New Trail Running Shoes 2022: The Launches Worth Watching

Introduction

After a somewhat underwhelming year for trail running shoe launches, 2022 is shaping up to be far more interesting. Hoka, Altra, Salomon and Saucony all have significant new models arriving, from redesigned all-rounders to carbon-plated racers and soft-ground specialists. Here is a rundown of the launches worth keeping an eye on, along with the changes that actually matter.

Hoka Speedgoat 5

The Speedgoat 5 gets a completely redesigned upper that should fit better through the midfoot, plus a weight saving of roughly half an ounce thanks to a lighter midsole compound. The stack stays the same at 33mm heel and 29mm forefoot on a 4mm offset, and the outsole keeps the excellent Vibram Megagrip rubber with a reworked lug layout for better grip on loose ground. The upper uses a double-jacket engineered mesh with plenty of recycled fabric, and the heel gets a deeper, flared redesign to reduce Achilles irritation. It will retail for £130 in the UK, a £5 increase over the previous version, weighing 291g in a men’s shoe and 242g in a women’s.

Hoka Tecton X

Hoka joins the carbon-plated trail party with the Tecton X, its first plated trail shoe. It pairs a dual-compound Profly midsole with a parallel carbon fiber plate, a 5mm offset, 4mm lugs and Vibram Megagrip LiteBase rubber to keep weight down. The result is impressively light at 240g for men and 196g for women, but it comes at a hefty £170 with a UK release expected around May. If you are skeptical about carbon plates on trails, this one is easy to pass on; if you race, it deserves a look.

Altra Mont Blanc Elite and Mont Blanc Boa

Altra is making a big push with two new racing-focused models designed for long ultra distances. The Mont Blanc Elite is built for racing with a lightweight, breathable, stripped-back upper, printed overlays for structure and durability, a rubber toe bumper, and an ErgoMax midsole that stays comfortable over long distances without feeling sluggish. The outsole has an aggressive lug layout and Vibram Megagrip LiteBase rubber. It will retail for around $180 with a March 2022 launch.

The Mont Blanc Boa shares the same midsole and outsole but adds a double Boa system with four independent fingers that wrap the foot for a very personalized lockdown, plus a one-piece stretchy booty upper with no traditional tongue for a precise fit on technical trails. It is due around the same time at roughly $210.

Altra Timp 4

The Timp franchise gets a big update this year. The previous Timp 3 was comfortable with impressive cushioning but had real durability problems, starting to fall apart after a seven-mile run. The hope for the Timp 4 is that it keeps the same comfortable ride while fixing the durability issues, and early impressions of the design suggest Altra is on the right track.

Salomon S/Lab Pulsar SG

After plenty of positive feedback on the original S/Lab Pulsar alongside some complaints about traction on wet ground, Salomon is releasing a soft-ground version with a much more aggressive 4.5mm lug pattern. It retains the 6mm offset, the sock-like Matryx upper, and the Speedlace system, and it weighs a remarkable 194g. Expect it to handle wet, muddy conditions considerably better than the standard version. It will retail for around €180.

Salomon Pulsar Trail Pro and Pulsar Trail

Both new Pulsar Trail models use a deeply cushioned Energy Surge rockered midsole, similar to the successful Ultra Glides, with a TPU plate rather than a carbon one, so the ride stays more flexible and forgiving. The Pulsar Trail Pro will retail for $150, weighing 270g in a men’s US 9, with a 6mm offset, 31mm heel and 25mm forefoot stack, 4mm lugs and Salomon’s sticky Contagrip MA rubber. It looks positioned as the training partner to the stripped-back S/Lab Pulsar SG.

The Pulsar Trail carries the same midsole setup but with a slightly softer, more flexible Energy Blade, and weighs a little more at 280g in a men’s US 9. It keeps the same 6mm offset and Speedlace system and comes in at $130. Both models are expected to replace the Sense Pro 4 and Sense Ride in Salomon’s lineup, with release dates still to be confirmed.

Saucony Peregrine 12

The Peregrine has been one of the most consistent trail shoes across terrain and weather, and version 12 brings major changes. The biggest is weight: 275g in a men’s shoe and 235g in a women’s, nearly 30g lighter than the outgoing model. It still runs a 4mm offset with a full PowerRun midsole plus a PowerRun Plus sockliner for a plusher feel. The versatile 5mm lugs and sticky PwrTrac rubber remain, with a redesigned lug layout, while the rock plate has been reworked to offer even more protection without sacrificing midsole flexibility. The upper gets lighter, more breathable fabric, modified overlays, a gusseted tongue and a toe bumper. It will retail for around £120 in the UK. The only question is whether the big weight cut has stripped too much away.

Saucony Exodus Ultra

The Exodus has always been a solid performer held back by its weight, and the new Ultra version fixes that with an almost 40g saving, coming in at 292g for men and 265g for women. The offset moves from 4mm to 6mm, lug depth drops slightly to 4.5mm, and the PwrTrac outsole gets a three-piece design for weight and flexibility. The most exciting change is the reworked dual-compound midsole: a high-energy-return PowerRun PB core wrapped in PowerRun for guidance and stability, making it stable, comfortable and well suited to long distances over mixed terrain.

Saucony Endorphin Edge

The Endorphin Edge is a completely new shoe in Saucony’s trail lineup rather than an update to the Endorphin Trail. Its carbon fiber plate uses a wishbone design that offers more stiffness and propulsion when driving uphill and becomes more flexible on descents to soak up impact. The other headline change is weight: at just 255g (9 ounces), it is the lightest trail shoe in Saucony’s 2022 lineup and a full 50g lighter than the Endorphin Trail, despite a deeply cushioned oversized midsole built on full PowerRun PB. It runs a 6mm offset with a versatile 4mm lug depth and plenty of sticky PwrTrac rubber for confident footing across mixed terrain. It is due around August 2022 at roughly $200, and for many runners this looks like the plated trail shoe finally worth waiting for.

Buying Advice

If you want a dependable all-rounder, the Speedgoat 5 and Peregrine 12 are the safest bets. Racers chasing lightweight performance should watch the S/Lab Pulsar SG, Mont Blanc Elite and Endorphin Edge. The Pulsar Trail Pro and Exodus Ultra suit runners who want cushioning for long training days. The plated Tecton X and Mont Blanc Boa are the boldest, priciest picks and make most sense if their specific features, a carbon plate or a Boa fit system, genuinely appeal to you.

Conclusion

2022 brings a stronger crop of trail shoes than the year before, with meaningful updates across Hoka, Altra, Salomon and Saucony. Whether you prioritize weight, grip, cushioning or a plated ride, there is a launch on this list worth timing your purchase around.