Author
Bob Myaing and Annie Kluger
For many, running has become just about the only outlet from an otherwise entirely indoors life. Whether you're pounding the pavement—while appropriately distancing, of course—or you're lucky enough to have trails nearby (or running around your living room for our 0.5k Fun Fun Fundraiser this weekend), having the right footwear that can hold up to the challenge is key. Ideally they strike a balance between fashion and function, too.
For all my fellow design nerds and raging aesthetes, we've rounded up 13 of the most stylish trail runners out now, useful for both getting exercise and getting likes on IG (yes you can still get fits off in quarantine).
Salomon S/LAB XT-4 ADV
Salomon’s S/LAB line is continuing to have its moment (ex: District Vision Mountain Racer). The hyper-engineered arm of the French brand has found a lasting popularity away from the mountains and among the city streets of Tokyo, NYC, and LA. The unisex, graphic-driven S/LAB XT-4 ADVANCED trail runner is the perfect example of why, made of a technical blend of elevated fabrics and mesh welded in stitch-free construction with a toggle fastener and Contagrip MA outsole.
Price: $220
Merrell Moab Speed GORE-TEX
Merrell’s Moab line is the heart of the outdoor footwear brand’s catalog, bringing style and technical features for both everyday wear and adventures in the woods. The Moab Speed Gore-Tex brings some serious style for getting fits on- and off-trail, and "Multi" is our pick for winning color (but there are seven total pick from). Features like Gore-Tex weatherproofing and hearty Vibram sole give the trail sneaker real technical credibility while recycled materials throughout add a plus for sustainability. Find even more color options in Merrell's standard, less-weatherproof Moab Speed.
Women's Option: YES
Price: $150
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Mammut Saentis Knit Low
There is something freeing about going barefoot, but unfortunately city sidewalks don’t lend themselves to a shoeless lifestyle (please don’t try, no matter what you see on social media). Fortunately, the futuristic Saentis Knit Low from Swiss mountaineering brand Mammut gets pretty damn close with a 3D Knit construction that has a sock-like feel. Flexibility, combined with a specially developed Michelin outsole and toggle lace fastener make these lightweight kicks ideal for your everyday hustle.
Women's Option: YES
Price: $179
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Nike ACG GORE-TEX “Mountain Fly”
The swoosh’s All Conditions Gear (ACG) line is full of footwear teeming with equal parts streetwear drip and technical details. As such, the Mountain Fly leans well into the technical side with a laceless, lightweight Gore-Tex upper that mates to a cinchable gaiter for a lightly customized fit. The sole’s lugs wrap well around the shoe to provide an excess of grip on varying surfaces, but also do a great job of looking mighty cool for urban GORP-inspired fits.
Price: $220
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The North Face Flight VECTIV Guard FUTURELIGHT
Despite the super futuristic styling of The North Face’s lengthy-named shoe, it’s fully designed as a winter trail running sneaker. Unzip the integrated waterproof ripstop gaiter and unveil the seemingly conventional bright green sneaker hidden beneath. TNF's thick-yet-ultralight VECTIV midsole is shaped with a high degree of rocker with the purpose of propelling runners forward down (or up) trails, and an integrated carbon fiber plate provides added spring to every step.
Women's Option: YES
Price: $250
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Hoka One One Speedgoat 4
The fourth Hoka shoe to bare the nickname of ultra running record holder Karl “The Speedgoat” Meltzer, this maximalist shoe can tackle any trail, any terrain, any time. A durable shoe with an ultra-comfortable fit (thanks to Hoka’s signature oversized EVA midsole and lugged Vibram outsole), and now upgraded with a Gore-Tex membrane liner, the Speedgoat 4 has enhanced heel support, midfoot lockdown, and “seatbelt” support on each side. Plus, the mesh construction increases breathability without compromising waterproofing, making these comfortable and supportive in all conditions.
Women's Option: YES
Price: $160
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Arc’teryx Norvan LD 3
The Norvan LD 2 is a trail runner from the beloved BC-based dead bird brand, Arc’teryx. Designed for all-day action on technical trails (LD stands for Long Distance), the Norvan LD 2 draws grip from a Vibram Megagrip outsole and support from a recently updated midsole. Well-ventilated uppers shed excess heat and contribute to crucial weight savings. Willing to sacrifice a little comfort for even more weight savings? Check out the Norvan SL 2 to save over 200 grams.
Women's Option: YES
Price: $165
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Danner Trail 2650 Campo GTX
The Oregon bootmakers have upgraded their trail-worthy Trail 2650 shoe (the number refers the 2650-mile length of the Pacific Crest Trail) with the Campo GTX. As the name implies, Danner included Gore-Tex in the 2650's combination leather and coated fabric uppers. The supportive and grippy Vibram sole is very much made to move across trails but also holds its own on subway systems and other everyday surfaces.
Women's Option: YES
Price:
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Veja Dekkan
Sustainable footwear brand Veja takes material sourcing and production seriously. It purchases materials like cotton and rubber at fair trade prices and produces footwear in a factory in Brazil where workers are well-compensated. The Dekkan sneakers are one of the more athletic-forward designs from the brand’s catalog. Designed in collaboration with Vibram, the trail-friendly shoes have 100%-recycled polyester uppers with grippy Vibram soles made partially from sugar cane, rice waste, and premium Amazon rubber.
Women's Option: YES
Price: $170
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Naglev Unico Hiker
Italian footwear brand Naglev essentially only has one shoe, the Unico, which comes in the featured Hiker model or a high-top Combat WP variant. The brand, which has six generations of shoemaking behind it, opts for the development of product tech over an expansive product catalog, and unique quality is the result. That tech includes a seamless, one-piece upper made from Kevlar that creates a glove like-fit, and a wool liner sock that manages moisture and odor. The handcrafted trail hiking shoe is designed to give the support found in a full-size hiking boot and and the agility of a trail running shoe. Style-wise, the Unico is our pick for the EDC crowd that’s attracted to innovative, hard-wearing materials.
Price: $230
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La Sportiva Wildcat 2.0 GTX
Italian mountain footwear maker La Sportiva makes some of the wildest footwear in the entire outdoor industry. The styling exemplified by the Wildcat trail running sneaker is a prime case study of how funky the brand can get, and how its hardcore mountain roots translate well to a casual streetwear look. A one-piece mesh upper layers in a bold brand logo, giving the visual effect of an LED sign. Despite the airy mesh, a stretch Gore-Tex liner provides waterproofing. All show, no go? Not a chance—the extra thick midsole and sticky outsole lend the wearer's feet a pair of claws to cling to trails as they set new PRs.
Women's Option: YES
Price: $155
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Scarpa Rush Low GTX
Scarpa is an Italian footwear specialist that’s known well for its rock climbing and mountaineering boots, however, its trail hiking and running sneakers are well worth consideration, too. The Rush Low GTX is a hybrid of both categories, combining the highly cushioned midsole from the brand’s trail running sneakers with a stable, high-traction outsole worthy of a hiking shoe. On top of that, its uppers are reinforced for support and lined with Gore-Tex for breathable waterproof wear.
Women's Option: YES
Price: $169
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On Cloudultra
Swiss running brand On takes to trails with the high-design Couldultra trail runner. Living up to its name, the sneaker employs a double layer of the brand’s proprietary Helion superfoam that's proprietary to the brand (and a hallmark of its shoes' unique look). A double-layer mesh upper provides durability and a unique lace add-on lets you adjust tightness on the fly.
Women's Option: YES
Price: $180
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Published 11-08-2021
