Best Performance Trail Running Shoes for Women of 2026

John Zimmer Avatar
John Zimmer
Last Updated: 8 Feb 2026

* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

These performance trail running shoes are designed specifically for women who are looking to enhance their running experience on rugged terrains. With their durable construction and superior traction, these shoes offer stability and support, allowing runners to tackle uneven trails with confidence. The lightweight design and responsive cushioning provide a comfortable fit, while the breathable upper ensures optimal airflow to keep feet cool and dry. Whether you're a seasoned trail runner or just starting out, these shoes are a reliable choice to help you conquer any trail.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Salomon Alphacross 4 Women's Trail Running Shoes, Strong Grip, Lasting Comfort, Versatile Performance Cover #TOP 1
Salomon Alphacross 4 Women's Trail Running Shoes, Strong Grip, Lasting Comfort, Versatile Performance
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Salomon Women's Speedcross Gore-tex trail running shoes Cover #TOP 2
Salomon Women's Speedcross Gore-tex trail running shoes
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Salomon XA Pro 3D GTX Women's Trail Shoes Cover #TOP 3
Salomon XA Pro 3D GTX Women's Trail Shoes
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 9 Performance Trail Running Shoes for Women

#TOP 1

Salomon Alphacross 4 Women's Trail Running Shoes, Strong Grip, Lasting Comfort, Versatile Performance

LG9298
Black
7 UK
Salomon Alphacross 4 Women's Trail Running Shoes, Strong Grip, Lasting Comfort, Versatile Performance Cover
Salomon Alphacross 4 Women's Trail Running Shoes, Strong Grip, Lasting Comfort, Versatile Performance, Black, 7 UK

Features
Optimised Ground Connection Thanks To Super Grippy Contagrip Rubber And A Lug Geometry Specifically Designed For Better Mud-Shedding And Adhesion.
Multi-Faceted Trail Rambler For All-Round Runs Or Spontaneous Adventures.
This Shoe Combines A Soft Lining, Generous Comfy Fit And Cushiony Fuze Surge Foam In The Midsole.
Colours: Black, Black, Black; Women's Shoes; UK Size: 7
An All-Round Trail And Versatile Running Shoe That Steps Beyond Limits And Lets You Play Outside The Box.
#TOP 2

Salomon Women's Speedcross Gore-tex trail running shoes

LG1741$
Black Black Phantom
5 UK
Salomon Women's Speedcross Gore-tex trail running shoes Cover
Salomon Women's Speedcross Gore-tex trail running shoes, Black Black Phantom, 5 UK

Features
Aggressive Grip: The Contagrip TA Sole Has Aggressive Lug Design That Digs Into Mud, Wet Ground Or Soft Snow.
Weather Protection: A New GORE-TEX Construction Reduces Bulk And Improves Comfort, While Maintaining Complete Weather Protection.
Unmatched Grip And Fit, With Full Weather Protection.
Precise Fit: The Proven Speedcross Fit, With Quicklace Adjustment, This Shoe Holds The Foot Comfortably And Precisely.
#TOP 3

Salomon XA Pro 3D GTX Women's Trail Shoes

L40790600026
6.5 UK
Salomon XA Pro 3D GTX Women's Trail Shoes Cover
Salomon Women's Trail Running Shoes, XA Pro 3D GTX W, Lead/Stormy Weather/Meadowbrook, Size: 6.5, Turquoise

The Salomon XA Pro 3D GTX is designed for trail enthusiasts who seek adventure and confidence on various terrains. With its advanced 3D chassis, you can turn your feet into powerful tools, enhancing stability and control as you navigate challenging paths. The premium wet traction grip allows you to tackle wet ground without hesitation, ensuring you can charge ahead regardless of the conditions. Made with GORE-TEX, these shoes also protect your feet from the elements, keeping them dry and comfortable throughout your run.

What We Like
Excellent traction on wet surfaces
Durable GORE-TEX material
Enhanced stability and control
Comfortable fit for long runs
#TOP 4

Merrell Women's Agility Remix Trail Running Shoe

J068276
Plum
7 UK
Merrell Women's Agility Remix Trail Running Shoe Cover
Merrell Women's Agility Remix Trail Running Shoe, Plum, 7 UK

Features
100% Recycled Laces, Webbing, Breathable Mesh Lining And Mesh Footbed Cover
Breathable Engineered Mesh And TPU Upper With GORE-TEX Waterproof Membrane For Added Protection From The Elements
Vibram MegaGrip With Vibram Traction Lug Provides A High Performance Rubber Outsole Featuring Unparalleled Grip On Both Dry And Wet Surfaces
Protective And Abrasion Resistant Toe Cap
FloatPro Foam Midsole For Lightweight Comfort That Lasts And A Rock Plate For Underfoot Protection
#TOP 5

