We Review The Best Trail Shoes For Women

Need to get motivated this summer to do some running, but don’t know where to start with the footwear? Help is on hand with our reviews of the five best trail shoes for women!

New Balance Women’s Leadvillev3 Trail Shoe-W, Pink/Grey 8 B Us

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Merrell Women’s Glove 4 Trail Runner, Very Grape/Astral Aura, 10 M Us

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Salomon Women’s Speedcross 4 W Trail Runner, Quarry, 65 M Us

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Saucony Women’s Peregrine 7 Running Shoe, Blue Citron, 85 Medium Us

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new balance leadville v3

NEW BALANCE WOMEN’S LEADVILLE V3 TRAIL RUNNING SHOE

  • MANUFACTURER:  NEW BALANCE
  • MODEL NO:   LEADVILLE V3 TRAIL SHOE-W
  • SIZES:  5-11 (US)
  • HALF SIZES: YES
  • WEIGHT:  20.8 OUNCES
  • SHIPPING WEIGHT:  2 POUNDS
  • COLORS:  PINK/GREY, GREY/ORANGE
  • OUTER MATERIAL:  FABRIC AND SYNTHETIC
  • SOLE: RUBBER SOLE
  • SHAFT FROM ARCH: 2.5 INCHES
  • DROP: 8MM
  • ALSO: TOE BUMPER, GUSSETED TONGUE, PADDED COLLAR, TRAD LACES, REVLITE LIGHTWEIGHT FOAM, FANTOM FIT, LOW TO THE GROUND CUSHIONING TECHNOLOGY
  • FIT AS EXPECTED:  73%
  • PRICE GUIDE: $58.95-124.95
  • OUR RATING: 4.3 OUT OF FIVE STARS

First up are one of the most respected names in footwear; New Balance.

If you are looking for a great allrounder, then this is a good place to start.

People who like this trail shoes like them a lot and unusually, we have hardly heard a word of serious criticism.

Walk, run, get them muddy – whether it’s a marathon or a sprint, these should see you well over a variety of terrain.

This has a wide toe box and provides ample comfort for the long-distance runner.

It is light enough, but there are lighter options out there should this be an issue for you.

Perhaps this lacks some of the killer qualities that other trail shoes have, in one particular direction, but it does well in all the crucial areas that your foot needs.

It is well cushioned, your toes are properly protected, you can keep going and the arch support is good.

Nearly everyone who has purchased them has given them the thumbs up – this makes them one of our top picks for best trail shoes for women, 2018!


merrell glove 4 trail runner persian

MERRELL WOMEN’S GLOVE 4 TRAIL RUNNER

  • MANUFACTURER:  MERRELL
  • MODEL NO:  TRAIL GLOVE 4-W
  • SIZES:  5-11 B (M) (US)
  • HALF SIZES: YES
  • SHIPPING WEIGHT:  3 POUNDS
  • WEIGHT: 16 OUNCES
  • COLORS:  BLUE SPORT, BLACK, HIGH RISE, PERSIAN RED, VERY GRAPE/ASTRAL AURA, ALEUTIAN, BALTIC
  • OUTER MATERIAL:  TEXTILE AND SYNTHETIC
  • SOLE: SYNTHETIC
  • ALSO: ZERO DROP, 3MM LUGS, TRAIL PROTECT PAD, STACK HEIGHT (HEEL–TOE) 11.5MM
  • FIT AS EXPECTED: 83%
  • PRICE GUIDE: $82.63-$198.61
  • OUR RATING: 4.4 STARS OUT OF FIVE

The Women’s Glove 4 Trail Runner by veteran manufacturer Merrell also makes our list.

This is probably best considered by anyone looking for a ‘barefoot’ running experience.

The advantages are that these are mega light – weighing in at only 16 ounces.

It is a low shoe, with a zero drop.

Can it do all the terrain you might want? We’re not too sure about that one.

Although highly comfortable (everyone raves about this) they are not the most protected shoe out there. But then again, this is probably why you chose them in the first place.

We think these are best for the smoother, shorter routes, when you want a minimalist feel.’


salomon speedcross 4 for women

SALOMON WOMEN’S SPEEDCROSS 4 W TRAIL

  • MANUFACTURER:  SALOMON
  • MODEL NO:  SPEEDCROSS 4 W-W
  • SIZES: 5-12 (B)M (US)
  • HALF SIZES: YES
  • SHIPPING WEIGHT:  12 OUNCES+
  • HEEL TO TOE: 10MM DROP
  • WEIGHT: 10 OUNCES
  • COLORS:  OVER TWENTY AVAILABLE
  • OUTER MATERIAL: MESH AND TEXTILE
  • SOLE: RUBBER
  • ALSO: QUICKLACE, SENSIFIT, CONTRAGRIP, LIGHTWEIGHT, ANTI DEBRIS MESH, WATER RESISTANT, MUDGUARD
  • FIT AS EXPECTED:  81%
  • PRICE GUIDE: $64.98-$247.06
  • OUR RATING: $4.6 OUT OF FIVE STARS

Want something even lighter than the Merrell? Step forward the Salomon Women’s Speedcross 4!

