Even though I’ve been fortunate enough to have tested nearly every trail shoe released on the market since the late 1990s (having served as a shoe reviewer for numerous running magazines and as president of the American Trail Running Association), I hadn’t heard of VJ Shoes until an East Coast trail friend recommended I test their XTRM model. He said it held up well and provided exceptional traction on the wet granite and mud-slickened trails of his neck of the woods. He gave me this advice even though he is sponsored by a different shoe brand, so I knew I had to check the shoes out.

Doing some research, I learned that in 1981, a frustrated orienteer and shoemaker from the small town of Orivesi located in the dense forests of central Finland, unable to find suitable footwear for his sport that involves navigating rough terrain between checkpoints on a map, started VJ Shoes in order to outfit himself with a durable product that has exceptional grip. His company is now the footwear of choice for many obstacle course racers, Skyrunners, and orienteers in a variety of countries.

The XTRM 2 is the brand’s top-selling shoe. That popularity stems mainly from the superb traction provided by the shoe’s six-millimeter lugs built of butyl rubber, a signature technology of VJ Shoes. “Butyl Rubber creates a unique grip for all surfaces, wet or dry,” says Matt Gorski, VJ Shoe’s U.S. operations manager. “Our athletes and customers tell us it really does have the best grip on the planet.”

Vulcan Grip

Gorski says the powers that be at VJ Shoes Finnish world headquarters are not comfortable sharing the details on the butyl rubber ingredients and manufacturing process, explaining only that, “It is a difficult, long, and expensive process.” Compared to standard carbon or blown rubber outsoles, Gorski says the butyl rubber is quite a bit more advanced at a molecular level, producing its superior gripping performance.

More research revealed that the challenge of butyl rubber’s production is attributed to the vulcanization process. (I’ve always wanted to use the term “vulcanization.” I mean who wouldn’t want their soles to live long and prosper?) The vulcanization process, it seems, serves to tie the rubber molecules together to form a single large molecule that does not melt as it heats or get brittle as it cools.

The resulting butyl rubber is flexible and—because it is impervious to gases, and both chemical and weather resistant—very durable. Gorski says, however, that the durability of their outsoles is average compared to those used by the other trail running brands because VJ Shoes uses a softer formulation. “Some use harder material and sacrifice the grip for durability,” he says. “But that is not our mindset when making performance products.” That said, in his nearly five years with VJ Shoes, he hasn’t heard a single user complain about the outsoles wearing down too quickly. “I’ve had customers claim up to 1000 miles on them before they changed out.” Most runners get more than 500 miles out of them, he says.

How We Tested

To test the XTRM 2s, I logged several weeks of almost daily runs on the trails around Boulder, Colorado. I took them on a wide variety of running surfaces, distances, and speeds, favoring them on shorter routes over softer ground.

VJ Shoes Verdict: Grounded and Secure

It was clear from the get-go that the shoes were all about grip and not about a cushioned ride. The XTRM’s low, 24–20mm stack height is minimalist enough to feel barren on hard surfaces, especially because the thin midsole consists solely of EVA. That firm, connected ride is by design. VJ Shoes designers are committed to allowing the runner to fully feel the ground underfoot in the XTRM2, and, with that philosophy, they steer clear of plush rides, or what they call “feel-deadening cushioned.”

Gorski says, “We felt EVA had the right amount of firmness that let that ground feel come to the runner, as opposed to some of the modern more squishy foams.”

The XTRM 2 does indeed provide plenty of ground feel, so much so that I found myself favoring runs that covered more dirt or mud than rock. The depth of the outsole lugs provides a certain amount of “air” cushioning on harder surfaces, but not enough to make up for the thinness and density of the midsole. The full-length rock plate is made of hardened EVA so it is more to shield from sharp protrusions than to absorb or muffle impact.

Given its minimal stack height, however, the flex of the shoe is notably athletic, delivering a connected feel akin to a cross-country racing flat in its liveliness. I look forward to testing them on soft snow this winter.

The upper shined in its performance, fit, and durability. When laced up, the security of the XTRM 2 was superb, providing lateral stability and an outstanding responsiveness that gave me confidence and a nimble stride when descending technical trails like the front of Boulder’s Sanitas mountain. Credit the Fitlock midfoot security system that embraces the instep with a thick medial saddle integrated into the lacing. In the heel, a cat-tongue inner material combines with the contoured fit of the heel cup to help prevent any slippage on ascents. Built with obstacle racing in mind, the upper also features an instep with “Rope-Lock” for climbing, and a strengthened rubber toe cap for added durability.

