Best Cushioning Trail Shoes
The shoes for sale rated highest for cushioning by real, experienced, and knowledgeable reviewers.
All trail shoes
29 shoes · page 1 of 2
Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 10.
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#1 HOKA
Speedgoat 698 Exceptional Cushioning · 12 reviews · Confidence 96/100
Trail · Neutral · 8.6 oz · 5mm drop · 37mm stack
Runners report the outsole wearing well over regular trail miles.
Overall 98 Comfort 91$121 $155 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 10, 8:32 AM UTCOverall98Cushioning98Value93Durability92Comfort91Appearance87Confidence96Pros
Runners report the outsole wearing well over regular trail miles.
Reviewers rate it higher than the earlier Speedgoat 5.
Cons
One reviewer finds the toe box tighter than the Speedgoat 5.
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#2 On
Cloudsurfer97 Excellent Cushioning · 10 reviews · Confidence 92/100
Trail · Neutral · 9.5 oz · 9mm drop · 37mm stack
Reviewers describe it as soft and cushioned without feeling mushy.
Overall 97 Comfort 98$151 $160 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 10, 8:32 AM UTCOverall97Comfort98Appearance98Cushioning97Value70Durability68Confidence92Pros
Reviewers describe it as soft and cushioned without feeling mushy.
Reviewers like the smooth heel-to-toe rocker and secure heel hold.
A 37mm heel stack at 9.0 oz in the men's build.
Cons
Durability draws the lowest ratings of any dimension, at 3.8 out of 5.
One reviewer says it is a good buy at the $115 he paid rather than the $160 list price.
Reviewers find the soft ride better suited to easier paces, one keeping it above seven minute miles.
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#3 Altra
Olympus 691 Very good Cushioning · 2 reviews · Confidence 72/100
Trail · Neutral · 11.0 oz
Both reviewers so far rate comfort, cushioning and durability 4 out of 5.
Overall 91 Comfort 83$110 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 10, 8:34 AM UTCOverall91Cushioning91Comfort83Durability78Value74Appearance55Confidence72Pros
Both reviewers so far rate comfort, cushioning and durability 4 out of 5.
Cons
The Olympus 5 before it scores 97 on four reviews against its 80.
Value draws 3.0 out of 5 in the two reviews so far, the lowest mark of any dimension.
At an average of 11.0 oz it sits in the heavy weight band.
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#4 HOKA
Stinson 789 Good Cushioning · 6 reviews · Confidence 77/100
Trail · Neutral · 11.4 oz · 5mm drop
A 44mm heel stack on a 5mm drop, well above the 36mm median for trail shoes on sale.
Overall 89 Comfort 53Overall89Cushioning89Durability55Value54Comfort53Appearance52Confidence77Pros
A 44mm heel stack on a 5mm drop, well above the 36mm median for trail shoes on sale.
Cushioning is the strongest of its categories at 4.3 out of 5 across the six reviewers so far.
Cons
Averaging 11.3 oz across the men's and women's builds, it is far heavier than the 8.9 oz median for trail shoes on sale.
Durability averages 3.0 out of 5 across the six reviewers so far.
One of six reviewers says it is worn as a fashion shoe and is not a running shoe.
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#5 The North Face
Altamesa 50087 Good Cushioning · 3 reviews · Confidence 63/100
Trail · Neutral · 5.9 oz · 6mm drop · 42mm stack
Reviewers find it fast on gravel and hard-packed dirt trails.
Overall 87 Comfort 87Overall87Cushioning87Comfort87Appearance81Durability73Value71Confidence63Pros
Reviewers find it fast on gravel and hard-packed dirt trails.
A 42mm heel stack at 9.7 oz in the men's build.
One reviewer is a couple of hundred kilometers in and has disliked nothing about it.
Cons
One of three reviewers so far calls the grip only good enough on wet or technical terrain.
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#6 adidas
Terrex Agravic SL86 Good Cushioning · 1 review · Confidence 79/100
Trail · Neutral
The one reviewer so far rates every dimension 5 out of 5.
Overall 86 Comfort 77Overall86Durability92Appearance88Cushioning86Value83Comfort77Confidence79Buy it now
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Pros
The one reviewer so far rates every dimension 5 out of 5.
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#7 HOKA
Speedgoat 786 Good Cushioning · 4 reviews · Confidence 63/100
Trail · Neutral
One of four reviewers so far calls it light for a trail shoe.
Overall 86 Comfort 66Overall86Cushioning86Appearance69Comfort66Durability63Value50Confidence63Pros
One of four reviewers so far calls it light for a trail shoe.
The six Speedgoat versions before it score 86 to 98.
Cons
Value draws 3.0 out of 5 in the four reviews so far, and one reviewer says it is not durable enough for the cost.
One reviewer says the Vibram outsole lugs wear down fast.
Cushioning rates 3.3 out of 5 across the same four reviewers.
