10 Best Trail Running Shoes for Women

In my previous article “The 10 Best Running Shoes for Women”, we discussed about the best road and trail running shoes.

In this article, I will be talking only about the best trail running shoes for women.

Choosing your first pair of trail running shoes can be quite baffling as there are so many aspects to keep in mind. Moreover, the hundreds of trail running shoes available in the market are sure to give a newbie a headache when trying to choose the ideal pair for oneself.

So, stick with me as I take you into the world of trail running shoes and tell you all there is to know about these beauties.

Let us get started right away!

10 Best Trail Running Shoes for Women in 2019

Image	Name	Weight (in Ounces)	Star	Price
	Salomon Women's Speedcross 4 Gtx W Trail Runners (Editor's Pick)	10	[star rating="5"]	Check Price
	Asics Women's Gel Venture 5 Running Shoes (Top Pick)	9	[star rating="5"]	Check Price
	Salomon Women's Speedcross 4W Trail Runners (Top Pick)	9	[star rating="4.5"]	Check Price
	Merrell Women's Out All Peak Trail Running Shoes	8.6	[star rating="4.5"]	Check Price
	Merrell Women's Pace Glove 3 Trail Running Shoes	5.8	[star rating="4"]	Check Price
	Salomon Women's X-Mission 3W Trail Runners	8.8	[star rating="4"]	Check Price
	Brooks Women's Caldera Running Shoes	9	[star rating="4"]	Check Price
	Saucony Peregrine 7 Trail Running Shoes	8.4	[star rating="4"]	Check Price
	Merrell Women's All Out Crush Light Trail Runners	7	[star rating="4"]	Check Price
	Brooks Women's Cascadia 12 Running Shoes	10.5	[star rating="4"]	Check Price

The 10 Best Trail Running Shoes for Women Reviews in 2019

I have already kept you all waiting for a long time now. So, without any further ado let us jump right into the list of the top 10 best trail running shoes for women. I have personally tested and reviewed these shoes for you all.

1. Salomon Women’s Speedcross 4 Gtx W Trail Runners

The Salomon Women’s Speedcross 4 Gtx W Trail Runners are made from textile and synthetic materials. These shoes weigh 10 ounces and have a heel to toe offset of 10mm.

The Salomon Women’s Speedcross 4 Gtx W Trail Runners are weatherproof Gore-Tex shoes. I have used them in wet climatic conditions a number of times and even worn them while it was drizzling, and true to the brand’s words, these shoes are really waterproof. They kept my feet dry all the time.

The Salomon Women’s Speedcross 4 Gtx W Trail Runners have synthetic soles. The grip of these shoes is fantastic.

These shoes have Endofit and Sensifit technology for optimal foothold.

Even on harsh climatic surfaces, your feet feel protected thanks to the optimal cushioning in the Salomon Women’s Speedcross 4 Gtx W Trail Runners.

These shoes are comfortable and breathable as well. The fit is very snug and does not compromise on the comfort or breathability.

The Salomon Women’s Speedcross 4 Gtx W Trail Runners have been constructed with robust materials. I bought my pair last year and so far they have been holding strong. By the looks of it, I think my pair of Speedcross 4 Gtx may last me a good couple of years more.

The Salomon Women’s Speedcross 4 Gtx W Trail Runners are filled with stylish looks as well. Even though these shoes are quite expensive, trust me they are worth it. And moreover, it is always better to invest in a good pair of costly shoes than spend less on low quality shoes only to re-purchase a new pair each year.

Features I like:

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2. Asics Women’s Gel Venture 5 Running Shoes

Asics is one of my favorite brands of running shoes and their Gel Venture 5 Running Shoes are one of my favorite trail running shoes. These shoes were also featured in my “The 10 Best Running Shoes for Women” list.

The Asics Women’s Gel Venture 5 Running Shoes are made from mesh and have rubber soles. The rugged outsoles of these shoes have reversed lugs for better grip and traction. As a result, you can wear these shoes in all kinds of surfaces without fear of slipping or hurting yourself.

The Asics Women’s Gel Venture 5 Running Shoes feature the Rearfoot Gel technology cushioning system for impact reduction. They have a good fit and are very comfortable.

The arch support offered by these shoes is exceptional. The cushioning is heavy and feels comfy.

You can remove the sock-liner of the Asics Women’s Gel Venture 5 Running Shoes as per your requirement.

The weight of these shoes is 9 ounces whereas the heel to toe offset is 10mm.

The Asics Women’s Gel Venture 5 Running Shoes look very good. They also come for a very decent price.

