The 7 Best Trail Running Shoes for Women

Our Picks of Women's Trail Running Shoes

Best Overall

The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4

The The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4 is our highest-scoring model, and the best shoe for most trails and most runners. Built to be versatile, durable, and comfortable in most conditions, the Vectiv Enduris takes the cake when it comes to sheer awesomeness on the trails. Our lead tester gushes, “I seriously cannot stop talking about this shoe!” Outfitted with strong, grippy traction that inspires confidence, the Vective Enduris still maintains a familiar and traditional fit that's easy to love.

Measured Heel Stack Height	36 mm
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop	9 mm
Rock Plate	TPU plate
Measured Lug Depth	3.6 mm
Measured Weight i	8.20 oz

Runners seeking a pillowy landing platform or an ultra-wide toe box might find that the Vectiv Enduris lacks these comfort elements, but runners wanting reliably and versatility will enjoy what the Vectiv has to offer. Available for less than some of the other highest-scoring trail running shoes on the market, we think that the Vectiv Enduris by North Face will make most trail runners happy — from high alpine scree scramblers to neighborhood gravel path grinders.

Read more: The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4 review

Best on a Budget

Saucony Peregrine 15 - Women's

The Saucony Peregrine 15 rides like your forever favorite road running shoe, making it a top choice for runners seeking familiar comfort on the trails. Its multidirectional lug traction and updated cushioning make it a reliable and affordable choice for runners. The redesigned Peregrine offers well-rounded comfort, making it an awesome choice for runners who intend to spend extra time on the trails. The Peregrine demonstrates a strong value and is a reliable trail shoe.

Measured Heel Stack Height	30 mm
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop	4 mm
Rock Plate	Forefoot Rock Guard
Measured Lug Depth	5.6 mm
Measured Weight i	7.78 oz

The Saucony Peregrine 15 is not the most technologically advanced trail shoe on the market. This is a double-edged sword, since the latest tech can help shoes become even lighter and more powerful. One tester testifies, “I appreciate the simplicity of this shoe — it's one of the reasons I continue to reach for it.” Newer materials often result in a higher price tag, which we love that the Peregrine does not have. Runners seeking an affordable, do-it-all shoe will enjoy the ride of the Peregrine. Tech-minded runners might seek out a shoe with a bit more pizzazz.

Read more: Saucony Peregrine 15 review

A Seriously Versatile Shoe

Hoka Mafate Speed 4 - Women's

The Hoka Mafate Speed 4 combines a Vibram Litebase outsole with nimble, comfortable performance, making it ready for any trail challenge. With its lightweight design and versatile protection, it stands out as a preferred choice for runners who value simplicity. Lead tester Ally Arcuri raves, “This is the Hoka shoe I've been dreaming of!” Built to be the only trail shoe you need, the Mafate offers enough sturdiness for alpine terrain while remaining comfortable on everyday routes that cross rivers, streets, and fire roads. Its balanced design has quickly earned the enthusiasm of our experienced gear testers.

Measured Heel Stack Height	36 mm
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop	3 mm
Rock Plate	No
Measured Lug Depth	5.3 mm
Measured Weight i	7.96 oz

While the Mafate Speed 4 is on the verge of being lightweight, it could be lighter. We measured each shoe in a women's size 6.5 as 7.96 ounces, which is still lighter than average. This shoe is also on the pricier end of the spectrum — you pay for that terrain versatility. Ultimately, we think that the price and the versatile performance of the Mafate Speed make it a standout shoe that most trail runners will love.

Read More: Hoka Mafate Speed 4 review

A Great Crossover for Road to Trail

Nike Pegasus Trail 5 - Women's

The updated Nike Pegasus Trail 5 is a solid crossover shoe to take you from pavement to trails and back again because of its ample midfoot cushion and familiar-feeling fit. This shoe wears like many other shoes built by Nike, with a comfortable fit that many will appreciate. Its softer midsole and forgiving outsole materials allow it to feel insulated and ride neutrally on paved surfaces — and looks good doing it. One tester confessed, “I love how this shoe looks so much, and I'm glad it's got the comfort and runnability to back it up.”

Measured Heel Stack Height	31 mm
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop	9 mm
Rock Plate	No
Measured Lug Depth	3.5 mm
Measured Weight i	7.70 oz

The elements of the Nike Trail Pegasus 5 that make it a worthy crossover contender also detract from its ability to run more technical terrain. While the lugs are equipped for techier trail features, the softness of the midsole doesn't promote the agility needed when tackling challenging terrain. The upper of the Trail Pegasus is comfortable but perhaps a bit too flexible, detracting from this shoe's durability and rock protection. Runners who enjoy the fit of a classic Nike and want a crossover shoe for mild to moderate terrain or everyday wear will find joy in running in the latest version of the Trail Pegasus.

