Trail Gear Picks
Buying guide

The Best Trail Runners for Hiking

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Six trail running shoes for day hikes and backpacking, from about $60 to $180, with the size to order, the widths and what owners complain about.

By Alex HartDay trails mostly, a few nights out a year, mountains when the time allows.
Updated Nov 2026·19 compared

The Altra Lone Peak 9 costs about $120, weighs about 11 ounces a shoe, and gives your feet room. They swell over a long day, and this toe box leaves them somewhere to go. It's the shoe I'd buy first for trail hiking, in your normal size. Its weak spot is wet rock, where some owners slip and the Lone Peak 9+ does better for about $160.

If rocks beat up your feet, take the Cascadia 19, about $110, which has a shield under the forefoot. If you want a softer landing without going flat, the Ultraventure 4 has the cushion. And if your trails are cold and wet for months, the Cascadia 19 GTX keeps the water out.

See the 6 picks

Our picks

Altra Lone Peak 9
Our pick
Altra Lone Peak 9

The shoe long-distance hikers keep coming back to. Your toes lie flat, your feet have room to swell, and it costs about $120.

Check price on Amazon$118.75
Brooks Cascadia 19
Rough-trail pick
Brooks Cascadia 19

A rock shield under the forefoot and 5 mm lugs, for trails where you feel every stone in thinner shoes. About $110 now that the 20 is out.

Check price on Amazon$101.53
Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4
Cushion pick
Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4

A roomy toe box like the Altra, with a 5 mm drop and a thick midsole that doesn't collapse under a loaded pack.

Check price on Amazon$116.25
Hoka Speedgoat 7
Grip pick
Hoka Speedgoat 7

The lightest shoe here and the grippiest, with 5 mm Vibram lugs. It's also the one owners argue about most, so check the fit first.

Check price on Amazon$164.47
Brooks Cascadia 19 GTX
Waterproof pick
Brooks Cascadia 19 GTX

The Cascadia with a Gore-Tex lining bonded to the upper. For snow, slush and cold mud, when wet feet would mean cold feet.

Check price on Amazon$179.95
Saucony Excursion TR17
Budget pick
Saucony Excursion TR17

Real lugs for about $60, the cheap way for a beginner to find out whether trail runners suit them. Best on easy trails.

Check price on Amazon$72.00

At a glance

Product names go to Amazon. Rank numbers jump to the full write-up.

ShoeBest forWeight per shoeHeel dropWide optionAbout
1Altra Lone Peak 9Most hikers11.2 oz0 mmYes, same price$120
2Brooks Cascadia 19Rocks and roots10.7 oz6 mmYes$110
3Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4Soft landings10.4 oz5 mmYes$115
4Hoka Speedgoat 7Slick ground9.7 oz5 mmYes, about $50 more$165
5Brooks Cascadia 19 GTXCold, wet trailsSlightly over 10.7 oz6 mmStandard here$180
6Saucony Excursion TR17Under $7510.3 ozNot listedYes$60

The best trail running shoes for hiking, ranked

1Most hikers
Altra Lone Peak 9

Altra Lone Peak 9

The shoe long-distance hikers keep coming back to. Your toes lie flat, your feet have room to swell, and it costs about $120.

$118.75$134.9512% off
Check price on Amazon
FootShape toe boxZero dropMaxTrac outsoleGore-Tex version exists
+Read the full write-up

Why I picked it

This is the trail runner other trail runners get measured against, and thru-hikers have worn it for years. By the afternoon of a hot day your feet are a size bigger than they were at the trailhead, and this is the shoe with space for that. Heel and forefoot sit at the same height. Altra's number is 11.15 ounces a shoe, and the wide costs the same as the standard.

It has moderate cushion and no rock plate. On smooth or muddy trails that's a good trade, and one longtime Lone Peak fan moved on only after the trails got rocky enough to feel individual stones. Expect about 350 miles from a pair.

Who it is for

Hikers putting in big days on established trail, especially in the heat, and anyone who has lost a toenail on a descent.

What owners report

Reports on this version are few, so these are counts and not proportions. Of 18 men's reviews, 13 give it five stars, and the toe box is the reason. Owners admit it looks odd, and they keep buying it anyway: one on a fourth pair just ordered two more.

Grip is the real complaint: a very loyal repeat buyer kept slipping in a new pair, though another owner had no such trouble. The men's wide wasn't wide enough for one buyer.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

  • Grip on wet rock is the weak spot. The Lone Peak 9+ below fixes it for about $40 more.
  • You feel sharp rocks through it.
  • Going flat is hard on calves that aren't used to it, so don't make your first outing a long one.

