Arc’teryx trail and mountain running footwear for women is designed for moving fast and light over long distances in the mountains and on the trails. They are less rigid and lighter-weight than hiking or climbing footwear, but shed some supportive and protective elements for the sake of speed. Arc’teryx running footwear exclusively addresses the unique needs of mountain athletes who are training and racing on smooth, mixed, and technical off-road terrain.

TYPES OF WOMEN’S TRAIL AND MOUNTAIN RUNNING SHOES

Versatile, everyday workhorse trainers: The Arc’teryx Norvan family of shoes is designed for reliable, stable running over mixed terrain. These are ideal for runs that could include any or all of rocks, roots, smooth singletrack, steep climbs and descents, and mud.

Trail race shoes: The Arc’teryx Sylan family of shoes are designed for propulsion, efficiency, and speed in trail races and FKT attempts.

Alpine running shoes: The Arc’teryx Vertex Speed family of shoes are designed for fast, precise movement and scrambling on steep, technical alpine terrain like scree and shale above the treeline.

KEY TECHNOLOGIES AND FEATURES

Lightweight: Trail and mountain running shoes are low-profile and minimal to enable quick, efficient movement over long distances.

Breathable: Running shoe uppers are well-ventilated to keep your feet cool while you exert hard and heat up.

Protective: Though they are pared down to minimize weight, trail and mountain running shoes have features like toe bumpers and added rubber to protect your feet from rocks and other trail obstacles.

Waterproof: GORE-TEX® technology seals out water on runs with wet conditions and stream or water crossings. Waterproof shoes aren’t considered as vital for running as hiking because runs are often shorter than hikes and many runners prefer the decreased weight and increased breathability of non-waterproof shoes, especially in hot weather.

Supportive fit: A Tech-lace system wraps the foot for all-day comfort and support on uneven trail and mountain surfaces. Wicking-material socks are still recommended with trail and mountain running shoes.

Roomy forefoot: An expanded toebox gives your toes room to spread over long runs.

Grip and traction: Vibram® Megagrip outsoles offer confident grip on rocks and other surfaces, and some styles feature Vibram® Megagrip with Litebase technology, which is 30% lighter while retaining grip performance. Lugs provide traction on soft trail, dirt, and mud, and range from aggressive designs for maximum traction to balanced designs for better versatility on multiple surface types.

Propulsive midsole: The Sylan family of shoes feature a curved “rocker” geometry to propel you forward in races, FKTs, and fast workouts.

Stable midsole: The Norvan family of shoes have a balanced, responsive midsole that keeps runners in contact with the ground for a stable ride on runs that could cover mixed terrain, including dry or wet conditions, smooth trails or rocks and roots, and flats or climbs and descents.

Climb/run hybrid midsole: Exclusive to the Vertex Speed family of shoes, an Arc’teryx proprietary hybrid midsole features a stuffer forefoot for efficient climbing plus a cushioned midsole and heel for comfortable descending. It is ideal for moving quickly up and down steep, technical terrain or runs that feature significant amounts of both steep climbing and faster running.

HOW WOMEN’S RUNNING SHOES SHOULD FIT

Because your foot can swell on long runs and your toes can slide forward on downhills, trail and mountain running shoes should have ample room in the toebox. They feature a tighter fit around the middle of the foot for better control and support, especially on uneven terrain. Compared with men’s running shoes, women’s running shoes tend to be slightly narrower at equivalent sizes (e.g. a US W9 will be narrower than a US M8, which is the same length). To find your size, refer to Arc’teryx’s footwear sizing chart.

CAN YOU HIKE IN RUNNING SHOES?

Some people prefer running shoes for hiking because they are lighter weight, while others prefer the added ankle support of hiking shoes and boots, especially for multi-day treks and hikes with heavy backpacks.

MEN’S RUNNING FOOTWEAR

Explore our latest men’s trail and mountain running footwear.