Salomon - Aero Blaze 3 GORE-TEX

I love shoes. So allow me to get a little carried away for a minute. Anyway, trail shoes are less likely to be bouncy like road shoes because they're more designed to prioritize stability and durability. I'm exclusively a road runner, but when it's winter I do rotate in some trail shoes with lower lugs for the snow and sleet. The closest I've found that are less firm and more cushioned and a little bit bouncy (but nothing crazy)... Nike Pegasus Trail GTX 4 or 5. Hoka Clifton 9 GTX are cushioned weatherized road shoes - not really bouncy but definitely cushioned. Saucony Triumph 21 also has a storm shield version or something like that. The foam is a cushioned TPU. You could probably do some light trails with it. And finally, Salomon Aero Blaze 3 comes in a GTX model - same bouncy foam as the Aero Glide 3 with a reinforced outer sole for light gravel trails and the protection of Gore-Tex. It's fun for a winter shoe. I think you could pull it off on packed dirt. Finally, I'm waiting for a pair of Hoka Speedgoat GTX spikes that are designed for snowy and icy trails. Not sure that you'll get bouncy energy return from those though!

I have the Catamount 2 and I really like it (ran in them today), but actually prefer the Cascadia. Also, another vote for skipping GTX. You probably don't need it (or want it) for most runs.

I have Salomon gore-tek trail runners. I bought these 5 years ago and used them all over Australia and hike regularly with them. If you want a bit of ankle support go for the hiking boots but on the trails around here you will be fine in trail runners. I found the gore-tex to be worthwhile just because the trails can get muddy after winter and you are able to just step thru them. Took them to do the overland trail in Tassie and held up fine as well. Salomon currently have a sale on.

Salomon Gore Tex sneakers. My second choice are Saucony Gore Tex sneakers.

Solomon’s are great. The mud doesn’t pack up op the sole, super waterproof. The tread is ultra durable. $120-$150 but I play 300 days a year and they lasted about 18 months.

However, I wear these, and they fell apart within the first month. Weak lace loops ripped and the waterproof fabric is tearing. Keens are still the only shoes that last longest, stay waterproof and don't wear on the outside over time compared to any other shoe I've tried

Salomon trail runners. They’re my goat shoes - the only thing they don’t get a grip on is wet wood.

Salomon waterproof trail runners are amazing. Easy open and close, comfy, and they have phenomenal traction - they’re my goat shoes. The only thing I’ve ever slipped on when wearing them is snow-dusted sheer ice. That, and wet wood.

Both Asics gortex and Salomon gortex Ive found to be the best I've used.   I get probably 2-3000km out of them?   Say 8km a day of sandstone gravel fire trails and rocky escarpments for a year. I  would get 12-18 months out of them.   Sometimes I just wear out heel rubber and foam is still good so I build it back up using Sikaflex or something to go another 6 month lol 

In the winter, I play in Salomon Trail Running shoes with goretex. They were great. But they’re expensive, and they only last about one year before the traction runs down on my plant foot. Does anybody have a recommended waterproof shoe under $125? Or some thing that is more durable than the Salomons?

Waterproof Salomon trailer running shoes. They make several kinda and they're all pretty solid.