Trail shoes built for soft, muddy and rooty ground: the classic British woodland trail.
25 current models, ranked by their average score from published reviews (how we rank). Updated October 2026. Want a personal pick? Try the shoe finder.
In mud, lug depth and spacing matter most. Deep, widely spaced lugs (around 5 mm) bite into soft ground and shed clay instead of clogging. A lower, firmer midsole also keeps your feet stable when the ground moves under you.
Deep lugs feel awkward on tarmac and hard gravel, so if your runs start on the road, pick a shoe with medium lugs or see our road-to-trail guide.
A cushioned ultra and long-day trail shoe with bouncy PWRRUN PB foam and, for the first time, a Vibram Megagrip outsole. Stable and protective, but heavy and narrow in the toe.
Nike's long-distance trail shoe gets more ZoomX, a wider base and a fresh Vibram Megagrip outsole. Very stable and grippy for long days on mixed ground, but it is one of the heavier trail shoes around.
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
ASICS' cushioned all-round trail shoe now runs on softer FF Blast Max foam over a forefoot rock plate. Stable and comfortable on gravel and dry singletrack, but less sure-footed in mud and on wet rock.
A full-Lightstrike Pro everyday trail trainer that borrows the Speed Ultra 2's rocker but adds a forefoot shank and wider base for stability. Grippy, durable and comfortable on runnable trails, though heel strikers may not gel with it.
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 mid-cushioned, zero-drop trail shoe with EGO MAX foam and a Vibram Megagrip outsole. Comfortable and protective for long days on moderate trails, with plenty of room up front.
Salomon's mud specialist, with deep 5 mm chevron lugs that bite into sloppy ground and shed clay well. Firm and high-drop, so it shines on soft, steep trails rather than hardpack or tarmac.
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.
A good-value trail workhorse with Lightstrike foam, a woven rock plate and Continental lugs. Stable and grippy on mixed ground, though the foam is firm at first.
A max-cushioned, rockered trail cruiser for long days, easy miles and ultras on mixed terrain. Comfortable and stable for its height, though the ride is more cushy than lively.
A max-cushion trail cruiser with dual-density Fresh Foam X, a subtle rocker and Vibram Megagrip lugs. Comfortable and well-gripped for long, runnable trail days, but heavy and less nimble on technical ground.
A rebuilt long-distance trail shoe with Helion HF foam, a forked Speedboard rock plate and new Missiongrip rubber. It is stable, protective and durable, but the ride is firm rather than cushy.
A light, low-stack, zero-drop trail shoe with excellent ground feel and no rock plate. Best for runners who want a natural, flexible ride on moderate trails and gravel.
HOKA's affordable all-round trail shoe gets a taller midsole and a protective rand. It is versatile for everyday dirt-path running, though the EVA foam and HOKA rubber are less premium than pricier options.
A max-cushion, zero-drop trail shoe with a built-in scree gaiter, EGO MAX foam and Vibram Megagrip. Made for long days and ultras where comfort and debris protection matter.
The entry point to Kiprun's trail range, with SOFTECH foam and 4 mm lugs for everyday runs on mixed paths. A sensible, low-cost all-rounder rather than a fast or technical shoe.
An affordable, do-it-all mountain trainer borrowing the S/Lab Pulsar name, with a firm, protective midsole and gentle rocker. Secure and stable, though the flat lugs struggle on wet ground.
Saucony
Nike
HOKA
Brooks
ASICS
adidas
Altra
Salomon
Kiprun
New Balance
On
