The Best Trail Running Shoes For Men

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.Columbia/Business InsiderThe Insider Pick:Trail running shoes keep your feet protected against the rocks, roots, and ever-changing terrain you'll find on those backwoods jogs, giving you the traction and support you need to log the distance. The Columbia Variant X.S.R. Montrail Running Shoes are our top pick because they're comfortable the first time you slip them on and durable enough to last for hundreds of miles.I know you're thinking about it, so let's start with the most common question: What is the difference between trail running shoes and hiking shoes? The primary difference is simple. Hiking shoes are designed for use while you're carrying a pack and covering long distances, while trail runners are ideal for the unladen user out for a few hours at a time. The presumed user of a hiking shoe has weight on his or her back and will be logging many miles over the course of multiple consecutive days. Hiking shoes tend to be heavier than trail runners due to added cushioning in the sole and the extra support needed to prevent a rolled ankle, exacerbated by pack weight and/or the rugged terrain that comes with trekking both off the trail.OK, now what's the difference between a trail running shoe and a running shoe more generally? There are two design elements that separate trail runners from road running shoes: The type of traction and the sole thickness (e.g. level of cushioning). On paved roads, sidewalks, or other prepared surfaces, you don't really need much additional traction, and you can generally count on a consistency of terrain, thus there's no need for extreme tread patterns or extra cushioning. Out on the trail, however, one step might fall on hard packed dirt while the next might see you cruising over a scree field filled with loose stones and fallen brambles.The traction and cushioning offered by a good trail running shoe keep you prepared to meet and conquer all sorts of ground and in myriad weather conditions. They weigh a bit more than regular running shoes, so when you're training for the Boston Marathon, stick with road shoes. They don't necessarily offer the proper support for the hiker carrying a 50-pound pack and enduring the heel strikes of a granite boulder field, either. That's why hiking boots are a thing.But for the runner out for a morning run on the mountain trails, trail running shoes are the ideal footwear. Go ahead and use them for any casual hike, too. They can handle it. If you loved this information and you would want to receive more details about Salomon shoes please visit our page. And so can you. Read on to see which of our top picks are best for your needs.Updated on 02/23/2018 by Steven John: Replaced our former top pick with a new pair of shoes from Columbia and added a pair of Adidas trail running shoes as our top pick for trail running in bad weather.Although the Columbia Sportswear Variant X.S.R. Montrail Running Shoe is our top pick, for the reasons laid out in the slides below, you should also consider the ASICS GEL Venture 5 Trail Running Shoe, the Salomon Speedcross 3 Trail Running Shoe, the New Balance Minimus Trail 10v1 Trail Running Shoe, and the Tesla Bare Trek BK31 Minimalist Barefoot Trail Running Shoe, and the Adidas outdoor Kanadia 7 Trail GTX.View As: One Page Slides