Best Trail Shoes of 2023: Four Standouts Worth Knowing About

Introduction

Trail running had a strong year, and the shoe count reflects it. Carbon-plated racing models spread quickly across the category, and daily trainers quietly got lighter, softer, and better fitted. This roundup covers four shoes that repeatedly earned praise from trail testers in 2023, each filling a different role: an accessible carbon-plated racer, a forked-plate race weapon, a foam-first lightweight option, and a low-slug daily trainer.

Why 2023 Was a Big Year for Trail Racing Shoes

The carbon plate moved from road racing to the dirt in a serious way this year. From the Nike Ultrafly to the Hoka Tecton X2 and The North Face Vectiv Pro, brands leaned into plate technology, and the results were shoes that feel more stable and more controllable on technical ground than earlier carbon-plated attempts.

The key difference between the best of them is how they use the plate. Some moderate the ride for everyday use, while others push energy return for race day. Knowing which camp a shoe belongs to is the fastest way to narrow your choice.

Hoka Tecton X2

The Tecton X2 barely changed from its predecessor, and that is part of the appeal. The last version was already a favorite, and this year’s updates are focused: a new Matryx upper that holds shape better, revised lacing that locks the foot down more securely, and improved durability. It still carries a two-tier carbon fiber plate that works like independent suspension, moderating the ride compared with other carbon-plated shoes and making it accessible to a wide range of runners.

Testers found it works well beyond racing, too. It runs well on roads and gravel and can feel like a genuine super trainer, which is rare for a shoe in this category. The Vibram Megagrip outsole rounds out a package that is competitive in the $225 price range.

The North Face Vectiv Pro

The Vectiv Pro is a statement from a brand not previously known for top-tier trail racing shoes. The whole lineup was rebuilt this year with tiered offerings, and this is the flagship racer. Like the Tecton X2 it uses a carbon plate, but the plate is forked at the front, forming the “wings” that give the Vectiv series its name, and the design is aimed squarely at stability and trail readiness.

It sits between the Tecton X2 and the more aggressive Saucony Endorphin Edge in terms of responsiveness: snappier than the Tecton X2, more corralable on trails than bouncier, softer-foam competitors like the Nike Ultrafly. It comes in around the 10-ounce range, and testers saw it as a shoe that could hold up over 50-mile distances and beyond, with championship podium finishes to back it up.

Saucony Endorphin Rift

The Endorphin Rift borrows heavily from the Endorphin Edge, including the PWRPB (PWRRUN PB) midsole foam used in Saucony’s road racers like the Endorphin Pro 3, but it drops the plate for a lighter, softer package. Trail testers gave it raves, and at roughly 8.5 ounces for a men’s size 9, it lands firmly in race-day territory while still cushioning long miles.

Durability was a real concern on the Endorphin Edge because its outsole leaned more on exposed foam. The Rift switches to a rubber-based outsole, making it noticeably tougher and more reassuring in rocky terrain. One tester ran roughly half of a 70-mile technical trail race in it, as planned, and it held up well. At around $170 it is priced above a standard trail shoe, but it undercuts the plated race options significantly.

Topo Athletic Terraventure 4

Topo keeps doing what it does well: thoughtful, no-nonsense trail shoes. The Terraventure 4 is similar in spirit to the Lone Peak series and continues what testers liked about the Terraventure 3. It is a low-stack, low-drop, ground-connection shoe with a wider, more anatomical toe box, and it ticks essentially every box you would want from that style of shoe.

Its role here is different from the plated racers above. This is the dependable daily trainer in the lineup, the shoe you reach for on easy miles, long slow days, and whenever foot shape and ground feel matter more than speed.

Honorable Mentions Worth Watching

Two other shoes earned mentions without full hands-on verdicts here. The upcoming Salomon model, reportedly around $140, mixes cues from the Speedcross and Thundercross series and drew praise for its bold retro-inspired design. And the Adidas Terrex racing shoe, still under embargo at the time of this roundup, has been racking up podium finishes at major ultras including Western States and UTMB, and could very well rank among the top shoes once it is fully out.

Buying Advice

If you want a carbon-plated racer that doubles as an everyday super trainer, the Hoka Tecton X2 is the most forgiving entry point into the category. If you want maximum responsiveness for ultras and long race days, the North Face Vectiv Pro is the more aggressive pick, with race results at the highest level to support it.

For lighter, softer, plate-free racing at a lower price, the Saucony Endorphin Rift is the strongest value, especially at 50K distances and shorter. And if your priority is a roomy, low-to-the-ground daily trainer rather than race-day speed, the Topo Athletic Terraventure 4 is the safest all-around choice.

Conclusion

Four shoes, four distinct jobs. The Tecton X2 and Vectiv Pro prove carbon plating belongs on the trails, the Endorphin Rift shows you can get race-day lightness without a plate, and the Terraventure 4 reminds us that a well-fitted daily trainer is still the backbone of good trail running. Match the shoe to the terrain and distance you actually run, and any of these is an easy recommendation.