Trail Running Dominators of 2025
We're talking about the most anticipated trail running shoes in 2025
You know that feeling that comes around each year when Apple announces it’s going to unveil the new iPhone models? That feeling you really don’t need the new model, but you kind of, sort of, really want one anyway (even though there’s hardly any massive differentiators between years anymore)? Well, that’s how I feel about TRE (The Running Event). TRE takes place in Austin, TX every year and it’s where all our favorite brands bring their upcoming product line to display for all the influencers and reviewers to go bananas over on social. If you want to know more about the event, check out this solid read from my guy, Cody.
The Underdogs
This past week gave us a lot to be excited for in the coming year. The coming year’s offerings signal an important and notable shift in the trail running world - underdogs are coming up on top. What do I mean by this? Well, historically speaking, a lot of the top dogs that get the hype and spotlight are probably the very brands you’d think of. Hoka, Nike, Adidas, New Balance, On, Saucony. You get my point. The conglomerates, if you will. Well, in my completely and utterly unprofessional and very uneducated but trail-running-obsessed-average-dude opinion…I think there are some unexpected brands offering the most exciting new trail shoes for 2025. The underdogs - or at least that’s what I’m calling them.
The list below signals a major shift from where we’ve seen anticipation and hype in past years, because there probably aren’t the brands that you’d expect to make the list. But if there’s one thing we can be sure of, it’s that these underdogs know what it takes to put you through rugged adventures in the outdoors.
This intro is already too long, so apologies. Let’s dive into what we should be excited for in 2025.
TLDR
There are new shoes coming…and they look rad. Merrell max cushion ultra shoe, La Sportiva has a couple coming - a race day shoe and a max cushion ultra shoe, the Norda sleek trail racer is coming - 8oz WTF, North Face has the update for their trail racer, and then we’ve got a PUMA soccer cleat…I mean plated trail race day shoe. Can’t wait!
The 2025 Lineup to Get Stoked On
#1: Merrell MTL Adapt Matryx
Price: $180
Release: May 2025
Specs: 36/30mm | FloatPro foam | 4mm lugs | Vibram MegaGrip | 10.2oz/288g | No plate of any kind
Fit: Word around is that it’s quite accommodating. Great for those who need more close to a wide fit, great for long runs and ultra distance when your feet expand.
My first pair of Merrells were a pair of hiking boots 10 years ago that I wore in the High Sierra on a few backpacking adventures. I think it’s safe to say Merrell has always been a leading hiking brand that comes to mind. Fast forward to today, and their dedication and focus to trail running is reaching new heights. The trail running footwear products currently coming out of Merrell are something to be stoked on.
The Adapt Matryx is a shoe I’m extremely eager to try for the long miles. The reviewers have already gotten their hands on it, and so far the feedback is very positive. I’m interested in this shoe for longer runs, but I also think it will be a solid “do-everything” shoe. I’ve been loving the durability of Matryx uppers on some of my current trail shoes, so to see this along with the durable and grippy Vibram outsole is music to my ears. At TRE, a Merrell athlete (Coree Woltering) was showcasing his pair after 800 miles - the ROI on that is something to get excited for. They looked outstanding for having been put through 800 miles of adventure. The MTL Adapt Matryx is on the top of my list for the coming year, and is surely a shoe I’m going to be securing on release day.
#2: La Sportiva Prodigio Pro
Price: $195
Release: February 2025
Specs: 34/28mm | XFlow Speed midsole | 4mm lugs | La Sportiva proprietary grip | 8.9oz/265g | No plate of any kind
Fit: If it’s anything like the Prodigio, should have ample room and spacious toe box. No other fit details known yet!
If I had to pick favorites for my single most anticipated shoe of the coming year, this one is probably it. A trail super shoe with no plate seems like it might be the new trend, especially something that can go the distance as well as handle the technical terrain. My first introduction to La Sportiva was through climbing. I had a pair from them a few years ago when I was really into climbing. Fast forward to today, and the brand has started making waves in the trail running community with their no-nonsense approach to technical trail footwear.
