Trail running is hitting a growth PR right now. Here are the best shoes for anyone looking to start, or up, their game

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Most of us know how quickly road running is growing in popularity , but trail running is taking off even faster. Road running has been growing by about half a percent annually, and trail running is climbing by about eight percent every year, according to the research firm Insight Accelerator . For any longtime trail runners, it’s not hard to understand the sport’s ascension: You get the highs of running and hiking, plus the technical challenge of navigating terrain on certain rugged trails.

At a Glance: the Best Trail Running Shoes

But trail running comes with its own challenges. Namely, rocks, roots, dirt, and everything else nature will throw at your feet.…