![\"Best](\"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Altra_King_MT_1.5_Womens_Mud-trail.jpg\")
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Sure, you could get away with wearing normal sneakers on the trail,<\/strong> but having a pair of trail-specific running shoes provides increased comfort, grip, and protection from rocks and debris<\/strong>.<\/p>\n From the forest trails of the American South to the rocky peaks of the Pacific Northwest, we spent months running, hiking, and testing to find the best trail running shoes for women. While testing, we focused on choosing a variety of shoe styles to fit each runner’s needs and feet \u2014 because the shoe each trail runner needs is as unique as the trails they run.<\/p>\n Whether you prefer a minimalist feel, extra cushion, extreme grip, or a do-it-all workhorse, we’re confident you’ll find a new favorite running shoe here. Get ready to lace up and hit the trails.<\/p>\n Be sure to check out our handy comparison chart<\/strong><\/a>, buyer\u2019s guide<\/strong><\/a>, and FAQ<\/strong><\/a> at the bottom of this article for help in dialing in on the perfect fit.<\/p>\n Editor’s Note: This guide was heavily updated on August 31, 2023. We added many new shoes and spruced up several topics in the buyer’s guide, including the Flexibility, Breathability, and Materials sections.<\/em><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n The Salomon Sense Ride 5 <\/a>($140) is a versatile and durable shoe that can handle almost anything the singletrack lays out for you. It has a medium fit that accommodates a variety of foot shapes. The lugs are deep enough to provide traction on dry trails and semi-wet conditions while not being too aggressive for dirt paths. We also like the mesh upper that keeps air circulating, which is especially great on hot days.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The midsole is well cushioned, helping keep things comfortable. It responds well when running downhill, keeping our feet stable on uneven terrain and comfortable on longer runs. However, the 8mm drop paired with the flex point being pretty far forward (almost at the toes), the forefoot felt thinner than the rest of the shoe. Not a deal breaker, but something we noticed on longer rocky descents.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n When tightening the shoe for technical sections, the tongue is plush enough to keep the quick lace system from digging into the top of the foot. A few testers noticed the lace garage on top of the tongue was tricky to tuck the extra lacings into. However, not everyone had the same experience, so check that out when trying them on.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n From town trails to the singletrack, this is our top pick for anyone looking for an all-terrain, everyday trail shoe.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n At $60, the Asics Trail Scout 2<\/a><\/strong> is hard to beat. It is an affordable option for those looking to expand from road running to trails.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The upper is made with abrasion-resistant mesh, making it tough but not super breathable. However, it did shed water without absorbing it. It also uses synthetic leather as a toe cap for added protection. The tongue is plenty cushioned but isn’t attached at the sides, so make sure you have it placed where you want it when you lace up.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The heel cup is comfortable and locks down well and the toe box is wide enough for some wiggle room without getting sloppy. The outsole and lugs are made with a thicker rubber making it rigid but very durable. The shoe should last a long time before showing signs of wear and tear.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n While this isn’t the most plush shoe to run in, it is a great affordable option if you aren’t looking for all the bells and whistles of a high-dollar trail running shoe.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n For several reasons, the Saucony Peregrine 13<\/a> ($140) is our runner-up. The Peregrine 13 is lightweight, breathable, comfortable, durable, and provides outstanding traction. With a relatively neutral drop of 4mm, all but the most aggressive heel strikers will find speed and stability here.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n These shoes offer a balance between comfort, protection, and responsiveness. Saucony’s proprietary PWRRUN foam in the midsole is cushy enough to hide the rock plate but still be very responsive. The chevron-shaped lugs have an additional texture that wears off within the first 20-ish miles, but that doesn’t negate the durability or aggressiveness of the main lugs. They have substantial traction that won’t disappoint on any trail in dry or wet conditions.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n There isn’t much we didn’t like about this shoe. Some testers found it had too much arch support, while others found it a nice feature. Ultimately, it depends on personal preference. And, unfortunately, the rounded shoelaces did come untied on some runs, even when double-knotted.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n These trail running shoes swiftly established themselves as our go-to running shoes because of their versatility and durability. They are ready for anything that comes their way making it easy for us to focus on the trail instead of our feet. As one last bonus, these are also offered in a wide fit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nThe Best Women’s Trail Running Shoes of 2023<\/h2>\n
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\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\tBest Overall Women's Trail Running Shoe\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSalomon Sense Ride 5\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\t\tSpecs\t<\/h3>\n
\n\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t17.4 oz.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t8.3 mm (29.6\/21.3 mm)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTextile\/synthetic<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLong or short runs on mixed-terrain or urban trails<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"The](\"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Salomon-Sense-Ride-5.jpg\")
\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\tPros\t\t<\/h4>\n
\n\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHighly breathable<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSingle system lacing<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGreat traction for various terrain<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExcellent support<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\tCons\t\t<\/h4>\n
\n\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRigid<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNo rock guard<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSnug fit<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
\n\tMallory Paige<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\tCheck Price at REI<\/a>Check Price at Backcountry<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\tBest Budget Women's Trail Running Shoe\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAsics Trail Scout 2\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\t\tSpecs\t<\/h3>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t19.4 oz.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t9.4mm<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAbrasion-resistant mesh<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTown-trail shoes, hiking<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"The](\"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Asics-Trail-Scout-2.jpg\")
\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\tPros\t\t<\/h4>\n
\n\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAffordable<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGreat heel lockdown<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDurable<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRoad to trail transition<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\tCons\t\t<\/h4>\n
\n\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHeavy<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStiff<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
\n\tMallory Paige<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\tCheck Price at Amazon<\/a>Check Price at ASICS<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\tRunner-Up Best Women's Trail Running Shoe\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSaucony Peregrine 13\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\t\tSpecs\t<\/h3>\n
\n\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t16.2 oz.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t4 mm (28\/24 mm)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMesh<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAnyone who wants a do-it-all shoe<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"The](\"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Saucony-Peregrine-13.jpg\")
\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\tPros\t\t<\/h4>\n
\n\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBroad range of sizes, including wide options<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRock plate<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGaiter-compatible D-rings<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFantastic traction<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\tCons\t\t<\/h4>\n
\n\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tConsiderably high arch support<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShoelaces sometimes come untied<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
\n\tMallory Paige<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\tCheck Price at REI<\/a>Check Price at Backcountry<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\tBest Wide Toebox Women's Trail Running Shoe\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTopo Athletic Ultraventure 3\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\t\tSpecs\t<\/h3>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t16.06 oz.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t5 mm (35\/30 mm)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRecycled mesh<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTrail running, hiking<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
![\"The](\"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Topo-Athletic-Ultraventure-3.jpg\")
\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n