“In general, we are noticing many of these shoes have more of a road running influence than they do trail,” says Bodin. “So, there will be a mix of foams, midsole geometries, less attention to fit, and a more subtle outsole pattern compared to trail shoes.”

What Are the Benefits of Gravel Shoes?

In a word: versatility. You can lace up a gravel shoe at home with confidence that they’ll handle whatever lies ahead, provided you’re not hitting a really technical trail or ankle-deep mud.

“Many of the shoes in this category can run well on roads, gravel paths, and light trails," says Bodin. “That's not something that very many strictly road shoes or dedicated trail shoes can do.”

The more rockered midsoles aim to smooth your heel-to-toe transitions, cutting the calf muscle fatigue over uneven ground and on longer runs. They’re also often lighter than technical trail shoes, thanks to the smaller lugs, less pronounced rock plates, and lower levels of upper reinforcement. That serves up more agility than heftier trail shoes, so you can move faster and lighter over runnable ground.

Do Gravel Shoes Feel Different From “Regular” Trail Shoes?

“Yes and no,” says Bodin. A lot depends on the brand. Some companies, like Craft, have many gravel-specific options. Others, like Salomon and Hoka, use their redesigned road running shoes for their gravel category.

Gravel shoes also have limits, war...