Mountain bikes have come a long way. The best mountain bikes are such marvels of modern engineering that they are in a class all their own. The days of the simple frame on two wheels for a couple of hundred bucks are over if you're truly into the sport. Whether you're hitting trails or riding long distances over the road, your bike is all you have in that moment. Making sure it's the right equipment is of the utmost importance.

Mountain biking has boomed over the last few years, and due to its prevalence, manufacturers have developed an increased number of specialized designs to appeal to the broad market. There are more options for lovers of the two-wheeled locomotive now than ever. And however obscure your particular niche is, there is now a mountain bike dedicated to it.

How to Choose the Best Mountain Bike

Choosing a new bike is an investment, and just like buying a new car or house, you have to consider its form and function. From cornering ability to basic stand over specifications, you need to consider many important details. While some people might prefer a more advanced suspension system, a new mountain biker might only need a solid budget option for a weekend outing. That said, here are a few things to check when shopping for the best mountain bikes.

Riding style and terrain

When looking to get a new mountain bike, your first consideration needs to be how and where you will ride your bike. Are you looking for something specialized for a particular trail or a versatile bike that can handle a variety of terrains? Most riders are comfortable getting a trail bike. Trail bikes are known to run a wide gamut, from stiff frames without suspension to advanced full suspension options.

The rear suspension of a mountain bike tends to increase the weight and price of a bike, but for hardcore riders, this is an important consideration. Long distance riders have the hardest choice; they need low weight bikes with an innovative suspension. Budget-conscious riders, on the other hand, want affordable hardtails. These kinds of bikes tend to have a relaxed geometry that makes it easy to navigate and turn in most situations.

Suspension and shocks

Discussing the different types of suspension is worth a full article in itself, complete with marketing buzz and jargon, but we won't be getting into that today. The best mountain bikes use a variety of suspension types. However, most buyers will be debating between bikes with a full suspension and hardtails, which typically have front suspension. Most bikes nowadays have a suspension lockout feature that lets the rider selectively disable the suspension while they are riding. This feature is more useful for individuals who might ride on pavements or on challenging ascents where the suspension is prone to absorb energy.

Wheel size

For a long time, the wheel of a mountain bike hasn’t been a choice. Mountain bikes had 26-inch wheels which are standard and not born out of habit. However, engineering and innovation have expanded the range to include 27.5 and 29-inch wheels. These innovations have brought higher speeds and better rolling, although at the cost of agility and durability.

Despite being the middle size, the 27.5-inch wheel has become the de facto standard. Smaller wheels are more durable and even handle better, and many gravity riders prefer 26-inch wheels for those reasons. Riders who are looking for peak speeds are opting for 29-inch wheels that sacrifice durability and handling for the benefit of speed.

Some mountain bikes are designed to handle different sizes, making them a good choice in case you are having a hard time committing to one wheel size. However, riders who are looking to enjoy a mix of downhill and cyclocross riding might want a single bike that can perform both tasks.

Brake system

Disc brakes come standard for mountain biking. However, there is a lot of variety within this category. Mechanical disc brakes are the most affordable option, but it won’t perform as well as the more expensive fluid or hydraulic operated brakes. Brakes are vital when choosing the best mountain bikes, but they shouldn’t be a deal breaker.

Buy Online or from an Independent Dealer

It entirely depends on the buyer’s preference. However, unlike buying a bike online, when buying from an independent mountain bike dealer you have the comfort of trying to negotiate for a lower price. You could also haggle for bonus sweeteners like basic upgrades and accessories.

Dealing with an independent dealer or bike retailer gives you the opportunity to see the bike in person and even take it for a test ride. While any bike could easily appeal to you online, it's better to be sure the bike meets your height and reach requirements before making the purchase.

10 of the Best Mountain Bikes

Mountain bikes are not your ordinary bikes. They are for adventure, off-road, fun, and competition. Their knobby, wide tires characterize them for increased traction on variable terrain. There is also a great variation between models, which makes it even harder to make a choice. We have compiled a list of this year's 10 best mountain bikes to help you make a well-informed decision.

What are the Best Mountain Bikes in 2019?

At this level, there is nothing easy about your decision. This list of the best mountain bikes isn't for the typical hobbyist rider. These are serious pieces of equipment meant to last years and deliver performance unmatched by anything you can buy at a box store. Do you have a mountain bike like one on our list? Do you have a suggestion for a bike we should add to our next review? Let us know in the comments!

Maybe you're just getting started in your running career. Or, maybe you're a veteran, which is great. But the million dollar question is, are you wearing the best trail running shoes? It doesn't matter, even if you're only doing occasional runs on those trails. You need to protect your feet during activity. We don't want you to get injured by those sharp pebbles. We don't want your feet to get wet as you cross that stream. And we don't want you to suffer poor body balance.

Needless to say, you need the best trail running shoes. It's the only way you can bypass all those obstacles during activity while enhancing your performance. So, without further ado, let's see what's in store for you.

Types of Trail Running Shoes

Just like road running footwear, trail running shoes come in several types. It all depends on the nature of the trails you're looking to tackle.

Light-trail footwear

These are shoes meant for wearing on light trails. They come with features suited for that purpose, including a relatively lower drop. Most of these shoes are also comparatively lighter, making for a faster run. The traction isn't as rigid as in the rugged-trail runners, either. In other words, you want to stick to light trails only when wearing these type of shoes.

