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 walked the Portuguese trail from Lisbon in Salomon GTX shoes and didn't get any blisters. Definitely helped walking in the rain. The socks are key in whatever shoe you choose.

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.

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.

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.

I used to rock a pair of GTX trail runners from Solomon during walnut harvest... They stopped making them (boo), and I couldn't find any existing pairs that weren't stupid-overpriced. I went on a deep dive and tried every GTX model from Solomon, hoping for a replacement. They all fit differently. It was infuriating. So, a warning to all: Try all models of a given brand, because you can't rely on equivalent fit. I currently rock a pair of Altra lone peaks in blue for travel shoes, and they're the only shoes I've bought where I did not have to replace the insoles with my Soles. I was blown away.

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 

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