The best ultra running shoes
The trail shoes we'd pick for ultramarathons and long days on the hills, for runnable trails and for rough mountain ground.
Quick answer
For runnable trail ultras, our top pick is the Kiprun KipSummit Max: grips on parks, towpaths and light trail and plush, high-stack cushioning. For mountain and technical ultras, it's the HOKA Speedgoat 7. Over an ultra, comfort and protection matter more than speed, so we favour cushioned shoes over the lightest racers.
Best for runnable trail ultras
- Top match£120
KipSummit Max
- Grips on parks, towpaths & light trail
- Plush, high-stack cushioning
- Stable for a super shoe, reviewers agree
Fit Narrow fit
280g 6mm drop
- Strong alternative£145
Speedgoat 7
- Grips on parks, towpaths & light trail
- Stable for a super shoe, reviewers agree
- A go-to for ultra distance
Fit True to size
275g 5mm drop
- Alternative pick£165
TrailFly Pro
- Grips on parks, towpaths & light trail
- Stable for a super shoe, reviewers agree
- A go-to for ultra distance
228g 6mm drop
Best for mountain and technical ultras
- Top match£145
Speedgoat 7
- Made for technical, muddy trail
- Stable for a super shoe, reviewers agree
- A go-to for ultra distance
Fit True to size
275g 5mm drop
- Strong alternative£155
ACG Zegama Trail
- Made for technical, muddy trail
- Stable for a super shoe, reviewers agree
- A go-to for ultra distance
Fit True to size, narrow fit
338g 4mm drop
- Alternative pick£165
Ultra 3
- Made for technical, muddy trail
- Stable for a super shoe, reviewers agree
- A go-to for ultra distance
275g 8mm drop
Best for runnable trail ultras
- Top match£120
KipSummit Max
- Grips on parks, towpaths & light trail
- Plush, high-stack cushioning
- Stable for a super shoe, reviewers agree
Fit Narrow fit
240g 6mm drop
- Strong alternative£145
Speedgoat 7
- Grips on parks, towpaths & light trail
- Stable for a super shoe, reviewers agree
- A go-to for ultra distance
Fit True to size
235g 5mm drop
- Alternative pick£165
TrailFly Pro
- Grips on parks, towpaths & light trail
- Stable for a super shoe, reviewers agree
- Light at 192g
192g 6mm drop
Best for mountain and technical ultras
- Top match£145
Speedgoat 7
- Made for technical, muddy trail
- Stable for a super shoe, reviewers agree
- A go-to for ultra distance
Fit True to size
235g 5mm drop
- Strong alternative£155
ACG Zegama Trail
- Made for technical, muddy trail
- Stable for a super shoe, reviewers agree
- A go-to for ultra distance
Fit True to size, narrow fit
271g 4mm drop
- Alternative pick£165
TrailFly Pro
- Made for technical, muddy trail
- Stable for a super shoe, reviewers agree
- Light at 192g
192g 6mm drop
How they compare
| Shoe | Price | Weight (men's / women's) | Drop | Plate | Wide fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kiprun KipSummit Max | £120 | 280g / 240g | 6mm | None | No |
| HOKA Speedgoat 7 | £145 | 275g / 235g | 5mm | None | Yes |
| Inov-8 TrailFly Pro | £165 | 228g / 192g | 6mm | None | No |
| Nike ACG Zegama Trail | £155 | 338g / 271g | 4mm | None | No |
| VJ Ultra 3 | £165 | 275g (unisex) | 8mm | None | Roomy toe box |
What makes a good ultra shoe
Cushioning that lasts. Hours on your feet add up, so we favour more cushioned shoes for ultras than for any other race.
Room for swelling. Feet swell over long distances. A shoe that's snug at the start can be painful by the end, so many ultra runners go up half a size.
Grip and protection for your course. A dry, runnable course suits a lighter, shorter-lugged shoe; a mountain course needs deep lugs and a protective toe.
Should you race an ultra in a carbon-plated shoe?
Plated trail shoes can feel fast on runnable courses, but they're often less stable on rough ground and when you're tired. We score them lower for ultras than for road racing. Test any race shoe on your longest training runs first.
Frequently asked questions
Should I size up for an ultra?
Many ultra runners go up half a size to allow for swelling. Try it on a long training run before race day.
Do I need different shoes for a 50K and a 100-mile race?
Often, yes. The longer the race, the more cushioning and room most runners want.
How many kilometres should I run in my ultra shoes before race day?
Enough to know they're comfortable for several hours: at least one or two of your longest training runs.
How we picked
Every shoe we track is scored on cushioning, stability, responsiveness, weight, drop, plate, width options and price. For this guide we ran that scoring for a typical runner with these needs and show the top three. No brand or retailer can pay to appear. How we rank.
Header photo by Jeremy Lapak