Prices from: £60
More info: salomon.com

This shoe is a favourite amongst runners all over the globe and with good reason – it is a versatile shoe that will instil confidence on a wide range of trail runs, from the muddiest, most technical running terrain to dry forest road. Equipped with a medium lug, this shoe is light, breathable and super-durable. The shoe comes with the Salomon speed laces as standard which is another bonus as you can rest assured that your lace is never going to come undone at a critical moment mid-race. The Salomon Speedcross is available in both a women’s and men’s specific model.

3) Hoka Mafate Speed

Prices from: £84
More info: hokaoneone.eu

The first time I saw this shoe on the trail, I laughed out loud – it looked, in my opinion, utterly ridiculous. But as the mother would say: “Don’t knock it until you try it.”

Featuring an oversized sole, Hoka has designed its shoes with what they call a ‘meta-rocker midsole geometry’ which ultimately supports a runner’s natural form, encouraging a positive rolling motion from heel strike to toe-off producing a more efficient running technique.

The high level of cushioning has also been designed to absorb some of the stress caused by running long distances on tough terrain, thus reducing injury levels.  The Hoka Mafate Speed is now a regular on the trail, ultra-running scene and thru-hiking scene with some pretty dedicated fans. If you can get over the overall look of the shoe, it does offer supreme comfort thanks to the seamless construction of the shoe itself, at 320g is a pretty light and the lugs provide ample grip on a wide variety of terrain.

4) Columbia Conspiracy IV Trail Shoe

Prices from: £60
More info: columbiasportswear.co.uk

I am not usually an advocate of waterproof trail running shoes but the Columbia Conspiracy is an exception to my rule. Unlike a traditional Gore-Tex shoe where the waterproof layer is under the top layer of the shoe which can cause the shoe to become heavy when wet (even though your feet are dry), Columbia uses a technology called Outdry whereby the waterproof membrane is the outermost layer of the shoe – meaning no weight gain when wet!

Waterproofing aside, the Columbia Conspiracy is a real Jack-of-all-trades. They will take you from muddy mountain runs in winter, to dry dusty runs in summer and are perfect for those who want a really versatile shoe with a medium amount of cushioning that will not break the bank.

5) La Sportiva Helios 2.0

Prices from: £80
More info: sportiva.com

The La Sportiva Helios 2.0 has received rave reviews across the board and for good reason. This lightweight shoe (237g) offers a supreme fit thanks to its speed lacing system which will save you a couple of toenails on a longer race.

Despite the fact that they are a low-profile shoe, they offer a good level of cushioning around the entire foot and even feel a little springy under foot. Elsewhere they offer pretty impressive breathability, good grip on a range of terrain and can even be used for some light road use too. Like the Columbia Conspiracy, I reckon this is a great choice for those looking for a really versatile trail running shoe.

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