The Best Trail Running Shoes of 2026 | Best in Gear Awards

Another year on the trails, done and dusted

TAYLOR: This year started slowly. We had more trail running shoes than ever before, but we were struggling to pick the hits from the misses. Well, companies must have heard us talking because 6 months in, they pulled a Missy Elliott on us.

This year ended up being one of the most memorable years in trail running of all time. While trends weren’t as obvious this year, a few common lines ran through almost everything we put our feet into.

1. Cheap shoes are getting good, and good shoes are getting great. It didn’t matter the category or size of the brand; pretty much every brand swung for the fences.
2. The rise of foams has opened the door to brand-new trails. There’s more variety in terms of processes and materials. For trail running, in particular, we saw TPEE, ATPU, and superfoam blends become common ingredients, even in day-to-day trail runners.
3. Stack height took a step back, with very few shoes coming in higher than 40mm. Even high-stack shoes dropped to 38-39mm in the heel, proving that more isn't always more on the trails.
4. Race day options are more plentiful than ever. Nearly every brand has some sort of super trail shoe, and they'll keep trickling into the rest of a brand’s lineup. Keep an eye on this category to predict what’s coming in 2027 and beyond.

While you look through our Dirt Division’s picks, keep in mind some of these points as we tried to pick not just our personal favorites, but also the shoes that shaped the year.

The Best Overall Trail Shoe of 2026

The shoes represented below take the cake as the best of 2026 regardless of category. Yes, these shoes ended up being some of our personal favorites this year, but they also encapsulate 2026 with their design and performance.

We got an early taste of the Brooks Cascadia Elite at UTMB 2025, and it stood the test of a full year’s worth of trail shoes. While the Brooks Cascadia Elite is, admittedly, not the most exciting race day option in the field, it is one that continued to perform at a high level across terrain, distance, conditions, and for a variety of runners.

Perhaps that’s what is most special about the Cascadia Elite. It is a crowd pleaser on many levels. We haven’t seen a race day product be so quickly and widely trusted.

Even though it is a race-centric design, it rides a line of dependable and performance-tuned like no other trail shoes this year, and that’s why the Brooks Cascadia Elite gets our nod of approval.

Shop Brooks Cascadia Elite - Unisex 

Like our winner, the Adidas Terrex Agravic SL gets such high marks for its versatility. This shoe was barely on our radar coming into the year because it was pitched as more of a road-to-trail option, but it won us over quickly. In this light, we criticized the Agravic SL as being “bottom-heavy” and more dense compared to some of the other options in this category (i.e Mount to Coast H1 or Salomon Aero Glide GRVL 4).

To be completely frank, while it could handle the road-to-trail scenario, we found that it performed better on true trails. The design married the theory of the Adidas Evo SL with the unique performance of the Agravic line. The result? It checked every box to be a solid performer across paces, terrain, and conditions.

As the Hoka Speedgoat and Brooks Cascadia once felt like the Swiss Army knives of trail running footwear, the Adidas Terrex Agravic SL could easily take that position in the modern era.

Shop Adidas Terrex Agravic SL - Men Shop Adidas Terrex Agravic SL - Women 

The Best Do-It-All Trail Shoe

This category was full of very capable trail shoes this year. Typically, these are the ones that can handle the largest variety of terrain, conditions, and pace.

This likely isn’t a surprise if you’re following our awards sequentially. Well freakin’ done, Adidas. This shoe is an idea that manifested into true performance. The Agravic SL can easily be a comfortable, fun, and confidence-inducing daily driver, and it provides that on race day as well.

I really don’t think this shoe has much of a limit to speak of. If you’re looking for a shoe that’s going to shape the future of this all-around category of trail runners, this is it.

Shop Adidas Terrex Agravic SL - Men Shop Adidas Terrex Agravic SL - Women 

From top to bottom, the Scott Kinabalu Trail is the poster child for simplicity done well. We really couldn’t argue with any aspect of this shoe besides the fact that it takes a little bit of hunting to get it here in the US (that will change in 2027).

Our reviewers noted the surprisingly capable and comfortable build that felt both modern and old-school at the same time. Honestly, it’s the type of shoe we should all keep in our rotation as trail runners: nothing too fancy but does the job wonderfully.

