One of the best things about running in Barcelona is that the mountains are right behind the city. The Collserola Natural Park offers everything from wide, runnable tracks to steeper, rockier paths, and it is where many of our customers at COLLECT Running do their weekend long runs. The right trail shoe makes a big difference there. Here is our selection of trail running shoes for Collserola, all currently in stock and described using the specifications on our product pages.
What Collserola asks of a trail shoe
Collserola is not high mountain terrain, but it is varied. The Carretera de les Aigües is a wide, mostly flat gravel track along the hillside, with views over the city: many runners do it in road-to-trail shoes. As soon as you leave it to climb towards Tibidabo or explore the smaller paths, you find loose gravel, dusty descents, roots and rocky sections, and mud after rain. That means three things matter most:
- Grip on loose and dusty ground, especially on descents
- Cushioning for long runs that mix tracks, paths and some asphalt
- Protection and a secure fit on rockier sections
Our favourite all-rounder: Hoka Speedgoat 7
If we had to pick one shoe for Collserola, it would be the Hoka Speedgoat 7. It is one of the most trusted trail running shoes ever made: a Vibram Megagrip outsole with deep lugs for loose and rocky trails, plush cushioning that protects on long distances, a secure, breathable upper and rocker geometry for efficient climbing and descending. It is cushioned enough for long runs and grippy enough for technical descents.
For wet days: Speedgoat 7 GTX
For winter mornings or rainy weeks, the Speedgoat 7 GTX adds a GORE-TEX Invisible Fit membrane to keep feet dry, with the same Vibram Megagrip and Traction Lug outsole. Our product page lists a 38 / 33 mm stack (heel / forefoot), a 5 mm drop and around 289 g in the men's reference size. See all versions in our Hoka Speedgoat collection.
For long runs and ultras: On Cloudultra 3
The On Cloudultra 3 is a neutral trail shoe built for long trail runs and ultras. Helion HF over Helion EVA, CloudTec pods and a full-length Speedboard give a responsive, ground-connected ride, with a redesigned Missiongrip outsole and FEA-optimised lugs. Listed at a 32 / 26.5 mm stack and a 5.5 mm drop, it feels firmer and closer to the ground than the Speedgoat, which many runners like on technical paths. For ultra-distance racing, On also offers the Cloudultra Pro, with a fibreglass-reinforced Speedboard and an aggressive rocker.
For smooth to moderate trails: Mount to Coast M1
The Mount to Coast M1 is the brand's neutral trail shoe for ultra distances. Its bouncy JetCell supercritical ATPU midsole has a pronounced forefoot rocker, and the Vibram Megagrip Litebase outsole has lugs of around 4 mm. It performs best on smooth to moderate trails, which makes it a natural match for the Carretera de les Aigües and Collserola's wide tracks. Read more about the brand in our Mount to Coast guide.
For rocky ground and long days: Altra Olympus 275 and Hoka Mafate 5
Altra Olympus 275
The Altra Olympus 275 is Altra's maximally cushioned zero-drop trail shoe, built for ultras on rocky terrain. A durable Matryx upper with Kevlar yarns, a scree-sleeve collar and a Vibram Megagrip outsole make it a robust choice. Note the 0 mm drop (35 / 35 mm stack): if you are used to traditional shoes, transition gradually.
Hoka Mafate 5
The Hoka Mafate 5 is a maximally cushioned neutral trail shoe aimed at technical terrain and ultra distances. A dual-density midsole with a supercritical foam top layer adds comfort over long hours, and the Vibram Megagrip outsole with deep Traction Lug lugs provides solid grip. Our product page lists a 44 / 36 mm stack and an 8 mm drop. It is the choice for long mountain days beyond Collserola.
Quick guide: which trail shoe for Collserola?
- One shoe for everything in Collserola: Hoka Speedgoat 7
- Rain, mud and winter: Hoka Speedgoat 7 GTX
- Firmer, ground-connected feel for long runs: On Cloudultra 3
- Carretera de les Aigües and wide tracks: Mount to Coast M1
- Rocky terrain, zero drop: Altra Olympus 275
- Ultra trail and long mountain days: Hoka Mafate 5
A few tips before you go
Collserola paths can be busy with walkers and cyclists, especially at weekends, so keep it friendly on shared tracks. Carry water on warm days, as some routes have few refill points, and pack a light layer for the climbs towards Tibidabo. Finally, break in new trail shoes on shorter runs before taking them on a long outing. You will find caps, socks and more in our running accessories, and all our trail shoes in the trail running collection.
Try them in Barcelona
Trail shoes fit and feel very differently from one brand to the next, so come and try them on. Visit COLLECT Running, Carrer del Rec 26, El Born, our running and trail store, or COLLECT, Carrer de la Palla 25, in the Barri Gòtic. Our team runs these trails too and will help you find the right model and size. You can also browse all running shoes online. Size availability may vary between stores.
