Best running shoe with a low, close-to-ground ride for getting faster on gravel and forest paths, under €280

Why it wins here

The Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed wins this question with a 75% match against all 78 shoes in the catalogue. It costs €160, weighs 225 g and stands on a 28 mm heel stack with a 6 mm drop; its cushioning scores 62/100, its grip 85/100 and its energy return 72/100. The tightest constraint is the terrain: only 19 of the 78 shoes count as trail capability, and 19 clear both the price and the terrain filter. Its biggest edge over that field is on terrain — Trail shoe, grip 85 /100, stability 60 /100; 19 of 78 shoes count as trail capability. The nearest runner-up, the Hoka Tecton X 2, finished 0 points behind.

The dimensions where it beats the rest of the field by the most, for this question specifically — with the numbers behind each one.

• TerrainTrail shoe, grip 85 /100, stability 60 /100; 19 of 78 shoes count as trail capability
• Cushionstack height 28 mm, weight 225 g
• Goalenergy return 72 /100, weight 225 g
• Budget€160, €120 under the €280 ceiling — 77 of 78 shoes qualify