Fall 2011 Trail Running Shoe Guide

Trail running covers a lot of ground and requires something different from your shoes for each type of terrain. For steep, scree-littered climbs you need deep treads; for long runs on level trails you need soft cushioning; and for grassy cross-country courses you need something light and low-to-the-ground. We found these nine shoes to be great for off-road runners and matched each with the best place to wear them.

Best Update

Adidas Response Trail 18
Price: $95

We say
This classic trail shoe offers impressive sidewalls, toebox, and underfoot protection. With a sculpted forefoot that curves up slightly at the toes, the latest version fits a bit differently than previous ones. The sole is a tad rigid, according to RW Shoe Lab tests. Most of our testers liked the resulting ride, noting the shoe's smooth transition to toe-off. The shoe has an aggressive new lug design that provides sure footing on loose terrain and mud, making this a terrific choice for rough trails with steep climbs and descents.

Wear-testers say
"It had a great balance of support and traction."
--Sean Williams, 38, Reading

Weight
12.5 oz (M) 10.9 oz (W)
800-448-1796; shopadidas.com

Fall 2011 Running Shoe Guide


Asics Gel-Trabuco 14
Price: $100

We say
The Trabuco has enough cushioning to handle long stretches of road and angled treads for sure footing on rock-and root-strewn trails. This version is built on the same sole as the previous one, yet it's nearly an ounce lighter due to new upper materials and a new heel-counter design. A few of our testers complained that the lace pouch on the shoe's tongue prevented them from snugly cinching the laces. We recommend the Trabuco for long trail runs that cover a mix of surfaces, from easy dirt roads to steep, uneven terrain where a good grip is a must.

Wear-testers say
"It was light and supportive and gave me good traction."
--Mark Lathrop, 41, East Lansing

Weight
12.3 oz (M) 10.9 oz (W)
800-678-9435; asics.com

Tie A Better Knot


Best Debut

La Sportiva Electron
Price:  $120

We say
Soft and flexible with an innovative outsole and comfortable fit, the new Electron makes an impressive debut. Instead of the knobby lugs found on most trail shoes, it boasts a squishy outsole with a series of grooves. It's designed to envelop and roll over trail debris without tilting the foot back and forth. This concept worked well on dry trails, but some testers found that the nontraditional treads slipped on wet, smooth rocks. Recommended for lightweight trail runners looking for a comfortable long-haul trail shoe.

Wear-testers say
"It had a low-profile feel yet was well cushioned."
--Robert Dorner, 40, East Lansing

Weight
11.7 oz (M) 10.5 oz (W)
303-443-8710; sportiva.com


Brooks Ghost GTX
Price:  $120

We say
For fans of the versatile (and Editor's Choice award–winning) Brooks Ghost road shoe, this GoreTex version has the same cushioning and fit. It's also completely waterproof, noticeably stiffer, and more than one ounce heavier than the road version because of the sealed upper design. Testers had a mixed opinion of the shoe, with many loving the waterproof design and foot-hugging fit, while others complained that it was too heavy. Recommended for runs when snow and slush are just another part of the daily terrain.

Wear-testers say
"They have the forgiveness of a road shoe but the grip I look for in a trail shoe."
--Scott Zuidema, 32, Reading

Weight
12.6 oz (M) 10.5 oz (W)
800-227-6657; brooksrunning.com

Running Shoe FAQ


K-Swiss Blade Max Trail
Price:  $125

We say
The new Blade Max is ready for rainy fall running. It has an extremely comfortable seamless upper that's treated to repel water. Deep grooves in the shoe's midsole are intended to make the shoe superbendy, but a stiff protection plate negates much of its flexibility. Also, a few testers didn't like how trail debris got trapped in the outsole treads. Recommended for running on smooth, level trails or on wet fall days when you want to keep water out of your shoes.

Wear-testers say
"They provided exceptional comfort and cushioning. My only complaint is that they were heavy."
--Jon Freburg, 41, East Lansing

Weight
12.8 oz (M) 10.7 oz (W)
888-579-7786; kswiss.com


Mizuno Wave Ascend 6
Price:  $100

We say
The Ascend is a well-balanced crossover shoe that takes you from road to trail without missing a step. Its fine-mesh upper keeps out the elements, though some testers felt the material was too tight around the arch. Shoe Lab tests found the shoe to be soft and flexible, despite the supportive Wave plate molded into the midsole. The resulting ride is surprisingly fluid for such a protective shoe. Recommended as a comfortable everyday trainer that does well both on and off road.

Wear-testers say
"The traction was quite good running through water-soaked grass and muddy trails."
--Jerry Gillissen, 61, East Lansing

Weight
11.4 oz (M) 9.4 oz (W)
800-966-1211; mizunousa.com


[Women's Only]
Merrell Lithe Glove
Price:  $125

We say
The Lithe is the winter version of Merrell's Pace Glove minimal shoe with a thicker upper. It has the same superlow heel height as the Pace (only 11.8 millimeters; most trail shoes sit 35 millimeters off the ground), leaving very little between the bottom of the foot and the ground underneath. Some testers said the Lithe fit like a comfy yet rugged pair of socks, while others complained about irritation around the collar. It's an excellent choice for minimalists looking to hit the trails. The men's model is called the Sonic Glove.

Wear-testers say
"I enjoyed the shoe from the start but had to watch my miles so I didn't get too beat up."
--Ellie Alderfer, 49, Reading

Weight
6 oz
800-288-3124; merrell.com


Pearl Izumi Peak II
Price:  $115

We say
This low-slung trainer provides a lot of stability on gnarly terrain. The steady footing is due to the low heel height and the grippy outsole. It features a mixture of big and small angled lugs for outstanding traction on uneven, gravelly trails. Most of our testers appreciated the balance between the shoe's performance and comfort, but a few told us the toebox fit a tad short. A size 10 would feel like a 9.5, for example. Recommended for efficient runners as a daily trail trainer or as a trail racer for the rest of us.

Wear-testers say
"Trail shoes are usually heavy, but this one wasn't; it really moved smoothly with my foot."
--Samantha Fugate, 23, East Lansing

Weight
9.7 oz (M) 8.1 oz (W)
800-328-8488; pearlizumi.com


Saucony Progrid Outlaw
Price:  $110

We say
The new Outlaw is built on the same sole as the low-riding Saucony Peregrine. It has nearly the same difference between the heel and forefoot heights (6.8 millimeters in the Outlaw versus 10 to 12 millimeters in most shoes), so the foot lands more evenly. The high-top-inspired collar design is intended for technical trails with loose debris and big obstacles, where the risk of rolling the foot is great. Recommended for runners in need of ankle support or who run extreme backcountry trails.

Wear-testers say
"The response and cushioning of the shoe was great, but the collar seemed like overkill."
--Janice Spodarek, 57, East Lansing

Weight
12.1 oz (M) 10.1 oz (W)
800-365-4933; saucony.com


How We Test Trail Shoes
We asked 200 wear-testers in Reading, Pennsylvania, and East Lansing, Michigan, to run off-road in the latest trail shoes for about a month and then give us their feedback. We also mechanically tested each model at the RW Shoe Lab, an independent testing facility in Portland, Oregon. The results of our testing are broken into three categories.

Cushioning How soft/firm the midsole is in the heel and forefoot. Too soft, and it may lack durability. Too firm, and it may not insulate the foot well enough.

Flexibility How much torque it takes to flex the shoe at toe-off. Generally, lighter runners need more flexibility.

Responsiveness Relates to how smoothly a shoe moves with the foot.