Trail running is currently a real hipe term, although critical voices claim that trail running itself is hardly practiced. Today, we don't want to think about the sense or nonsense, the reality or dream of trail running, but we have taken a look around at what trail running shoes can be found on the market and have discovered brands and shoes that we ourselves would not have expected. What is nice from the consumer's point of view is that the selection is large, the concepts are exciting in many cases and the design, which plays an important role in the purchase decision, is also very diverse. We do not want to conduct a test at this point and also point out that each person has a different foot, a different body and a different running movement and a different running sensation. "Objective" tests are only of limited use for this reason alone. We have paid more attention to which brands offer which products at what price, and made ourselves a first picture, which we would like to pass on at this point.
Brand | Nation | Models | Prices | Comment |
Adidas | Germany | 8 men, 10 women | 109.95-219.95 | Optics do not like, quality certainly impeccable, sole concepts mitunter with Continental tire manufacturer developed, but trail running does not seem to be the hobbyhorse of Adidas |
Mammoth | Switzerland | 4 men, 4 women | 160-200 | Tradionelle Swiss outdoor brand with clothing, equipment and footwear for outdoor target group, trail running still small segment, the outdoor specialist offers 17 hiking boots and 7 mountaineering shoes per gender, functionality is a priority, high-end lacing (no hooking on bushes), robust, grippy soles for strong grip in the terrain, low weight, high quality |
Solomon | France | 24 men, 24 women, 6 unisex | 220-300 | Int. sporting goods manufacturer, today belongs to Finnish Amer-Sports Group, Salomon strives for or already holds the market leadership in trail running, optics trendy and fashionable, large selection, but confusing for the layman, modern shoe concepts with grippy soles, but stronger analysis and tests are needed to understand the differences between the models |
Icebug | Sweden | 8 women, 8 men | 169.90-200.00 | Swedish outdoor shoe manufacturer, funny design, beetle as logo (Icebug = ice beetle) top fashion, come from orienteering, strong sole concepts with studs / spikes, massive control is to be achieved (you feel every stone and should), low sprengung, light, sporty, very credible supplier. |
On | Switzerland | 4 men, 4 women | 230-250 | Swiss startup company with super light shoes, waterproof, own sole concepts, lifestyle, allegedly very good customer service |
Puma | Germany | 1 men, 1 ladies | 140 | Puma has obviously not yet discovered the topic of trail running for themselves, model okay, nothing special, for trail running you do not currently have to look at Puma in |
Nike | USA | 0 | - | Nike does not handle the issue at all |
Inov-8 | UK/Japan Owner | 11 (35) men, 10 (35) women | 159-249 | Extremely versatile portfolio, super grippy soles, cleat-like and models with spikes for snow/ice and frozen ground, modern design, lightweight, must be checked absolutely |
Saucony | USA | 6 men, 6 ladies | 169-219 | Traditional running brand, special cushioning concept with lasting effect, special shoe concepts with powerful sole, very different models for winter/summer, very interesting, are strong in the training field. |
Merrell | USA | 15 men, 14 ladies | 99.90-149.90 | Outdoor brand, Extremely different models from barefoot model with only 164 g weight to robust trail running shoe with 299 g weight, very versatile program, for various requirements, very strong |
Meindl | Germany | 3 men, 3 ladies | 199-229 | German traditional shoe manufacturer for hiking, outdoor and mountaineering shoes, 300 years of history, the term trail running is deliberately not used, under "Trail Activity" you will find the 3 models "Cuba" "Jamaica" and "Barcelona" with and without Goretex (GTX), certainly solid quality, design rather conservative |
Brooks | USA | 6 men, 6 ladies | 180-200 | Pure running shoe manufacturer, develop shoes with athletes, fashionable design, solid trail running shoes, strong shoe concept with powerful grippy sole, strong upper shoe concept, breathable, good protection. |
Dynafit | Italy | 6 men, 1 unisex | 125-220 | Italian outdoor brand, only outdoor running shoes, strong design, different lacing concepts, grip sturdy sole, waterproof models, like it. |
Salewa | Italy | Outdoors specialist no special trail running shoes | ||
La Sportiva | Italy | 9 men, 9 women | 179-250 | Italian outdoor brand, unique shoe and sole concepts, modern lacing, appealing sporty outdoor look, an interesting choice. |
Mizuno | Japan | 6 men, 6 women | 145-210 | Sporting goods manufacturer with shoes for football, tennis, rugby, volleyball, etc. Trail running small range, visually rather mediocre, strong sole concept with soles from tire manufacturer Michelin, with/without Goretex (waterproof). |
Asics | Japan | 4 women, 4 men | 135-200 | Int. sporting goods brand, running shoes for 30 years cushioning with GEL technology, which is constantly being developed, classic lacing or BOA, complex shoe concepts with and without Goretex.<br /> |
Data without guarantee