The best trail shoes in our 2020 Product Awards...
Best Trail Shoe: Winner
NEW BALANCE Fresh Foam Hierro V5 | £125
This shoe stood out due to its all-round performance. Esther tested this shoe on the hilly trails surrounding Bath: “These shoes are so impressively comfy, especially on longer runs where you rely on internal support for your feet. The cushioning was brilliant, whether it was light trails or more tricky, technical paths, and I enjoyed wearing these on hikes as well as runs. They felt supportive, with lovely non-slip soles and good-sized lugs.” Another high score was given for the Hierro from Tina: “The toe protector felt solid, no matter how rocky it was underfoot, and you feel you have ‘megagrip’ with the Vibram outsole which feels rugged without the lugs being too clumpy.”
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Best Trail Shoe: Best Value
HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat 4 | £125
For value for money on the trail, the HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat 4 could not be beaten. Tina said: “I can’t fault these when it comes to value for money as they offer so much; even on a small/narrow foot they were a great fit, your arch is well supported as is your heel. Excellent grip and rugged, despite being so light.”
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Best Trail Shoe: Editor’s Choice
SALOMON Speedcross 5 | £120
You can’t give awards in the trail category without Salomon getting a nod, and the Speedcross 5 is a fantastic trail shoe. Whether it’s muddy fields, technical trails in the woods or up and down hills, the Speedcross 5 offers stability and traction on all terrains; a brilliant product you can just tell is made by people who understand trails.
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Best Trail Shoe: Highly Commended
COLUMBIA F.K.T Trail Running Shoe | £90
Narrowly missing out on the Best Value award, this shoe is definitely worth a mention. If you’re looking to spend less than £100 then the Columbia F.K.T. shoes are a fantastic choice. They’re super lightweight and comfortable, and the directional lugs offer a reliable non-slip trail experience. Columbia clearly value durability, with no sew overlay so you can clock up your miles without them falling apart.