Rocks and roots ask for protection underfoot and a shoe that stays steady when the ground tilts.
What we look for on technical trails
Protection. A rock plate or a dense forefoot, and runners' ratings for how well it shields the foot.
Grip on rock. Lugs of 3.5 to 5 mm, in a rubber that holds on wet stone.
A steady base. A lower, wider sole keeps the ankle out of trouble.
With a rock plate
Altra
Lone Peak 9+
- Weight
- 327 g
- Widths
- Regular, Wide (2E)
≈ $160 Where to buy
Altra
Mont Blanc Speed
- Weight
- 286 g
- Widths
- Regular
≈ $195 Where to buy
Merrell
Agility Peak 6
- Stack
- 38 / 30 mm
- Widths
- Regular, Wide (2E)
≈ $160 Where to buy
Lugs of 5 mm.
The lightest for technical ground
Joma
TR-9
- Weight
- 215 g
- Widths
- Regular
≈ $141 Where to buy
Saucony
Peregrine 14
- Weight
- 241 g
- Stack
- 28 / 24 mm
- Widths
- Regular
≈ $140 Where to buy
Lugs of 5 mm.
Hoka
Tecton X
- Weight
- 241 g
- Widths
- Regular
≈ $200 Where to buy
Cheaper ones, $155 or less
Kiprun
Kipsummit
- Widths
- Regular
≈ $130 Where to buy
Lugs of 4 mm.
New Balance
FuelCell Summit Unknown v4
- Weight
- 255 g (US 8.5)
- Widths
- Regular
≈ $130 Where to buy
Altra
Lone Peak 8
- Stack
- 25 / 25 mm
- Widths
- Regular
≈ $140 Where to buy
Lugs of 4.5 mm.