Salomon Ultra Flow Women's Trail Running Shoes

L47485800025
6 UK
Salomon Ultra Flow Women's Trail Running Shoes Cover
Salomon Ultra Flow Women's Trail Running Shoes, Instant Comfort, Road to Trail Cushioning, and Mixed Terrain Ready, Carbon, 6

Features
Developed And Built With A Soft Instant Fit That Will Have You Hooked From The Moment You Step In
Designed For Trails, Inspired By Comfort
Outsole That Performs To Grip And Provide Hold On Any Terrain; With All Terrain Contagrip Rubber
Designed Specifically To Accompany Your Switch From The Streets To The Trails, And Then Back Again; Cushioned And Plush On Any Surface
#TOP 6

Salomon XA Pro 3D Women's Trail Running and Walking Shoes

LC1564$
6.5 UK
Salomon XA Pro 3D Women's Trail Running and Walking Shoes Cover
Salomon XA Pro 3D Women's Trail Running and Walking Shoes, Stability, Grip, and Long-Lasting Protection, Black, 6.5

Features
The 3D Advanced Chassis Turns Your Feet Into Trail Blazing Bulldozers; It's All About Confidence
Legendary All-Terrain Performance And Fit
With A Reinforced Toe Cap And Smartly Placed Protection, This Is A Shoe On A Mission: To Keep Your Feet In Perfect Shape
Full Premium Wet Traction Grip Is More Than A Technology, It's A Mentality: You Can Just Ignore The Wet And Charge Ahead
#TOP 7

Merrell Women's Agility Peak 5 Sneaker

J500562
Pink Multi
5.5 UK
Merrell Women's Agility Peak 5 Sneaker Cover
Merrell Women's Agility Peak 5 Sneaker, Pink Multi, 8

Features
SBR/mesh Collar And Tongue Offer Low Water Absorption And Enhanced Stretch Properties For Improved Fit.
Breathable Engineered Mesh And TPU Upper
Vibram MegaGrip High Performance Rubber Outsole Features Unparalleled Grip On Both Dry And Wet Surfaces
FloatPro Foam Midsole For Lightweight Comfort That Lasts
FLEXconnect Dual-Directional Flex-Grooves In The Midsole For Enhanced Ground Connection
#TOP 8

Merrell Women's Trail Running Sneaker

J500562
Pink Multi
3 UK
Merrell Women's Trail Running Sneaker Cover
Merrell Women's Trail Running Sneaker, Pink Multi, 6

Features
SBR/mesh Collar And Tongue Offer Low Water Absorption And Enhanced Stretch Properties For Improved Fit.
Breathable Engineered Mesh And TPU Upper
Vibram MegaGrip High Performance Rubber Outsole Features Unparalleled Grip On Both Dry And Wet Surfaces
FloatPro Foam Midsole For Lightweight Comfort That Lasts
FLEXconnect Dual-Directional Flex-Grooves In The Midsole For Enhanced Ground Connection
#TOP 9

Salomon Speedcross 5 Women's Trail Running Shoes

LC6818
Black Black Phantom
6 UK
Salomon Speedcross 5 Women's Trail Running Shoes Cover
Salomon Speedcross 5 Women's Trail Running Shoes, Grip, Stability, and Fit, Black, 6

Features
Stability: The Heel Unit Of SPEEDCROSS 5 Creates A Cradle For Your Heel, Ensuring Clean Foot Strike And Stability Through The Stride.
Grip: The Sole Of SPEEDCROSS 5 Has Larger Lugs With More Space And An Updatd Geometry, Delivering Better Push-Off Grip And Braking Grip, In All Surface Conditions.
The Rebirth Of Salomon's Legendary Trail Shoe With Unmatched Grip And Fit.
Fit: SPEEDCROSS 5 Uses A Completely Welded Upper, With Dissociated Sensifit Arms. It Moves More Naturally With Your Foot, And Dials In The Comfort.
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our performance trail running shoes for women research, we found 306 performance trail running shoes for women products and shortlisted 9 quality products. We collected and analyzed 30,533 customer reviews through our big data system to write the performance trail running shoes for women list. We found that most customers choose performance trail running shoes for women with an average price of £20.00.

The performance trail running shoes for women are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of performance trail running shoes for women, including Salomon, Merrell.

Written by
John Zimmer Avatar

John Zimmer is a truly professional writer on findthisbest.com. He has specialized in writing content a wide variety of fields for over a decade. Since 2011, he has been using his expertise and extensive experience to write content for online shopping guide websites. In addition to writing for findthisbest.com, he has appeared in publications such as The Spruce, Wirecutter and Bestbuy.