James Forrest

A prolific peak bagger and wild camper who’s climbed hundreds of mountains in the UK and abroad, James gives his gear a serious thrashing on every trip.

You say po-tay-toe, I say po-tah-toe. Or, when it comes to trail shoes, you say approach shoe, I say hiking shoe, he says walking shoe, and she says trail running trainer. If you’re bamboozled by the differing terms, fear not – we’re going to cut through the jargon. In reality, the lines are very blurred between these different categories, and effectively they’re all the same thing: a low-cut, lighter and faster alternative to heavy, high-ankled boots.

Trail shoes appear to have grown in popularity over recent years and it’s easy to see why. They are comfy straight out of the box and let you move lightly and nimbly through the hills, unlike the blister-inducing, progressing-hindering boots of old. Of course, they aren’t as durable and won’t provide as much ankle support or protection, but for many hillwalkers trail shoes strike the perfect balance between comfort, support, cushioning, weight and grip.

But what are the different options? If you’re taking on rocky terrain and graded scrambling, go for an approach shoe. Inspired by climbing shoes, these have the stiffness, grip and technical capabilities to cope with gnarly, rocky territory – whether you’re on the approach walk to a trad climb, scrambling a rocky ridge, or hillwalking over rough ground. Or, if you want to move fast through the mountains, opt for a trainer-inspired shoe. Trail running shoes are superlightweight with an aggressive grip, for example; while hiking and walking shoes strike more of a middleground for everyday use. Whatever your preference, there’s a pair for everyone here in our list of the top six trail shoes for 2020.

Forged in the fells of the Lake District, British brand Inov-8 has a reputation for incredibly grippy trail running-style shoes, particularly its premium products with graphene outsoles such as the Roclite G 275 and the waterproof Roclite G 315 GTX.

New for 2020, the Roclite 280 is part of the same family of trail shoes, albeit without the graphene and at a more affordable, mid-range price point. Costing just £100 and weighing in at only 250g each – both the cheapest and lightest on test – the Roclite 280 is an ultralight, trainer-inspired shoe for moving fast in the mountains.

The sticky rubber outsole, featuring 6mm multi-directional cleats, ensures good grip over rock, mud and grass, while an EVA midsole, meta-plate shank and 8mm heel drop (the different in height between the heel and toe) provide decent support and cushioning.

The super-breathable knitted upper is very soft and flexible (you can almost fold the shoes in half), ensuring out-of-the-box comfort, but probably lacks the durability for a long lifespan.

IF WE’RE BEING FUSSY The lack of waterproofing means these are for fair weather only, while the incredibly flexible build means support and stability are both lacking.

MEN’S SIZES 6-14 WOMEN’S SIZES 3-8.5 WEIGHT 500g (men’s 8 pair)

An ultralight trail shoe at a bargain price – but it’s not waterproof or particularly supportive on rough ground.

With the Cloudventure Waterproof, Swiss brand On has engineered a shoe with a unique, eye-catching outsole. Hollow pods, known as ‘clouds’, create a deeply-ridged wave of thick, aggressive lugs separated by mini channels, forming a crinkly profile. This so-called CloudTec has a dual purpose: the ‘clouds’ compress on impact to improve cushioning, and then become firmer for an ‘explosive’ takeoff on your next step.

Primarily designed as a trail running shoe, the technology works just as well for hillwalking: the multiple grip patterns of the Missiongrip outsole provide good traction over mixed terrain, and the cushioning is excellent.

On’s in-house waterproof membrane is pretty impressive, keeping your feet dry in wet conditions, while the rubberised toe box and heel counter are firm and protective.

Weighing it at just 345g per shoe, the upper is understandably light and flexible, but surprisingly the shoe has decent longitudinal and lateral stiffness for improved support over rugged terrain.

IF WE’RE BEING FUSSY Annoyingly, there is a tendency for stones to get stuck between the outsole’s ‘clouds’, or for mud to get caked in the deep channels. Being waterproof, they aren’t the most breathable and can leave your feet feeling a little sweaty.

■ MEN’S SIZES 6.5-13.5

■ WOMEN’S SIZES 3.5-8.5

■ WEIGHT 690g (men’s 8 pair)

A seriously cool-looking trail shoe that’s grippy and waterproof – what more do you need for the trails?

Salewa’s Mountain Trainer 2 GTX – a 2020 revamp of the Italian brand’s classic approach shoe – is an extremely solid shoe for rugged mountain walking and technical scrambling.

The robust Vibram outsole, featuring aggressive lugs and a deep heel breast, provides impeccable traction on rock, grass and mud. The toe ‘climbing zone’ is great for edging, and for via ferrata there’s a special tread zone for ladder rungs. Basically, this shoe inspires confidence over the gnarliest of mountain terrain.

The durable suede leather upper with a

360° rubber rand ensures abrasion resistance, while a Gore-Tex lining and ‘stretch gaiter’ under the laces provides

waterproofing. The lacing can be fine-tuned for a snug fit, complemented by Salewa’s 3F system – a thin metal cable, housed in rubber, that connects the top lace eyelet, instep and heel for tailored flexibility, fit and firm support. A PU midsole also provides decent shock absorbency and rebound.

IF WE’RE BEING FUSSY

These shoes aren’t ideal for gentler terrain or long-distance walking. They’re a tad pricey too.

■ MEN’S SIZES 6-13

■ WOMEN’S SIZES 3-9

■ WEIGHT 916g (men’s 8 pair)

These tough-as-nails approach shoes are brilliant over rocky, technical terrain and good for walking too.