As we move from autumn to winter, we look at the latest road and trail shoes this season
These reviews are independent and unbiased views based on running many miles in all these shoes. This piece also contains affiliate links which means we may receive a small commission when you purchase using these links.
Brooks – Hyperion Max 2 – £160.00
Brooks Hyperion Max 2
Not too long ago, this type of shoe would have been considered a maximal type, yet such is the pace of development in the footwear world that a 36mm stack of cushioning sits more in the ‘normal’ range than the shoe’s Max name would suggest.
The cushioning is the brand’s DNA Flash v2 foam, a nitrogen-infused material designed for their performance models. It’s light, responsive and durable. The shoe also features a SpeedVault nylon plate. This does a great job of adding both propulsion and stability to the shoe and means it’s much more versatile than an out-and-out race model.
The Hyperion Max 2 is a great tempo and interval-type shoe and would work well for races too for those who don’t want the much higher cost associated with carbon-plated models. It’s a fast-feeling shoe and the DNA Flash midsole has a good history of proving very durable and outlasting other responsive foams.
Under Armour – Velociti Elite 2 – £225.00
UA Velociti Elite 2
A deeper stack of bio-based Pebax foam gives the second generation of this shoe a much-improved ride. The full-length carbon plate is still present, as is the rubberless outsole, the shoe relying on the midsole to provide traction and durability. The sole works well enough on the roads and this firmer layer of foam provides good stability too.
It’s the brand’s softest, springiest and fastest shoe to date and has some good credentials, with Sharon Lokedi wearing them in both her second place finish at the Boston Marathon and then when she was fourth over 26.2 miles at the Olympics. While the shoe isn’t as soft or as light as some carbon-plated racers, it is very stable.
New Balance – FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v3 – £230.00
New Balance SC Trainer v3
A new blend of the FuelCell midsole contains PEBA for an energised and responsive feel in what is the third generation of this model.
It feels just a little firmer than the previous model but for me hits the spot perfectly between soft cushioning and responsive long-run comfort.
The full-length Energy Arc carbon fibre plate adds to the energy return as well, keeping the shoe very stable; a nice combination given that some shoes in this category can ‘wobble’ a little!
The 6mm drop also gives the shoe an everyday trainer feel but the performance is very much leaning towards racer to give us something that you’ll want to reach for regularly. The upper fits well, is light and breathable and the outsole features plenty of rubber coverage, enhancing durability and improving traction as we head into the wetter winter months.
Find out more about the SuperComp Trainer here
Inov8 – RoadFly – £100.00
INOV8 RoadFly
Returning to the road-running market, INOV8 have kept it simple with their latest model, the RoadFly. With a 27mm stack of cushioning and 6mm drop, the shoe sits in the more traditional part of the market yet still features a soft and relatively bouncy midsole in the shape of the brand’s POWERFLOW PRO foam. There’s also their BOOMERANG insole (which accounts for 6mm of that stack) for a soft, underfoot experience.
The shoe is built on an anatomical foot shaped last, so offers a little more space in the toe box and allows the foot to spread naturally.
The upper is an engineered mesh construction that allows for breathability as well, providing good support around the midfoot, courtesy of an internal cradle formed by strips incorporated into the lacing.
It’s a light and flexible, natural feeling ride and has the benefit of being great value of just £100.
Hit the road in the Roadfly here
ASICS – Metafjuitrail – £220.00
ASICS Metaspeed Fuji
Inspired by the Metaspeed road shoes, this model brings speed to the trails. Featuring a combination of the brand’s high-performance foams sandwiching a trail-specific carbon plate, the shoe gives a perfect balance of cushioning and energy return in an off-road package.
The FF Turbo midsole sits beneath the foot and is light, soft and responsive. Below it the carbon plate is tuned for the trails and gives the forward propulsion we’ve come to expect while at the same time creating a stable platform. A base layer of FF Blast Plus rounds things off for a balanced and controlled ride. The ASICSGRIP outsole takes care of traction and is perfect for gravel trails, forest tracks and rocky terrain. If it encounters mud, it can shed it effectively on the go.
The upper uses a NEXKIN material, reinforced with Pebax yarn to provide a very secure lockdown that’s durable and extremely lightweight. For fast-moving performance on the trail, this shoe seems to smooth out the rough and provide road-like speed!
Take to the trails in the Metaspeed here
Arc’Teryx – Kopec Mid GTX – £180.00
Arcteryx Kopec
For those seeking a more supportive and versatile shoe suitable for anything from fast hiking to an easy running pace, this mid-rise shoe provides all the protection you’ll need. With a Gore-Tex and Cordura upper, you are assured of a lightweight yet durable construction that’s also waterproof.
The articulated construction allows for ample flexibility and the reinforced sections around the toe and arch support and protect the foot in any conditions. A dual-density midsole gives soft, underfoot comfort as well as stability on any terrain and with a Vibram Litebase Metagrip outsole you can confidently stride out with a reassured footing. A great all-rounder for any terrain or conditions.
Salomon – DRX Defy GRVL – £125.00
Salomon GRV
Inspired by the popularity of gravel bikes, this shoe aims to fill the gap between road and trail shoes with a model that combines the best of both worlds. The EnergyFoam midsole provides road shoe-like cushioning and rebound, plus the activeCHASSIS design provides stability via its winged design reaching up from the midsole to support the foot.
The shoe is light at just 239g, so close to racing-weight for a versatile road/trail daily trainer. Off-road traction is, as the name suggests, perfect for gravel paths and light trails yet at the same time not too deep or rigid that it can’t cope with the road. It’s a competitively priced, versatile shoe that could provide a one-shoe solution to all your running needs.
Altra – Olympus 6 – £155.00
Altra Olympus
The most cushioned trail shoe from the brand, the Olympus offers a 33mm stack of plush, cushioned CM-EVA midsole foam running the full length of the shoe. This zero-drop construction provides a smooth balanced ride and works very well on the trails.
The original foot-shape last design aids stability off-road too by offering a broader base and allowing the foot to naturally splay to stabilise itself. The upper is well-made and very durable with lots of padding around the ankle and Achilles area for a well-supported fit. The Vibram Metagrip outsole is probably the most aggressive in this selection and provides excellent grip, yet adapts easily to the terrain for a flexible and responsive ride.
Saucony – Xodus Ultra 3 – £149.99
Saucony Xodus
Despite the Ultra name, you don’t have to go long to get the most from this shoe. The cushioning is the brand’s highly responsive PWRRUN PB foam from the road racing line-up, so it offers a lightweight and snappy feel. In this off-road model, it has a broader base and higher sidewalls to cradle the foot, plus provides a stable footing.
The upper uses a ripstop mesh so is breathable yet very durable and wraps the foot securely for a confidence-inspiring lockdown. A PWTRAC rubber outsole with 4mm lugs means the shoe can tackle anything from forest tracks to muddy paths with ease and the design sheds mud easily too, meaning that the shoe feels light and nimble on the trails.
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