Trail vs Road Running Shoes: Which Do You Really Need?
If hitting the pavement simply isn't enough for your daily runs, you may be inclined to take up trail running. Unlike traditional road running, trail running takes you off the asphalt and into nature. Across dirt paths, forest floors, rocky terrain, and mountain trails. It's where endurance meets exploration.
In this guide, we’ll break down what trail running is, how it differs from other types of running, and what the differences are between trail and road runners.
What Is Trail Running?
Trail running is a form of running that takes place on natural terrain. Instead of sidewalks and roads, trail runners tackle uneven surfaces like wooded trails, desert paths, alpine routes, or even snowy ridgelines. It’s a full-body workout that challenges not only your cardiovascular endurance but also your agility and strength.
While trail running can range from a casual jog through your local park to ultra-distance races across rugged landscapes, the one thing all trail runs have in common is terrain that requires specialised gear and focus.
Trail Running Shoes
Trail running shoes have pretty much become an "evolved" form of your regular road running shoe. Think of trail shoes as an off-road or rugged version of your favourite runners. Regular road running shoes feature relatively flat outsoles for increased speed and traction on smooth surfaces, while trail running shoes feature lugged outsoles to increase grip on loose, uneven, and slippery terrain.
Additionally, trail shoes typically fit closer to the foot to maximise control and precision when attempting to move quickly across tough, uneven terrain, whereas road shoes typically feature a broader, more comfortable toe box. It's also true, however, that performance running shoe brands are offering more models with a wide-width option after hearing the needs of trail runners with wide feet. New Balance's Hiero v9 is a good example of this "wide-friendly" approach in the market, with the shoe offered in regular and wide widths in both men's and women's. Once again, it's all about what works best for you, so if you would rather have more wiggle space in your trail shoes or a snug toe box in your road shoes, that's definitely what you should do.
Is there something in between?
Hybrid running shoes, sometimes referred to as road-to-trail running shoes, offer versatility for mixed-terrain running by combining elements of road and trail running shoes. They differ from specialised trail running shoes in the following important ways:
Outsole: Road-to-trail shoes are comfortable on roads but provide great traction on trails thanks to their somewhat aggressive tread patterns. For better traction on rough terrain, dedicated trail shoes feature deeper, more aggressive lugs that'll help grip any surface they come into contact with.
Cushioning: Hybrid shoes strike a balance between protection on trails and tried-and-true road comfort. In general, they are less cushioned than road-specific shoes but more cushioned than trail shoes, a bit of a "Goldilocks" approach.
Upper: To manage trail debris and offer comfort for road running, hybrid shoes have sturdy yet flexible uppers. For the best defence against challenging trail conditions, trail shoes have sturdy, reinforced uppers. Sometimes trail shoes will come with waterproof (or highly water-resistant) uppers, often signified by a GORE-TEX logo on the shoe or in the product name.
Support: Hybrids give moderate support, suited for different surfaces. Strong support and stability are provided by trail shoes, which are made especially for rough, challenging trails.
Hybrid shoes are ideal for runners who frequently transition between road and trail, while dedicated trail shoes are best for primarily off-road running.
Explore our latest collection of men’s and women’s trail running shoes.
