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Step 1
Look for trail running shoes with great stability over uneven ground. Seek out trail running shoes with adequate water resistance or waterproofing, depending on your climate. You'll want decent cushioning for the surface you run on - better cushioning for hard trails or concrete, with cushioning being less important if you run on grass, soft ground, or sand.
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Step 2
Determine whether you pronate, supinate, or have a neutral gait. Different running shoe models are designed to keep different types of feet stable. Your natural gait will affect the best trail running shoes to support your feet.
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Step 3
Consider some top rated trail running shoes such as the New Balance 800 (an Editor's Choice at Runner's World), the Vasque Aether Tech SS (also an award winner), and the Brooks Cascadia 3 (also an Editor's Choice award winner). For the best trail running shoe at the best price, consider the La Sportiva Crosslite or the Adidas Response Trail 14, both a trail running shoes designated as a Runner's World Best Buy. (See Resources to view all these shoes.)
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Step 4
Realize that everybody's feet are different, and the best trail running shoe for one runner is not necessarily the best for another. Try on the trail running shoes at a running store or order several trail running shoes from online shoe stores and try them on at home. Whatever doesn't fit, return, being sure to follow the store returns policy.
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Step 5
Choose last years' models, if possible, to get discounts and sales - i.e., the best price - for discontinued styles, models, colors, and fabrics.
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Step 6
Find reviews of trail running shoes at RunnersWorld (see the Resources section for a link to Runners World) and some of the online stores that carry running gear. Reviews are by experts as well as customers who've bought the shoes and used them. The expert reviews may be the most helpful, as they tend to compare trail running shoe models, whereas the customers may have tried only one model.
