Best Trail Running Shoes of 2024-Annual Survey and Awards
Article by RoadTrailRun Team:Markus Zinkl, Renee Krusemark, Mike Postaski, John Tribbia, Jeremy Marie, Adam Glueck, Dom Layfield, Jeff Valliere, Sam Winebaum and Marcel Krebs
Best Trail Running Shoes of 2024
Our annual survey of the year’s best road and trail running shoes, apparel and gear is compiled via survey of our contributors. 10 contributors participated in this year's trail running shoes survey. They covered thousands of miles/kilometers on all sorts of terrain in the US, Germany, and France to bring you their top picks.
Multiple categories were surveyed:
Daily All Around,
Technical Big Mountain,
Short and Fast Speed\
Door to Trail,
Carbon/Plastic Plated,
Easy Cruising,
Absolute Favorite Shoe of the Year
The categories were scored on the basis of 3 points for a #1 pick, 2 points for a #2 pick and 1 point for a #3 pick.
At the end of the article we also tabulate:
Most first places for across all categories
Most mentions across all categories
The results clearly indicate that as in road shoes that supercritical foams are sweeping higher performance trail shoes for their lighter (than EVA) weights and more energetic rides.
All of our top picks across multiple categories have supercritical foam midsoles of some kind
And as in road running, carbon (and plastic) plating has evolved to become more forgiving and terrain adaptable, essential in trail running with its varying terrain.
Not all contributors received every product and for each shoe tested differing quantities were provided by brands.
Most shoes discussed here were no charge review samples although a considerable number of personal purchases are included.RoadTrailRun contributors and RoadTrailRun were not compensated by brands beyond free samples. RoadTrailRun does not engage in sponsored content articles, brand compensated activations or other such events, nor did we engage in any paid consulting with brands.
Pull up a chair, beer or coffee and dig in to what the team enjoyed running in 2024.
What is your favorite Daily All Around Trail Shoe of 2024 and Why?
Markus Zinkl
1. New Balance Venym: What a surprise this was this year. It is basically the Rebel v4 for the trails. Such a fun shoe, which I grab for pretty much every run on easy trails, if I don't test another trail shoe.
2. On Cloudsurfer Trail: More a door-to-trail shoe and only for easy trails, but almost equally as fun as the NB Venym.
3. Salomon Genesis: A very good allrounder for me with a great fitting upper. If it's getting a bit more steep, I grab this one instead of my number 1 and 2 picks.
Renee Krusemark
The Scarpa Golden Gate ATR 2. This is not the lightest shoe, but it runs smooth and fast. Second place for the Brooks Catamount 3.
Mike Postaski
Brooks Catamount 3 - Hard to find a place to race this shoe, it kind of sits in a middle ground that works really well for all around trail runs and training. Firm and responsive cushion, a solid upper with great forefoot space, making it a smooth rider. 2nd place: Scarpa Golden Gate ATR 2 - More than just a door-to-trail shoe - plenty of range for solid trail running - mid-stacked, light weight, flexible, great upper fit, and solid trail outsole. 3rd place: Topo Pursuit 2 - just a fun shoe to have around for all conditions. Comfortable, flexible, protective, surprisingly good in rugged terrain. Great hiking/trip shoe.
John Tribbia
Jeremy Marie
1. New Balance Venym: Light, very responsive, good grip, good fit, woks for everything
2. Altra Timp 5: Grip, comfort, responsive
3. On CloudSurfer Trail: perfect for my mellow trails, loos fit but I like that, nice cushioning, perfect road to trail.
Adam Glueck
1st: Hoka Zinal 2: I really enjoyed the Zinal 2 for its comfortable upper, light weight and responsiveness, while still having functional cushion.
Dom Layfield
1. Topo Pursuit 2. This was something of a sleeper for me: everything about the shoe is competent, but somewhat unexciting. Mostly I like shoes to either be minimal (for daily training) or maximal (for racing or high-volume training) and the Pursuit is neither. Instead it is a versatile shoe that one can take anywhere and not have to think about whether the shoe is up to the task. A classic example of "it just works".
2. Inov8 Trailfly Speed. Not everyone's cup-of-tea, the misnamed Trailfly Speed is not fast. It is not a racing shoe. But it is a low-to-the-ground, lightly cushioned shoe with a spacious toebox. When I'm not pushing the limits of what my body can withstand, I like to run in shoes that strengthen my feet and allow me to feel the ground -- although I've never gone fully minimalist. The Trailfly Speed is a really good everyday trainer that suits me perfectly.
