6 Best Trail Running Shoes for Men

Starting the year off with a renewed commitment to personal fitness can be a daunting task for many, especially if your chosen activity is trail running. But don’t worry—we got you covered! From choosing the right trail running shoes based on midsole cushioning to tips on how to properly maintain and store your shoes after your run, we’ve got the ultimate guide for you.

Running Shoes: Trail vs. Road

Trail running is no doubt a very challenging activity that requires hours of training and specialized equipment. Trail running develops strength, speed, and endurance–especially because you immerse yourself in both challenging terrains and weather. Road running is an equally challenging sport because it develops speed and cardiovascular health.

While trail running shoes have more rigid and pronounced lugs on their soles, road running shoes have shorter lugs. But that’s just the beginning, really. There are a lot of things you have to consider especially if you’re committing yourself to the adventurous sport of trail running. So you better read on to make sure you buy the right pair of trail running shoes for you.

Choosing The Best Trail Running Shoes

Before going out to buy your first (or next) pair of trail running shoes, there are two main things you have to consider: first, the condition of your feet and what it needs, and second, what kind of trail you run.

In buying any pair of shoes, you first have to be aware of your foot condition. Do your feet tend to overpronate? Do you have wide feet? If you’ve been running for a while, you may already have a preference. But if you’re just starting out, it’s good to pattern the fit and comfort level of your new pair with your most comfortable athletic shoes.

On the other hand, you also have to determine the trail you plan to run. Is the trail more technical than smooth? Are there any steep slopes you hope to scale? Is there any chance you might encounter creeks or rivers? These things will help determine the kind of protection and stability features incorporated in the shoe you’re about to buy.

The Anatomy of a Trail Running Shoe

Trail running shoes have different parts made of different materials. No two shoes are the same since features and materials may vary from brand to brand. Take a look at the anatomy of a trail running shoe and what features you should look out for:

Upper

This includes everything above the sole. Its traditionally made with layers of fabrics and mesh, and for shoes designed for really rugged trails, this part is usually waterproofed.

Look for: An upper that’s shaped like your feet. The upper shouldn’t chafe or scratch your feet within the shoe.

Ankle collar

This is the part of the shoe opening that holds the heel down in place. Some manufacturers use thick padding for this part.

Look for: Padding that interacts comfortably with your ankle and fits snugly around your Achilles tendon.

Heel counter

This is the semi-layered cup inside the rearfoot that supports your heel. This provides support and stability during landing. Minimalist shoes usually don’t include this part.

Look for: Something that allows easy and comfortable ankle motion.

Saddle

This is the area around the instep or the arch around a person’s foot between the ball and ankle. This part of the shoe interacts with the laces to hold the shoe firmly on the foot. This also guards the foot against debris from getting inside the shoe.

Look for: A saddle that doesn’t allow slippage and allows the natural doming of the arch of your foot.

Toebox

This is located at the upper front of the shoe that extends from the eyelets to the end of the shoe. The toebox is usually reinforced with a toe bumper. This part may include toe guards hidden underneath for protection from roots and rocks.

Look for: A toebox that allows your foot to flex and spread out naturally.

Outsole

This is the part of the shoe that’s in contact with the trail. The outsole is formed in a way to provide stability, traction, and durability. The grooves on the outsole are called lugs. It’s usually made of carbon rubber (the most durable; same material as tires) or blown rubber (more flexible and cushioned, but not as durable.

Look for: Outsoles made out of materials that provide traction without being too stiff.

Flex grooves and toe spring

These are grooves under the ball of the foot which allow the foot to roll as it strides.

Look for: A shoe that flexes or rolls easily as you want to move.

Midsole

This is the foam material that lies between the outsole and the upper and it’s designed to cushion the feet from impact. This part is usually made of varieties of EVA (Ethylene-VInyl Acetate) or Polyurethane. The former provides foam-based cushioning, while the latter provides more durable cushioning. Shoes with polyurethane midsoles weigh heavier, though.

Look for: Midsole thickness and material that feels right for your running speed and terrain.

Heel cushioning

Some shoes use a crash pad or a rounded outer heel to smoothen your landing.

Look for: Balance between cushioning, stability, and ground feel.

Forefoot cushioning

This part of the shoe should reduce the impact of the stride that occurs at the forefoot.

Look for: Balance between cushioning comfort and firmness after pushing off from the platform.

Heel-to-toe drop

This is the difference between the height of the heel to the toe. It’s generally agreed upon that changing your drop should occur gradually to keep the biomechanics of the foot stable.

Look for: A shoe that feels right throughout the whole stride.

Stabilizing features

These include medial posts, dual-density foams, guide rails, wider shoe geometries. These extra features should keep the foot stable. These features can also help people who tend to overpronate.

