Best ultra trail running shoes 2024 | Tested and Reviewed

Here's our tried and tested selection of some of the best long-distance trail running shoes

Best ultra trail running shoes tried and tested lfto logo featuring inov8 altra brooks and scarpa 2

Scarpa Spin Infinity

Best in Test

Scarpa has a range of trail running shoes for all eventualities, but what the Spin Infinity focuses on is providing that necessary structure, comfort and stability for the longer distances. 

The neutral, midweight trail shoe has a good level of structural support. The foot-wrapping overlay reaches up to the laces, which can be tightened to create a snug fit that hugs the foot in place, while a rigid heel counter offers more structural support. This is combined with a 4mm drop and slightly curved dual-density foam midsole, all of which come together to create a shoe with a good overall level of structure, without falling into the trap of becoming too stiff and unwieldy.

There’s a decent amount of padding along the heel and in the tongue, which Scarpa calls their ‘Adaptive Cushioning System’, it helps to keep the foot locked nicely in place, avoiding any heel slippage. The stack is also in that mid-range at 26mm, which offers ground protection without making you feel like you’re running in high heels.  

Thanks to the panels of open mesh along the upper, the shoe manages to remain quite breathable in motion. There’s protection there too with the gusseted tongue and extended TPU toe bumper to protect from trail debris. A mesh pouch at the top of the tongue is there to tuck in laces, in theory this should prevent them coming undone mid-run. 

Vibram Velox Cross lugs are 4mm in length, which means they can tackle a range of terrain but fare best along dry and less technical trails. Overall, the Scarpa Spin Infinity is a great all-rounder trail shoe that can hold up over those longer runs where you need that bit more support and comfort.

Check out the men's version here

Pros

  • Sturdy and supportive
  • Enough cushion for longer distances
  • Breathable and comfortable
  • Grippy over range of terrain

Cons

  • Not as agile/propulsive as some
  • Features
    5.0
  • Construction
    5.0
  • Comfort
    5.0
  • Performance
    4.0
  • Value
    5.0
Heel stack26mm
Drop4mm
Lug depth4mm
Weight per shoe (UK5.5)268g

2.

Saucony Endorphin Edge

Best carbon fibre shoe

Best lightweight ultra shoe

The MTL Skyfire 2 is the lightest trail running shoe Merrell has ever made. When on, the low-volume shoe almost feels more like a sock, but in the best way possible, with one of our UK5.5 shoes weighing a tiny 171g. The high-tensile mesh and TPU upper is one of the slimmest and most breathable we’ve seen - so much so that a passing breeze easily permeates the upper. Needless to say, there was no overheating on the trails in these! 

A modest 25mm stack means the feet sit relatively close to the ground, providing a high level of ground feel when running. Free from the entrails of a maximalist shoe, we felt a better precision and connection to the twists and turns of the trail. 

Protecting the soles of the feet from any sharp bumps in the trail is Merrell’s ‘FlexPlate’ rockplate, which is sandwiched between two dual-density FloatPro Foam midsole layers. Doing away with the stiffness of some carbon plates, this full-length plastic-composite plate adds structure and stability to the shoe, while remaining flexible and relatively responsive. 

The Skyfire 2 excels best during fast runs, though due to the light cushioning, the impact was more noticeable when doing sustained efforts over hard-packed terrain. The Vibram MegaGrip outsole has been made custom to the Skyfire 2, the thin spider web design sports grippy 6mm lugs. 

If you’re after a fast and precise trail shoe with excellent ground feel, the Skyfire 2 is hard to beat for up to the marathon distance. But for those who prefer a touch more protection and cushioning, take a look at the other less minimal shoes in this round-up.

Check out the men's version here

Pros

  • Extremely light and breathable
  • Agile and fast
  • Good ground feel and precision

Cons

  • Less structural support and cushioning than some
  • Features
    0.0
  • Construction
    5.0
  • Comfort
    4.0
  • Performance
    5.0
  • Value
    4.5
Heel stack25mm
Drop6mm
Lug depth6mm
Weight per shoe (UK5.5)171g

6.

Altra Olympus 5

Recommended for zero-drop

  • Features
    4.0
  • Construction
    4.0
  • Comfort
    5.0
  • Performance
    4.0
  • Value
    4.0
Heel stack 33m
Drop0mm
Lug depth5mm
Weight per shoe (UK5.5)275g