The upper is made of a burly woven mesh that warded off the elements and trail impacts as well as scuffs and punctures, while allowing a welcome amount of breathability. One note: the toe box is straight and narrow—I found it nicely snug and stable, but I have a lower volume forefoot. It may be too tight for runners with wide feet or who are used to having room for toe splay.

Gorski describes the XTRM 2 as “the shoe of choice for serious athletes running in rugged terrain where they need to trust the grip.” His description is spot on.

The VJ XTRM2 is not for every runner but excels for those who need its rugged, high-performance features. I recommend them to anyone who prefers ground feel over deadening and is happy to trade cushioning and plushness for the confidence gained from superior foothold and traction.

Similar Shoes

Merrell MTL Sky Fire 2, Arc’teryx Norvan SL 3, Inov-8 X-Talon 212 V2, Brooks Catamount Agile (coming in 2024)

Stats

MSRP:

Stack Height: 24mm heel / 20mm forefoot

Weight: 9.4 oz (267g), US Men’s size 9.5

The post The Grippiest Trail Shoe You’ve Never Heard Of appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

Seven years ago, Allbirds launched with a single product:Ìę a merino wool running shoe. Time magazine labeled that product “the most comfortable shoe in the world.” But while it was comfortable to wear to the office or out for a meal, it lost much of its appeal out on a run. Fortunately, a lot has changed since 2016.

Allbirds—named as an allusion to one of its founder’s native New Zealand, an island originally inhabited by all birds and no mammals—took off with rapid growth, fueled by online purchases from tech workers attracted to the brand’s emphasis on comfort, simplicity, and sustainability. Allbirds uses natural materials such as merino wool, eucalyptus fibers, banana oil, rice husks, castor beans, and sugarcane to produce soft, breathable, odor-fighting, carbon-neutral—and now, high-performance—materials.

Runability Follows Nature

Allbirds was co-founded by Tim Brown, a former professional soccer player (he’s the New Zealand connection), and Joey Zwillinger, an American biotech engineer specializing in renewable materials. The two worked on the brand’s concept for several years before developing superfine New Zealand merino wool worthy of use in footwear.

The company’s stellar growth was fueled by a direct-to-consumer model that cut out the intermediate steps of wholesalers, distributors, and retail chains—all of which exact considerable markup from the retail price. Allbirds was able to keep its prices down and, at the same time, avoid major retail discounting that often damages a brand’s reputation. Allbirds also got to where it is today by staying true to its core values of reduced impact on the planet, using ingredients that sound like they belong on a vegan menu instead of in a shoe recipe.

Jad Finck, VP of Innovation and Sustainability at Allbirds, who joined the company in its earliest days, has helped along its evolution by establishing pioneering partnerships that saw the creation of new bio-based materials which have driven the apparel and footwear industry to new eco standards. While Allbirds has emerged as a leader in developing new nature-based materials, it hasn’t kept them secret. Fink says it’s company policy to work toward being “a leader that the industry follows.”

Finck offers the example of SweetFoam, a midsole compound made from sugar cane. Allbirds uses SweetFoam in many of its shoes, but a similar formulation of this compound is now being adopted by other brands. “Allbirds invites that, and even encourages it,” says Finck. Allbirds has given competitors tours of its SweetFoam facility in Brazil to spur more use of the sugarcane alternative in place of traditional, petroleum-based EVA.

Brooks Running adopted a similar follow-us-as-we-all-try-to-restore-Earth-to-a greener-planet approach back in 2008. Carson Caprara, Brooks Running’s senior vice president of footwear, says the brand offered up the formulation to its eco-friendly “biobatch” tech to all footwear companies when they launched BioMogo DNA in the Green Silence.

