I've tested the best women's trail running shoes everywhere from Scotland to the Alps - 8 styles I recommend for comfort and confidence
I'm not a pro runner, but I feel like one when I'm wearing a pair of the best women’s trail running shoes
Grace Walsh
There's something special about trail running that many people never experience - that feeling of being in the open air, in nature, among the trees, in the quiet. While you don't have to run to feel these benefits, you'll certainly get them by lacing up a pair of trail shoes and picking up the pace.
Whether you're hiking or jogging, the best women's trail running shoes can give you more confidence and keep you agile when you get off the beaten path. I should know - I've tested dozens of pairs over the past five years, from the boggy trails of the UK to the rocky Alps. In that time, I've learned that no piece of kit is more important than my running shoes.
The right shoes strike the perfect balance between securing my foot with traction underneath and giving my toes room to splay so I can move across rough ground. They also need to be comfortable enough to wear all day, and if possible, be just as good as an alternative to classic walking shoes.
The quick list
Brooks is a true pioneer of trail running shoes, releasing the first Cascadia in 2004. More than 20 years on, the brand has come close to perfection with this legendary trail shoe. It's lighter and more agile in design, and suits anyone who wants one pair of shoes for running and hiking. I've been wearing little else since I tested them - the secure fit, stability and great traction mean I can take on most trails with confidence.
I love being able to move effortlessly from the tarmac to the trail in these unbelievably light and airy shoes. The Merrell Morphlite shoes have become a staple when I'm packing for weekend breaks and longer holidays. They have just enough cushion to offset the demands of the road for short stretches, and a bit of traction for hard-packed trails, gravel roads and sandy beaches. It makes for a great, breathable shoe for warm-weather hiking too, as long as the trail isn't too tricky.
If you're planning to pick up your pace this summer, you might want to consider a stiffer-soled shoe, and the Saucony Endorphin Edge is easily one of the best trail running shoes in that category. Built for speed, this is the only shoe in our guide that has a full-length carbon plate sandwiched into the foam midsole. That means you can enjoy a fast, fun ride on soft trails, but best of all, it's supremely comfortable from day one.
Hiking brand Keen's trail running debut is one of the best in our guide for those with wider feet, but that's not the only reason to consider it. The Seek is a do-it-all trainer that stands out partly because it's not trying to be the most rugged or lightweight shoe on the market. It's really well cushioned for all-day comfort and still handles straightforward trails with stability and decent traction – though the design may mean a little more breaking in for those with high arches.
I know the idea of running in sandals sounds a little crazy, but I tried it out for a few weeks last summer in the name of journalism (and overheating prevention), and I was honestly surprised by how much I liked feeling the breeze between my toes in the Teva Aventrails. These sandals aren't a simple thong affair. They're cushioned to the max like a chunky Hoka, but still provide stability on uneven ground.
When I want to hike or run on steeper, more scrambly trails – or I'm packing light for a trip where I want to stay active – these are my absolute favourite shoes. The extremely tough-but-lightweight Long Sky 2 Matryx from Merrell grips on practically any surface, so it can give any runner or hiker more confidence. The light, porous uppers breathe well on hot days, and the more flexible sole helps me feel more connected to the trail.
These lightweight trail running shoes are a favourite of Digital Health Editor, Grace Walsh. If you're moving from city pavements to gravel trails, or you're looking for a shoe that would speed along both, so you only have to buy one pair, the Columbia Konos shoes are a great option.
Hoka's Speedgoat 7 is a favourite on the woman&home, after we rated the Speedgoat 6 so highly. This new version is even more stable and supportive, and comes in this bright purple colourway for summer 2026 that's hard to ignore. Working just as well as a walking shoe, this pair is the most versatile on the list and great for new runners.
The best women's trail running shoes, tried and tested by an off-road runner
Best trail running shoes overall
Brooks might be one of the first brands to produce a trail running-specific shoe, but I hadn't had much experience with its shoes until I got my hands on the Cascadia 19s. Six months on, I'm just sorry I waited so long to give them a whirl.
I first tested these shoes out on the trails of Chamonix in late summer, where I found instant comfort and stability on rocky ground. I liked them so much I've been wearing them ever since, on the considerably boggier trails of Scotland, all the way through the autumn, winter and spring.
Hence the name, this is the 19th iteration of the Cascadia, and it has been updated to be lighter, more flexible, and comfortable and provide better traction than its predecessors. They don't have a very wide fit, so the Merrell Morphlite or the Keen Seek may be better options for those needing this, but with a good 35mm of nitrogen-infused cushioning, I had flexibility underfoot without sacrificing control. This makes these shoes a great all-rounder for a variety of terrains and distances.
Read my full review of the Brooks Cascadia 19 trail running shoes here
Best trail shoes for running abroad
I travel a lot, and whether I'm going on a city break or a beach holiday, I always want the option of going for a walk or run, even when I have no idea what type of trails I might encounter. The Merrell Morphlite shoes are built for both tarmac and soft trail, so they take a lot of the guesswork out of packing, and they come everywhere with me.
