IMO, the first thing you need to consider when getting a pair of barefoot shoes is how they fit your foot. It doesn't matter if it's the best on the trail if it is uncomfortable to you. Beyond that, I'm not a runner, so I can't speak to that specifically, but I can say that the Lithe seems to offer a little more structure and support when compared to the Pace or Dash so it may be better for gnarly terrain.