Trail runners encounter more obstacles than the average pavement runner. We deal with bruising rocks and slick mud all too often, and hungry predators await us at every switchback. Thus, trail-running shoes tend to offer extra sole and toe protection, more aggressive tread, and an overall heavier weight. (You’re on your own with the predators.)

But this added protection goes directly in opposition to the burgeoning minimalist running-shoe trend, which advocates thinner soles and lighter shoes for a more barefoot-like running experience. Keen’s A86 TR trail shoe finds a happy middle ground between the two, by bringing a lighter weight and more-minimal profile to trail running.

The Keens have an airy mesh upper that helps the shoe stay light (a svelte 8.5 ounces for my size 10.5 dogs) and allows excess heat and moisture to escape during warm-weather runs. The mesh is so airy, in fact, that when you hold it up to the light, you can see through it.

I loved these runners the second I put them on. The shoe’s upper wrapped snugly around my feet, but was stretchy enough to feel supportive rather than restrictive. The footbed is just soft enough to be comfortable without sacrificing tactile sensation. The polyurethane midsole is also noticeably soft.

The cushioning feels great just walking around, riding the line between pillowy and supportive. Running on trail, the footbed allowed my foot to flex and bend naturally, and the cushioning left my foot feeling protected enough for me to pick up the pace. And when I really pushed it, the shoes were hugely responsive.

The most notable (and most commented-on) feature is the off-center lacing, which starts at the top of the foot at the tongue, but takes a slight turn out, then suddenly veers toward the big toe at about the halfway point of the shoe. Other than drawing attention to itself, the off-camber lacing actually serves a purpose — it follows the contour of the foot, creating a seam that follows the foot’s natural seam as it flexes. It helps the shoe to mimic exactly how the foot moves, improving the fit and eliminating blister-causing wrinkles in the material.

The 3-mm multidirectional lugs on the outsole don’t look overly aggressive, but they maintain traction on loose dirt and gravel, and they even held firm when I was whipping around some muddy downhill switchbacks.

You can’t have everything, though. The shoe’s light weight and soft feel come with a price: There’s no rock plate. If you step on an especially pointy rock, you’re going to feel it. And you’re going to swear.

Also, the coloring is a bit … aggressive. Believe it or not, the black, blue, and yellow pair I tested are the least eye-gouging color scheme Keen offers in this shoe model.

As a minimalist trail shoe, it rides the line perfectly between a traditional shoe and a barefoot runner. The low heel (with a 4-mm drop) and flexible sole allow for a wide range of motion, but the soft midsole provides the cushioning that a barefoot shoe doesn’t. And it just might be the most comfortable running shoe I’ve ever worn, trail or otherwise.

WIRED Extremely comfortable and lightweight, especially for a more-rugged trail shoe. Nice balance between barefoot style and more-supportive runner. Good traction on trails.

TIRED Color scheme isn’t for the faint of heart. Protection here is minimal.

Photo by Jon Snyder/Wired.com