7 Best Running Shoes For Hiking in 2023

Versatile and reliable, the Nike React Pegasus Trail 4 is an unmatched road-to-trail hybrid shoe. It is lightweight, cushioned, and grippy–making it the perfect companion for wandering on trails and going on off-road adventures. It is our pick for the best running shoes for hiking.

The Pegasus Trail 4 only weighs 272g (9.59 oz), notably lighter than the average of trail running shoes which is 296g (10.44 oz). We really appreciated the weight difference especially when running or hiking up the hills and mountains. The lightness made us feel like we were flying through the terrain.

We measured the Pegasus Trail 4’s heel stack at 35.5 mm and it really is a welcome wonder how it has more midsole material while keeping the weight down. For context, the average heel stack height of trail running shoes is 31.7 mm. We absolutely loved how this generous midsole keep our feet protected.

Traction is very good in the Pegasus Trail 4. Its 3.4 mm lugs are almost on par with the average (3.5 mm), providing the shoe with traction on diverse terrain. Great grip is present even in wet conditions. 

However, runners looking for shoes to tackle uber technical terrains could look for shoes with beefier lugs.

Fresh Foam X More Trail v3 is a reliable hybrid shoe with plenty of cloud-like cushion. It boasts a thick, buttery-soft stack, a grippy outsole, and a flexible midsole. It delivers consistent support and protection — from roads to mountains — making it our best cushioned hiking-running shoe.

It has a thick slab of dual-density Fresh Foam X that provides exceptional comfort and protection from landing impact and rocky terrains. It rises 6.8/7.3 mm above average in the heel and forefoot and measures 45.6% softer than average. It’s one of the trail shoes that spoiled our feet the most with its bouncy ride.

Armed with a grippy outsole and 5.0 mm lugs, it clings with grit onto soft dirt, mild mud, and wet roads. We can confidently cruise through most paths, knowing we won’t slip or fall.

Its midsole gives a good amount of flexibility, allowing us to maneuver through light to moderate trails. Our flex test confirms it's 11.4% more malleable than average, promoting a more natural running feel.

More foam means more weight. At 10.6 oz (301g), it’s heavier than the 9.5 oz (268g) average of running shoes.

The Olympus 5 from Altra is a premium shoe all around. It provides comfort for days with its spacious toe box, amazing cushioning, and excellent breathability. The Altra Olympus 5 is the best running shoe for hiking for runners with wide feet.

We measured the toe box of the Altra Olympus 5 at 103.4 mm, which is 4.7 mm more spacious than the average trail running shoe. The width, in combination with the squared shape of the shoe, kept our feet splayed out and kept blisters and black toenails at bay.

At the heel, it is just above the average stack height (33 mm vs 31.7 mm). But having a forefoot stack height of 31 mm, it massively eclipses the average forefoot stack height of 24.1 mm. The shoe definitely gives a cushioned and comfortable ride on the trails.

Airflow is admirable in the Altra Olympus 5. Ventilation throughout the shoe’s upper is present and provides a lovely amount of breeze on the feet, especially in hotter conditions. We gave it a respectable 3 out of 5 in our breathability test.

Durability is the main issue with the Olympus 5. It is not very well built, as the outsole started peeling away after only a few runs.

Our pick for the best waterproof running shoes for hiking is none other than the Nike Pegasus Trail 3 GTX. Its outstanding cushioning, fantastic grip, and superb flexibility—wrapped in the superb Gore-Tex fabric—make it a top-of-the-line waterproof shoe.

The Pegasus Trail 3 GTX possesses an outstanding midsole. In the lab, we measured it at 32.5 mm, 0.8 mm higher than the average heel stack of trail running shoes. It is also 58.3% softer than average. This heavenly combination of a tall and soft midsole helped our feet stay comfortable and protected during our trail runs and day hikes. 

