This Season's Trail Shoe Line-Up

 

 

 

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A post shared by Fleet Feet (@fleetfeetsports) on Mar 6, 2019 at 8:56am PST

Believe it or not, there are many options for trail running in the Chicagoland area. Drive just 30 miles out of the city and you'll find yourself some technical trails, hills, and nature. But before you plan a day out on the trails, it's smart to grab a pair or proper trail running shoes. 

One thing you'll need to know before deciding on a pair is that they are quite different from the road shoes you're used to. So get familiar with those differences here. With our fit id™ device, we can take a 3D foot scan in just five seconds to find the best trail shoe for your foot.

Without further ado, here are the trail running shoes that are featured at four of our stores: Lincoln Square, Oak Park, Old Town, and Deerfield. 

Brooks Cascadia 13

A long time favorite of many trail runners, including trail running legend Scott Jurek, the Brooks Cascadia 13 didn't change from last season but the shoe is scheduled for an update this summer.

The Cascadia 13 delivers an “SUV-like” ride so you can power through your trail run no matter what the conditions are like.

The Pivot Post system provides a stabilizing suspension system within the BioMoGo DNA midsole so it feels like a burly off-road machine. A 3D Rubber Print Mud Guard runs along the bottom part of the upper and connects to the midsole in order to protect from trail debris and maximize durability.

• Key Features: Rock Plate, BioMoGo DNA, Pivot Post, 3D Rubber Print Mud Guard
• Price: $130
• Weight: 11.9oz for men (size 9); 10.6oz for women (size 8.5)
• Drop: 10mm (20mm heel; 10mm forefoot)

Saucony Peregrine ISO

Saucony’s trail running legend takes flight again with the Peregrine ISO.

The Peregrine has long been one of Saucony’s toughest trail shoes, but the shoe got an upgrade this year from the Saucony Peregrine 8 with the addition of ISOFIT—Saucony’s breakthrough fit system that morphs to your foot for a custom-like feel. The enhanced upper adapts to the ebbs and flows of your foot as you navigate the trail.

Saucony softened the landings with a PWRFOAM midsole and increased energy return by inserting an EVERUN topsole. And to keep you on your feet, designers used a PWRTRAC outsole with deep rubber lugs to dig into the dirt.

• Key features: ISOFIT upper, multi-directional rubber lugs, EVERUN topsole, PWRTRAC outsole
• Price: $120
• Weight: 10.5oz for men (size 9); 9.2oz for women (size 8)
• Drop: 4mm 

Hoka One One Speedgoat 3

The HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat 3 stands on the shoulders of the previous two iterations to be one of the fastest, toughest trail shoes on the market today. Named after Karl Meltzer—nicknamed “Speedgoat” for his record number of 100-mile trail race wins—the shoe is designed for anything the trail can dream up.

In the Speedgoat 2, HOKA opened up the toe box for a more accommodating fit and stuck it to a wider midsole for increased stability. Both those improvements made their way into the 3, but designers weren’t satisfied.

New in this third version is additional heel support and midfoot lockdown in the upper as well as seatbelt-like support on each side. The extra support creates a protective cradle to keep your foot in the Speedgoat’s sweet spot. In the Fleet Feet HOKA Speedgoat 3 review, one tester said the heel counter also helped provide a secure fit.

Beneath all the fit upgrades are aggressive 5 mm Vibram MegaGrip lugs that bite into any terrain and a puffed up EVA midsole that soaks up impact and provides stable footing.

• Key features: Oversized EVA midsole, Vibram MegaGrip outsole, heel support, midfoot lockdown
• Price: $140
• Weight: 10.3oz for men (size 9); 9.1oz for women (size 7)
• Drop: 4mm

Altra Lone Peak 4

Forget the path of least resistance—the Altra Lone Peak 4.0 will take you over whatever obstacles lie ahead.

Aggressive outsole lugs will let you claw your way over slippery rocks and through loose dirt, and Altra’s unique FootShape toe box give your feet ample room to move naturally. Like all Altra running shoes, the 4 sits on a zero-drop platform for a neutral stance.

With grip like a tractor, the Altra Lone Peak 4 was built to make good days out of bad trails.

• Key features: FOOTSHAPE™ toe box, zero drop, TRAILCLAW™ canted lugs
• Price: $120
• Weight: 10.2oz for men (size 9); 9.0oz for women (size 7)
• Drop: 0mm

On Cloudventure Peak

The Cloudventure Peak boasts a secret inside: the patented On Speedboard. This is what promotes explosive forward-motion on the ascent, yet also provides protection for the foot on uneven terrain - a sort of Swiss-army-knife for your feet.

The 4 level Grip-Profile of the Cloudventure Peak means that on any surface, you have the traction to feel in control. 

Invisible taped reinforcements in the ripstop upper of the Peak envelope your foot in the ideal fit and secure hold, while protective heel and toe caps further protect you from whatever the trail has in store for you. 

The Cloudventure Peak is one of the lightest trail running shoes on the market, yet still provides you with the grip, protection and support needed for race-day. The flexible outsole lets you retain your foot’s power every step up the mountain, while CloudTec® supports and cushions your decent to the finish line first.

• Key features: On Speedboard, 4 level Grip-Profile, ripstop upper, CloudTec® support
• Price: $150
• Weight: 9.2oz for men (size 8.5); 7.4oz for women (size 7)
• Drop: 6mm