Getting off the beaten path on the right foot

Running is good. Trail running is better. I saw the light on my first jog in the Santa Monica Mountains: No smoky diesels; just birds, vistas and white-tailed rabbits. The market for sturdy, supportive trail-running shoes is growing. Here are some of the best for when you head for the hills this winter.

-- Roy M. Wallack

A splashy rain shoe

Salomon X-A Pro GTX: Wet-weather version of a do-it-all shoe for street, trail and adventure racing.

Likes: Novel, practical Kevlar lacing system cinches tight with a pull (not by tying) and won’t come undone. Wide and comfy. Great for long runs that often cause feet to swell. Stylishly funky blue-yellow-red color scheme. Armored toe-cap shields the top of your toes. Gore-Tex inner bootie keeps you drier in rain.

Dislikes: Gore-Tex is expensive and too hot and sweaty for L.A. (Advice: Save $30 and buy the regular X-A Pro.)

Price: $120. (877) 272-5666; salomonsports.com.

A delicate balance

Montrail Diablo: An all-condition shoe designed for road and trail surfaces.

Likes: A form-fitted design that locks your foot in before you lace it, providing great stability on all surfaces. That’s due to a tall arch support in the foot bed and a one-piece, high-instep collar that wraps around from tongue to heel. The latter seals out dirt and rocks. Also, a high sidewall protects both sides of your feet.

Dislikes: Collar makes shoe difficult to get on and off. You’ll need to grab with two hands and yank hard.

Price: $100. (800) 826-1598; montrail.com.

Plowing through

Merrell Rip: Dedicated trail runner with heavy-duty construction.

Likes: Feels as if it could plow through anything. Deeply studded soccer-shoe-like sole grips surfaces. Large synthetic-leather cap at front end shields toes. Dense rubber sole and nylon plate add stiffness and protection against sharp rocks. Air-cushioned shock absorption.

Dislikes: Not designed to handle pavement running; studded sole will quickly wear down. Heaviest of the bunch at 14.5 oz. May be too stiff for some.

Price: $100. (888) 637-7001; merrell.com.

Fast but vulnerable

Adidas Supernova TR: Ultralight trail and street runner.

Likes: Feels very fast. At 12 ounces, it’s the lightest of the group. Big, grabby lugs on forefoot.

Dislikes: Little toes vulnerable due to lack of protection on side of shoes. Thin, tall studs on soles likely to wear out fast on pavement. Lacks the toe-to-heel plastic plate that other shoes offer, which adds stability and helps provide protection against rocks.

Price: $85. (800) 423-4327; adidas.com.