I was excited to try the rabbit High Country trail running shoe. rabbit, known for its premium running apparel, has taken a bold step into footwear with its first-ever trail shoe: the High Country. Designed for those who log serious miles in technical environments, this shoe is a solid statement from the Santa Barbara-based brand.
Before trying the rabbit High Country trail running shoe, I had a few questions:
Is the rabbit High Country trail shoe good for ultramarathons?
Yes, the rabbit High Country is built with ultra-distance trail running in mind. It combines a high-cushion Flowstate foam midsole, embedded Carbon Trax plates for adaptive support, and a durable 360 GRIP outsole for multi-surface traction.
Does the rabbit High Country trail shoe fit true to size?
Yes. The rabbit High Country trail running shoe fits true to size. The toe box has enough room for natural splay without feeling sloppy, and the gusseted tongue and cushioned collar provide a locked-in, stable feel. Those with especially wide feet may want to try before buying, but the fit is generally secure and performance-oriented.
What type of terrain is the rabbit High Country best for?
The rabbit High Country is designed for a wide range of trail conditions, including rocky, muddy, and loose terrain. Its 360 GRIP outsole with 4mm lugs provides reliable traction on climbs and descents, while the quick-drying upper and reinforced toe protect against trail debris.
How does the rabbit High Country compare to Hoka trail shoes?
While the rabbit High Country shares a similar max-cushion silhouette with Hoka models, it offers a firmer, more responsive ride thanks to its Flowstate foam and Carbon Trax plates. The insole grip technology and thoughtful fit features make it feel more secure, especially on technical trails.
Is the rabbit High Country worth the $180 price tag?
The rabbit High Country offers great value at $180. You get premium features like a carbon plate, dual insole system, sustainable materials, and performance-tested traction.
Now, let’s get into an honest rabbit High Country trail running shoe review.
Quick Facts
Price: $180
Weight: 11.1 oz (Men’s), 9.4 oz (Women’s)
Drop: 5 mm
Stack Height: 38 mm heel / 33 mm forefoot
Category: Trail running
Best for: Daily trail runs, ultras, long mountain adventures
This shoe marks rabbit’s next big move after the Dream Chaser road shoe. It’s always risky for an apparel brand to enter the crowded trail shoe market, but rabbit didn’t take this lightly, and they do a darn good job.
Rather than chasing trends, rabbit looked at the essentials: fit, grip, and comfort. The result is a shoe feels like a seasoned trail model. It would make sense since one of the owners of rabbit is an accomplished trail runner. I am actually shook this is their first trail running shoe.
rabbit High Country Trail Running Shoe Fit
The upper on the High Country strikes a balance between durability and breathability. Made from 60% recycled engineered jacquard mesh, it’s lightweight, drains quickly, and has enough structure to prevent blowouts. The fit feels secure without squeezing the midfoot or forefoot…though runners with especially wide feet might find it snug.
One standout feature is the gusseted tongue, which keeps rocks and debris from sneaking into the shoe. The cushioned collar adds comfort for long runs and helps lock the heel in place without causing irritation. Toe protection is reinforced but not bulky, so you still feel agile on tricky terrain.
The best running shoe uppers disappear off your feet, and I haven’t had any issues with the rabbit High Country trail running shoe. It fit comfortably the moment I put it on and has since been very comfortable. I’m a fan. This upper seems actually built for trails, and it doesn’t overdo it on overlays or unnecessary padding, seams, and overlays.
In running shoes, I wear between a women’s size 10–11 wide, and the rabbit High Country trail running shoe has fit the best. I haven’t had any issues with hot spots or blisters. If you have wider feet, you’ll want to try this on just to make sure it fits well.
rabbit High Country Trail Running Shoe Ride
The High Country midsole uses rabbit’s proprietary Flowstate Foam, a lightweight ETPU that gives you bounce without turning your foot into a marshmallow. It’s soft enough for long hauls but responsive enough to pick up the pace on downhills or smooth fire roads. For me, I prefer something that is responsive on trails.
