Shoe reviews
Structured editorial assessments. Filter by category, brand, fit, and shoe type.
Shoe type
Running Shoes
Adidas
Terrex Agravic 3
Adidas Terrex Agravic 3 is a trail shoe. Adidas trail shoe with Lightstrike cushioning and Continental rubber for mixed trail grip. I'd shortlist it for trail grip. The trade-off is not a technical alpine scramble shoe — Brooks Cascadia 18 is the cleaner compare when that is most of your week. It fits buyers who actually need a trail shoe, not a one-product rotation.
Altra
Lone Peak 8
Altra Lone Peak 8 is a race-trail shoe. Zero-drop trail shoe with MaxTrac grip for technical and mixed off-road terrain. I'd shortlist it for roomy trail FootShape fit. The trade-off is less stack than max-cushion trail shoes — Saucony Peregrine 15 is the cleaner compare when that is most of your week. It fits buyers who actually need a race-trail shoe, not a one-product rotation.
ASICS
Gel-Trabuco 13
ASICS Gel-Trabuco 13 is a trail shoe. ASICS trail shoe with GEL cushioning and ASICSGRIP for rocky and mixed trail long runs. I'd shortlist it for trail cushioning. The trade-off is not a minimalist trail shoe — Saucony Peregrine 15 is the cleaner compare when that is most of your week. It fits buyers who actually need a trail shoe, not a one-product rotation.
Inov-8
Trailfly Ultra G 300 Max
Inov8 Trailfly Ultra G 300 Max is a race-trail shoe. Graphene-cushioned max-stack trail ultra shoe for long technical mountain efforts. I'd shortlist it for high trail cushion for ultras. The trade-off is niche retail availability — HOKA Speedgoat 6 is the cleaner compare when that is most of your week. It fits buyers who actually need a race-trail shoe, not a one-product rotation.
New Balance
Fresh Foam X Hierro v9
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 is a trail shoe. Cushioned New Balance trail shoe with Vibram outsole options for durable dirt and rock mileage. I'd shortlist it for trail cushion. The trade-off is heavier than aggressive trail racers — HOKA Speedgoat 6 is the cleaner compare when that is most of your week. It fits buyers who actually need a trail shoe, not a one-product rotation.
Nike
Pegasus Trail 5
Nike Pegasus Trail 5 is a road-to-trail shoe. Road-to-trail Nike daily with ReactX cushioning and aggressive enough lugs for light trails. I'd shortlist it for versatile road-to-trail. The trade-off is not for technical alpine mud — Salomon Sense Ride 5 is the cleaner compare when that is most of your week. It fits buyers who actually need a road-to-trail shoe, not a one-product rotation.
Salomon
Genesis
Salomon Genesis is a road-to-trail shoe. Road-to-trail Salomon shoe for runners mixing pavement approaches with light dirt singletrack. I'd shortlist it for true road-to-trail. The trade-off is less plush than max-cushion trail tanks — Salomon Sense Ride 5 is the cleaner compare when that is most of your week. It fits buyers who actually need a road-to-trail shoe, not a one-product rotation.
Salomon
Pulsar Trail 2
Salomon Pulsar Trail 2 is a race-trail shoe. Responsive Energy Foam trail shoe for faster efforts on rolling and technical trails. I'd shortlist it for faster trail ride. The trade-off is less max cushion than Speedgoat — HOKA Speedgoat 6 is the cleaner compare when that is most of your week. It fits buyers who actually need a race-trail shoe, not a one-product rotation.
Salomon
Sense Ride 5
Salomon Sense Ride 5 is a trail shoe. All-round trail trainer for mixed terrain, daily trail miles, and longer off-road runs. I'd shortlist it for versatile trail daily shoe. The trade-off is less aggressive than Peregrine/Speedgoat in mud — Saucony Peregrine 15 is the cleaner compare when that is most of your week. It fits buyers who actually need a trail shoe, not a one-product rotation.
Salomon
Ultra Glide 2
Salomon Ultra Glide 2 is a race-trail shoe. Soft, protective Salomon trail shoe for long easy trail days when comfort outranks race precision. I'd shortlist it for soft trail cushion. The trade-off is less protective than tank-like ultra trail shoes — HOKA Speedgoat 6 is the cleaner compare when that is most of your week. It fits buyers who actually need a race-trail shoe, not a one-product rotation.
Saucony
Peregrine 15
Aggressive-lug trail trainer for technical singletrack and muddy conditions. I'd shortlist it when you want confident muddy grip. Skip it if most of your week is long road connectors.
Saucony
Xodus Ultra 3
Saucony Xodus Ultra 3 is a race-trail shoe. Max-cushion trail shoe for long mountain days when you want protection without a full race plate. I'd shortlist it for ultra-friendly stack. The trade-off is tall for technical scrambling — ASICS Gel-Trabuco 13 is the cleaner compare when that is most of your week. It fits buyers who actually need a race-trail shoe, not a one-product rotation.
Topo Athletic
Terraventure 5
Topo Athletic Terraventure 5 is a trail shoe. Wide-toe-box trail shoe with moderate stack for natural trail feel and durable grip. I'd shortlist it for wide toe box. The trade-off is less max stack than ultra-cushion trail tanks — Brooks Cascadia 18 is the cleaner compare when that is most of your week. It fits buyers who actually need a trail shoe, not a one-product rotation.
Brooks
Cascadia 18
Brooks Cascadia 18 is a trail shoe. Protective trail daily trainer with Ballistic Rock Shield and a stable trail platform for mixed dirt and rock. I'd shortlist it for trail protection. The trade-off is heavier than race-trail shoes — Salomon Sense Ride 5 is the cleaner compare when that is most of your week. It fits buyers who actually need a trail shoe, not a one-product rotation.
HOKA
Speedgoat 6
Aggressive Vibram-lugged trail shoe for technical terrain and longer mountain days. Here's a practical take on the HOKA Speedgoat 6 — what it's for, who it suits, and when to pick something else. I'd shortlist it if you want excellent trail grip or protective cushion for long efforts. I'd pause if overbuilt for easy road miles or can feel firm on hardpack would show up often in your week. Speedgoat 6 is a trail tool with Vibram grip — not a road daily or race-road supershoe.