For women who prefer running on dirt over hard concrete, stability and comfort are what to look for in a trail running shoe. If you're prone to injury or have foot problems like plantar fasciitis, you may want something more specialized.  But for the average woman who runs on dirt, grass or sand, you probably just want shoes that help you avoid slipping or tripping on uneven ground and protect you from other hazards of running outdoors on irregular trails. Here are more tips for finding the best trail runners for your feet by makers such as Salomon, Asics, New Balance, Brooks, and other brands.

Reviews have shown the top rated, absolute best trail running shoes for women include the following. The best news? Most of these are under $100 as of this writing.

• The New Balance 800 (an Editor's Choice at Runner's World)
• The Asics GT-2130 (with great motion control, traction, and debris repellent properties, according to the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine)
• Vasque Aether Tech SS (great for rough terrain)
• La Sportiva Crosslite (shedding mud easily with large, widely spaced lugs)
  
• The Brooks Cascadia 4, with a biodegradable "BioMoGo" midsole, resists accumulating mud and is very popular among those with an even gait or who overpronate only mildly.  This shoe follows the Brooks Cascadia 3, which earned special note and multiple awards for being water resistant, resisting rock damage, and remaining nicely flexible.

• Trail runners should have stiff soles with good tread. But you don't want the soles so rigid that they lock your foot up until you can't move.
  
• Choose shoes made with a firm midsole that provides a barrier to any sharp objects on which you might tread.
• You don't need a lot of cushioning on the trail--in fact, too much cushioning can mean instability. Unlike on concrete or tarmac, the ground provides enough give to make up for what the shoe lacks.
• Make sure the lugs on the trail runners aren't tight and deep, or they'll be mud magnets.
• The best trail running shoes are those that are matched for your gait--you may be a supinator or over-pronator or have an irregular gait. So try them on with socks, walk around inside over mounds of clothing or even on a futon propped up unevenly, and practice the kind of trail walking you'd be doing.
• Waterproof isn't necessarily better. Waterproof uppers may not breathe enough for your comfort and foot health.
• Since the risk of running injury is more important than fashion on the trail--honestly, they're looking at what's above the feet--don't be afraid of getting last year's shoe models. You can often find discontinued models, colors or fabrics on sale.
  
• Don't be fooled by a neat and clean outer appearance. Replace your trail runners after about 300 miles of use.