Tarkine Trail Devil 2: Trail Tested & Reviewed

Fast, fun and unapologetically loud, the Trail Devil 2 takes the best bits from the original and makes them better.

Tarkine have earnt a global following for good reason: sustainability creds, performance, and an appeal. Their second version of the popular Trail Devil brings a shoe that is lighter, and arguably more comfortable for a wider range of users.

The Shoe Stats

For those who need the stats, the Trail Devil 2 has a 6mm drop from a 39mm heel stack height. My size EU45.5 weighed 282g per shoe and the lug depth is a chonky 3.5mm. The inner soles are super slim and I fitted my custom orthotics for testing. Given I have a very wide foot, I bumped up to EU45.5 (I take a 44-45 in most shoes).

The Key Updates

The new upper has more structure than the previous edition with a midfoot wrap that hugs without squeezing. The wide toe box actually looks like a foot does, and gives your toes the room they need to breathe and splay. The updated tongue is minimal but feels better on-foot than it looks. I expected to be able to pull it up more than lacing to avoid any pinching, but once on the move, it wasn’t an issue.

Underfoot Feels

Underfoot, the PEBA-infused ZenFoam midsole is dreamy. Soft enough to cushion impact on rough fire trails and rocky descents, but not so much to lack connection. The low weight compared to my regular kicks did a lot to feel spritely. 

More than that, I feel Tarkine have struck a balance between an overly race-y shoe and a high-stack cruiser, as despite the wide forefoot (just like my foot) I did find the shoe placement more precise on technical terrain with less glances of edges (or calves) that I can get when tired with my regular high cushioned shoes.

Grip and Handling

Tarkine has also reworked the outsole with a new Claw rubber compound and lug pattern. While I always trust the grip of Vibram, the grip in dry and loose conditions along with damp was impressive, especially over fine gravel and compacted mud. I didn’t test them in absolute slop, but they were sure-footed for the test period.

Across a mix of terrain – mixed use paths, plus some fire roads and singletrack to grassy park loops and some light crushed gravel, the Trail Devil 2 handled each surface confidently with the rockered geometry helping the shoe roll through transitions. Tarkine have an option for those who stick to sealed surfaces, where the shoe feels a bit flat.

Sustainability and Final Verdict

Bonus points, as always, for Tarkine’s sustainability ethos. Recycled materials, an in-house recycling program, and ongoing environmental donations give this shoe a story that is worth telling, and worth supporting with your custom. The loud colours with Black-Purple jumped out of the box and are a nice change from either being totally fluoro or too muted.

On a lesser note, I feel the tongue could be a few millimetres taller, but Tarkine have delivered a fun, fast, and well-considered trail shoe from a proudly local brand with global ambition. If you like your trail shoes with a bit of flair and a lot of go, the Trail Devil 2 is absolutely worth a spin.

The Low Down

Great for: Technical and rough terrain, all weather conditions
Not so great for: Footpaths, cement
Ideal foot type: Neutral
Test terrain Fire trails, singletrack, grass, fine gravel, compacted mud

Vitals

RRP: $269.95 AUD / $299.90 NZD
Website: tarkine.com
Conditions: Shoes in Black-Purple provided for testing by Tarkine

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