One thing that is useful is to see what shows others are using on the trail.
Surveys have their weaknesses, but they do tell you something.
For the Appalachian Trail (from The Trek, affiliate marketing links preserved):
1) Altra (166)
2) HOKA ONE ONE (88)
- Speedgoat (77)
- Most popular models: 4 & 5
- Mafate Speed (2)
- Torrent (2)
3) Topo Athletic (34)
- Ultraventure (22)
- Terraventure (5)
4) Brooks (22)
5) Salomon (21)
- X Ultra (7) (some GTX [Eg waterproof], some not)
- XA Pro 3D (4)
- Speedcross (4)
6) Merrell (16)
- Moab (10)
7) Saucony (9)
- Peregrine (9)
8) Oboz (9)
- Sawtooth (5)
9) The North Face (7)
https://thetrek.co/appalachian-trail/the-top-footwear-on-the-appalachian-trail-2022-thru-hiker-survey/
- Vectiv (7)
I’ve worn Northface 109, 110. Merrell (by which they mean Moab 2). Speedgoats and ATRs. Altras. Salomons. Generally they all were decent. I’m actually still sad the Altras hurt my knees because they were so comfortable.
I’ve also worn La Sportiva Wildcats and have looked at Topos. All are great shoes.
For the Pacific Crest Trail (from Halfway Anywhere, affiliate marketing links preserved):
# SHOES RATING PRICE WEIGHT HEEL-TOE DROP # USED
1 Oboz Sawtooth II Low (M/W) 9.50/10 $115 31.2 oz / 885 g 15 mm 5.50
2 HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat 4 (M/W) 8.75/10 1452 1.6 oz / 612 g 4 mm 4.893
3 Topo Ultraventure Pro (M/W) 8.62/10$15020.8 oz / 590 g 5 mm 4.89
4 Topo Ultraventure 2 (M/W) 8.59/10$13520.8 oz / 590 g5 mm4.57
5 Salomon XA Pro 3D(M/W) 8.57/10 $130 24 oz / 680 g 11 mm 4.00
6 Altra Lone Peak 4.5(M/W) 8.44/10 N/A 21 oz / 595 g 0 mm 5.37
7 Altra Olympus 4(M/W) 8.24/10 $170 21 oz / 595 g 0 mm 4.66
8 Altra Lone Peak 5(M/W) 8.14/10 $130 18.4 oz / 522 g 0 mm 4.58
9Brooks Cascadia 15(M/W) 8.11/10$13022 oz / 624 g 8 mm 4.89
10Merrell Moab 2 Ventilator(M/W) 8.08/10 $100 31 oz / 879 g
https://www.halfwayanywhere.com/trails/pacific-crest-trail/pct-hiker-survey-2022/