Spring 2019 Trail Runner Survey Results

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Category: Trail Running

Each spring, the American Trail Running Association conducts a survey to measure trail running trends from our national audience. This year we had 1600 respondents. Complete survey results are made available to corporate members at the Switchback, Steep & Rocky and All-terrain levels.

The following selected outtakes are from our most recent trail running survey conducted in May/June of this year and the comparison from the 2018 spring survey. The following are selected survey highlights.

Trail Runner Participant Profile: (comparing 2019 vs. 2018 results)

  • 2019 – 58% male, 42% female (less than .5% undisclosed); 2018 – 51% male, 48% female (1% undisclosed).
  • 2019 – 27% ages 20-39, 56% ages 40-59; 2018 – 34% ages 20-39; 53% ages 40-59.
  • 2019 – 44% have been running more than 10 years; 2018 – 35% have been running more than 10 years.
  • 2019 – 43% run 3-5 days per week; 2018 – 44% run 3-5 days per week.
  • 2019 – 50% run 6-20 miles per week, 4.5% run more than 50 miles per week; 2018 – 48% run 6-20 miles per week; 5% run more than 50 miles per week.
  • 2019 and 2018 – 57% mix it up, some days preferring gnarly, some days gentle trail.
  • 2019 – 46% list single-track as their favorite type of trail, 46.5% list a mix of single track/winder paths/meadows; 2018 – 46% list single-track as their favorite type of trail; 44% list a mix of single track/wider paths/meadows.
  • 2019 and 2018 – 83% prefer a mix of ascending and descending.
  • 2019 – 66% will run 1-5 trail races this year; 2018 – 64% will run 1-5 trail races this year
  • 2019 and 2018 – 8% will run more than 10 races this year.
  • 2019 – 39.5% prefer racing 50K or longer, 9.5% prefer racing 10K or shorter, 3.5% don’t race; 2018 – 8% prefer racing 50K or longer; 12% prefer racing 10K or shorter; 5% don’t race.
  • 2019 – 70% will run one or more road races this year; 2018 – 74% will run one or more road races this year.
  • 2019 and 2018 – 34% of dog owners sometimes run with their dog on the trail.

Use of Activity Trackers:

  • 2019 – 55% record their trail runs with a Garmin; 2018 – 51% record their trail runs with a Garmin.
  • 2019 – 16.5% use Strava; 2018 – 17% use Strava.
  • 2019 – 14% don’t use a watch, or tracking device; 2018 -15% don’t use a watch, or tracking device.

Trail Finding Websites or Apps:

  • 2019 – 30% don’t use website or apps; 2018 – 34% don’t use websites or apps.
  • 2019 – 29% use Google Maps; 2018 – 30% use Google Maps.
  • 2019 – 29% use Strava; 2018 – 26% use Strava.
  • 2019 – 25% use Trail Run Project; 2018 – 20% use Trail Run Project.

Running Shoe, Sock, and Hydration Preferences:

  • 2019 – 61% typically wear ankle-length socks; 2018 – 64% typically wear ankle-length socks
  • 2019 and 2018 – 64% wear light-cushioned socks.
  • 2019 – 83% wear trail-specific shoes when training on the trails; 2018 – 78% wear trail-specific shoes when training on the trails.
  • 2019 – 83% wear trail-specific shoes when racing on the trails; 2018 – 77% wear trail-specific shoes when racing on the trails.
  • 2019 – When choosing a shoe, fit ranks highest, followed by comfort and gripping ability; 2018 – Fit and comfort rank highest followed by (light) weight and traction.
  • 2019 – 71% wear a hydration vest when training or racing; 2018 – 65% wear a hydration vest when training or racing.
  • 2019 and 2018 – 8% only hydrate before or after a run.
  • 2019 and 2018 – When choosing hydration equipment, comfort and fit rank highest, followed by (light) weight, pockets and storage.

Top Seven Running Shoe Brands 2018 vs 2019:

  1. 2018 – Altra 19.9% – Altra 20.9%
  2. Hoka One One 14.6% – Hoka One One – 18.6%
  3. Brooks 12.3% – Salomon – 12.4%
  4. Salomon 11.9% – Brooks – 10%
  5. Saucony 8.7% – Saucony – 8.9%
  6. La Sportiva 5.6% – La Sportiva – 5.3%
  7. New Balance 4.7% – New Balance 4.9%

Past Survey Summaries:

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