The 7 best trail running shoes (2026)
Updated 2026-10-08 · 7 picks from 58 current trail running shoes · ranked from measured values, retail popularity and customer ratings, not tested on foot (how)
Trail shoes range from light racers to cushioned ultra shoes, and the things that matter most on trails, grip and protection, are not measured here. This list ranks on how widely each shoe is bought (counts double), weight, and the base width under the forefoot, which helps on uneven ground.
- 1
- Top pick
NNormal Kjerag 02
Trail · Trail · 2025
Stands out: a Running Warehouse best seller; weight 230 g (typical here 275 g).
Trade-off: none clear on the measures this list ranks.
6 mm drop · 26/20 mm stack · 230 g (US M9) · $215 list price
- 2
- Highest rated
La Sportiva Prodigio Pro
Trail · Trail · 2025
Stands out: a Running Warehouse best seller with 32 customer reviews; rated 4.6/5 by 32 Running Warehouse customers (typical here 4.2).
Trade-off: none clear on the measures this list ranks.
6 mm drop · 34/28 mm stack · 267 g · $225 list price
Full geometry and sourcesBelieve in the Run review ↗RunRepeat lab test ↗
- 3
Brooks Cascadia Elite
Trail · Trail · 2026
Stands out: a Running Warehouse best seller; weight 266 g (typical here 275 g).
Trade-off: none clear on the measures this list ranks.
6 mm drop · 40/34 mm stack · 266 g (US M9) · $275 list price
Full geometry and sourcesBelieve in the Run review ↗RunRepeat lab test ↗
- 4
Hoka Speedgoat 7
Trail · Trail · 2026
Stands out: a Running Warehouse best seller.
Trade-off: rated 4.0/5 by 16 Running Warehouse customers (typical here 4.2).
4 mm drop · 37/33 mm stack · 275 g (size 9) · $165 list price
Full geometry and sourcesBelieve in the Run review ↗RunRepeat lab test ↗
- 5
ASICS Trabuco 14
Trail · Trail · 2026
Stands out: a Running Warehouse best seller.
Trade-off: forefoot base width 113.5 mm (typical here 116.9 mm).
8 mm drop · 36/28 mm stack · 278 g · $145 list price
- 6
Hoka Mafate 5
Trail · Trail · 2025
Stands out: a Running Warehouse best seller.
Trade-off: weight 314 g (typical here 275 g).
8 mm drop · 44/36 mm stack · 314 g · $185 list price
Full geometry and sourcesBelieve in the Run review ↗RunRepeat lab test ↗
- 7
- Lightest
Norda 005
Racing · Trail · 2025
Stands out: weight 214 g (typical here 275 g).
Trade-off: rated 4.0/5 by 18 Running Warehouse customers (typical here 4.2).
7 mm drop · 28.5/21.5 mm stack · 214 g (US M8.5) · $325 list price
Typical here = the median of the 58 shoes ranked.
The picks side by side
Swipe the table sideways for toe rocker, toe tip, heel bevel, stiffness and firmness →
| Shoe | Type | Drop | Heel | Forefoot | Weight | Toe rocker | Toe tip | Bevel | Stiffness | Firmness | Plate | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NNormal Kjerag 02 Trail· 2025 | Trail | 6 mmStated | 26 mmStated | 20 mmStated | 230 gStated | — | 39 mmest. | — | — | — | None | $215 |
| La Sportiva Prodigio Pro Trail· 2025 | Trail | 6 mmStated | 34 mmStated | 28 mmStated | 267 gStated | 39 %est. | 44 mmest. | 18.1 %est. | 33Derived | 56Derived | Rock | $225 |
| Brooks Cascadia Elite Trail· 2026 | Trail | 6 mmDerived | 40 mmStated | 34 mmStated | 266 gStated | 38 %est. | 46 mmest. | 12.4 %est. | 39Derived | 23Derived | Carbon | $275 |
| Hoka Speedgoat 7 Trail· 2026 | Trail | 4 mmDerived | 37 mmStated | 33 mmStated | 275 gStated | 43 %*est. | 43 mm*est. | 12.4 %est. | 34Derived | 70Derived | None | $165 |
| ASICS Trabuco 14 Trail· 2026 | Trail | 8 mmDerived | 36 mmStated | 28 mmStated | 278 gStated | 32 %est. | 37 mmest. | 9.6 %est. | 57Derived | 60Derived | Rock | $145 |
| Hoka Mafate 5 Trail· 2025 | Trail | 8 mmDerived | 44 mmStated | 36 mmStated | 314 gStated | 38 %est. | 43 mmest. | 10.2 %est. | 48Derived | 70Derived | TPU | $185 |
| Norda 005 Trail· 2025 | Racing | 7 mmStated | 28.5 mmStated | 21.5 mmStated | 214 gStated | 28 %est. | 33 mmest. | — | — | — | None | $325 |
How this list is ranked
- Shoes ranked: current trail shoes; only the latest version of each model, discontinued models left out (58 today).
- Ranked on: how widely it is bought: the Running Warehouse best-seller flag and review count, plus visits here, counts double; weight, lower is better; forefoot base width, higher is better; how Running Warehouse customers rate it, out of 5; a rating from few reviews is pulled toward the average, as if it had 10 more reviews at that average.
- Each value is compared with the median of the shoes ranked and scaled by how spread out they are. Differences within measurement noise count for little, one extreme value cannot carry a shoe, and a photo estimate whose photos disagree counts half. A missing value counts as typical.
- At most 3 shoes per brand, so one brand's range cannot fill the list; the next shoe in line takes the place.
- Nothing here is tested on foot, no brand pays to be listed and there are no affiliate links (how this site is funded). Every number links to its source on the shoe's page; see the methodology.
- The list recomputes itself whenever a shoe or the weekly popularity data changes; last change 2026-10-08.
Next in line
Questions
- Why is grip not part of the ranking?
- There is no consistent measurement of outsole grip across brands. Lug depth and rubber compounds are on brand pages; the reviews linked from each shoe test grip on real trails.
- Did you run in these shoes?
- No. ShoeGeometry collects and measures shoe geometry; it does not wear-test shoes. The picks rank measured values, how widely each shoe is bought and how its buyers rate it. For how a shoe feels on the run, read the reviews linked under each pick.
- How often does the list change?
- Whenever the data does: when a shoe is added or replaced by a new version, and when the weekly popularity data changes. The date at the top is the last change.
- Does any brand pay to be listed?
- No. There are no sponsors, ads or affiliate links, and the ranking rule is the same for every shoe.
These lists rank product characteristics. They are not recommendations for any person or condition; for a sore foot, ankle or leg, start with the guides.