Craft Pure Trail Pro Review
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This was my first time trying a pair of Craft shoes. I had seen the brand before but never pulled the trigger. When the Craft Pure Trail Pro came out, I figured it was time. The shoe looked fast and rugged, and I had the perfect test in mind: a 50-mile trail race called Dances with Dirt Gnaw Bone in Nashville, Indiana. That course has over 7,000 feet of climbing, river crossings, muddy horse trails, and nasty hills. If a shoe could handle that, it could handle anything.
I ordered the same size I wear in Hokas, size 13, and the fit felt right from the start. I had enough room in the toe box, and the shoe didn’t feel too tight or too loose. My feet felt secure and ready to move.
Fit and Comfort
Craft really nailed the heel fit. The heel stayed locked in place whether I was climbing steep hills, descending loose gravel, or running flats. My foot never slipped. I think that level of security is one of the strongest points of the shoe.
The upper material feels tough. It’s made from ripstop polyester and reinforced with TPU in high-stress areas. There’s also a protective toe cap. These features help the shoe handle abuse on rocky or rooty trails. The material isn’t super soft or stretchy, though. I felt some pressure on the outside of my pinky toe during longer training runs. Also, the heel collar came up a little too high and hit my ankle bone in a way that became irritating over time.
Cushioning and Ride
The midsole uses Craft’s Cr Foam Pro, a nitrogen-infused EVA with 15% PEBA mixed in. This setup gives the shoe a firm but springy feel. I noticed solid energy return on climbs and descents. It’s not as soft as some plush shoes, but it doesn’t feel dead either. There’s enough cushion underfoot to handle longer miles without beating you up.
With a 36mm heel and 30mm forefoot, the shoe has a 6mm drop, which is a sweet spot for trail running. It gives a bit of forward momentum without making me feel like I’m tipping forward.
My size 13 pair weighed 13.4 ounces, which isn’t exactly light. I definitely felt that weight on longer runs, especially when picking up the pace or pushing up climbs.
Traction and Stability
The outsole comes from a collaboration with Vittoria, a tire company. The rubber grips really well, even in wet and muddy conditions. The 5mm lugs are deep and aggressive, and the tread pattern does a good job on loose dirt, wet rocks, grass, and steep slopes.
I tested them on everything from sand dunes to slippery hills. The grip never let me down. I felt confident on technical sections and downhills. If traction is important to you, this shoe delivers.
Performance in Training
I trained in this shoe over several 10 to 20 mile runs to prepare for my race. The performance was solid overall. I liked the grip and the locked-in feel. I also enjoyed the ride on both technical and smoother trails.
But during those longer runs, two things stood out in a negative way. First, the heel collar irritated my ankle bone. Second, the upper felt stiff, and that caused some pressure on my left pinky toe. These issues didn’t show up on short runs, but they built up over time. Because of that, I decided not to wear them for my 50-mile race. I just didn’t want to take that risk with so many hours on my feet.
Final Thoughts
The Craft Pure Trail Pro is a well-built, high-performance trail running shoe. It excels in grip, heel lockdown, and protection. The midsole provides responsive cushioning that works well across various surfaces. The Vittoria outsole is a standout feature, offering excellent traction in all conditions.
But for me, the shoe came up short in comfort over long distances. The high heel collar and the stiffness of the upper caused some discomfort, especially after the 10-mile mark. If you run shorter trail races or train on rugged trails where grip and protection matter most, this shoe could be a great fit.
The shoe costs $189.99, which puts it in the same range as other high-end trail shoes. It comes in two color options. I went with the black and orange, and I think it looks great, aggressive and trail-ready. If you’re curious or want to try them out, you can find more information or order a pair directly from Craft’s official website or amazon.com.