3. Altra Superior 6. See pretty much everything I said above about the Inov8 Trailfly Speed: the Superior 6 is very similar, and might be easier to find.
Jeff Valliere
1st Place - Hoka Speedgoat 6 - The Goat is light, fast and responsive, yet offers excellent traction, stability, protection and foothold. It is great for daily training on any terrain, or a race shoe.
2nd place - Inov 8 Trailfly - The Trailfly was a pleasant surprise, with a wider toebox for a more relaxed fit, but no compromises in foothold, excellent protection, traction, cushion and trail feel, an amazing all around daily trainer for any terrain.
3rd place - Salomon Genesis - With many of the performance characteristics of the more expensive S/Lab version, the Genesis is a hit with great all around performance at a more reasonable price than the the S/Lab version with excellent fit, traction, protection and cushion.
Sam Winebaum
1) NNormal Tomir Kboix: with changeable midsoles you can tune the ride for Soft (road), Bounce (all around) and Reactive (technical). Definition of all around! The fit is also changed. For example the firmer Reactive midsole has a more precise fit while Soft is more relaxed. All 3 rides are exceptional and all three midsoles are supercritical foam (EVA, TPU, and PEBA). 2nd. I tested the final pre production version 2025 Rossignol Vezor: lively foam, effective plate for some propulsion and agility yet forgiving as well 3) Salomon Genesis, a great all arounder with a focus on more technical terrain.
Marcel Krebs
1.) HOKA Mafate Speed 4: While not being a 2024 model (not even a 2023 model!), the Mafate Speed 4 released in 2022 is still my favorite daily trainer on the trails. This is supported by the fact that I just started my 4th pair and have a 5th one already lined up. It offers a comfortable fit combined with an incredibly grippy outsole which is so sticky that it squeaks on concrete even after hundreds of miles.
3.) ASICS GEL-Trabuco 12: The Trabuco 12 from ASICS also offers a great combination of comfort and grip. The ride is more leaned to comfort and stability than the Mafate and is therefore also a good hiking option.
Now that is a surprise but maybe not the New Balance Fuel Cell Venym (RTR Review) receives 6 points with 2 first place scores for the only 2 pairs we received and it is a Europe only shoe for reasons unknown. Why not a surprise? The road Rebel v4 with the same midsole was our 2024 Road Shoe of the year so we have a very light, agile trail runner for not quite up to technical terrain with a PEBA/EVA midsole and adequate traction.
Second place is a tie between the Scrapa Golden Gate ATR 2 (RTR Review) and the Brooks Catamount 3 (RTR Review) The ATR 2 has a superb upper that is totally any trails worthy, more than adequate cushion and a versatile if lower profile outsole. The Catamount 3 with its supercritical Flash v1 foam, plastic plate and deeper traction is a more classic “all-arounder”.
What is your Favorite Technical Big Mountains Trails Shoe of 2024 and Why?
Markus Zinkl
1. Scarpa Spin Race: Again Scarpa this year. This is like a blast from the past. Very low stack with amazing ground feel and grip, gives me all the confidence I need. The tight fitting upper in combination with the slim platform makes it easy to place each single step.
2. Merrell Longsky 2 Matryx: Matryx Upper, Vibram Outsole and low stack. That's all you need for a great technical mountain shoe.
3. Merrel Skyfire 2 Matryx: Same applies as for the Longsky. I would take this one for shorter runs over the Longsky 2.
Renee Krusemark
I ran only one mountain race (Bighorn) choosing the Saucony Peregrine 14. I did switch to the Saucony Rift at mile 35 because I was having a bad day and needed something softer underfoot.
Mike Postaski
Not exactly a 2024 shoe, although Salomon has released new colorways. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. When I think of Technical Big Mountain Trails, the S/LAB Genesis is the shoe that immediately comes to mind. Perhaps the best blend of cushion/protection/security/agility/runnability in technical mountain terrain.
John Tribbia
VJ MAXx2: the shoe offers a comfortable, responsive ride with a well-cushioned midsole and flexible rock plate for protection. The outsole provides excellent grip on various surfaces. The engineered mesh upper is comfortable and secure. It's a great choice for trail runners prioritizing comfort, protection, and a bit of pep, especially uphill.
Jeremy Marie
- Salomon SLab Genesis: a bit late to the party, but this one simply works, as previous Salomon did for me, but even better now. The slight increase in cushioning softness makes a whole lot of difference (personal purchase)
- Altra Mt Blanc Carbon: a touch light on cushion, but so well-rounded otherwise.
-Scarpa Spin Race: Other end of the spectrum: perfect for short technical outings. Flexible, protective enough, fast and nimble.
