Best Value Trail Running Shoes: 5 Bargain Picks Worth Grabbing

Introduction

Trail running shoe prices have been climbing steadily, with premium models now reaching prices once reserved for road racing supershoes. The good news: plenty of well-established, genuinely capable trail shoes are sitting in sales right now. These five picks cover a range of budgets and terrain types, from an all-year-round workhorse to a stripped-back zero-drop option, and all of them are proven models rather than untested newcomers.

One practical tip before the list: when buying discounted shoes online, always check stock levels first. Many deals look great until you click through and find a single odd size left, or no stock at all.

Saucony Peregrine 11

The Peregrine 11 is the previous version of Saucony’s long-running trail franchise, and it remains a solid performer. It launched at £115, weighs 330 grams in a UK 9.5, and runs on a 4mm offset. The upper uses Saucony’s FORMFIT construction for a secure, snug midfoot feel that keeps you well connected to the shoe.

Cushioning comes from a PWRRUN midsole paired with a PWRRUN+ top sole, and the forefoot hides a flexible rock plate for protection on rougher ground. The PWRTRAC outsole uses 5mm multi-directional lugs in sticky rubber that never let up on grip across any surface. It is a genuinely versatile, all-conditions shoe, and at £69.99 with a near-full size run available, it is an easy recommendation for under £70.

Hoka Speedgoat 4

If you like a lot of soft, bouncy cushioning underfoot, the Speedgoat 4 is the bargain pick for you. Hoka’s cushioned trail franchise is hugely popular for long distances and mixed terrain, and the fourth version launched in the UK at £125. It weighs 308 grams in a men’s UK 8.5 with a 4mm heel offset.

The padding around the ankle and heel is moderate, and the gusseted tongue is on the thin side, so a little more comfort there would not have gone amiss. The standout, as always with this franchise, is the Vibram MegaGrip outsole with 5mm lugs. It inspires real confidence on rocky and wet rocky trails, though it can struggle in the heaviest, deepest mud. With the fifth version now on shelves, the Hoka website offers the Speedgoat 4 for £86.99, which is excellent value for such a versatile trail shoe.

New Balance FuelCell Summit Unknown v3

New Balance is better known for its road running line, but the FuelCell Summit Unknown v3 deserves attention on the trail too. It retailed at a reasonable £115, weighs 294 grams in a men’s UK 8.5, and runs a fairly high 10mm offset for a trail shoe.

The upper is an engineered breathable mesh bootie construction that delivers a comfortable yet snug and secure fit, and protection at the front comes from a substantial toe bumper. The outsole looks aggressively lugged by New Balance trail standards, which suggests it can handle proper trail conditions. The FuelCell compound is the same midsole foam New Balance uses in its popular road shoes, so seeing how it translates to trail running makes this an intriguing option. At £68.99, it is a great buy.

Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure

Unlike the others on this list, the Floatride Energy 4 Adventure is a current shoe, not last season’s model, and it still retails for just £85. It weighs a light 272 grams in a men’s UK 8.5 with a 9mm heel offset, and the upper uses recycled plastic ripstop material for a lightweight, highly breathable yet durable build. The shoe is constructed using 30% recycled or repurposed materials, which is impressive at this price point.

The same Floatride Energy midsole foam as the well-received road version gives a comfortable, connected ride. Be aware this is essentially the road shoe with a trail twist: the outsole is not the most aggressive and the lugs are not deep, so it suits crossover use, soaking up tarmac before gravel tracks, fire roads, and towpaths rather than anything overly technical. The available discount code takes £25 off at checkout, bringing the price down to £63.75 with free delivery, making it the budget standout here if you shop carefully.

Inov-8 Trailfly G270

The last pick comes from trail specialists Inov-8. The Trailfly G270, formerly known as the TerraUltra G270, normally sells for £145 but can currently be found on the Inov-8 website for as little as £87, with four strong colorways and, impressively, a full size run across all of them.

The name comes from its 270-gram weight in a men’s UK 8.5. It is a zero-drop trail shoe, meaning the 12mm stack height is identical under the heel and forefoot. The lightweight engineered mesh upper is quite stripped back, with limited padding in the tongue, ankle collar, and heel, and a little more substance in those areas would have been welcome. The highlights are the graphene-grip outsole with 4mm lugs, delivering durable grip across a big mix of conditions, the PowerFlow Max midsole for cushioning and ground feel, and the brilliant Boomerang footbeds inside, which make a real difference to underfoot comfort.

Buying Advice

All prices here were correct at the time of writing, but these are sale and discounted items, so availability and pricing can change quickly. Check size runs before committing, and for the Reebok pair remember to apply the discount code at checkout to secure the full saving.

If you are new to trail running and do not want to spend a fortune, any of these established models is a safe, versatile place to start. Match the shoe to your terrain: the Peregrine 11 and Trailfly G270 for genuine trail grip, the Speedgoat 4 for maximum cushioning over long mixed runs, the Summit Unknown v3 for a road-inspired foam on trail, and the Floatride Energy 4 Adventure for mostly non-technical crossover use on a tight budget.

Conclusion

Expensive trail running shoes keep arriving, but strong, versatile options exist at a fraction of the price. Each shoe here is an established, well-regarded model, discounted into genuinely good-value territory. Pick the one that matches your terrain and fit preferences, and you can be out on the trails for well under £90.