The best trail running shoes for UK trails
On the trails, the ground under your feet matters more than the distance you’re running. A shoe that’s brilliant on dry gravel can be lethal on a wet, grassy descent. These picks are organised by terrain and goal, so start with the kind of trails you actually run.
Every model has a UK retailer page we’ve checked, and for each one we say what it’s designed for and what to watch out for.
How we choose: each pick starts from our finder’s ranking for the brief shown, and we check it makes sense for the job. We haven’t tested these products ourselves. Some links are affiliate links, and commission never affects the picks. About affiliate links
Quick picks
| Best for | Model | Reference price | Sold by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best first trail shoe | HOKA Challenger 8 | £104 | Run4It |
| Best all-round trail shoe | Brooks Cascadia 20 | £112 | Run4It |
| Best for long runs and ultras | HOKA Speedgoat 7 | £116 | Run4It |
| Best for mud | Salomon Speedcross 6 | £140 | Salomon |
| Best for fast racing on runnable trails | adidas Terrex Agravic SL | £112 | Run4It |
| Best for kids | Salomon Speedcross — Junior Trail Running Shoes | from £65 | Salomon |
Best first trail shoe
HOKA Challenger 8
The brief: Moving off road for the first time, mixed paths and light trails.
A soft, cushioned road-to-trail shoe that makes the move from pavements to paths, woodland and towpaths comfortable, and the top-rated trail shoe for shock absorption. Its shallow lugs aren’t made for deep mud, so see the mud pick below for wet winter trails.
Designed for: Soft, cushioned road-to-trail shoe for mixed paths, woodland and towpaths: an easy first trail shoe
Shallow lugs: not for deep mud or steep, wet descents.
Best all-round trail shoe
Brooks Cascadia 20
The brief: Some experience, mixed trails in all weathers, one shoe for most runs.
A protective, grippy and highly rated all-rounder that suits typical mixed British trails and rocky hill paths. It’s firmer and heavier than racing shoes, but dependable in all weathers. Very deep mud still favours the specialist mud pick below.
Designed for: Protective, grippy and versatile all-round trail shoe for mixed trails and rocky ground
Firmer and heavier than racing trail shoes.
Best for long runs and ultras
HOKA Speedgoat 7
The brief: Longer runs and ultras on mixed trails, comfort as the priority.
Generous cushioning with a grippy outsole makes long days easier on the legs. The trade-off is less ground feel on rocky, technical descents.
Designed for: Cushioned trail shoe with aggressive grip for long runs and ultras
Plenty of cushioning means less ground feel on technical, rocky descents; check the fit through the midfoot.
Best for mud
Salomon Speedcross 6
The brief: Wet, soft and muddy trails: typical British winter conditions.
Deep, aggressive lugs designed for soft, muddy ground, the kind of conditions where many all-round trail shoes start to slide. On the other hand, those lugs feel awkward and wear quickly on roads and hard-packed paths.
Designed for: Soft muddy trails and reliable grip
Choose tread for your terrain and check fit, not only race distance.
Best for fast racing on runnable trails
adidas Terrex Agravic SL
The brief: Experienced trail runner racing on runnable trails.
A light, fast trail shoe for racing on runnable trails. It’s less protective on rocky ground than heavier shoes, so keep it for faster, smoother courses.
Designed for: Light, fast trail shoe for runnable trails and racing
Less protective on rocky ground than heavier trail shoes.
Best for kids
Salomon Speedcross — Junior Trail Running Shoes
The brief: Young runners doing cross-country, junior parkrun on grass and muddy trails.
The junior version of Salomon’s famous mud-gripping Speedcross, with a quick-lace children can manage themselves. It’s ideal for cross-country and muddy trails, and the waterproof version suits wet winter days.
Designed for: Junior version of Salomon's famous grippy trail shoe, with a quick-lace system kids can do themselves
Deep lugs grip mud well but feel firm on roads.
Not quite your brief?
Answer a few questions and the finder will pick the best model for your exact sport, experience, priorities and budget, plus two alternatives.
How to choose
Match the grip to your ground
Deep, widely spaced lugs (around 5 mm or more) shed mud and dig into soft ground. Shorter, closer lugs grip better on rock and hard trails and feel more comfortable on the road sections in between. If you run a mix, choose for the worst ground you regularly meet.
Waterproof or not?
Waterproof (often GORE-TEX) trail shoes keep out puddles and wet grass, but once water comes over the ankle it stays in. Many UK trail runners prefer a non-waterproof shoe that drains quickly, with good socks.
Fit for descents
Your foot should feel locked in around the heel and midfoot so it doesn’t slide forward on steep descents, with a little room for your toes. Try shoes with the socks you run in, and walk down a slope in the shop if you can.
Protection versus feel
Rocky routes reward a firmer shoe with a protective plate or toe bumper. Runnable trails and racing favour lighter, more flexible shoes. Few shoes do both brilliantly.
Questions people ask
Can I use road running shoes on trails?
On dry, well-surfaced paths, yes. On mud, wet grass or rocky ground, a road shoe’s flat sole slips, and a trail shoe is safer and more comfortable.
How should trail running shoes fit?
Snug through the heel and midfoot, with about a thumb’s width at the toes. Some runners go up half a size for long runs, when feet swell.
Do I need different shoes for summer and winter?
Not necessarily, but many UK runners keep a mud-specific pair for winter and a lighter all-rounder for drier months.
How we pick
Every pick starts from the EVENT/READY finder’s ranking for the brief shown. Products only qualify if we’ve opened and checked a UK retailer page for that exact model. We only include products that independent testers rated highly, and the best-rated rank highest, but we don’t reproduce anyone’s reviews here. We then check each result makes sense for the job. Prices are dated reference prices, not live prices. Read our full approach.