Read more: Nike Trail Pegasus 5 review

Best for Rugged Terrain

La Sportiva Bushido III - Women's

The La Sportiva Bushido III has always been a sensitive and trail-ready running shoe. This version has numerous improvements, making it a trail shoe that we eagerly deem the best for running seriously rugged terrain. With an ultra-protective toecap, well-tractioned outsole, and an intimate trail feel even with a rock plate, the Bushido is ready to tackle a variety of terrain types. Our lead tester calls this shoe her “partner in crime” when heading into serious crud. If you are seeking a durable, do-it-all trail shoe that will elevate your running endeavors to new heights, we love this alpine-ready superstar.

Measured Heel Stack Height	28 mm
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop	7 mm
Rock Plate	1.5 mm dual-density compressed EVA rock-guard in forefoot
Measured Lug Depth	3.8 mm
Measured Weight i	9.11 oz

The Bushido III is on the heavier side, but it's well-balanced, so we didn't mind the extra few ounces. The exceptional sensitivity of the Bushido takes a bit of time to adjust to, but once your feet adjust and your small muscles start engaging, it's easy to enjoy the ride it provides. The ability to feel the terrain beneath you and make micro-adjustments as you run seriously levels up the trail experience. If your runs take you through creeks, puddles, and rivers, know that the Bushido doesn't dry out as readily as flimsier-built options. Trail enthusiasts seeking a burly, well-tractioned shoe that is suitable for nearly all trail occasions will love everything the high-scoring Bushido offers.

Read more: La Sportiva Bushido III review

Best Low-Drop Shoe

Altra Lone Peak 9 - Women's

The Altra Lone Peak 9 has gone through a lot of changes over the years, but remains a favorite among zero-drop running enthusiasts for good reason. This iteration features a comfortably wide toe box, a measured 1 mm drop, and a rock plate that makes it well-suited for tougher terrain. Low-drop enthusiasts will enjoy this plush yet rugged take on a minimal differential shoe. The lateral edges, wide platform, and low-riding heel make the Lone Peak one of the most stable trail running shoes in our lineup — and the best low-drop trail shoe around.

Measured Heel Stack Height	24 mm
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop	1 mm
Rock Plate	StoneGuard plate
Measured Lug Depth	3.7 mm
Measured Weight i	8.60 oz

The toe box of this iteration of the Lone Peak feels a bit overblown in its width. While not a total dealbreaker, it's noticeably wider and roomier than previous versions. One tester says, “I love how comfortable this shoe is — even with a thin sole and high ground feel.” Runners who want a high-performing, low-drop shoe that will accompany them from neighborhood trail runs to more ambitious mountainous goals will appreciate what this noteworthy 1 mm drop shoe offers.

Read more: Altra Lone Peak 9 review

Best for Race Day

La Sportiva Prodigio Pro - Women's

La Sportiva has been on a run of making all-terrain, race-ready shoes. Imagine our delight to finally be acquainted with an energetic yet comfortable trail racing shoe. Enter, the La Sportiva Prodigio Pro. From tip to tail, the Prodigio is built for racing. With a nitrogen-infused midsole and its clear rocker shape, this is a shoe that is built to move with you as you propel yourself to new racing heights, both literally and figuratively. Our testing team is singing this shoe's praise, saying, “This shoe came to PLAY!” The Power Wire mesh upper is as breathable as it is tough, offering structure and reinforcement on the gnarliest of trails.

Measured Heel Stack Height	27 mm
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop	3 mm
Rock Plate	No
Measured Lug Depth	3.6 mm
Measured Weight i	7.72 oz

The sockliner upper adds an enjoyable level of protection to the Prodigio Pro, but it may narrow the scope of runners this shoe comfortably fits. As we often recommend, it is worth trying these shoes on before shelling out the cash to own them. New trail runners might find that the Prodigio Pro is simply more shoe than they bargained for, taking it out of contention for mellow daily runs. Speed demons and race-focused pace-chasers will love the energetic bounce, svelte exterior, and overall fierceness of this latest offering from La Sportiva.

Read More: La Sportiva Prodigio Pro review

How We Tested Women's Trail Running Shoes

We've tested hundreds of women's trail running shoes in rugged conditions to determine the best options for performance, comfort, and durability. We've hiked up towering passes in Peru, run over summits in the Rocky Mountains, jogged over dry singletrack in the desert, raced across the beaches of California, and explored the most remote parts of the Pacific Northwest.

