Why is it so dang hard to find the perfect trail shoe?

Finding the right pair of shoes is basically like nailing down the perfect Starbucks drink… until the season changes and suddenly your cozy pumpkin spice latte doesn’t quite hit the same. For some lucky runners, it’s as simple as walking into the store, pointing at a pair, and heading out the door. Sadly, I am not one of those people.

On the road, I’ve got it sorted. I’m a stability-shoe gal, and the New Balance 860s are my current ride-or-die. But trails? That’s a whole different game. Finding a shoe that keeps me supported and gives me enough cushion is proving to be a mission.

I’ve flirted with Topos, love that pillowy feel, but my foot pronates like it’s auditioning for a dance recital. Cue ankle issues. Not ideal for someone who wants to actually finish a race upright. Right now, I’m testing out the Hoka Challengers. It came down to them or the Altra Experience Wild 2. And listen… I want to love the Hokas, but my feet straight-up hurt after 40k. Like, I don’t need extra pain. I’ve already got 100k worth of problems to deal with, and sore feet should not be one of them.

Next on deck: the New Balance Hierros. Word on the trail is that the new model is quite different, so I’m curious. Maybe this is “the one”?

Honestly, I don’t get why shoe companies haven’t cracked this code yet. Not all of us have perfect biomechanics and gazelle-like feet. Some of us need stability, comfort, and enough cushioning to not feel like we’re running across Lego bricks for hours. At least I still have all my toenails, so I guess that’s a win.

So tell me, what trail shoes do you swear by, and why? I’ll keep you posted on my Hierro experiment. Stay tuned for more shoe drama.