SwiftFoam, the new midsole material of the Tree Flyer, is another example of the sort of environmental ingenuity Allbirds has introduced. In 2019, Allbirds began working with the supplier that makes Pebax, a key ingredient in the super shoe revolution, to formulate SwiftFoam—also known as BioPebax, , or . This new cushioning material is made using a more sustainable manufacturing process that requires no chemical additives, and its formula integrates low-water-using, non-edible castor plant seed oil. The resulting foam is 48% bio-based and, Finck says, rates an 11 on a performance scale where standard Pebax grades a 12. It is, however, a premium midsole compound that commands an expensive price tag, more so than standard Pebax, which is a pricey foam in the first place.

The Tree Flyer 2’s construction further pushes the eco-friendly envelope by cannibalizing what might have been wasted SwiftFoam midsole material, rendering it into TPU-like upper overlays and heel counter reinforcements that enhance rearfoot and lateral stability—plus boost durability, further reducing the environmental impact as a shoe that lasts longer keeps more out of landfills.

Allbirds Tree Flyer 2 in Action

I tested the Tree Flyer 2 over a dozen runs of various lengths and speeds, some off-road on dirt paths and rocky singletrack; some on pavement and concrete. I even ran once while wearing an original Tree Flyer on my left foot and a Tree Flyer 2 on my right.

I was impressed with the fit, feel, and ride of the Tree Flyer 2—so much so that the brand’s environment-oriented focus didn’t occupy much head space during the runs. I was simply cruising, the way you can when footwear is doing what it ought to; not interrupting a good flow. My testing confirmed that Allbirds didn’t compromise the Tree Flyer’s performance to meet its exacting environmental standards.

The Swiftfoam was firmly bouncy, like a trampoline made of homespun natural fibers, offering just the right amount of softness to provide comfort but not bog you down. The foot shape provided plenty of room in the midfoot, perhaps on the wide side for some, and allowed a comfortable splay at the toes. In action, the flexibility and roll of the shoe seemed a tad firmer than that of conventional Pebax—at least as it is tuned in most high-stack supershoes—but was far superior to most other environmentally-oriented midsole materials (including the Allbirds Tree Dasher’s SweetFoam) and felt lively, with a snappy energy return upon impact.

The mesh upper, lined with merino wool, was skin-friendly enough to wear the Tree Flyer 2 without socks. The fit of the stretchy, eucalyptus-fiber-based, sock-like upper was both secure and smoothly enveloping, and the heel wrap held my rearfoot firmly in place.

While both the original and updated Tree Flyer share the same midsole, the new version has bigger lugs arranged in a different pattern to improve traction in the certified natural rubber tread. Added upper overlays also give the shoe better lateral support, cornering, and durability. Both updates make the new version better suited for off-road ventures and solidify the shoe’s performance.

The look appeals to the eye, which also supports the brand’s environmental goal. If shoes look good in action and inaction, you can wear them both as running shoes and casual attire, and are less likely to have additional pairs—decreasing consumption and resource depletion. The carved, geometric, edgy, look, and the flared heel design even drew the eye of Gen-Zers I encountered, who commented on their “sleek” appearance.

The only gripe I had was with the laces made of recycled plastic. Even when double-knotted, I found myself retying them midway through my runs. Plus, I’ve heard the argument that it’s better to keep recycled plastic from bottles in the plastic bottle sphere instead of diverting it to the apparel and footwear market, from where it is unlikely to be recirculated.

While the Tree Flyer is a marked improvement over other eco-oriented attempts at performance running shoes, at 10.6 ounces for a men’s size nine, they are relatively heavy and lack the pop of a rockered supershoe (all of which are currently made from petrochemicals and carbon fiber). As such, I’ll likely reserve the Tree Flyers for training sessions and not racing.

At $160, the Tree Flyer 2 is in line with shoes with similar tech and performance. And, as a bonus, you get to support its carbon-neutral, low-impact construction and Allbirds’ of using natural materials and funding carbon projects to balance out its emissions. Plus, it especially seems a fair price when you factor in that it looks smart enough to be worn casually too.

Bottom Line

Allbirds Tree Flyer 2 is the first shoe to come along since Brooks’ Green Silence to get both the environmental and performance qualities right, hopefully setting the pace for others to follow so conscientious consumers won’t have to compromise to feel better about our impact on the planet.