You have nothing to lose by buying these shoes except extra kilos. So, hurry up and grab a pair for yourself.

Features I like:

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3. Salomon Women’s Speedcross 4W Trail Runners

I own a pair of the Speedcross 4W Trail Runners in black color and boy, do I love the looks of these!

Even though I am starting the review of these shoes by complementing their looks, the Salomon Women’s Speedcross 4W Trail Runners have so much more to offer than just style.

These textile and synthetic materials’ shoes are lightweight and weigh 9 ounces only.

I love the heavy cushioning in the Salomon Women’s Speedcross 4W Trail Runners. It helps to provide optimum comfort and protection to your feet.

The Salomon Women’s Speedcross 4W Trail Runners have an exceptional grip, thanks to the Contagrip technology in these shoes. As a result, you can wear these in all kinds of surfaces, including snow, mud and wet surfaces.

The Salomon Women’s Speedcross 4W Trail Runners have rubber soles. They have a heel to toe offset of 10mm.

Another feature of these shoes which I absolutely love is their one-pull tightening Quicklace system. It is extremely convenient as you can just cinch the laces and you are good to go.

The Salomon Women’s Speedcross 4W Trail Runners have a much secured fit. They are super comfortable. The rounded toe-box of these shoes has enhanced the comfort immensely.

The Sensifit overlays in these shoes have improved the support provided whereas the Endofit inner sleeve has made the shoes snug and comfy.

The Salomon Women’s Speedcross 4W Trail Runners may be quite expensive, but given the many advantages which you receive with these, they are worth each penny.

Moving over to the downsides, the breathability of the Salomon Women’s Speedcross 4W Trail Runners could have been bettered. Also, these shoes take quite a long period of time to dry, which can be a bummer at times.

Features I like:

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4. Merrell Women’s Out All Peak Trail Running Shoes

The Merrell Women’s Out All Peak Trail Running Shoes have synthetic soles. They feature breathable mesh lining and removable foot-bed.

The HyperWrap 360 Fit System in the Merrell Women’s Out All Peak Trail Running Shoes better the stability and agility of these shoes. Similarly, the TrailProtect technology provides sole protection so that you can wear these shoes in tough terrains without any worries.

The Merrell Women’s Out All Peak Trail Running Shoes weigh 8.6 ounces and are quite lightweight. They have a heel to toe offset of 6mm.

These shoes are vegan friendly.

The Merrell Women’s Out All Peak Trail Running Shoes are equipped with M Select Fresh technology which prevents sweat and pungent smells.

These shoes are comfortable and provide good support. They are true to their size as well.

For such good pair of shoes, the durability of the Out All Peak Trail, however, is a major let down.

Features I like:

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5. Merrell Women’s Pace Glove 3 Trail Running Shoes

The next trail running shoes in our list is Pace Glove 3 Trail Running Shoes by Merrell. These are zero drop trail runners for all you minimalist shoes’ lovers out there.

The Merrell Women’s Pace Glove 3 Trail Running Shoes are made from textile. These shoes are very lightweight and weigh just 5.8 ounces.

Similar to the Merrell Women’s Out All Peak Trail Running Shoes, the Merrell Women’s Pace Glove 3 Trail Running Shoes too feature TrailProtect Pad for the underfoot protection. These shoes too have the M Select Fresh technology to prevent odor and moisture.

The Merrell Women’s Pace Glove 3 Trail Running Shoes have Omni-Fit lacing system for a secured fit. I love the flat build of these shoes.

These vegan friendly shoes are comfortable and flexible. They provide a precise fit. The mesh upper of these shoes has made them very breathable.

Features I like:

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6. Salomon Women’s X-Mission 3W Trail Runners

The Salomon Women’s X-Mission 3W Trail Runners are textile and synthetic running shoes with rubber soles. These shoes have padded collars.

The weight of these shoes is approximately 8.8 ounces and the heel to toe offset is 10mm.

The Salomon Women’s X-Mission 3W Trail Runners have many upsides to them. These lightweight shoes are comfortable to wear on the long run. With the tight grip offered by these shoes, they can be used as every day running shoes for all kinds of surfaces.

There is 3D grip present in the Salomon Women’s X-Mission 3W Trail Runners for better traction. The Sensifit and Sensiflex technologies help to provide a secured and snug fit to the user.

The arch support provided by these shoes is just exceptional. The soles are firm and comfortable.

The 3D mesh upper of the Salomon Women’s X-Mission 3W Trail Runners has made these shoes breathable. There is optimum underfoot cushioning to shield your feet from injuries.