With some truly eye bleeding colors, we can’t fault the selection of styles and shades in this range – who said you can’t set a trend whilst blazing a trail!

The colors in this range are too numerous for even our dedicated reviewers to get their heads around. But, suffice to say, they are very very loud!

What we really like about this trail shoe is just how lightweight it is. It also fits like a glove and can run on just about anything beautifully, possibly with the exception of asphalt.

This is only because the lug on the soles means it really bites into the ground below. This gives great protection from any dirt and dust coming your way as you run.

Unlike some so called trail shoes, this shoe loves the mud and wet conditions and provides a first rate traction at all times!

Recommended for lovers of lightweight running, who still want all the protection and traction of a weightier shoe.


saucony peregrine 7 pair

SAUCONY WOMEN’S PEREGRINE 7 TRAIL RUNNING SHOE

  • MANUFACTURER:  SAUCONY
  • MODEL NO:  PEREGRINE 7
  • SIZES:   5-12 B (M) (US)
  • HALF SIZES: YES
  • WEIGHT: 9.3 OUNCES
  • HEEL TO TOE: 4MM OFFSET
  • COLORS:  BLUE CITRON, GREY BERRY, TEAL/ PURPLE/ CITRON
  • OUTER MATERIAL:  TEXTILE
  • SOLE: RUBBER/ PWRTRAC TRACTION SOLE
  • ALSO: HEEL STACK HEIGHT: 21.5MM. NORMAL MID ARCH, LOW PROFILE
  • FIT AS EXPECTED:  67%
  • PRICE GUIDE: $51.14-$159.99
  • OUR RATING: 4 STARS OUT OF FIVE

If we had to pick one great all rounder, it would be a toss up between the Saucony Women’s Peregrine 7 Trail Running Shoe and The New Balance Women’s Leadville V3 Trail Running Shoe. It’s a hard choice and ultimately one that comes down to a personal choice.

These are a good price – not too high or so cheap they compromise performance.

They provide a decent foot protection, with a rock plate and extreme cushioning.

We especially like its breathability. We feel even the Sweaty Bettys amongst us could wear this shoe and safely leave it in our lockers, without having to evacuate the changing room first!

They are rugged and will grip tightly, yet combine this toughness with a lightness and grace.

All this and they love narrow and wide feet alike.

With a pair of shoes like this waiting to change into, we can’t see any reason not to  keep on running this summer, no matter how extreme the weather gets!


asics gel ventura 6

ASICS WOMEN’S GEL-VENTURE 6 RUNNING-SHOES

  • MANUFACTURER:  ASICS
  • MODEL NO: T7G6N
  • SIZES:   5-12 VARIOUS WIDTHS (US)
  • HALF SIZES: YES
  • WEIGHT: 22.4 OUNCES
  • DROP: 10MM
  • COLORS:  CARBON/BLACK/PINK PEACOCK, CARBON/MID GREY/SEASHELL PINK, CASTLEROCK/SILVER/HONEYDEW, PHANTOM/CORAL/LIME, BLACK/CARBON/NEON LIME, BLACK/ISLAND BLUE/PINK, INDIGO BLUE/BLACK/CORAL, BLACK PIXEL PINK, BLACK/ICE GREEN/ORANGE, BLACK/CARBON/GREEN, ICE GREEN/BLACK/CHERRY TOMATO
  • OUTER MATERIAL:  SYNTHETIC
  • SOLE: RUBBER
  • ALSO: REARFOOT GEL CUSHIONING SYSTEM, ASICS HIGH ABRASION RUBBER (AHAR) OUTSOLE, GOOD STABILITY
  • FIT AS EXPECTED:  86%
  • PRICE GUIDE: $38.01-$140.63
  • OUR RATING: 4.5 STARS OUT OF FIVE

Maybe you are new to running and some of our selection just seem a little too specialized, or, frankly, expensive.

Our final selection, the ASICS Women’s Gel-Venture 6 Running-Shoes will see you right on both scores.

These are more for the easier trails, like the ones that a beginner may possibly start with.

They are also firmly affordable, and offer good value for money.

This is not the lightest shoe, it’s true, but it’s not the heaviest. It gives a decent amount of protection and has both stability and support.