Stats:

MSRP: $160
Weight: 10.6 oz (men’s); 8.3 oz (women’s)
Stack Height: 30.5mm heel/ 22.0mm forefoot (8.5mm drop)

The post If You Haven’t Tried Allbirds Running Shoes Yet, Now Is the Time appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

A decade ago I attended a lecture in Munich, Germany about runners’ gaits. It was given by Dr. Peter BrĂŒggemann, who was the head of the Institute at the German Sport University Cologne at the time. Dr.Ìę BrĂŒggemann spent most of the lecture discussing the merits of mid-foot over rear-foot running to reduce the risk of impact injuries. At the end of the talk, I asked, “What about forefoot runners? I run on my forefoot and am curious why runners like me didn’t enter your calculus.” Dr. BrĂŒggemann curtly replied, “Natural forefoot runners are only 1% of the population and statistically irrelevant.”

While we may not make up a significant percentage of runners, forefoot folks are a proud lot. We are also sensitive—at least in the toe area. And we find it frustrating that most shoe technology caters to heel strikers. For those of us whose heels hardly touch the ground, this merely translates to carrying around extra weight and paying for cushioning and control features that provide little to no benefit. Forefoot runners may be rare, but runners with a midfoot strike, who also don’t need shoes with overbuilt heels, are more common—so it makes good business sense to design shoes that support them as well as the few, proud forefooters.

Moving the Focus Forward

One key way to move away from heel-centered design is by deploying a lower heel-to-toe drop. Twenty years ago, the industry norm was for the heel to be 12 millimeters higher than the forefoot. Post-minimalism, most contemporary shoes feature a heel-toe differential of seven to nine millimeters, while shoes that favor forefoot or midfoot strikes often have a drop of six millimeters or less. A lower drop not only reduces the volume of unnecessary material under the heel, it also increases the stack height under the ball of the foot, providing additional, much-appreciated cushioning and protection for tender toes.

Saucony’s new ($170, 8.6 oz (M), 7.3 oz (W)) personifies a shoe suited for those who eschew heel strikes. Yes, it hasÌę 33 millimeters of lightweight, energy-returning, PEBA-based PWRRUN PB foam under the heel, but a slim six-millimeter drop leaves a robust 27 millimeters under the forefoot, providing plenty of comfort for the entire foot. The Rift also integrates Saucony’s SPEEDROLL technology to encourage a quick toe-off, which works particularly well for runners who favor their forefeet.

Stability for the Front of the Foot

Katie Pyle, lead senior product line manager for the Endorphin Rift, pointed out another feature when asked why the shoe appealed to forefoot types like me. “I would say that ‘special sauce’ on forefoot strike really comes from the slightly lower stack height which acts/behaves slightly wider, and therefore provides a little more support in the forefoot strike,” she says.

Saucony didn’t set out to make a shoe aimed at forefoot strikers, Pyle says. Her idea was to add a shoe to Saucony’s line that was similar to their carbon-plated Endorphin Edge trail racing shoe, but more versatile for everyday training—similar to the relationship between the road Endorphin Pro racing shoe (with a rigid carbon-fiber plate) to the Speed trainer (that has a flexible, plastic plate). For the trail, the Edge has a dynamic Carbitex carbon plate and the Rift is non-plated and closer to the ground. “While offset remains the same as that of the Edge, the stack height is lower, offering more stability,” Pyle says.

The Rift’s fit also appeals to those of us who land forward of the arch. “As far as the upper, we wanted to create a comfortable, more sock-like feel and also keep debris out,” Pyle says. That sock-like feel around the front of the shoe allows toes to splay and engage, enhancing forefoot stability. Granted, the novel lacing, with only four crossovers and a tongueless, gusseted collar, initially struck our testers as more cosmetic than functional but, once on the run, the dual-eyelet option and added padding on the instep addressed the loose fit concerns and kept trail detritus at bay.

Trail Test for Toe-Strikers

I tested the Rift on Boulder’s foothills trails, frequently on a climb that goes straight up a mountain used for paragliding launches. The forefoot agility tempted me to race the pilots down the steep slopes we had both climbed. The shoes performed well on technical footing but particularly shined when I ran at a faster clip on a dirt multi-use path.

I found that the woven rock plate didn’t diminish the Rift’s flexibility, and the aggressive four-and-half-millimeter lugs delivered outstanding bite for steep ascents and dicey descents. The low-profile midsole gave me outstanding forefoot control that stood out for quick steering when screaming downhill.