This shoe first appeared at UTMB and some of the reviewers had an opportunity to give it a test run. The early reviews were very positive. I think that this shoe is going to be on par to rival the Norda 005, at a much lower price point. The question that remains will be its durability factor. However, La Sportiva is a proven crafter of durable gear, so my inclination would be that the Prodigio Pro will have that longevity as well. I love the built in sock-liner like gaiter that they have going on. I’ve been a huge fan of the built in gaiter on the Hoka Tecton X 3, so seeing this on the Prodigio Pro was a very welcome feature in my book.
I’m so excited for this release, and luckily, February will be here before we know. Just in time for the spring and summer trail season.
#3: La Sportiva Prodigio Max
Price: $165
Release: Fall 2025
Specs: 37/31mm | XFlow Endurance midsole | 4mm lugs | La Sportiva proprietary grip | 10.4oz/294.8g | No plate of any kind
Fit: Wide forefoot and toe box looks to be quite accommodating. Likely similar fit to the Prodigio.
Two La Sportiva shoes on the list? No Hoka, Nike, On, Adidas? You got that right. I told you that this is going to be a year for the underdogs. Whether it’s intentional or not, La Sportiva’s minimal approach (minimal in terms of their number of models in the market) to their trail offerings is something to take note of. It’s that quality over quantity deal that builds trust and shows the true craft of the brand. Other brands continually crank out model after model, similar to the Apple model of new year, new version. But La Sportiva knows what it has. It knows because instead of bringing us an updated Prodigio model (that’s a fantastic shoe if you’ve never given it a look before), they are adding a max cushion version of the favorite.
When you look at the La Sportiva trail rotation that is going to exist in the new year, you have the Prodigio - your do everything, technical and long distance miles. You now have the Prodigio Max - your long distance, max cushion, comfort miles for ultra distance. And then you have the Prodigio Pro - your race day, technical, extremely lightweight, ultra distance beast. With these three shoes, you have a bit of everything you need in your rotation for runs of all shapes and sizes.
I’m really excited for the Prodigio Max because I think it’s going to be that shoe I reach for on a daily basis to just get miles in. The colorways previewed at TRE look incredible as well. Here we feature their standard black, red and yellow flagship color scheme - but they also featured a really nice red and blue model. My only qualm with this new release is that I wish we didn’t have to wait until late summer before getting it on our feet. Exciting things happening over at La Sportiva!
#4: Norda 005
Price: $325
Release: March 1st, 2025
Specs: 28.5/21.5mm | 100% Arnitel TPEE foam | 4mm lugs | Vibram MegaGrip Elite | 8.4oz/226g | No plate of any kind
Fit: If it follows the standard Norda fit, you’ll want to size up. Roomy toe box and pretty generous midfoot.
If the first thing that stands out to you about this pick is the price tag…that’s fair. But there’s also a catch for why Norda’s are so pricey. If you’ve never heard of the Canadian brand, then here’s your introduction. Norda came onto the trail scene just a few years ago and started developing insanely durable and lasting products. Their flagship model, the 001, is their do everything ultra shoe. Then came the 002 - a lower stack, more ground control ride. They made their way to the 003 - their approach, travel-friendly, also trail and adventure ready, slip on shoe. Then…came the 004…wait, actually never mind. There isn’t an 004. Norda is following the fibonacci sequence, which is a testament to the fun they are having over there. This takes us to the 005.
I’ve had all Norda models released thus far. The 001s, the 002s (my personal favorite for shorter technical miles), and the 003 (my do-it-all dad shoes). However, the 005 is probably the shoe I’m the most excited for from the Norda line. This race day, ultralight shoe boasts stability and a proprietary Vibram MegaGrip Elite outsole that will be debuting on this shoe. From my experience with Norda, they deliver the highest quality products that take you beyond the standard 300-500 mile lifetime range of most trail shoes. So while it comes at a hefty price, you’re also paying for longevity. I’ll let you figure out the math for a cost comparison to a pair of Hokas.