Some of our main testing locations are Montaña de Oro State Park on the rugged coast of California and the iconic Lake Tahoe. Both locations offer sweeping vistas and scenic peaks — and hundreds of miles of trails with enough slippery scree to test an army of running shoes. Each pair of shoes in our lineup has logged at least 60 miles — some with over 1,000 miles if they last that long. Our review compiles this data to give you recommendations for your best trail sidekick — or two.

Our field testing of trail running shoes is divided across five rating metrics:

• Comfort and Fit (35% of overall score weighting)

• Stability (25% weighting)

• Traction (20% weighting)

• Foot Protection (15% weighting)

• Weight (5% weighting)

Why Trust GearLab

Our main tester, Ally Arcuri, is an avid trail runner, an exercise specialist, and a cancer survivor. Ally has been running trails for nearly two decades and has honed her expertise along the way. She has taken on ultramarathons in the Rocky Mountains and is currently training for shorter, speedier trail races. Ally has a degree in kinesiology from Cal State Fullerton and utilizes her knowledge of biomechanics heavily while assessing each pair of shoes. She lives next door to Montaña de Oro State Park in California, though she attributes her love of trails to her upbringing in the wilderness of South Lake Tahoe.

Analysis and Test Results

Our trail running shoe lineup spans a wide range of options, thoroughly tested to highlight even the subtlest differences in performance. After scoring each shoe across multiple metrics, we provide a comparative ranking and an in-depth guide to help you find exactly what you need.

What's the Best Value?

A running shoe's value depends on your mileage, the trails you like to run, and the specific goals you have. For most trail runners, having a single pair of versatile shoes that's built for the types of trails you run most is the best value option. On the other hand, if you are ready to level up your races, the value of purchasing an additional, specifically skilled shoe might be worth it.

The Saucony Peregrine 15 is a high-value trail running shoe. It provides long-lasting comfort, is suitable for ultrarunning, and is a durable trail shoe that costs less than many more popular options. This versatile trail shoe places comfort at its core and, on its 15th iteration, has truly hit the nail on the head. The Peregrine is a well-tractioned, traditionally-fitting shoe that our expert testers do not hesitate to recommend to their friends, family, and you.

The Hoka Torrent 4 offers excellent value with its durability, versatile performance, and affordable price. Its stable rigidity and thoughtful lug pattern make it suitable for a variety of trails, reducing the need for multiple shoes while delivering consistent, reliable performance. Time after time, the Torrent stands out as a shoe that offers a cost-effective approach to performance.

The Brooks Divide 5 is another trail shoe that delivers excellent value. These lightweight trail shoes are ideal for beginners. Designed specifically for light trails, it offers impressive durability and familiar comfort, enhancing its appeal. This shoe is an ideal choice for new trail runners who aren't ready to commit to high-tech options but want a reliable, comfortable shoe that can handle the demands of light trail running with ease.

Comfort and Fit

Comfort and fit are subjective and historically challenging to test, as they vary widely among runners. We evaluated each shoe holistically, considering factors like toe box spaciousness, midfoot width, and heel collar comfort, and noted how long it took for each pair to feel natural on our feet. Some shoes are almost 'universally comfortable,' appealing to most runners, while niche designs cater to more specific preferences.

In general, shoes with a bit more cushion and toe box space scored higher in this metric. The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4 scored well in the comfort and fit metric in part because it requires minimal “breaking in.” This trail running shoe has a traditional running shoe shape, but pairs it with a high-stability and confidence-building traction pattern for long-term comfort.

The Hoka Mafate Speed 4 offers prime comfort in a trail-ready package. This shoe offers a low-to-the-ground ride with ample comfort across its Profly midsole. Built to allow your heel and ankle anatomy to steer the ship, the Mafate is ready to tackle whatever distances your heart desires.

This fifteenth iteration of the Saucony Peregrine is stuffed with comfort from its tongue to its sole. We tout this shoe's overall awesomeness because it rides like a typical road shoe, negating the need to have a “break-in” period to adapt to the ride a shoe offers. The Peregrine runs ever so slightly on the narrow side, but Saucony offers a wide version, allowing more runners to find a comfortable fit.

Stability

A stable shoe moves in harmony with your foot as you adjust, helping prevent rolled ankles or more serious injuries. Strong upper textiles and lateral supports further enhance surefootedness on uneven terrain. Trail running shoes often have a smaller heel-toe drop than road shoes (usually around 5-8 mm) to keep your foot closer to the ground for improved stability.

