Gritty Runners’ shoe-obsessed team has picked the best trail running shoes of 2025 — tested across the Peak District, Eryri, and the Scottish Highlands. Our shortlist features top models from Salomon, INOV8, Altra, and NNormal, covering every type of runner and terrain: the best trail shoes for muddy conditions, the best technical trail shoes, the best zero-drop options, the best long-distance choices, plus our picks for best overall and best budget trail running shoe.

(Note: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you purchase through them. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and it helps support the site).

Stack Height: 34/28mm
Heel-to-Toe Drop: 6mm
Lug Depth: 3.5mm
Outsole: contaGRIP
Weight: 250g / 8.8 oz

We decided to have a bit of fun with this category. Picking a single trail shoe as the overall winner is always a tough ask. Whatever we choose, someone will inevitably disagree — and probably think we’ve lost the plot. Truthfully, it’s impossible for one shoe to be “the best” across the sheer variety of terrain and conditions we trail runners find ourselves on. And just because something works for us doesn’t mean it’ll work for you. We could have gone for a “safe” option, but does such a thing even exist?

This year, we’ve chosen the Salomon S/LAB Pulsar 4. It’s a bizarre pick for a number of reasons. It only has shallow 3.5mm lugs. It’s wildly expensive. Salomon’s last — and their Quicklace system — aren’t exactly crowd-pleasers. It uses Salomon’s own contaGRIP. A trail shoe without Vibram Megagrip winning the best overall category is borderline heresy, right? On top of that, it hasn’t exactly been embraced by the big review sites.

In our full review of the S/LAB Pulsar 4, we address what we feel are some pretty unbelievable claims from Believe in the Run. They don’t score the shoe badly, but they do say a few things that are completely at odds with our experience. We also touch on some of the lab-derived data from RunRepeat. We’re fans of RunRepeat’s methodology, but it does feel as though no one actually ran in the Pulsar 4. It was a fun review to write — and even though we tempered our criticisms, it let us be a little mischievous.

We found the Pulsar 4’s dual-foam midsole — EVA optiFOAM beneath Salomon’s PEBA-EVA blend optiFOAM+ — creates a perfectly balanced platform that performs exceptionally well on both hard and soft terrain. That’s no easy feat. Usually, performance on one surface compromises the other. Not here. The different foam densities produce a moderately firm base that glides over softer ground while still delivering plenty of energy return and comfort on harder surfaces.

It also hits a sweet spot with stack height. At 28/34mm, there’s more than enough protection for long days out, but not so much that you lose stability or agility. I’m as likely to pick these for a fast, technical 10K as I am for a “short” ultra. The upper plays a big part in that. The snug entry bolsters the shoe’s agile feel, but once you’re in, the fit is far more accommodating than previous versions — and it’s luxuriously soft.

And those 3.5mm lugs? They’ve been nothing short of superb. After reading another reviewer claim the outsole failed on “anything with moisture” — a statement I struggled to take seriously — I tested the Pulsar 4s in the harshest conditions the Peak District had to offer. They exceeded all expectations, performing on terrain and in weather they were never designed for. I’m not suggesting people buy them as a bog shoe — there are better tools for that job — but I’d love to see Salomon experiment with something like NNormal’s Brut edition of the Kjerag. Maybe not 6.5mm, but a 5mm version would be fascinating.

If you want the full scoop, here’s our full review of the Salomon S/LAB Pulsar 4.

INOV8 Mudtalon/Speed V2

Stack Height: 33/25mm
Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8mm
Lug Depth: 5mm
Outsole: Vibram Megagrip Litebase
Weight: 294g / ~10.38 oz

I’ll be honest: my love for the INOV8 Mudtalon/Speed V2 has been the biggest surprise of my entire time testing running gear. When INOV8 first asked if I wanted to try them, I really wasn’t keen. Nothing against the Mudtalons — I just didn’t think they were necessary for the terrain I normally run. They’ve got 8mm lugs, and at the end of the day, they’re a fell-running shoe.

But now, having tested the Speed version and immediately wanting the same outsole with a bit more cushion, I’ve ended up with two shoes from the Mudtalon range: the Speed V2 and the regular Mudtalon V2.

