Today in the Run Oregon Test Lab, we’re lacing up a sharp-looking pair of trail shoes from Dynafit. Never heard of them? That’s OK. They’re far from new—but unless you dabble in the ski or mountaineering world, you might not know the brand sits among the best of the best in alpine gear.
As their backcountry and mountain athletes started demanding running shoes that could keep up with all-terrain training, Dynafit shifted into the trail category. The Dynafit Alpine was one of their early pushes, and now the simply named Dynafit Trail adds another option to their growing lineup.
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The Dynafit Alpine is the quicker, more technical sibling in the lineup—lower to the ground, more performance-oriented, and better suited for fast efforts, steeper terrain, and runners who value precision and agility. The Dynafit Trail, by contrast, is the everyday trainer: more cushion underfoot, a friendlier fit, and a more forgiving ride designed for daily miles and moderate trails. Think of the Alpine as your “race or ridge days” shoe, while the Trail is the one you’ll reach for most of the week.
Construction
The Dynafit Trail is a refreshingly simple, straightforward door-to-trail shoe that slots nicely into the “everyday trainer” category. It’s built for the bulk of standard trails and daily miles—not necessarily ultra-long distances or extremely technical terrain—but for the $150 price point, the combination of construction, fit, and tech is a compelling package.
Specs
- Stack: 22.5 mm forefoot / 28.5 mm heel
- Drop: 6 mm
- Lugs: 3.5 mm
- Weight: ~9.17 oz (Men’s 9)
Looks
Two colorways are available, and in my opinion the Atlantic/Black Out version is the standout. It’s straightforward in design—very much “this is a trail shoe”—but the light blue upper with black and gold accents looks great on foot. Branding is minimal: “Dynafit” along the lateral side and a reflective puma-esque logo on the tongue.
Upper
The upper is simple and functional: a breathable Jacquard mesh that keeps things comfortable without unnecessary overlays or gimmicks. The flattened laces lie nicely, lockdown is solid, and overall the shoe holds the foot well. It’s one of those uppers that doesn’t draw attention—which is a compliment when the shoe already feels comfortable out of the box.
Midsole
Stepping in, my first reaction was, “Dang, these are nice.”
As someone around 200 lbs with a standard width foot and wearing a men’s 12, I immediately appreciated the fit, the underfoot feel, and even the insole.
Dynafit uses their Speedlite foam, which they describe as “maximum cushioning.” In today’s world of 38–40mm mega-stacked trail shoes, it’s not an apples-to-apples comparison—but for a shoe topping out at 28.5 mm in the heel, the cushioning punches above its weight. The ride is balanced and surprisingly lively, with solid energy return boosted by an Integrated Torsion Bar that adds stability and smoothes transitions.
As a heavier runner, I especially appreciated the cushioning on descents. I tend to load up my heels on downhills, and the wider, cushioned heel geometry handled that impact super well.
Outsole
Given Dynafit’s alpine pedigree, it’s no surprise the outsole is a strong point. The Vibram XS Trek rubber covers most of the base, with strategic cutouts in the arch area and behind some of the lugs for flexibility and weight savings. On standard trail terrain, I had zero issues with grip or debris, and the shoe felt confident and predictable underfoot.
The Dynafit Trail surprised me with its comfort, cushioning, and no-nonsense durability—all at a reasonable price point. It’s a dependable daily trail option that proves Dynafit’s mountain expertise translates nicely to dirt miles.