Heavy-trail footwear

If you fancy tackling rough ground, these are the shoes to buy. Heavy-trail footwear comes with considerable protection to withstand the obstacles that are sure to be found on the uneven ground typical of trails. These shoes boast a massive lug system so that you can enjoy a smooth ride on muddy and dusty surfaces. They also offer decent stability, so you can maintain your balance when moving over bumpy terrain.

Multipurpose trail footwear

You can wear these type of shoes on both light and heavy trail surfaces. They are engineered to sustain you along a range of trail surfaces. Consequently, they are the best option if you like alternating between light and heavy trails in your runs.

How to Buy Trail Running Shoes

Given the many options available on the market today, it can be difficult knowing what to look for when hunting for the best trail running shoes. These are some of the things you ought to consider before shopping.

Consider the type of surface you're going to tackle. Do you fancy light trails or heavy trails? Or, would you rather have them both? This is vital in helping you choose a shoe with the right protective features, so you can focus on what you do best.

What type of runner are you? Are you a pronator or overpronator? Or, are you a supinator? Note that there are different shoes to cater to different running gaits. And you don't want to get mixed up in the selection. Pronators should go for neutral shoes. Overpronators should look for motion-control shoes with solid stability. And, supinators are better off with footwear that's flexible and padded reasonably. The best trail running shoes should agree with your gait.

Not all shoes follow standard sizing. Some shoes come with a large fit, while others boast a small-running size. Therefore, it's crucial that check this aspect before spending your hard-earned dollars. We recommend that you take a good look at reviews for the bigger picture.

While this depends on each runner's wallet, don't be fooled that costlier shoes are better than the cheaper options. There are some affordable choices that can't be beaten when it comes to quality. You only need to play your cards right.

The miles you're looking to cover add to the things you should consider before grabbing one of the best trail running shoes. Go for relatively durable footwear if you're a long-distance runner. However, the durability feature might not be essential if you only hit the trails occasionally.

Of equal importance is the footwear's drop. Short for "heel to toe drop," "drop" refers to the difference in height between the heel of the shoe and the toe. Shoes with a higher drop might be a good option if you are a heel striker. Midfoot to forefoot strikers should stick to shoes with a lower drop. Just remember that a low drop comes with some limitations: It wears out faster and might not offer the protection you badly need on the trails.

In your quest for the best trail running shoes, the weight of the footwear matters, too. Lighter footwear generally makes for faster runs. Heavier shoes, on the other hand, are optimized for long-distance running on rugged trails, where speed isn't the chief concern.

Features of the Best Trail Running Shoes

Different running shoes have different features for different types of runs. That's why road running shoes have different features than trail runners. So, let's quickly look at some of the features of the best trail running shoes.

Breathability is vital during your runs, especially when you're covering a long distance. That's why the best trail running shoes should offer excellent ventilation. Your feet should breathe naturally while helping reduce in-shoe stuffiness, which can be a pain.

Many characterize trail running by a harsh environment. You never know when you're going to bump into a stream or cross a river. It could even rain while you're in action. What are you going to do? Stop to seek shelter? That explains why the best trail running shoes should be waterproof, so your feet can stay dry in the middle of the rain.

A well-cushioned shoe is a must-have for every runner looking to hit the trails. The midsole should be bouncy or springy, so it can help absorb shock. This also helps give a soft landing upon impact. In some footwear, the padding even offers a responsive ride, propelling you forward while enhancing performance.

This is perhaps the most vital feature of the best trail running shoes. Trails are characterized by mud and dust, which can make it hard to keep your grip. And the same is true of stability; go for those shoes with added stability to maintain body balance -- even on bumpy ground.

How many times have you hit a sharp pebble as you maneuver over those trails? Did your toes hurt? Most likely. And it's just why the best trail running shoes should come with substantial toe protection. Toe guards help shield your toes against the outside environment.

Price Range

The best trail running shoes on our list fall in the $40 to $390 price range. Most of these shoes are available on Amazon. Though, you can also purchase them on sites like REI and RunRepeat, among other online stores.

How We Reviewed

We considered many factors in our review process. First, we considered the price point of various shoes and brands. Then, we compared features across many products on the market. Last but not least, we looked at customer reviews to get a good sense of product satisfaction.

The Best Trail Running Shoes to Buy

Here's our list of the best trail running shoes. We hope it helps you make an informed purchase decision. Be sure to choose wisely! This list is in no particular order.

So What's the Best?

All of the shoes on our list are, without a doubt, worth a try. These best trail running shoes can mean a difference in your runs, bringing a whole new experience to your running career.

If you are on a budget, however, the Adidas Outdoor Terrex Agravic is the choice for you. Yet, the low price doesn't compromise quality as you also get a lasting outsole and decent stability. And for those runners who don't mind shedding extra dollars, we recommend the Hoka One One Speedgoat 2. The exceptional traction means you should tackle those rough trails with ease. A durable outsole is also among other lucrative features you get with this runner.

Still, if you're looking to feel the trails (the light trails for that matter) in your runs, we have no issues with you trying out the Merrell Trail Glove 4. And, for a strong, durable build, the Altra Lone Peak 4.0 should comfortably fit the bill.