7 Best Trail Walking Shoes in 2026

How we test trail walking shoes

To identify the best trail walking shoes, we tested the shoes on the local trails and some rugged paths and we tested them in our lab.

The top-pick selection process involves:

• Buying all pairs of walking shoes for the trails using our own money. This keeps us 100% brutally honest when publishing our in-depth reviews and top rankings.
• Evaluating each model’s actual fit, shock absorption, water-resistance technology, stability, motion control features, grip, and durability through multiple wear tests. 
• Cutting trail walking shoes in half and testing them in our lab. This enriches all our shoe reviews with lab data, which adds another layer of objectivity. 

There’s a lot of hype around trail running these days. We think that’s awesome because trail running is a fun and fast-paced way to enjoy the outdoors. But it’s not for everyone. What about the folks who prefer trails but don’t want to run?

That’s where trail walking shoes come into play. Trail walking shoes meet at the intersection of the classic comfy tennies shoe you are used to and the rugged hiking shoe. They perfectly blend components of both shoes to create a shoe ideal for long walks off-pavement, and they could probably handle some running, too, if you were feeling frisky.

Let’s take a look at some of the best trail walking shoes and what makes them so special. 

Trail shoes are different from tennis shoes

At first glance, trail walking shoes look a lot like regular old tennis shoes. However, if you get into the weeds, you’ll realise that some important characteristics of trail shoes differentiate them from tennis shoes. 

The outsole is more rugged and grippier

First off, shoes designed to be used on trails and off-pavement are equipped with a more rugged outsole. In particular, trail walking shoes have outsoles with bigger and deeper lugs. This helps them provide traction on various surface types like gravel, dirt, and even snow or ice.

Trail shoe manufacturers also use specially designed rubber compounds that excel on trails. For example, the Saucony Peregrine features Saucony’s PWRTRAC rubber in the outsole to ensure maximum traction on rugged terrain.

Some may be waterproof

Adventures out on the trail don’t stop because it’s raining. Well, maybe they do if it's torrentially down-pouring. But if you are caught in the rain with a pair of waterproof trail walking shoes, then you can continue with confidence, knowing that your feet will stay dry.

If you live in a location with a precipitous climate and are frequently going out with some sort of precipitation falling from the sky, whether it be a light drizzle, snow, or a legit rainstorm, then you probably ought to consider waterproof trail shoes.

For example, some shoes feature the popular GORE-TEX membrane in their interiors which helps to seal out water.

Special features protect your feet

It’s no surprise that the terrain on hiking trails is significantly more rugged than paved walking trails and sidewalks in the city. Therefore, many trail hiking shoes have special features that help protect your feet from rocks and roots while out on the trail.

The Salomon XA Pro 3D is one of the most protective trail walking shoes we found. It features a robust toe guard that protects your feet from the inevitable toe-bashing you’ll receive on tough trails. Plus, Salomon’s 3D  chassis is super beefy, protecting your feet while steeping on sharp stones or tree roots.

The midsole is designed to absorb intense impacts

One of the most important components of tail walking shoes is the midsole. The shoe's midsole is responsible for cradling and supporting your feet as you trudge along the trail. The midsole is also in charge of absorbing vibration and intense impacts so that your feet remain protected.

In most trail walking shoes, this is possible thanks to ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam. In a lot of ways, EVA foam is the ideal material for midsoles– it's lightweight, impact-resistant, relatively durable, and supportive.

The midsole on the HOKA Transport is made with EVA foam, and it’s compression moulded which typically contributes to durability. This means a block of EVA foam is compressed into one of HOKA’s specially designed moulds. Plus, the Transport midsole is made from 30% recycled sugarcane, creating a new standard for sustainable cushioning. 

Trail walking shoes come with trail-ready special features

In the previous section, we discussed in detail some of the larger core characteristics that differentiate trail walking shoes from traditional walking shoes, like tennis shoes.

Below, we want to add to the list of important differences. However, this time, we walk to point out some unique features that some trail walking shoes have that not only make them different from traditional walking shoes but also separate them from the rest of the pack.

Essentially– we want to point out some intelligent footwear features that make your time on the trail even more enjoyable.

Lace garage

In a normal walking scenario, it doesn’t matter how your laces are housed, or unhoused for that matter. However, on traill, in walking, hiking, or running scenarios, it's extra nice to have your shoelaces neatly tucked away.

Lave garages are essentially additional components on the exterior of the shoe’s tongue that accommodate the excess from your laces after you’ve tied your shoes. That way, your laces cannot flop away and get in your way.

This may seem like an unnecessary luxury, but once you experience the svelteness of tucked-away laces, you’ll realise how you prefer it.

The Salomon XA Pro 3D V8, On Cloudvista, and HOKA Transport each have lace garages where you can make your laces “disappear.”

Reflective materials

Not all walks occur during the daylight. Sometimes, it’s nice to go out after dark to avoid hotter temperatures, enjoy quieter trails, and star gaze. Sometimes, we get ahead of ourselves and end up coming home after dark.

Regardless of the scenario, it’s nice when your shoes have reflective components that shine brightly in the dark. That’s because reflective materials help keep you safer by allowing others to more easily see you.

Quicklace closure system

A lot about footwear has changed over the years, including the closure systems. Even though lace-up closure systems seem to be the tired and true closure system, trail walking shoe manufacturers have managed to up their game.

Quicklace closure systems have become increasingly popular for trail shoes. Quicklace closure systems look a lot like traditional lace-up systems. The main difference is that instead of tying two laces together in a knot, you simply pull on a single attachment point that cinches down all the laces simultaneously.

Quicklace closure systems are particularly helpful for rapid transitions to and from the trail.

Gusseted tongue

Another special touch that differentiates trail walking shoes from all the rest is the gusseted tongue. Gusseted tongues look like traditional tongues. However, their construction and function are different (and much better, in our opinion).

Gusseted tongues are sewn into the shoe's interior. In other words, there is no separation between the tongue and the upper of the shoe. By removing the gap left behind by traditional tongues, shoe manufacturers effectively integrate the tongue directly into the shoe, helping eliminate the possibility of dirt, debris, and precipitation entering the shoe’s interior.

Because the weather and trail conditions can be so variable when you are outside exploring, it's really nice to have the little extra layer of protection that gusseted tongues provide.