Best trail running shoes 2023

Iván Vila
Passionate about sports
Posted on 12-09-2023

Here is a list of the best trail running shoes of 2023, in which we already include the news of the first six months of this year and that we will be updating over the coming months with new developments and updates of the major brands in the market with regard to the territory trail

This recurring list of the RUNNEA editorial team includes trail running shoes for different types of runners who love the mountains, from the fastest to the most cushioned shoes with and without carbon fiber plate, maximalist, 0 drop, etc ... do you miss any? We are waiting for your feedback, cheer up and leave your comment!

The best trail running shoes in 2023

Here is the list of the best trail running shoes in 2023, RUNNEA's selection. We also indicate that we will be updating the list with the most important new models and updates of the year of each brand in the trail universe, and we already have the first news of the second half of 2023. Take note!

New Balance Fresh Foam X More Trail v3

The good thing about the New Balance Fresh Foam X More Trail v3 trail running shoes is that the product developers of the Boston brand have been able to transfer all the good things from their asphalt model, and adapt it to the mountain terrain with the best performance and guarantees.

  • Surface: Trail
  • Use: Training, Racing
  • Cushion: High
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 4 mm
  • Pace: Low, Medium
  • Weight: 323 gr

Brooks Catamount 2

One of the great novelties of this year from Brooks are the Brooks Catamount 2, a new update of the trail running shoe for competition and training par excellence of the North American brand, which is called to be one of the references in trail territory for running at maximum speed.

  • Surface: Trail
  • Use: Training, Racing
  • Cushion: Neutral
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 6 mm
  • Pace: Medium, High
  • Weight: 275 gr

ASICS Fuji Speed 2

The ASICS Fuji Speed 2 is one of the great novelties of the second half of 2023, a new trail running shoe from the Japanese brand arrives with major changes, the most prominent is the incorporation of the carbon plate to bring more dynamism and speed to the shoe.

  • Surface: Trail
  • Technology: Carbon plate
  • Use: Mixed
  • Cushion: Neutral
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 5 mm
  • Pace: Medium
  • Weight: 210 gr

Nike Ultrafly

The new Nike Ultrafly is the first trail running shoe from the American brand to include a carbon plate. It also has the best technologies and materials of the brand and Vibram sole to get a top shoe in the trail market.

  • Surface: Trail
  • Technology: Carbon plate
  • Use: Racing, Mixed
  • Cushion: Neutral
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 8,5
  • Pace: Medium, High

ASICS Trabuco Max 2

The ASICS Tabuco Max 2 are the most cushioned trail running shoes from the Japanese brand. Designed to offer the greatest comfort and responsiveness for many miles of trails and paths in the middle of nature. This second version, lighter than its predecessor, offers durable and stable cushioning, a sure bet for long distance.

  • Surface: Trail
  • Use: Training, Racing
  • Cushion: High
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 5 mm
  • Pace: Medium

HOKA Zinal 2

One of the best-selling HOKA models last year comes with new features for this 2023. We are talking about the HOKA Zinal 2, a model that combines the best technologies and materials of the brand and maintains its firmness in this second edition standing as one of the most powerful shoes in the mountain market.

  • Surface: Trail
  • Use: Training, Racing
  • Cushion: Neutral, High
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 5 mm
  • Pace: Medium, High

Saucony Peregrine 13

One of the great novelties of early 2023, the Saucony Peregrine 13, a very versatile trail running shoe that brings with it new features, but without losing the essence of providing everything the trail runner needs to improve their outdoor experience on any terrain and under any conditions.

  • Surface: Trail
  • Use: Training, Racing
  • Cushion: Neutral
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 4 mm
  • Pace: Medium, High
  • Weight: 265 gr

Evadict MT Cushion 2

The Kiprun Evadict MT Cushion 2 trail running shoes have been redesigned to offer a higher level of cushioning and comfort for each of your long distance outdoor outings. It is also a model that ensures a high level of durability. The most cutting-edge technologies that stand out in this model are the MATRYX fabric in its upper, which provides lightness and breathability; and also the KALENSOLE technology, which provides up to an 18% improvement in cushioning and 57% energy return compared to its previous model. The 5 mm lugs and rubber outsole offer great grip on different terrains. In conclusion, a robust and durable trail shoe, which also surprises for its comfort and lightness.

