Trail vs Road: What's the Difference in Running Shoes?

The answer: Shoes that work with the terrain—not against it.

You wouldn’t tackle a mountain trail the same way you’d sprint a city sidewalk. Your pace, form, and footing all change. Your shoes need to respond and adapt just like you do.

Trail and road shoes are designed for totally different conditions, and picking the right pair can boost your performance—and help you avoid injury. Let’s break it down.

Trail Running Shoes: Built for the Wild

Best For: Technical trails, unpredictable terrain, hiking/running hybrids, rainy or muddy environments.

Our Trail Picks: Pure Trail Pro, Ultra Trail 2, Endurance Trail

Shop All Trail Running Shoes

Men's Pure Trail X Running Shoe

$133.00

$133.00 — ~~$190.00~~

Women's Pure Trail X Running Shoe

$133.00

$133.00 — ~~$190.00~~

Men's CTM Ultra Trail 2 Running Shoe

$175.00

$175.00 —

Women's Nordic Trail 2.0 Craft Sportswear NA

Women's CTM Ultra Trail 2 Running Shoe

$175.00

$175.00 —

Women's Endurance Trail Running Shoe

$175.00

$175.00 —

Men's Endurance Trail Running Shoe

$99.99

$99.99 — ~~$175.00~~

Women's Endurance Nature Running Shoe

$179.99

$179.99 —

Men's Endurance Nature Running Shoe

$179.99

$179.99 —

MENS PURE TRAIL RUNNING SHOE Craft Sportswear NA

WOMENS PURE TRAIL RUNNING SHOE

$99.99

$99.99 — ~~$169.99~~

WOMEN'S CTM ULTRA TRAIL RUNNING SHOES

$99.74

$99.74 — ~~$174.99~~

Road Running Shoes: Designed for Speed & Cushion

Best For: Pavement, treadmills, race days, daily training on flat, predictable surfaces.

Our Trail Picks: Nordlite Tempo, Nordlite Pro, Endurance 2, Pacer

Shop All Road Running Shoes

Women's Nordlite Tempo Running Shoe

$180.00

$180.00 —

Men's Nordlite Tempo Running Shoe

$180.00

$180.00 —

WOMEN'S CRAFT PACER RUNNING SHOE Footwear Craft Sportswear NA

WOMEN'S ENDURANCE 2 RUNNING SHOE

$89.89

$89.89 — ~~$144.99~~

MEN'S ENDURANCE 2 RUNNING SHOE

$89.89

$89.89 — ~~$144.99~~

WOMEN'S NORDLITE SPEED RUNNING SHOE

$129.79

$129.79 — ~~$219.99~~

Men's CTM Ultra 3 Running Shoe

$98.99

$98.99 — ~~$164.99~~

MEN'S NORDLITE SPEED RUNNING SHOE

$129.79

$129.79 — ~~$219.99~~

WOMEN'S PRO ENDUR DISTANCE Footwear Craft Sportswear NA

Hybrid Option: Road-to-Trail

Can’t commit to one surface? Road-to-trail shoes like the Craft Xplor or Nordlite Ultra offer the best of both worlds—lightweight feel, cushioned midsoles, and enough grip to handle light trails or mixed surfaces.

Our Road-to-Trail Picks: Nordlite Ultra 2, Xplor