The Salomon Women’s X-Mission 3W Trail Runners feature Quicklace system. They are also equipped with molded EVA midsole.

Features I like:

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7. Brooks Women’s Caldera Running Shoes

Another great pair of trail running shoes for women is the Brooks Women’s Caldera Running Shoes. These shoes have double mesh upper and as a result are extremely breathable.

The Brooks Women’s Caldera Running Shoes are lightweight and flexible. These shoes weigh 9 ounces.

They have a heel to toe offset of 4mm. The traction and grip provided by the rubber soles are fairly good in these shoes.

The Brooks Women’s Caldera Running Shoes are stable and comfortable. They provide the required protection to the runner, thanks to the optimum cushioning present in these shoes. To be honest, the cushioning of the Brooks Women’s Caldera Running Shoes is their best point.

These shoes are true to their size. Another great quality about these shoes is that they are quick drying.

Features I like:

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8. Saucony Peregrine 7 Trail Running Shoes

You can never go wrong with a pair of Saucony running shoes. They surely do have some of the best running shoes and the Saucony Peregrine 7 Trail Running Shoes are one of them.

The Saucony Peregrine 7 Trail Running Shoes are made from textile. They have rubber soles.

The heel to toe offset of these shoes is 4mm. These shoes weigh 8.4 ounces.

The PWR TRAC outsoles of the Saucony Peregrine 7 Trail Running Shoes help to provide the required grip and traction in order to walk and run on a variety of surfaces.

As per the manufacturers, the EVERUN Top sole construction of these shoes helps in enhanced energy return. I can vouch that these shoes do feel comfortable even after running for many miles.

The optimum padding of these shoes is the reason for the Saucony Peregrine 7 Trail Running Shoes being so comfortable.

The Saucony Peregrine 7 Trail Running Shoes also feature RUNDRY Collar lining which helps to wick moisture and keeps your feet dry all the time.

Similarly, these shoes are also equipped with TPU exo-skeleton for support and protection.

Features I like:

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9. Merrell Women’s All Out Crush Light Trail Runners

The Merrell Women’s All Out Crush Light Trail Runners are textile and synthetic shoes with rubber soles. They have a breathable mesh lining and provide a comfortable fit.

These shoes weigh 7 ounces. They have a heel to toe offset of 6mm.

The Merrell Women’s All Out Crush Light Trail Runners are lightweight. These shoes are also very flexible.

These shoes feature a protective toe cap. The grip is one of the best qualities of the All Out Crush Light. With these you can walk on rough or slippery surfaces without any qualms.

The Merrell Women’s All Out Crush Light Trail Runners will get the work done, plus they come for a very affordable price.

The Merrell Women’s All Out Crush Light Trail Runners, however, do have a shortcoming. The construction of these shoes is a major let down as these shoes look very prone to tearing -because of the not-so-high quality materials used- making you question the durability of these shoes.

Features I like:

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10. Brooks Women’s Cascadia 12 Running Shoes

Last but not the least, we have the Brooks Women’s Cascadia 12 Running Shoes- another pair of great mesh trail running shoes for women.

The Brooks Women’s Cascadia 12 offer a good fit to the user. However, they do run a bit small; so ensure to purchase a bigger size pair.

The Brooks Women’s Cascadia 12 weigh 10.5 ounces. The heel to toe offset of these shoes is 10mm.

These shoes are breathable and comfortable.

The traction is the best feature in the Brooks Women’s Cascadia 12. The grip and tread are just so exceptional that you can wear these shoes even on the snow.

The Brooks Women’s Cascadia 12 have been constructed with robust materials and give an impression of durability.

The only negative thing I have to say about these shoes is that I am not a very big fan of the color combinations of these shoes.

Features I like:

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Why are Good Trail Running Shoes Important?

If you think your road running shoes are going to substitute as trail running shoes, let me take you out of that delusion right now.

Trail running shoes and road running shoes, though both meant for similar purpose, differ in many major aspects. The former shoes are meant to be worn in harsh, muddy, rocky, rugged or slippery terrains whereas the latter is better to be worn on pavements.

As a result, the trail running shoes are designed to provide more protection to your feet. They will save your feet not only from the sharp rocks and debris, but also from injuries, thanks to the optimum grip and extra support offered.

Trail running shoes also have more detailed lugs and treads for better grips than road running shoes. This is because you will be walking on uneven terrains and require more grip than usual.

The extra support and grip will also help to boost your overall running, making it more efficient and well-improved.

