Best Road to Trail Running Shoes 2023: Nike, Inov-8 and more top hybrid running shoe picks

[@gorohit]

Excellent picks overall. Puma doesn't advertise their trail line a lot. But given that their nitro midsole, and pumagrip outsole are praised to be very good, and the fact that their shoes undercut almost all of the others in terms of price, this would be a good candidate to pick.

[@grantmckay7014]

I had a great holiday with the Puma Fast trac and Deviate Nitro 2 covering most conditions and surfaces.

[@grantmckay7014]

Living 2.5km from trails, I have been looking forward to this! I have been using the Peg Trail 3, Puma Fast trac nitro, Challenger 6 and Novablast 3TR. I often regret my choice of the Novablast once on the trails. The Challenger is a bit dull and has some less durable foam exposed. Prefer the Fast trac to the Peg Trail 3 on the roads but the Peg Trail on the trails. Fast trac is the "holiday" shoe. If I drive to the trails though, all of the above will be overlooked for a true trail shoe like the Peregrine. And yes, I have too many road to trail shoes...

[@kop3055]

I still think the Tecton X was criminally underrated. At a discounted price currently they are a real no brainer for me.

[@TruTube.1.]

"criminally underrated" .. another OVERRATED / OVERUSED KZbin bred statement. No man. no one's going to copy and paste your suggestion. Because you know why? Different shoes fit for Different folks.

[@markbuley176]

My vote is for Saucony Ride 15 TR. Great value, outstanding lock down. Just love.

[@alanshrimpton6787]

Could you do a Track work out in them? I have a 300m grass track 5k away from home but it's slippery when wet.

[@jacobd475]

Peregrine 12 are much better option. Lighter, more stable, more grippy, better ground feel and still reasonably cushioned and comfortable. Ride 15 tr are to heavy and bulky with their tractor outsole.

[@weekendkicks5964]

This has made me want the Parkclaws, thanks guys

[@paulnorman8274]

Mizuno's Rider TT is another alternative. The outsole is less trail specific than the likes of the Innov8s. More like the Pegasus. The added stability of the wave insert it inherits from the Rider, is nice on uneven trails, for a shoe which, outsole excepted, is pretty much a road shoe. An advantage of the less sharp outsole pattern, is it doesn't wear down and blunt nearly as quickly as the sharper lugs on more trail specific shoes do, when used on pavement. Yet it's still a useful step up over dedicated road shoes, as far as dirt traction is concerned.

[@MadLadsAnonymous]

Nice break down. Would love to also see the new Puma Fast-Track Nitro, Brooks Cascadia/Caldera.

[@CSRunner7]

Great timing as I’ve got my first 50k road/trail ultra later I’m in the year. My issue is having pretty wide feet so struggle in some like Hoka (even in their wide versions). Pleased NB Hierro got a mention as alternative at the end as thinking in a 2e could work for me as I’ve enjoyed road 1080 in wide . Thanks, a useful video with things to think about 👍

[@vincewarne228]

Not cheap, but often available on massive discount the Tecton X is a great shoe on road and trail.

[@stuart1346]

I’m closing in on 700miles for my parclaws. Super comfy, pretty responsive, works well on almost all surfaces and is incredibly durable love it. I’ve already got a new pair ready to go as my current ones may be close to the end.

[@owenlewis9258]

The starting point for me is that you can run trail with a lot of low stack daily road shoes. E.g.Reebok Floatride Energy 4 has small lugs that will get you through a surprising amount off road. For me, all these choices are light trail shoes! The Reebok Floatride Adventure 4 is my 'road to trail' shoe

[@KeithAnderson-gh8tk]

Must say I love my parkclaw G-280s as my go-to hybrid shoe - 350km already and no signs of wear at all. If I'm edging towards more road than trail on a run, I tend to stick with the Terraultra G270s (will eventually progress to the Trailfly V2 but working through my bin-end bargains still!).

[@samspade2399]

Thanks gents, just picked up the Asics Fuji lite on sale👍

[@michaelpalm2210]

How can you not include any Brooks trail shoes? (there are so many great ones). Only one I agree with the New Balance Hierro got an honurable mention👍

[@RickCecil04]

Truly want your opinion on any and all Under Armour off road shoes

[@kgenest100]

I would highly recommend the Adidas Terrex Speed Ultra as a very light and nimble road to trail shoe. The lugs are minimal at 2.5ish mm but the Continental rubber grips very well. The boost foam in the midsole gives plenty of energy return and they fit tight like a glove. Their only downside for me is that the material used around the ankle is a little too stiff and can hurt your ankles when doing the runners’ knot. I found a way to lace them properly and heel slippage was never an issue, so that downside disappeared.

[@TheRunTesters]

Hey Karl (Mike here), I've used previous Terrrex road to trail shoes and they've been great. We've actually got a new Terrrex road to trail shoe on the way so keep your eyes posted for that.

[@richardantrobus7186]

Agree about the ankle material, I almost gave up on them but you're right, changed the lacing and got over 400 miles out of them in the end. Upper gave out in the end but was always a good option for varied runs

[@fletch9210]

I'd add Saucony Peregrine 12, which has been brilliant for me, and you can pick it up on offer for £70

[@TheRunTesters]

That's a very good shout. We do have the 13 in so interested to see how it compares

[@TolunayOrkun]

I have Peregrine 12. It is a great medium distance trail shoe and flexible rock plate works great on technical rocky trails but on asphalt 5mm lugs are a bit too much. I think Xodus Ultra is a better choice as a road to trail option.

[@Updog89]

Which one has all 3 of the following: good cushion, a toe guard, roomy toes? I don’t need a ton of grip for the trails I run, or a particular fast shoe. I have narrower heels but not too picky about heel fit because I can adjust with how I tie my laces.

