What are the best trail running shoes for hiking? This article will be the ultimate guide to trail running shoes for hiking. I will discuss the best options, but I will also talk about the best brands, about why trail runners are good for hiking, important factors, trail running shoes vs hiking shoes, etc. In other words, this will be a complete guide and I hope that all your questions will be answered after reading this article!
Why trail running shoes are great for hiking
Trail runners were initially built for trail runners (obviously). However, it didn’t take long before long distance hikers started to realize that this type of shoe would do very good as a hiking shoe as well. The more people tried hiking in trail runners the more popular it became.
It’s not that trail runners are always the best option for hikers. It really depends on your personal preference, your goals, the conditions of the trails etc.
Trail runners are especially popular among tru-hikers. Why? They need to cover so many miles that having a lightweight shoe makes a huge difference. It takes a lot more energy to hike in a heavy boot than in a lightweight trail runner. So, the weight of a shoe can have a big impact on the pace of a hiker. If somebody is attempting to break a speed record, do not expect them to be hiking in hiking boots.
Since these shoes were designed to last on tough trails they tend to be rugged, comfortable and have a lot of traction. Obviously, these are all characteristics that you can find in a good hiking boot as well. The biggest advantage of trail runners over hiking boots is simple: the weight.
Why older versions of trail runners are often better
Before I start with explaining my recommendations, I want to point out that older version of trail runners are often better. You will notice that a lot of recommendations will be older models.
Why? Simple, if a shoe is brand new, it’s very hard to rate the durability… and durability is a very important factor for trail running shoes. Additionally, older models are often getting a discount once a newer model appears. Therefore, if you are looking for good value, you should more often than not look at the older models.
If you absolutely like to have the newest toys on the market, you can use previous versions as a reference when it comes to durability. For example: if the Altra Lone Peak 2.0, 3.0 and 3.5 were all very durable products, you could assume that the 4.0 will do pretty decent as well.
Still, I’m not taking chances in this article. I will only recommend shoes that I absolutely trust!
Best overall trail running shoes for hiking
Let’s start with the best overall trail running shoes for hiking. Different types of hikers might be looking for specific types of trail runners (minimalist, waterproof, wide toe box, etc). I will cover all of these later in this article, but I will start with the best overall options!
Altra Lone Peak 3.5
The very first great all round trail running shoe for hiking is the Altra Lone Peak 3.5. These shoes can be used in almost any conditions. They are tried and praised by many hikers – a lot of which are tru-hikers.
This shoe is praised for its weight, grip, stability and especially for the cushioning. They are available for both men and women plus a mid version of this shoe is also available.
The shoe is a zero-drop shoe. This means that the ankle is at the same height as the rest of the foot. Altra invented the term zero-drop, but it’s basically applied in most “barefoot” style boots.
One of the only downsides of the Altra Lone Peak 3.5 -for some hikers- is that they run pretty narrow. This means that if you are looking for a trail running shoe with a wide toe box, you might want to consider an alternative.
All in all, this is probably my number one recommendation. You could also try your luck with the latest version of this shoe, the Altra Lone Peak 4.0. However, some hikers already reported that the cushioning isn’t as good. Also, I can’t be sure about the durability of the 4.0. Therefore, it’s definitely a safer bet to go with the 3.5.
As I said, these shoes are available for both men and women and can be found on amazon:
Men: Altra Men’s Lone Peak 3.5
Women: Altra Women’s Lone Peak 3.5
Salomon Speedcross 4
If you do your research, you will notice that there is some discussion about what the best Salomon trail runner is. However, one thing to note is that some people are actually running in these shoes, while others are using them for hiking.
Most people who are using these for trail running do not like them as much as hikers do. They might use them for training, but they would definitely not select them for a race.
When choosing a trail running shoe for hiking, I would always prefer the Salomon Speedcross 4. Once again, the Speedcross 5 would also be an option, but you would be taking a risk.
These shoes have everything you need, they are considered very comfortable, they have crazy good traction, especially on mud, they are convenient and durable. Most hikers consider these shoes to be great value for money.
Some hikers had complaints about the breathability and that they would like these shoes to dry faster. However, most hikers had no real problems with these shoes. I would say the Salomon Speedcross 4 makes a very close second as the best overall trail running shoe for hiking.
Once again, these shoes can be found on amazon for both men and women:
Men: Salomon Men’s Speedcross 4
Women: Salomon Women’s Speedcross 4
Best trail running shoes for wide feet
I have mentioned multiple shoes where I said that the shoes were not suited for hikers with wide feet… So what shoes are actually good for hikers with wide feet?
Asics Gel Sonoma 3
Looking for trail running shoes with a particular wide toe box? I would recommend the Asics Gel Sonoma 3. These shoes are mainly praised because of the value you are getting for the money.
These shoes are pretty cheap in comparison with similar alternatives. Even better, these shoes are considered very durable.
Also, these shoes can be used on any type of terrain and are still comfortable.
If you have wide feet, you should get these shoes in the “wide width” variety. A special measure specific for people with wide feet.
