Cross Country Shoe Review Fall 2016

SHOE REVIEW

by Cregg Weinmann

Cross Country Shoes Fall 2016 For serious runners, the school year can’t start without cross country. Your dedication during the summer, logging mile after mile, now gives you a chance to show your talent. Of course, you also need to be properly outfitted—especially on race day—so let’s get right to it. For Fall 2016, we feature 6 updated shoes and 3 new shoes for your consideration, which are more choices than in previous seasons. While all have similarities, it’s likely that a particular brand will suit your foot better than others, so your first stop should be at a specialty running store. We’ve said it before (for almost two decades!) and we’ll say it again: Get used to your new shoes by wearing them for some of your speed work in the last couple weeks before you begin racing. Look for updated information and additional reviews at runningproductreviews.com, on Facebook at Running Product Reviews, and on Twitter @shoes2run.

adidas XCS $70 Spike

The XCS receives some enhancement in its high-performance purpose, while maintaining its most efficient features.

There’s some clever thinking in the approach to its design, making this a nicely crafted update. The upper has been completely reworked, with a semi-open mesh and a rubbery printed surface—great for shedding mud and keeping the slop and grit from entering the shoe. The upper creates a kind of shroud, as internally there’s a gusseted partial bootie.

The outer portion has an asymmetrical opening, with lacing holes to adjust the fit. The bootie seals up the ankle, is soft enough for sockless wear, and makes the shoe close fitting, yet still flexing nicely with the foot. The low-profile, molded EVA midsole continues its effective cushioning into another season. The lugged Traxion® outersole is also a carryover. The spikeless version works well on paved and natural surfaces, while the spiked version’s 6-spike configuration offers even better traction on difficult natural courses. The XCS’ traction, fit, and low profile make it a worthy cross country option.

Sizes: Men 7–13,14,15; Women 5–12; Weight: Men 7.8 oz. (size 11, w/ 6 spikes); Women 6.2 oz. (size 8, w/ 6 spikes); Fit: snug throughout

Altra Golden Spike $90

Altra has broadened its footprint into the cross country category. The Golden Spike takes its name from that of Altra founder, Golden Harper, as well as the golden spike that commemorated the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in Utah, Altra’s home state. The upper is a ripstop minimesh supported by fused overlays, with a thin, sueded tongue and ankle collar. The fit is racer-snug in the heel. Up front, however, it broadens into the roomy “foot-shaped” fit Altra’s known for, though here it’s just a bit snugger since the Golden Spike is a racing shoe. The midsole is a dual layer setup, with Altra’s A-Bound compound nearest the foot. The outersole is minimal, and lugs run the length of the lateral side, with toughened foam lugs medially. A 5-spike arrangement, two under the first and second toes and a trio placed under the metatarsals, offers additional grip on natural surfaces.

Sizes: Unisex (Men) 4–13; Weight: Men 6.1 oz. (size 11, w/ 5 spikes); Fit: snug heel, roomy forefoot

ASICS Hyper XC $85

The Hyper XC has been a standby in the ASICS line, stretching back to the dawn of time—well, at least a decade or more. Taking visual cues from its sibling, the Cross Freak, the upper is a closed mesh with laminated no-sew overlays and has traditional overlays forming most of the rand. While not supersmooth, the interior is suitable for sockless use if you’re not supersensitive. The single-density EVA midsole has a co-molded medial shank that’s supportive, but flexible enough to keep from skating across harder ground. The outersole features numerous nibs, and its 5-spike setup effectively handles mud and softer ground. The protection, traction, and attractive price make the Hyper XC a solid choice for your cross country racing.

Sizes: Men 4–13,14; Women 5–10,11; Weight: Men 7.6 oz. (size 11, w/ 5 spikes); Women 6.0 oz. (size 8, w/ 5 spikes); Fit: snug heel, close forefoot

Brooks Mach 18 $100 Spike

Through 17 rounds, Brooks has provided excellent cross country performance with its Mach series. Round 18 carries on the tradition with ease, thanks to the work done in the previous round. The upper is a foot-hugging and flexible closed mesh, with printed overlays offering unobtrusive support, while keeping the weight in check. The midsole maintains its minimal foam wedge for a measure of protective cushioning underfoot. The outersole is the same diamond-shaped carbon rubber lugs centered in the forefoot, surrounded by a 5-spike plate with plastic teeth ringing the perimeter. The heel is completed with a crescent of sharkskin for added traction. While lightly touched with this update, the good news is that it’s enough.

Sizes: Men 6–13,14,15; Women 6–12; Weight: Men 5.9 oz. (size 11, w/ 5 spikes); Women 4.7 oz. (size 8, w/ 5 spikes); Fit: snug heel, very close forefoot

TIPS √ √ √ √ √

Differences in fit from one brand (or model) to the next allow most runners to find the racing shoe best suited for their particular foot type.

Two factors should influence your selection of a cross country racing shoe: how well it fits you and how it feels when you run in it.

Wear your racing shoes before the actual race, since the shoe’s low profile coupled with the intense effort of racing, can be tough on your soft tissue if you haven’t prepared well.

Cross country spikes are slightly better than spikeless shoes at gripping muddy or soggy ground, but they are limited to use on all-natural courses and are disallowed for high school use in California.

Spikeless models work almost as well as spikes in the mud. They also manage pavement, sidewalks, and rocky surfaces. In addition, they work well on indoor and outdoor tracks.