Shop Scott Kinabalu Trail - Unisex 

The Best High-Stack Trail Shoe

Somewhat surprisingly, this high/max stack category has virtually absorbed each other in 2026. Last year we saw many trail shoes go sky-high with 40mm of stack (or more). This year, our favorites have hovered just under that line. These shoes tend to give the most protection and comfort.

Like one of last year’s favorites (Norda 005), the Norda 055 entered this category with performance and sheer style. Admittedly, this shoe wasn’t as exciting out of the box as the 005; however, the break-in period slowly revealed what would become one of the best high-stack shoes of all time.

There really hasn’t been another trail shoe of this stature that displays the range of performance. It shows no preference between zooming on smoother terrain and rovering on quite technical terrain. The unique TPEE Arnitel foam and midsole design provides all the desirables from a smooth roll to luscious cushion to energy return to a surprising sense of stability when it all compresses. The Dyneema upper with integrated gaiter and tongue also provides functional lockdown and doubles up on durability.

While the $325 price tag is certainly part of this equation, its unique capabilities, extreme durability, and overall design win the Norda 055 top honors in the High Stack category!

Shop Norda 055 - Men Shop Norda 055 - Women 

In the tightest race we’ve ever had, the Mount to Coast M1 comes away with honorable mention in the High Stack category. Like with most Mount to Coast offerings, their Tunedfit System offered a custom fit for different foot shapes and terrain. A quality Vibram Megagrip outsole did its thing across landscapes.

But it was the midsole - oh, the midsole - that proved itself to our reviewers in initial runs with an energetic and cushioned ride. Each run came through with the same sensation, and that’s when we knew the M1 was special. The Jetcell ATPU midsole foam will, undoubtedly, change the industry standard of character and durability.

Again, like the Norda 055, a key marker of the Mount to Coast M1 is that it gets better with time and can handle a wild variety of terrain. In our opinion, it’s not quite as versatile as its competitors, but it’s an easy one to trust day in and day out.

Shop Mount to Coast M1 - Men Shop Mount to Coast M1 - Women 

There’s no other shoe that I came back to more than the Nike ACG Zegama Trail this year. It has more of a classic recipe compared to the other two winners in this category, but that’s partly what made it so pleasing.

The Nike ACG Zegama Trail was one of the high-stack options that I didn’t have to think too much about the unique ride while still supplying a nice bit of zest. It provided the cushion, protection, and a true sense of stability that many desire with such a high-stack shoe.

As a whole, this shoe rocked from smooth to decently technical trails. Training miles were easy to put into this shoe, and I would trust it just as much to race long.

If we had a “Most Improved” award, the Nike ACG Zegama would win it handily.

Shop Nike ACG Zegama Trail - Men Shop Nike ACG Zegama Trail - Men 

The Best Technical Trail Running Shoe

These are the shoes that runners reach for when the trails demand attention to every step.

This one feels right! Salomon has returned home to true mountain performance with the Salomon S/Lab Genesis 2. It gave us a blast from the past in all the right ways, but the modern materials make all the difference.

It has the classic slimmer fit, lower-to-the-ground build, and aggressive outsole needed for quick and nimble steps. This time around, the S/Lab Genesis 2 leveled up its game with a broader, more stable platform, cushioned OptiFoam2 midsole, and an integrated collar to complement the Matryx Micro upper.

Not only did our reviewers feel confident for hours on technical terrain, but they also had the carefree fun we often search for on the trails. The Salomon S/Lab Genesis 2 deserves this top spot.

Shop Salomon S/Lab Genesis 2 - Unisex 

Norda had a home run year as far as the Dirt Division is concerned. They co-created the 000 with Black Diamond (one of the most heritage brands in mountain sports), and it shows. While we were surprised by this model coming to fruition, the design has been sought after for years now.

The Norda 000 is basically the upper construction of the 002, along with a midsole and outsole formula that is reminiscent of the original Norda 001. The result is a comfortable, durable, and nimble mountain crusher. Like the winner in this category, it boasts an experience that brought confidence to our reviewers to dial in when needed and send it as desired, too. Turns out that’s all we need for a dang good time.

Shop Norda 000 - Men Shop Norda 000 - Women 

The Best Door-To-Trail Running Shoe

Call on these shoes when the terrain is gentle but crosses multiple surfaces.

Salomon pays attention, folks! The previous version of this shoe was fantastic, but fans pleaded for a more secure upper to take it off-road when desired. That’s exactly what the Aero Glide 4 GRVL delivered. The incremental change made all the difference in performance.

