Road and trail running shoes for best outsole grip

High-grip everyday trainer

Puma Velocity Nitro 3

The dense colony of sticky Pumagrip rubber lugs delivers excellent grip on wet and dry roads.

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The word ‘velocity’ in the shoe’s name is somewhat misleading. The Puma Velocity Nitro 3 is not a purpose-built speed shoe; far from it. While it is capable of quicker miles, it wouldn’t be our first choice.

The snug upper with its racer-like tongue is the only part that feels inspired by a speed shoe.

The rest of the shoe is standard trainer fare; the dual-density midsole is fairly tall. The 8 mm heel-to-toe drop is derived from the 34 mm (heel) and 26 mm (forefoot) tall midsole.

The Velocity Nitro’s cushioned ride and 9.5-ounce weight makes it a better everyday trainer than a speed shoe. There’s ample cushioning for everyday runs and high-mileage training.

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The midsole stacks the softer Nitro foam (supercritical compound) over a firmer EVA foam base. This arrangement works better for the outsole grip than if it was the other way around.

By being closer to the outsole, the firmer foam applies pressure on the sticky Pumagrip rubber slab during the landing and loading cycle. This results in better traction.

Having the firmer base closer to the ground is useful at higher speeds, as it limits the ‘telescoping’ effect of the outsole. For example, if the softer Nitro foam was closer to the ground, the outsole would flex inwards and take some bite off the traction.

The dense colony of small rectangular lugs grips the road better than its peers.

Grippy winter running shoe

Nike Pegasus 41 GTX

The grippy Stormtread outsole will cruise through damp winter roads. Icy roads are a no-go, though.

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This is the first Gore-Tex version of the Nike Pegasus. It’s not just a waterproof version of the regular Pegasus; this shoe is designed for winter runs.

Along with the GTX Invisible Fit membrane, there’s a wind-resistant upper, heathered heel mesh for insulation, and plenty of reflectivity. The midsole is the same as the regular Peg 41, so runners get the heel-biased cushioning and supportive firmness of the Zoom Air bags.

We assume that this model makes the Shield variants redundant, as most of the feature set carries over.

The outsole uses the same ‘Storm-Tread’ rubber compound from the Pegasus Shield. It’s a sticky rubber compound with excellent wet weather performance. It won’t cut it on ice or snow, but it’ll cruise through damp and slushy winters.

Unless we see newer alternatives, the Pegasus 41 GTX is currently our top pick as a winter running shoe with high-performance traction.

Marathon racer with a grippy forefoot

adidas adios Pro 4

The soft Lighttraxion rubber outsole makes the Adios Pro one of the grippiest racers.

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A refreshed outsole layout is among the many changes on the Adios Pro 4.

Unlike the climbing shoe-like outsole of the Adios Pro 3, the new Adios uses Lighttraxion. The small lugs of this ultra-thin rubber grip exceptionally well – even on damp roads. Only a tiny forefoot patch has the thicker Continental rubber for abrasion resistance.

The soft Lighttraxion outsole covers most of the contact area. It’s also soft enough to flex with the midsole, improving the traction in the process. A softer outsole spreads wider when loaded to create a larger contact area.

There’s a lot more to the Adios Pro 4 than its grippy outsole. The Lightstrike Pro foam and stiff Energy rods complement each other very well; the cushioning comfort is balanced with transition efficiency. As always, the Energy rods need a few runs to fully break in.

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Runners upgrading from the Adios Pro 3 will discover a brand-new ride quality. There’s a substantial increase in softness and bounciness due to the foam composition and midsole design. The Pro 4 no longer has a solid heel core; there’s a deep under-heel cavity.

The rocker has been tweaked as well. The midsole feels more propulsive and improves its ability to roll off. The speed-friendly Adios Pro 4 is much more bouncier and fun to run in than any of the prior versions, resulting in an engaging ride experience.

The heel stability has suffered greatly on the newest model, so we can no longer recommend this shoe for heavier runners or heel striking at slower speeds.

