Top 5 Running Shoes of the Year: Road and Trail Picks That Earned Their Spot

Introduction

After a full season of testing road and trail models thoroughly, five shoes separated themselves from the pack. This list is not about hype or novelty; every shoe here earned its place through real miles on real terrain, from soggy winter trails to parkrun tarmac and even a 24-hour endurance event.

The selection spans the full spectrum of modern running: a specialist mud machine, a reinvigorated daily trainer, an affordable trail surprise, a carbon-plated speedster, and an ultra-distance workhorse. Here is the countdown, starting at number five.

5. Inov-8 X-Talon Ultra 260 v2

The Inov-8 X-Talon Ultra 260 v2 is a trail shoe built for super muddy, boggy, slippery conditions, and its aggressively designed 8mm lug pattern is brilliant in exactly those. Once the footbed question is settled (more on that below), grip and traction inspire total confidence, and there was never a moment of the usual “Bambi on ice” feeling when hitting rocky trail sections or greasy wet road.

At 290 grams in a UK 10, the weight is respectable given all the heavy rubber on the outsole, and at 130 pounds it makes sense as a durable winter workhorse trainer. It is built like a tank and holding up well to the miles.

There are two caveats. The tongue is fairly thin and the upper would feel plusher with a bit more padding, especially on longer runs. More importantly, the shoe only makes this top five with a pair of Inov-8’s excellent Boomerang footbeds inside it, which it does not ship with. Those footbeds transform the shoe, making it far more versatile across mud, compact trails, rocky ground, and even tarmac, and it is easy to argue Inov-8 should have bundled a pair and charged slightly more.

4. Saucony Ride 15

The Ride 15 is the road entry, and its 2022 update was a huge leap forward. Previous versions of the Ride were fine but unexciting; this one is noticeably lighter and responsive, bringing genuine energy back to the model. It is the kind of update that makes you smile through an entire first run.

If you want a one-stop-shop road shoe, this is a strong shout. It is cushioned enough to handle steady weekly miles, but it springs to life when you push the pace on tempo runs or interval sessions. At 266 grams in a UK 9.5, you could even race in it.

3. Kailas Fuga EX2

The Kailas Fuga EX2 was the biggest surprise of the year. The fit is exceptional, wrapping the foot like a glove, almost personally tailored, and it recalls some of the classic Salomon S-Lab shoes. The midsole strikes a near-perfect balance between connection and comfort, and its geometry is right up there with Saucony’s excellent Speedroll technology, feeling efficient and comfortable over trails.

The upper is plush without being over-padded in the tongue, ankle, or heel, and the two-section lace locking system delivers a secure, personalized midfoot fit. The pocketed tongue can be fiddly for stowing laces, though it improves with time. Underfoot, sticky Vibram Megagrip rubber covers the outsole with roughly 3.5 to 4mm lugs, shallower than ideal, but it handled everything well and would only struggle in the deepest, boggiest mud.

Perhaps the most refreshing part: this is one of the most affordable models in the Kailas trail lineup at around $160, roughly 130 pounds. For that money, it is a top-performing trail shoe, and proof that the best runners are not always the most expensive ones.

2. Saucony Endorphin Pro 3

Saucony’s carbon-plated speed machine took second place. It was completely remodeled in 2022, and it is strikingly light. Previous Endorphin Pro models were very similar to the Endorphin Speed, which made the upgrade hard to justify; now the two perform very differently, and the Pro finally earns its premium.

Speedroll technology paired with the new PowerRun midsole and S-curve carbon fiber plate makes the shoe feel very quick and super comfortable at the same time. The stripped-back upper is extremely lightweight and highly breathable, all wrapped in a very good-looking bright pink package. A first hard parkrun effort confirmed it can hold up when pushed hard on tarmac. For context, it now gives serious competition to the Nike Vaporfly Next% 2 as a race day choice.

1. Saucony Exodus Ultra

The winner is the comfortable, versatile Exodus Ultra, another Saucony model that received a massive 2022 update. Skepticism about the “Ultra” naming lasted exactly one test event. At a looped 24-hour endurance race, the plan was a couple of five-mile loops and a first impressions write-up. Instead, the shoes were so comfortable from the box that they stayed on for the entire 24 hours and 80 miles, with not one blister or hot spot. That had never happened over that kind of distance in trail shoes before.

Since then, it has been the go-to for distance, including 38 hours on challenging terrain at the TDS. A pair has now covered around 400 miles with plenty of life left, and a repeat purchase is already planned for next season.

The honest downside: looks. The styling is a bit “dad shoe,” and in a best-looking-shoes contest it would not have made the list, let alone won. But for comfort, durability, and long-distance versatility, nothing else came close.

Overall Buying Advice

Match the shoe to the job. If your winter routes are mud and bog, the X-Talon Ultra 260 v2 (with Boomerang footbeds) is the specialist pick. For a single versatile road trainer, the Ride 15 handles nearly everything you throw at it. Budget-conscious trail runners should look hard at the Fuga EX2. For race day speed, the Endorphin Pro 3 is now a genuine contender among carbon-plated racers. And for ultra distances and long hours on your feet, the Exodus Ultra has proven itself at the very highest level.

Conclusion

Five very different shoes, five very different strengths, but all of them delivered where it counts: over real miles. Whether you are chasing grip, versatility, value, speed, or endurance comfort, one of these five deserves a spot on your rotation for the season ahead.