The Trail Shoes page brings together men's and women's models from adidas Terrex, Hoka, La Sportiva, Saucony, Asics, Rossignol, and Topo Athletic: Agravic, Tracefinder, Mafate, Mutant, Helios, Xodus Ultra, Trabuco, Vezor, and Pursuit.
The shoe suited to the terrain, the distance, and the shape of your foot.
A trail shoe is primarily chosen based on the terrain. Deep and spaced lugs, like those on the La Sportiva Mutant, grip in mud and on muddy trails, and shed dirt. Short and tightly spaced lugs, like those on the adidas Terrex Agravic SL or the La Sportiva Helios, roll better on dry trails and asphalt sections. On rocks, the quality of the rubber matters more than the depth of the lugs.
Trail running also includes:
On short and fast trails, a light shoe close to the ground, like the adidas Terrex Agravic SL, offers feedback and precision. For long distances, thick cushioning protects the legs from fatigue: the Hoka Mafate, Saucony Xodus Ultra or Asics Trabuco are examples. Versatile models, like the adidas Terrex Agravic or the Tracefinder, are suitable for varied outings. The Terrex Freehiker GTX, waterproof, connects with fast hiking.
The drop is the height difference between the heel and the forefoot. Topo Athletic and Altra offer low drops and a wide shape at the front, allowing the toes to spread naturally. A low drop requires a gradual transition if coming from a traditional shoe. You should leave about one centimetre in front of the toes, so your foot doesn't hit the front when going downhill, and try them on with your running socks at the end of the day.
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To start, you should choose a versatile model, well-cushioned and with medium lugs, that can transition from trails to asphalt sections, like those from Hoka or Saucony. Comfort takes precedence over lightness.
Wide feet appreciate models with a generous toe box, like those from Topo Athletic, which conform to the natural shape of the toes. It's best to try them on in the evening when your feet have slightly swollen.
A heavy runner should favour thick cushioning and a wide, stable sole, which protects the joints on descents. Generously cushioned models, like the Asics Trabuco or the Hoka Mafate, are better than minimalist shoes.
Let the mud dry before brushing it off, rinse the upper with clean water without using a machine, and remove the insoles. Dry them in the open air with newspaper, never on a radiator which could detach the sole.
It's often best to choose half a size or one size larger than street shoes: the foot swells on long outings and the toes shouldn’t hit the front on descents. Leaving a thumb's width in front of the big toe is a good guideline.