We love the new upper. It’s smooth, true-to-size, and has a tacked-on tongue to prevent slide. The heel may slip a little due to the soft heel midsole – the foot tends to sink deeper than the Pro 3 so the upper rides a bit.

Grippy recovery run trainer

Puma Magnify Nitro 2

The Magnify 2’s Pumagrip outsole delivers the best grip among all max-cushioned racers.

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On the Magnify Nitro 2, the four-piece Pumagrip provides reliable traction where it’s needed the most. The heel area has a couple of lugs, including a rounded outer outsole for heel strikes. Densely-packed lugs cover most of the contact surface.

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The outsole grip is not the only reason why the Magnify Nitro 2 is featured here. The Magnify’s highly cushioned Nitro midsole makes it excellent for everyday runs and long-distance training. The soft and secure knit upper complements the midsole by making the power delivery efficient.

Given its stack heights (39 mm rear and 29 mm front), the Magnify doesn’t fare well at higher speeds. But then, that’s what the Liberate and Velocity Nitro are for.

Also consider: The Brooks Ghost Max 2.

Speed trainer/racer with forefoot grip

adidas Adizero EVO SL

The EVO SL borrows its outsole design from the Adios Pro 3, so it’s equally grippy on dry and wet roads.

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The Adizero EVO SL has much in common with the outgoing Adios Pro 3. The Lightstrike Pro foam has a similar density and feel; even the stack heights (39 mm and 32 mm) aren’t far off.

Can you guess which other part is a straight lift from the Adios Pro 3? It’s the outsole.

The EVO SL’s outsole combines two different compounds. The forefoot gets a perforated Continental rubber with a flat texture – the same as the Adios. The heel section uses ‘clear’ rubber without any loss in performance. The forefoot and heel grip equally well.

The rubber compound and geometry don’t tell the full story. The outsole thickness and coverage matter too. The soft outsole flexes with the Lightstrike Pro midsole to widen the contact patch. The outsole covers most of the landing and loading area, so there are no missed spots.

The EVO SL grips reliably on dry and damp paths alike.

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Besides the outsole, are there other areas where the EVO SL performs well? The midsole quality is the headlining act. The LS Pro midsole is rocker shaped, ensuring that the cushioned and springy ride is served with a side of fast.

The rocker forefoot reduces the workload by allowing the foot to efficiently transition through the gait cycle. This blend of comfort and speed adds versatility to the shoe’s character. The EVO SL is an excellent tempo trainer and 10K racer as it is a half-marathon shoe.

Runners will find the user-friendly upper comfortable yet functional. The true-to-size upper doesn’t wrap the foot in a vice-like grip; the well-ventilated interiors have enough space for the toes to splay.

5K racer with excellent grip

adidas Takumi Sen 10

This tight-fitting racer uses a similar Textile rubber outsole as the Adios Pro 3. The on-road traction is great, naturally.

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1. Read our detailed review of the adidas Takumi 10 here.

We love the Takumi Sen 10. In our eyes, it’s currently the best short-distance racer in the market. Like, if you’re running a 5K, the Takumi should be the shoe to do it in.

There are many things we love about the Takumi. We like how the Lightstrike Pro midsole keeps the harshness away during high-speed races. We love the lockdown from the narrow and tight-fitting upper. We appreciate the quickness that the stiff Energy Rods add to the cushioned ride.

And lastly, we have a lot of praise for the dual-compound outsole. The Continental rubber slabs add abrasion resistance where needed, while the thin Textile rubber outsole delivers a great bite during fast-paced workouts.

Trail runner with wet/dry traction

Salomon Speedcross 6

The wide spacing of the Speedcross 6’s Contagrip outsole lugs delivers trail-worthy traction.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Salomon Speedcross 6 here.

The Speedcross 6’s sticky rubber compound offers excellent traction on dry and wet surfaces alike. But there’s more to the Speedcross than just its lug length.

The Salomon Speedcross 6 is excellent on technical trails.

The spaced-out outsole lugs offer dependable traction.

The double-lasted construction is unique to the Speedcross 6, and results in a compact design.

