Trail Running Shoes: Reviews

Updated April 2009

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Best trail-running shoe

*Est. $100 Compare Prices

The Brooks Cascadia 4 earns stellar reviews, including an Editor's Choice award from Runner's World and a nod from Fitness magazine as the best trail-running shoe of the year. Testers praise this trail shoe's versatility,… finding that it performs well on a variety of terrain, but still has enough cushioning for short runs on the road. Brooks added the biodegradable BioMoGo midsole to the Brooks Cascadia 4, and reviewers unanimously find that this eco-friendly midsole (which degrades more quickly in a landfill) has not compromised durability or comfort. The curved last is designed for runners with neutral to mild overpronation, so it is a good choice for runners whose feet roll inward only slightly when running. The Brooks Cascadia 4 comes in men's and women's sizes.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Runner's World: The Brooks Cascadia 4 scores the coveted Editor's Choice award from Runner's World, with editors praising the traction, ...

RunningTimes.com: Wear-testers at Running Times praise the stability and cushioning of the Brooks Cascadia 4, echoing other reviewers who find this ...

Fitness Magazine: Fitness magazine picks the Brooks Cascadia 4 as the best trail-running shoe of the year, praising the stability and a grippy ...

Explore magazine: Ryan Stuart, the gear guide for Canada-based Explore magazine, calls the Brooks Cascadia 4 the "best sequel we've ever seen." The ...

National Geographic Adventure: National Geographic Adventure highlights five trail-running shoes, praising the Brooks Cascadia 4 for its eco-friendly midsole ...

RoadRunnerSports.com: The men's version of the Brooks Cascadia 4 has only attracted a few reviews on Road Runner Sports, but new reviews are added ...

Zappos.com: Since the Brooks Cascadia 4 is so new, there are only a handful of reviews on Zappos.com. Reviewers like the color choices and ...

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Budget trail-running shoe

New Balance 840

*Est. $85 Compare Prices

Both Fitness magazine and National Geographic Adventure pick the New Balance 840 as one of the best trail-running shoes regardless of price -- the $85 price tag is just a bonus. Testers like the sturdy traction of tough… rubber lugs and the seamless upper that helps prevent blisters. Reviews note that the New Balance 840 provides less stability than some comparable trail running shoes, so experts recommend it for efficient runners who frequent level or packed-dirt trails. The New Balance 840 comes in men's and women's sizes. For runners who need plenty of stability or who run on rocky terrain, reviewers like the Brooks Cascadia 4.

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Runner's World: The New Balance 840 doesn't win any awards from Runner's World, but it still recommends this lightweight trail-running shoe for ...

Outside Magazine: Outside magazine ultimately selects another trail-running shoe for its Gear of the Year award, but still recommends the New ...

RunningTimes.com: Testers for Running Times love the New Balance 840, declaring that the improved cushioning in the heel and toebox make it a great ...

Fitness Magazine: Fitness magazine picks the New Balance 840 as one of the best shoes for cross-country running, citing the internal lining that ...

Trail Runner Magazine: Trail Runner's testers find that the New Balance 840 has a good amount of cushioning for a lightweight trail running shoe, while ...

National Geographic Adventure: National Geographic Adventure echoes other reviewers in praising the New Balance 840's grippy outsole. They find it grips the ...

Amazon.com: In about a dozen reviews, owners generally like the men's version of the New Balance 840 on Amazon.com. This trail-running shoe ...

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Motion-control trail running shoe

Adidas Supernova Riot

*Est. $100 Compare Prices

For trail runners with flatter arches whose feet tend to roll inward too much -- called overpronation -- reviewers recommend the Adidas Supernova Riot. Outside magazine names this trail-running shoe a Killer Value,… recommending it for overpronators and runners with heavy builds. It also tops the list at Fitness magazine, and consumer reviewers agree that the Adidas Supernova Riot provides good stability and lots of cushioning for uphill and downhill running. A medial support device helps correct overpronation and keeps feet stable on the trail. The Supernova Riot comes in men's and women's sizes.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Runner's World: Testers for Runner's World are impressed with the Adidas Supernova Riot's stability, and lab tests show that Adidas has improved ...

