
Top pick in Trail Running Shoes

The mud shoe: deep, widely spaced lugs that dig into soft ground, on a snug upper that keeps your foot from sliding around.
Prices change daily, so we link to the listing instead of printing one.
Yes, if your trails are muddy, wet, grassy or loose. The Speedcross 6 has 5 mm lugs and a sticky Mud Contagrip outsole that bite where most trail shoes skate. It is a specialist, though: on dry rock and pavement the tall lugs feel vague, and the narrow fit does not suit every foot.
That is why it sits mid-pack in our trail running shoe ranking rather than at the top. On the ground it was built for, little else on the page grips as well, and with thousands of Amazon ratings at a high average, it is also the most proven shoe we list.
Buy it as the shoe for wet seasons and soft trails, not as your only pair. Runners who mostly cover dry, rocky or hard-packed ground will get a steadier ride from a shoe with lower, flatter lugs.
From Salomon's published specs.
Snug and fairly narrow, in the classic Salomon shape. Most buyers find it true to length, but people with wide forefeet often report pressure on the little toe. Salomon sells a wide version, which is the better move than sizing up.
Quicklace pulls tension evenly across the top of the foot, then the toggle tucks into a pocket on the tongue. It is quick, but it gives less control over separate zones than ordinary laces.
Not especially. The 5 mm lugs sink into soft ground, but on dry, hard rock fewer of them touch the surface, so the shoe feels less planted and can roll on edges. It is fine for the rocky stretches of a muddy trail. For runs that are mostly rock, a shoe with shorter lugs and more rubber contact grips better.
Yes, and many people do, especially on wet trails where a hiking shoe would slip. It is light and cushioned enough for day hikes. With a heavy pack or on long rocky descents, a sturdier hiking shoe gives more support and protection underfoot.
It is easy to wear, but it is a specialist shoe. If your local trails are muddy most of the year, it is a fine first pair. If they are mixed or dry, a beginner is better served by an all-rounder.
Most buyers find it true to length but narrow. If it feels tight across the forefoot, try the wide version before going up a half size.
The standard version is not. It has a breathable mesh upper that lets water in and drains it out. Salomon also makes a Gore-Tex version that keeps out puddles and wet grass but runs warmer.
On soft trails, buyers commonly report several hundred miles. Running on pavement or dry rock wears the tall lugs down much faster, which is the most common durability complaint.
By Tom. Written from published specs, Amazon buyer reviews and AI-assisted research. We have not tested every product ourselves. Updated October 15, 2026.
Decided?
Salomon Speedcross 6