Running in the mountains has always been a type of race that has been present, but in recent months, we have been able to see how more and more people have been encouraged to make the leap from asphalt to trail running, even for reasons of the pandemic. When we do it on this type of terrain, not only does the running technique or rhythm change, but also the entire kit, but especially the shoes, which are the ones that absorb all the impacts first.
For this reason, it is important to choose this type of footwear correctly, because they are the ones that will accompany you in all your training sessions and races, from short distances to a marathon or ultramarathon. As we have been doing in recent years, here we present the best trail running shoes of 2022. And it is not an easy task, because more and more sports shoe brands are launching to design specific models for this type of race. And many of them have already begun to present us with proposals that we are sure will be the object of desire for many runners next year.
From Nike, Adidas, New Balance to others such as Asics, Saucony, Mizuno, Hoka and other brands so you can see at a glance what the trends are in the world of trail running for this coming year 2022. But, what are the trail running shoes that are sweeping? While those that incorporate the carbon fiber plate are sweeping the asphalt, we are also beginning to see it in the mountains, but they bet more on lightness, reactivity and protection.
What are the best trail running shoes of 2022?
Every month, we will be compiling the best releases in trail running shoes for this 2022 so that you can be aware of the great news in case you are looking for the ones that will be your next training partners and mountain races. While you can discover the list of the shoes that have swept 2021 or even if you want you can also take a look at the models that did the same in 2020, and appreciate how innovation in technologies and compounds evolve.
New Balance Fresh Foam Iron V6
New Balance's most off-road trail running shoes are now in their sixth edition since they first came out back in 2016. Designed taking inspiration from the Canary Island of El Hierro, they maintain their philosophy of enduring stones, mud and everything that is get in the way of your long-distance runs or bush walks.
Thanks to its soft Fresh Foam X midsole, the tread is cushioned, with a certain dynamism and the transitions are more agile to the point that you can be running for many kilometers without your feet suffering, because it also ensures that you hardly notice what your feet are stepping on. That is where the thick Vibram MegaGrip sole comes into play and in which a very compact and uniform tread is drawn, giving it much more grip and traction both on paths with some stone. such as forest trails, quick mud release, as well as good protection.
The upper part of the Fresh Foam Hierro V6 has been reinforced with a single-layer mesh and TPU yarn reinforcements to better withstand the conditions you find on the trails. In addition, it has laser-cut ventilation holes that make the foot ventilated and a double-layer heat seal that reinforces the toe of the shoe to avoid the typical and inevitable blows that you can receive due to the impact of branches, stones or the like.
BUY NOW
Hoka One One Zinel
Hoka has provided these shoes with all the features you need to run in the mountains safely but with maximum lightness and agility. The key is in its complete construction. On the one hand, the midsole of the Hoka Zinal has dual-density PROFLY technology that offers quick transitions from heel to toe, as well as great responsiveness to fly fast over long distances. This speed and lightness is combined with durability and traction, that's where the sole comes into play, which is made with Vibram Megagrip Litebase and 4-millimeter studs that also ensure efficient movement on technical and mountainous terrain.
BUY NOW
Craft CTM Ultra Carbon
It looks like a super shoe for flying on asphalt, and it is because they have many features in common: thick sole, carbon plate and even a winged heel, but they are designed for "any surface, any distance". Craft has designed a shoe that is quite versatile and focused above all on ultra-distance races. While it's unstable on technical trails, but that's to be expected as it's not a pure trail model, on gravel and pavement the Ultra Carbon is robust, responsive and nimble.
It has a 10mm drop that pushes you forward immediately, and its rocker under the forefoot helps make transitions smooth and effortless. Unlike other shoes that combine a super soft foam with a carbon fiber plate, the CTM Ultra Carbon stiffens the shoe to improve stability in the forefoot. As soon as your foot begins to run forward, you can feel the stiff plate lifting the rear of the shoe to quickly propel you forward.
Nike Pegasus Trail 3 GORE-TEX
They have become one of the most popular shoes among trail runners. Since they were released back in 2019, it is a safe bet to run on all types of trails even in bad weather. The key to the third version of the Nike Pegasus Trail is that they offer soft, light, reactive and dynamic cushioning thanks to the React foam that occupies the entire midsole. The hourglass is now wider to allow maximum comfort in the race, but also that extra stability you need to be able to adapt to multiple mountain terrains.
In addition to a breathable and flexible fabric, the upper incorporates a series of reinforcements in the midfoot to increase the feeling of support and protection. In addition, the tongue is perforated in order to better drain the water that can filter while you run, although it incorporates a gaiter in the ankle area to prevent dirt and water from entering the shoe. And the best thing is that it is its GORE-TEX layer. The sole is inspired by the tires of the wheels of mountain bikes and this already tells you directly that it will provide you with the best traction and grip on any type of terrain, both uphill and downhill.
