Trailshoesspsum2015

SHOE REVIEW

by Cregg Weinmann

Trail Shoes Spring/Summer’15 The trails will be calling your name soon, if they haven’t already. We hope you’re listening because there’s some great running on the single track, fire roads, and hiking paths. To get you outfitted for them, we present our semiannual review of trail running shoes. We’ve taken a look at four updated shoes and four brand new shoes. Because trails vary considerably, so do trail shoes; therefore, you’ll want to select the ones best suited to the surfaces and types of running you’ll be doing. Don’t know where to begin? Start by taking a look at your road running shoes: If your preference is protection on the road, you’ll probably lean toward Responsive Trail shoes. If you gravitate toward Performance shoes on the road, Performance Trail is probably your best bet. Use these eight reviews as a starting point in your search for trail shoes. Then seek out the help of a specialty running retailer when possible. And don’t forget to visit www.runningproductreviews.com

ASICS GEL-FujiAttack 4 $110

The FujiAttack represents a successful synergy between Japanese and California trail influences, and the latest iteration is probably the best yet. Round 4 focuses largely on the upper with a few other touches. The upper features a stretch mesh over the toebox and tongue, with a handy lace “garage,” combined with an open mesh from the midfoot to the heel. Synthetic leather overlays form a nearly complete rand for protection, structure, and durability. Overlays extend from the rand to wrap the midfoot. The laces continuously adjust, thanks to a cord that runs through the overlays and incorporates the laces, adapting to the foot’s movement. The Solyte midsole has a firm feel and provides good surface feedback. The outersole is full-contact, with multidirectional, low-profile lugs for grip, plus a protective rock plate. This is a shoe that thrives on the trail and manages the roads getting there, all the while performing responsively.

“Adjusts well to the foot with a comfortable fit. Traction was really good. The wrap-around bumper on the front of the shoe is a protective reminder of the shoe’s function.”

RESPONSIVE TRAIL Sizes: Men 6–13,14,15; Women 5–12 Weight: 11.9 oz. (men’s 11); 9.7 oz. (women’s 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics

Brooks Cascadia $120

For a decade, the Cascadia has been Brooks’ solution to off-road running. Round 10 receives a needed overhaul that pushes it forward technologically. The upper received the most significant attention, with many of the sueded overlays replaced by welded, no-sew alternatives. Further changes to the upper include a full rand, rearfoot-only supports that extend to the lacing to break up the film overlays that are needed to anchor the heel and midfoot. The midsole received minor tweaks to the molding. Its geometry is retained, and the pivot points and shaping are much the same. The outersole has also received noteworthy attention. The flex grooves and lug placement are well-thought-out: Lugs are lined up with the pivot posts in a more deliberate way to ensure better articulation. The result is a significant improvement to this reliable trail cruiser.

“Wraps the foot well; nice and secure with a smooth feel. Good traction and protection. Felt confident on the trails.”

RESPONSIVE TRAIL Sizes: Men 7–13,14,15; Women 5–11,12 Weight: 13.2 oz. (men’s 11); 8.2 oz. (women’s 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobel board Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics

Hoka Challenger ATR $130

The Challenger ATR is the new trail version of Hoka’s lightest road shoe, the Clifton. Even though it’s a new shoe aimed at trail running, it benefits from the design and production of its sibling, giving it a useful head start. The upper is a closed mesh supported by no-sew overlays, which means the interior is smooth. The midsole is the expected tall stack height, with the flatter slope of 5mm geometry that handles the trail well. The ride is cushy, though not too soft, thanks to the foam. The outersole is a grippy, lugged design that comes in on the minimal side to save weight. All in all, the Challenger ATR does an admirable job providing protection, grip, and performance on the trails as well as the roads.

“Fit was good, but with several lacing options that allow me to dial it in. Great cushioning! Good grip for the trail.They did a good job for me.”

RESPONSIVE TRAIL Sizes: Men 7–13,14; Women 6–11 Weight: 9.9 oz. (men’s 11); 8.1 oz. (women’s 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobel board Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics

Inov-8 Race Ultra 270 $120

Though the Race Ultra 270 is new to the Inov-8 line, it gets its name the way all Inov-8 trail shoes do: from its function and mass in grams. The closed mesh upper has overlays of laminated film with traditional overlays at heel and toe, fairly beefy in the rearfoot. The interior is smooth and fairly supple. The midsole is low-profile, with good flexibility, responsiveness, and protection. A responsive ride couples well with the outersole, which provides some of the comfort and protectiveness of the ride. The outersole is a toothy tread that splits the difference between shark-like and low-profile, and is made of a rubber compound that offers extra grip in the loose stuff and traction on the smooth stuff. While the shoe is a tad heavy for a traditional racer, its function as an Ultra racer with its low-profile fit and feel makes it suitable for use on a variety of trail surfaces.

“Nice, smooth fit hugs the foot comfortably. Good light feel, low to the ground but with enough cushion to prevent feeling beat up. I like the performance, grip, and looks of this one.”