Look for: Shoes that allow comfortable and natural movement.

Sockliner

This is the removable foam pad inside the shoe that cushions the contours of your foot.

Look for: How the shoe feels on the run. Softer isn’t necessarily better.

Types of Trail Running Shoes

• Light trail– These are shoes that are designed for relatively uniform surfaces like gravel paths, rolling hills, and fire roads. They’re usually lightweight, but have enough midsole cushioning to allow the runner to run comfortably. Some light trail shoes, however, have minimal midsole cushioning so the runner stays in touch with the trail.
• Rugged trail– Shoes designed for rugged trails have increased underfoot protection built-in. These include toe guards and/or hidden plates to protect the feet from bumping into roots and rocks. These shoes have the most diverse lug patterns for traction on soft soil and mud.
• Off-trail- Off-trail shoes are made with more resilient materials like polyurethane foam midsoles. There are a lot of waterproofing options in this category. The downside is you have to replace off-trail shoes more often as the shoe’s lifespan will depend on your pack weight, trail ruggedness, and foot toughness.

Shoe Shapes

• Straight- This design is perfect for overpronators or people with “flat feet”
• Semi-curved- These are the most neutral and widely-available shoe shapes.
• Curved- This is the design usually found in lightweight neutral shoes for faster runners.

Cushioning Types

• Barefoot- These shoes have no padding or cushioning. This is to let the runner feel the trail and to train his own biomechanics.
• Minimal- This is a good option for runners who want a better feel for the trail but are uncomfortable with dropping all midsole padding.
• Moderate- Traditional trail running shoes are equipped with moderate padding for rooty and rocky trails.
• Maximum- There are shoes made with lots of padding to lessen the amount of force exerted on joints. Maximum padding also lessens fatigue on high-altitude runs but may feel mushy as you run.

Heel-to-Toe Drop

• Barefoot shoes- Usually have a 0 mm drop.
• Minimalist- Minimalist shoes have drops that range from 0-4 millimeters.
• Moderate and maximalist shoes- These shoes come in a wide array of drops and choosing among this category will be up to your personal preference.

Lug Types

• Long lugs- These lugs are for soft surfaces like mud or wet trails.
• Short lugs- These lugs are designed for hard, packed earth with stone.

Foam vs Rock Plate

• Rock plates- These are hard plastic plates placed inside the shoe that prevent the foot from being injured from hard edges
• Foam- Made with the same purpose as rock plates, but they absorb more shock and doubles the factor for comfort.

Buying Tips:

1. Be realistic in your goals and make sure you’re sticking to them once you start.

2. Try on several pairs to see how they fit and feel your feet.

3. If trail running is a long-term goal of yours, buy several pairs of the same shoes because manufacturers update their designs regularly.

4. Consider the shoe last (foot form) before buying. Your new trail running shoe should have a similar last to your own feet.

5. Trail running shoes for a men’s size 9 shouldn’t go over 12 ounces. Otherwise, it’ll be too heavy on the trail.

6. If you need to change your heel-to-toe drop, you need to do it gradually to avoid messing up your biomechanics.

7. Consider waterproofing for trails with creeks or rivers, or for wet and cold weather. But it might not be ideal for every runner as it encourages the feet to sweat a lot.

Common shoe-buying mistakes

• Fashion vs functionality- The “looks” factor of a shoe shouldn’t take precedence over comfort and adaptability to the terrain you’re running.
• Deals and discounts- Always ask your specialty store for discounts, money-saving deals, or for their return policies. This will save you time and money if you end up with an ill-fitting shoe.
• Feet dynamics- Your feet tend to swell in the morning until around 4 pm. Ideally, you should buy your shoes in the evening.
• Assuming your size- Don’t assume that your size is the same across different brands and types of shoes. Have your feet measured every time you buy new shoes.

Extra tips and tricks

1. Online shopping is always the most convenient option, and it’ll always give you the most diverse selection. But if you’re iffy about buying shoes that might not fit perfectly, go to a specialty running shop to buy trail running shoes.

2. Take along socks, paddings, and inserts you’ve been using during shopping.

3. Trail running shoes should be replaced every 300-500 miles (500-800 kilometers)

4. To care for your shoes, look for the manufacturer care instructions first.

5. After running a particularly muddy trail, remove the insoles and immediately rinse your shoes with water.

6. Dry in a warm, shady spot.

7. Stuffing your shoes with newspaper will help keep their shape while drying.

8. Do not clean your trail running shoes in washing machines or leave them to dry on dryers or electric heaters or under the sun as these might compromise the shape and the material of the shoes.

9. You can re-spray waterproofing on your waterproof shoes 1-2 times a year, or depending on its use.