We also found the grip levels on the Pegasus Trail 3 to be excellent. Its lug depth of 3.3 mm is below the average of 3.5 mm, but the outsole clings to most surfaces we ran or hiked in—ranging from pavement, grass, mud, sand, dry, or wet.

The shoes also feel very flexible—our feet were nice and free during our runs. It offers a great natural ground feel and at the same time, it is not intrusive on the stride or gait cycle. Our lab tests verified that it is 33.12% more flexible than the average trail running shoe.

The Gore-Tex fabric in the Peg Trail 3 GTX offers top-notch waterproofing, but not much on the breathability side. Runners looking for a breathable shoe may find other shoes more appealing.

Endorphin Edge is a lightweight marvel that is super fast, super grippy, and super comfy. It delivers all the support needed to take on the mountains with confidence. This pair feels like a breath of fresh air, making it our top lightweight hiking-running shoe.

It boasts a 9.5 oz (269g) build, 9.1% lighter than the average trail shoe. It’s as light as a road-running shoe but holds the traction of a trail shoe. With lugs 3.4 mm deep and a rubber outsole that our durometer measured to be 13.0% softer than average, it clings to almost any type of terrain. We can easily maneuver the shoe on loose dirt, muddy puddles, and rocky paths.

Endorphin Edge surprisingly has generous cushioning for its airy weight. Its stack rises above the average, measuring 27.7% softer than the average trail shoe, as per our durometer. This mutes the landing impact on our legs.

Its stiff carbon plate provides high energy return with every step and its rockered structure launches us off smoothly. It consistently shows high performance on any distance and terrain. Our flex test in the lab confirms it’s 76.9% more resilient than average.

We don’t recommend this pair for easy runs as it may feel unstable. Endorphin Edge performs best at high speeds.

Lone Peak 7 allowed us to explore the trails with ease because its traction is beyond compare! Its perfect balance of plushness, responsiveness and flexibility made us comfortably agile. Our actual hikes and lab tests all point to this pair as the grippiest hiking runners.

We felt safe running on any slope or pavement since the shoe's lockdown and traction felt very solid. We measured its lugs to be 3.4 mm deep, preventing mud slips. What also helped is the lugs' arrangement in the forefoot and heel area, acting as brakes during steep descents.

The shoe’s flexibility added to the traction, moving naturally with our feet on uneven terrains. This gave us more control and a confidence boost to run faster in the wild. Upon checking with our lab flex test, it came out 20.8% more flexible than the average trail shoe. This confirms why we felt more agile in this pair.

We could keep going all day with its comfortable fit. Its balanced cushion was plush enough to keep our legs fresh and firm enough to protect our underfoot from rocks.

Scoring 3/5 on our breathability test, this pair falls below the average score of 3.4. This means its upper may lack ventilation for some trail runners in tropical seasons.

One word describes Salomon XA Pro 3D GTX best — heavy-duty. It’s extremely protective all around with its firm midsole, durable outsole, and non-penetrating upper. This pair has one of the toughest builds in the market. Backed up by all the test that we did in the lab and all the test runs that we performed outside, it offers the best durability among hiking running shoes.

The firm midsole is composed of dual-density EVA foam, which focuses mainly on underfoot protection and stability. Our durometer shows the cushion is 42.3% firmer than average, making sure we don’t feel sharp rocks and roots. Meanwhile, the 85.1 HC outsole is at par with average, making up for a thicker 3.0 mm rubber to ensure it will last long.

This shoe is one of the best waterproof shoes we’ve tried thanks to its full Gore-Tex membrane. In our smoke test, it scored a low 1/5. Even smoke couldn’t escape the upper, which shows that water and other debris pose no threat to the mesh upper.

Further adding protection is its gusseted tongue and lacing system that locks down our foot securely. With a thick toe bumper and suede overlays, this shoe can withstand anything.

We discovered that XA Pro 3D is better suited as a hiking shoe since it’s too stiff and heavy for fast and technical trail running.