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Best trail running shoes in Australia

Our team of researchers has scoured hundreds of reviews to find the top 6 trail running shoes for men and women.

Melanie Pike
Melanie Pike

Updated

Fact checked
New Balance trail shoes.

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The best trail running shoes in Australia

How did we pick this list?

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.

Read more detail on our methodology below

Best overall trail running shoes: Salomon Speedcross 4 Trail Running Shoes

  • Affordable price point
  • Customers say it's comfortable with great grip
  • Some reviews say the shoes are narrower than expected
  • Heel slip is mentioned in some reviews

Price (RRP): $199.99

Where to buy for men
Buy at Amazon
Buy at rebel
Where to buy for women
Buy at Amazon
Buy at Catch

Why we chose it

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.

Best lightweight trail running shoes: ASICS Gel-Venture 7 Trail Running Shoes

  • Many reviews say good grip and comfortable to wear
  • Best-priced shoe in the round-up
  • No arch support
  • Not ideal for wider feet

Price (RRP): $109.99

Where to buy for men
Buy at Amazon
Buy at rebel
Where to buy for women
Buy at Amazon
Buy at rebel

Why we chose it

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.

Best barefoot trail running shoes: Merrell Trail Glove 5

  • Good grip with solid outsole
  • Comfortable on multiple running surfaces
  • The addition of an arch support detracts from barefoot feeling
  • Customers say sizing runs large by at least half a size

Price (RRP): $179.99

Where to buy for men
Buy at Amazon
Buy at Catch
Where to buy for women
Buy at Amazon

Why we chose it

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.

Best road and trail running shoes: ASICS Gel-Nimbus 21

  • AHAR outsole technology provides grip and durability
  • Reflective for added safety in low-light conditions
  • Some reviewers commented they're not quite as cushioned as the Nimbus 19s or 20s
  • Not a true wide shoe, reviews report it's quite tight for wider feet

Price (RRP): $239.99

Where to buy for men
Buy at Amazon
Buy at rebel
Where to buy for women
Buy at Amazon
Buy at Kogan

Why we chose it

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.

Best long-distance trail running shoes: New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V5

  • Customers say it offers great traction and a soft ride
  • Reviews say it’s a great-looking shoe
  • A little heavy at 359g
  • The weight can make them also feel a little bulky

Price (RRP): $220

Where to buy for men
Buy at Amazon
Buy at New Balance
Where to buy for women
Buy at Amazon
Buy at New Balance

Why we chose it

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.

Best waterproof trail running shoes: Salomon XA Pro 3D GTX Shoe

  • Keeps your feet dry
  • Handy quick lace system
  • Several reviewers mention they’re quite rigid
  • Some customers say they are half a size out compared to other Salomon shoes

Price (RRP): $269.99

Where to buy for men
Buy at Amazon
Where to buy for women
Buy at Amazon

Why we chose it

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.

Methodology

15
Brands considered
35+
Products compared
6
Best products chosen
  • We considered trail running shoes from 15 sportswear brands available in Australia.
  • We split them out into six different categories so there's something for everyone.
  • The products on this list are chosen by our editorial team and are not selected based on commercial relationships.

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