A few weeks ago I reached out to Leon, Sprezza’s head editor, about seeing if there was any way to do a test review / write up on one singular pair of trail running sneakers for an upcoming hike I had coming up.
Fast forward a week and I had become the owner of eight of the most popular trail runners on the market, and was tasked to review them all. As someone who is deep into a very subpar NY Marathon training block, it was nice to have some diversity added to the mix.
I'm skipping the deep spec talk since there are plenty of reviews already geeking out over weights and stack heights. Instead, I'm gonna try to match each shoe to the person I think it's for. Technical specs are below if you want them.
Few broad notes:
1/2 of these had Vibram soles, a small feature that I love and trust.
I got all of these in an 11.5 except for the Salomon GRVL and Norda 055, both of which I got a 12.
I’d gladly wear any of these on a hike, but not all of them on a trail run.
Let’s jump in.
Keen Seek - $185
You know what I miss? Being able to buy an affordable, reliable daily driver that always starts with no issues. Like a 2000 Toyota Corolla.
The Keen Seek is the indestructible 2000 Toyota Corolla of this list in the best way.
At $185 you have a workhorse of a shoe that avoids any fancy (and sometimes gimmicky) tech for the sake of building something that works without the fear of anything breaking on you. No complex lacing systems, no trademarked fabrics, no elaborate lug patterns — GOOD.
Its strength lies in its simplicity and ability to be worn anywhere, from a muddy, technical trail to a quick Trader Joe’s grocery run. The shoe is comfortable, the laces are grippy, and you have a pretty generous toe box for when your toes start to get bloated after a few miles.
This is the pair I would recommend the most to anyone looking to start trail running this fall. I think it’s a pair that punches way above its price point, and when you’re a few miles deep into the woods you’re going to want something that will get you back to your car reliably every time.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 - $170
A few months ago we dropped a piece on The North Face’s footwear offerings and I’ve been looking to try out a pair of their sneakers ever since.
The Altamesa really looks just like a road shoe, and it actually feels like one as well. Going from a pair of my road sneakers to trail sneakers, there usually was some sort of adjustment; not with these. The geometry, the front rocker, and the cushy sole really gives you the confidence that you could take these out for a run both on and off trail.
I think that’s where these shine actually, as a really great entry point to hybrid running. Even with the lugs, it’s a really forgiving feel on pavement with enough cushion to keep you moving. And then if you happen to see a trail you can jump right onto it and keep going.
I'd also say these were the best looking pair I wore, and the ones that seemed least like I was being a gorp-core nerd while running errands. Any shoe that can be worn to eat miles on pavement, trail, and still be wearable to go grab a coffee is a win in my book. They also make a GORE-TEX version which is really cool and would probably serve you well in the colder weather.
Hoka Mafate X - $225
The Hoka Mafate X was the only shoe that audibly made me giggle.
Maybe it’s the massive stack height that made me 6’5” every time I wore them, or maybe it’s the fact that they bounce like moon shoes, or maybe it’s the carbon plate that feels like it’s pushing you forwards with every step…these shoes can really be defined as fast and fun. Even at slow paces or walking, I couldn't help but have a dumb smile on my face because of how good these felt.
And let me be clear that I am usually a pretty vocal Hoka hater when it comes to their road shoes since they usually feel like bricks on my feet and have no room for my toes. It feels like they cracked the code with the Mafate X. They should put this sole, plate, and toe box in every road shoe they make. I’d become a loyalist.
Because of how tall and bulky this pair is, I think it’s best left for long/ultra-long distance with stretches of runnable elevation as opposed to technical terrain. I’ve never rolled an ankle with these but based off the height alone, these were the ones on the list that I feared the most. If you’re looking to go on race-pace long runs through the woods in the utmost comfort, these are for you.
Salomon Genesis 2 - $150
Alright so unfortunately these didn’t work for me. Now most people would spin this into a ‘it didn’t work for me so they must be bad’ angle, but I really think I’m just not built for this specific shoe.
At 6’3” and +230 lbs, I am not a small guy and I prefer shoes with a bit more cushion and a taller stack height. These are almost the opposite; some reviews liken them to a more traditional trail running sneaker, being slimmer and thinner. I think for the right person, these are going to be incredible and very nimble. And if you need more proof go look at any of the many glowing reviews you can find online about them.
I will say I really loved the quick lace system, even if it did take a bit to get used to, and the sole was quite grippy.
So who are these for? Probably someone quick and light on their feet that’s looking to navigate through technical trails without all the extra cushion and with a good amount of feeling through the sole.
Merrell Agility Peak 6 BOA - $180
So I didn’t quite understand these at first (especially visually) and kept sending Leon photos about them with small complaints until he hit me with a version of “For a shoe that you seem to complain about all the time, you sure are wearing them an awful lot.” Damn. He was right. For as much as I thought they looked like clip on bike shoes, they did find themselves on my feet a lot.
