The best trail shoes for dry conditions are those that provide good traction, support, and cushioning. They should also be lightweight and breathable, to help keep your feet cool and dry. Some of the best trail shoes for dry conditions include:

We have some favourites from the above list namely the following:

Hoka Speedgoat 5

Overall, the Hoka Speedgoat 5 is a great all round trail running shoe for long-distance runners who are looking for a shoe that is lightweight, cushioned, and grippy. The shoe is also a good choice for runners who are looking for a shoe that can handle technical terrain.

hoka speedgoat 5

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Inov-8 Trailfly G 270 v2

The Inov-8 Trailfly G 270 v2 is a trail running shoe that is designed for long-distance running on technical terrain. It is the second iteration of the Trailfly, which has been a popular choice for trail runners for many years. The Trailfly G 270 v2 features a number of improvements over its predecessor, including a lighter midsole, a more breathable upper, and a grippier outsole.

The midsole of the Trailfly G 270 v2 is made of Inov-8’s POWERFLOW MAX foam, which is lightweight and responsive. This makes the shoe feel fast and agile, while still providing plenty of cushioning for long runs. The upper of the Trailfly G 270 v2 is made of a breathable mesh that helps to keep your feet cool and dry. The shoe also has a gusseted tongue and a heel counter to help keep debris out of your shoe.

inov8 traifly

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Saucony Peregrine 13

The Saucony Peregrine 13 is a trail running shoe that is designed for all-around performance. It is a good choice for runners who are looking for a shoe that is comfortable, cushioned, and grippy. The Peregrine 13 features a number of improvements over its predecessor, including a new midsole, a more breathable upper, and a grippier outsole.

saucony peregrine 13

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No matter which shoe you choose, they all have a variety of features that make them ideal for dry conditions, such as:

  • Deep lugs for traction on loose surfaces
  • Cushioned midsoles for comfort and support
  • Breathable mesh uppers to keep your feet cool and dry
  • Lightweight construction for a fast, agile feel

When choosing trail shoes for dry conditions, it is important to consider your individual needs and preferences. Some factors to consider include the type of terrain you will be running on, the amount of support and cushioning you need, and your budget.

Here are some additional tips for choosing trail shoes for dry conditions:

  • Choose shoes with a good fit. Your shoes should be snug but not too tight. You should have enough room to wiggle your toes.
  • Choose shoes with a durable outsole. The outsole is the part of the shoe that makes contact with the ground. It is important to choose a shoe with a durable outsole that can withstand the wear and tear of running on trails.
  • Choose shoes with a breathable upper. The upper is the part of the shoe that covers your foot. It is important to choose a shoe with a breathable upper that will help keep your feet cool and dry.

Can I Wear Road Shoes?

There are some that thing that road shoes are ok when it’s dry and we have been out on the trails in the height of summer in our road shoes. They are ok for short runs on hardened tracks but if you should happen across some slip dry rocky paths, you re better with something with a bit of traction. 

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of wearing road shoes vs trail shoes for dry conditions:

Comfort – if you are used to wearing road shoes and spent the majority of your time running in them, they are going to be more comfortable. There are some trail shoes that don’t offer the same comfort as a reliable pair of roads. They may have deep lugs, a rock plate and feel heavier than your road shoes.

Lightweight – a good pair of road shoes often wear less than trail shoes. They don’t have the added weight of the rock plate, the protective toe cap or the other sole lugs. That said, there are a number of lightweight shoes now that offer considerable comfort.

Cost – if you don’t want to spend a fortune on different trail shoes for different conditions, using your old road shoes to get more wear is one way to save money.

Cons of Road vs Trail Shoes

Less protection – if you come down a rocky path and kick a rock (we have done it and it hurts), you have little protection in a road shoe. You are going to feel it more than a reliable pair of trail shoes.

Less grip – if you do happen upon a muddy trail that hasn’t dried out (and we have experienced a few), you aren’t going to have the type of grip that you get in your trail shoes. Also, your lovely road shoes are going to get dirty (always make sure you wear an old pair)

Not designed for the terrain – remember that road shoes are designed for roads. They aren’t built to cope with multi terrain. as a rule, we will wear road shoes out for shorter summer runs but I always use my trails for serious training.

Risking injury – Just make sure you don’t do it to the detriment of your feet or risk getting an injury. Wearing old shoes that have already done lots of miles, is not always the best idea.

They don’t prepare you for the real conditions – if you spend your time running off road in road shoes, when it comes to a race when you don your trail shoes, you aren’t going to be as prepared as you would in the right shoes. If you don’t wear in your trail shoes on those longer runs, how are you going to build up the resistance to those bits that rub or get used to running in that particular shoe?

Do What Suits You

There is no rule book when it comes to the shoes you wear. There are those that prefer barefoot running, or simply don’t give a fig about what is on their feet and there are those that have eleventy billion pairs of shoes in several different colours. Do what suits you and what you find comfortable.