Adam Glueck
VJ Lightspeed: Excellent grip and control, difficult for long days, due to limited cushion, but when control and precision is needed these are excellent.
Dom Layfield
Jeff Valliere
1st Place - The North Face Summit Offtrail TR - While a bit heavy, the Offtrail TR is an amazing shoe for the high mountains, above treeline, off trail, steep loose dirt, talus hopping, etc... It has very aggressive 7mm lugs, amazing protection/cushion underfoot, is stable, secure fit utilizing BOA fit system and a built in debris gaiter.
2nd Place - Brooks Cascadia 18 - The Cascadia 18 is a dependable workhorse, with very good protection, traction, foothold, stability, cushioning and comfort. While not light, it checks most of the boxes for technical mountain terrain.
3rd Place - Salomon Genesis Spine - If you are in the high mountains in more wintry/wet conditions, then the Genesis Spine is a top pick. Amazing fit, stability, protection, traction, cushion, comfort and topped off with a waterproof outer shell and high gaiter.
Sam Winebaum
Kailas Fuga DU BOA: rock solid protection and traction and a super easy to adjust on the fly BOA dial upper, It’s an “almost” hiker and that is mostly what I do on tech terrain these days. NNormal Tomir 2 and Tomir 2 Mid: enough protection, enough cushion from a wonderful supercritical foam, solid traction and just fine on smoother terrain and even road Terrex Agravic 3: great value at$130, traction, solid upper and deep cushion.
Marcel Krebs
inov-8 MudTalon Speed: A great option for everyone looking for a combination of awesome grip combined with stability. Midsole tends to the firmer side to support stability. Comes in two widths for optimized lockdown.
The Salomon S/Lab Genesis (RTR Review) was the top pick with 6 points (with the winter Spine variant getting 1 more point.). The Scarpa Spin Race (RTR Review) follows with a total of 4 points. No other shoe got more than 3 points.
What is your Favorite Short and Fast Speed trail shoe (race or training) of 2024 and Why?
Markus Zinkl
1. Merrel Skyfire 2 Matryx: So light with amazing fit and great grip.
2.-
3.-
Renee Krusemark
The Brooks Catmount Agil is like a glove on the foot and it’s agile and fast. The upper overlay hit my toes in an uncomfortable spot, so a solid second place to the Merrell Skyfire MTL Matryx. The VJ Lightspeed has an incredibly responsive and light midsole, but the upper didn’t work for me (if it had, this would first place).
Mike Postaski
Brooks Catamount Agil - Excellent fit, Speed Vault plate is very responsive and also gives a bit of protection. The knit collar is also a nice feature. 2nd place: TNF Vectiv Pro 2 - the fit and security of this shoe is so solid and the ride is so dynamic that I'd definitely consider it for a short and fast race. 3rd place: Merrell Skyfire 2 Matryx: I might have talked about this shoe in late 2023, but my review did come out in 2024. No nonsense here - super dialed upper, all the ground feel, and solid traction. Great for VKs, uphill, and fast cross-country type stuff. Note: I have not tested the Salomon Pulsar 3
John Tribbia
Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 3: the shoe delivers a ride experience that's synonymous with speed and agility. From the first stride, the shoe's nimbleness is evident, encouraging a quick foot turnover and a playful, almost effortless stride. The low stack height and flexible design facilitate natural movement, allowing the foot to adapt seamlessly to the ever-changing terrain. Whether navigating tight switchbacks or leaping over rock gardens, the Pulsar 3's responsiveness shines through, reacting instantaneously to your every move.
Jeremy Marie
1. Salomon SLab Pulsar 3: The 1st was a long time favorite...this 3rd version tops it in every aspects. Grippier, better fit, firmer and more stable (personal purchase)
2. Scarpa Spin Race: Other end of the spectrum: perfect for short technical outings. Flexible, protective enough, fast and nimble.
3. Asics Fuji Speed 2: Top notch grip, good cushioning, fast and stable. The longish narrow fit is a slight drawback
Adam Glueck
1st: Hoka Zinal 2, this was my go to trail race shoe for shorter distance racing
Dom Layfield
Hoka Zinal 2 is still probably my #1 pick for short trail races, mostly because it is so light.
Second place would be Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra. Even though this is more of a ultramarathon-focused shoe, and heavier than the Zinal 2, it is blazingly fast due to big rocker, carbon plate, and superfoam.