#5: North Face Summit Vectiv Pro 3
Price: $250
Release: January/Early February 2025
Specs: 37/31mm | PEBA and EVA blend midsole | 3.5mm lugs | North Face Surface CTRL grip | 10.4oz/294g | Dual carbon plate system
Fit: If it’s like the Pro 2, then spacious. Hopefully the new plate design gets rid of the toe rubbing issue from the winged plate that many have experienced in both the 1 and 2.
I’ve been an avid North Face apparel owner for years and years. Rain jackets, puffers, down, pants, you name it. Shoes? Never even thought about it. Sure I’d see a couple of pairs around at REI, but an outdoor apparel outfitter making shoes just seemed like a cheap trick. I didn’t trust it. Yet, headed into 2025, the North Face line is possibly one of the greatest trail lines coming this year..and in recent years too. Their past releases truly put them back on the map, and made them serious contenders with the best of the best in the trail running world. The Vectiv series boasts a quiver of versatility. While 2023 and 2024 saw massive improvements, the series of sneakers coming to us in the new year is redefining the map.
The Vectiv Pro 3 adds a second carbon fiber plate. Now, what that will actually feel like? No clue. But I want to try it so badly. For me, the most exciting update coming to us on the Pro 3 is how they’ve decided to handle the winged plate. For two iterations of feedback, they’ve heard the relentless issue that happens to many of us with the rubbing of the winged plate. I thought that on the Pro 2, by lowering the plate into the foam a little more, that might help. Well, after 3 miles my feet were torn up by that wing. Going off of visuals alone, I think we might finally have a solution that allows for the wing to stay - that cutout feature with the “U” shaped wing.
After seeing Katie Schide demolish UTMB in her pair of Vectiv Pros and the quality models coming to us in the recent years, I know that the world of trail running has truly started to accept the North Face as one of the best. I guess we will find out how the Vectiv Pro 3 changes the game in February!
#6: PUMA Deviate Nitro Elite Trail
When I think of PUMA, I think of soccer. I just can’t help it. I’ve never ever put on a pair of PUMA running shoes, but that’s a shame. It’s a shame because something happened this past year where people started to notice them. PUMA dropped some absolute heat this year with their Deviate line. The Deviate Nitro 3 has made its way to the top trainer category for a couple of prestigious publications (Believe in the Run to name one). So it was only time they took that detail and craft of their road shoes, and whipped us up a good ole’ trail beast.
Enter the Deviate Nitro Elite Trail. This very lightweight, plated trail racer is another top shoe from TRE that I'm dying to put my feet in. Not only does it look incredible, it’s got that phenomenal responsive Nitro foam and a wider platform that I love for those longer runs. I’m curious how the 3mm lugs will do as this is definitely one of the lower lug sizes on the list. Regardless, I think if PUMA carries out another ride similar to the Deviate series in 2024, we’re gonna be just fine.
All That’s Left…is to Wait
And there you have it.
There’s a lot to be excited for in the coming year for the trail running world. Seeing brands like La Sportiva, The North Face, Merell, Norda and PUMA continuing to innovate and bring forth top-notch products is awesome to see. The trail running world is in good hands with brands that dedicate their craft to building durable and adventure proof gear. In my personal opinion, it’s great to see brands like these take over some of the historical hype from the usual suspects we see year after year.
All that’s left is for these amazing shoes to release, to get them on our feet, and to take them out into the wild. If you’ve followed TRE this year and you’ve seen what’s coming in 2025, would love to read about your most anticipated trail shoes and where it differs from my list.
Thanks for reading and I’ll catch you on the next one, cheers!
Ryan
So many great shoes dropping in 2025!