Best Shoes with Traction for Men and Women Reviewed

Contragrip is a material unique to Salomon and makes up a good portion of the traction on the outsole. This traction system is made with soft ground in mind, sporting arrow-shaped lugs that are evenly spaced out from one another. This traction system gives you the upper hand on any kind of terrain, as these aggressive lugs are designed to penetrate and hold onto soft terrain.

Believe it or not, fit is an important part of traction. You're going to get the most out of the traction system of a shoe if it fits well. A shoe that is too large in either length or width is going to feel clunky, or like your foot is moving around unnecessarily in the shoe. This can impact your overall footing and render even the best traction system moot. This is why a precise foothold and overall fit is so important.

The cushioning system of the Venture 6 is constructed with a gel and is placed in the rear foot. This helps to reduce and evenly spread any shock received from an impact. You'll have a transition to midstance that is smooth.

The sockliner is in place to give you a soft fit that conforms to your feet. However, you may need a little more. Therefore, the liner is removable allowing you to use any line of your choosing. Medical orthotics are great to use in the Venture 6. To top it off, it falls on the lower end of pricing which is great for runners on a budget or beginning runners. The features, while very basic, are not low in quality and will give you what you need for a great traction run.

When dealing with rough terrain, support is just as important as traction. Where traction will determine how secure your footing is, support will determine how well the shoe responds to the terrain and how well it absorbs the shock from each step. EVA foam is the most common material used in insoles, and an injected form of this is used in the Sense Pro 3. Injected EVA is molded and can, therefore, contour better to the shape of the shoe, increasing the amount of support it can provide. This midsole also helps to provide some more protection on flat ground, so that the Contragrip system feels less like cleats and more like a running shoe.

The Contragrip system used in the Sense Pro 3 is designed with not only soft and uneven terrain in mind but also wet conditions. The rubber stays tacky and grippy even in the rain, and the lugs are spaced in a manner that prevents mud and dirt from building up on the outsole.

The North Face excels in creating quality hiking products, and the Litewave TR is no different. With the rubber outsole being one of the best you can get in terms of a mountaineering shoe, its no question why these shoes are such a popular choice among many.

Another feature that's desired on trailing shoes is the ability to be waterproof. On the Litewave TR, the synthetic materials are resistant to wearing and tearing as well as water, making sure to keep you on the trail longer. The Litewave TR's are one of the best long-range trailing shoes available currently on the market, so it only makes sense for the shoes to cost a bit more. With improved traction and great features for improved comfort, you'll be provided with one of the greatest trail features the market has to offer.

The fantastic protection of the Vazee Summit's is attributed to the Rock Stop Plates on the underside of the shoe, protecting the wearer from any sharp edges or other hazards when out on the trail. What makes these shoes so versatile in addition to the Rock Stop Plate, is the Lightweight Toe Guard. In combination with the protective underside, the user can travel long distances over rubble with minimal discomfort, and while staying safe.

The Vazee Summit V2's come in at a nice and affordable mid-range price tag, which makes these shoes a perfect buy for beginning runners, as well as veterans. With the addition of added protection on the underside of the shoe as well as a toe guard, the Vazee Summit's are extremely versatile, making them a fantastic option for all types of terrain.

This shoe is all about power, and the PWRFOAM is a full-length midsole to give you a smoother ride with an additional rebound. In reality, the midsole is nothing more than a specialized EVA foam that is high quality. You’ll have awesome durability too.

The PWRTRAC is made for you to grip all kinds of surfaces. From smooth and flat to rough and uneven. Even just taking a look at the traction on the outsole shows that the Peregrine 8 means business when it comes to grip.

The price is just right for the serious runner in you, not too low, nor too expensive. Due to the intense focus the Peregrine 8 has when it comes to traction, you might be disappointed in purchasing any other shoe based on price alone.

As mentioned in the introduction, the traction on the X-Talon 200's is quite good. This is due to the 8mm sticky rubber studs that claw through soft terrain and hold firmly on to the harder ground, making this a perfect choice for all-terrain running.

The low weight of the X-Talon's compliments the natural movement of the foot, as well as prevents excessive fatigue when exercising for long periods of time, a great feature adding to the overall versatility of the shoe.

Although the X-Talon 200's are a bit more on the expensive side, it's no question why they're so popular among those participating in triathlons due to their fantastic traction and lightweight build. If you need something reliable that works fantastic on off-trail running, mountain running, or obstacle racing, these shoes are a great choice.

The BUGrip tread is probably one of the most well-known things about Icebug shoes. This specialized tread is made up of a series of either metal or rubber spikes spread strategically over the outsole's lugs. In the case of the Phyto3, rubber was used for these spikes. This tread system is designed to give you maximum traction on even some of the more technical trails, without compromising the flexibility you expect out of a running shoe.

Whether it's compression in the sole or damage to the upper, wear and tear is just a fact of life when it comes to shoes. While every shoe is going to break down eventually, some products have certain features to slow the process of them wearing down. The heel counter and toe section on the Pytho3 have been reinforced with polyurethane, which is a rubberized material that is also often used in the outsole of a shoe. This can significantly improve the overall durability of the shoe.

As we mentioned before the jump, Contragrip is a technology that is present in a lot of Salomon shoes. This isn't a surprise, considering how well it performs. Contragrip is made up of multidirectional and geometrically-shaped lugs that "bite" into the ground beneath you, giving you stable footing.

Sometimes you want a hiking shoe that doesn't necessarily scream "Hey! Look at me! I'm a hiking shoe!" While function is more important than form in the case of traction, the form is still something that should be considered. The X Ultra Prime features a more sneaker-like style, giving these shoes a clean look. After all, you're far less likely to wear a shoe if you don't like how it looks.

The soles of the La Sportiva Wildcat's feature Grippy FriXion Technology that provides fantastic traction on uneven terrain. Additionally, the outsole bites into the trail and allows you to trek through areas which you wouldn't normally be able to with regular shoes. In addition, the mesh uppers work to keep your feet cool as well as wick moisture while out on the trails. The mesh also works to prevent blisters without adding extra weight, overall keeping the entirety of the shoe nice and light.

La Sportiva shoes are most likely going to be some of the more expensive shoes available on the market, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Quality materials are utilized in the Wildcat's making them a great long-term investment if you ever wanna do some serious trailing. With the addition of great traction control as well as high quality and lightweight materials, the Wildcat's are a great option for beginners as well as more experienced trailers.