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#8 Altra
Experience Wild84 Good Cushioning · 1 review · Confidence 52/100
Trail · Neutral · 8.5 oz · 4mm drop
A 34mm heel stack at 8.2 oz on a 4mm drop.
Overall 84 Comfort 87$95 $140 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 10, 8:35 AM UTCOverall84Comfort87Cushioning84Value82Durability78Appearance60Confidence52Pros
A 34mm heel stack at 8.2 oz on a 4mm drop.
The one reviewer so far found it comfortable from the moment it went on, and better on rocks than a road shoe.
Cons
Appearance is the only mark below 5 in the single review so far, at 3 out of 5.
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#9 Altra
Experience Wild 3+83 Good Cushioning · 1 review · Confidence 32/100
Trail · Neutral
The one reviewer so far rates every dimension 5 out of 5 and praises the fit and feel.
Overall 83 Comfort 88Overall83Comfort88Cushioning83Value82Durability78Appearance66Confidence32Pros
The one reviewer so far rates every dimension 5 out of 5 and praises the fit and feel.
Cons
The same reviewer finds the collar loose and small stones getting in.
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Overall 80 Comfort 76Overall80Cushioning80Value76Comfort76Durability71Appearance70Confidence19Buy it now
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Cons
The Trabuco 13 before it scores 77 here, against 69 for this version.
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#11 Nike
Pegasus Trail 578 Decent Cushioning · 4 reviews · Confidence 77/100
Trail · Neutral · 8.5 oz · 8mm drop
Averaging 8.5 oz across the men's and women's builds, it is lighter than the 8.9 oz median for trail shoes on sale, on a 37mm heel stack.
Overall 78 Comfort 80Overall78Appearance97Value93Durability92Comfort80Cushioning78Confidence77Buy it now
Other retailers
Dick's $90 42% offNike $93 40% offRunning Warehouse $100 36% offMSRP $155
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Pros
Averaging 8.5 oz across the men's and women's builds, it is lighter than the 8.9 oz median for trail shoes on sale, on a 37mm heel stack.
All four reviewers so far rate the value 5 out of 5.
The Pegasus Trail line has scored 89 or better since its third version.
Cons
Cushioning draws the lowest ratings of any dimension in the four reviews so far, at 4.0 out of 5.
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#12 adidas
Terrex Agravic Speed 278 Decent Cushioning · 2 reviews · Confidence 74/100
Trail · Neutral
Both reviewers so far rate comfort and durability 4.5 out of 5.
Overall 78 Comfort 73Overall78Durability89Appearance86Cushioning78Comfort73Value67Confidence74Buy it now
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Pros
Both reviewers so far rate comfort and durability 4.5 out of 5.
Cons
Value draws 3.0 out of 5 in the two reviews so far, the lowest mark of any dimension.
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#13 norda
00578 Decent Cushioning · 2 reviews · Confidence 34/100
Trail · Neutral · 8.0 oz (men's) · 7mm drop · 38mm stack
One reviewer has 1,000 miles on a pair and calls it the fastest trail shoe he has run in.
Overall 78 Comfort 86Overall78Comfort86Durability86Value84Appearance83Cushioning78Confidence34Pros
One reviewer has 1,000 miles on a pair and calls it the fastest trail shoe he has run in.
A 38mm heel stack at 8.0 oz, cushioned while keeping ground feel.
One reviewer says the mesh upper breathes, drains and is extremely tough.
Cons
It lists at $325, nearly twice the $170 median for trail shoes on sale, and one reviewer calls the initial cost high.
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#14 Mount to Coast
H178 Decent Cushioning · 2 reviews · Confidence 20/100
Trail · Neutral
Both reviewers so far rate comfort 5 out of 5, one using it for easy road days and single track.
Overall 78 Comfort 92Overall78Comfort92Durability87Cushioning78Appearance77Value76Confidence20Buy it now
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Pros
Both reviewers so far rate comfort 5 out of 5, one using it for easy road days and single track.
One reviewer at 70 miles a week says a pair can last a thousand miles.
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#15 norda
05578 Decent Cushioning · 1 review · Confidence 16/100
Trail · Neutral
The one reviewer so far rates comfort, cushioning, durability and looks 5 out of 5.
Overall 78 Comfort 83Overall78Durability83Comfort83Appearance80Cushioning78Value77Confidence16Buy it now
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Pros
The one reviewer so far rates comfort, cushioning, durability and looks 5 out of 5.
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Overall 77 Comfort 80Overall77Value88Durability85Comfort80Cushioning77Appearance75Confidence61Buy it now
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#17 Nike
Juniper Trail 376 Decent Cushioning · 1 review · Confidence 39/100
Trail · Neutral · 10mm drop
It lists at $95, well below the $170 median for trail shoes on sale.
Overall 76 Comfort 72$110 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 10, 8:35 AM UTCOverall76Appearance86Value80Cushioning76Comfort72Durability72Confidence39Pros
It lists at $95, well below the $170 median for trail shoes on sale.
