Here at Esquire, we love our trail shoes. Hiking shoes, water-repellent sneakers, stylish pairs that embrace GORPcore—we love ’em all. So while we’ve talked about our favorite trail running shoes—we consider that more of a style breakdown—we’re now here to put the emphasis on the running.
Whether it’s On, Hoka, Adidas, or another brand, the best trail running shoes have specific factors that make them optimized for peak performance. Traction, durability, and protectiveness are key. To achieve these three factors, you will want to look for pairs with a strong off-road grip, a resistant yet breathable upper, and a rock plate and a toe cap to shield your feet from sharp objects (or rocks).
The best trail running sneakers don’t mess around, and neither do we. That’s why we rounded up our favorite pairs for every type of runner. Whether you’re planning on racking up the miles or just going for a light jog, these trail sneakers are up for the challenge.