While I wasn’t as weightless as a paraglider soaring through the air, the Rift did outfit me in a way running footwear seldom does, equipping me to fly on the trail with cushioning and control that complemented my forefoot landings.

If you also land on your midfoot or toes, here are four more forefoot-favoring trail running options I recommend:

Inov-8 Trailfly Ultra G 280 ($165)

Weight: 9.8 oz in men’s size 8.5, women’s size 10,
Drop: 8 mm

With the Trailfly Ultra G 280, Inov-8 has produced a shoe that appeals to a wider audience, as in an audience with wider feet. The toe box is expanded from the brand’s usual snug fit, and that, plus its ample (33-millimeter heel / 25-millimeter forefoot) nitrogen-infused foam midsole and a flexible, grooved, Graphene-studded outsole, makes for an attractive package that allows forefoot flexibility without sacrificing underfoot protrusion protection.

|

Altra Superior 6 ($130)

Weight: 9.6 oz (M), 8.1 oz (W)
Drop: 0 mm

Altra’s no-drop, expanded-toe box shoes—that provide a balanced stance and room for toe splay—have always appealed to those who run toward the front of their feet. The Superior 6 is a superb lightweight trail shoe with an old-school vibe. The stripped-down upper, low-to-the-ground (21 millimeter) compression-molded EVA midsole, and aggressive MaxTrac outsole offer plenty to those who appreciate ground feel as they dance over terrain on their toes.

|

Topo Athletic MTN Racer 3 ($150)

Weight: 10.1 oz (M), 8.3 oz (W)
Drop: 5 mm

Topo added more cushioning and protection to this update of the MTN Racer, which was already an alluring choice for forefoot runners thanks to its low-drop geometry, a thick layer (28 millimeters) of ZipFoam midsole under the ball of the foot, and an aggressive Vibram Megagrip outsole. It has ample underfoot shielding and rebounding energy, with a generous upper fit for high-volume feet.

|

Craft Nordlite Ultra ($160)

Weight: 9.3 oz (M), 8.1 oz (W)
Drop: 6 mm

For road and trail excursions, the Nordlite Ultra is alluring to forefoot runners given its max-height (40-millimeter heel / 34-millimeter forefoot) midsole and a well-designed rocker that launches the foot at the sweet spot of the stride. The midsole’s nitrogen-infused Cr Foam and the highly-responsive insole combine to deliver a lively, bouncy performance. The single-layer mesh upper is breathable, flexible, and doesn’t constrain the toes, which we appreciated on tame terrain but found doesn’t provide enough hold for technical trails or steep descents. We recommend sizing down a half step, as the fit runs big.

|

The post Five Great Trail Shoes for Forefoot Runners appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

A typical outing in British Columbia’s Coast Mountains–the backyard testing ground for the Arc’teryx outdoor apparel brand–runs through forest trails, passes under rain-soaked pines, and ascends technical traverses before reaching exposed rocky ridges above timberline. This diverse and demanding landscape is a prime example of the type of terrain Arc’teryx’s trail shoes are designed for. While they have been making trail running shoes for eight years, only recently has their Norvan line emerged as solid contenders in the space, with three models delivering lightweight performance on valley-to-summit adventures.

Arc’teryx began making its footwear line in 2015, an anticipated natural step after the company was bought by Salomon in 2002. In the early days, Arc’teryx relied extensively on Salomon’s footwear expertise. But now it has a new design independence gained from corporate shifts and, mostly, from the confidence inspired by Arc’teryx’s steady growth. The Arc’teryx footwear that has survived are athlete-directed choices, with an emphasis on durability and cross-functionality.

“Our athletes are about breaking boundaries in the mountains, moving across several activities to accomplish their missions,” says Ovidio Garcia, Arc’teryx’s vice president of footwear. “We strive to provide them with the best tools to excel in that environment and augment their performance and experience.” Garcia understands the importance of testing their prototypes in the mountain terrain for which they are designed and his team spends a lot of time with athletes, observing and gathering insights on how to improve the shoes.

Unlike other apparel manufacturers that foray into footwear, Arc’teryx wanted to build from its expertise, rather than simply adding its logo to another brand’s shoe design—like Patagonia once tried with Merrell—or bringing in another manufacturer’s footwear team. The Norvan shoe line reflects the brand’s devotion to its design ethos that welds together architecture, engineering, ergonomics, and a good dose of mountaineering expertise.

