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. And 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. The easy-on, easy-off Salomon XT Wings 3 will allow you to amp up the intensity of your workout. 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.

La 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. Bonus: The Raptor’s lacing harness stays strong even in the coldest temperatures—though we can't say the same for your muscles. At just 11.4 ounces, the Mizuno Wave Ascend 7 is lightweight, and it has full-length, mesh ventilation to keep your feet fresh. adidas running shoe saleBut 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. best running shoes for heavy weight If mixing up terrain is your thing, the Brooks Adrenaline ASR 9 is a good for trail and road running. best price on new balance tennis shoes

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. Investing in an appropriate running shoe can spare you the inconvenience of injury and any medical bills that might have to follow. While a variety of styles and brands of running shoes exist on the market, buying a great pair can often hinge on the knowledge of your particular feet’s anatomy, your running style, and your exercise goals.

Fortunately, the process of determining this information about your foot is easy and can be performed at home. Using this knowledge (also see our 8 Tips for Choosing Your Workout Shoes) while shopping can result in the purchase of a pair of shoes that both support your feet and fit correctly. With the right shoes on your feet, you’re free to explore the world at your own pace. Like many other types of shoes, running shoes are subject to wear and tear, and this can happen faster when the shoes are used regularly. You can expect to need to replace running shoes sooner than shoes than you use to take a relaxed walk around the neighborhood. If you count the miles that you run for training or weight-loss purposes, try to buy a new pair of shoes every 450 miles. Wearing a pair of running shoes that has already covered 600 miles can compromise your feet and leave you susceptible to injury. When shopping, account for the motion your feet will experience while you’re exercising and size up: Your running shoe size should include an extra free half-inch in the toe box.

For the best results, invest in two pairs of shoes and alternate between them when running. Different types of running require specific types of shoes. Runners who are accustomed to exercising on tracks may find that their shoe needs differ as soon as they take up running on roads or on trails. In addition, beginners, intermediate, and advanced runners may also have varying needs. For example, a very active and advanced runner may want to invest in cross-trainers that combine features and will allow them to engage in different types of sports, while walkers who are considering the addition of running might need a shoe that is more rigid and heavier than those who only run. Previous running experience that has resulted in injuries or foot abnormalities, such as blisters, bunions, corns, or hammertoes, needs to also be taken into account when buying new shoes. To avoid compounding these injuries, consider where these injuries are located and choose the shoes that don’t further exacerbate them.

Concrete is more than twice as hard as natural surfaces, such as those found on trails. For this reason, road running can be more demanding on the body and any protective gear that supports it. A good running shoe will be cushioned to absorb maximum impact. It should also provide great stability and easily bend at the area where the ball of the foot is located. Trail-running shoes should feature soles that support grips on rugged or uneven terrain. The tread patterns on these shoes should offer more variety and deeper lugs than those found on regular running shoes. Finally, trail-running shoes are generally stiffer from toe to heel to provide 360-degree protection. Foot shape is an important factor in choosing the right running shoe. Arch height, in particular, should inform what type of shoe will help you experience a comfortable and supportive run. While a podiatrist or even a shoe seller can give you idea of what type of foot arch you have, a simple test can help you determine your arch height at home.

Simply wet your feet and stand on a paper bag for about 60 seconds. When you step away, closely inspect the imprint that was left behind by your feet. A clear curve along the side of your foot and an area between your heel and toe that measures about half the width of your foot indicates a normal arch height and normal pronation. Low arches and overpronators don’t have curves and can see almost the entire outline of their foot on the paper. Those with high arches and who tend to underpronate have imprints with what seem to be a very thin band connecting the heel and foot. The way your foot hits the ground and reacts to it defines your pronation. A normal pronator sees their heel hit the ground with the impact evenly reverberating up to the ball of the foot. An undepronator absorbs most of the impact on the sides of the foot, while an overpronator rolls too much of the impact to the inside of the foot. Each of these running styles influences the types of running shoes in which you should invest.