I've worn these shoes everywhere from the paved lakeside trails of Copenhagen to Scottish beaches, and they're the most versatile shoe I own. They're extremely light and airy, so they're comfortable during the summer months and in hotter climates. They're also comfortable for walking and as an everyday trainer.
These trail shoes are great for anyone looking for out-of-the-box comfort in a shoe, with a fairly wide fit and a deep footbed. I found these features, and the good 3mm lugs kept me stable on uneven tracks - especially ones that were sandy or packed dirt. The only real issue with them is that the outsole leaves the midsole exposed, which keeps the lightweight design but means they may not be as long-lasting as others.
Read my full review of the Merrell Morphlite trail running shoes here
Best carbon plate trail shoes
Running on trails is slower than on the road, but there are ways to increase your speed - a carbon plate is one of them. It might help you out by creating a stiffer sole to propel you along. The Saucony Endorphin Edge is the best trail running shoe I've tested that has a carbon plate sandwiched into the foam midsole to help you pick up the pace.
Despite that stiffness, I found this shoe to still be one of the most comfortable I've tested, even straight out of the box. It has enough cushioning to absorb lumps and bumps, but not so much that they feel unstable.
They have great traction thanks to the chevron-shaped lugs, which are thankfully widely spaced to prevent excess mud from accumulating between them, and a secure fit, too, so I felt I could move quickly and safely. These are the shoes I recommend for anyone who wants to get on the trail this summer without sacrificing speed. I also love the bright pink colourway option.
Read my full review of the Saucony Endorphin Edge trail running shoes here
Best trail shoes for wide feet
As a keen hiker, I regularly find myself in a pair of walking shoes, so I'm familiar with the Keen brand. This is the very first pair of trail running shoes it has created, and I was impressed out of the box. The Keen Seek is a comfortable all-rounder that can handle a variety of trail surfaces quite capably and still double as a daily trainer.
Out of the shoes in this guide, this is one of the best if you have wide feet, but the integrated sock construction means it's snug on all but the narrowest feet. The stretchy liner keeps your foot from slipping around, and the roomy toe box feels great.
I personally found these trainers took a little breaking in, but I suspect that's down to my high arches. After a few wears, I was happy with the padding, grip and fit of these shoes. They're not made for very muddy conditions, but they're good if you only want one running and hiking shoe, and I found I could go quite far in them without my feet grumbling.
Read my full review of the Keen Seek trail running shoe here
Best multi-terrain running shoes
Digital Health Editor Grace Walsh spent a weekend in nothing but these shoes and her kit, moving on both road and trails across Sussex. While she says they won't be a top choice for those wanting a versatile shoe for walking and running (that prize goes to the Hoka Speedgoat 7 or the Merrell Morphlite), they are ideal for multi-terrain running.
"These trail shoes don't have a very thick sole, which meant I could really feel the ground underneath my feet as I ran. This made a big difference to my feeling of stability on slightly more uneven trails, but my hips and knees didn't suffer for the benefit," she says.
They are also firmer than most other running trainers, she says, so they offer some toe protection on the downhill. However, the design does taper in, so they aren't a good choice for those with wider feet. The rocker design means they are one of the better choices for those looking to pick up the pace, however.
Read Grace's full review of the Columbia Konos trail running shoes here
Best trail running sandals
You might hear sandals and think 'not for running, surely?', but there shouldn't be anything controversial about these trail running shoes. They take the concept of breathability to a whole new level, making them a great choice for summer running.
The Aventrails combine Teva's W strap system, which offers three points of adjustability using hook-and-loop fastenings, with a stretchy knit bootie. The result is that none of the straps touched my skin, and I enjoyed a surprisingly snug fit as my foot didn't move much.
I definitely got some surprised looks when I wore these, but they are more than just a gimmick. With a super-high stack of foam, they're really plush-feeling underfoot, and of course, they're the best running shoes I own for hot weather.
My only gripe is that when I wore them for a long time, they started to rub at my pinkie toe a little, but for casual summer runs and walks that might involve some water crossings or end at a beach, I love throwing these fun shoes on. They also make for a good pair of hiking sandals.
Read my full review of the Teva Aventrail trail running sandals here
Best lightweight trail running shoes
Merrell has long been synonymous with walking shoes, but since breaking onto the trail running scene a few years back, I've been continuously impressed. The MTL Long Sky 2 Matryx shoes are by far my favourite Merrell trail shoes (even surpassing my love for the Merrell Morphlite), and I will sorely miss them when I finally wear them out.
I gave these shoes their first proper test on a trail running and hiking trip to Gran Canaria, where I found them to be the perfect match for warm weather, arid terrain, and steep, rocky trails. They're my lightest trail shoes, but really tough due to the Matryx fabric used in the uppers. The soles are really flexible and thinner than modern standards, but that allows me to get a better feel for the trail, and they still provide more than enough protection for my feet.
