Trail Season: Spring 2025 Trail Shoe Round-Up
By David Salas
In this week's Monday Shakeout David shares a round-up of several trail shoes that have released this year and discuss their pros, cons, and our favorite uses for them. We're excited to talk about some of the companies that we don't see as often!
Trail Running Shoes Reviewed
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro V9
Salomon S/Lab Ultra Trail
Saucony Peregrine 15
ASICS Fujispeed 3
Merrell Nova 4
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro V9
Price: $154.99 at Running Warehouse
Stack Height: 42 mm heel, 38 mm forefoot
Drop: 4mm
Weight: 10.8 oz, 306 g (Men's 9)
Purpose: Trail Running, Ultra Running
The New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro V9 is a very well done update to the fan favorite. The shoe uses a maximum stack height, rocker profile design, but does a good job of providing good security on the foot. The upper uses a knit material with some extra reinforcement with overlays, a toe guard, and a heel counter. This is one of the more comfortable fitting uppers on a trail shoe that I have run in. The shoe also has a good amount of volume and width throughout the forefoot. The Fresh Foam X midsole is dual density and is aimed to provide maximum cushioning while also being sturdy and stable. I do feel that the sensation comes across. The shoe is very cushioned, but the foam still holds its structure when loaded in asymmetric ways on the trails. There is no rock plate, but you have so much foam that there is not much concern when smashing into them. The outsole uses Vibram Megagrip with lugs deep enough to give you good traction. I have seen different numbers on the lug depth. New Balance reports 6mm with Running Warehouse reporting 4.5 mm. Either way, I felt the grip and security were really good. In some ways, this shoe feels like max stack road shoe with some trail specific considerations. I do like it for road to trail efforts. The shoe has a little bit of weight to it, but has a really nice secure and rockered ride to it. I could easily see this being a hiking, daily training, or ultra marathon shoe for someone.
Positives: Very secure and comfortable fit, Smooth rocker profile at easy paces, Generally durable feeling.
Negatives: A little bit heavy and the foam is not overly responsive
Salmon S/Lab Ultra Glide Trail
Price: $249.95 at Running Warehouse (coming soon)
Stack Height: 41 mm heel/ 35 mm forefoot
Drop: 6 mm
Weight: 10.2 ounces / 289 grams (Men's 9)
Purpose: Trail Running Shoe, Ultramarathon Racing Shoe
The Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide Trail provides an interesting experience. The shoe provides a lot of cushion underfoot with good security through the heel and midfoot. The shoe is intended to be an ultra marathon racing shoe. The Energy Foam midsole feels plush, but structured. There are major sidewalls through the rearfoot with internal reinforcement to stabilize the heel. The fit in the heel and midfoot are a little bit more snug, with a slightly more spacious forefoot. The heel counter is pretty stiff and did give me a little bit of rubbing on my Achilles tendon, though no cuts or blisters. The speed laces are pretty easy to use and do provide a good lockdown. The volume throughout the shoe is definitely on the snug side. The outsole is full coverage, but it is almost pod or crater like. Salomon is calling it Relieve Sphere. You can feel this initially, but once you get running the sensation normalizes. The intent is to create even more cushioning underfoot. The ride is gently rockered throughout, but does not feel overly rounded. The transitions still feel somewhat natural. There is no rock plate, but there is plenty of foam when running over uneven and harder surfaces. Those that are sensitive to stiffer heel counters may want to exercise some caution. The Salomon S/Lab could easily be an ultra marathon trail racing shoe though for those that agree with the fit.
Positives: Decent weight for the cushioning. Good traction and security through the heel. Should hold up well over long mileage efforts.
Negatives: Fit is more snug throughout. Stiffer heel counter can create some rubbing and friction on the achilles. Cost is steep.
