Men's Journal

Pared-down trail runners like these make you more nimble when dodging trees.

Photographs by Michael Pirrocco

Saucony Progrid Razor

Medium arch, moderate overpronation

It looks like something Ripley would have worn battling face huggers, but the 13.8-ounce ProGrid Razor exists for quickly traversing sodden terra firma. Most people hit the treadmill when the ground’s nasty, but for those who persevere, the snug-fitting ankle gaiter and breathable eVent lining work perfectly. “My socks were as clean at the end of a muddy five-mile run as at the beginning,” said one tester. Also key: The midsole is cushy, and the firm Vibram outsole provides gecko-like grip. [$135; saucony.com] 7 out of 10

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Adidas Supernova Riot 2

Low arch, moderate to heavy overpronation

To make you the Usain Bolt of the forest, the 12.6-ounce Supernova Riot 2 ditches the typical plastic protective plates clapped on to the uppers of so many other dirt-ready shoes. The easy-breathing mesh upper makes it feel more like a road runner, complete with the same plastic overpronation-controlling plate on the AdiZero Aegis (previous page). “It’s snug on top and light on my feet,” said one runner. “Just avoid puddles — water soaks right through.” [$110; shopadidas.com] 8 out of 10

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The North Face Fire Road

Medium to low arch, heavy overpronation

“I didn’t expect a lot of cushiness because I figured they would have to save weight, but I’m happily wrong,” said one tester. Because dirt is more forgiving than pavement, the 12.6-ounce Fire Road gets away with minimal cushioning up front, putting the forefoot closer to the ground. The lower center of gravity makes you more stable and agile. Too bad it’s undone by arch-side motion control that testers found too restrictive for a freer shoe. [$95; thenorthface.com] 6 out of 10

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Avia Avi-Stoltz

High to medium arch, neutral pronation

“A hyperfast yet dependable trail runner. By Avia, no less. Two pleasant surprises,” noted one tester, echoing the commonly held (and false) stereotype among runners that Avia shoes are best for Jazzercizing. Designed specifically for short and fast half-day adventure races like the Xterra Series, the 10-ounce Avi-Stoltz is the most stripped-down trail shoe around. But the bare-bones build makes it ill-suited for daily runs. “Speed I liked; roominess, flexibility, and traction it lacked,” waxed one tester. Stay on groomed paths. [$110; avia.com] 5 out of 10

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This article originally appeared in the October 2009 issue of Men’s Journal.