Most notably, they seem to grip to just about any type of trail, so I can move faster, if I want to, with confidence. They're built with a more seasoned runner in mind, but after two summers, I'd recommend them to anyone looking for a light, airy and highly capable shoe.
Read my full review of the Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 trail running shoes here
The best trail running shoes for walking and running
If you're new to trail running, you might not want to throw all your money into a pair of trail-only shoes. Equally, you may want a versatile pair that you can hike in one day and run in the next. After wearing these shoes for a few weeks through the fells in the Lake District and across muddy, uneven trails in Greater London's parks, Grace says these are the pick of the bunch for this - and I agree.
She says: "These grippy trainers have thick lugs on the sole, springy support, and supremely comfortable cushioning. They are a rare find in the sea of walking shoes, being light enough to move quickly in and supportive enough for longer plods."
The stability is the jewel in the crown that makes them ideal for running and walking, however. She says: "With every step, my ankles felt secure, but the slight rocker in the design meant I could still spring from one foot to the next and pick up the pace. Although they won't be as speedy as the Columbia Konos running shoe, they feel so secure, I'd always pick them as my first choice."
Read my full review of the Hoka Speedgoat 7 trail running shoes here
Testing the best women's trail running shoes
How I tested
I run hundreds of kilometres each year on the trail, and what's on my feet really matters
As a trail runner, I run anywhere from 15 - 25k per week, testing out the latest trail running shoes. Though I'm most often found on the forest and mountain trails of the UK, I love to explore different trails when I'm travelling. Over the last couple of years, I've run sections of the famous UTMB course around Mont Blanc, parts of the Transgrancanaria trail and completed a 40k hut-to-hut trail running adventure in the Swiss Alps.
Also contributing to this guide is woman&home's digital health editor, Grace Walsh, who has completed three half-marathons on trail terrain and frequently visits the Peak District and Lake District to go running and hiking.
Together, we've negotiated mud, gravel, grass, rock, steep and flats, and it's all helped me create this guide to the best women's trail running shoes.
Here is the criteria I used during testing:
- Comfort: The true measure of a trail running shoe's success is whether you can wear it for hours on end and sometimes multiple days in a row, so I made sure to test each pair of shoes multiple times over at least a few weeks in real outdoor conditions.
- Grip: When you get off-road, traction is vital so you don't end up sliding downhill, and I've tested these shoes in a variety of conditions, including mud, grass and gravel to assess their capabilities.
- Protection and padding: Running on rough trails can mean lots of opportunities to stub your toes, so I looked for shoes with some reinforcements in the uppers and a sturdy enough sole to protect the bottoms of my feet, too.
- Versatility: If I'm going to shell out for a good pair of trail running shoes, I like them to be versatile enough for different types of trails and work for hiking as well as running, so I've chosen styles that are suitable for more than one season and can handle different surfaces, as much as possible.
How to choose the best women's trail running shoes for you
- Know where you'll be running: Think about the type of terrain you usually take on. Is it wet or muddy? If you’ll be sloshing through streams or lots of mud, keep an eye out for deeper lugs for traction (at least 4 mm) and upper materials that drain easily and dry quickly, like the Matryx. You may want to check whether the shoe comes in a waterproof version (note that you'll lose some breathability here, and I prefer waterproof socks). For rockier trails, a rock plate can help protect the soles of your feet, and reinforced uppers are a must.
- Consider distance: It's important to think about how far your longest run is likely to be. If you plan to cover vast distances, you'll most likely want a bit more cushioning, whereas for shorter runs, you can afford to lose some stack and enjoy the trail sensation underfoot.
- Think about seasonality: A lot of the very best trail running shoes should be wearable year-round, but if you want to run through a cold and snowy winter, a more robust upper is key and for very warm weather, consider light, breathable shoes where you can see the light through the pores. Running through the wetter and icier months definitely calls for deeper lugs for traction.
- Understand profile: A big difference between road and trail shoes is often the size of the drop between heel and toe. For extra stability on tricky trails, off-road shoes tend to have less drop (often 6 mm or less). This is thought to allow for a more natural gait, but you might find you prefer a higher drop, especially if you tend to run on rolling, hard-packed trail, and if so, look for a heel-to-toe drop of at least 8 mm.
- Revisit brands: The best running shoe brands are always working with the latest technology to revise existing models, and often serve a particular corner of the market. Brooks is known for comfort, Hoka for big, bouncy shoes and Merrell for wide toe boxes. If there's a brand or style that's really worked for you in the past, it's probably a good bet for your next pair of running shoes.
- Choose a versatile shoe: Unless you're training for a really specific race or goal where you might want something very technical like a carbon plate shoe, the more versatile the better. An all-rounder shoe can be your go-to for hiking, casual jogs and long trail runs.
