7 Best Trail Running Shoes For Men in 2023

Paul Ronto
Paul Ronto on
7 Best Trail Running Shoes For Men in 2023
We earn affiliate commissions at no extra cost to you when you buy through us. Why trust us

The list of men’s trail running shoes is quite extensive. With nearly 500 models of men’s trail running shoes, selecting can be a drag. 

And if you’re looking to buy some of the most outstanding trail shoes for men, this list is made just for you. We have carefully selected the best shoes in five different categories.

How we test trail running shoes

As avid critics of running shoes, we get down to the nitty-gritties of each trail running shoe for men before we hail them as our top pick. We have even invested in our very own shoe testing facility to examine each model more closely and accurately. 

There are also steps we strictly follow to keep our choices as bias-free as possible: 

  • We buy each trail running shoe for men we assess with our own money. 
  • To see how they perform and how durable they are, we log at least 30-50 miles in each model. 
  • In our lab, we cut each of them open to see their parts and technologies. 
  • We then measure every aspect of the shoe via multiple parameters, including breathability, cushion, strength, and more.
  • To see how they stack up against other running shoes, we generate their CoreScore using thousands of expert and user feedback.

Best men's trail running shoes overall

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
Full review of Hoka Tecton X

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Persimmon Orange - Radiant Yellow (1123161PORY)
Thyme/Fiesta (TFST)
Blue (SBDP)

Best men's trail running shoes with wide toebox

What makes it the best?

Trail runners, backpackers, and day hikers alike praised the 7th version of the Lone Peak - the do-it-all trail running shoe from Altra. People love how these shoes are versatile and comfy enough for casual trods in the mountains and taking on sharp turns on single-track descents. The lockdown and grip of these shoes let wearers take on the trail with confidence.

Pros

  • Very wide toebox
  • Protective midsole
  • Superb lockdown
  • Super grippy outsole
  • Excellent for fast runs in the mountains
  • Added heel cup provides stability
  • Super comfy
  • Easy to clean

Cons

  • Colorways might be a downer
  • A bit pricey
Full review of Altra Lone Peak 7

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Navy (AL0A7R6H445)
Red (AL0A7R6H680)
Green/Teal (AL0A7R6H008)
Black (AL0A7R6H020)
Taupe (AL0A7R6H923)
Beige (AL0A7R6H922)
Dark Purple (AL0A7R6H252)

Best lightweight trail running shoes for men

What makes it the best?

Most trail runners haven't been very KEEN on Adidas trail shoes. They seemed like an afterthought given that the brand's focus was admittedly on sneakers and soccer cleats. But then the Adidas Terrex Speed Ultra arrived. It performed so well out on the trails that many runners have chosen it as their go-to.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Nimble ride
  • Grippy outsole
  • Breathable
  • Dries quickly
  • Great lockdown
  • Reflective elements

Cons

  • Feels a touch minimalist
  • No heel pull loop
Full review of Adidas Terrex Speed Ultra

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Blue (FW2806)
Green (GZ8921)
Black (FW2830)
orange (HR1120)
Black / Grey / Red (GY6113)
Black (GZ8920)
ftwr white/crystal w (FW2805)

Best men's trail running shoes for ultra

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
Full review of Salomon Ultra Glide

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Black/Alloy/Goji Berry (L414305)
Crystal Teal Barrier Reef Goji (L415791)
Blazing Orange/Vibrant Orange/White (L470712)
Arctic Ice/Pacific Black (L417273)
Multi (L414308)

Best men's trail running shoes for mud

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
Full review of Saucony Peregrine 13

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Agave/Basalt (S2083825)
Wood/Fossil (S2083815)
Vapor/Poppy (S2083816)
Fog/Clay (S2083885)
Arroyo (S1083835)
Finesse Black (S2083891)

Best men's trail running shoes for long distance

What makes it the best?

The React Pegasus Trail 4 is one of the top road-to-trail options from Nike. Cushiony and responsive on the roads yet grippy and stable on the trails, the shoe makes a perfect hybrid. It also remains surprisingly light given all the features packed into it. Experienced runners are happy that it feels a lot like the original Pegasus Trail 36 but with an enhanced grip.

Pros

  • Efficient road-to-trail
  • Well-cushioned
  • Stable ride
  • Excellent, secure fit
  • Very breathable
  • Great traction
  • Unexpectedly light
  • Reasonably priced

Cons

  • Not for muddy areas
  • Not for wide feet
  • Could be more stylish
Full review of Nike React Pegasus Trail 4

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Blue (DJ6158400)
Black (DJ6158004)
002 light iron ore/cobblestone/foo (DJ6158002)
Black (DJ6158003)
Black (DJ6158001)
Light Silver Mineral Teal Racer Blue (DJ6158005)
Black/Olive Flak/Spring Green (DJ6158006)
gold (DJ6158700)
More colors

Best men's trail running shoes with plush cushioning

Hoka Speedgoat 5
89
Great!

What makes it the best?

The Speedgoat 5 from Hoka remains your reliable and great-value do-everything trail shoe. But if you want to bring the best out of it, fast runs on very technical terrains can do the trick. On top of this, it ticks all the boxes of an excellent trail shoe. It's insanely grippy, durable, and supportive; conquering the great outdoors is an easy feat. Overall, take the Hoka Speedgoat 5 if you want to go fast and far.

Pros

  • Super grippy
  • Springy ride
  • Stable platform
  • Extra durable
  • High impact protection
  • Lightweight
  • Breathable
  • Secure fit
  • Excellent heel hold

Cons

  • Not for wide feet
  • Flared collar is not for everyone (style-wise)
Full review of Hoka Speedgoat 5

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Deep Lake/Ceramic (DLCR)
Stone Blue/Dark Citron (SBDCT)
Bellwether Blue/Cyclamen (BBCY)
Thyme/Fiesta (TFST)
Fiesta/Radiant Yellow (FRYL)
Scuba Blue/Black (SBBK)
Outer Space/Bluing (OSBN)
Impala/Flame (1123157IFLM)
More colors

Comparison of the 7 best trail running shoes for men

+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
Best
CoreScore
Users rating
Experts
Best price
Ranking
Popularity
# of colorways
Author
Paul Ronto
Paul Ronto

Over the past 20 years, Paul has climbed, hiked, and run all over the world. He has summited peaks throughout the Americas, trekked through Africa, and tested his endurance in 24-hour trail races as well as 6 marathons. On average, he runs 30-50 miles a week in the foothills of Northern Colorado. His research is regularly cited in The New York Times, Washington Post, National Geographic, etc. On top of this, Paul is leading the running shoe lab where he cuts shoes apart and analyzes every detail of the shoes that you might buy.