The brand, coming from an apparel and gear perspective, has always had to “build with what we have,” says Greg Grenzke, senior director of advanced concepts and footwear originator with the brand. Arc’teryx has frequently had to push its machinery and materials to adapt to new applications, ones not originally envisioned, and created spliced-together “Frankenmachines” to crank out novel end products that solve real-life foot issues and concerns.

“The shoes represent a collaboration, one born of the constant dialogue we athletes have with the design team—we tell them what’s working and what’s not working,” says Arc’teryx Run athlete Adam Campbell, who I was fortunate enough to pace during an exciting part of the 2015 Hard Rock 100. Campbell also takes the footwear team into the coastal range so they can personally see and feel the product in its natural habitat.

“I would say the thing that brings people into our community is appreciation for the highest performing equipment and apparel—and also the most beautiful,” says Garcia. “Every shoe and detail in our product serves a purpose.”

We found these three models from Arc’teryx’s Norvan line to excel when the purpose is trail running.

Super-Light Scrambler: Norvan SL 3 ($160)

Weight: 6 oz
Stack height: 19 mm heel / 12 mm forefoot (7 mm drop)

This is the ultimate approach shoe, best suited for nimble prancing on rocky surfaces when you want precise foot placement. The “SL” stands for super light, and they live up to the name. Weighing in at a mere six ounces, there isn’t a lighter off-road shoe currently available.

Lightweight materials and a minimalist design make the SL 3 flexible and agile on rocks and roots, delivering a fleet-footed feel but requiring a ginger touch when maneuvering challenging trails and technical descents. The firmly responsive EVA and Polyolefin midsole blend gave sparse cushioning, but delivered sufficient buffering to not get bruised from the excellent underfoot feedback. An embedded, .7mm-thick TPU film from the arch forward provided some assuring protrusion protection while allowing unfettered flex.

The superior flexibility lends itself to easy rock face “smearing,” qualifying them as one of the best shoes we’ve tested for runs that entail scrambling and sustaining traction. One tester proved it by running and climbing the “Buckets” route on the Second Flatiron above Boulder, Colorado. As a nod to their climbing roots, the Norvan SL features integrated medial collar loops so the shoes can be clipped to a harness when swapped for mountaineering boots or bouldering slippers, although the utility of the shrunken, ornamental feature is negligible. The MegaGrip Vibram outsole with 3.5mm lugs is fully functional, however, and provides a grippy hold reminiscent of LaSportiva’s run-climb offerings.

The upper’s secure and flexible grasp promotes the SL 3’s quick and nimble running performance. The coated recycled polyester upper was extremely breathable and shed moisture rapidly while maintaining a snug midfoot grip, reminding one tester of when he used to wrap his arches in athletic tape before donning cross-country spikes. Credit that firm foothold to the alternating pattern of wide and narrow lacing loops across the flexible forefoot. Another tester appreciated that the narrow midfoot hold still allowed for splay in the broad toe box. The thin laces also tucked nicely in the lace garage, evidence of Arc’teryx’s Salomon roots, and the thin, stretchy knit collar helped to prevent trail grit and gravel from entering around the ankle.

While we don’t recommend the SL 3 for running an ultramarathon, given their minimal midsole cushioning, all our testers felt they were superb for short ascents, for dancing over rocky terrain, and for swift runs on any trail for those who prefer only a whisper of weight and protection.

Smooth, Steady Cruiser: Norvan LD 3 ($165)

Weight: 9.2 oz
Stack Height: 29 mm heel /23 mm forefoot (6 mm drop)

Arc’teryx’s go-to shoe for a wide variety of trail surfaces, the LD 3, or “long distance” shoe, is aptly named. The EVA and Polyolefin midsole is quite substantial, yet not so thick as to qualify as oversized or maximalist. Fortunately, the cushioning felt muted and “non-squishy”—even a bit bouncy—and provided a balanced, comfortable, and moderately responsive ride over varied terrain. Testers reported that the dependable shock absorption also didn’t seem to fatigue or pack down over long runs.

