Over 2025, our reviewers have hammered shoes across the Highlands, Lakes, Dales, Peak District and plenty of tarmac in between. I’ve pulled together their scores, comments and verdicts and from those have chosen RunUltra’s Best Running Shoe 2025 for the following categories:
- Best overall shoe
- Best winter shoe
- Best summer shoe
Plus a round-up of all the other models we tested, so you can get a quick recap of 2025. So, without further ado, let’s skip straight to the good bit:
Best Running Shoe 2025
Scarpa Spin Ultra 2 – Emma Harrison
If we had to pick one shoe that sums up what a modern ultra-trail shoe should be, it’s the Scarpa Spin Ultra 2.
Emma gave it an outstanding 10/10 for design, 10/10 for performance, 9/10 for features and 9/10 for value. It’s lighter than the original Spin Ultra, has more grip, a softer yet more responsive midsole and a more streamlined upper, all while staying reassuringly protective on the tough terrain of the Highlands.
The difference to the previous shoes was highlighted when I stepped onto the trails – there was instantly more grip, the soles felt softer, and I felt more stable running in them, particularly on uneven ground. When I thought that the fit couldn’t get any better, I felt like I had a revitalized spring in my step with the newer model.
That’s exactly what you want from a do-everything ultra shoe: something you can trust for long days in the mountains and faster efforts on mixed terrain.
Best for: Long-distance trail and mountain ultras where you want one shoe to do almost everything. Read the full review here.
Best Winter Shoe 2025
INOV8 MUDTALON SPEED V2 – Clair Heaviside & Dan Stinton
This shoe firmly earns a spot in the winter category. The MUDTALON SPEED V2 scored 4/5 overall, and both Clair and Dan found its grip and traction in boggy, muddy UK trails exceptional. The aggressive 8 mm lugs and STICKYGRIP rubber are exactly what’s needed when winter turns the fells into soup.
I’ve been recceing sections of the route and it always reminds me of a comment made by John Kelly who said that the mud in the UK was “water with a bit of dirt”. The 8mm lugs and STICKYGRIP outsole are fantastic over this type of terrain and provide a good solid grip as you drive into the mud.
The trade-off is that it is a specialist: less cushioned and with minimal ankle support, so it’s best for technical, muddy races and training rather than long soft-trail days.
Best for: Soft, muddy trails and winter conditions where grip is more important than cushioning. Read the full review.
Best Summer Shoe 2025
Kailas Fuga EX330 – Sam Hill
For summer and three-season ultras where you want something light, grippy and fun but still substantial enough for big days out, the Kailas Fuga EX330 is the top pick.
Sam gave the Fuga EX330 9/10 for design, 9/10 for features, 9/10 for performance and 8/10 for value – a very strong 4/5 overall and some of the most enthusiastic feedback of any shoe this year.
He’s run in them from gravel tracks in the Peaks to Lake District descents and came away impressed with the Vibram Megagrip outsole, the clever AWS double-lock lacing and the balance of cushioning and responsiveness.
I’ve now used these shoes in all British weather, from the heat of our fabulous summer months, to some very wet and slightly colder days at the start of autumn. I’m confident that they will also perform well in the winter months, especially given the extra grip from the MEGAGRIP Vibram outsoles. No more sliding on slimy flagstones with these bad boys!
Best for: Summer and shoulder-season ultras on mixed British trails where you want a fast, grippy, modern trail shoe. Read the full review.
I wore the EX 330 for the Women’s Community Run; they are super comfy but for me the stack height is a little too much on technical terrain. I’m currently testing the EX PRO which I LOVE; watch out for my review on those in early January. Kailas Fuga are currently offering a 25% discount until Christmas.
The Rest of the 2025 Line-Up
Technical & Mountain Shoes
Scarpa Ribelle Run 2 GTX – Emma Harrison
For proper winter conditions – Scottish bogs, wet scree, river crossings and filthy weather – the Scarpa Ribelle Run 2 GTX is the clear standout.
Emma tested them in the Cairngorms and on Skye and found that the GORE-TEX ePE lining stayed breathable and genuinely waterproof, with the 3S frame and PRESA outsole giving that locked-in, technical feel you want on serious mountain ground. She scored them 8/10 for design, 8/10 for performance and 7/10 for value, with a strong 4/5 overall rating. 
The lugs are built to last and made me feel much more confident on both dry and slippery rocks (there’s a lot of those in the Scottish Highlands) and technical terrain.
They are on the heavier, more protective side, and they’re aimed at short to medium distance and skyrunning rather than 100-mile races. But if you’re heading out into proper winter weather, you might like to have this style of “mini mountain boot” on your feet than something lighter and flimsy.
Best for: Wet, cold, technical days – winter mountains, boggy ridges, foul-weather medium-distance races. Read the full review.
INOV8 TrailTalon – Ashleigh Bennett
The TRAILTALON remains a classic in the INOV8 range: a door-to-fell shoe with enough grip for mud and bog and enough cushioning to tolerate tarmac.
Ashleigh gave it 8/10 for design, 9/10 for features, 8/10 for performance and 8/10 for value. Her main praise is for its versatility:
First impressions, I thought the toe box looked lovely and roomy for the wide fit option and grip looked superb for muddy conditions.
Best for: Everyday mixed-terrain running where you’re need the flexibility of hard trails and road along with heavier, muddy terrain. Read the full review.
Scarpa Ribelle Run LT – Kate Allen
The Ribelle Run LT is very much a mountain shoe rather than a general trail trainer. It’s heavier and stiffer on easy paths around Leeds, but as soon as the ground gets rough, it wakes up.
I scored it 8/10 for design, 10/10 for features, 8/10 for performance, 8/10 for value, which gave it 4/5 overall, because the score reflects its niche: it’s not trying to be a light daily trainer; it’s for demanding ground.
