Even if you feel sharp during your run, it’s as if the trail is just waiting for you to trip over a root or pop an ankle in that divet. And that’s why what you have on your feet is so important — the right shoes can protect the soles of your feet from sharp rocks, support your heels from downhill shock, and provide comfort even when your muscles scream and your feet ache.Yes, you need more trail-specific technology than road running shoes have, so here are 10 of the best (and newest) trail runners, ranging from minimalist shoes you’ll hardly notice to tough kicks that'll take you through wet, winter training. Weighing in at just 11.5 ounces, the Saucony Outlaw is for the extreme trail runner who still wants a minimalist feel. With its ¾ cut, it helps secure ankles on the toughest root-infested mountain runs, and its water-resistant membrane will protect your feet from the elements. Other cool features: Anti-lacebite pads that guard your feet against blisters, an anti-odor insole to prevent stinky feet, a high-traction rubber outsole to stop slippage on a rainy day, and an external bedrock plate to safeguard against hard rocks and sharp surfaces that could harm your soles.

Pearl Izumi’s Peak II is lightweight and durable with maximum traction and protection (it has a toe cap and a forefoot plate to ensure no roots or rocks puncture you), but stays true to its minimalist feel with a seamless upper and a comfortable sock liner. And with 360-degree lacing, you can get the tightest, glove-like feel so that your shoes will stay tailored to your foot throughout the entire run — no slippage or re-tying here. The New Balance Winter 110 encompasses all the top qualities of a trail runner — sticky outsole, cushioning lining and a natural-running, minimalist feel—but also offers the protection of a non-clunky winter boot, using a waterproof layer that wraps around the shoes and a ripstop upper membrane to keep you warm and dry. Bonus: A stability shank in the midsole helps with arch support and a smoother gait. If you’re new to the barefoot movement, try Merrell's Mix Master 2. Its thinner midsole will keep your foot low to the ground but won’t compromise on the valuable stability you're used to from normally structured shoes.

What's more: There's extra cushion in the heel, added forefoot shock absorption pads for running on varied terrain, a mesh upper that lets the heat and stank out, and a bellows tongue to keep rocks from slipping into your shoes. The Vibram Spyridon cocoons your foot in a multi-directional sole that protects against sharp objects, and its breathable upper section will keep your feet ultra-cool. nike mens shoes chinaAnd best of all, its rubber outsole has an aggressive tread design for maximum grip, so you'll stay slip-free—even on your clumsiest days. best mtb shoes for road use The easy-on, easy-off Salomon XT Wings 3 will allow you to amp up the intensity of your workout. tennis shoes for cold weather

They have a strategically-placed seamless mesh upper that provides maximum support, and the outsole has been pumped up for ultra-cushioning against the elements of the trail. And the Quicklace, one-pull system has a tongue cover, so no pebbles will fall in and throw off your pace. The La Sportiva Raptor GTX, waterproofed with a Gore-Tex liner, is ideal for running in wet and muddy conditions. golf shoes on sale adidasLa Sportiva uses the sticky, rubber traction technology of its climbing shoes to guard against slippage, and the shoe's wrap-around toe bumper protects against rocks and roots. best running shoes for half marathon australiaBonus: The Raptor’s lacing harness stays strong even in the coldest temperatures—though we can't say the same for your muscles. running shoes hurt side foot

At just 11.4 ounces, the Mizuno Wave Ascend 7 is lightweight, and it has full-length, mesh ventilation to keep your feet fresh. But the strength in this shoe lies in it's outer: made from durable carbon rubber, it'll withstand the toughest, longest runs that you can push yourself to complete. If mixing up terrain is your thing, the Brooks Adrenaline ASR 9 is a good for trail and road running. The ASR has aggressive grip traction for rocky terrain and a water-resistant, breathable upper to keep you dry on a dewy morning, plus the outsole and midsole construction provide stability, responsiveness, and pronation control as you move from midstance to propulsion. Just because you like to train through winter doesn't mean your feet have to be soggy and freezing when you do it. The lightweight, breathable North Face  Ultra 50 GTX XCR has been waterproofed and windproofed by a Gore-Tex membrane, plus its Torque Control Technology guides pronation for runners with those pesky low arches.

The shoe also has a plastic shank grafted into the midsole that hinders twisting to promote a more natural forward stride. So you walk into the running store. You look here, you look there. There's so much variety that the shoes pile up like some perverse Cinderella story. They all look spiffy enough. They all seem to have enough of that cushioning-gel-air stuff. How different could they be? If you put that question to a salesperson, depending on the store, you'll get either a shrug or a lecture on medial posts and curved lasts and ethylene vinyl acetate. And you might get some questions, too -- about the altitude of your arch, the heft of your heel strike, and your proclivity for pronation.Shoes are a lot more complicated than they used to be. But since there's nothing that gives the folks at Cool Running a warm-all-over feeling more than seeing educated consumers in action, we've put together a few pointers. What are the choices? For most recreational runners, a basic training shoe is all you'll need.

Others, however, have specialized interests and thus need specialized shoes. Here's a look at the different flavors.The vast majority of running shoes out there are basic training shoes. More than anything else, trainers are built simply for protection -- protection from constant pounding on hard surfaces and from your foot's own instabilities. Compared to light trainers and certainly to racing flats, these shoes are tanks. Heavy and loaded for bear, they're built to last through the miles. Most runners don't need any other type of shoe. While lighter shoes will let you run slightly faster (about a second per mile faster for every ounce), the injury prevention of trainers should be the big draw for most runners. And with the greater variety among training shoes, you stand a better chance of getting the right match for your foot.Lightweight training shoes are a good middleground between trainers and racing flats. For those who want to slice a little time off their race speed, light trainers are a good way to go without sacrificing too much protective cushioning.

It's really only worth the sacrifice, however, if you are a competitive runner racing with at least a seven-minute-per-mile pace. If your races are longer than 10K, stick with regular trainers; cushioning is likely to be more important than light shoes as the miles stretch on. Be aware that because light trainers have less cushioning than trainers, their cushioning wears out faster. If you are going to buy these shoes, try to use them almost exclusively for racing, and stick with the trainers for the rest of your running. Do be sure, though, to break in your light trainers with some short runs and speedwork before taking them to the races.Racing shoes are built strictly for speed. To increase flexibility and reduce weight, they have about 15 percent less cushioning than trainers and reduced support and durability. Often they have less heel lift, too, which makes for added strain on the Achilles tendon. The reduced protection of racing flats increases the risk of injury and makes them really suitable only for the hard-core competitive racer.