Jeff Valliere
1st Place - VJ Maxx 2 - The Maxx 2 is a rocket on the trails and ideal for shorter to mid to maybe even longer distances, with a light fast and responsive feel, incredible race like fit/security, nimble agility, adequate cushioning/protecton underfoot and amazing traction. Whether the trails are smooth or very technical, the Maxx 2 is my first pick if I am looking to perform my best.
2nd Place - Brooks Catamount Agil - Light, fast, responsive and nimble, the Agil is a rocket on all but the most rugged, complex terrain, with a snug debris collar, great traction and good protection, the Agil is a legit race shoe for shorter to mid distances.
3rd Place - Brooks Catamount 3 - For fast running on less technical trails, the Catamount 3 has an impressive level of snap, is light and has more "super shoe" characteristics than most carbon plated super shoes.
Sam Winebaum
VJ MaxX2: a joy to run when you have horses to exercise hard. One of the most secure uppers of 2024 yet comfortable, softer high energy foam and plenty of propulsion, with of course a very grippy outsole, 2. Fuji Speed 3: best for fast road to trail and moderate trails it is mostly rigid and rockered. 3. Catamount Agil: The dancing shoes. Totally dialed in upper, quick reacting foam, long slung ride focused on agility and speed at shorter distances.
Marcel Krebs
1.) ASICS MetaFuji Trail: I had hoped for something like this for several years - a trail version of ASICS Metaspeed top racer for the trails and this year it was finally released! The MetaFuji Trail is incredibly bouncy, light and agile. It is therefore perfectly suited for fast races on runnable terrain while you might choose a more stable alternative over longer distances like the FujiSpeed 4.
2.) HOKA Tecton X3: Offers a similar bouncy ride as the MetaFuji Trail, but comes with a much wider base and more stability which leads to a higher weight. Therefore, the Tecton X3 takes 2nd place for fast & short but really excels over longer distances and more technical terrain.
The Brooks Catamount Agil (RTR Review) wins in trail speed with 9 points followed by the Merrell MTL Skyfire 2 Matryx (RTR Review) with 7 points. 3d place is a 3 way tie between the Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 3 (RTR Review), Hoka Zinal 2 (RTR Review), andthe VJ MAXx2 (RTR Review) noting that all three, along with the Catamount Agil each had two 1st place votes.
What was your Favorite Door to Trail trail shoe of 2024 and why?
Markus Zinkl
New Balance Venym: a Rebel v4, which can go on the trails too. All I need to say :-).
Renee Krusemark
The Scarpa Golden Gate ATR 2 can handle trail more than its ATR purpose insinuates. With good ground feel and a smooth ride, it’s a fun shoe. The Nike Pegasus Trail 5 is a good option too, though it lost some trail-friendliness from v4. While I wouldn’t take the On Cloudsurfer Trail on single track, it’s a comfortable shoe for easy terrain.
Mike Postaski
Scarpa Golden Gate ATR 2 - see favorite daily all rounder above. That was probably the biggest surprise shoe of the year for me.
John Tribbia
Brooks Divide 5: The shoe stands out as a versatile and comfortable trail companion, especially suitable for runners transitioning from road to trail during their runs. Equipped with a soft and cushioned ride thanks to the DNA LOFT v2 midsole, the shoe provides ample comfort on various terrains. Its road-shoe-inspired fit ensures a familiar feel, making it accessible to a broad spectrum of runners.
Jeremy Marie
New Balance Venym: works nicely on roads due to the great midsole, and lugs are versatile for all but the most muddy conditions
2.ON CloudSurfer Trail. Very comfortable, works better on road than the Pegasus Trail 5 hence it got the first place for Door to trail. - A close 2nd
Adam Glueck
1st: I primarily run on lighter California trails, so for easy cruising, I tended to rely on road shoes more. I found the Brooks Hyperion 2.0 excellent for this because it has enough grip and stability for light trails, while still having excellent responsiveness and lightweight.
2nd: New Balanace Rebel V4: Same reasons as the brooks, they have a little less stability so I’d only use these for lighter trails but they work well off road for me.
Dom Layfield
Topo MT-5. Versatile, light, comfortable. Much more flexible and with better ground feel than other contenders in the road/trail hybrid category, which are often overbuilt and clunky.
Jeff Valliere
1st Place - Salomon DRX - The DRX runs like a road shoe on the road, with low profile lugs, a light, quick feel to them and a secure, but comfortable fitting breathable upper. On the trail they feel especially quick and while best suited for less technical trails, I have found that they do quite well on moderate trails and can even handle some technical trails with no real issues.