[@JDeezle21]

Puma Voyage Nitro 2 gets my vote🎉❤

[@grantsolomons8308]

Novablast 3 TR also a good option

[@pbnotj1]

Absolutely and long lasting midsole cushion! Got mine in December run in them almost daily and doing great

[@johnnydeefan8807]

Hey there, I'm an army veteran and I'm currently looking to re-enlist. I need a pair of shoes that I can run trails with but also occasionally on paved roads which will be solely used as my rucking shoes, that means I need support to carry loads of up to 40kg whilst running. Which shoes could you recommend? Thanks in advance for any help:)

[@jacobd475]

Perfect hybrid? Dynafit Ultra 100.

[@TolunayOrkun]

Saucony Xodus Ultra is a great road to trail shoe at any distance. It also has a flexible rock plate so when the trail goes a bit more technical it remains viable. I think the lugs are 3.5mm and works better than Peregrine 12. I also have ASICS Fuji Lite 12. Fuji Lite 13 is a very minor update. It works fine on road to trail as well. Finally, for those in the USA, Atreyu Base Trail is a fine road to light trail shoe for drier months. The supercritical foam makes the asphalt sections easier to manage and lugs are really shallow (2.5-3 mm). It is almost a road shoe with slightly upgraded outsole and upper.

[@a1naruth]

I wonder why hoka challenger keeps getting described as a road to trail. I have tried most of hoka lineup and I chose speedgoat as a hybrid shoe. The cushioning is much better for the road and outsole is better for the trail.

[@Dara-ih6jq]

I just ordered the Gel Nimbus 25 Trail. I was actually looking for a regular pair of the gel numbers 25 and I found the trail version on sale for like 20% off on all sizes. So I went with that because from my understanding, it’s the exact same shoe, but with a bigger tread… right?

[@finproductions]

How have you got on with the Nimbus 25 TR? Are you happy they are just as good as the normal version on road? and how was the fit/sizing for you? TTS?

[@itr0863]

brooks cascadia is my choice.

[@michaelpalm2210]

Didnt even get mentioned.....but ....... They are all ga-ga over North face shoe that no one is going to buy at $250

[@pbnotj1]

Is new balance Hierro v7 worth a mention?

[@jansommerlund5497]

Absolutely yes. It is a brilliant shoe. Good grip, soft and bouncy midsole and nice wide midfoot

[@michaelpalm2210]

It should have been the 1st one mentioned. The MVP🥇

[@AlanskiNation]

How about the Novablast TR ?

[@michaelalbrecht3395]

Oncloud vista 👍👍

[@alanshrimpton6787]

I need a road (5k) then to do a work out on a grass 300m track that's a bit slippery when wet then back home. Suggestions?

[@philipphaselwarter2287]

Is there an update on this coming?

[@toho1343]

Any recommendations for 4E width feet?

[@simondarcy1130]

I’m doing race to the stones and wondering if its better to wear road to trail shoe or just a road shoe with decent sole?

[@Nickswolves]

Would any of these be up to Man v Horse run or need something more aggressively lugged?

[@niafer9444]

I have the TrailFly G 270 V2 and I love them. But the reason I am here, watching this video, is because the lugs are wearing quite quickly. It makes me wonder whether this lovely grippy Graphene is just too reactive for tarmac. It makes me wonder whether the Trailtalon 290 V2 would be a better road to trail shoe?

[@paulnorman8274]

Anything with sharp and grippy lugs, wear fast on tarmac. Even offroad MC tires do, and they're made of seriously heavy/hardwearing rubber. For better mileage, you're better off with two pairs: Something like the TrailFly for trail focused days when you expect to need the traction; and a another pair like the Pegasus Trail or Wave Rider TT for roadier days. The additional life you get out of the more trail specific shoe, more than makes up for the additional initial outlay, in my experience.

[@niafer9444]

Thank you for the reply. I went with Parkclaw G 280 and Xodus Ultra 2 to see out the summer. Both your recommendations look like great shoes and are going on the list. Cheers. @@paulnorman8274

[@pauldaniel2527]

Nick, on the invo8, is that standard insole?

[@TheRunTesters]

Yep it is

[@leonbarnes6428]

New balance vectiv pro 13:28???

[@runzization]

Brooks Catamount 1, 2?!

[@michaelpalm2210]

Brooks got left out. solid thumbs down this video👎

[@JackD87]

Looking for something to run xc in when spikes aren’t suitable. Anyone have any suggestions?

[@TheRunTesters]

Inov-8 X-Talon range is good, can get some light shoes wjth 8mm studs. Adidas Terrex Speed SG is another fave of mine for XC (Nick)

[@JackD87]

@@TheRunTesters nice one thanks Nick! I’ve been checking out prices of the Parkclaw and the Asics Fuji Lite based on this video. Do you reckon they’re no good for xc? Need to pick something up for the Masters at Nonsuch Park next week!

[@TheRunTesters]

Parkclaw will be ok if not too muddy! X talons lighter and racier but less good for general running! Not tried the fuji lite myself unfortunately

[@JackD87]

@@TheRunTesters cheers Nick. Looks like some amazing deals on the Terrex range! The Speed ‘Ultra sn99’ is literally half price. Is there much difference throughout the range? But of a mine field all this…

[@Marsubleu]

No Salomon?

[@RunWithCT9]

You guys have the ON trail shoe on their and never said a word about it

[@SergiuSalcau00]

Wtf is Naik?

[@aliasgharkhoyee9501]

Was it Mikey who didn't pronounce Nikey correctly?

[@aliasgharkhoyee9501]

Was it Mikey who didn't pronounce Nikey correctly?