Taking your running routine off-road means picking up a sturdy pair of trail running shoes.

Modern trail running shoes use less fabric, but give you more support on the tougher terrain. Before you leave the streets and head for the hills, take a look at some great examples of the new generation of off-road footwear.

Here are 5 best trail running shoes for men.

Saucony Men’s Outlaw - $80.00

The Saucony Outlaw packs extra protection catering to the mountain runner looking for aggressive traction and ankle support to take on extreme terrain. All that comes in a lightweight package that won’t weigh you down or slow your stride. The shoes weigh a mere 11.5 ounces, offering top-notch protection without adding any bulk. The product’s most striking feature is the high-top-inspired collar design, useful for technical trails marked by loose debris and big obstacles. Where there is a risk of rolling your foot the Saucony Outlaw protects and conquers. This best trail running shoe is for runners seeking ankle support who head along punishing backcountry trails. The ample cushioning and agile response should keep you moving fast and smoothly.

La Sportiva Vertical K - $80.00

The La Sportiva Vertical K is one of the best trail running shoes for minimalist runners seeking to take on the trail. The shoe is equipped with a low heel-to-toe drop that gives strong underfoot protection. It’s also ultra-light, weighing just 6.9 ounces. Its lack of baggage enables runners to pick up the pace without losing footing. For traction, the shoe is fitted with a sticky rubber compound, Frixion XF, made by La Sportiva. The compound is designed to give you tremendous grip on rocky surfaces and technical terrain, and targets the trail racer who wants to shave every possible ounce of unnecessary weight. Besides trail running, the Vertical K is suitable for speed training due to it’s ultra-light design.

ASICS Men’s GEL-Fuji Racer - $110.00

The versatile ASICS Men’s GEL-Fuji Racers are designed to cater to both flat and raw trail running. The gel cushioning tucked into the heel means you can run on the roughest terrain without feeling the bite of the scree. Better yet, the GEL-Fuji Racers are lightweight and well-ventilated, making them exceptionally comfortable, and one of the best running shoes for men you can find.

New Balance Winter 110 - $89.99

The New Balance 110 trail running shoe pairs lightweight design with winter-specific materials. The most important technical feature of the New Balance Winter 110 is the RockStop in the forefoot that shields you against the nasty impact of stones and debris. The aggressive lugged outsole gives the minimalist shoe maximum traction on all types of terrain. Weighing just 7.75 ounces means the shoes won’t weigh you down. The 4mm heel-to-toe drop is meant to mimic the natural shape of the foot, providing a more fitted feel.

Hoka Stinson Evo Trail - $170.00

While heavier than the other best trail running shoes featured here, the Hoka Stinson Evo Trail’s extra weight (10.4 ounces) means an unwavering sense of stability. With the shoes on, trail runners can run over rubble and through puddles with equal ease. Better yet, the shoes have a highly-engineered design. They feature vertical sidewalls with an adaptive decoupling zone and late meta-rocker in the forefoot making the Stinson Evo Trail extremely nimble. The ideal usage is mid to long distance on varied terrain. Thanks to the midsole foam, touted as 30 percent softer than the fabric deployed, your feet will never feel worn out.

Know any other top trail running shoes? Let us know in the comments below or @DegreeMen on Twitter.