Road vs trail running shoes
The short answer first, then side by side.
We earn from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate. It never changes what we recommend, and prices on the buttons update hourly from Amazon UK.
Road shoes are for pavements, parkruns on paths and most charity races. Trail shoes have deep lugs and tougher uppers for mud, wet grass and rocky paths. If more than a third of your running is off-road in winter, a trail pair is worth it; otherwise one pair of road shoes does everything.
Road shoes vs Trail shoes at a glance
| Road shoes | Trail shoes | |
|---|---|---|
| Grip | Flat, for tarmac | Deep lugs for mud and rock |
| Cushioning | Softer, more bounce | Firmer, more protective |
| Upper | Light, breathable mesh | Tougher, more protective |
| On roads | Ideal | Lugs wear fast, feel clunky |
| Best for | Pavements, road races | Muddy parks, trails, cross-country |
Choose road shoes if…
- You mostly run on pavements and paths
- You're training for a road race
- You want one pair of shoes
Choose trail shoes if…
- Your runs go through muddy parks or fields
- You run trails or fell races
- You slip in your road shoes in winter
Our picks: Road shoes
Brooks Ghost 18
The safe answer to "what shoe should I buy?": a neutral daily trainer that's comfortable from the first mile and comes in widths.
£115.80£111.75–£126.33 since 8 Sep
Saucony Ride 18
A neutral, moderately cushioned daily trainer: a lighter-feeling alternative to the Ghost for everyday miles.
£94.55
Nike Pegasus 41
Nike's long-running everyday trainer, versatile enough for easy runs and some faster sessions.
£106.84Our picks: Trail shoes
Salomon Speedcross
The classic mud shoe: deep, aggressive lugs that grip on wet grass, mud and cross-country, where road shoes slide about.
£103.95
HOKA Speedgoat 7
HOKA's cushioned trail shoe with a Vibram Megagrip outsole. Comfortable for long trail runs on mixed, rocky or hard-packed ground.
£145.45Frequently asked questions
Can I use trail shoes on the road?
For short stretches yes, but the lugs wear quickly and they feel clunky. Use road shoes for road runs.
Do I need trail shoes for parkrun?
Only for grass and mud courses in winter. Most tarmac or gravel-path parkruns are fine in road shoes.
Related
How we choose: we don’t lab-test products. Picks are based on published specifications, what each product is designed for, brand track record with UK runners and UK availability. Prices on the buttons update hourly from Amazon UK. About Run For It.