If you are starting out on the mountains and want to spend more time on rocky, technical ground, or you want a shoe that can cross over between trail and mountain running, the LT is a great choice.
Best for: Runners starting to move into proper mountain terrain who value stability, protection and durability over lightness. Read the full review.
Scarpa Ribelle Run 2 – Megan James
Sitting higher up the performance ladder than the LT, the Ribelle Run 2 is lighter, more agile and more obviously “race-ready” on technical mountains. Megan gave it 8/10 for design, 6/10 for features, 6/10 for performance and 7/10 for value (4/5 overall).
The 6 mm lugs, more aggressive outsole and improved fit make it sharper and more precise underfoot than the LT, but you lose some of that planted, all-day feel. If you’re confident on technical terrain and want Scarpa’s mountain DNA in a more responsive package, this is the one.
For those that lean towards a more robust and protective shoe and that mainly run on rocky terrain these would suit you well. Great versatile grip and perfect for rocky ridges.
Best for: Fast, technical mountain days and races where you want precision and bite. Read the full review
NNormal Tomir 2 – Dave Town
If you want a do-everything hill shoe that you could be looking hard at the NNormal Tomir 2.
Dave tested both the shoe and boot versions in the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District and gave it 9/10 for design, 10/10 for features, 9/10 for performance and 8/10 for value (4/5 overall).
Whether you’re exploring the hidden areas of the Yorkshire Dales or conquering the known routes of the Lake District, this shoe will give you the confidence and support you need to enjoy your runs and hikes out in the hills.
With a Vibram Megagrip Litebase outsole, 5 mm lugs and a robust upper, it’s a brilliant option if you blur the line between running and hiking or you want one shoe for big hill days, FKTs and mixed mountain adventures.
Best for: Runners and mountain leaders who want a single, versatile hill shoe for everything from long runs to big hiking days. Read the full review.
Long-Distance Cushioned Trail Shoes
INOV8 Trailfly Max – Dan Stinton
The Trailfly Max does exactly what INOV8 say on the tin: a highly cushioned, wide-fit option for long runs and ultras, especially on harder ground.
Dan scored it 8/10 for design, 9/10 for features, 8/10 for performance and 8/10 for value, for a 4/5 overall rating. He’s particularly positive about the wide fit, cushioning and comfort over distance:
INOV8 introducing the wide fitting options has been fantastic for me. I am one of life’s slab-footed monsters and many INOV8 shoes in the past just haven’t been an option.
With a big stack height and graphene-enhanced 4 mm lugs, it isn’t the most nimble shoe on technical descents, but if you’ve got wide feet and want a big-cushioned ultra shoe for long days, it’s a great candidate.
Best for: Ultras on harder trails and tracks, especially for wide-footed runners who prioritise comfort. Read the full review.
I have a pair of these and rate them highly for summer trails; super comfy and they look great too.
Salomon S/LAB Ultra 3 – Siobhan Brennan (with Keatan)
The S/LAB Ultra 3 is Salomon’s premium long-distance offering: plush cushioning, a snug Matryx upper and the classic Quicklace system.
Siobhan gave it 8/10 design, 9/10 features, 9/10 performance and 8/10 value (4/5 overall). It’s a narrow-fit, high-stack shoe that feels brilliant on smoother trails, forest tracks and mixed terrain, though slightly less planted on very rocky, technical ground.
A fantastic entry point for newer trail runners or a solid long-distance shoe for those who prioritise cushioning over ground feel.
Between her perspective and Keatan’s teenage view, it comes across as a great “social miles plus long runs” shoe that can double up as an everyday trainer.
Best for: Runners with narrower feet who want a cushioned, premium all-day trail shoe that crosses over onto road. Read the full review.
Road
Whilst we might prefer trails, sometimes we need to train on roads; personally I love the variety and ability to do speed sessions without sliding all over the place. So we have some road offerings too:
Hylo Athletics Impact – Jen & Robin Leathley
The Hylo Impact is an everyday road shoe that a lot of our community will be using for easy miles, commutes and general training.
Jen and Robin between them give it huge praise, with a 5/5 overall rating and scores of 9/10 design, 8/10 features, 10/10 performance and 9/10 value. 
What Hylo have managed to do in creating this shoe AND having a carbon footprint 37% lower than the industry average, is quite frankly astounding.
If you care about sustainability and want a genuinely comfortable, stable, cushioned daily road shoe to sit alongside your trail collection, this is a brilliant choice.
Best for: Daily road miles with a strong sustainability story and a very comfortable ride. Read the full review.
Salomon S/LAB Spectur – Robin Leathley
The S/LAB Spectur is a carbon-assisted road shoe aimed at runners targeting marathon times over 3 hours.
Robin scored it 8/10 design, 9/10 features, 9/10 performance and 8/10 value (4/5 overall). He makes it clear that Salomon have deliberately designed a carbon shoe that isn’t just for elites:
The Salomon S/LAB Specturs are specifically aimed at improving the performance of runners with marathon times over 3 hours.
For trail and ultra runners who also race road marathons or want a “fun” long-run road shoe, this could be an appealing addition to the shoe rack.
Best for: Marathon and long road efforts for runners in the 3–4+ hour range who want a carbon feel without elite-only design. Read the full review.
Looking Forward to 2026
We have a great line up of shoes to test in 2026; RonHill (currently in test, review landing early January), Keen have arrived in the trail running scene with their brand new Seek, La Sportiva are releasing the Prodigio 2, Scott are exploring the harder trails with the Kinabalu Trail and Ultra shoes and I’m currently testing the Kailas FUGA EX PRO.
As always, big thanks to my team of reviewers.