2nd Place - Inov 8 Trailfly
3rd Place - Altra Experience Wild
Sam Winebaum
1. S/Lab Ultra Glide leans more road and easy trails and of all the shoes I tested in 2024 is the most versatile. Think big stack easy rolling road shoe with trails traction that is never in the way. 2. Scarpa Golden Gate ATR 2: this agile all arounder has an outstanding upper, unusual supercritical foam midfoot and solid traction. Not the highest stack but a most versatile single shoe. 3. NNormal Kboix with Soft midsole inserted has plenty of road cushion and handles trail just fine as well. For faster days door to trail I use the Bounce midsole. Tomir 2 not far behind it.
Marcel Krebs
intentionally left blank.
The Scarpa Golden Gate ATR 2 (RTR Review)wins door to trail with 7 total points just edging out the New Balance FuelCell Venym (RTR Review), again noting that we only had 2 pairs of Venym both in Europe (no US distribution..) while we had more pairs of the Golden Gate ATR 2.
What was your Favorite Carbon/Plastic Plated Trail Shoe of 2024 (Propulsion + Protection)
Markus Zinkl
1. TNF Summit Vectiv Pro 2: Finally, no problems with the carbon wings of death this year. It's predecessor was already the "What if ..." shoe of the year and this year showed all it's potential. Lot's of cushioning with a good balance of speed and all day comfort.
2. -
3. -
Renee Krusemark
I didn’t review any plated options this year, although I know there are great options and I look forward to reading the thoughts of the other RTR reviewers.
Mike Postaski
TNF Vectiv Pro 2. Hoka Tecton X 3. Adidas Terrex Speed Ultra. Same lineup as my long-distance/ultra picks. I didn't try any standout short distance plated shoes this year.
Jeremy Marie
1. The North Face Vectiv Pro II. No discussion here.
2.Altra Mt Blanc Carbon: not very cushioned, but the fit, the midsole, and the way the plate (forked plate) disappears works wonders.
3. Hoka Tecton x3. This one needs specific condition to work best for me, i.e easy trail. Fit is off for me, too loose, and I don't like the wide platform which gets in the way when you're outof easy trails. It's still a very propulsive, fast shoe for the right terrain with a considerable amount of cushioning. Actually this shoe is more of a deception for me, but I concede that it's still fast for certain conditions.
Adam Glueck
1st: New Balance SC Trail: I’ve often struggled with carbon plated trail shoes being able to function in more variable terrain and steep climbs or descents. The SC trail has a light and responsiveness foam, while also allowing the plate to roll the shoe forward and protect the foot from rocks. I actually found this shoe competent in some technical areas I didn’t think it would since the carbon plate’s stiffness works well on rocks.
Dom Layfield
1. TNF Vectiv Pro 2. I wasn't expecting this shoe to be so good. Has the speed of the Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra, but in a more comfortable, versatile, and user-friendly package. Editor's note: Dom recently won the Ray Miller 50 mile in his Pro 2
2. Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra. Road supershoe technology translated to the trails. It's fast, but not very friendly. Footshape/sizing does not work for everyone: personally I find the stripped-down upper a little harsh. Comes alive at high speeds, less convincing at a plodding pace. For race day only.
3. Hoka Tecton X 3. Such a cool shoe. Super comfy. Super cushioned. Super expensive. But super fast? I'm not completely convinced.
Jeff Valliere
1st Place - Brooks Catamount 3 - While the plate is plastic vs. carbon, the Catamount to me feels much more snappy and effective, with a lot of pop and better stability and trail feel than carbon plated trail shoes.
2nd Place - TNF Vectiv Pro 2 - Light, fast and well cushioned (firm for great stability and control). Traction is a bit lacking though.
3rd Place - Hoka Tecton X3 - A toss up with the Vectiv, I find the Tecton to have better traction, better fit and love the built in gaiter, but the Vectic feels faster with more appropriately firm cushion (Tecton midsole can feel a bit mushy).
Sam Winebaum
1. Rossignol Vezor: This 2025 mid distance shoe has a carefully designed skeletal plate that provides plenty of mid foot support while providing any terrain from smooth to technical front propulsion and protection. 2. Fuji Speed 3, 3. Catamount Agil
Marcel Krebs
1.) HOKA Tecton X3 takes the crown because of its supreme versatility. The Tecton X3 offers a very bouncy ride combined with a wide base and therefore a pretty good stability as long as the terrain does not become too technical. For what it offers, the package is also pretty light and therefore takes the crown for the best long-distance trail racing shoe of 2024.
2.) ASICS Metafuji Trail. The MetaFuji Trail is incredibly bouncy, light and agile. It is therefore perfectly suited for fast races on runnable terrain while you might choose a more stable alternative over longer distances like the FujiSpeed 4.
