Grip, glide and ground—ten interesting models for Alpine terrain
Summer in the Alps demands shoes that balance grip, comfort and resilience—no matter if you’re grinding up moraine, cruising gravel cols, or leaping across scree. For 2025, we’ve put ten models and prototypes through their paces: from household names like Saucony Peregrine 15 and Merrell Long Sky 2 Matryx, to the true newcomer Rossignol Vezor/Venosk.
Top Performers
1. Saucony Peregrine 15 – Best All-Mountain Shoe
Weight: 286g
Drop: 4mm
Why it excels: Versatile performer; deep 5 mm lugs don’t clog, PWRRUN midsole stays reactive. Reviewers says it’s “perfect for mixed terrain”.
On trail: confident on scree, steady on wet limestone. Upper holds well; early wear near heel on long gravel climbs.
Verdict: reliable, go-to mountain shoe.
2. Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 Matryx – Best for Tech Uphill
Weight: 270g
Drop: 4 mm
Vibram Mega-Grip outsole; repeated high praise for technical terrain.
On trail: exceptional on roots and slabs; the Matryx upper offers armor. Slight heel cup pressure was mentioned after 50km by some runners, and also that cushioning holds up.
Verdict: a sturdy battle-axe for steep terrain.
3. Ronhill Freedom Ultra – Best Alpine All-Rounder
- Weight: 270g
- Drop: 5 mm
- Why it excels: Designed in the UK’s fell-running crucible and made for mixed alpine and mountain trail. MATRYX® EVO upper and Michelin OC1 outsole provide the blend of lightness, grip, and structure needed on scree, cols, or technical descents.
- On trail: Nimble feel with rocker propulsion and firm midsole; upper adapts securely even on off-camber ground. Midsole feels “firm but energetic”. Testers praised “alpine-ready agility”.
- Verdict: Lightweight and resilient; a go-to for runners who blend alpine adventure with fast pacing.
Both Vezor (racer) and Venosk (daily trainer) launch Rossignol into trail markets with Alpine DNA.
4. Rossignol Vezor – New Racer to Watch
Weight: 282g
Drop: 6mm
Tech: Diapazon+ insert, Michelin Formula outsole.
On trail: razor grip on wet rock, lively midsole, narrow fit. Reviewed as nimble but snug.
Verdict: top performer for narrow-footed racers; needs wider fit option.
5. Rossignol Venosk – Daily Do-It-All
Weight: 265g
Drop: 6mm
Target: mixed terrain training .
On trail: breathable, stable; 3D mesh drains fast. Torsion and padding feel neutral.
Verdict: excellent cradle; ideal for longer base miles.
6. Hoka Speedgoat 6 – Crowd Favourite
High traction, plush midsole; large lugs wear slowly.
On trail: softer feel, superb downhill; wild texture on flat rock slows steering.
7. Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide – Cushioned Long Distance
Weight: 306g
Defining features: 41mm stack, stable RelieveSphere outsole
On trail: ultra-comfy, but sluggish on technical trails; heavy for fast mountain climbs.
8. Altra Lone Peak 7 – Natural Stride Fan
Zero-drop, wide toe box
On trail: feels balanced; poor on steep wet rock, mud builds in lugs.
9. Topo MT-4 – Technical Trail Specialist
Moderate cushioning, aggressive tread
On test: confident cornering, but trails >35mm stacks? Shoes for hills, not highways.
10. Satisfy TheROCKER – Talk of the Town
Fashion-forward, Vibram outsole, high stack
Reddit says: “Vibram traction is solid, but $280?!”
On trail: plush, classy, yet pricier than performance difference suggests.
Foot Fit & Size Notes
Narrow feet: Peregrine, Speedgoat, Vezor
Wide needs: Lone Peak, Salomon, Venosk
Sockliners: Saucony and Rossignol offer customisable insoles; Merrell less so.
Tech Trends 2025
Diapazon+ Inserts – smooth ride meets terrain support, debuted in Rossignol
Mixed Lugs – 5–6 mm remains standard; Michelin and Vibram optimized for mountain mud and rock.
Zero/Low Drop Revival – Altra, Lone Peak prove still popular among minimalists.
Eco Craft – recycled uppers on Rossignol, Saucony RFG, Merrell Matryx.
Final Rankings & Takeaways
| Model | Best For | |
|---|---|---|
| Saucony Peregrine 15 | All-round mountain mileage | |
| Rossignol Vezor | Racers with narrow feet | |
| Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 Matryx | Technical climbs | |
| Ronhill Freedom Ultra | Fast alpine exploration, mixed terrain | |
| Rossignol Venosk | Everyday, comfort-driven trail miles | |
| Hoka Speedgoat 6 | Cushioned descents | |
| Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide | Long distance plush runners | |
| Altra Lone Peak 7 | Natural-stride adventure seekers | |
| Topo MT‑4 | Technical singletrack | |
| Satisfy TheROCKER | Style-first trail comfort |
Wrap: Fit Your Feet, Fit Your Hills
This year’s trail shoe crop proves one thing: prioritising what you run in—terrain, distance, foot type—always beats gear hype.
Want speed and agility? Try the Peregrine or Venosk.
Ride hard trails? Go for Merrell or Speedgoat.
Pushing boundaries or going for sponsors? The Vezor is your new speed tool.
Try them all, run on real terrain, and your feet will thank you. Want a snappy alpine ride with real mountain grip? The Ronhill Freedom Ultra punches above its weight.
