The best trail running shoes are built for toughness as well as speed, but within their knobby outsoles, armored toe boxes and abrasion-resistant uppers lies a breathable exterior that's designed to keep feet cool and dry on runs. Breathability is an essential feature in trail running shoes, particularly in hot spring and summer runs, when excessive sweat buildup can lead to blisters. It can be difficult to make a tough, durable exterior with lightweight, breathable materials, but the best running shoes utilize the best materials and innovative design to integrate breathablity and trail-readiness.
La Sportiva Slingshot
La Sportiva's lightweight Slingshot trail runner is designed for speed on the trail. At 11.3 oz. per shoe, the Slingshots allow for quick turnover over varied terrain. Its mountain bike-inspired FriXion outsole provides grip on uneven and slippery surfaces, and the mesh lining Airmesh upper keeps feet cool and dry. In a review on Trailrunnermag.com, editors noted the shoe's comfort, reporting that it "feels like a slipper out of the box." They also complimented the shoe's breathability, saying that the Slingshot's "thin wafer mesh upper makes this a soft, airy ride."
Teva X-1 Control
Teva's X-1 Control shoe provides trail stability while keeping the shoe light and breathable, in part because of its Wraptor Lite support system, which keeps feet stable on the footbed while still allowing for enough movement to adjust for inconsistencies on the trail. In a buyer's guide review on Outside.away.com, Lindsay Yaw noted the shoes svelte profile at 11 oz., and noted their mesh vents, which "let cool air circulate through the heel pocket," keeping feet cool and dry on the trail.
New Balance 906
With its C-Cap midole and Stability Web providing support and the multidirectional lug system, New Balance's 906 trail running shoe is built to provide comfort on a trail run. Additional midsole cushioning in the heel and forefoot smooth out the trail's bumps, while a Rock Stop toecap protects toes from half-buried rocks and jutting roots. Trailrunnermag.com's editors noted that "the shoes breathed very well," and they also hailed the 906's comfort, saying that it combined "silky cushioning and support with a plush fit that still locked the foot in."
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