Best Value for Money Trail Running Shoes

Updated October 16, 2026. Prices checked October 16, 2026.

Five trail shoes cost between $150 and $165. RunRepeat tested them in its lab and on trails, so grip, protection and durability come from measured results. The HOKA Speedgoat 7 has the best balance of agility and comfort, and the New Balance Hierro v9 is the most durable. We found no trail shoe under $120 or above $170 with a lab test and a retailer price, so those price ranges are not published yet.

How these scores are built. Trail shoes are judged mainly on grip and traction, which counts for 45% of the score. Protection and cushioning counts 25%, and the other two criteria count 15% each. Based on: Lab and wear tests by RunRepeat, manufacturer specifications and prices read on retailer or brand pages. Most shoes rest on one independent test source. We do not test products in person. 10 source pages are linked under the 5 products so you can check each finding. How we score.

We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. It never changes our scores. Read the affiliate disclosure.

#	Product	Best for	Grip and traction	Score
1	HOKA Speedgoat 7	Best overall	8.5	8.3
2	New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9	Most durable	8.5	8.1
3	Salomon Aero Glide 4 GRVL	Best for gravel and light trails	7	7.6
4	Brooks Cascadia 20	Best for mixed hiking and running	8.5	7.5
5	Salomon Genesis	Most agile	8.5	7.5

HOKA Speedgoat 7

Best overall, $165

8.3/10

Grip and traction 45%: 8.5/10
Protection and cushioning 25%: 8.5/10
Weight 15%: 7/10
Durability 15%: 8.5/10

Pros

RunRepeat calls it the most versatile trail shoe it tested, with a Vibram Megagrip outsole, more cushioning for long distances and a secure fit.
It weighs 9.9 oz, with excellent toebox and outsole durability and a stable feel.

Cons

RunRepeat notes a notable price increase and keeps finding it less agile.
The toebox is tapered and limits toe splay.

Sources: RunRepeat trail shoes, RunRepeat HOKA, REI

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Readers in Germany, Canada, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom and Sweden are sent to their own Amazon store, where prices show in local currency. The prices on this page are US prices.

New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9

Most durable, $160

8.1/10

Grip and traction 45%: 8.5/10
Protection and cushioning 25%: 8.5/10
Weight 15%: 5/10
Durability 15%: 9/10

Pros

RunRepeat found a Vibram Megagrip outsole, a lot of foam underfoot and amazing durability, with a stable ride for long distances.
It comes in several widths and suits forefoot and midfoot strikers.

Cons

The fit is not roomy, and the shoe is heavier than before.
It lost its flexible feel, and the low drop will not suit everyone.

Sources: RunRepeat trail shoes, RunRepeat New Balance, REI

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Salomon Aero Glide 4 GRVL

Best for gravel and light trails, $160

7.6/10

Grip and traction 45%: 7/10
Protection and cushioning 25%: 8/10
Weight 15%: 7.5/10
Durability 15%: 9/10

Pros

RunRepeat calls it its most versatile shoe for mixed surfaces, with incredible energy return and outstanding outsole durability.
It is stable despite a maximalist stack and runs well on pavement and gravel.

Cons

The fit can be snug, the tongue is oversized, and the shoe is hard to put on.
RunRepeat recommends it for gravel and moderate trails more than for technical terrain.

Sources: RunRepeat trail shoes, RunRepeat Salomon, REI

Brooks Cascadia 20

Best for mixed hiking and running, $160

7.5/10

Grip and traction 45%: 8.5/10
Protection and cushioning 25%: 8/10
Weight 15%: 4.5/10
Durability 15%: 6.5/10

Pros

RunRepeat found a Vibram Megagrip outsole, excellent stability, more cushioning than earlier Cascadias and a secure fit with no slide.
It performs well on gravel roads and suits hiking, and RunRepeat calls the value excellent.

Cons

It is still a heavy trail shoe, and the snug fit limits wider feet.
Upper durability is a concern, and it may feel too firm for some.

Sources: RunRepeat Brooks, REI

Salomon Genesis

Most agile, $150

7.5/10

Grip and traction 45%: 8.5/10
Protection and cushioning 25%: 7.5/10
Weight 15%: 7/10
Durability 15%: 5/10

Pros

RunRepeat calls it fuss-free and agile, with unquestionable grip on mixed terrain, a premium upper and a smooth, stable ride.
It is comfortable over long distances, and RunRepeat calls it reasonably priced.

Cons

RunRepeat found the outsole wears quickly, and the drop may be too high for some.
REI now also sells the Genesis 2 at the same $150 list price, which RunRepeat did not test.

Sources: RunRepeat Salomon, REI

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How we picked

Each score comes from RunRepeat’s lab and wear tests, manufacturer specifications and the price on a retailer or brand page. RunRepeat earns commissions on shoes it recommends, so most shoes here rest on one independent source. We do not test shoes in person. Ratings are our assessment and fit varies by foot, so treat the scores as a guide and try shoes on when you can.

What we left out

Altra Lone Peak 9 ($145): zero drop and roomy, scored 82 by RunRepeat.
Salomon Speedcross 6 ($150), Saucony Peregrine 16 ($150), Topo Ultraventure 5 ($155), La Sportiva Bushido III ($160): priced, no lab test found.
Merrell Agility Peak 6 and HOKA Challenger 8: strong lab scores, but we could not read a US price.
HOKA Tecton X 3: a carbon-plated trail shoe that REI lists at $275, and the Tecton X 4 has replaced it.

What to look for

An outsole lug depth that matches your terrain, with deeper lugs for mud and shallower lugs for gravel
A secure heel and midfoot, because loose shoes cost you on steep descents
Toe room for downhill running, where feet slide forward

Questions

Why are there no budget or premium trail rankings?

Merrell has trail shoes at $90 to $110, and Brooks, Altra and La Sportiva have premium models at $225 to $275. We found no lab test for them in the sources we read, so we left them out.

Why is the Altra Lone Peak 9 not here?

It costs $145 and RunRepeat scored it 82 out of 100, below the five shoes here. It is a zero-drop shoe with a roomy toebox.

Where do the prices come from?

The regular price on REI on October 15 and 16, 2026. Sale and outlet prices are ignored.