Trail running isn’t exercise. It’s meditation. A chance to escape from the work and grind. The antidote to tackling the city and the stress and exhaustion that comes with it. But to easily enter your mind palace with the assistance of all the beauty and health that nature has to offer by traversing these rewarding environments, you still need the right equipment, however relatively simple. Your feet need to be able to both breathe and break a decent pace. Below we take a look at five fabulous footwear to help you get up hill, down dale, and everything in between.
Salomon Speedcross 5
The Salomon Speedcross 5 is virtually like having webbed feet. Wait! That is a compliment. Think Spider-Man rather than Lizard-Man, ensuring extreme grip on the run that has made Salomon’s outsole one of the most enviable, and copied on the market. But stick with the OG...particularly with its widened forefoot for additional comfort, and the increased durability of the solid upper.
Price: £120.00
Hoka One One EVO Mafate 2
Hoka is virtually the definitive footprint when it comes to running. Their reputation is respected, universally, amongst the running community whether its tackling terrain, the track, or traffic (at a safe distance please!). Behold the EVO Mafate 2, a sequel to an already superior trail shoe. It ticks the boxes, with a plush, protective midsole cushioning and an effective Vibram rubber outsole to avoid slippage. Installed with superlative Kevlar construction to protect your foot from trail debris, it also offers comfort despite its hard exterior. It has a roomy upper and the thick rubberized foam midsole provides a soft landing and reciprocal energy bounce, allowing you to Legolas your way over the rocks on steep mountainsides.
Price: £165.00
Altra Lone Peak 4.5
Cushioned and very comfortable, as a zero-drop, the updated version of Altra’s original trail shoe features a trimmed down layer that offers added flexibility and comfort, and a simplified lacing system for improved micro-adjustment. Like all previous versions, the Lone Peak 4.5 includes all of the Altra trail shoe must-haves like StoneGuard, MaxTrac, Balanced Cushioning and the FootShape™ toe box. To top off the update, the midsole foam formula has been tweaked just enough to give you a more resilient feel underfoot.
Price: £120.00
Nike Pegasus Trail 2 GORE-TEX
When you want to make an impression, the Nike Pegasus Trail 2 GORE-TEX provides waterproof protection for runners, trail athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, proclaiming to be versatile enough for everyday training, and features an ideal fit and optimal traction for your miles. Wrapped in GORE-TEX to withstand harsh weather conditions, the Pegasus Trail 2 GTX features extra traction on the outsole to further help you tackle the elements, and Nike’s React cushioning has also been added for extra comfort.
Price: £129.95
Adidas Terrex Two Parley Trail
The shoe that makes swiftly switching from the road to the rural a breeze by the sportswear behemoth, as well as looking good doing it. The EVA midsole is incorporated to ensure a smooth, cushioned ride with a wide toe box to give your feet room to spread out, and the Continental rubber outsole grips to a smorgasbord of surfaces. Plus there’s the extra green appeal, with a Primeknit upper that’s made from upcycled plastic waste collected from beaches and coastlines.
Price: £130.00