Outside Magazine: Outside magazine evaluates 11 new trail-running shoes, and deems the Adidas Supernova Riot a Killer Value. Outside's editors ...

Running Times: Running Times doesn't make any picks in its reviews, but Chase recommends the Adidas Supernova Riot for runners who need ...

Trail Runner Magazine: Trail Runner tests 13 trail-running shoes and finds the Adidas Supernova Riot to be a good all-around shoe, with testers liking ...

Fitness Magazine: In a very brief review, Fitness magazine calls the Adidas Supernova Riot one of the best shoes for cross-country running. Fitness ...

Zappos.com: The women's version of the Adidas Supernova Riot gets above-average ratings in 10 owner-written reviews at Zappos.com. Even ...

RoadRunnerSports.com: While the Adidas Supernova Riot hasn't attracted much feedback on Road Runner Sports, the owner-written reviews confirm much of ...

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Green trail running shoe

END Stumptown 12 oz

*Est. $85 Compare Prices

Reviewers say the END Stumptown 12 oz. is one of the most environmentally friendly shoes on the market. Made with a host of recycled materials, this trail-running shoe is Runner's World's choice for Best Debut of 2009.… Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine labels it one of the fastest shoes of the year. It scores points for a lightweight fit and breathable upper, but reviewers say it offers minimal support and recommend it for runners who want a light trail-running shoe that won't weigh them down on level trails. The Stumptown 12 oz. is available in men's and women's sizes.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Runner's World: Out of nine trail-running shoes, Runner's World selects the END Stumptown 12 oz. as the Best Debut of the year. Testers like the ...

RunningTimes.com: In their latest trail shoe guide, Running Times recommends the End Stumptown 12 oz. as a lightweight, all-around trail running ...

Blue Ridge Outdoors: Blue Ridge Outdoors calls the End Stumptown 12 oz. one of the fastest shoes of 2009, finding it speedy (with good traction) on ...

FeedtheHabit.com: Jason Mitchell writes a detailed review of the END Stumptown 12 oz. for FeedTheHabit.com, calling it both "green and affordable." ...

iRunFar.com: Trail runner and ultra marathoner Bryon Powell tests the END Stumptown 12 oz, deeming it an impressive debut that transitions ...

Backcountry.com: The men's version of the END Stumptown 12 oz. has only received a few owner-written reviews on BackCountry.com, but the feedback ...

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Waterproof trail running shoe

Salomon XT Wings GTX

*Est. $160 Compare Prices

The Salomon XT Wings GTX is a rugged trail-running shoe that reviewers pick for wet and wintery weather. Women's Adventure magazine gives it an Editor's Choice award, and the British edition of Men's Fitness also gives it… a nod as one of the best trail running shoes. Reviewers praise the single-pull lacing system and find that the Gore-Tex waterproof membrane keeps feet dry, even if it does reduce the shoe's breathability. If the price tag makes you hesitate, the Teva Aniso eVent is nearly as well reviewed, and it costs $60 less.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

RunningTimes.com: Testers for Running Times find the Salomon XT Wings GTX very stable, while still offering a good amount of flexibility. However, ...

Women's Adventure magazine: Women's Adventure gives the Salomon XT Wings GTX an Editor's Choice award for 2009, recommending these trail runners for extreme ...

BackpackGearTest.org: The Salomon XT Wings GTX exceeds the expectations of Ken Norris, who writes a lengthy review of these trail-running shoes for ...

BackpackGearTest.org: Jennifer Estrella tests the women's version of the Salomon XT Wings GTX, although she uses them primarily for hiking and not ...

Men's Fitness (U.K.): Men's Fitness reviews the Salomon XT Wings without Gore-Tex, and like other reviews, praises the easy lacing system and finds it ...

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Backcountry- .com

for $127.96

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