The slim outsole profile distributes the pressure over a smaller area – thus improving the bite on the trail. The midsole is also double-lasted, meaning that the upper wraps the midsole for a superior lock-down.

Lastly, the Quicklace upper secures the foot and keeps it closer to the ground for better power delivery.

Winter running shoe for snow and ice grip

Salomon WinterCross Spike

If the roads are iced over, it’s time to pull out the Wintercross and its Carbide-tipped spikes.

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The Salomon Wintercross Spike is the nuclear option for winter running when all other alternatives have failed.

Not only does the outsole have 5 mm rubber lugs for grip on slush, but it also has 11 Carbide spikes for the ultimate in winter-ready traction.

These spikes bite into frozen surfaces where ordinary rubber cannot, thus vastly improving safety when the pavement is either snow, ice, or both.

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There’s also a waterproof upper and a comfortable midsole that goes on top of the spiked outsole, so this is a complete package. While it’s not as good as the Snowspike CSWP, it’s the best of the current lot.

Also, don’t confuse the Winter Cross with the Snowcross – the latter is a lifestyle sneaker with limited utility on icy surfaces.

HOW WE SELECTED

The outsole can make or break a running shoe. No amount of midsole cushioning or springy responsiveness can salvage a running shoe that grips poorly.

An outsole doesn’t stop at just providing traction; it adds value in other ways. A well-designed outsole works together with the midsole to improve the quality of cushioning and transitions.

Depending on the material and geometry, the outsole also acts as a defensive layer against the small rocks and debris on the road and trail. Some brands use a (more) durable compound to deliver more miles per dollar spent.

This guide is about shoes with excellent outsole traction, so what are we looking for here?

Looking back at over a decade of testing running shoes, a combination of two factors decides how good or bad the outsole grip will be.

THE OUTSOLE MATERIAL

An automobile tire is a classic example of how various rubber compounds take surface characteristics into account.

Firmer summer tires work on dry roads while a grippier and softer rubber is used for winter driving. Off-road motorcycles have knobby tires with aggressive lugs for grip over loose soil and gravel.

Running shoe outsoles work similarly. As a general rule, softer rubber lugs or sticky compounds deliver better grip than harder outsoles. That’s one of the reasons why Brooks models are a part of this guide – their softer outsoles offer plenty of road grip.

Brands also offer specific rubber compounds designed to grip better.

They go by different marketing names like adidas Continental, Pumagrip, Hybrid Asicsgrip, Brooks Trailtack, Nike Storm-Tread, Salomon Contagrip, or Altra MaxTrac. The Saucony PwrTrac is another tacky rubber material.

Pumagrip outsoles have built quite a reputation in a very short period, so this buyer’s guide has three different Puma running shoes.

So far, we’ve assumed that the outsoles are made of rubber. But what if the shoe lacks a separate outsole or has limited rubber coverage?

The ‘Storm-tread’ outsole on the Nike Pegasus Shield grips well on wet and slushy roads.

Foam outsoles deliver adequate grip on dry/wet roads and clean sidewalks. But throw in some slush, and the traction level decreases drastically. Likewise for smooth artificial floors that are dusty or freshly waxed.

EVA foam outsoles also stiffen in the cold, thus reducing their traction.

THE OUTSOLE GEOMETRY

The geometry also influences the level of traction – or the lack thereof. Smaller and deeper lugs generally grip better than flat slabs – even if they are made of the same compound.

However, using a high-tech rubber compound on a flat geometry works just as well. The adidas adios 8 and Boston 12 are good examples.

The outsole articulation or grooving also plays a role. A geometry that divides the outsole into separate sections lets them operate semi-independently. This way, targeted traction is available where and when necessary.

Trail outsoles aren’t built the same way as road shoes. While a higher count of longer lugs is preferred, these need to be spaced wider to minimize clogging.

Some geometries are also optimized for both downhill and uphill traction. For instance, the forefoot lugs could be angled forward and downwards whereas the rear does the opposite.

Also, trail running shoes need to perform equally well on wet and dry terrain. This means that the rubber compound needs to deliver reliable performance under ever-changing surface conditions.