RESPONSIVE TRAIL Sizes: Men 8–13 Weight:11.5 oz. (men’s 11) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics

LaSportiva Helios SR $125

The Helios SR is a new shoe that builds on the design of some of La Sportiva’s most successful recent models. It bears a resemblance to its sibling, the Helios, but features a few new bells and whistles. The upper is closed mesh with welded overlays, the thickest of which makes up the saddle. The tongue is gusseted, and the interior linings are smooth against the foot. The midsole is injection-molded EVA in a wave-like configuration that flexes well and adds traction to the outersole by its shape. The outersole is a sticky rubber formulation and lends the “SR” to the name; the heel portion is La Sportiva’s Frixion rubber. The combination of these two compounds, along with multidirectional lugs and the negative space created by the sole’s geometry, provide effective traction. This is an effective, lightweight trail goat that’s a racer as well as a nimble performance flyer.

“Great racer fit. Very flexible, nicely cushioned, low profile. This one can really fly.”

RESPONSIVE TRAIL Sizes: Men 6–13; Women 6–11 Weight: 8.9 oz. (men’s 11); 7.3 oz. (women’s 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobel board Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics

BEST SHOE Trail

SPRING/SUMMER 2015

Montrail FluidFlex ST $95

The FluidFlex ST is the stable twin to the FluidFlex, Montrail’s neutral shoe. The upper has open mesh on the tongue and over the toes, while two other meshes combine to form the midfoot saddle and extend back to the heel. All three work together to wrap the foot well without inhibiting flexibility. The midsole uses the same tooling as the FluidFlex, though here they’ve used pellets of several densities, intentionally arranged to make a cradle of denser foam under the midfoot. The result adds a bit of stability, while maintaining the flexibility of the trail racer that’s the heart of the FluidFlex shoes. The outersole is Gryptonite rubber, again, mirroring the neutral model and providing traction to get the job done. The bottom line? The stability, traction, and versatility of the FluidFlex ST earned it our award for Best Trail Shoe.

“I’m impressed with the fit; it wraps my foot nicely. The traction, flex, and feel are really great on the trails here in the Sierras.”

RESPONSIVE TRAIL Sizes: Men 7–13,14,15; Women 5–11 Weight: 9.9 oz. (men’s 11); 8.1 oz. (women’s 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobel board Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics to moderate overpronation

New Balance 1210 Leadville $125

The 1210 is named for one of the iconic races of the Ultra marathon scene, the Leadville 100. Version 2 maintains the best of the original while incorporating the usual material and design upgrades. The upper shifts to a more closed mesh, updated nosew overlays across the saddle and heel, with a traditional synthetic toecap for protection—all similar to Version 1. The tongue is gusseted to keep out trail debris, and because it stays in place well (rather than sliding back and forth), the fit is improved.

The midsole is the same chassis as before: a fairly firm foam formulation with geometry built for stability and protection, a rock plate in the forefoot as well as the N2 element lending its cushioning. The outersole is also retained, its moderately toothy and effective lugs offering good traction without hindering flexibility. The long and short of it is that the 1210 v2 is a protective, moderate-weight trail shoe designed for long-distance.

“Snug heel fit with plenty of toe room. Decent flexibility with the rock plate providing good trail protection. Good job on the traction as well.”

RESPONSIVE TRAIL Sizes: Men 7–12,13; Women 5.5–10,11 Weight: 11.5 oz. (men’s 11); 9.3 oz. (women’s 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobel board Recommended for: low- to medium-arched feet with neutral biomechanics

Skechers GoRun Ultra 2 $90

The GoRun Ultra proved to be a surprisingly effective trail running shoe, with its well-cushioned, oversized sole. Round 2 maximizes the positive, steps up the aesthetics, and focuses on the upper’s fit and performance. The Ultra 2 has a completely redesigned upper, with the overlays, both traditional and welded varieties, combining to form a complete rand. The stretchy mesh that extends from tongue to toe both conforms nicely to the foot and flexes well as the foot moves. The lacing options also accommodate a variety of fit needs. The midsole and outersole remain unchanged: a top layer of fairly soft foam that cushions surprisingly well and resists bottoming out, and a tough outersole that adds a touch of cushioning while conforming to the trail surface—even if it’s paved.

“Fit wrapped the foot; felt supportive and flexed nicely as I moved. The sole has amazing cushion, good traction. It’s my favorite.”

RESPONSIVE TRAIL Sizes: Men 7–12,13; Women 5.5–10,11 Weight: 10.1 oz. (men’s 11); 8.2 oz. (women’s 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: slip-lasted Recommended for: low- to medium-arched feet with neutral biomechanics Cregg Weinmann is footwear and apparel editor for the Running Network LLC, which is solely owned by FORTIUS Media Group, LLC. The Running Network and its 42 partners provide daily reviews of product via runningproductreviews.com All content, regardless of media delivery system, is copyrighted by the Fortius Media Group, LLC. Cregg can be reached at shuz2run@lightspeed.net.

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