Best maximalist trail running shoes for running with cushioning toppers

From a few seasons ago to the present day, maximalism in shoes is a trend that has been consolidated over the last few years. More and more brands are launching new models on the market, whether for running or trail running, with very high profiles and great cushioning.

Maximalist shoes stand out for their high profiles, they are shoes with great protections for the feet and a great cushioning, with which we also find ourselves in front of heavier and bulkier shoes that delight the heaviest runners and those who prioritize comfort over speed in their routes through the mountains. On many occasions, attempts have been made to compare maximalist shoes with minimalist shoes.

They are not better or worse, just different, with their positive and negative aspects. Each runner must be clear about his or her characteristics and needs in order to choose the best trail running shoe to run comfortably in off-road terrain.

Best maximalist trail running shoes for cushioned trail running

Here is the selection we have made at RUNNEA with the best maximalist trail running shoes that currently exist in the market, however, as we always do with our listings, we will be alert to the latest developments to incorporate them to the list as soon as possible.

1. New Balance Fresh Foam X More Trail v3
2. Brooks Caldera 7
3. ASICS TRABUCO MAX 3
4. Nike Zegama 2
5. Merrell Agility Peak 5
6. Joma Sima
7. Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra
8. La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 2
9. Salomon S/Lab Genesis
10. Under Armour Bandit Trail 3
11. The North Face Altamesa 500
12. Altra Olympus 5

New Balance Fresh Foam X More Trail v3

New Balance takes the concept of maximalist shoes to the mountain terrain with its exclusive New Balance Fresh Foam X More Trail model, which reaches its third version with improvements with respect to its previous version, but maintaining its original essence of being a trail shoe with maximum cushioning to run in the mountain.

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

Brooks Caldera 7

The Brooks Caldera 7 is the trail running shoe par excellence of the brand for those who like to run comfortably and with great cushioning underfoot. It is one of the most acclaimed models of the last seasons of the brand that is presented with slight improvements over the previous version.

• Surface: Trail
• Use: Training, Racing
• Cushion: High
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 6 mm
• Pace: Low, Medium
• Weight: 301 gr

ASICS TRABUCO MAX 3

The ASICS TRABUCO MAX 3 is a trail running shoe that perfectly combines good protection with excellent cushioning for comfortable mountain running. It is a shoe that every mountain lover needs for their most "ultrarunning" races.

• Surface: Trail
• Use: Training, Racing
• Cushion: High
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 5 mm
• Pace: Low, Medium
• Weight: 298 gr

Nike Zegama 2

The new Nike Zegama 2, one of the most popular trail shoes of the North American multinational company and evoke one of the best and most recognized races on the international scene, the Zegama - Aizkorri, are now available. This new version maintains the essence and design of its predecessor, incorporating slight improvements.

• Surface: Trail
• Use: Training
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 4 mm
• Pace: Medium, High
• Weight: 320 gr

Merrell Agility Peak 5

The Merrell Agility Peak 5 is one of the most outstanding and recognized trail running shoes of the brand since it has won one of the awards of the renowned ISPO Fair. This new version has new colors and greater versatility than its predecessors.

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

Joma Sima

The Joma Sima is the Spanish company's fastest and lightest model as far as trail running shoes go. Optimized for lightweight runners, it incorporates some of Joma's most outstanding technologies in order to offer a perfect balance of protection, traction and safety.

• Surface: Trail
• Use: Training
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 8 mm
• Pace: Low, Medium
• Weight: 345 gr

Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra

The adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra is one of the latest innovations of the brand, a model tested by prominent athletes such as Ruth Croft or Petter Engdahl among other athletes. It is one of the most versatile and dynamic shoes for fast and comfortable mountain running.

• Surface: Trail
• Technology: Carbon plate
• Use: Racing
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 8 mm
• Pace: High
• Weight: 274 gr

La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 2

We could not miss in our list a shoe from the Italian brand, the model chosen is La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 2 as it is a model of maximum cushioning, ideal for long distance running and with the incorporation of the best materials and technologies developed by the brand.

• Surface: Trail
• Use: Training
• Cushion: High
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 9 mm
• Pace: Low, Medium
• Weight: 335 gr

Salomon S/Lab Genesis

The Salomon S/Lab Genesis is a trail running shoe designed for the most demanding mountain runners. It is a model that has a good cushioning and also has a perfect balance between protection, comfort and grip, certainly one of the most outstanding shoes of the brand.

• Surface: Trail
• Use: Racing
• Cushion: High
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 8 mm
• Pace: Medium, High
• Weight: 258 gr

Under Armour Bandit Trail 3

The Under Armour Bandit Trail 3 is an ideal trail running shoe to get started and run comfortably in your first workouts in the mountains. It is one of the shoes that has a better value for money of the brand despite incorporating some of the most outstanding technologies.

• Surface: Trail
• Use: Training
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Drop: 8 mm
• Pace: Low

The North Face Altamesa 500

The The North Face Altamesa 500 is now available, the maximalist bet of the American brand that increases with this model its catalog of trail shoes. It is a model that stands out for providing great comfort and cushioning during our workouts in the mountains.

• Surface: Trail
• Use: Training, Racing
• Cushion: Neutral
• Drop: 6 mm
• Pace: Medium

Altra Olympus 5

The Altra Olympus 5 is one of the most popular trail shoes of the brand that, in this new version, incorporates interesting new features with the main objective of increasing the comfort and cushioning that characterize it.

• Surface: Trail
• Use: Training
• Cushion: Neutral
• Running gait: Neutral
• Pace: Low
• Weight: 350 gr