Fit and sizing

Normal size. Of 17 buyers who answered, 11 said true, 4 said large and 2 said small.

2
Brooks Cascadia 19
Rocks and roots

Brooks Cascadia 19

A rock shield under the forefoot and 5 mm lugs, for trails where you feel every stone in thinner shoes. About $110 now that the 20 is out.

$101.53$149.9532% off
See it on Amazon
Ballistic Rock ShieldTrailTack Green outsoleGaiter tab at the heelDNA LOFT v3 cushioning
+Read the full write-up

Why I picked it

On trails like the ones I hike in Pisgah, where the rocks and roots never stop, I'd want what this shoe has. A flexible rock shield sits under the forefoot, the lugs are 5 mm, and there's more foam here than in the older versions: Brooks added 4 mm under the forefoot. It weighs about 10.7 ounces and has a 6 mm drop, close to a regular running shoe.

The 20 has replaced it, which is why the 19 now sells for about $110 on Amazon. There's a tab at the heel for a gaiter, and it comes in a wide.

Who it is for

Hikers who want protection underfoot and don't want to get used to zero drop.

What owners report

One long-time Cascadia buyer is glad the toe box got fixed after the 18, and one with wider feet is comfortable in the medium. The same owner warns that it isn't built for hopping from rock to rock, and is at its best on packed, established trail. Another felt the newer version gave less support at the outer edge and wore out sooner than the last.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

  • Narrower up front than the Altra or the Topo.
  • Not very stable for scrambling across big rocks.
  • Brooks changes it every year, so your favorite version won't stay on sale.

Fit and sizing

Your usual size for most. On the fit survey, 80% called it true to size and 93% true to width, though some reviews were written for a prize draw.

3
Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4
Soft landings

Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4

A roomy toe box like the Altra, with a 5 mm drop and a thick midsole that doesn't collapse under a loaded pack.

$116.25
See it on Amazon
35 mm heel, 30 mm forefootVibram XS Trek EVOZipFoam midsoleNo rock plate
+Read the full write-up

Why I picked it

Topo trail running shoes give you the wide toe box people love about Altra, with a small 5 mm drop that spares your calves. This one is 35 mm of foam at the heel and 30 at the forefoot, and it holds its shape under a pack. One hiker took it 26 miles on the Inca Trail with a 15-pound pack and came off with happy feet.

There's no rock plate, so the foam does all the protecting and the shoe stays flexible. At about 10.4 ounces and about $115 on Amazon, it's a lot of shoe, and it's the one I'd take if my knees were complaining.

Buy it if

You like a roomy front but zero drop has never worked for you, or your feet ache at the end of a long day on hard ground.

Skip it if

Your feet are narrow, or your trails are mostly loose dirt and mud, where its grip falls behind.

What owners report

Owners call it comfortable and like the wide front with a narrower heel, which suits bunions especially well. A long-time Topo wearer finds this version bigger in the toe box than the last, and says the recycled material wears out sooner. Arch support splits them: for some it's just right, while one felt the bump in the wrong place. And one buyer of the wide went through three pairs in which the left and right didn't match.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

  • Some owners see the upper and tread wear sooner than they'd like.
  • A higher arch than many shoes, which not every foot wants.
  • Short laces, and only average grip on loose ground and mud.

Fit and sizing

True to size for about 8 in 10 buyers on a survey that mixes men and women. If you're coming from an older Ultraventure, expect more room.

4
Hoka Speedgoat 7
Slick ground

Hoka Speedgoat 7

The lightest shoe here and the grippiest, with 5 mm Vibram lugs. It's also the one owners argue about most, so check the fit first.

$164.47
See it on Amazon
Vibram MegaGrip5 mm lugsMaximum cushionMinimal tongue
+Read the full write-up

Why I picked it

If your hike means mud, slick slabs and steep dirt, this has the grip. The 5 mm Vibram lugs were redesigned for this version, and they bite on soft ground better than the old ones. It's also the lightest here, at 9.7 ounces, and it still has maximum cushion. One hiker wore through two pairs of older Speedgoats on a 750-mile stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail, and 450 to 500 miles a pair is a fair guess.

I'd still think about it twice, because owners and magazines don't agree on this one.

Buy it if

You already know Hoka fits your foot, and grip matters more to you than anything else.