New Balance XC 5000 v3 $125

The XC 5000 v3 is the pinnacle of New Balance’s three tiers of cross country shoes. Progressing from Round 2, the upper is a closed minimesh with a full rand of printed overlays. The rearfoot and saddle are completely covered with this ultra-thin support, while the forefoot has a little wiggle room with bare mesh over the toes. The interior is smooth enough for barefoot use, and the tongue is stitched medially to keep it in place, while also improving the fit. The midsole has similar geometry to v2, but with contouring that adds visual appeal as well as performance. While the spike placement is the same, the entire outersole has been retooled, simplifying the design and making the sole more flexible, with at least the same traction. The full-length sole has been replaced by horseshoe-shaped rubber in the forefoot and the heel, separated by toughened foam. Pyramid-shaped points and a herringbone tread give a grippy traction to the rubber’s surface. The pyramid shapes continue along the toughened foam and deflect on uneven surfaces, providing protection and grip to complement the rubber portions. A 5-spike arrangement provides extra grip. The performance fits the expectation; your job is to make sure your preparation is equal to the task.

Sizes: Men 7–12,13; Women 5–11,12; Weight: Men 6.1 oz. (size 11, w/ 5 spikes); Women 4.8 oz. (size 8, w/ 5 spikes); Fit: snug heel, close forefoot

Nike Zoom XC $90

Nike invented the cross country shoe when a certain waffle iron was ruined while birthing a new sole pattern. The updated Zoom XC is its latest iteration. The upper is engineered mesh with minimal overlays: just enough to shape the toe and support the lateral eyestay and heel. The tongue is attached medially to hold it in place and anchor the foot more effectively. As before, the midsole is molded EVA and sculpted to cradle the foot, especially through the arch. The outersole features a perimeter of rubber, with molded chisel-pointed lugs. A 6-spike placement provides the bulk of the traction. Down the center, pyramid-shaped lugs of toughened foam conform to the ground, providing additional grip.

This combination of components and execution makes the Nike Zoom XC hard to beat.

Sizes: Men 4–13,14,15; Women 5–12; Weight: Men 5.2 oz. (size 11, w/ 6 spikes); Women 4.1 oz. (size 8, w/ 6 spikes); Fit: snug heel, close forefoot

Puma EvoSpeed Crossfox v3 $90

Puma is no stranger to cross country, with success in a number of championships at the highest international levels.

Updated for 2016, the Crossfox v3 now has an upper of a gauze-like mesh that allows the foot to release water (or sweat) through its fabric, while repelling mud, depending on conditions. Sueded linings feel soft against the foot for a no-socks experience. The tongue is gusseted medially to keep it fixed and is sueded for comfort. No-sew overlays (including the form stripe) add shape to the toe and upper. The midsole is single-density, molded EVA that offers firm cushioning and protection on natural courses. The molded rubber outersole is covered with fairly evenly spaced, chisel-shaped points for good traction that surround the five spike wells for even better traction—especially in muddy conditions. The versatility and function of the Crossfox v3 make it an excellent cross country choice.

Sizes: Men 7–12,13,14; Women 5.5–11,12; Weight: Men 6.7 oz. (size 11, w/ 5 spikes); Women 5.3 oz. (size 8, w/ 6 spikes); Fit: snug heel, close forefoot

Saucony Havok XC $85/$75 Spike/Spikeless

BEST SHOE Cross Country Fall 2016

With the introduction of the Havok XC, Saucony’s cross country line expands to four models. Targeted at the high school varsity level, the Havok steps up both the materials and performance for the developing racers, without the higher cost of its top-of-the-line shoes. The upper is a closed waffle mesh over the vamp, with a more open minimesh in the rear foot, a combination that allows heat and moisture to escape without letting the elements in. Flex-film, no-sew overlays in the forefoot and suede overlays in the rearfoot efficiently support and snug the fit, a byproduct of experience gained from its other cross country shoes. The midsole is full-length, single-density EVA, with a low-profile geometry that makes them well-suited to the varied terrain encountered in the sport. The outersole is full-length carbon rubber covered with numerous diamond-shaped lugs that follow the contours of the sole and features a footprint, complete with toes, molded into the bottom. The spiked version features six spikes in a Pebax nylon plate, not often seen at this price point. With the Havok, there’s now a Saucony cross country shoe for every runner.

Sizes: Men 7–13,14; Women 5–11,12; Weight: Men 6.9 oz. (size 11, w/ 6 spikes); Women 5.5 oz. (size 8, w/ 6 spikes); Fit: snug throughout

Under Armour Bandit XC $110 Spike/Spikeless

Under Armour has followed up its new track spike line with competition shoes for cross country. The new Bandit XC merges the conventional and the unconventional. The upper is a waffle-like mesh that’s got an open matrix so it’s breathable. Welded overlays lend good shape to the toe, and wrap back to the sides of the heel and its stiffer material. The rearfoot has a cuff that covers the ankle, lending support and securing the fit. The lacing is slightly offset, and a panel of synthetic leather supports the medial side of the foot. The midsole is a simple layer of EVA, and a low-profile geometry makes them efficient, just as one would expect. The outersole has a horseshoe-shaped forefoot and a Pebax nylon plate under the ball of the foot, with only lugs in the spikeless version, but with spikes as well as lugs in the spiked model. The heel is covered in sharkskin-patterned rubber for additional traction. The sum of the parts says the Under Armour team paid attention to the footwear details. All you have to do is run. Its fit, top-rated features, and performance earned the Bandit XC our award for best Cross Country Shoe.

Sizes: Unisex 3.5–12,13; Weight: Men 6.2 oz. (size 11, w/ 4 spikes); Fit: snug heel and ankle, close forefoot

Cregg Weinmann is footwear and running products reviewer for FORTIUS Media Group, LLC. He can be reached via email at shuz2run@lightspeed.net Copyright © 2016 by FORTIUS Media Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be stored, copied, or reprinted without prior written permission of FORTIUS Media Group, LLC. Reprinted here with permission.