Article by Mike Postaski
Most Intriguing Trail Supershoes of TRE 2024
There was so much to see at The Running Event, so the big caveat with this list is that I didn’t get to see exactly everything on the floor including the On Cloudultra Pro RTR Video Preview, even though I was scheduled wall-to-wall for both days of the event! Here, I present a list of what I feel are the most intriguing “supershoe” models coming to the trail market in 2025.
Some you will know and recognize. Some are brand new. Some are models that I have a personal affinity for (hey, I’m writing the article). I’ll list the specs that we’ve posted thus far in our coverage along with my personal thoughts and feelings about each shoe. Enjoy.. 2025 will be a great year on the trails!
Listed in alphabetical order
Brooks Catamount 4
One of my all-time favs gets a big update. A revised SkyVault plate is curved down through the forefoot to provide a more propulsive impulse. A bit more stack and an upgraded DNA Flash V2 foam!
Look out for the full review and likely race testing @RoadTrailRun
✅ 34/28mm (+2 mm)
✅ DNA Flash V2 - nitrogen infused
✅ SpeedVault plate now more speed-oriented
✅ TrailTack Green rubber outsole
✅ TPEE single layer mesh upper
✅ 9.7 oz (275g) spec weight
Available Spring 2025 ($170)
Interesting here as some other models listed below are not using a carbon plate, while the Catamount adjusts its plate to be more speed oriented. This is perhaps a good move, as I’ve had my Cat 3’s for a while and haven’t quite found a racing condition where I would choose them over other super shoes. Going all in on speed in V4 may make them more appealing in faster conditions.
Catamount 4 and Brooks 2025 Preview video
Craft Nordlite Ultra Pro
Bold! The runners have spoken, and Craft has listened.. newly redesigned uppers across their new models, hooray!
I tried them on, and can confirm much improved fit, no more bagginess and/or excess material in odd places. Nordlite Ultra Pro is long distance, race ready (think Western States).
Cr Foam Pro
15% injected PEBA, 85% nitrogen-insfused EVA
40/34mm stack (unchanged)
Vittoria rubber outsole
Fit is now true-to-size with the revamped upper (for me US 9.5)
Available August 2025
I’ve tested some Craft models in the past, but honestly, the uppers have been so bad that I haven’t really paid much attention to their complete model line. I wasn’t really aware that they had a competitive Western States-type supershoe. I’m reserving judgement for now, but if their uppers are fixed, Craft may be a brand to pay attention to in 2025.
Craft Ultra Pro Preview video
La Sportiva Prodigio Pro
One of the most intriguing super shoes at The Running Event.! Un-plated, but yes, still a supershoe! More mountain-oriented than most trail supershoes, the fit is absolutely superb and glove-like. Perfect space in the forefoot, albeit in a US 10.5 for me (La Sportiva traditionally runs very small). I’m already thinking about races where I’ll run these!
I love the knit collar and the tongue is one of the best designs I’ve come across - dense vertical bolsters that allow you to really dial in lacing without any lace bite.
✅ 34/28mm stack (no strobel board)
✅ Dual layer Nitrogen infused TPU/EVA midsole
✅ Power Wire upper - TPU coated
✅ FriXion White (stickiest) rubber
✅ 8.9 oz / 252g spec weight
✅ Available Spring ($195)
I did my first test run in these today and they felt amazing. Surely a valid option if carbon fiber plates don’t appeal to you. Can it keep up with the carbon speedsters or is it more of a specific technical trails supershoe?
La Sportiva 2025 Previews Video
Mount to Coast T1
Coming to the trails! I've been loving my R1s so far (personal purchase). The upcoming T1 model is something totally different. Firmer, and the upper is completely dialed in. Loved the fit.
Also an H1 Hybrid model coming soon. Lots of buzz around the M2C booth.
T1 : 36/32mm, 9.2 oz / 261g, Vibram Megagrip
H1 : 35/29mm, 8.5 oz / 241g
This is more of a personal pick - perhaps not in the category of “supershoe” as the other models in this list are. But I was so impressed with the fit of the T1, that I had to throw it in there. My R1’s have been incredible, even on light/moderate trails. If the T1’s have the same level of quality, Mount to Coast could have a legit model lineup.
NNormal Brut
Kjerag goes rugged! Designed for wet, mud, and muck - check out that outsole.. 6.5mm lugs! The upper is designed with the idea of water win / water out. Little if any absorptive materials throughout.
Water absorption was a weak point of Kjerag V1, should be resolved with this model and also updates to the Kjerag 2.
✅ 28.5/22.5mm (6mm drop)
✅ Eexpure supercritical EVA (same as Kjerag V1)
✅ @Vibram Megagrip Litebase (6.5mm lugs)
✅ Matryx upper w/ drainage ports, neoprene tongue
✅ 230g / 8.11 oz spec weight
Available Fall 2025
For those that wish the Kjerag had a beefier outsole - this is the shoe for you. A lighter Matryx upper balances out the weight increase from the added outsole. The 6.5mm lugs will definitely add some protection - so if you felt the Kjerag was to thin underfoot, this should help.
NNormal Kjerag 2
Just revealed at TRE! Some updates that should be appealing across the board for both elites and "non-Kilians" alike.
I spoke with Dakota Jones extensively about this one and we're on the same page with this update. The extra foam underfoot and new TPE compound should help the shoe feel less minimal and extend its range and versatility.
✅ New supercritical TPE foam compound
✅ +2.5mm stack increase - heel & forefoot
✅ 26/20mm now
✅ Knit tongue with more secure gusset
✅ New, thinner single-layer Matryx upper
✅ Smoother fabric footbed (still no insole)
Available July ($195)
The addition of extra foam underfoot is a no brainer here. Even with the additional foam, it’s still one of the more minimal “supershoes” on the market. Throwing TPE in the mix instead of EVA adds an additional edge. This is a can’t miss update from NNormal. If you like Kjerag 1, I don’t see any reason you won’t like V2. If V1 felt too minimal for you, V2 might be worth another look.
NORDA 005
The most anticipated trail shoe of 2025? The TPEE foam is a standout feature, enabling incredibly low weight. No plate here, and a relatively low stack. Norda wants to maintain connection to the trail.
Arnitel TPEE foam
Dyneema woven upper (bio-based)
Vibram Megagrip ELITE
28.5/21.5mm - total including outsole
8.4 oz (238g) !!!!!! US 10.0
In my first test run I found them to be surprisingly protective and solid underfoot for their stack. The TPEE midsole doesn’t compress as much and rebounds quickly. Noticeable difference from the 002’s that I’ve previously tested. It’s still a relatively low amount of volume underfoot for a really long ultra, but the weight savings can’t be ignored.
Puma Deviate Nitro Elite Trail
Let's skip the base models and go straight super shoe here.. perhaps the biggest trail surprise from @therunningevent for me. The cat is back!
36/30mm stack
Nitro Elite foam (TPU) - same as Deviate Elite 3
Dip/spoon shaped carbon composite plate
PumaGrip ATR (3mm lugs)
Open forefoot fit w/ stretch vamp
265g / 9.35 oz spec weight
Available March 2025 ($230)
In hand, this shoe felt more of a lightweight speedster than a long distance ultra contender. But looks may be deceiving as 36/30mm underfoot is quite stout. I got Saucony Endo Edge vibes from this one - with perhaps a better looking upper (design-wise and fit-wise). Hard to say there this one will slot in without testing. A definite wild card here.
Puma Deviate Nitro Trail Video Preview
TNF Vectiv Pro 3
Finally got my feet in a pair of V2 and now this! I have to say that the Pro 3 looks absolutely incredible in person. Major tech improvements here - the main one being the “decoupling” of propulsion and stability. There are 2 separate plates involved - carbon fiber for propulsion, and a separate recycled carbon fiber stability chassis.
Hopefully this setup should increase stability and also eliminate any issues with the carbon fiber “wings”. The new larger “U” shaped wings appear to avoid the problem area. They’re also totally disconnected from the stiffer carbon fiber propulsion plate.
43/37mm full stack (6mm drop)
PEBA/EVA midsole base
w/ supercritical EVA Dream foam insert
TPU yarn mesh upper
Heel area felt less stiff and slightly more padded
Surface CTRL outsole - more lugs, chevron shaped
294g / 10.7 oz spec weight
TNF Vectiv Sky 2
Another stunner from @thenorthface - the bright yellow/white colorway and noticeably light weight in hand makes a striking impression. Dropping a massive 34g from V1, this will definitely be a top speed racing option.
31/25mm full stack (6mm drop)
Full length Nitrogen/TPU Dream midsole
Similar forked plate as V1
Fully connected outsole rubber
5mm lugs (up from 3.5mm in V1)
238g spec weight (-34g from V1)
I’ve got an upcoming fast 50K in January - snowy, icy, potentially muddy Idaho conditions. I think this shoe would be ideal for that type of race.
BONUS PICK
Topo Athletic Vista
New model! MAX cush for technical trails. Kind of like an Ultraventure on steroids, especially the outsole.
✅ 38/33mm stack
✅ Touch softer Zipfoam than Ultraventure
✅ FKT insole (beaded TPU)
✅ Vibram Megagrip (4mm lugs)
✅ 10.9 oz - US 9.0
Available June ($170)
Topo has been churning out solid shoes for years now, but they haven’t had an exciting new trail model in a while. Their Zipfoam isn’t in the same conversation as other super foams, but Topos seem to just work for a broad range of runners. The Vista goes full max cush, adding Vibram Megagrip in a new, more aggressive lug pattern. This could be a sleeper pick in the current “gravel”-inspired market segment.
Topo Athletic 2025 Video Previews including Vista
Mike Postaski currently focuses on long mountainous ultras - anywhere from 50K up to his favorite - 100M. 5'10", 138 lbs, midfoot/forefoot striker - he typically averages 70 mpw (mostly on trails), ramping up to 100+ mpw during race buildups. A recent 2:39 road marathoner, his easy running pace ranges from 7:30 - 9:00/mi. From 2022-23 Mike has won the Standhope 100M, IMTUF 100M, and Scout Mountain 100M trail ultras, winning the Scout 50M in 2024. He also set a CR of 123.74M at the Pulse Endurance Runs 24H and completed the Boise Trails Challenge on foot in 3 days 13 hours, besting the previous record by 7 hours. Mike's shoe preferences lean towards firmer, dense cushioning, and shoes with narrower profiles. He prefers extra forefoot space, especially for long ultras, and he strongly dislikes pointy toe boxes.
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4 comments:
No Cloudultra Pro?
Unfortunately I missed On at the show. Others covered it
Oh man, please tell me the MTN Racer got its forefoot underlays back
Some pics of the next MTN Racer here-
https://www.instagram.com/p/DCxmWodS1kk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Looks to be the same, or similar upper. FKT insole should make a big difference in feel though.
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