And while I’ve done the odd bit of fell-like running in them, I’ve mostly been using them on my usual mixed-terrain routes (with the more cushioned Mudtalon V2 being the better match for that). I genuinely have no idea how I’d be managing my local trails this autumn without them. We’ve had some particularly wet weather here in the UK — and you know it’s bad when a Brit says it’s wet. It’s always wet. But trust me: it’s really wet right now, and the ground has turned to mush.

The Mudtalon/Speed V2 put a massive smile on my face. I’ve never felt so much confidence on terrain like this. Bombing down steep descents past Mudtalon-less runners and walkers is an absolute joy (sorry). And honestly, without them I think I’d have been relegated to the roads or, God forbid, the dreadmill — at least until the UK somehow manages to string together a full week of decent weather. Let’s be realistic: that’s not happening any time soon.

I’m currently writing a full review of the Mudtalon V2s, but I recently published my review of the INOV8 Mudtalon Speed V2s, which includes a section on the differences between them, so you’ll get the gist there.

A part of me wanted to name these the best overall trail running shoe of 2025, but I appreciate they’re probably overkill for a lot of people. Still, there’s no question: these are the best muddy-trail running shoe I’ve tested in 2025.

NNormal Kjerag 02

Stack Height: 33/25mm
Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8mm
Lug Depth: 5mm
Outsole: Vibram Megagrip Litebase
Weight: 294g / ~10.38 oz

The NNormal Kjerag 02 could quite easily have won the overall category. I mean, it’s even in the title of my review. It was a real toss-up between this and the S/LAB Pulsar 4, and I considered switching them out a couple of times. I mention that to make the point that if you’re searching for a brilliant all-rounder, don’t be put off by me ranking this as the best technical racer. It is — but it’s so much more than that.

The S/LAB Pulsar 4 edges it slightly on softer terrain. The NNormal’s TPU superfoam is nicer on the hard stuff, but you definitely lose a bit of that energy on the soft.

The Kjerag 02 is just a really fun, nimble trail shoe. It’s comfortable, built for speed, but doesn’t feel aggressive or harsh at slower paces. On technical terrain, the Vibram Megagrip is extremely dependable, and the absence of an insole places your foot closer to the ground. More ground-feel = more stability.

You might assume that the lack of an insole and the Kjerag 02’s relatively low stack (albeit increased from the first version) would rule it out for longer distances. When I bought them, I thought they’d be a fast-10K-on-rocky-terrain sort of shoe and nothing more. But honestly, they’ve become one of my favourites for long distances. The absence of an insole eliminates the chance of insole-related irritation — a big deal for someone who battles the ol’ plantar fasciitis.

On top of that, NNormal build their shoes with sustainability in mind. They don’t want them falling apart after a few races, even if that’s not great for the bottom line. It’s common to see people racking up huge mileage in all of NNormal’s models, making them excellent value. (So why aren’t these number one, after all?)

Like the Salomon, its 3.5mm lugs have absolutely no right being as good as they are in treacherous conditions. Don’t get me wrong — I’m not bombing through muddy patches like I am in the Mudtalon V2s — but I’m also not pussyfooting around.

Check out our full review of the NNormal Kjerag 02.

Salomon S/LAB Ultra Glide 1.5 or Salomon Ultra Glide 3

Stack Height: 33/25mm
Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8mm
Lug Depth: 5mm
Outsole: Vibram Megagrip Litebase
Weight: 294g / ~10.38 oz

While the S/LAB Ultra Glide 1.5 and the regular Ultra Glide 3 differ in plenty of ways, it’s hard to talk about one without the other. Both use a similarly chunky midsole (with different foams), making them solid options for long distances on easy to moderate terrain where comfort is king.

Let’s address the elephant in the room: the S/LAB version is eye-wateringly expensive — easily the priciest trail shoe we’ve ever reviewed. By contrast, the Ultra Glide 3 offers excellent value. With the Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales still running, you can grab a pair at SportsShoes for around £91, while the S/LAB sits at roughly £172 in the same sale.

Both models share the same outsole — a distinctive wavy geometry unlike anything else on the market. Salomon calls it Relieve Sphere, designed to diffuse pressure and adapt to uneven ground. Whatever the science behind it, this take on contaGRIP performs brilliantly across a range of conditions.

