Trail Shoes of the Year: Five Pairs That Earned a Spot in the Rotation

Introduction

Trail shoes tend to be specialists: some excel on mud, some on rocks, some on long ultras where comfort matters more than speed. This year’s standouts cover that whole spectrum, and interestingly, several of them blur the line between trail shoe and daily trainer. Here are five pairs that earned repeated wear, including one that surprised a long-time skeptic and another that quietly fixed everything wrong with its predecessor.

Top Pick: Nike Ultrafly

The Nike Ultrafly earned the top spot, and for good reason. It is built around ZoomX foam, yet it never felt like a stiff racing shoe at the end of a long run. Instead, it rides more like a comfortable trainer that happens to be fully capable on trails. The wide base and built-in sidewalls keep it stable despite the super foam, and a protective film covers the ZoomX midsole so debris cannot puncture into it.

The upper is another highlight: it locks the foot down without feeling restrictive, stays breathable and airy, and pairs with a flexible heel counter. With nearly 100 miles logged, including plenty of mixed road and trail sections, durability held up well. It feels more like an ultra marathon shoe than a trail racer, which is exactly the intent, and it was easy to rack up long miles without the post-run stiffness that some super foam trainers cause.

Runner-Up: Saucony Peregrine 13

The Saucony Peregrine 13 is the surprise of the year. Past versions always felt too low-drop and never quite right, but the 13 finally found the sweet spot. It rolls along nicely, stays comfortable over long distances, and provides genuinely impressive grip, including in mud. It was even run through six inches of snow on trails with no issues.

It is a genuinely underrated all-rounder: light, low to the ground, with just enough flex to feel the terrain. The regular version handles wet, sloppy footing so well that the ST version with deeper lugs is rarely necessary. One warning: the white upper looks Concerning after muddy runs, but it scrubs clean with a toothbrush surprisingly easily and drains well, so it earns points for easy care too.

Best for Technical Terrain: Saucony Xodus Ultra 2

For technical, root-and-rock covered trails where traction and confidence matter most, the Saucony Xodus Ultra 2 is the pick. The Northeast-style trails leave no room for error, and this shoe delivers the grip and security to handle them. The Power Run PB midsole is cushioned and responsive without feeling like an unstable super foam: it protects from the ground while still letting you feel what you land on, which matters for avoiding rolled ankles.

What makes version 2 special is the fit overhaul. Version 1 was loose in the midfoot and tight in the toebox, an uncomfortable and unsecure combination. Version 2 fixes both: a secure midfoot wrap with a tongue that hugs the foot almost like neoprene, plus more forefoot volume. It also sits on a slightly higher stack than the Peregrine, and the fit is roomier in the forefoot than that shoe’s narrower, lower-volume cut.

Best Cushioned Trail Ride: Saucony Endorphin Edge

The Saucony Endorphin Edge deserves a mention even though it is not a current-year shoe. It has been a go-to for trail running, and it remains the preferred choice for trail races. Where the Peregrine is low and nimble, the Endorphin Edge brings a plush, super-cushioned ride that makes long trail days feel easier, and it handles technical mountain descents better than its comfy appearance suggests.

If you want a trail shoe that leans toward comfort and cushioning rather than minimal ground feel, this is the one to reach for. It is the shoe in this list most likely to double as an everyday trainer for mixed road and trail running.

Also Worth a Look: Hoka Stinson

The Hoka Stinson just missed out on top honors, but it picked up plenty of love as a runner-up and nearly won a daily training category as well. While the Ultrafly is the dedicated trail-specific pick, the Stinson sits in that versatile middle ground: a max-cushioned, comfort-first shoe that handles trail duty without being a pure trail racer.

If your trail running is less about technical ridgelines and more about putting in comfortable long miles on mixed surfaces, the Stinson is a very reasonable choice. It is the kind of shoe you keep reaching for precisely because it never complains about the terrain.

Conclusion

The Nike Ultrafly earns the top spot for making a super foam trail shoe feel like a comfortable everyday trainer, with the Saucony Peregrine 13 right behind it as an underrated all-rounder with outstanding grip. Pick the Xodus Ultra 2 for technical terrain, the Endorphin Edge for cushioned trail racing and long days, and the Stinson for max-comfort versatility. All five reward a bit of honest self-assessment about the trails you actually run.