Saucony Peregrine 15
Price: $139.95 at Running Warehouse
Stack Height: 31 mm heel/ 27mm forefoot
Drop: 4 mm
Weight: 9.8 oz, 278g (Men's 9)
Purpose: Trail Running Shoe, Technical Trails, Short Distance Racing
The Saucony Peregrine is back with its 15th iteration! The Peregrine series has always been classified as having large amounts of traction and a relatively nimble design. The Peregrine 15 stays true to its DNA, with a more roomy and comfortable upper than previous versions. The forefoot has decent width and volume, with a more streamlined and snug midfoot and heel for good lockdown. The outsole is on the aggressive end with thick 5mm lugs. The stack height is very moderate by todays standards. The shoe has a very gentle rocker, but really focuses more on your individual mechanics, than the rolling of the shoe. The Peregrine 15 is nimble on foot and provides a lot of ground feel and security for technical footing. The PWRRUN midsole also runs on the firmer side, but the PWRRUN + sock liner softens it a tad. There is a flexible rock plate for some added protection on the trails as well. For those liking a firmer trail shoe with plenty of ground of feel and traction have a good option here. Those wanting something more plush or rockered though may need to look at other offerings.
Positives: Fantastic traction with a nimble and connected feel on the trails. Lightweight. Great for technical trails.
Negatives: May be a little aggressive for some. Not the best for road to trail or well groomed footing.
ASICS Fujispeed 3
Price: $160 at ASICS
Stack Height: Not Provided
Drop: 5 mm
Weight: 8.6 oz; 245g (men's size 9)
Purpose: Trail running, Trail Racing
The ASICS Fujispeed 3 is a trail running shoe that is aimed at giving you speed off of the road. Everything about the shoe feels aimed at keeping the weight off, while still being responsive. The shoe uses Flyte Foam Blast + as the midsole, and is coupled with a carbon fiber plate. Though the stack height is not provided, it feels very moderate, and in line with a shoe like the Saucony Peregrine. The foam is on the firmer side, and with the carbon plate, even more firm. This shoe will be for those that like something firmer with a lot of ground feel and responsiveness. The upper does fit on the snug side, but does provide a good lockdown throughout. The volume throughout the shoe is on the lower side and the width leans normal to slightly narrow. The outsole does not have super deep lugs, but plenty of traction for trail situations of all kinds. The Fujispeed 3 is a lightweight and nimble speed demon, but may be less comfortable for longer efforts or walking/hiking.
Positives: One of the lightest trail offerings out there, great responsiveness.
Negatives: Very firm ride that won't agree with everyone, more narrow and snug fit that may be too tight for some.
Merrell Nova 4
Price: $130 at Merrell
Stack Height: 29 mm heel/ 21 mm forefoot (men's)
Drop: 8 mm
Weight: 9.7 oz; 275g (men's size 9)
Purpose: Trail Running Shoe
The Merrell Nova 4 is a trail shoe that focuses on comfort for a variety of uses. The shoe feels very balanced on foot, which complements its design. Having a stack height of 29mm, The Nova 4 does fall right into the moderate stack height conversation. The midsole feels like a standard EVA midsole, with enough protection for running, but nothing overly bouncy or responsive. The shoe does use a well balanced rocker design. The heel is a bit more rounded than the forefoot, but the forefoot does have some flex grooves that are also integrated into the shoe. This is a big win for those that like more flexible forefeet. The shoe feels smooth at easy paces and can easily be a daily trail running shoe. The geometry is also very walking friendly, as this can be a nice hiking companion as well. The outsole lugs have a decent amount of depth to them (4mm), which gives good traction for a variety of footings. The upper is one of the more spacious fits for trail shoes that I have seen. The material is pretty comfortable throughout, and the tongue is very padded. The material doesn't necessarily feel plush, but the comfort is nice due to the amount of volume throughout the shoe. Those wanting a little more volume through the forefoot and midfoot have a nice offering here. At $130 I do think this will be a shoe that is worth looking at, especially for casual trail running/hiking.
Positives: Really comfortable and spacious upper, good for easy trail running and hiking, price. Flexible forefoot for those that like that.
Negatives: Blessing and curse. Very balanced, but not much flare. The midsole doesn't have much spring to it, but it does its job of protecting your foot for basic uses.
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FURTHER READING
Nike Vaporfly Next% 3 - A better fit and new geometry make the Vaporfly 3 the best yet
Spring Sustainable Apparel Review - We look at some new stylings from adidas and Saucony
Hoka Tecton X 2 - Subtle changes keep this trail racer a fun and fast ride
Nike Invincible 3 - Updated to improve stability, this max cushion trainer evolves for v3
ASICS Hyper Speed 2 - A lightweight racing shoe for an incredible price
Brooks Catamount 2 - A redesign adds a SkyVault plate to the trail shoe
Find all Shoe Reviews at Doctors of Running here.
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