Running Shoes

Inov-8 Parkclaw G 280

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Road-to-trail shoes are becoming an increasingly popular option for runners who might not have immediate access to trails from their front door. Asking a shoe to feel smooth on pavement and grip on dirt is a tall order, but after testing Inov-8’s Parkclaw G 280, we think it’s up to the task. Check out our full review for the whole story.

Blister Brand Guide: The North Face Trail Running Shoe Lineup, 2022

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While trail running shoes are not new to The North Face, the brand recently gave their lineup a complete overhaul to showcase “VECTIV,” the patented technology system driving their footwear design process. Check out our Brand Guide to learn more about VECTIV, how it’s expressed in each of The North Face’s shoes, and which one might make the most sense for how and where you run.

La Sportiva Karacal

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La Sportiva is synonymous with hardwearing shoes for running in difficult, mountainous terrain. However, the brand has lately focused on making more accessible models for runners who prioritize comfort over technical performance. With the Karacal, we think they’ve mostly succeeded in meeting that demand.

Under Armour Charged Bandit Trail 2

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Most people don’t associate Under Armour with trail running — but the brand’s new do-everything shoe, the Charged Bandit Trail 2, just might change that. The latest model from UA was designed with accessibility for novice runners in mind, and to that effect, we think the Charged Bandit Trail 2 could be a pretty competent option for a lot of people — not just those venturing off-road for the first time.

Altra Timp 4

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Altra could have easily gotten away with making a few minor tweaks when updating their high-cushioned Timp; instead, the brand completely reengineered the Timp 4 from the ground up. Check out our review to see what we think of all the new changes.

Altra Lone Peak 6

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The original Altra Lone Peak debuted over 8 years ago, and after quickly gaining prominence among trail runners and thru-hikers alike, the shoe helped to further legitimize Altra’s unique approach to footwear design. Now in its 6th iteration, the latest Lone Peak received some considerable updates — check out our review to see where the latest Lone Peak slots into the running market.
Elliot Singer reviews the On Cloudvista for Blister

On Cloudvista

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In recent years, road-to-trail shoes have grown from occupying niche corners of brands’ lineups to quickly crowding their own category. The On Cloudvista is the latest addition to that space, and it has proved to be a highly versatile option for both new runners looking to ease onto trails for the first time and more experienced runners needing to downsize their shoe quiver.

Dynafit Alpine

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The Dynafit Alpine is designed to be a do-everything shoe that fits well, provides enough cushioning for long days out on the trails, and holds up regardless of where you take it. After testing, this statement checks out, and then some. The Dynafit Alpine is not only a great mountain running shoe, but one of the best all-around trail running models we’ve tested this year.

Hoka Tecton X

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Hoka has a reputation for taking risks, and their first carbon-plated trail shoe, the Tecton X, benefits from the brand’s willingness to experiment with design and forgo the conventional. While the shoe has some drawbacks that limit its versatility, it's nonetheless a worthy entrant into the hyper-performance trail shoe category and a model we expect to see on plenty of start lines this summer. Check out our full review for more.
Gordon Gianniny in the La Sportiva Akasha II

La Sportiva Akasha II

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The best decision La Sportiva made when updating the Akasha, their long-distance trail shoe, was not to change much about it. The Akasha II is strikingly similar to its predecessor, and will work really well for certain runners for the same reasons as before.
Gordon Gianniny in the Scarpa Spin Infinity

Scarpa Spin Infinity

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Scarpa, a brand probably best known for their mountaineering and skiing equipment, has quietly turned out numerous trail running shoes we’ve reviewed favorably in the past. Their newest model, the Spin Infinity, brings something different to the long-distance, high-cushion category.
Matt Mitchell in the Salomon Ultra Glide

Salomon Ultra Glide

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The Ultra Glide is Salomon's first foray into the maximal trail shoe category, and it does not disappoint. Check out our review to hear from two of our reviewers about their experience with the shoe, and how it compares to the competition.
Speedland SL:PDX

Speedland SL:PDX

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Speedland calls their SL:PDX, “the world’s first hyper-performance trail shoe,” which is a lot to live up to. Our review takes a closer at whether or not the shoe is worthy of that title.
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