Skip it if

Your feet are wide or you're buying blind. Order the wide, at about $50 more, or start with another shoe.

What owners report

The fit is where it goes wrong. Of the 22 men's reviews, 12 give it three stars or fewer, and buyers report a short length and a toe box that's too narrow, including one who got a usual Hoka size 10 and found it small both ways. One calls it a step down for Hoka, with no cushion to speak of.

The fans are just as firm. A man who walks more than 10 miles a day gave up years of Cascadias for it, expecting the softer sole to wear sooner and deciding the comfort was worth it.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

  • Runs short and narrow for many owners, and some find the upper stiff over the toes.
  • The tongue is thin enough to bother some feet.
  • The most expensive mesh shoe here, at about $165.

Fit and sizing

A half size up helps the length, not a narrow toe box. Only about two-thirds of buyers called it true to size or true to width.

5
Brooks Cascadia 19 GTX
Cold, wet trails

Brooks Cascadia 19 GTX

The Cascadia with a Gore-Tex lining bonded to the upper. For snow, slush and cold mud, when wet feet would mean cold feet.

$179.95
See it on Amazon
Gore-Tex Invisible FitBallistic Rock ShieldTrailTack Green outsoleRuns warm in summer
+Read the full write-up

Why I picked it

Most waterproof trail runners are the regular shoe with a lining, and that's what this is: the Cascadia 19 with Gore-Tex added. It has the same rock shield and the same outsole. You pay about $70 more on Amazon and carry a little more weight, and in return your socks stay dry in snow, slush and the cold mud of spring.

Keep in mind that water can still come in over the top of the shoe, and once it's in, it takes a long time to get out. Summer hikers are better off in the mesh version, which drains and dries.

Who it is for

Hikers on cold, soggy trails, and anyone wearing trail runners through the winter.

What owners report

Reports on this version are few, so these are counts and not proportions. Owners like the waterproofing, and one ran through light snow and finished with dry feet. A narrow-footed owner found the medium snug in a good way. One buyer returned a pair for her husband because he could feel the ridges of the sole through his orthotic.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

  • Runs warm from late spring on.
  • Slow to dry once it's wet inside.
  • Costs about $70 more than the mesh Cascadia 19.

Fit and sizing

Too few answers on size to give a percentage, though none reported a problem. Start with your usual size.

6
Saucony Excursion TR17
Under $75

Saucony Excursion TR17

Real lugs for about $60, the cheap way for a beginner to find out whether trail runners suit them. Best on easy trails.

$72.00$80.0010% off
See it on Amazon
4.5 mm lugsVERSARUN cushioningRoad to trailMesh upper
+Read the full write-up

Why I picked it

Cheap trail runners are often road shoes with a tougher sole. This one has proper 4.5 mm lugs and a mesh upper, and it's what I'd point a beginner to: cheap trail shoes that let you find out whether you like hiking in runners, for about $60. It weighed 10.3 ounces when Zappos weighed a size 9 extra-wide.

It's built for easy trails and the road between them. On a rocky, rooty climb, the shoes above will do more for your feet.

Who it is for

New hikers, weekend walkers, and anyone who wants a shoe for the park path and the occasional trail.

What owners report

Owners like the value. One wears them to work on a golf course and calls the traction excellent, and another finds them all-day comfortable. Opinions on cushion split, with one owner calling the sole almost bare under the insole. Another says the materials feel cheap, and an owner of the older model finds this one bulkier.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

  • Feels narrow at first, and one buyer found even the wide a little tight, though another says it eased after two or three wears.
  • Thin cushion for some owners.
  • Not built for rocky trail.

Fit and sizing

True to size for about 8 in 10 buyers, and true to width for about the same.

Who this is for

These are shoes for day hikes and backpacking with a light load, for people who'd rather have light, quick-drying feet than a stiff sole. If you have weak ankles or carry a heavy pack over rough ground, a stiffer shoe will look after you better. Start with our lightweight hiking shoes, or go straight to the hiking boots guide.

The picks are listed in men's versions, and the women's versions are easy to find. The women's Lone Peak is less wide than the men's. For a list built around women's fit, see the best hiking shoes for women.

How to choose

Start with the width of your foot

Feet swell when you walk all day, and too little room is how blisters start. The Altra and the Topo are cut wide. The Cascadia sits in the middle and the Speedgoat runs narrow. A wide option helps, but some are only slightly wider than the standard.

