Best New Trail Running Shoes 2023: Six Releases Worth Watching

Introduction

The trail running market keeps moving fast, and 2023 brings a wave of new models and updates from the biggest brands. The road running world is clearly crossing over into trail: there is a lot of carbon in this roundup, plus some seriously deep stacked midsoles. Whether that trend suits every trail is debatable, but these deeply cushioned, carbon-equipped shoes must be selling, because the brands keep making them. Here are six new trail running shoes that caught our attention this year.

Hoka Tecton X2

Hoka follows up a long-distance favorite with the Tecton X2. The previous version earned plenty of positive feedback for its performance, and this update keeps the formula: a full-length carbon plate in the midsole for forward propulsion and underfoot protection, plus a full Vibram Megagrip Litebase outsole for grip on rocky and wet rocky ground.

The trade-off is the lug pattern. It is still not the most aggressive, so this is not an all-year, all-conditions shoe for muddy UK winters. The Tecton X2 was due for release in April, retailing for around £225.

Saucony Peregrine 13

Saucony’s popular Peregrine gets its 13th version, and it arrives in three variants this year: the standard model, a waterproof GTX option, and a bigger-lugged soft ground version. Updates include a redesigned upper and midsole, with 1.5mm of extra cushioning bringing the stack to 28mm at the heel and 24mm at the forefoot, still on a 4mm drop.

Crucially, none of that extra cushioning cost weight or protection. This is the lightest Peregrine yet at 260 grams in a men’s UK 8.5, the flexible rock plate remains under the forefoot for rocky ground, and the consistently aggressive 5mm PowerTrac lugs are unchanged. It has just released in the UK at £130.

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trail

New Balance brings its well-regarded FuelCell compound to the trail with the SuperComp Trail. The midsole is a dual-density construction: a soft, plush top layer of FuelCell for comfort, and a slightly denser bottom layer that should stay stable on uneven ground while adding underfoot protection.

Into that midsole goes New Balance’s trail-focused Energy Arc split carbon fiber plate, claimed to provide forward propulsion while adapting to uneven trails. The outsole lug pattern is not the most aggressive, but it is clad in the super sticky Vibram Megagrip Litebase compound, which delivers strong grip while saving weight. That helps keep the shoe at a very reasonable 269 grams in a men’s UK 8.5 for so much cushioning. It runs a 10mm offset with 31mm at the heel and 21mm at the forefoot, and was due mid-2023 with an expected price around £200.

Nike ZoomX Ultrafly Trail

Nike has several new trail offerings this year, and the ZoomX Ultrafly Trail is the standout on looks. The styling is excellent, though the very light colorway is unlikely to stay clean for long. The setup is familiar: a full ZoomX midsole with a full-length carbon fiber plate inside, closely mirroring the brand’s fast road racing shoes.

The outsole gets 3-4mm lugs, not the deepest but nicely chunky, so traction should be decent, and Nike’s recent trail outsoles have been improving. The upper is a stripped-back VaporWeave fabric that should be super lightweight and highly breathable, though it offers limited protection on rocky, technical trails. No confirmed release date or price, but expect somewhere in the £180 to 200 range given the plate and ZoomX foam. Availability will likely be limited, as with most hyped releases.

Asics Trabuco Max 2

Asics pushes stack heights to new extremes with the Trabuco Max 2. You get 38mm under the forefoot and a massive 43mm at the heel, one of the deepest cushioned trail shoes out there, and Asics added 5-6mm of cushioning over the already deeply cushioned original. It runs on a 5mm offset with FF Blast foam.

Because a tall stack of soft foam on uneven ground can feel unstable, Asics has used a wider platform and higher side stabilizing walls, which should help. The super sticky Asics Grip rubber remains on the outsole, so grip and traction should be good. At 320 grams in a men’s UK 8.5 it is not the lightest, but a fair weight given the gigantic midsole. It was due to release imminently at around £155 in the UK.

The North Face Summit Vectiv Pro

The North Face completely reworks its Vectiv series for 2023, led by the new Summit Vectiv Pro. The original Flight Vectiv was decent, but the carbon plate felt a little stiff and rigid, and the outsole lacked traction in some conditions. This time the midsole gets a much deeper stack of PEBA foam, rarely used in trail running, with a 6mm offset, 32mm at the heel and 26mm at the forefoot.

The reworked Vectiv 2.0 carbon fiber plate has had a major update, and the hope is better ground feel and stability on technical trails. Weight is a reasonable 287 grams in a men’s UK 8.5, and North Face athletes were seen running prototypes at UTMB. The new lineup has just released at a hefty £225, though more affordable options exist in the Vectiv Infinite 2 and Summit Vectiv.

Overall Buying Advice

With so much carbon and deep cushioning crossing over from road running, think carefully about where you actually run. If your trails are rocky, dry, or well-drained, the plated racers like the Tecton X2, SuperComp Trail, or Summit Vectiv Pro make a strong case. If you face mud and soft ground, the more aggressive lugs of the Peregrine 13 are the safer bet. And if you simply want maximum cushioning for long days out, the Trabuco Max 2 stands alone.

Conclusion

2023 is a strong year for trail running shoes. The Peregrine 13 looks like the most versatile all-rounder at a friendly price, the plated options push racing performance onto the trails, and the Trabuco Max 2 redefines just how much cushioning a trail shoe can carry. Pick the one that matches your terrain and get out there running.