  • Surface: Trail
  • Use: Training, Racing
  • Cushion: Neutral
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 4 mm
  • Pace: Low

Mizuno Wave Mujin 9

The Mizuno Wave Mujin 9 is a trail running shoe with generous cushioning and outstanding stability that, in this new version, maintains a continuity in terms of the shoe's performance. Same midsole and outsole configuration. The most important update is in the redesign of the upper of the shoe.

  • Surface: Trail
  • Use: Training
  • Cushion: High
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 10 mm
  • Pace: Medium
  • Weight: 340 gr

Adidas Terrex Speed SG

The new adidas Terrex Speed SG is a shoe that combines lightness and dynamism to run without problems on rough terrain, as indicated by its name (SG - Soft Ground). We will be able to run with the shoe during our training sessions and even competitions on this type of mountain terrain.

  • Surface: Trail
  • Use: Racing
  • Cushion: Soft
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 4 mm
  • Pace: Medium, High
  • Weight: 231 gr

On CloudUltra 2

The On CloudUltra 2 is one of the new trail running shoes of the Swiss brand that is presented in this second version much more dynamic and versatile than its predecessor, thanks to the new materials and a greater lightness of the shoe.

  • Surface: Trail
  • Use: Training
  • Cushion: Neutral
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 6 mm
  • Pace: Medium

Merrell Agility Peak 5

One of the great novelties of the second half of 2023 is the new Merrell Agility Peak 5, which debuts receiving one of the awards at the renowned ISPO trade fair. The new version of the brand's best-selling shoe is more modern and versatile than in previous editions

  • Surface: Trail
  • Use: Training
  • Cushion: Neutral
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 6 mm
  • Pace: Medium
  • Weight: 297 gr

New Balance FuelCell Summit Unknown v4

The New Balance Summit Unknown v4 is the trail running shoe par excellence of the American brand to run on the most technical terrain that we can find in our training or racing in the mountains. The new version presents several new features and improvements over the previous version.

  • Surface: Trail
  • Use: Training
  • Cushion: Neutral
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 6 mm
  • Pace: Medium
  • Weight: 213 gr

Scarpa Ribelle Run XT

The Scarpa Ribelle Run XT is one of the most rugged trail running shoe on the market, suitable for any user, that allows a snug and comfortable fit for extended use in mountainous terrain.

  • Surface: Trail
  • Use: Training
  • Cushion: Neutral
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 6 mm
  • Pace: Low

Salomon Sense Ride 5 Gore-Tex

One of Salomon's most popular shoes is the Salomon Sense Ride 5, which in this version incorporates the Gore-Tex membrane to protect us and keep our feet dry at all times during our mountain routes in rainy and muddy conditions.

  • Surface: Trail
  • Use: Training, Racing
  • Cushion: Neutral
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 8 mm
  • Pace: Medium, High
  • Weight: 306 gr

Millet Intense

We can already find in the market the latest novelty of Millet, the Millet Intense, a lightweight, comfortable and extremely resistant trail running shoe. The first shoe of the brand that has been produced entirely in France, specifically in the production center Advanced Shoe Factory 4.0 (A.S.F. 4.0).

  • Surface: Trail
  • Use: Training
  • Cushion: Neutral
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 6 mm
  • Pace: Low

The North Face Summit Vectiv Pro

Another shoe on the list that incorporates carbon fiber plate, The North Face Summit Vectiv are trail running shoes made to provide protection, stability and durability in equal parts. A model of great technologies and materials that offers you the possibility of a faster run thanks to its Vectiv 2.0 carbon fiber plate.

  • Surface: Trail
  • Technology: Carbon plate
  • Use: Training, Racing
  • Cushion: Neutral
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 6 mm
  • Pace: Medium

Columbia Montrail Trinity MX

The new Columbia Montrail Trinity MX is a trail running shoe that stands out for its lightness, dynamism and comfort in equal parts, plus the design and lugs of the sole give us the traction and grip needed to run through the most technical terrain.

  • Surface: Trail
  • Use: Training, Racing
  • Cushion: Neutral
  • Running gait: Neutral
  • Drop: 8 mm
  • Pace: Medium, High

Read more news about: Trail news