Best Womens Trail Runners 2020

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Quick List: Best Womens Trail Runners

About Womens Trail Runners

Trail running is quickly becoming one of the most common recreational activities for active women.

Luckily there is a wide variety of selection to choose from to find your best trail running shoe.  This can also create a lot of confusion.

Trail runners can be used in for many different occasions.  Trail running, hiking, even as women’s hiking boot replacement.

Plenty of trail runners provide enough traction and ankle support that you can easily replace your old, dusty boots with a fresh pair of trail running shoes.

It’s always good to compare women’s trail runners vs hiking boots.

We’ve also included an ordered list of our favorite Women’s Trail Runners just below.

Learn more in our Top 25 Hiking Boots Round-Up.

Best Womens Trail Runners 2020

    Shoe Style Trail Runners
    Waterproof No
    Sex Women
    Current Price Price not available

    Salomon Women’s Speedcross 4 W Trail Runner is an incredibly comfortable trail running shoe that will help you tear through the outdoors like you’re running on a treadmill. Salmon’s are at the top of the game when it comes to shoes built for the outdoors specifically.

    Pros
    • Snug Fit with little drop
    • Perfect for outdoors running and hiking
    • Lightweight
    Cons
    • Stiffness
    • Not great for city walking

    Read our full review of the Salomon Women’s Speedcross 4

  1. Altra Women’s Lone Peak 3

    2. Editors Rating:
    (4.1 / 5)
    Shoe Style Trail Runners
    Waterproof Yes
    Sex Women
    Current Price Price not available

    The Altra Women’s Lone Peak 3 Trail Runner is great for those looking for a trail runner with a lot of toe room. The toe box on these shoes is incredibly generous and will help you find space in the front of the shoe where other shoes leave your toes stuffed like sardines.

    Pros
    • Wide Toe Box
    • Mesh and well placed synthetic uppers
    • Extra cushion in the sole
    Cons
    • Too cushiony for some runners,
    • Problems with blisters

    Read our full review of the Altra Women’s Lone Peak 3

  2. KEEN Women’s Oakridge

    3. Editors Rating:
    (3.8 / 5)
    Shoe Style Trail Runners
    Waterproof Yes
    Sex Women
    Current Price Price not available

    The KEEN Women’s Oakridge Waterproof Shoe is durable, tough trail runner that will keep you light on your feet while still able to handle tough terrain. The uppers are made from waterproof, lightweight leather and mesh for protection and breathability.

    Pros
    • Waterproof and breathable
    • Lots of moisture and odor protection inside the shoe
    • Plenty of grip on the outsole
    Cons
    • They have a very stiff feel

    Read our full review of the KEEN Women’s Oakridge

  3. Adidas Women’s Rockadia

    4. Editors Rating:
    (3.6 / 5)
    Shoe Style Trail Runners
    Waterproof No
    Sex Women
    Current Price Price not available

    The Adidas Performance Women’s Rockadia W Trail Runner will offer you really good support for a lightweight running shoe on or off the trail. The uppers include a durable mesh and synthetic textile materials for ventilation and toughness.

    Pros
    • Super lightweight
    • Good traction in the outsole
    • Molded foam footbed for added comfortable fit on your foot
    • Mesh uppers offer lots of ventilation
    Cons
    • Constant heel rubbing
    • Stiff feel

    Read our full review of the Adidas Women’s Rockadia

  4. Merrell Women’s Glove 4

    5. Editors Rating:
    (3.4 / 5)
    Shoe Style Trail Runners
    Waterproof No
    Sex Women
    Current Price Price not available

    The Merrell Women’s Glove 4 Trail Runner is a “barefoot” all-purpose athletic shoe that will give your feet comfortable in a variety of different activities. Whether its the gym or a jog in nature these trail runners provide lightweight support and enough traction to help you conquer your fitness goals.

    Pros
    • Great traction
    • Snug fit
    • No drop
    • Lightweight
    Cons
    • Tight fit
    • Potentially weak longterm materials

    Read our full review of the Merrell Women’s Glove 4

Womens Trail Runners Buying Guide

Everything you need to know before purchasing Womens Trail Runners

Trail Runner Advantages

  1. Weight – This is a no-brainer.  While most hiking boots weigh 3-4 pounds, most trail runners weigh around a pound.  Not only does this help your feet but keeps up the pace with less overall soreness.
  2. Breathability– Trail runners are light, and usually built with mesh and Gore-Tex for water protection.
  3. Flexibility – Along with a high torsional rigidity, most trail runners are built to get beat up.  Along with a strong grippy sole and tough uppers, these shoes should easily contour to your feet’s needs and be easy to break in.  Also keep in mind, despite not being touted as waterproof, if your trail runner gets wet it doesn’t take much to dry and won’t weigh you down if they do get soggy.  Even better, there are a number of trail runners that are sold as waterproof.

Trail Runner Disadvantages

  1. Little Ankle Or Foot Protection – In a trail runner you sacrifice the full foot and ankle protection you get from a boot.  Most ankle and foot injuries on the trail happen in shoes.  Unless sold as waterproof you’ll probably deal with water and rocks inside your shoe at some point as well.
  2. Cheaper Materials – Many trail runners are made cheaply in foreign countries and can fall apart by just looking at them the wrong way.  They can have all the features in the world, but if the seams can’t hold and the laces quickly whither away then they’re no good.