BUY NOW
Brooks Cascadia 16
The Cascadia 16 are part of one of the most legendary sagas of the American brand. The key to being such a popular trail running shoe is its comfort and support without sacrificing an unbeatable combination of reactivity, grip and traction on any type of terrain. This new version is presented with great changes. To begin with, its midsole includes DNA Loft V2 foam, which offers up to 5% more softness and 20% more lightness. This compound also manages to raise the thickness of the midsole by 2mm and allows a greater return of energy in each step along with greater flexibility, firmness and stability in transitions.
The outsole also has a lot to say because in addition to increasing that stability with each stride, the TrailTack rubber compound easily adapts to any type of ground and thanks to the multidirectional design of the studs, it improves the removal of mud as you run. . The upper cut is not only now more modern and elegant, it also has a new mesh fabric that allows greater adaptability, flexibility and protection of the foot.
BUY NOW
Adidas Terrex Agravic Ultra
The German brand has created, together with the Russian athlete specialized in trail running Ekaterina Mityaeva, a shoe specially designed to complete long-distance races in the mountains. And so the very name of it claims: Terrex Agravic Ultra. Being designed for pure competition: a thermoplastic elastomer plate is hidden between the midsole, so running fast in the mountains will be a different experience with this model. This TPE carbon plate is combined with Boost and Lightstrike technologies to give you optimal energy return and lightweight cushioning on mountainous terrain while protecting your foot from impact.
The sole of these trail running shoes, which takes inspiration from the wheels of gravel bikes, is made with the full Continental rubber compound and some 4 mm molded studs to ensure the best grip and traction on technical terrain and increase its durability. Regarding the upper, the Terrex Agravic Ultra is made with recycled materials and is light, breathable and with great support. It has a padded reinforcement in the heel area to protect the Achilles. It also has a nice and colorful design and we are sure that we will see them in many competitions in 2022. In fact, to begin with, they premiered at the UTMB in 2021.
BUY NOW
Hoka ONE ONE Challenger ATR 6
Versatility. That is the word that defines this trail running shoe that Hoka has designed. The Challenger ATR 6 is designed to run on easy trails, forest tracks and even hard asphalt, prioritizing comfort and lightness on all surfaces. The key is mainly in its midsole with its characteristic maximalist design where the CMEVA foam is the main protagonist, which also has the ability to absorb each impact in an unbeatable way, even giving you a greater degree of stability when walking.
The sole has 4 mm studs that, thanks to its wide and spaced design, offer good grip on dirt or rocky paths. The upper has been built respecting the environment, as it is made with a recycled yarn called UNIFI Repriew, which makes strides comfortable, flexible, breathable, resistant and adapts to the foot like a glove, offering incredible support.
BUY NOW
Saucony Endorphin Trail
The Endorphin Trail that Saucony has designed is synonymous with lightness, dynamism and speed to face any type of technical terrain. With a maximalist design that calls directly to the competition, its midsole is covered by PWRRUN PB foam and SPEEDROLL technology that together achieve an effect of propulsion, reactivity, stability and protection never seen before. Sensations that increase the outsole composed of PWRTRAC and 5 mm studs, which also guarantee grip even on fast descents or on mud, water or stones. While the upper offers a sock-like fit that ensures foot support but allows freedom of movement at all times, as well as good ventilation.
BUY NOW
Asics Fuji Lite 2
The Japanese brand has designed this trail running shoe taking Mount Fuji as its inspiration, hence its name. But it is not in vain, Asics has built this model to ensure maximum comfort, cushioning and versatility to climb to the top of a mountain. In its midsole, the FLYTEFOAM foam will provide your strides with a good response capacity, as well as high protection and softness both in short-distance races and those more demanding workouts.
To build the sole of this trail running shoe, Asics has taken its best compound: Asics Contagrip with studs in the shape of an animal's hoof, not only because it achieves good traction on any type of mountainous terrain, even the most technical, but also because stands out for its high resistance to abrasion. So safety and durability are more than promised. For the upper, they opt for a mesh fabric that favors greater ventilation, fit and support to achieve maximum performance in the race.