Sandwiched inside the midsole is rabbit’s hidden secret: Carbon Trax™ plates. These carbon plates don’t make the shoe feel rigid. Instead, they add a subtle snap and stability, especially noticeable on climbs and technical descents. Think of them more as stabilizers than rockets, which is ideal for long trail efforts.
There’s also an EVA carrier around the midsole to help manage impact and keep the ride stable when the terrain gets uneven. Whether you’re racing a 50K or cruising a local loop, the cushioning and structure deliver all-day comfort without turning sloppy.
Where does the rabbit High Country trail running shoe fit into my rotation? Obviously, for trails. I’m lucky…I have about 50 miles of desert trails in my backyard. I’ve found the rabbit High Country trail running shoe comfortable for any amount of mileage I want to run.
I’m not running ultramarathons, but for 2 or even 3-hour runs, it’s been great. Despite being on the heavier side of running shoes, I can pick up the pace without feeling like I have cinderblocks on my feet.
Insole
I don’t usually have a whole section dedicated to insoles, but the rabbit High Country trail running shoe has a very unique insole.
rabbit worked with Blumaka to create a Non-Slip Konnect™ insole with Zonal Grip™ tech. In plain terms: the insole itself helps keep your foot from sliding around in the shoe. It’s a clever upgrade that trail runners will appreciate, especially on steep grades and off-camber terrain.
For those who prefer a more traditional feel, rabbit includes a secondary EVA insole in the box. Swapping between them is easy.
As mentioned, you don’t often hear people rave about insoles, but in this case, the added grip and precision feel like an upgrade, not a gimmick.
Outsole
In trail running shoes, traction is essential. The 360 GRIP outsole features aggressive, multi-directional lugs that offer serious bite on a wide variety of surfaces. Whether you’re hitting wet rocks, loose dirt, or dry desert trails, the outsole does its job without feeling overly stiff. Most of my terrain is dry desert trails but I haven’t fallen due to terrain.
The rubber compound itself is sticky enough for technical sections but durable enough to hold up over high mileage. I haven’t had any issues with the traction. I’ve taken it on loose rocks, gravel, and more without fear of falling or hurting myself. The lug depth (4mm) isn’t excessive, making the shoe versatile enough to handle some road or hard-packed segments when needed.
As far as durability, I expect the rabbit High Country trail running shoe to last around 400 miles. I now have just over 50 miles on mine with no issues or signs it will wear down.
rabbit High Country Trail Running Shoe Conclusion
The rabbit High Country is a great trail shoe, period. It brings together a secure fit, durable grip, and responsive cushioning in a package that’s versatile enough for short runs or long adventures. While the $180 price point is on the mid to more expensive end, the sustainable materials and performance make it worth it.
Who Should Buy the rabbit High Country trail running shoe
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Trail runners and ultrarunners looking for cushion and control
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Runners who want a secure, locked-in fit (especially with the Blumaka insole)
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Anyone who appreciates sustainably made gear
Who Should Not Buy the rabbit High Country trail running shoe
- Runners who prefer minimalist or zero-drop shoes
- Those who mostly run on flat, buffed-out trails…you can probably use a road shoe!
My Current Shoe Rotation:
Easy/Daily Runs: Altra Experience Flow 2, Salomon Aero Glide 3, Mizuno Neo Zen, Topo Magnifly 5, Antepes Muscle Runners, adidas Adizero Evo SL, Newton Gravity 12, ASICS Superblast 2
Long Runs: Topo Specter 2, 361 Degrees Eleos Shoe Review
Trail Running/Hiking: 361 Futura, Speedland SL: PDX, Hoka Tecton X 3
Races/Speedwork: Adidas adizero adios pro 4, 361 Degrees Furious Future 2.0, ASICS Metaspeed Edge Paris, Puma Fast-R Elite 3, Nike Streakfly 2, Nike Vaporfly 4
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