Trekker Boots NIK 03-0947-41-3-01-06 Black | 7 Best Trail Running Shoes For Women in 2023

Jovana Subic
Jovana Subic on
7 Best Trail Running Shoes For Women in 2023
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There are more than 300 trail running shoes for women available on the market. Choosing the right pair is exhausting, to say the least.  

But don’t fret, as we took our time testing and selecting the best trail runners for women from various brands. They also come from different categories, in which we have carefully chosen the greatest. So whether you’re looking for a trail bruiser, a protective shoe, or a long-distance tank, we got you the answers on this list.

Best women's trail running shoes overall

What makes it the best?

It dropped “ATR” in the name but the Challenger 7 is still an all-terrain shoe that impressed testers with how well it handled both trails and roads. Comfort and protection are both next-level, and by dropping some weight it has now what it takes to deliver a very enjoyable ride. It’s not a speedster, but when it comes to cruising for miles and miles, even whole days out, it’s a superb choice.

Trekker Boots NIK 03-0947-41-3-01-06 Black Pros

  • Kid s Shoes Geox
  • Effective lockdown
  • Stable and smooth ride
  • Superior comfort
  • Nike Men S Air Revolution Shoes New Authentic Black White Royal
  • Sneakers PHILIPPE MODEL Temple BTLU VC03 Blanc Orange
  • Trekker Boots NIK 03-0947-41-3-01-06 Black
  • Jaxie open-toe sandals Yellow

Trekker Boots NIK 03-0947-41-3-01-06 Black Cons

  • Peu Pista GM ankle boots Brown
  • Not durable outsole
  • Greater-than-expected drop
  • Narrow toebox
Full review of Hoka Challenger 7

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Mist Green/Trellis (1134500MGTR)
Wistful Mauve/Cyclamen (WMCY)
Flame/Cherries Jubilee (1134497FCJB)
Navy Blue (1134498BBSBL)
Black (1134497BBLC)
Meteor/Night Sky (1134498MNSK)
Ceramic/Vibrant Orange (1134497CVOR)
Mock Orange/Vibrant Orange (MOVO)

Best women's trail running shoes with wide toe box

Altra Lone Peak 6
90
Superb!

What makes it the best?

Whether you’re a dedicated zero-drop runner, just dipping your toe into it for the first time, or like to spice up your rotation with something new, the Altra Lone Peak 6 is a solid workhorse of a trail running shoe. The Altra Lone Peak 6 is a genuinely excellent all-rounder.

Trekker Boots NIK 03-0947-41-3-01-06 Black Pros

  • Fits true to size
  • Bottega Veneta Flash chunky ankle boots
  • Highly durable
  • Shoes Ankle Boots PANTANETTI 15513E
  • Feels like it makes you run better
  • Great pull tab
  • Gaiter compatible
  • Brilliant lacing
  • white cross strap sandal
  • Fully gusseted tongue

Trekker Boots NIK 03-0947-41-3-01-06 Black Cons

  • Stain magnet
  • PANAMA JACK Boots nero
Full review of Altra Lone Peak 6

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
White/Green (AL0A548E130)
Red/Gray (AL0A548E620)
Coral (AL0A548E662)
Dusty Olive (AL0A548E315)
Dusty Teal (AL0A548E305)
Navy/Light Blue (AL0A548J446)
Black/Green (AL0A548E043)

Best hybrid trail running shoes for women

What makes it the best?

The React Pegasus Trail 4 is one of the top road-to-trail options from Nike. Cushiony and responsive on the roads yet grippy and stable on the trails, the shoe makes a perfect hybrid. It also remains surprisingly light given all the features packed into it. Experienced runners are happy that it feels a lot like the original Pegasus Trail 36 but with an enhanced grip.

Trekker Boots NIK 03-0947-41-3-01-06 Black Pros

  • Efficient road-to-trail
  • Well-cushioned
  • Stable ride
  • Excellent, secure fit
  • Very breathable
  • Great traction
  • Unexpectedly light
  • Reasonably priced

Trekker Boots NIK 03-0947-41-3-01-06 Black Cons

  • black leather flat sandal
  • Not for wide feet
  • Womens Black Sandals Casual
Full review of brown block heel sandal

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Men
Women
Any color
Orange (DJ6159801)
Orange (DJ6159800)
Sail/Blue Whisper (FJ7733140)
Black Alligator Canyon Rust Mint Foam (DJ6158004)
Pink (DJ6159600)
Lt Orewood Brn Dk Smoke Grey (FD0876100)
Volt/Black/Summit White/Bright Cactus (DJ6159701)
nike react pegasus trail 4 trail running shoes sp23 men gold gold 8325 60
More colors

Best women's trail running shoes for mud

What makes it the best?

As one of the longest-running trail series, it’s safe to say the Peregrine is among the first shoes runners think about when going offroad. It can handle nearly anything you throw at it thanks to its tried-and-true comfort, agility, and traction. But what truly puts the v13 above its predecessors is its thicker slab of midsole foam—making it even more capable for easy days, long slow miles, and the occasional race through punishing terrains.

