Sunshine, fresh air, and endorphins — sounds like the perfect day! The only thing that could ruin this picture is blistered feet from running in the wrong shoes. If you’re ready to leave your treadmill behind and hit the trails, you may wonder whether you really need to purchase trail running shoes.

The North Face has got you covered in the trail running shoes department. From seasoned runners to beginners alike, here’s everything you need to get the best out of each run! The North Face delivers an extensive line of performance apparel, equipment, and footwear.

When choosing which shoes should make the cut, it’s important to considered several factors, including:

• Versatility. Make sure the shoe can be used for different running landscapes, from muddy trails to rocky mountainsides.
• Durability. Everyone loves a shoe that can stand the test of time, it’s important to pay close attention to the durability and weatherproofing feature of a shoe.
• Cushioning. The amount of padding in trail running shoes varies greatly. There are low, moderate, and high cushioned shoes to accommodate a range of preferences and needs.
• Price. We know budgets can vary, so we included options at a range of price points.

Ultra Swift

Tackle technical trails with maximum speed and uncompromised comfort in our Ultra Swift Trail Shoes. The sole unit is specifically engineered to help you achieve just that: XtraFoam™ in the heel and FastFoam™ in the forefoot deliver superb energy return, comfort and stability with smooth heel-to-toe transition. Our EXTS™ traction system with 3 mm outsole lugs gives you incredible, long-lasting grip. A dynamic air mesh upper supports you while letting your foot breathe, and an OrthoLite® footbed on the inside avoids unpleasant sweat and odours.

Vectiv Infinite

Combining a 3D dual-density Pebax® footplate, midsole rocker geometry and Surface CTRL™ grip, our new VECTIV™ technology is designed to maximise energy on the trail. And in the Infinites this translates as the perfect balance of responsiveness and protection in ultra-distance trail running shoes. They’re incredibly durable thanks to Kevlar®, polyamide and Matryx® while the 6mm toe-to-heel offset propels you into your next gait cycle.

This highly-cushionedW Vectiv Enduris Ii

This highly-cushioned and rockered trainer eases its way through varied terrain with soft, forward-propelling action and superb traction.

Men’s Vectiv Taraval

Zip through your trail explorations in the stable and grippy Women's VECTIV Taraval. The unique VECTIV construction propels you forward, maximizing energy return and minimizing fatigue.

There’s no harm in getting your gait analysed before buying shoes, especially if you experience knee pain when running longer distances. However, it’s not essential, and generally, it’s still best to go with whatever shoe feels right to you when you run in it, rather than one prescribed by a short test on a treadmill too.

Discover a wide range of trail running shoes for men and women on the following e-com stores: The Drop and Cape Union Mart.