Guides / Road to trail

Best road-to-trail running shoes 2026

Hybrid shoes that feel smooth on pavement but grip on gravel, towpaths and park trails. Ideal if your runs start on the road and end on the trail.

9 current models, newest first. Updated October 2026. Want a personal pick? Try the shoe finder.

1. Nike

   ACG Pegasus Trail

   A Pegasus built for dirt: ReactX foam, a grippier All Terrain Compound outsole and a wider base. Brilliant for towpaths, park loops and door-to-trail runs.

   290 g9 mm dropbalancedsmooth

2. HOKA

   Speedgoat 7

   Runner's World's 2026 trail champ: cushioned, grippy and confident on almost any terrain thanks to 5mm Vibram lugs.

   285 g4 mm dropplushgrippy

3. ASICS

   Trabuco 14

   A cushioned, grippy trail cruiser for long days on mixed terrain.

   300 g8 mm dropbalancedprotective

4. HOKA

   Challenger 8

   A Clifton-like ride with trail grip, ideal for towpaths, parks and runs that switch surfaces.

   270 g5 mm dropsmoothsoft

5. Kiprun

   Kipride Gravel

   A cushioned hybrid with 3 mm lugs that's equally happy on pavements, gravel paths and towpaths.

   279 g6 mm dropsmoothstable

6. On

   Cloudsurfer Trail 2

   Soft, smooth and ready for park paths and towpaths.

   280 g7 mm dropsoftsmooth

7. PUMA

   Voyage Nitro 4

   A versatile off-road all-rounder.

   300 g8 mm dropbalancedgrippy

8. Salomon

   Aero Glide GRVL

   A cushioned hybrid outsole for gravel roads and door-to-trail miles.

   270 g8 mm dropbouncysmooth

9. Saucony

   Peregrine 16

   An agile, grippy all-rounder that loves muddy UK trails.

   270 g4 mm dropgrippynimble

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