what are the best trail shoes?

TopoAthletic Ultraventure. Wide toe box, narrow no-slip heel, sturdy construction. Weep holes for stream crossings. 5MM drop which for me was the correct amount to minimize calf issues. Tried less drop and had nothing but pain. And they come in size 13. Already 200+ miles and they’re holding up well.

I just started wearing the G 270… love them for trail running.  Sorry to hear durable isn’t as advertised :(. I was trying them instead of my normal Altra Superior which I really like except the sole wear off by ~400 miles.  Cushion is likely impacted before then, but none of my other shoes have cushion so I don’t notice.  I also am just started to wear a pair of Xero TerraFlex (though I think the Mesa Trail might have been a better choose) for hiking in hopes that the sole would actually make it’s guaranteed 5k miles. I only hike in them… they feel a bit “dead”, and are higher volume in the back of the shoe (I need to wear extra thick socks) for me to run in them.

The best trail shoes are the ones that fit your feet, don’t give your feet any problems like blisters and sweating, and have good traction, side slip stability, and long wear on the trails and in the conditions that you experience.

Long way of saying everyone’s different. I went through about a dozen pairs of trail shoes over 10 years, most of them frequently recommended by others. But many of those shoes didn’t work for me.

Since you asked, I’m currently wearing the rarely recommended Hoka One One Challenger ATR 4 trail runners. They’re comfy and don’t hurt my feet and work well on the trails I use, but they don’t last very long. I’ll try something different next time.

And feet change. Shoes I used to love wouldn’t work now.

— Rex

With my neuropathy I’ve been wearing Bedrock Sandals.  I love them!  They are comfortable and the tread is lasting.

The Xero TerraFlex work well for me when day hiking. Wide toe box. I hardly know I’m wearing them on most trails and when hiking cross-country over granite. I never get blisters.

The only place where they weren’t fully satisfactory is the trail from Twin Lakes to Island Lake in the Desolation Wilderness. It’s over basalt, which weathers into angular pieces that I can feel though the soles. But the TerraFlexes are fine on trails over granite where the rocks are more rounded.

I haven’t tried the TerraFlexes when carrying a pack. I wear my Hi-Tec V-lites for backpacking.

I like the La Sportiva Ultra Raptors.  I have a narrow foot and a narrow heel and they seem to do the best with my foot.  The downside is the outsole doesn’t last very long.

The most important thing is to get something that fits your feet well.

Yes, they’re your feet. I’m wide-footed, and so are the folks who like Keen and Altra. Get something that works for your foot width.

I love the grippy rubber used on the soles but I wear em out too quick, patially because I wear out the heel long before the rest of the sole. I wish the shoes had a mix of sticky rubber and a long lasting heel or a layer of long lasting more durable rubber under the sticky rubber. Did not know if there was anything out there like that, I know winter boots have a mix.

Best trail shoes are ones that fit your feet, and are suitable for the hiking you do.

Period.

You will know when you found them because you won’t need Band-Aids like ridiculous sock combinations or goop smeared on your feet.  And you’ll never get blisters.

I’ve said it dozens of times. Order shoes from a place with free shipping and free return shipping…… Zappos or running Warehouse…. And try dozens of pairs in different sizes and with different ways of lacing them in the comfort of your own home.  You simply cannot do it in a store. The selection is small, you don’t have the time, or probably your backpack to carry around.

It takes me months to pick a new pair of shoes. And when I find one I like i buy several pairs

.