Interested in the latest price? This can be found on amazon!
Women: Asics Women’s Gel Sonoma 3
Hoka One One Challenger ATR 5
Another option would be the Challenger ATR 5. This option would be a bit more expensive than the Asics Gel Sonoma, but it might be more suited for some more serious hikers.
Once again there is a very roomy toe box, this makes this the perfect match for hikers with wider feet. However, this shoe also has plenty of other positives, it’s lightweight, provides a lot of ankle support, has a good fit and good cushioning.
Downsides? There aren’t any real downsides. However, if I had to say one, it would be that this shoe is not as comfortable as certain other alternatives. It’s not that this shoe isn’t comfortable, it’s just that it feels a bit more stiff than some other trail runners.
These shoes are also available on amazon for men and women:
Men: Hoka One One Men’s Challenger ATR 5
Women: Hoka One One Women’s Challenger ATR 5
Best GTX/Waterproof trail running shoes
Some trail running shoes are waterproof because they use a goretex (GTX) membrane. If you are looking for a waterproof trail running shoe, you should probably just look for a GTX version of your favourite shoe.
That said, it isn’t always that easy. Sometimes, your favourite trail runner won’t have a GTX version. Also, not all GTX trail running shoes are equally waterproof.
It depends on how well the shoe is built, how well it is seam sealed and what exact fabrics are used. I would always recommend to look for trustworthy reviews that discuss the GTX version of the trail runner you are interested in. In case you are wondering, amazon reviews are not always trustworthy.
Note that, unless you wear waterproof gaiters, water will always be able to find its way in your shoe though the top. A lot of hikers therefore prefer to go with non-waterproof trail runners which dry quickly.
Some of my recommendation would include:
- Salomon Speedcross 4 GTX
- Adidas Outdoor Terrex Agravic GTX Shoe
- La Sportiva Ultra Raptor GTX Running Shoe
Best minimalist trail running shoes
A minimalist trail running shoe is all about going back to the basics, this might be less comfortable. There are a couple of factors that decide whether or not a shoe is considered minimalist:
- Weight: a minimalist shoe should weight less that 11.5 oz (325 grams) , the lighter the better!
- Stack height: The thickness of the sole at the center of the heel should be less than 1.26 inches (32 milllimters) the thinner the better.
- Heel to toe drop: This should be as low as possible, zero drop shoes are most suited for a minimalist trail running shoe.
- Motion control and stability technologies: In a minimalist shoe, we want none of this (or as little as possible)
- Flexibilty: The sole should be as flexible as possible.
You can learn more about minimalist shoes in this article: What is a minimalist shoe?
Before I will start with my recommendations, I would like to say that I’m personally not a big fan of minimalist trail running shoes for hiking. The biggest problem is that this type of shoeslack protection, stability, cushioning, ankle support, etc. This can be a bigger problem for hikers than for runners becuase hiker often carry a very heavy backpack.
That said, I guess it all depends on your personal preferences. After all, there is a reason why so many hikers choose for minimalist shoes. I will include some of my favourite minimalist trail running shoes below.
Altra Superior 4.0
The Altra Superior is very well received by both hikers and trail runners. As I already said, I’m not the biggest fan of hiking in minimalist trail running shoes, but if I had to, I would probably choose for the Altra Superio 4.0.
What’s so great about these shoes? Let me give you a quick summary:
- Lightweight
- Very breathable
- No/little break in needed
- Comfortable fit
- Good underfoot
This is also one of the few shoes that has no real negatives…
If you are looking for a minimalist trail running shoe for hiking, this would be the one I would recommend!
Women: Altra Women’s Superior 4.0
New Balance Summit Unknown
For a slightly more affordable alternative, I would suggest the Summit Unkown made by New Balance.
Overall, this shoe is also very decent. It has everything you would expect from a trail running shoe, it’s lightweight, breathable and has great traction.
The only real downside would be some issues with sizing and comfort. Note that these complaints are only coming from a small part of the hikers that tried these shoes.
Not as good as the Altra Superior 4.0, but if money is an issue, this could be the right shoe for you!
Men: New Balance Men’s Summit Unknown
Women: New Balance Women’s Summit Unknown
What’s important in trail running shoes for hiking
Discussing what’s important in trail running shoes for hiking is pretty tricky. The problem is that every hiker has his/her own preferences. Some people care a lot about cushioning, comfort and ankle support, while others really focus on weight and minimalist features.
As usual, it’s about finding the right balance that works for you.
Let’s take a look at some of the most important factors:
- Grip/Traction: This is important for trail running and hiking. Even if you are a minimalist runner, you should still care about traction.
- Comfort/Cushioning: You are going to use these shoes for a lot of miles. Whether it is for running or hiking, you are going to want to have comfortable shoes.
- Waterproof: This doesn’t matter for most hikers/trail runners. However, for some, it might be an important factor.
- Breathability: In any type of hiking or running shoe, breathability is important. Since trail running shoes are so lightweight, we expect them to be very breathable, especially when they are not waterproof.