Sure, it gained a little bit of weight, but it also gained the ability to hit some true non-technical trail segments while smashing gravel and pavement miles in supreme road-shoe-like comfort.

If you typically run from your doorstep and want to hit some crushed limestone and even some smooth singletrack, the Salomon Aero Glide 4 GRVL is our pick for 2026.

Shop Salomon Aero Glide 4 GRVL - Men Shop Salomon Aero Glide 4 GRVL - Women 

After the past half-decade, it's surprising to us that the Altamesa 500 v2 is the only North Face shoe on this year’s list. Thankfully, its versatile performance can carry the weight of the brand for 2026. Reviewer Alex Elizabeth donned the Altamesa 500 v2 to complete Cocodona 250. Reese commented on the meaningful update without losing the integrity of the first version. Renee labeled it as a “revenge shoe.” What more do you need to know?

The North Face Altamesa 500 v2 is lightweight for its stature, stable, fun, and dependable for anything from daily miles to longer races. While the winner of this category pulled more from the “roady” perspective of door-to-trail, the Altamesa 500v2 spoke to the dirtbag in us…and we like that.

Shop TNF Altamesa 500 v2 - Men Shop TNF Altamesa 500 v2 - Women 

I think that our successful excursion in the Grand Canyon was all that we needed to validate the Mount to Coast BITR H1.

The standard Mount to Coast H1 won our Road to Trail category last year. This version was co-created with Believe in the Run Founder, Thomas Neuberger. It pulled together a tried-and-true chassis and added an integrated gaiter/tongue and sleek style. The result was a lighter, more secure, and more versatile model.

If you want that road-to-trail performance and style to go even further, the Mount to Coast BITR H1 is a crossover like no other.

Shop Mount to Coast x BITR H1 - Men Shop Mount to Coast x BITR H1 - Women 

The Best Ultra-Distance Race Day Shoe (Technical)

Long-distance running and technical terrain demand a lot out of a shoe. These options rank as the best for all-day (and night) comfort, capable of traversing treacherous terrain, and will give you that extra umph needed for race day.

It’s back! The Norda 055 is an absolute beast when it comes to both going far and having the unique capability to romp among the heights. Combine those two “problems,” and it continues to separate itself from the pack.

As it pertains to race day, there’s no other (non-plated) shoe that can provide such a smooth, dynamic, and peppy ride as the Norda 055. Take it from athlete Rachel Entrekin, who wore this particular shoe for her outright win (and course record) at the Cocodona 250, silver position at UTMB, and 3rd place at Chianti. This shoe has range, provides confidence, and just gets better with time.

Shop Norda 055 - Men Shop Norda 055 - Women 

Design, iterate, reiterate, and reiterate again. The process to reach this level of performance and comfort has been hard fought, but it has been worth it. This is one of the shoes that works seamlessly from top to bottom.

For starters, the Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide 2 (now in its fourth iteration) is nearly half an ounce lighter than the Norda 055 and boasts 2 more millimeters of foam underfoot. Thankfully, it has the same bottom unit as versions before with a dual density midsole, unique RelieveSphere design (to disperse tension in high use areas of the foot), and a trusted version of ContaGrip rubber. This newest version overhauled the upper to be closer to the fan favorite S/Lab Genesis design with an integrated collar/tongue and Matryx upper.

All of that is noteworthy and absolutely supports the Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide 2’s ability to go long and on whatever terrain it wants with pure comfort and confidence.

Shop Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide 2 - Unisex 

The Best Ultra-Distance Race Day Shoe (Non-Technical)

Ultras often traverse a variety of terrain. These options were best for the smooth to moderately technical trails.

Our overall pick for the year also takes top honor in this category for all the same reasons. The Brooks Cascadia Elite blends quality and performance in a way that is extremely capable and inclusive. Pretty much any runner could pull this one out of the box and find confidence in the Brooks Cascadia Elite - that’s rare in a race day option.

For going long, we loved the plush DNA Gold midsole, support and mild propulsion from the Speedvault Plus Trail plate, security from the Matryx upper, and assuredness provided by the Vibram Megagrip outsole. The Brooks Cascadia Elite is the entire package.