Cons
The Juniper Trail scores 78 on one review and the Juniper Trail 2 71 on three, against 70 for this version.
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#18 HOKA
Zinal 372 Decent Cushioning · 1 review · Confidence 15/100
Trail · Neutral
It lists at $150, below the $170 median for trail shoes on sale and $30 below the Zinal 2 beside it.
Overall 72 Comfort 63Overall72Cushioning72Value72Appearance63Comfort63Durability61Confidence15Pros
It lists at $150, below the $170 median for trail shoes on sale and $30 below the Zinal 2 beside it.
Cons
Each Zinal scores lower than the one before it: 86 for the original, 74 for the Zinal 2 and 67 for this one.
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#19 New Balance
Minimus Trail v171 Decent Cushioning · 1 review · Confidence 10/100
Trail · Neutral
The one reviewer so far calls it a great shoe for running trails, and rates comfort and durability 5 out of 5.
Overall 71 Comfort 74Overall71Durability82Value80Comfort74Appearance74Cushioning71Confidence10Buy it now
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Pros
The one reviewer so far calls it a great shoe for running trails, and rates comfort and durability 5 out of 5.
Cons
The Minimus Trail v3 scores 86 on two reviews and the 2024 Minimus Trail 71, against 65 for this version.
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#20 Nike
ACG Zegama Trail68 Below average Cushioning · 2 reviews · Confidence 65/100
Trail · Neutral
One reviewer, moving over from the Rocket X 2, rates it 5 out of 5 in every category.
Overall 68 Comfort 70$180 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 10, 8:34 AM UTCOverall68Appearance85Comfort70Cushioning68Value66Durability64Confidence65Pros
One reviewer, moving over from the Rocket X 2, rates it 5 out of 5 in every category.
Another reviewer says outright that they have no complaints about it.
Cons
One reviewer so far rates its cushioning 3 out of 5.
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#21 Nike
Acg Ultrafly Trail Trail66 Below average Cushioning · 1 review · Confidence 69/100
Trail · Neutral · 9mm drop
Overall 66 Comfort 63Overall66Appearance82Cushioning66Comfort63Value60Durability59Confidence69Cons
It lists at $260, far above the $170 median for trail shoes on sale.
The one reviewer so far rates its cushioning, its looks and its value 3 out of 5.
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#22 HOKA
Zinal 266 Below average Cushioning · 4 reviews · Confidence 27/100
Trail · Neutral · 7.4 oz · 5mm drop · 30mm stack
Averaging 7.3 oz across the men's and women's builds, it is lighter than the 8.9 oz median for trail shoes on sale.
Overall 66 Comfort 66Overall66Durability73Value72Appearance70Comfort66Cushioning66Confidence27Pros
Averaging 7.3 oz across the men's and women's builds, it is lighter than the 8.9 oz median for trail shoes on sale.
One reviewer says it felt like bouncing up the trail and that the pair has lasted forever.
Three of four reviewers rate it 4 or 5 out of 5 overall.
Cons
One of four reviewers rates it 1 or 2 on every dimension.
The Zinal scores lower with each version, from 86 for the first to 74 here and 67 for the Zinal 3, on one to four reviews each.
A newer Zinal 3 is on sale alongside it.
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#23 The North Face
VECTIV Infinite 366 Below average Cushioning · 1 review · Confidence 8/100
Trail · Neutral
The one reviewer so far calls it a very responsive, stable trail shoe, and rates durability and comfort 5 out of 5.
Overall 66 Comfort 83Overall66Comfort83Appearance79Durability78Cushioning66Value59Confidence8Buy it now
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Pros
The one reviewer so far calls it a very responsive, stable trail shoe, and rates durability and comfort 5 out of 5.
Cons
Value is the lowest-rated dimension in the one review so far, at 3 out of 5.
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#24 Nike
Zegama Trail 263 Below average Cushioning · 15 reviews · Confidence 85/100
Trail · Neutral · 9.4 oz (men's) · 4mm drop · 39mm stack
One of fifteen reviewers calls it the most comfortable shoe they have ever worn, and says they have a difficult foot.
Overall 63 Comfort 53Overall63Appearance74Cushioning63Value62Durability58Comfort53Confidence85Pros
One of fifteen reviewers calls it the most comfortable shoe they have ever worn, and says they have a difficult foot.
A 39mm heel stack, above the 36mm median for trail shoes on sale, and one reviewer describes it as well padded.
Cons
One of fifteen reviewers finds it too heavy for fast paces and keeps it for easy runs.
Another has a pair go flat after a cross country season and a training camp.
It lists at $180, above the $170 median for trail shoes on sale.
How this ranking works
Ratings come from our statistical models of runner reviews: the score is our best estimate of how a shoe is rated, and the bar behind it in an expanded row is the range we consider plausible given how many reviews it has. Shoes with few reviews rank more cautiously rather than shooting to the top on a handful of glowing write-ups. Prices are the live prices at the retailers we track, and everything ranked here is a shoe you can buy today.