The best trail running shoes to eat up big off-road miles
Keeping you light on your feet and offering a good level of cushioning are the priorities here, so it’s matching its CloudTec cushioning system or ‘clouds’ as On calls it, with a double layer of Helion superfoam from its road shoes. That’s designed to provide a level of cushioning that’s much better suited to holding up over longer distances.
That’s matched up with its closed outsole to stop it picking up stones, which some of On’s shoes have a habit of doing. There’s two different sized lugs used to make it better suited on softer ground and to bolster grip in the forefoot.
The upper is made from 100% recycled polyester, with added TPU to provide some protection, with a fit that’s designed to be sock-like in construction and offers a nice wraparound feel. There’s also a FlipRelease tool at the base of the laces – you can flick this to release some pressure from the foot as they swell when digging deeper into your run. You can also take it off and use it on other shoes too.
The Cloudultra was most satisfying on harder trails and while a little firm, they offer good stability and an upper that provides a nice locked down feel, to still keep you nimble. That feeling doesn’t really change when you up the mileage. On has successfully managed to take the best elements of its road shoe and merge them into a shoe that feels well suited to surfaces more taxing on your legs and feet.
It’s one to save for long runs on sunny days, especially if you want to keep the Limelight colourway version looking a little more box fresh.
Pros: Grippy outsole that keeps out stones; nice cushioned feel; the FlipRelease tool Cons: Might be a little firm for some
Mens: £160 | Check price at On Womens: £160 | Check price at On
Saucony Peregrine 11
The best shoe for tackling muddy trails gets a comfort boost
Heel drop: 4mm | Lug depth: 5mm
Saucony hasn’t made wholesale changes to the latest Peregrine shoe and that’s not necessarily a bad thing for the follow-up to a shoe that was great to get stuck in the mud with.
With the Peregrine 11 (£115), you’ve still got that PWWRUN cushioning technology in the midsole to offer that bouncy, more responsive feel off road. The 4mm drop still keeps you closer to the ground and it sticks to the same 5mm rubber lugs as the Peregrine 10. These work well on a variety of surfaces but excel on softer, wetter surfaces and aren’t a pain to clean.