3.) The North Face Vectiv Pro 2. A very versatile and responsive race day option which also makes for a great (super) trainer on the trails. It is also quite stable so that you can use it to a certain degree for technical terrain. Compared to v1, the Vectiv Pro 2 has an improved plate positioning, which means that also folks with wider feet should get along well with the winged plate in most cases.
The North Face Vectiv Pro 2 (RTR Review) runs away with the plated shoe category with 15 total points including 4 first place nods. The Hoka Tecton X3 (RTR Review) is a distant second with 6 points.
What was your favorite Easy Cruiser trail shoe of 2024 and 2nd and 3d places
Markus Zinkl
1. Nike Zegama 2: It is a chunky boy but is so comfortable on the trail and perfect for easy cruising.
2. Hoka Speedgoat 6: Plenty of cushioning as usual and now also good stability makes it the second pick on my list.
3. New Balance Hierro v8: The new FreshFoamX Foam makes this a joy to run in. Plenty of forefood width makes it also a great long distance hiker.
Renee Krusemark
I didn’t test enough trail shoes in this category to have a favorite, but for running a lot of gravel roads I have a good use for the Saucony Ride TR 2.
Mike Postaski
Mount to Coast R1 - Going out of the box here with a shoe that I've picked up recently. The R1 has a great midsole, and there's something about that ZeroSag insert that actually works. The ride is smooth and the 8.7 oz weight is great for the cushion you get. The only limiting factor on trails would be the outsole, but assuming easy cruiser trails, no problem. 2nd place: Altra Experience Wild - Doesn't have the foothold to handle more than cruiser trails, but 4mm drop in an Altra works very well if you like or need the footshaped toebox. 3rd place: On Cloudsurfer Trail - A very soft and smooth ride from On - the new pod orientation of the Cloudsurfer eliminates any firm feel. Great if you prefer a soft and cushioned ride.
John Tribbia
Jeremy Marie
Altra Timp 5. I like the simplicity of it.
New Balance Venym: when I want more pop for my easy cruises !
Salomon SLab Genesis: when the terrain is more rocky, this one handles this like nothing else.
Adam Glueck
N/A
Dom Layfield
1. Altra Timp 5. An excellent update puts the Timp at the top of its class. Tons of cushion, no real weaknesses. Narrower than traditional Altras, the slimmer last brings the shoe more into the mainstream, but upsets die-hard Altra fans.
2. Topo Pursuit 2. Surprisingly similar to the Timp, the Pursuit was a toss-up for the win in this category. Ultimately, I gave the win to the Timp, since it is slightly lighter. The Pursuit might have the edge in durability, though so far both shoes have held up well for me. (I did have to re-glue a peeling rand in the Timp 5.)
Jeff Valliere
1st Place - Brooks Caldera 7 - Well cushioned, comfortable and rolls along easily, making for a great easy cruising recovery shoe.
2nd Place - Altra Experience Wild
3rd Place - Brooks Cascadia 18
Sam Winebaum
Xodus Ultra 3: easy going very well cushioned with a smooth fitting roomy upper the Saucony. 2. Merrell MTL Adapt is lower slung more flexible and has the best upper of any 2024 trail shoe. 3. S/Lab Ultra Glide great at moderate paces on semi technical trails and superb on the smooth with the most cushion and most dynamic ride of the three
Marcel Krebs
HOKA Mafate Speed 4: As mentioned before the Mafate Speed 4 is still my favorite trainer on the trails. It offers a comfortable fit combined with an incredibly grippy outsole which is so sticky that it squeaks on concrete even after hundreds of miles. This not only makes it a nearly perfect daily trainer but also my go-to option for most easy runs as most of my daily miles are easy.
honorable mention: ASICS GEL-Trabuco 12. The Gel-Trabuco 12 from ASICS also offers a great combination of comfort and grip. The ride is more leaned to comfort and stability than the Mafate Speed 4 and is therefore also a good hiking option.
Altra wins the “cruising category” with the Timp 5 (RTR Review) getting 6 points and the Experience Wild (RTR Review) 4 points.
What was your Absolute Top Trail Shoe of 2024 and why?
Markus Zinkl
1. NB Balance Venym: For me the most fun trail shoe this year and also the most surprising one. I didn't expect much from it, but it didn't disappoint.
2. TNF Summit Vectiv Pro 2: I was almost sad last year that the carbon wings didn't work for me, so I was happy to really get out all the potential this shoe has this year. Amazing racing option.