- Protection: In comparison with leather hiking boots, trail runners won’t offer a lot of protection. That said, there is still a big difference between the most protective trail running shoe and the least protective trail running shoe.
- Weight: Always important for hikers and runners…
- Durability: You won’t always be walking on soft green grass, you will -probably- encounter some rough terrain. Therefore, it’s highly recommended to care about the durability of your trail runner.
As I said before, not all these factors are equally important for every type of hiker. However, you should at least consider these factors before making a decision.
Trail running shoes vs hiking boots
This discussion has been going on for a while now. Are trail running shoes better than hiking boots for hiking? Well, I don’t think there is a “yes” or “no” answer here. It really comes down to personal preferences and circumstances.
There are a lot of solid arguments on both sides. Hiking boots offer a lot of protection, ankle support, stability, waterproofness, traction, etc. However, they are often very heavy and not very breathable.
Trail running shoes on the other hand are very lightweight and breathable, but they don’t offer a lot of protection, stability and ankle support. They also tend to be less durable.
For a more complete overview, take a look at this article: Trail running shoes vs hiking boots.
If you are not sure what the best option is for you there is only one thing I can say: Try both options. Seriously, you can do all the research in the world, you won’t get any wiser. You really have to try hiking in trail runners before you can know if it fits your hiking style. However, I would recommend trying out new footwear on day hikes before trying your luck on long distance hikes.
Zero drop trail running shoes
I have mentioned zero drop trail running shoes, but what exactly are zero-drop shoes. A zero-drop shoe is a shoe that sits level with the ground. This means there is no drop-off from heel to toe. Hence, the name zero-drop shoe.
This type of shoe were ‘invented’ by Altra and were initially recommended to injured runners. However, after a while, runners and hikers started to use these zero-drop shoes and noticed a lot of benefits when it comes to preventing injuries/pain.
That said, there is no scientific evidence that zero-drop shoes would actually prevent injury or help with recovery. Still, there must be a reason that so many hikers and runners prefer zero-drop. Additionally, a lot of the zero-drop shoes are very well-received by runners and hikers.
Best trail running shoe brands
There are a lot of good choices when it comes to brands for trail running shoes. Im thinking about the following brands:
- Altra
- Salomon
- New Balance
- North Face
- Hoka One One
- Inov-8
- Asics
- Adidas
- Nike
- Columbia
And these are only a few…
There are too many brands to cover all of them. However, I would like to go a bit more in-depth with a couple of my favourite brands.
Trail running shoes Altra
Altra is probably the most popular brand for hikers. Especially the Lone Peaks are very well received by long distance hikers.
Altra is a brand that has been doing a lot of research and iterations when it comes to trail runners. They focus on providing high quality trail running shoes for everybody who might need it, hikers, trail runners, minimalist runners etc. They have options with a lot of protection and cushioning, but they also have options for runners who are looking for the lightest shoes out there.
The most famous and well praised Altra trail running shoes are the Altra Lone Peak series and the Altra superior series.
This company also “invented” the term zero drop shoe. Which has since then become a very popular term and people actually start to look for these zero drop shoes.
Trail running shoes Salomon
Where Altra is a company that really focuses on trail running, Salomon is more of a hiking brand. Salomon is well known for the top-notch hiking shoes and hiking boots. Therefore, it shouldn’t be a surprise that they are also pretty successful with their hiking trail runners.
Salomon has always been one of my favourite brands when it comes to hiking footwear in general, so I’m pretty happy they didn’t let me down with trail runners. It’s also a brand -and this is no surprise to me- that is more appreciated by hikers than by actual trail runners. That said, most trail runners are still pretty happy with Salomon.
Some of the most appreciated trail running shoes made by Salomon would include the Speedcross series and the S-Lab series.
Trail running shoes Hoka One One
Hoka One One is another very well-known and well-appreciated brand among both trail runners and hikers.
Especially the Speedgoat, Challenger ATR and the Torrent are remarkably good hiking shoes.
Hoka One One started with maximalist trail running shoes in a time where minimalist shoes were very popular. However, they did find an audience that loved these shoes with great ankle support, protection and cushioning. They did their best to create a shoe that has a lot to offer while still remaining lightweight.
Conclusion
Trail running shoes can definitely be used for hiking. In fact, a lot of tru hikers prefer lightweight options like a trail runner over the heavy leather hiking boot.
There are a lot of advantages and a lot of disadvantages of using trail running shoes for hiking. If you are unsure about whether or not hiking in trail running shoes is right for you, I would just recommend to try it out.
If you are looking for the best budget-friendly trail running shoes, I can recommend this article: Best cheap trail running shoes. This article covers both regular trail running shoes as well as trail runners that are great for hiking!
If you feel like regular hiking shoes are still the right option for you, I also covered the best regular hiking shoes for people on a tight budget in this article: Best cheap hiking shoes.
What are your experiences with trail runners for hiking? Feel free to let me know in the comments below!