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Our editorial team chose the shoes on this list based on actual customer reviews on Amazon Australia and rebel. For a shoe to be considered it must have scored above 4.5 stars and had at least 1,000 reviews.
The best overall trail running shoe in Australia is Salomon's Speedcross 4 Trail Running Shoe. It featured in the top five shoes across three of the categories we awarded for this guide. With a 4.6-star rating from over 12,500 reviews, it's a popular choice.
The 6mm lugs on the outsole offer maximum traction on wet, muddy trails and the anti-debris mesh upper protects against sticks and stones slipping into the shoe to irritate your foot. The upper is water-resistant and the midsole is constructed with lightweight EVA-moulded foam, which cushions the foot and offers support and stability.
Like the Salomon Speedcross 4 above, the ASICS Gel-Venture 7 Trail Running Shoes rated highly across more than one category. With an average of 4.5 stars from over 18,000 reviews and an extremely reasonable price point for a trail shoe, it's lightweight on your feet as well as your wallet.
The GEL technology gives you increased shock absorption in the front and rear of the shoe, while the moulded EVA midsole cushions each step as you run. The upper is constructed from synthetic leather which further protects your feet from random sticks and stones. Lastly, the Ortholite sockliner adds even more padding on the footbed.
Barefoot running shoes are designed to give you as close a feeling to bare feet as possible which means they're lightweight with thin outsoles, which can be a problem when running over rougher terrain at pace. The Merrell Trail Glove 5 shoes walk a fine line between being lightweight (198g) and sturdy enough to protect your feet from sharp edges during your trail run.
The TrailProtect rock plate in the midsole is designed to do just that. The upper is constructed with an abrasion-resistant mesh with traditional lace closures to keep the shoe secure on your foot. The 3mm lugs are small enough to maintain a streamlined "barefoot" look, yet deep enough to travel safely over loose terrain.
The ASICS Gel-Nimbus 21 shoes scored 4.6 stars from just over 6,000 reviews to make it one of the top dual-surface shoes in this round-up.
Road running requires a cushioned bounce against the constant pounding on blacktop, while trail running needs extra stability for the uneven surfaces. As well as ASIC's Gel technology the Flytefoam Propel in the midsole gives the right amount of bounce and cushioning for road, and the external heel clutch keeps your foot in place to avoid slippage on trails.
Scoring 4.7 stars with over 1,000 reviews the New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V5 is our pick for best long-distance shoe. Its combination of cushioning, grip, protective upper and bootie-like fit makes it the ideal shoe to comfortably tackle mountain climbs and valley descents all in the same run.
The Fresh Foam midsole is designed to give ultra-cushioned support on longer trails, while the Vibram Megagrip outsole is durable and provides both wet and dry traction. A TPU-coated upper gives protection from debris but still remains flexible and the snug bootie construction allows for sling distance comfort.
The Salomon XA Pro 3D GTX was another shoe that rated well across several categories in this round-up, but its use of a waterproof Gore-Tex lining secured its place as the best waterproof trail running shoe.
There's a lot more to this shoe than just being waterproof. Along with its Gore-Tex lining the upper is made from a quick-dry mesh, great for breathability and anti-abrasion protection. The moulded OrthoLite insole offers outstanding support and cushioning as does the EVA foam midsole. Maximum grip in all conditions won't be a problem anymore either with the Contragrip outsole.
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