thread pattern. Then, the lug depth. Finally, the hardness of the rubber.
When it comes to the thread patterns, we recommend:
- A lot of closely spaced multidirectional lugs if you’re covering a bit of everything on varying terrain (both uphill and downhill)
- Deeper lugs (4mm and above) if you’re running on soft wet ground like snow or mud
- Widely spaced lugs if it’s mostly mud as the distance between the lugs allows mud shedding
Hybrid shoes usually have shallower lugs which is why they work well for road-to-trail adventures or very light, easy trail terrain that maybe even includes some roads. Here, we’re thinking of anything below 3mm.
Versatile shoes used for moderate terrain usually have lugs that are 3-4mm deep. Keep in mind that there are other things that affect the overall performance which is why very bulky shoes don’t work well on technical terrain even if they have deep lugs, or why some very aggressive stiff shoes with somewhat shallower lugs excel on technical terrain. There is some overlap, for sure!
For muddy trails, we recommend lugs that are at least 4mm deep.
Finally, we can look at the hardness of the outsole - harder rubber is more protective and durable, while softer rubber is more flexible and stickier.
Changing the shoes mid-race
Some runners change their shoes mid-race. This happens for many reasons:
- their feet got swollen a lot and now they need something with a wider/longer fit;
- some critical parts got destroyed, like an eyelet, lugs, upper;
- their feet got too wet and the shoes can’t dry easily so they jump into the dry spare pair;
- they had to treat a wound or a blister with a lot of tape which made the feet wider;
- their feet are too tired and need a bit more cushioning now or a higher heel drop; and so on.
It’s always good to have a spare pair ready, but what features it should have (the same pair as the one you started the race in, or the one that’s a little wider, more cushioned, higher heel drop, etc.) that’s on you to find out while training for an ultra.
How socks can help?
From our experience, it’s best to use socks that are not made of cotton. They have no moisture-wicking properties, they do not dry quickly.
Many prefer wool or bamboo socks. Compression socks work wonders for some of us, but we don’t recommend trying them at the ultra race first. It's best to test them in advance. You might enjoy the compression only at the feet, while other runners prefer knee-high compression socks or even compression shorts.
The important thing is that socks should not create bumps or layers that would irritate your feet. They should fit perfectly. You might appreciate a change of socks mid-race, maybe even more than once, so best to pack a few spares!
Injinji socks have been gaining popularity. They might look odd with every finger having its own “sock” but they do the job well and we see them more and more on racers’ feet.
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