Part of it has to be chalked up to the super cool and convenient BOA dials that made putting these on and off incredibly easy. They also made making adjustments on the fly so, so quick. I know a few brands use these and reviews seem to be steady across the board that they’re reliable.
The other part has to be what Merrell calls their ‘underfoot shield,’ which is a lightweight, impact-resistant protective layer in the midsole that keeps you from getting thrashed with sharp rocks or other garbage on the trail and it really is appreciated, especially when stepping over stones or branches. These were by far the most protective underfoot feel of the bunch.
I think you can run in these, but I’d argue that these excel more at traditional hiking paces as opposed to full on sprints. If you’re looking for great protection while still having a lot of maneuverability, these are for you.
Mount to Coast M1 - $195
I was originally looking to try out the H1 model but was convinced to run in the M1 instead and it was the absolute right choice.
Listen I don’t know what they put into their JETCELL midsole but it feels like a cheat code to running. It’s super plush and forgiving, but it’s also springy and has good energy return? Like you can stack miles without feeling the ache in your ankles and knees the next day which I appreciate as I age.
The sizing was a little strange and I saw a lot of comments online saying that these ran real snug in the upper, something I only noticed while comparing them to other pairs. They also feel a little shorter in length than the rest, might be worth sizing up a half size.
The dual lacing system here is really cool too. The lower half laces with a bungee and the upper half with regular laces, so you can loosen the toe box as your feet swell. Some call it gimmicky; I came around on it and appreciated it.
These are my top pick for the person looking to crank out ultra marathon distances in complete comfort and hope that the right shoe will help offset fatigue.
Salomon GRVL Concept - $250
The Salomon GRVL Concept is what happens when a brand decides to make a shoe that go anywhere at a moment’s notice.
Because it’s a hybrid sneaker, the lugs are much shorter than the rest of the batch but if I’m being honest, I never felt like they weren’t enough to dig in when needed. They’re big enough to give you confidence on the trails and just short enough to not drag on road runs. The quick lace system here also takes a bit to get used to, but it really does a great job of hugging your ankles and keeping your feet locked in.
I know Salomons are sometimes seen as the basic gorp sneaker, but I really think the GRVL Concept is Salomon at their best and most technologically impressive.
Is it the best road shoe? No. Is it the best trail shoe? No. Is it the best road-to-trail shoe that does a pretty great job at both? Absolutely. And at $250, you’d be hard pressed to be able to find a combination of 1 pair of road sneakers + 1 pair of trail sneakers that could perform as well in their respective areas as this pair can at both. Truly the best do-it-all sneaker out there.
Norda 055 - $325
Alright it’s time to be honest here. When I asked Leon about reviewing one pair of trail sneakers, this was the pair I was inquiring about.
If the Keens are the indestructible 2000’s Toyota Corolla, this is the indestructible 80’s Series Land Cruiser with a top of the line lift kit, 37’s, and armor all around. Those two pairs actually remind me of each other; very similar feel with very different executions.
This is the pinnacle of trail running sneakers and I fully understand the hype. It feels like they really thought out how to make the most overbuilt and reliable sneaker on the market without sacrificing performance along the way. Even though they look beefy and heavy, they were shockingly light and agile.
I also fully understand the $325 price tag too. The Bio-Dyneema® upper and laces are no joke, along with the Arnitel® midsole that both cushions you and springs you forwards, and the Vibram® Litebase® keeps you locked into the dirt…registered trademarks aren’t cheap, and it’s clear that no expenses were spared here. But when you’ve got people with +500 miles on one pair of Nordas, suddenly the price doesn’t seem too insane.
I’d say these are for the runner that’s locked into trail running and looking for the ultimate upgrade, or the person who just always likes buying the most expensive thing; either way you will not be disappointed.
Asking for one pair turned into eight, and eight pairs turned into the realization that there isn't really a "best" trail shoe, just the right one for where you're going and how you want to get there. Find yours, go find a trail, and let it rippppp.
And if you jumped straight to the bottom (no judgment), here's the TLDR: Starting out? Keen Seek. Road-to-trail commuter? Altamesa or GRVL Concept. Long and fast? Mafate X. Ultra comfort? M1. Light and technical? Genesis 2. Built-in protection? Agility Peak 6 BOA. Money no object? Norda 055.
As for me, it's back to the marathon block, but I have a feeling a few of these are going to keep sneaking onto my feet and leading me to the trails again soon.
Great stuff right here! Bottom line, people need to hit their local running shop and try them on to find the best shoe for them.
Right on time. This is great guidance.
I'm shopping for something like a trail runner boot, better tread and sleeker than my Bean boots, but still waterproof and up for mud. Did you happen to look at any of those? Norda has a "mid-collar". The price is right of the Keen Targhee, but I would need to learn to like the look of it. Got any suggestions?
I'd wear these on rainy or snowy NYC days for work-casual, weekends with my son, park time and dealing with some soggy chores around the bay.