Rock plate vs no rock plate

A rock plate is a thin, flexible layer in the sole that stops sharp stones from jabbing your foot. If your trails are rocky, get one, as in the Cascadia. On smooth trail you won't miss it, and a thick midsole like the Ultraventure's does much of the same job.

For long distance, take cushion and room

Over 15 or 20 miles, what hurts is the foot under pressure, not the weight of the shoe. Take more foam and more toe room than you think you need. The Lone Peak and the Ultraventure are where I'd start.

Waterproof only if your feet will get cold

A membrane adds a few ounces a pair and $15 to $40, and it traps sweat. Mesh soaks through in a creek and dries as you walk. Go waterproof for snow and cold spring mud, and stay in mesh the rest of the year.

The competition

Altra Lone Peak 9+

The same shoe as our top pick, with a stickier Vibram Megagrip sole. It's about $160 against about $120. Worth it if you hike on wet rock a lot.

Saucony Peregrine 16

A favorite with reviewers this year, about 9.5 ounces with a much improved grip on wet rock. At about $150 it's a fine alternative to the Speedgoat, though there's little yet from owners, and it isn't made for long stretches of deep mud.

Brooks Cascadia 20

The newer Cascadia has a Vibram Megagrip sole and sells for about $160. I'd take the 19 and keep the $50, unless wet grip is your main worry.

Salomon Speedcross 6

Unbeatable in mud and wet grass, but its deep lugs feel like cleats on hard dirt and it has a 12 mm drop. Against the Altra Lone Peak 9, it's the opposite shoe: tall, snug and made for mud, where the Altra is flat and roomy. Most hikers want the Altra.

Altra Olympus 6

The maximum-cushion Altra, at 12.2 ounces and sometimes with a hot spot at the heel. A strong choice under a heavy pack, but the Ultraventure is more than an ounce lighter.

Under Armour Charged Expanse Low Waterproof

A waterproof trail shoe for about $105, much cheaper than the Cascadia GTX. I'd pay more for a shoe with a longer record on the trail.

adidas Terrex Tracefinder 2

A low-top trail running shoe for about $80 in its weather-resistant version. It costs more than the Excursion, and I'd save the difference.

How we picked

Sold as a trail running shoe12 oz or less per shoeLugs of at least 4 mmA men's version on Amazon under $200Named in a major hiking guide or well reviewed by owners

Nineteen shoes from the hiking and thru-hiking lists were in the running. Weights are per shoe from the makers or the guides that list them, and the Excursion's is Zappos's measured size 9 extra-wide.

What owners report comes from Zappos review pages, and Zappos's fit survey is where the sizing notes come from. For thinly reviewed shoes you get raw counts.

Common questions

Are trail runners good for hiking?+

Yes, for most hikes on established trail. They're lighter, more comfortable out of the box and dry faster than boots. Stick with a stiffer shoe if you carry a heavy pack over rough ground, or if your ankles need the help.

What are the best trail sneakers?+

For most people, the Altra Lone Peak 9. If you want a shoe that also feels normal on the road, the Brooks Cascadia 19 and the Saucony Excursion TR17 both go from pavement to trail without complaint.

Are Altra shoes good for hiking?+

Very good, if you like the shape. The wide toe box suits a foot that swells, and the Lone Peak has been a thru-hiking regular for years. The two things to get used to are the zero drop and the lack of a rock plate on rough ground.

What is the difference between trail running shoes and road running shoes?+

Mostly the sole. Trail shoes have lugs, like small cleats, that dig into dirt and mud, and tougher uppers and toes. Road shoes are smoother and softer, and they slip on wet trail. Deep lugs can feel uncomfortable on pavement.

How long do trail runners last when hiking?+

About 300 to 500 miles. Treat the lower number as normal for softer shoes on rocky ground. Replace them when the cushion goes flat or the lugs wear smooth, even if the upper still looks fine.

The verdict

The one to buy first

The Lone Peak 9 is the trail runner for most hikers, at about $120. It gives your feet the room they need at the end of a long day.

Choose the Cascadia 19 for rocky ground, the Ultraventure 4 for more cushion, and the Cascadia 19 GTX for cold and wet months.

Check price on Amazon$118.75

Related guides

The Best Lightweight Hiking ShoesFive low hiking shoes that weigh 11 to 12 ounces each, from about $70 to $190, with the size to order and the widths each one comes in.The Best Hiking BootsHow to get the size and the width right on the first order, across six waterproof mid boots from about $110 to $280.The Best Lightweight Hiking BootsMid boots that keep your feet dry without dragging on the last miles, from about $110 to $240.