The fastest shoes for off-road races, from light, grippy fell-and-trail racers to carbon-plated shoes for ultras.
15 current models, ranked by their average score from published reviews (how we rank). Updated October 2026. Want a personal pick? Try the shoe finder.
Match the shoe to the course. For short, technical or muddy races, a light, low shoe with deep lugs gives the best grip and agility. For long, runnable ultras, a cushioned carbon-plated shoe saves your legs.
Carbon plates are stiffer, so they feel less nimble on rocky, technical descents. If your race is mostly technical, a plateless shoe with a rock plate is usually the safer choice.
A carbon-plated trail racer with a highly rockered, snappy ride for fast running on smooth trails and fire roads. It is stable and light for its stack, but the snug fit and modest lugs keep it off muddy, rugged terrain.
Nike's carbon-plated trail racer, sold as the ACG Ultrafly Trail. Full ZoomX, a split carbon plate that flexes over rough ground and Vibram Megagrip make it fast, protective and surprisingly stable for long races, though it is pricey and runs warm.
278 g8.5 mm dropCarbon platepropulsivestable£230 RRP
A light, plated trail shoe with DNA Flash v2 foam and a SkyVault plate that doubles as a rock plate. Stable and grippy for fast running on easier trails, if not especially springy.
A carbon-plated trail racer with FF Leap foam that rewards fast running on runnable dirt. Lower and more trail-friendly than the original, but still happiest at race effort.
Brooks' first PEBA trail racer, combining DNA Gold foam, a carbon-infused Pebax plate and Vibram Megagrip Elite. Fast and stable over long, runnable trail races, at a steep price.
275 g6 mm dropPlate / rodspropulsivestable£225 RRP
adidas's trail super-shoe: soft Lightstrike Pro, plastic EnergyRods and an aggressive rocker for quick running on smooth, buffed trails up to ultra distance. Thrilling when the ground is runnable, less sure-footed when it gets technical.
The race-tuned Genesis, with a lower 6 mm drop, an optiFOAM² forefoot puck and an integrated gaiter. Nimble, protective and stable on rocky mountain terrain.
A lighter, lower and more stable sibling to the Speed Ultra 2, built for sub-ultra trail racing. Continental grip and a snug fit make it confident on mixed and technical ground.
A light, low-drop trail shoe with FF Blast Plus Eco foam and 4 mm lugs that feels close to a road shoe. Quick and versatile on paths and moderate trails, but light on protection for rocky, rugged ground.
A trail super shoe with twin parallel carbon plates in dual-density PEBA and a Vibram Megagrip outsole. It is fast, smooth and stable over long distances on mild to moderate terrain.
A light, low-stack trail racer now built on nitrogen-infused supercritical EVA for extra spring. It is nimble and flexible on mixed, moderately technical ground, but offers little cushioning or stability for long days.
Salomon's lightweight S/Lab trail racer, now with more cushioning, a wider stable platform and ProFeel rock protection. Best for fast efforts on short-to-medium, non-muddy trails.
A technical-trail racer with Lightstrike Pro, a rock plate between foam layers and an aggressive rocker. Planted and grippy on steep, rocky descents, but heavier than rivals.
A plated trail racer with bouncy PEBA-blend FuelCell and Vibram rubber, at its best on smooth dirt and fire roads. Fun and fast when the trail is runnable, less sure on wet rock or technical ground.
HOKA
Nike
Brooks
ASICS
adidas
Salomon
Kiprun
New Balance