The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4 is a stable shoe, thanks to its excellent geometry and rocker midsole, which work together to keep your foot centered and moving forward. The broad base improves ground contact, while the rocker design smooths transitions and limits wobbling. Combined with a dual-density midsole that balances cushioning with support, the Enduris 4 delivers a steady, reliable ride even on uneven terrain.

Scoring similarly, the Lone Peak 9 is an ultra-stable shoe, though through entirely different mechanisms. Instead of relying on torsional support and rocker geometry, Altra uses a wide toe box that lets your toes spread out and a thinner sole to allow your heel to ride lower to the ground. This helps to engage your lower leg and foot muscles, which in turn stabilizes you.

The Brooks Divide 5 and its updated comfort features are surprisingly stable. The Hoka Torrent 4 is — according to our standardized measurements — a 4 mm drop shoe with a more svelte profile. The Torrent has a way of absorbing the impact of rogue rocks and missteps that feels supremely stable. The Hoka Speedgoat 6 offers a similar approach to stability but with a Vibram outsole and slightly wider base of support.

Traction

The outsole design of a trail shoe can make or break your experience. When it comes to traction, it is valuable to decide what kind of trail you'll be running the most and then decide on some contenders from there.

We tested each pair of shoes on slick, muddy trails, loose, scree-covered mountains, beaches, bike paths, and many terrain types in between. No trail shoe is completely slip-resistant, but they all provide significantly more grip than running shoes built only for pounding pavement.

Traction Ratings on Difficult Surfaces

Product	Loose Trail	Mud	Slick Rock
La Sportiva Prodigio Pro	5	5	5
Hoka Speedgoat 6	5	4	5
Brooks Catamount 4	5	4	5
Asics Trabuco Max 4	5	5	4
Altra Lone Peak 9	5	4	4
Nike Zegama 2	5	4	4
Hoka Tecton X 3	4	4	5
Hoka Torrent 4	5	4	4
La Sportiva Bushido III	5	3	4
Nike Pegasus Trail 5	4	4	4
Salomon Speedcross 6	5	3	4
Hoka Challenger 7	3	3	4
Brooks Divide 5	4	2	4
Brooks Cascadia 18	2	4	4
Topo Ultraventure 4	3	3	4
Saucony Peregrine 15	3	2	4
Hoka Mafate Speed 4	3	2	3
The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4	4	2	2

Lug design heavily influences a trail shoe's traction and stability. Multidirectional, textured lugs, usually those around 4 mm deep, provide a secure hold, while sticky rubber compounds further enhance grip, helping runners feel confident on both packed dirt and uneven terrain. Vibram outsoles often outperform other compounds, but there is no hard-and-fast rule about what a trail shoe's outsole should be comprised of.

The Hoka Mafate Speed 4 and the Altra Lone Peak 9 have notably high traction. The Mafate Speed is outfitted with a Vibram Litebase outsole, a material renowned for its sticky, bitey grip. The Lone Peak takes a slightly different approach to traction. Sure, the grip is good, but some of this shoe's magic lies in its ability to let you steer the ship. Even with a rock plate embedded into its outsole, the Lone Peak offers a dynamic feeling ride that builds confidence on uneven terrain.

In some cases, shoes with the best traction do not make the best companions for mild-to-moderate trails. Bitey, sharp lugs tend to wear down when worn on abrasive surfaces like pavement, deeming “ruggedly tractioned shoes” less desirable as crossover shoes.

The Nike Pegasus Trail 5 stands out as a notable crossover shoe due to its moderate traction pattern and midsole cushioning. It has solid traction for standard hardpack trails, but enough cushioning to still be comfortable on pavement.

The Hoka Challenger 7 also makes a solid crossover shoe because of its plush, thick stack. Both shoes feature a slightly softer outsole material, helping maintain their structure when worn through neighborhood streets on the way to meandering trails.

Sensitivity — or the amount of trail texture and ground feel you have underfoot — also directly impacts traction. Shoes like the La Sportiva Bushido III excel at delivering clear trail feedback, letting runners better engage with the surface beneath them and optimize traction with every step.

Foot Protection

When considering the foot protection of a shoe, we systematically look at different elements and how they work together to create cohesive protection while bombing down (or up) trails. This includes underfoot protection as well as features like toecaps, debris-resistant fabric, and ankle gaiters.

One of the first things we look for when it comes to foot protection is a rock plate. Rock plates can be made of different materials, but are most often plastic. They are small panels within the shoe's sole that protect your feet from feeling the sharp points of rocks as you travel over them.

