October 2026 Update: After testing summer trail running shoe releases and comparing them to previously reviewed models, our 14 testers selected a new Best All-Around Trail Shoe: the Mount to Coast M1. We retained the Saucony Peregrine 16 as Best Value and named winners in three other categories: the Salomon Genesis 2 (Best Technical Terrain), the Kiprun Kipsummit Max (Best Max Cushioned), and the Salomon Aeroblaze 4 GRVL (Best Gravel Shoe). We test continuously and update this guide throughout the year.
Great trail running shoes promise adventure, keeping us surefooted and comfortable across woods, mountains, and dirt paths. The following shoes stood out to our testers for superior performance in their respective categories. Here are the best trail running shoes of the season—and four of them come in at a reasonable $150.
Weight: 9.7 oz (men’s), 9.2 oz (women’s) Stack Height: 38mm–34mm Drop: 4mm Sizing: 7-14, 15 (men’s), 5-11 (women’s) Pros and Cons + Both stable and smooth + New, lively midsole compound – Foothold not strong enough for technical terrain Mount to Coast introduced a new midsole compound in the M1, and we love it. Dubbed “JETCELL,” the proprietary ATPU is derived from polymers used in automotive protective films—the stuff that makes car paint withstand (most) rock dings—and made into a midsole foam via a supercritical (gas-infused expansion) process. The outcome, we found, is a lively, smooth, fun-to-run-in platform that makes this shoe sing.
The M1 delivers tacky traction on wet and dry ground through a full-coverage Vibram Megagrip outsole that avoids adding excess weight by having a thinner layer of rubber between lugs. In our testing, the four-millimeter lugs dug into loose dirt on dry Colorado trails, and the grippy rubber kept us surefooted and confident on steep rocky slabs. We found the upper, an engineered mesh woven with durable TPEE and nylon-blended yarns, both breathable and flexible.
Testers loved the dual-lacing system, which allowed them to adjust the tension of the forefoot and midfoot independently. Despite the customizable fit, some testers found their feet moved a bit too much within the shoe on steep, technical terrain. We chalk that up to the wide forefoot that provides a stable base and allows splay—both of which were appreciated on less-tricky trails.
Overall, testers rated this model as one of the best trail running shoes of the year, making it an easy top pick for long runs on dirt trails. Read our full review of the Mount to Coast M1. Weight: 9.5 oz (men’s), 8.4 oz (women’s) Stack Height: 32–28 mm Drop: 4 mm Sizing: 7-13, 14, 15 (men’s), 5-12 (women’s) Pros and Cons + Excellent traction + Lightweight and nimble – Slippery laces require double-knotting We’ve tested every version of the Saucony Peregrine since the model’s debut in 2011, and this sixteenth iteration just might be our all-time favorite.
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