Trail running shoes are also more responsive so as to let you adjust to the constant changes in the terrains. They are also more balanced and stable compared to your normal shoes.

Wearing the wrong shoes on harsh terrains can not only cost you the shoes but also your feet. And like I always say, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

With the right trail running shoes, you can run for a longer period of time without tiring your feet as much. The whole running experience is bound to be more comfortable with the ideal trail running shoes.

So, do yourself a favor and invest in a good pair of trail running shoes today.

How to Choose the Right Trail Running Shoes?

Even though choosing the right trail running shoes depends on many subjective factors, such as where you will be running, your feet structure and your cushioning preferences, there are some general elements which you can refer to while buying these.

The Right Type

Firstly, you want to select the right kind of trial running shoes. There are mainly three types of trail running shoes. The first type of trail running shoes are meant for short trails. These shoes are lightweight. They provide moderate support and protection to your feet. They are equipped with shallow lugs.

The trail running shoes which are meant for rugged trails have multi-directional lugs. These diverse lugs are for better grip. These shoes provide optimum stability, balance and support to the user. There is more underfoot protection in these shoes and the midsole cushioning is flexible.

The third type of trail running shoes are meant for off trails. These shoes have all the qualities of the rugged trail shoes with some added features. These shoes are rigid but comfortable. They are constructed with robust materials and have a tough built. They have resilient midsoles. These shoes are generally waterproof.

Cushioning

The next thing to consider while buying trail running shoes is their cushioning, which is also known as stack height of the shoes. Some experts believe that more cushioning is better whereas the minimalist advocates say that less cushioning is better. Honestly, it is just personal preference. You may have to try a number of shoes to figure out your cushioning likings. For now, there are mainly 4 kinds of cushioning present in trial running shoes. Barefoot shoes have no padding. The minimal shoes have minimum padding. The traditional trail running shoes have moderate padding, which means just enough cushioning which is required for rocky terrains and bumpy roads. Maximum padded shoes are heavily cushioned, mostly in the midsole area to accentuate the comfort and protection and to attenuate the pain. Whichever cushioning type you choose, just ensure that the comfort and flexibility of the shoes are not hampered by the cushioning.

Fit and Comfort

Fit and comfort are probably the key factors when it comes to trail running shoes. The trail running shoes should fit your feet like a sock. They must have a snug fit without any restriction to your toes. The snug fit should also not compromise on the breathability of the shoes. The trail running shoes should also be comfortable. They should not cause you any blisters or pain. The shoes should also be flexible. Comfort is a subjective matter so you may have to try on a couple of pairs to find the shoes which feel the most comfortable to you.

Support and Grip

The trail running shoes should provide you with the required support and grip. Generally, these shoes do offer more support than the normal shoes or road running shoes. The arch support must be enough for the user. The lugs should be detailed to better the grip and traction. The soles of the shoes should not be slippery. You do not want to risk falling down and injuring yourself. So, ensure that the shoes guarantee optimal support, grip, traction, balance and stability.

Heel to Toe Offset

The heel to toe offset means the difference between the height of the heel and the height of the toes of the shoes. It is also known as heel to toe drop. Barefoot shoes have 0mm of heel to toe drop. These shoes are also known as zero drop shoes. Zero drop means that there is no slope on the shoes and as a result your feet lie flat to the ground. The minimal shoes have heel to toe drop of 0 to 4mm. The other shoes have heel to toe drop of generally 4 to 12mm. Similar to the stack height, the heel to toe offset is also all about personal preference. So, you may want to try on a couple of shoes with different drops to find out what you prefer.

Other Features

Some other features which you may want to check in the trail running shoes are waterproofness, weight, color combinations, style, lacing systems and other features. You may also want to see whether the trail running shoes have padded tongue and collar or not. Padded tongue and collar help to keep the debris out and also provide more comfort to the user as they prevent chaffing.

The Best Pick

My top pick for today’s article is the Salomon Women’s Speedcross 4 Gtx W Trail Runners. These shoes have been my go to running shoes since the time I bought them.

The Salomon Women’s Speedcross 4 Gtx W Trail Runners have it all. They offer all the required features which a good pair of trail running shoes should provide.

These shoes are breathable, comfortable, stable, durable and stylish.

In the 1 year that I have used the Salomon Women’s Speedcross 4 Gtx W Trail Runners, I have not found even a single fault with these beauties. They are one of the best purchases I have ever made.

That is all for my part. I hope this article has been helpful for you ladies in helping you find the best trail running shoes.

Do tell me which trail running shoes you like the best in the comment section below.

Thank you and goodbye until next time!