1Nike LunarEpic Low Flyknit 2
Photo by Matt Rainey$88 (originally $160) Buy Now
With one-piece bootie construction, the thick upper of the LunarEpic is snug through the midfoot and heel to lock the foot in place, and Flywire cables create a saddle to further secure your midfoot. The outsole still features the pod-like design and laser siping (small grooves cut in the exposed foam) for flexibility and traction. (See full description here.)
2Under Armour Speedform Gemini 3
Photo by Matt Rainey$65 (originally $130) Buy Now
The Gemini uses an engineered mesh in the front half of the shoe. Combined with a densely woven mesh farther back and external heel clip, it locks the heel and midfoot directly over Under Armour’s top-of-the-line foam. The shoe punches above its weight class, delivering a cushier ride than many shoes with similar profiles. (See full description here.)
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3Brooks Mazama
Photo by Matt Rainey$98 (originally $140) Buy Now
This shoe is best-known for its comfortable fit, which isn’t what you always think of when on the trails. In addition, it includes a stone shield to deflect rocks and has a racing feel. It is great on firm trails, but wear testers said they slip a bit on loose ground. (See full description here.)
4Saucony Peregrine 7
Photo by Matt Rainey$66 (originally $120) Buy Now
The Peregrine is no stranger to awards—versions 4 and 6 claimed our Editor’s Choice award. This update offers a lot of versatility. Saucony removed a block of bouncy foam from the heel but gave the shoe a thin, full-length layer of the same material directly below the sockliner. In the RW Shoe Lab, we measured a dip in heel cushioning as a result, though wear-testers said the shoe feels responsive. The rest of the midsole and outsole remains unchanged, so you’ll get that same solid grip in all conditions from the toothy rubber bottom. (See the full description.)
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5Mizuno Wave Daichi 2
Photo by Matt Rainey$65 (originally $130) Buy Now
The shoe is a sound all-arounder, with a multidirectional outsole that grips a wide range of surfaces and has plenty of cushioning for most terrain. The sole’s X-shaped grooves under the midfoot allow the shoe to twist and bend, conforming to undulations in the trail. (See full description here.)
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below