Shop Brooks Cascadia Elite - Unisex 

We ran UTMB’s MCC, did a full Rocky Mountain running camp, and put in a variety of other miles in the Hoka Tecton X 4. Like the Brooks Cascadia Elite, the Tecton X 4 is a shoe that will please a lot of seasoned trail runners because of its race day feel and dependable performance.

This shoe boasts a PEBA-based midsole and has been made famous for its dual carbon plate system that is better than ever. The combo allows for efficient and fast paced movement on the runnable stuff while the updated upper and Vibram Megagrip outsole came in clutch as the terrain turned it up a notch.

The Hoka Tecton X 4 is one of the best updates of 2026 and it is one of the most dependable for race day, no matter the distance.

Shop Hoka Tecton X 4 - Men Shop Hoka Tecton X 4 - Women 

Nevermind the price on this guy… don’t even look at it. It’s the performance I want to talk about. I said this in my full review, but I really don’t think that there is a faster, more efficient, or more fun race day option out there for smooth terrain as the Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra Evo. It deserves at LEAST a mention for its design and innovation regardless of the insane dollar amount. This one is on reserve for race day only for me. If you’re someone vying for top spots in ultras and want the extra bump on race day, here you go!

Shop Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra Evo - Unisex 

The Best Sub-Ultra Race Day Shoe

These are some of the lightest, fastest, and most innovative trail shoes around. Take these on a mix of terrain for a few hours or less.

Marketing has warped some of our overall grades this year. While we didn’t think the Asics Metafuji Trail 2 was a head honcho for long arduous ultras, we couldn’t argue with its snappy lightweight feel for smoother trails at a fast clip.

A stiffer full-length X-shaped carbon plate and layers of super foams make this shoe feel like a road racer for the trails. The dual density foam and performance-tuned upper brought more stability to this energetic package. While it was initially a little scary to buy into the ride, letting it rip in the Asics Metafuji Trail 2 on smooth trails for a couple hours or less is a purely fun experience… and racing should be fun shouldn’t it?

Shop Asics Metafuji Trail 2 - Unisex 

One of the sensations we’ve appreciated most this year is the ability to feel the ground again. That goes for daily drivers and race day options. The Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed 2 allows for some ground feel without compromising speed.

All of our reviewers commented on the lightweight build, secure upper, and performance tuned Lightstrike Pro midsole, but they ended up loving the ability for control in this package more than anything else. While it might sound like an old-school way of viewing a race day option, the Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed 2 still provides the confidence for absolutely ripping it on race day at a sweet price point.

Shop Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed 2 - Men Shop Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed 2 - Women 

The Best Value Trail Running Shoe

Value to us means modern performance, versatility, durability, and a decent price. These options for the trail are worth looking into.

For what it’s worth, the Kiprun Kipsummit Max was in contention for the Best of High Stack category. That’s the most competitive category of the year!

Kiprun is new on the US trail running scene this year, and they brought some noise with this option. Not only does it have a Vibram Megagrip outsole (rarely seen on a shoe in this price range) the Kipsummit Max also has a quality ATPU midsole that offered cushion, bounce, and stability that allowed it to go far and on terrain that we don’t typically feel comfortable in high stack shoes.

The Kiprun Kipsummit Max is an option that you could use for a variety of trail miles in and has the right comfort, stats, and performance to pick up for race day. It’s that versatility that makes this shoe so valuable.

Shop Kiprun Kipsummit Max - Men Shop Kiprun Kipsummit Max - Women 

For those who seek out technical terrain, there’s a high value option for you too. The original Salomon Genesis won a Best in Gear award years ago. It amasses another one here with its second iteration.

Salomon honed in on their purpose for this trail shoe and the components show it. The Genesis 2 retains a Matryx upper (also rarely seen on a shoe in this price range) for a function-forward-fit. A more dense Optifoam midsole provides a bit more protection and durability. Then, an aggressive Contagrip outsole was great for biting into the earth and clinging to rock.

The Salomon Genesis 2 is a trail shoe that can take a beating, offer confidence in tumultuous terrain, and it will last longer than the previous versions. We like this trend.

Shop Salomon Genesis 2 - Men Shop Salomon Genesis 2 - Women 

The Best Trail Hiking Shoe

Trail runners offer a lot for hiking specifically. Typically they are lighter and more comfortable, but you don’t want to compromise too much. These options find a nice balance even when carrying a heavy load.

Stability, protection, and durability are all notable characteristics with the Brooks Cascadia 20. All happen to characteristics of some of the best hikers as well.