BUY NOW
Merrell Moab Flight
Merrell has made its range of hiking shoes make the leap to trail running. The Moab Flight have been optimized to provide you with protection and safety when running on flat and not very technical terrain, and they are also totally vegan. Since part of its materials are made from recycled elements. The FloatPro foam combined with EVA technology in the midsole to ensure excellent cushioning capacity as well as incredible shock absorption. When building the bottom of this mountain shoe, they have opted for Vibram Ecodura rubber for better grip and traction on the ground. While the upper is constructed from a breathable mesh along with a traditional lacing for maximum comfort, fit and support.
BUY NOW
Salomon Ultra-Glide
The French brand has created a mixed trail running shoe, that is, it will be a perfect option both for training and for race day with the best cushioning and comfort. For the midsole, Salomon has relied on the Energy Surge foam that, in combination with a characteristic rocker-type rocker shape, will provide you with a reactive and cushioned footprint for dynamic movements throughout the race. On the sole, the Contagrip MA and the 4mm studs will offer you traction, grip and flexibility on compact and technical terrain.
The upper is constructed with the light and breathable Sensifit mesh fabric and the Quicklac lacing system for greater foot support. In addition, it has a soft tongue to avoid discomfort in the upper part of the foot and a reinforced heel to offer greater support on the run.
BUY NOW
Brooks Boiler 5
The Brooks Caldera is one of the most emblematic shoes from Brooks for running long and hard in the mountains and its fifth edition has arrived to be even more comfortable and with greater cushioning. Two characteristics that define its essence very well. In the midsole there is still one of the preferred cushioning technologies of the American brand: the BioMoGo DNA compound. The reason is in its high capacity for reactivity and fluidity in the tread, which if we add to this the rocker-type maximalist silhouette, you will feel how your transitions are much faster and lighter without losing comfort.
For the bottom of these shoes, Brooks once again opts for the TrailTack rubber compound and some not very prominent studs to easily adapt to any type of not very technical ground. The upper is where you will find all the novelties of this fifth model of the Caldera and thus satisfy the support needs requested by the runners. For this reason, in addition to using a light and breathable fabric, reinforcing the toe area and the sides for greater security, it has provided them with a new lacing system to make the fit totally personal.
BUY NOW
Adidas Terrex Speed Ultra
Flying long-distance races up the mountain? It can, and the Adidas Terrex Speed Ultra are ready to help you steal seconds from the clock. A trail running shoe for agile runners with good technique, since lightness is its main feature thanks in part to its Lightstrike foam in the midsole, which also includes Boost to increase the cushioning and reactivity you need when running. to run. Without losing an iota of stability in the tread.
The sole plays a key role and its inspiration comes directly from the wheels of gravel bikes. The Continental rubber compound is the protagonist and the 2.5mm lugs the secondary actor and their combination allows you to step at full speed on any type of terrain and road, and even on wet floors. The upper is made from a light and breathable mesh with welded reinforcements to increase its resistance to wear and tear and to heel reinforcements that achieve maximum comfort throughout the race.
BUY NOW
Saucony Peregrine 11
Prepared to cover all types of terrain and situations, the Saucony Peregrine will provide you with highly reactive strides and a firm cushioning sensation throughout the race. In the midsole, the PWRRUN foam is in charge of that, in addition to offering greater softness and dynamism in the tread. A semi-rigid plate between the midsole and the sole manages to protect the foot. The bottom of these trail running shoes is made of PWRTRAC and 5mm studs that result in greater durability, traction and grip. While the upper cut incorporates a light fabric that is quite breathable and a new internal support system to increase safety in the race.
BUY NOW
Nike Wildhorse 7
Although we will surely see a new version in 2022, the Nike Wildhorse 7 will continue to be a safe bet for many trail runners in their careers. This edition was presented with a new upper cut thanks to a fabric that makes footsteps much lighter, more breathable and more comfortable, as well as the innovative lacing system to create unbeatable support, protection and flexibility of the foot in the race. In the midsole, the React foam remains intact to achieve that optimal explosiveness and reactivity that you need when running in the mountains.
The outsole has also changed thanks to a new lug that is more aggressive, wide and multidirectional for better grip and traction on descents and ascents on rocky terrain. In addition, it goes up the heel area and around the ankle, as in the sixth version, to offer greater stability, comfort and protection. Not forgetting its colorful and beautiful color combination.
BUY NOW
Nike Juniper Trail
For those runners who have decided to take their first steps up the mountain, the Nike Juniper Trail is a more than perfect option. The reasons are in its sole since it is designed to run on all types of terrain but not technical. Its midsole has a foam that will guarantee optimal cushioning capacity and impeccable shock absorption during the race. The upper has a mesh fabric that will give you a light, breathable and comfortable tread, which together with its last and its Flywire lacing system will feel that sensation of protection and support for greater stability in the race. Not forgetting its affordable price.
BUY NOW