The biggest differences lie in the midsole. The Ultra Glide 3 sticks with full optiFOAM — Salomon’s dependable EVA blend — while the S/LAB uses a dual-foam setup: part optiFOAM, part PEBA-infused optiFOAM+. It’s softer, snappier, and generally more responsive.

That said, we’re big fans of optiFOAM on its own. It strikes a great balance of comfort, responsiveness, and durability, and on softer terrain it arguably outperforms the S/LAB. The higher stack plus PEBA layer in the S/LAB can introduce a touch of instability when things get mushy.

Whichever way you lean, both shoes deliver reliable grip and long-run comfort on easy-to-moderate ground. The S/LAB’s price will understandably put many people off, but if you’re regularly knocking out 100K+ efforts, it may be a justifiable investment. For everyone else, the Ultra Glide 3 is the smarter buy — and for the price of the S/LAB, you could pick up the UG3 and a second pair from this list.

A quick note: the 1.5 is an update to the original S/LAB Ultra Glide (the red-and-white one). If you see the older version on sale, there’s a reason — the heel collar was infamous for causing rubbing and bloody heels. The 1.5 fixes that issue.

Also: full review(s) to follow!

Altra Lone Peak 9+

Stack Height: 25/25mm
Heel-to-Toe Drop: 0mm
Lug Depth: 3.5mm
Outsole: Vibram Megagrip
Weight: 295g / 0.4 oz

We’re big fans of zero-drop running shoes, particularly for trail. Three models made the shortlist: the Altra Mont Blanc Carbon, the INOV8 Trailtalon Zero, and the eventual winner, the Altra Lone Peak 9+, whose versatility was too hard to ignore. Several friends, colleagues, and family members own the LP 9+, yet no two use it in the same way.

The 9+ is the first Lone Peak to feature Vibram Megagrip — a change welcomed with open arms by the Altra community. It uses Altra’s trademark FootShape fit and, although it might look a little dorky, your feet will thank you for the sacrifice. The wide toe box and plush upper make it comfortable for all-day wear (assuming your feet are accustomed to the relatively low stack height and zero drop). In fact, many people — including one of our female testers — use the Lone Peak for long, multi-day hikes, which the addition of Vibram (the “+” in the name, if you were wondering) only improves.

My personal use case for the LP 9+ is a mix of everyday wear and easy-going trails. While the FootShape last sends comfort off the charts, the trade-off is how easily the roomy toe box can get snagged on rocks, roots, and whatever else is lurking underfoot. Not ideal when you’re moving downhill at pace. That said, this isn’t everyone’s experience. If you like the idea of FootShape but worry you might also end up on the deck a bit too often, we’d recommend Altra’s race-day option, the Mont Blanc Carbon, or the slightly cheaper (and nearly identical) Mont Blanc Speed.

Get a more detailed take in our in-depth review of the Altra Lone Peak 9+.

NNormal Tomir 2.0

Stack Height: 33/25mm
Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8mm
Lug Depth: 5mm
Outsole: Vibram Megagrip Litebase
Weight: 294g / ~10.38 oz

Don’t worry, I’m not out of touch. At launch, the Tomir 2.0 would set you back £160 — hardly what you’d call “budget.” Now, though, you can pick up a pair from SportsShoes for £95. NNormal’s shoes offer excellent value even at full price thanks to the brand’s commitment to sustainability. They’re designed to last for a substantial amount of miles, and NNormal really do deliver on that promise.

It may not be the latest trail shoe to hit the market, but at this price I can’t think of anything better. In my view, it follows a Goldilocks-porridge type formula, and everything about the Tomir 2.0 is just right.

5mm lugs that are dependable on all but the muddiest terrain? Tick.
A stack of EVA foam that’s not too high and not too low? Tick.
Durable without feeling completely dead? Tick.
An upper that isn’t overly heavy? Tick.
Bonus points for looking cool? While that’s subjective, I reckon the Tomir 2.0 is the coolest of the lot.

Sure, you could find a broadly dependable trail shoe for less than £95, and £95 isn’t exactly pocket change. But for what you’re getting, it’s exceptional value.

Further Reading

You’ve got the shoes, but have you got the full kit? Here’s our roundup of trail running gear essentials

Want to read more from us? Find all the posts, here.