Trail running is booming, and there’s really no better time to explore the grit, dirt, mud, and gravel of the trails. But before you do, make sure you’re lacing up the right pair of shoes for you! We’ve reviewed them all to bring you a roundup of our favourite trail shoes of 2026 loved by The Running Channel Team.
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What’s in this video?
00:00 Best trail shoes 2026
00:40 Best road to trail shoe
01:50 Hoka Challenger 8
02:27 Nike Pegasus Trail 5
04:04 Merrell Promorph
05:08 Salomon Aeroglide 3 Grvl
06:24 Road to trail top pick
06:49 Best short distance trail shoe
07:56 Nike Wildhorse 10
08:22 The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4
09:20 New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro V9
10:42 Mount to Coast T1
11:46 On Cloudultra 3
12:31 Altra Olympus 275
12:35 Altra Timp 6
14:12 Short distance top pick
14:34 Best long distance trail shoe
15:35 Hoka Mafate X
16:05 La Sportiva Prodigio Pro
16:59 Scott Kinabalu Ultra
17:37 Inov8 Trailfly Max
18:19 Nnormal Kjerag 2.0
19:22 Long distance top pick
19:59 Best race day trail shoe
20:52 The North Face Summit Vectiv Pro 3
21:32 Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra Trail
22:30 On Cloud Ultra Pro
22:34 Hoka Rocket X Trail
24:32 Race day trail shoe top pick
24:51 TRC Best trail shoe 2026
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It’s way harder than it looks!!! Congrats 👏. I am a road runner who also includes more and more trail runs to my training 😊
I’m used to running in asics kayano 31 on road/limestone but training now on grass and wet trials, wondering if there is something that would be similar in support to the kayano but have grip and are made more for trails? Anyone have any ideas?
The merels midsole is super comfy, but the toebox is so narrow. After trying them in the store today a am convinced i couldn’t even run 5k without black toenails.
What us your opinion on the Merrell Agility Peak 6 wide width?
Which of the long-distance shoes you tested performs best when wet? Which drains the fastest and has an insole that also sheds water rather than absorbing it like a sponge?