3. Scarpa Spin Race: This one has to be on the list. Scarpa delivers times and times again in the technical mountain trail shoe category.
Renee Krusemark
Nothing knocked my socks off this year, but there’s several plated racing shoes I did not test, so I’ll defer to the other reviewers here.
Mike Postaski
Hoka Tecton X 3. Yes, jumping around a bit here with my supershoe ratings, partly due to the fact that I haven't raced the X 3 yet. But the PEBA midsole is magic - I know that cushion will be crucial in a longer ultra. The light weight is incredible and I love love love the integrated gaiter. 2nd place: Vectiv Pro 2 - the most versatile of the supershoes, it's more stable then the Tecton and feels more dynamic and faster. 3rd place: Scarpe Golden Gate ATR 2 - Feels like I could just run this shoe anywhere, perhaps the best fitting upper of any shoe I have right now.
John Tribbia
VJ MAXx2
Jeremy Marie
1. TNF Vectiv Pro II by a good margin.
2. Salomon Slab Genesis
3. Scarpa Spin Race: Finally a light, flexible and fun trail shoe amongst the monsters stacks !
Adam Glueck
1st: Hoka Zinal 2: I enjoyed the responsiveness of this shoe a lot, honesty just fun to dance along trails in them
2nd: VJ Lightspeed: Theses shoes were incredibly responsive and lightweight, although not super cushioned, I found they excelled in situations where grip , control, and precision were required.
Dom Layfield
I find it really hard to answer "favorite overall" kind of questions, which are somewhat like asking "what's the best book?"
In terms of number of runs, I've almost certainly used the Inov8 Trailfly Speed more than any other shoe in 2024. It's my favorite training shoe.
In terms of races, I had a pretty light year, but used the Altra Mont Blanc Carbon in both hundred-milers and a 100 km race.
In terms of what sticks in my mind, the TNF Vectiv Pro 2 really stood out, but this may be recency bias.
Jeff Valliere
1st Place - VJ Maxx 2 - Maxx for maximum fun and maximum performance, the Maxx is just a blast to run in and can pretty much do it all, from all out race efforts on technical trails and rugged terrain, to scrambling to just any day to day training with great cushion, protection, agility and traction.
2nd Place - Inov 8 TrailFly - Versatile, comfortable and overall fun to run in.
3rd Place - Salomon Genesis Spine - An amazingly great winter shoe with impeccible fit, protection, grip, waterproofing and warmth.
Sam Winebaum
1. NNormal Tomir 2 has it all including a wonderful supercritical foam midsole, leaning more technical trails 2. S/Lab Ultra Glide one of the best riding shoes road or trail overall of 2024. 3. Scarpa Golden Gate ATR 2: agile, well cushioned versatile with the best upper of 2024
Marcel Krebs
1.) HOKA Tecton X3 as it offers a very bouncy ride combined with a wide base and therefore a pretty good stability as long as the terrain does not become too technical. For what it offers, the package is also pretty light and therefore takes the crown for the absolute favorite Trail Shoe of 2024.
2.) ASICS Metafuji Trail as it brings the Metaspeed road racing performance to the trails. The MetaFuji Trail is incredibly bouncy, light and agile. It is therefore perfectly suited for fast races on runnable terrain while you might choose a more stable alternative over longer distances like the FujiSpeed 4.
3.) The North Face Vectiv Pro 2. A very versatile and responsive race day option which also makes for a great (super) trainer on the trails. It is also quite stable so that you can use it to a certain degree for technical terrain. Compared to v1, the Vectiv Pro 2 has an improved plate positioning, which means that also folks with wider feet should get along well with the winged plate in most cases.
The North Face Vectiv Pro 2 (RTR Review) is our team’s top favorite trail shoe of 2024 and by a large margin with 11 points including two first place votes followed by the Hoka Tecton X 3 (RTR Review) and VJ MAXx2 (RTR Review) each with 6 points, each getting two first place votes. All three feature supercritical foam midsoles as do most of the other top vote getters.
Most 1st Places-all Categories of Trail Shoes
The North Face Vectiv Pro 2 with 6 first place votes just edges out VJ MAXx2 and New Balance Venym with 5 votes each.
Most Mentioned Trail Shoes-All Categories
The North Face Vectiv Pro 2 was the most frequently mentioned (placing) shoe with 11 mentions across all categories. It was followed by the Hoka Tecton X 3 with 8 mentions. 3d place was a tie between the Salomon S/Lab Genesis and Scarpa Golden Gate ATR 2 with 7 mentions each.
