Trail running shoes: a buying guide

When you go trail running, it is important to have the right trail running shoes. There are many different types of trail running shoes. But how do you know which trail running shoes suit you best? In this blog, we are going to help you with that. By the way, if you have no idea what trail running actually is, then first read our introductory blog about what trail running is.

Table of contents

• The terrain
• The amount of heel drop
• Cushioning
• Membrane or no membrane
• The fit of a shoe
• Shoe closures

There are a number of choices you need to make to find out which trail running shoes are ideal for you. We will go through these choices step-by-step below.

1. On which terrain do you mainly run?

There is an ideal trail running shoe for every type of terrain. Therefore, it is extremely important to know what kind of surface you will be trail running on. What are the differences?:

Rock/stone: Are you going to run on rough and/or solid terrain such as rocks, stones, or harder forest paths? Then a shoe with flatter lugs that are close together offers the most grip and comfort. Because of the hard, uneven surface, extra protection is not a luxury. That is why you often find a rock plate in the midsole of these types of shoes.
Mud/sand: Do you expect to run more on sandy paths or softer forest soil? Then the shoe should primarily prevent you from slipping. Shoes with suitable soles for this often have deep lugs that are spaced further apart.
Mixed terrain: Are you planning to run on both softer paths and rougher surfaces? Then the all-round trail running shoe offers the perfect solution. This shoe combines characteristics from both of the above categories.
Snow and ice: If you like a challenge and choose to run on snow and ice, trail running shoes with small spikes under a coarse sole are useful. This gives you more grip and allows you to run better. This type of trail running shoe is often virtually waterproof.

2. How much heel drop do you want?

Heel drop is the difference between the height at the heel and that at the forefoot. It has a major influence on the way you strain your body during trail running. The amount of drop that is suitable for you depends on your style of trail running.

Higher drop (from 8 to 14 mm): If you tend to land on your heel more often instead of the forefoot, then a higher drop is a good choice.
Lower drop (from 0 to 8 mm): If you land more on your forefoot, then a lower drop is a better choice. A lower drop ensures a more stable landing and better balance, but it also causes more strain.

The best way to see what suits your body is to try it out.

3. How much cushioning do you want?

To determine this, you first need to know what cushioning is for. Cushioning offers the trail runner running comfort and thereby also relieves your foot and body. The amount of cushioning you need depends on your personal preference, running technique, but also the desired performance with trail running.

High cushioning: Beginners often choose a trail running shoe with a lot of cushioning because it offers more comfort. For longer distances, high cushioning can also be nice. On a softer surface, the desired amount of cushioning is lower than on a harder surface. On technical terrain, it is less pleasant to have high cushioning because the soles with a lot of cushioning are relatively thick, causing you to lose contact with the ground.
Less cushioning: A good running technique can reduce the need for cushioning. If you are an experienced trail runner, it is pleasant to have shoes with less cushioning. The better you want to perform with trail running, the less cushioning you want. This is because cushioning causes part of your energy to be lost when trying to move forward quickly after absorbing the impact.

4. Waterproof membrane or not?

Whether you choose a trail running shoe with or without a waterproof membrane largely depends on the climate where your trail runs take place. Why? Trail running shoes with a waterproof membrane (for example, made of Gore-Tex) are virtually waterproof, but breathe less well than trail running shoes without a waterproof membrane. Your feet will therefore warm up faster in that case. If you mainly run in a warm climate that is predominantly dry, a waterproof membrane does more harm than good. If you run more in a cold environment with relatively high precipitation, a waterproof membrane adds a lot of value.

Another note regarding a trail running shoe with a waterproof membrane is that the shoe dries less quickly once it gets wet on the inside. So if you regularly have to cross a stream, a shoe without a waterproof membrane is in many cases the better choice.

5. The fit of a shoe

Also important when making your final choice for a trail running shoe is the fit of a shoe. During trail running - due to the uneven terrain - your feet slide more inside your shoe than is the case with road running. To limit this sliding, it is important that the trail running shoe closely follows your foot. This allows you to run better and prevents blisters. Whether a shoe fits your foot well can only be known for sure when you actually try the shoe on. So it is a matter of trying on and testing out. Are you going to order your shoes online? Then take a close look at the size chart of the respective brand.

6. Shoe closures

Trail running shoes come with different types of shoe closures. In addition to traditional laces or a BOA system, you are increasingly coming across so-called quicklaces. With this system, you no longer need to tie your laces. It therefore offers more convenience. Additionally, quicklaces ensure that you do not get caught on obstacles and that the lace cannot come undone. Want to know more about this? In this video, Salomon explains how their quicklace system works.

Hopefully, this blog has made it a lot easier for you to find the right trail running shoes for your needs. Are you curious about our range? Then please take a look at our trail running shoes. We have made it easy for you on that page by including all kinds of filters that you became familiar with in this blog.

To fully enjoy your run, it is also wise to have the right gear such as trail running poles, a good pack, and of course the right clothing.
Should you still have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.