Trail-Running-Schuhe 2026: Die Release-Welle von Hoka Mafate X bis Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 3
2026-04-29

Trail Running Shoes 2026: The Release Wave from Hoka Mafate X to Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 3

6 Min. Read Time

The 2026 trail season is here, and almost every manufacturer has updated its flagship model in recent months. Hoka Mafate X, Speedgoat 6, Saucony Xodus Ultra 3, Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 3, On Cloudultra Pro, Nike Ultrafly 2 – six shoes, six completely different philosophies. This overview sorts the release wave by terrain and application. No ads, no affiliate links, just hard specs and clear recommendations.

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Quick Sprint

  • ▸ Carbon plates are becoming ubiquitous in trail shoes. Hoka Mafate X, Tecton X3, and Nike Ultrafly 2 are making plate technology the standard for longer distances.
  • ▸ Stack heights are on the rise. 39 to 49 millimeters are now the norm for ultradistances, even on technical terrain.
  • ▸ Salomon is pushing back with the S/Lab Pulsar 3 as a race specialist without a plate – less is still more for short distances.
  • ▸ Top-end prices are reaching 260 Euro, while everyday models fall between 145 and 180 Euro – the gap between racing and training is growing.
  • ▸ The honest answer remains: the best shoe is the one that matches your primary terrain. No single model can do it all.

 

What the 2026 Release Wave Means

Two trends are running in parallel. Firstly: Carbon-plates have finally made their way from the road to the trail. What started in 2023 with Hoka Tecton X and Nike Ultrafly has become a widespread standard for anything over 50 kilometers by 2026 – Hoka Mafate X features a forked carbon-plate, Nike Ultrafly 2 a full plate, Saucony the Speedroll-Rocker with PWRRUN-PB-Foam. Manufacturers have learned that plates on trails need to stabilize rather than propel.

Secondly: Stack-heights are increasing. 49 millimeters on the Mafate X, 39 on the Cloudultra Pro – this is a dimension that would have seemed absurd in 2020. The trade-off: Comfort and cushioning for ultra-distances, but less trail feel and higher risk of tipping in technical terrain. Those running short races on rough terrain consciously choose the opposite.

145-260 €
Price range of the 2026 trail flagships
200-310 g
Weight range between race and ultra shoes
0-8 mm
Drop range of the current top models

 

The Six Shoes Compared

The following table shows only verified manufacturer and review data. Where the manufacturer provides different information from the test press, I have chosen the most common review data. Weight refers to US Size 9 Men’s, which is the industry standard for comparisons. Stack is the official manufacturer specification.

Model Stack / Drop Weight Plate Price Strength
Hoka Mafate X 49 / 4 mm ~310 g Carbon (forked) 260 € Ultra distances, max cushioning
Hoka Speedgoat 6 33 / 4 mm ~280 g none 160 € All-rounder, technical terrain
Saucony Xodus Ultra 3 36 / 6 mm ~309 g none 170 € Ultra comfort, rough terrain
Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 3 24 / 6 mm ~200 g none 180 € Short races, technical sections
On Cloudultra Pro 39 / 6 mm ~295 g Fiberglass 260 € Ultra racing, rockered forward roll
Nike Ultrafly 2 42 / 8 mm ~285 g Carbon (full plate) 260 € Hard, fast ultras

A note on the plates: The Mafate X has a forked carbon plate that primarily stabilizes rather than propels. The Nike Ultrafly 2 is more aggressive with a full plate and 42 millimeters of stack—that’s race tech, not training. For beginners just starting with trail running, plate shoes are often too much. The classic entry-level recommendation remains the Speedgoat 6 or the Xodus Ultra 3—both without plates, both forgiving.

 

Choosing the Right Shoe for the Terrain

If you train in the Black Forest, Bavarian Forest, or on meadow sections, you don’t need a 49-millimeter stack. Speedgoat 6 or Xodus Ultra 3 cover 80 percent of all everyday runs – solid grip thanks to Vibram Megagrip (Hoka) or PWRTRAC (Saucony), enough cushioning for three-hour rounds. Cost under 180 euros, last 700 to 1,000 kilometers.

Those aiming for ultras, distances beyond 50 kilometers, benefit from plate models. Hoka Mafate X and Nike Ultrafly 2 are designed for fast times, not comfortable slow runs – the forward rocker only makes sense at higher speeds. On Cloudultra Pro is in the middle: fiberglass plate, less aggressive, but compatible with wider feet. For race days under four hours on technical terrain, the Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 3 remains the favorite – light, direct, uncomplicated. The 200-kilometer long-term test 2026 showed what really lasts.

Pack In

  • Speedgoat 6 for everyday training
  • S/Lab Pulsar 3 for short races up to 25 km
  • Mafate X or Ultrafly 2 only for ultra competitions
  • Spare laces and a pair of compression socks

You Don’t Need

  • Two plate shoes at once – one is enough
  • The Mafate X for daily rounds under an hour
  • Price increase for special color variants
  • Ultra-cushion shoe if you only run distances under 20 km

 

What You Really Need as a Beginner in 2026

If you start trail running this year, don’t buy a plate shoe. Period. Speedgoat 6 or Xodus Ultra 3 will cover you for the first two years. The money you save on shoes is better invested in a good hydration pack, a headlamp, and regular sessions with a running group. The shoes will likely be completely redesigned in a few seasons – spending 260 euros on a race specialist now means you’ll be eyeing the successor in two years, with the old shoe gathering dust in the basement after 400 kilometers.

Cool-down

Click on a question to reveal the answer.

Are Carbon-Plates really useful on trails?
Yes, on long, even trails with little technical terrain – the forward roll saves energy over many kilometers. On rough terrain with roots and stones, the plate doesn’t pay off because the stride frequency is irregular and the rocker doesn’t come into play. For training, a plate is almost never necessary. For race days over 50 km on moderate trails, it can save ten to twenty minutes.
How long does a 2026 trail shoe last?
The common manufacturer’s specification is 600 to 800 kilometers. Realistically, on soft ground (meadows, forest floor), it’s up to 1,000 kilometers, while on rough terrain and many rocky passages, it’s sometimes only 500. The outsole profile is usually the limiting factor – the cushioning almost always lasts longer. A glance at the lugs after each season will save you nasty surprises at your next race.
Is it worth having both Speedgoat and Xodus?
Not for beginners. The two models overlap significantly in terms of application and price range. It’s more sensible to combine an everyday shoe (one of the two) with a specialized race shoe (Pulsar 3 or Cloudultra Pro). Those who run over 5,000 kilometers per year use the rotation principle – alternating between three shoes, each lasting longer.
Do the mentioned models fit true to size?
Hoka tends to fit true to size or slightly narrow, especially in the forefoot area. Salomon usually runs narrow – not for nothing do they have the Twinskin upper with a snug fit. On fits generously due to the wider toe box. Saucony and Nike are somewhere in between. For trail shoes, it’s better to go a half size larger, as feet swell significantly on long distances.
Where do I start if I don’t have a trail shoe yet?
The Speedgoat 6 is a safe starting point – Vibram Megagrip outsole, unobtrusive cushioning, fair 160 Euro. It covers everything from training runs in the city forest to 20-kilometer trail marathons. Only when you know where your goal lies (short races or ultras?) does specialization make sense.


Source title image: Pexels / Ilarawan Photography

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