Spring 2021 Trail Runner Survey Results

Each spring, the American Trail Running Association conducts a survey to measure trail running trends from our national audience. This year we had over 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 with data comparisons to our 2020 spring survey. The following are selected survey highlights.

Trail Running Training

2021 Trail Runner Participant Profile [vs. 2020]:

  • Gender of survey participants. [2021] 53% male, 46% female vs. [2020] 56% male; 42% female.
  • Age range of survey participants. [2021] 20% ages 20-39, 58% ages 40-59 vs. [2020] 24% ages 20-39; 57% ages 40-59
  • How long have you been running on the trails? [2021] 51% more than 10 years vs. [2020] 47%
  • How many days per week do you run on trails? [2020 and 2021] 44% run 3-5 days per week
  • How many miles do you run per week? [2020 and 2021] 48% run 6-20 miles, 5% run more than 50 miles vs. [2021] 4% run more than 50 miles vs. [2020] 5%.
  • What type of trail surface to you typically run on? [2021] 58% mix it up, some days preferring gnarly, some days gentle trail vs. [2020] 55%
  • What is your favorite type of trail? [2021] 47% list single-track as favorite type of trail vs. [2020] 44%
  • What kind of trail running do you prefer? [2021 and 2020], 83% prefer a mix of ascending and descending.
  • How many races will you run this year? [2021 and 2020], 73% will run 1-5 races and 4% will run more than 10 races this year.
  • What is your favorite trail race distance? [2021] 38% prefer racing 50K or longer, 5% prefer racing 10K or shorter, 4% don’t race vs. [2020] 28% prefer racing 26 miles or more, 35% prefer between 6-14 miles
  • Do you run on trails with a dog? [2021 and 2020], 32% responded “yes”

Pandemic-related responses:

How has the amount of time you spend trail running changed since the start of the pandemic March 2020?

  • I spend the same amount of time trail running – 56%
  • I spend more time trail running – 28%
  • I spend less time trail running – 16%

Have you explored any new trails since the start of the pandemic March 2020?

  • Yes, I’m enjoying some new trails – 40%
  • A little of both. I run the same trails and I’m exploring new trails – 37%
  • I’m running the same trails – 21%
  • I don’t run on trails – 2%

How many trail races do you plan to run virtually in 2021?

  • None – 83%
  • One to 5 – 16%
  • 6 or more – 1%
Gnar Gnar

Use of Activity Trackers and Training Logs:

More survey respondents are running with GPS watches in 2021; the most since we’ve been doing surveys.

  • Do you run with a GPS watch? [2021] 77% run with a GPS watch vs. [2020] 73%
  • Do you run with a GPS watch or smartphone app? [2021] 10% don’t use a GPS watch or smartphone app vs. [2020] 12%
  • Do you record you running mileage in a journal or calendar? [2021 and 2020] 13% responded “yes.”

Running Shoe, Sock, and Hydration Preferences:

Sock preferences are stable, more runners are using trail specific shoes and hydration vests.

  • What length socks do you wear while trail running? [2021] 49% typically wear ankle-length socks vs. [2020] 50%
  • What thickness of sock do you wear trail running? [2021] 62% of respondents said they wear light-cushioned socks vs. [2020] 64%.
  • Do you wear trail specific shoes while running on trails? [2021] 83% of respondents answered “yes” vs. [2020] 80%
  • Do you wear a hydration vest while running on trails? [2021] 71% of respondents answered “yes” vs. [2020] 64%
  • If you don’t wear a hydration vest, do you only hydrate before and after your run? [2021] 8% of respondents answered “yes” vs. [2020] 11%
  • What is your favorite brand of hydration vest? [2021] 43% of respondents choose Nathan, 31% Ultimate Direction, 24% CamelBak and 23% Salomon vs. [2020] 38% Nathan, 31% Ultimate Direction, 26% CamelBak and 20% Salomon.
inov-8 "innovates" again with the TRAILFLY ULTRA G 300 MAX

Top Seven Running Shoe Brands from 2018 to 2021:

Altra has been the #1 brand for survey respondents for the past four years but Hoka One One has gained share and is now tied with Altra for #1.

  1. Altra [2018] 19.9% vs. [2019] 20.9% vs. [2020] 20.8% vs. [2021] 22%
  2. Hoka One One [2018] 14.6% vs. [2019] 18.6% vs. [2020] 19.6% vs. [2021] 22%
  3. Salomon [2018] 11.9% vs. [2019] 10% vs. [2020] 10% vs. [2021] 11%
  4. Brooks [2018] 12.3% vs. [2019] 12.4% vs. [2020] 11.7% vs. [2021] 10%
  5. Saucony [2018] 8.7% vs. [2019] 8.9% vs. [2020] 7.8% vs. [2021] 8%
  6. La Sportiva [2018] 5.6% vs. [2019] 5.3% vs. [2020] 4.0% vs. [2021] 4%
  7. New Balance [2018] 4.7% vs. [2019] 4.9% vs. [2020] 4.0% vs. [2021] 3.5%

Past ATRA Survey Summaries: