trail running shoe advice?

Hi all, I realise this is a bit tangential to a tramping forum, but suspect that at least some of you may have advice. Can anyone recommend very cushioned trail running shoes for NZ type conditions, i.e. steep, heavily eroded, dirt/rock paths varying between bare rock, dust, and deep mud? We go trail running about once a week and our road running shoes are too slippery. We both have arthritic toes and ankles, and thus want cushioned shoes because minimalist shoes just don't absorb enough shock for our purposes. We've tried minimalism and it just hurts the arthritic joints too much, even though the change in technique is helpful. Basically it seems to be a choice between shoes with decent lugs but no real cushioning, e.g. the Inov8 or Salomon Speedcross type things, and shoes with decent cushioning but fairly useless tread, e.g. Asics Kahana (currently on special in our local running shoe shop). Any advice welcome!