Try This Running Shoe Rotation: 4 Trail Shoes + 2 Road Shoes

Want to feel fresh on every run? Take a closer look at your running shoe rotation. 
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Before you lace up your running shoes and tick off more miles, think about this...

• 👟Are you stuffing your feet into the same worn-out pair week after week, for every kind of run? 
• 👟Do you ignore the warning signs and standard advice about retiring shoes that have too many miles on them? 
• 👟Are you so loyal to one brand or model that you won’t run in anything else? 

If you’re nodding your head thinking, yep, that’s me, it might be time to rethink your running shoe rotation.
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Why? Mix things up, and you might be surprised by how much better your feet feel when you run, train and race.
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In this article, runner Brynn Cunningham shares her running shoe rotation (4 trail + 2 road) and what she’s learned from logging nearly 1,000 miles this year.

I began running at age 11 and built my first solid running shoe rotation 30 years later. 

• Read about the inspiration behind why I decided to rotate running shoes, plus last year's lineup: 2024 Running Shoe Rotation: 6 Trail Shoes + 1 Road Shoe

This year I added some of the latest versions of my favorites and tried two new-to-me models.
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👟Rotating running shoes has many benefits, including: 

• ✅Extending the life of each pair of shoes
• ✅Providing the feet with different options based on terrain, workouts, and even mood and outfit color scheme!
• ✅Ensuring a dry pair after a day, or days, of running in the rain

👉To be clear, this is not a highly technical, in-depth shoe anatomy analysis like some out there. Instead, it’s a simple list of shoes that work for recreational runners like me.
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📍This year, as of Oct. 15, the time of this writing, I have run:

• 947.7 miles
• Mostly on trail

🏃‍♀️‍➡️More about my running profile/ personality:

• My biggest weekly mileage in 2025 was 52 
• Usually I run 30-40 miles per week
• I like running five times per week; sometimes it’s run four times, sometimes six
• I can run 1.4 miles from my front door to one trail system and 1.8 to another trail system, all of which link
• My local trails average 150-200, the steepest at 300, feet per mile of elevation gain
• My go-to three to eight-mile road runs from my front door range from 160-190 feet per mile of elevation gain with equal loss
• During peak training I average 45 weekly miles
• I ran five 20-milers this year, plus a 21, two 22s and 24 milers
• I took three weeks off in January to ski and swim
• I took six days off in June to recover from an adductor strain 
• Right now I’m taking time off (probably two weeks) to white water kayak, bike and swim
• Lately, I value consistency and routine above races and big events
• In fact, I have only run (and won) one race this year, the Mount Summit Challenge
• My goal is to run as late into life as possible, and I hope a shoe rotation will support that dream! 

With just two months left to go in 2025, I'll easily run 1,000 miles by the end of the year.
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This year my running shoe rotation primarily includes 6 trail shoes and 2 road shoes.
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If you're anything like me, you probably love testing out new running shoes and gear.
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But when you find a running shoe you like that's comfortable, delivers on performance, and holds up to miles of trail and pavement, it makes sense to make it part of your running shoe rotation.
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Here's a look at my 2025 running shoe rotation:

I started out with the Nike Pegasus Trail 3 a couple years ago, skipped the fourth version, and got the fifth in one of my favorite colorways of all time. 

Different color tongues? Yes, please! 
Deep green? Always a win in my book! 
Bright pink-orange, not to mention large, heel loops? A big improvement from previous versions! 

• Purchase date: Feb. 6
• Size: 8 (I went a half size up from my normal size of 7.5 based on previous fit)
• Longest run: 13 miles

✅What I love: 

• Fit
• Cushion
• Versatility - good for road to trail 
• Excellent for smooth, semi-technical and technical terrain
• Heel loop for easy on and off
• Thin, easy-to-tie laces
• Toe protection on the exterior, perfect for rocky Pennsylvania trails 
• Excellent for trail tempos and speed work
• Big drop, which feels best on my very high arch and forefoot strike (9.5 mm) 

⚙️Will I include future models in my rotation? 

• Yes. This is the shoe I gush about the most to my running friends. 
• I LOVE this shoe. Even more, after seeing a podiatrist, he confirmed that this is the best shoe for my foot and strike type, because of its support, stiffness and high drop. 

The Saucony Peregrine Trail was my very first trail running shoe back in 2014 or 2015. 
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In fact, it was the only trail shoe I bought year after year for a while. I got away from the Peregrine around 2019, when I switched over to La Sportiva. 
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This year, I decided to return to this tried and true classic to see how they’ve changed over the years. 

• Purchase date: Feb. 6
• Size: 8 
• Longest run: 14 miles

👟Observations: 

• I have not gotten holes at the pinky toes like I had in other pairs in the past, probably because I went a half size up
• However, sizing up did not do much for the fit. Now they are too long for my foot. 
• I’ve rolled my ankle twice in these from tripping over the extra length, and probably because of the narrow base. 
• Though lots of people love this shoe, the fit is not ideal for my foot. 

⚙️Will I include future models in my rotation? 

• No

Topos entered my world in 2023 by way of the Ultraventure. This year, I wanted to try another model just for the fun of it. 
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After reading reviews on the Mountain Racer, I decided to give it a try.

• Purchase date: April 2
• Size: 7.5 
• Longest run: 24 miles

✅What I love: 

• Plush- feeling cushion
• Ample toe box
• Secure midfoot and heel
• Stable over uneven terrain
• Flexible, which I like, though it’s not the best for me (see below) 

⚙️Will I include future models in my rotation? 

• No, based on the recommendation of a podiatrist, who says the shoe is too flexible and not supportive enough for my extremely high arch, very tight Achilles tendon, and forefoot strike. 
• However, I aim to find the stiffest, highest drop Topo for my 2026 rotation!

• Purchase date: Sept. 9, 2024
• Size: 7.5 
• Longest run: 22.8 miles

✅What I love:

• Firm
• Roomy everywhere, but not so roomy that I’m slipping in the shoe
• Heel loop for easy on and off
• Stable over uneven terrain
• Long, easy-to-tie laces

⚙️Will I include future models in my rotation? 

• Yes. The Speegoat is my go-to for four to five-hour long trail runs with significant elevation gain and loss. It’s the one I would wear in an ultra. I just hope the laminate doesn’t peel in the next versions. 
• Actually, I’ve been wearing the Hoka Speedgoat 5 all year, too, but decided not to include it here since it’s an older model and is difficult to find. 

• Purchase date: July 5, 2025
• Size: 8 
• Longest run: 6 miles

✅What I love: 

• The size eight is a perfect fit in this road shoe. It is not too long, and provides good space for the toes. 
• So cushy! I even wear them to my son’s cross country meets when I’m craving a recovery shoe and can’t wear slides due to weather.
• Nylon plate - I haven’t ventured into the carbon plate world but was curious about the more affordable nylon option.
• Excellent for speed work - my go-to for strides, progression runs and hill work on roads.
• That colorway! 
• Breathable, venting upper

⚙️Will I include future models in my rotation?

• Yes. I don’t run high mileage on roads, so I’m guessing this model will be with me for a while.

• Purchase date: Nov. 13, 2024
• Size: 8 
• Longest run: 8 miles

✅What I love: 

• Nice muted color
• Fits my narrow midfoot well with enough space to wiggle my toes
• I needed a daily trainer, and this one proves to be perfect for short road miles from my front door. 
• The size eight in Saucony road shoes seems to be a sweet spot for me, unlike the Peregrine above. 

⚙️Will I include future models in my rotation? 

• Maybe, though I am curious about other brands and models. I do recommend this one but might go for something else next year just for the fun of choosing from the many good road shoes on the market today! 

At the end of the year, I’ll: 

• Sort my running shoes
• Clean them
• And decide which ones will stay and which ones will get donated

Then I’ll reach out to local cross country teams, running friends who might like to try them and places like REI Re/Supply to make room for next year’s rotation.
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Next, I’ll read in-depth reviews on the following sites: 

• Believe in the Run 
• RunRepeat
• iRunFar
• WeeViews
• Trail Runner Mag
• GearLab
• Runner’s World

Finally, after the new year has begun, I’ll start formulating my 2026 rotation. I already have my sights set on something from:

• Adidas, because I’ve never run in them before, and...
• La Sportiva, because I’ve had success in them.

Share yours in the comments or Create a WeeView and tell us more about your favorite running shoes.