2015 Fall Trail Running Shoe Guide

Written by
Erica Schuckies
The latest trail running shoes will take you off road, out of bounds and extra high to the most remote and rugged places—all while keeping your feet protected, warm and dry.
Altra Lone Peak 2.5
$120
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The 2.5 version of the Lone Peak is a direct result of feedback from Altra customers, which mainly focused on overall comfort and durability of the shoe. Still featuring Altra's signature zero-drop platform, this version is lighter, tougher and better performing. A StoneGuard protects your feet from rocks and uneven terrain, and a FootShape toe box lets your toes splay as you run, which—along with the zero-drop design—promotes a more natural running style.

Shoes in image are men's.
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Asics Gel-FujiTrabuco 4 Neutral
$120
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This neutral shoe is designed to balance comfort and performance, with an improved upper for a better fit and reverse lugs on the outsole for traction uphill and downhill on all terrain. A MONO-SOCK fit system uses an internal sleeve to fit these shoes to your feet just as the name suggests—like a sock. The midsole is lighter than most Asics shoes, but a Rock Protection Plate shields your feet from rocky or uneven terrain.

Shoes in image are men's.
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Brooks PureGrit 4
$120
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The PureGrit trail shoe is part of Brooks' Connect Me running experience, for those wanting to create a natural connection to the ground with each step. A nav-band wraps your foot to create a tight, tucked in feeling and a rounded heel minimizes stress on your joints. Lightweight and flexible, the low-profile design doesn't give up protection, as aggressive hexagon-shaped lugs grip every inch of trail, and an underfoot ballistic rock shield protects your tootsies from the elements.

Shoes in image are women's.
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HOKA Speedgoat
$140
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Inspired by the technical conditions of the Speedgoat 50K trail race, these namesake shoes are the perfect combination of rugged and comfortable. A full Vibram rubber outsole creates the highest level of grip in any conditions, and a ground-rubber toecap protects your toes when the going gets tough(er). Side cuts on the sole allow for flexibility on uneven terrain, and a stripped down tongue lets the shoe fit naturally to your foot.

Shoes in image are men's.
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La Sportiva Mutant
$130
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With a lacing harness technology that integrates vertical reinforcements on each side of the shoe, the Mutant is designed for impeccable fit. La Sportiva created a Spyraltongue technology—basically a split tongue—for easy on-off action, and their Frixion rubber sole is sticky but tough enough to hold up against the outdoor elements. A high-cut ankle cuff provides extra coverage from kicked-up rocks and branches, but taller socks are recommended to avoid blisters near the ankle.

Shoes in image are women's.
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Merrell All Out Terra Waterproof
$180
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Designed for snowy trails and sub-freezing weather, Merrell's new All Out Terra Ice provide a stable and supportive ride in wintery conditions. Permanent tungsten spikes on the soles dig in to ice for the ultimate stability, and Merrell's TrailProtect pad offers extra cushioning on uneven trails. A tried and true waterproof upper keeps your feet dry and warm—even while buried in snow. Gaiters are recommended when running in deep snow, as the fairly low-cut heel doesn't cover much in back.

- Review by Ariana Schiff

Shoes in image are women's.
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Mizuno Wave Kazan
$119.99
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As the most versatile all-terrain footwear from Mizuno, this shoe's wide toe box and highly cushioned midsole are perfect for long runs on the trail. An aggressive X-studded outsole pattern has four-way grip and an X-designed midsole allows the forefoot and heel to move independently. The 9.5 oz. weight may make it feel like a lightweight trainer, but the rugged design will keep you running until the trail ends.

Shoes in image are men's.
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New Balance 910v2
$109.99
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These neutral, eco-friendly trail shoes are made with a debris-free construction, allowing good feelings for both your conscience and your feet. The same REVlite cushioning seen in New Balance's road shoes provides smooth and responsive shock absorption, while 4 mm triangular-shaped lugs on the full-contact sole let your foot grip every inch of trail. A strong but flexible Rock Stop in the forefoot defends against stone bruises, and a Toe Protect guards your digits against rocks and roots.

Shoes in image are men's.
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Nike Air Zoom Wildhorse 3
$110
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For the third iteration in the Wildhorse line, Nike added additional cushioning to differentiate it from the brand's brethren, the racing-friendly Terra Kiger. The responsive cushioning added only an ounce to the shoe's weight, while retaining the feel of the trail underfoot. The sturdy but still flexible rock plate under the forefoot had this tester comfortably bounding across technical terrain in both dry and wet conditions. Flywire cables lend a snug, adaptive feel to the midfoot—no rubbing encountered whatsoever—and the shoe is just generally a super smooth, very versatile ride. The rubber-reinforced, wider toe box and the TPU overlays around the toe and heel bestow the wearer with a damn-near-invincible feel out on the trail.

- Review by Melanie Clancy.

Shoes in image are women's.
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The North Face Ultra MT
$130
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This super light trail shoe is completely waterproof and made of a breathable ripstop mesh, keeping your feet both dry and protected. The Vibram Megagrip outsoles are seriously aggressive, with V-shaped lugs designed to dig into any terrain. A mesh material covers the lower part of the minimalistic tongue, prohibiting debris from entering the shoes. The collar features The North Face's FlashDry technology, which quickly pulls moisture away from the skin, ensuring you never deal with soggy socks again.

Shoes in image are men's.
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Salomon Speedcross 3
$130
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A favorite among obstacle course racers, the Speedcross trail shoe is a rugged option for any condition or terrain. Anti-debris mesh across the top of the shoe keeps out those stubborn stones and dirt, and deep lugs are great in soft conditions, especially sand, mud and snow. A Quicklace system allows for an easy on-off process, and the shoelace pocket in the tongue holds any excess lacing (finally, no more flopping!). These shoes best fit a narrow or low-volume foot, but the Sensifit technology is flexible enough to mold to most feet shapes.

Shoes in image are men's.
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Saucony Peregrine 5
$110
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Lighter and more flexible than Saucony's other trail shoes, the fifth edition of the Peregrine offers a low-profile and balanced feel for fast runs on all terrains. The 3 mm lug design features a dual direction pattern that grips while going up and down hills, and a super rigid heel counter holds your heel stable like a vice. Rock plates in the mid and forefoot provide protection from the terrain, while flex grooves along the entire sole create a high level of flexibility from all angles. Running through extra gnarly terrain? A clip near the toe lets you easily attach a gaiter onto the shoe.

Shoes in image are women's.
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