This iteration added more foam for all-day comfort as well and a new Vibram Megagrip outsole - both are key to its success as a trail runner and a hiking option. We commended the Cascadia 20 for having no apparent negatives as a trail runner, and it is not too extreme in any way to feel weird at a walking pace.

The Brooks Cascadia 20 can easily be a one shoe quiver for those who hit the trails at a variety of paces.

Shop Brooks Cascadia 20 - Men Shop Brooks Cascadia 20 - Women 

Nnormal is known for its well-built shoes and durability. This is way of being more sustainable in the market. Their shoes just last and last without big changes in the experience you get out of the box.

The Nnormal Cadi is designed as a versatile option to transition between smoother terrain (even roads) to the trails. The build itself is stout and stable. We know this is another great option for someone who wants a consistent experience whether running or hiking and it can withstand the various pressures that many other modern trail shoes simply cannot.

Shop Nnormal Cadi - Men Shop Nnormal Cadi - Women 

The Biggest Trail Running Surprise of 2026

Sometimes we are simply shocked by what a shoe offers. Check out these that may not be in your direct line of sight.

If you follow competitive trail running, you’ll know this brand has scooped up some major trail running talent. On their feet is the Kiprun Kipsummit Race. While we haven’t seen an influx of these on runners’ feet in the US, I have a hunch that wave will come.

Guest reviewer, Cade Michael (AKA the fastest non-sponsored runner out there), wore this shoe all year in races that were smooth and fast as well as steep and fairly techy. He had this to say:

“If anything here sets off alarm bells in your head or you want to stick with a more familiar legacy brand, the Brooks Cascadia Elite, Hoka Rocket X Trail, and Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra are the most similar in terms of feel. But if you’re interested in some experimentation and willing to take a slightly expensive risk for something you might well love, go for the Escargot… or the Kiprun Kipsummit Race.”

After my test miles, I 100% agree, Cade.

Shop Kiprun Kipsummit Race - Men Shop Kiprun Kipsummit Race - Women 

I know the name sounds like a joke, however, we love the unique name and what they have to offer. The Pandaprank Orbis is their first ever trail shoe that is marketed as a “gravel” performer. It absolutely cooked on that surface and could reach for more. It was absolutely characterised by the luscious TPEE midsole that allowed for a carefree run whether that meant sticking to the paths or wandering off on singletrack.

There are some slight adjustments we would like to see from this shoe surrounding fit and on-trail performance, but the Pandaprank Orbis is a fantastic debut. Keep your eyes peeled for more from this brand.

Shop Pandaprank Orbis - Unisex 

Salomon has been, perhaps, the biggest proponent of opening up the gravel/road-to-trail/hybrid category. From that standpoint, the Salomon GRVL Concept makes sense, yet it was still a surprise performer!

Salomon was very intentional about not calling this a racer but it has all the right ingredients and design to do so. When on gravel or roads, it felt like a road super-trainer with a super soft Optifoam+ midsole and supportive/energetic (albeit very flexible) carbon plate.

The most surprising aspect of the Salomon GRVL Concept is that it had unexpected reach onto the trails. I called on this for anything from long runs on gravel roads to workouts on smooth singletrack. It’s a unique shoe that I kept reaching for and am extremely excited to see how it works into the future of Salomon’s gravel lineup.

Shop Salomon GRVL Concept - Unisex 

The Best Trail Running Brand of the Year

ADIDAS TERREX

We could have taken a lot of roads to pick our trail running brand of the year. We could have gone for a fresh brand that nailed its core audience. We could have picked a brand that mastered marketing and made some noise with activations. Heck, we could have even picked a heritage brand that finally tried something new, and it worked.

I could spiral for weeks on this particular topic (I actually already have). The debate was fierce. But when it comes down to it, product is the largest piece of the pie for us. Only after can we talk about secondary layers from the ideas above. The most dedicated brands tend to rise to the top, and that’s what happened this year.

Adidas Terrex is our pick. On a product level, they have found a way to churn out footwear that occupied nearly 20% of our awards given out. To be fair, Salomon had an equal amount of representation, but what set Adidas apart this time is the balance of sheer bold innovation and thoughtful improvement of existing models. It's their consistency on both ends of the spectrum, as well as their strong brand identity, that helped them rise above the noise of 2026.

Shop Adidas Terrex