Thick underfoot stacks can also offer protection comparable to rock plates, so we evaluate shoes based on overall foot protection rather than just their inclusion. We also assess the toecap of each shoe for overall protectiveness. Some toecaps are constructed of a thin, flexible rubber coating that provides little protection. Other shoes have straight-up bumpers at the front, which can offer more than enough protection from accidental toe stubs.

If you want a trail running shoe that prioritizes underfoot cushion for protection, we enthusiastically recommend a few of Hoka's offerings. The Challenger 7 and Hoka Speedgoat 6 are divergent in the types of runners and terrain they best serve, but they all have one thing in common — thick, highly protective underfoot stacks, neither of which has a rock plate.

The style of a toecap is a great way to suss out what kind of terrain a shoe is designed for. Shoes with more rigid toecaps tend to be made for rockier, tougher terrain, while shoes with a lamination-style toecap are more equipped for flowy, sandy trails.

The Topo Ultraventure 4, for example, has a more flexible toecap and is made for moderate trails. It has a 27 mm stack in the forefoot and a 34 mm stack at the heel, which provides ample underfoot protection.

The La Sportiva Bushido III is built to be protective. It offers a solid toecap and, even though it offers a more intimate ground feel than other shoes, its abrasion-resistant outsole protects feet from sharp trail features. The density of the heel collar helps deflect sand and grit, further adding to this shoe's high-powered protection.

The updated Brooks Cascadia 18 is a quick-drying shoe that doesn't offer rugged protection, but it allows moisture to move through it quickly once saturated.

Hoka's latest carbon-plated shoe, the Hoka Tecton X 3, actually comes with an attached ankle gaiter that does an outstanding job keeping flying sand and debris from getting inside the shoe. The attached gaiter might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's certainly effective.

The Salomon Speedcross 6 is one of the best shoes for navigating sloppy, obstacle-riddled terrain, partly due to its excellent protection. It has a burly toe bumper and a super-fine, woven mesh upper. The Speedcross does a great job deflecting water as you splash through puddles — though it takes longer to dry once it does soak through.

Weight

Weighing trail running shoes is one thing, but weighing them and assessing how that weight feels as you run is a whole different ball game. We do both. First, we weigh each shoe — in women's US size 6.5 — right out of the box. Then we assess how the weight and balance feel on our feet while running. It's worth noting that technological advances in running shoe materials put our entire current lineup within about 2.5 ounces of each other.

The Brooks Catamount 4 is one of the lighter shoes in our lineup and offers solid everyday performance for its impressively low weight.

The Hoka Challenger 7 is notably lightweight, especially considering its thick cushioning, weighing only 7.28 ounces per shoe. On par with it is the Hoka Torrent 4, which weighs 7.36 ounces. Because of their thick soles, both shoes appear heavier than they actually are, which is a welcome surprise.

A handful of the most well-featured shoes regarding protection score the lowest in the weight metric. The Salomon Speedcross 6 is a rather niche shoe that scored low in this metric. However, the relatively higher weight of the Speedcross is worth it if you consistently run on muddy, mucky trails. The weight rides low, which is a unique feeling if you are accustomed to a more traditional fit. But the beef and weight distribution of the Speedcross allow it to do what it needs to, which is to keep you upright on slippery, hilly terrain.

Other Notable Trail Running Shoes

As we've mentioned, we have tested a lot of trail running shoes with many of the top contenders battling it out for coveted GearLab awards. The trail running shoe market is flooded with other trail running shoes that all boast positive qualities. Even shoes that didn't end up in our discussion are worth pursuing if their specific cocktail of attributes sounds like a match for you.

• Nnormal Kjerag — One of the most minimalistic yet technical options on the market, this ultralight shoe is ideal for those who want to feel every detail of the trail beneath their feet.

• Altra Mont Blanc Carbon — Though not a World Athletics standards zero-drop shoe, this carbon-plated racing shoe still runs like it.

• Merrell Agility Peak 5 — With a seriously grippy outsole, this trail shoe is a reliable do-it-all option for hitting the trails, even if you're walking.

• Salomon Thundercross — A unique combination of pillow-like cushioning and impressive traction via multidirectional lugs makes this a comfortable model for rugged runs.

• Nnormal Tomir 2.0 — This seriously protective shoe has a beefy toecap and anchor-like multidirectional lugs, making it a serious contender for rocky trail running.

• Nike Ultrafly — An extremely stylish lifestyle shoe with everyday comfort that can level up to tackle the occasional, mellow trail.

Conclusion

Your running style and terrain preferences will determine which trail running shoe suits you best. While no single shoe is perfect for every runner, exploring the strengths and subtleties of some of the top trail running shoes can help you find a pair that inspires you to hit the trails with confidence. Happy trails!