It is clear that The North Face Vectiv Pro 2 was our contributors’ top trail shoe of 2024, winning decisively. The closely competing Hoka Tecton X 3, also an ultra focused shoe followed with the shorter distances, more tech terrain focused light and versatile VJ MAXx2 and heavier duty longer distance S/Lab Genesis in the mix with with door to trail New Balance Venym and Scarpa Golden Gate ATR 2 not far behind.
Contributors Reflections on 2024 and the year to come
Markus Zinkl
Munich Marathon
Marathon PR at Prague 2025
Renee Krusemark
High mileage is not easy when working full time and prioritizing family and home life. I hardly race, so my training is for fun and that helps with consistency. I prefer low key races with as little chance as possible of appearing in the background of someone’s social media post.
Mike Postaski
Most significantly, I've decided that I need to lean into more faster running in general. I've skewed a bit more towards the aerobic end of the spectrum in recent years. To take it to the next level I need to step up my speed game across the board. High carb fueling will need to be an essential part of this, so that will be another focus in 2025 training and racing. For 2025 I also want to step up into more competitive races and see how I measure up.
John Tribbia
I hope to continue with daily consistency and incorporating more weight training + cross-training next year.
Jeremy Marie
- First the Alpsman, a mountain triathlon which was a big challenge for the first half of the year. Way out of my comfort zone, with a chance of failure: everything I love
- Going back to trail running a bit more, even if I DNF the CCC due to rests of COVID. I found back the "flame" of trail running, which is promising for the year to come.
Training method: I can now confirm that heavy weight training is really efficient, at least for me. I've been doing this for a long time, but changed protocol this year to focus on heavy weights/ shorter reps. The results are really good even for long endurance - try it !
Adam Glueck
I’ve been enjoying running internationally, exploring new trails in Norway, China, Hong Kong, and around California. These have led me to all sorts of different types of terrain and communities, and I look forward to exploring more in the future.
Additionally, I’m looking forward to racing more 30k+ distance races, as I’ve really enjoyed longer distance racing.
Jeff Valliere
It was an overall light year for racing, but have integrated cycling into my training routine more than any other year, riding 3-4 days per week which I find helped my running a lot. Cycling is such a low impact recovery activity, where it is easy to maintain cardio fitness and is easy on the body. Any aches, pains and niggles all miraculously disappeared, including achy knees and even got to the point where I could easily pop up off the floor without grunting or using my hands (not easy previously).
Sam Winebaum
I had a long and steady recovery from my broken knee cap with fortunately no setbacks and resumed some running by late January. My summer had lots of trekking and hiking in France (8 days Tour du Queyaras, some White Mountains hiking, and a week of hiking in the Engadine region near St Moritz. I got my mileage up to a steady 30-40 miles per week and was surprised that my training average paces were somewhat faster than 2023.
Marcel Krebs
2024 was a year of transitioning from mainly running on trails to road racing. I am very grateful for my coach Matt Rees (@thewelshrunner) who guided me through this and intruduced me to so many great new workouts. I was able to reach new huge PBs over the half in Hamburg (1:27h) as well as the marathon distance in Berlin (3:13h). The OCC during UTMB week was overshadowed by a really nasty tendon inflammation at my right foot, which hugely inflicted my training from late summer until the winter. Therefore, this OCC finish still means a lot for me, especially given the hot weather conditions with so many runners dropping out of the race. Kullamannen by UTMB was a great season final. Without any specific preparation, I was able to deliver my best UTMB race.
For 2025, the overarching goal is to go sub3 on the marathon distance in December. Nonetheless, Kullamannen reminded me how much I love runnable trails so I will continue to sprinkle those races into the season - ideally with the OCC as the pinnacle race if the lottery will be in my favor.
What were your favorite Trail running shoes of 2024?
Thank you very much for following RoadTrailRun in 2024
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Awesome! Everyone picks different shoes for each purpose for a total of 50+ shoes covered across all the reviewers. For the reader, this article is absolutely useless. Pick any shoe that fits you well and serves your purpose. Ignore what these experts have to say.
2 comments:
Thx for a year of great reviews.
Mike P, thx for the videos.
2024: Hoka Tecton X3, by a Km.
The only Hoka I like and actually love can't believe the same company made the Speedgoat 5/6 turd.
The fastest trail shoe of the year Adios Pro 3.
(clearly only on dry trails and fire roads)
Awesome! Everyone picks different shoes for each purpose for a total of 50+ shoes covered across all the reviewers. For the reader, this article is absolutely useless. Pick any shoe that fits you well and serves your purpose. Ignore what these experts have to say.
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