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The Best Trail Running Shoes of 2026 (So Far)

Running Warehouse

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From daily trainers to ultramarathon racing shoes, we've provided our top two favorites for each of our core trail-running categories. With so many excellent options out there, Loucas steps up to the plate to break down what makes these picks so special and what types of running they're best for.

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
1:00 - Standard Daily Trainers
4:06 - Max Cushion Daily Trainers
7:08 - Performance/Sub Ultra
9:44 - Super/Race Ultra
13:08 - Final Thoughts

Shop Salomon Genesis: https://www.runningwarehouse.com/catp...

Shop Saucony Peregrine: https://www.runningwarehouse.com/catp...

Shop HOKA Speedgoat: https://www.runningwarehouse.com/catp...

Shop The North Face Altamest 500: https://www.runningwarehouse.com/catp...

Shop adidas Terrex Agravic SL: https://www.runningwarehouse.com/catp...

Shop NNormal Kjerag: https://www.runningwarehouse.com/catp...

Shop Brooks Cascadia Elite: https://www.runningwarehouse.com/catp...

Shop Men's La Sportiva Prodigio Pro: https://www.runningwarehouse.com/catp...
Shop Women's La Sportiva Prodigio Pro: https://www.runningwarehouse.com/catp...

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The Best Trail Running Shoes of 2026 (So Far)

20 Comments

@PieterJanDelbecke 1 month ago

I just bought a pair of Nike ACG Pegasus Trail. Had good reviews and significantly cheaper than other trail runners

@myersa31 4 weeks ago

TNF Altamesa 500v2 is hands down my shoe of the year. I also have the Brooks Cascadia elite to compare it to and I always reach for the 500v2. The brooks for me was too squirrelly where as the 500v2 has a similar bounce, better rocker, better fit and is more stable. From road to trail to chunky technical terrain, the 500v2 does it all for me.

@GRAIL-TV 6 days ago

Nicely done, folks! Great round up

@alberto_aguirre 1 month ago

Kjerag 2 the best trail shoe I ever had. Loved the one, but this one is even better. Very light and extremely responsive with more support.

@marjorieaijeelucero1149 1 month ago

Most of these are for narrow footed

@Tesrivian 1 month ago

you cant really go wrong with TNF Altamesa here. unless you wanna to ride very rocky technical trail

@scherry2900 1 month ago

800 to 900 km in my Genesis. Good shoe and in good shape still. Will use it now as a compy hiking shoe.

@guilletjean-jacques5107 1 month ago

depuis 2025 je cours en Prodigio pro pour le trail et Evo SL pour la route , et il a fallu que je rachetes deux paires , j ai donc repris des evo SL , mais le model exo pour la route , car j adores le rapport qualité prix performance de ces chaussures de route , capable de tout faire , et a qui on peu mettre pas mal de kilometres , et quand j ai vu qu allait sortir le model trail , j ai sauté dessus dessuite , essai ce matin ....a suivre pour savoir si elles vont remplacer mes prodigio pro.

@DEXVD 4 weeks ago

Great round up, tested the Cacscadia Elite on an instore treadmill and really liked it but a bit between sizes for toebox room vs lockdown. Would really like to get a feel for the Prodigio Pro or Prodigio Pro 2 on foot and the Sylan 2. Either way will be watching for sales on the Agravic SL (haven't tried) and the Cascadia Elite. I also liked the SLAB Genesis 2, surprised it didn't get a mention given the base model did, seemed like a nice design but maybe let down by a boring foam.

@donaldboell4466 2 weeks ago

Missing: Salomon Ultra Glide 4, La Sportiva Prodigio 2, Salomon Aero Glide 4 GRVL, Altra Olympus 7 and 275 hi-low...

@YogaWithCriss 1 month ago

Although I love almost any La Sportiva (and I love the Prodigio Pro), we're leaving out Mount to Coast T1 and M1.

@MLHunt 1 month ago

I just got the Agravic SL. Great great shoe. Maybe not the best in any area of performance but very good to exceptional at everything.

@Evildeadge 1 month ago

Topo Ultraventure 4 or 5 for me for daily trail trainer

@LocalFoe 1 month ago

Why not provide some empirical data? Weight, stack height, cost

@FMcMtl 1 month ago

Running in roots and rocks all year here in quebec. We love our nordas for secure lock and control. Over 20k or racing, prodigio pro is my favorite. Kjerag2 is probably my next one to try. A lot of us boycott USA products here, so no hoka, saucony, brooks, nike, for me. The American bullying has to stop, they wont get my money.

@adrianemikko 1 month ago

I’d stil pick the Norda 005 for sub ultra but that was a 2025 release

@guenterhaines8898 1 month ago

Love TNF Altamesa 500 v2! Dreamfoam is great underfoot. Personally, I think it’s better than the Speedgoat.

@Manuel_1741 1 month ago

Hi. Interesting comparison. Like from Europe. Have a good week.

@Rich-Wilson-8647 4 weeks ago

You need to size up at LEAST 1/2 a US size on the Prodigio Pro. I had to do a full size. And yes, even then it gave me issues at the top of my foot after 20hrs. But it was worth it. Astounding grip- better than Vibram IMO.

I wish you had included prices. Especially for the daily trainer category, price is a major factor.