Trekker Boots NIK 03-0947-41-3-01-06 Black Pros

  • Cushioned and protective midsole
  • Vulc 2.0 Shoes Cloud White Collegiate Navy
  • I never would have met if I hadnt laced up my shoes
  • Sneakers con logo goffrato Giallo
  • Mud just falls off the outsole
  • Comfy and airy upper
  • Performance-oriented fit
  • No heel slippage
  • Smooth and natural-feeling ride

Trekker Boots NIK 03-0947-41-3-01-06 Black Cons

  • Puma rs-connect helly hansen mens blue collaboration & limited sneakers shoes
  • Nike Men S Air Max 270 Essentiel Black Grey Orange Shoe
  • Too-firm midsole
Full review of Saucony Peregrine 13

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Arroyo (S1083835)
Green (S1083825)
Night/Fossil (S1083815)
Beige (S1083885)
Berry/Mineral (S1083816)
Glacier/Bronze (S1083820)
Glow/Sundown (S1083831)
Finesse Black (S1083891)

Best racing trail running shoes for women

Trekker Boots NIK 03-0947-41-3-01-06 Black | What makes it the best?

The Endorphin Edge from Saucony is the brand's "sweet redemption," in the words of one runner, of the not-so-great Saucony Endorphin Trail. And others can't help but agree with this. It's everything super, they say. It has a carbon-fiber plate, it's max-cushioned, and it can go fast, fast, fast. Even better, it's ready for runs ranging from short to long distances.

Trekker Boots NIK 03-0947-41-3-01-06 Black Pros

  • Silver Ankle Boots Teen Girl
  • Comfort written all over it
  • Super smooth ride
  • Light AF
  • Protection can't be more awesome
  • Breathable under warm temps
  • Toe box is ready for ultras
  • Carbon plate is not harsh
  • BULLBOXER Boots stringati nero marrone
  • zapatillas de running The North Face trail pie normal apoyo talón

Trekker Boots NIK 03-0947-41-3-01-06 Black Cons

  • Unstable at slow paces
  • Loose heel
Full review of Saucony Endorphin Edge

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Black/Goldstruck (S1077310)
Ocean/Loam (S1077331)
Fog/Zenith (S1077386)
Soot/Basalt (S1077325)
Pink (S1077340)

Best women's versatile trail running shoes

What makes it the best?

All beefed-up. That’s perhaps the simplest way to describe the 5th edition of the Sense Ride. With its soft cushioning, protective ride, secure lockdown, and improved traction, this Salomon favorite became an even better all-around, all-terrain trainer that especially excels on moderate trails. As one reviewer so masterfully put it, “this is one helluva update!” But, is it?

Trekker Boots NIK 03-0947-41-3-01-06 Black Pros

  • Immaculate lockdown
  • Good responsiveness
  • Plenty of ground feel
  • Confident on moderate trails and steep downhills
  • zapatillas de running Inov-8 hombre trail constitución media talla 35.5
  • zapatillas de running tope amortiguación constitución fuerte talla 43.5
  • Comfy and breathable upper
  • Trekker Boots NIK 03-0947-41-3-01-06 Black!

Trekker Boots NIK 03-0947-41-3-01-06 Black Cons

  • zapatillas de running neutro constitución media rosas
  • Jacques Epicure leopard-print sandals Neutrals
  • Runs a little bit narrow
Full review of pedro garcia wedge heel sandal

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Green (L472117)
Rainy Day/Hot Sauce (L472124)
Red (L472152)
Pink (L471470)

Best women's trail running shoes with plush cushioning

What makes it the best?

The Speedgoat 5 from Hoka remains your reliable and great-value do-everything trail shoe. But if you want to bring the best out of it, fast runs on very technical terrains can do the trick. On top of this, it ticks all the boxes of an excellent trail shoe. It's insanely grippy, durable, and supportive; conquering the great outdoors is an easy defect. Overall, take the Nike Air Force 1 Low 07 White Chlorophyll Shoes Vip if you want to go fast and far.

Trekker Boots NIK 03-0947-41-3-01-06 Black Pros

  • Super grippy
  • Springy ride
  • Stable platform
  • Extra durable
  • High impact protection
  • Lightweight
  • Breathable
  • Secure fit
  • Excellent heel hold

Trekker Boots NIK 03-0947-41-3-01-06 Black Cons

  • Not for wide feet
  • Flared collar is not for everyone (style-wise)
Full review of Nike Air Force 1 Low 07 White Chlorophyll Shoes Vip

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Deep Lake/Ceramic (DLCR)
Bellwether Blue Cyclamen (BBCY)
Stone Blue/Dark Citron (SBDCT)
Elderberry Lilac Marble (ELMR)
Blue Coral/Camellia (BCCML)
Coastal Shade/Green Glow (CSGG)
Festival Fuchsia/Camellia (FFCM)
Blue Graphite Evening Primrose (BGEPM)
More colors

Comparison of the 7 best trail running shoes for women

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CoreScore
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# of colorways

How we test trail running shoes

We conduct a multitude of tests on all the trail running shoes in our arsenal. With our own shoe testing lab, we gather data on each shoe that helps to explain why they are the greatest. Even more, we also make sure to do the following: 

  • We get them with our own money to avoid bias.
  • We run at least 30-50 miles on each shoe on varying trails: light, challenging, and even extra challenging!
  • We slice them open and see what’s inside.
  • We measure each part of the shoe based on 30 different parameters.
Author
Jovana Subic
Jovana Subic

Whether it's a vertical kilometre or an ultra, climbing in the Alps or exploring local mountains, Jovana uses every opportunity to trade walls and concrete for forests and trails. She logs at least 10h/week on trails, with no off-season, and 4x more on research on running and running shoes. With a background in physics and engineering management, she prefers her running spiced with data.