The LD’s ride is not unlike Salomon’s comfortable and versatile Ultra Glide 2, which is high praise on its own, but the Arc’Teryx fit is also more sculpted to the foot and more finessed, thanks to a foam tongue and internal foot wrap. The supportive, highly-breathable, lightweight upper has enough volume for wider feet, and allows for foot expansion from heat or distance. The sole, outfitted with 4 mm lugs made of Vibram’s MegaGrip, served well on most surfaces, from challenging, rocky singletrack to paved roads, exuding an assuring steadiness.

The LD isn’t the performance vehicle of the SL but the two shoes are intended for different purposes: one ought not compare an SUV to a race car. The SL is intended for a mix of running, scrambling and climbing, whereas the LD’s goal is to deliver comfort on the run—which it does without compromising its competent performance.

Climber’s Running Shoe: Vertex ($180)

Weight: 11 oz
Stack Height: 25 mm heel / 17 mm forefoot (8 mm drop)

Arc’teryx’s Vertex falls more on the mountaineering side of the spectrum, and was the least runnable of the models tested. It features a smart, sock-like upper that employs a knit collar to keep scree or other trail flack from ankle intrusion. The “360-degree randing”—a supportive band around the shoe’s perimeter—and the welded support zone around the heel and instep reflect the shoe’s Alpine heritage and functionality, but reduce the shoe’s flexibility. And the plastic rock plate integrated into the midsole at mid to forefoot leaves the shoe feeling “boot-y” and too stiff for a flowing heel-to-toe transition.

The Vertex is, however, durable and protective, and its compressed EVA midsole with anti-abrasion wrap and microfiber lining provide plenty of shielding from protrusions—as in, it’s bomber. The rigid outsole is complete with a 4mm lug pattern of Vibram’s MegaGrip and a friction zone in the forefoot for better traction on rock.

One tester’s question summed up our impression of the Vertex: “Perhaps these shoes are designed more for climbers than for runners?” Not only do they feel more suited to scaling a wall than running a 10K, unless I were a climber and had just come down from some daunting physical effort, perhaps with a patina of chalk on my hands and dirt on my legs, I wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing the Vertex to a coffee shop for fear of qualifying as a poser.

That said, if you are that climber and want to run in and out from a scramble, the Vertex is a stable, protective, durable, and relatively light hybrid that will take on any terrain.

The post Arc’teryx’s Trail-Running Shoes Hit Their Stride appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

Call me elitist, but it irks me when people in airports block the escalator or moving sidewalk with their rolling luggage, clogging the flow of traffic toward the shuttle train’s sliding doors, the departing bus, the loving embrace of a significant other. To avoid being that person—and to ensure my bag fits in the overhead compartment so I don’t have to play the checked bag lottery—I make a point to travel light.

To keep my bag small enough to carry, I limit myself to just one pair of running shoes. Given that I normally select a different pair from my garage-full of shoes every day to match my planned run’s terrain, conditions, and pace, narrowing the choice to one that will work for all the runs on the trip takes careful consideration. The one pair has to have a special set of characteristics:

What Makes a Great Quiver-of-One Travel Shoe

1) Versatile on multiple surfaces

Wherever I travel, I look for running trails close by, yet, often, I need to cover several road and sidewalk kilometers to access a path. So I require a trail shoe that is tolerable on paved surfaces or, harder to find, a road shoe that is adept off-road. The shoe also has to handle any kind of trail surface, from smooth paths to tricky technical terrain.

2) Adaptable to multiple activities

My one travel shoe has to feel comfortable and capable in hotel gyms, ease the impact of cobbles and pavers during city exploration, scoff at Alpine scrambles, and not get in the way when putting cocky nephews in their place, should an impromptu challenge present itself.

3) Light and flexible

The shoe has to fit easily into cramped luggage quarters, thus have a relatively thin, flexible sole, unlike the oversized shoes that fill half the bag or need their own luggage for their stiff expanses.

4) Presentable in (nearly) any context

In addition to taking them on wide-ranging runs, I’ll want to wear the shoes in a variety of non-athletic settings that are necessary evils of travel—think museums, shopping malls, brunches—and not feel out of place in garish footwear. And a bonus if the shoe doesn’t stain easily, or retain odor.

In light of such demanding requisites, my ideal summer travel shoe this year is the Salomon Ultra Glide 2. Here’s why:

Salomon Ultra Glide 2 Review

MSRP: $150;
Weight: 9.2 oz (men’s), 8.4 oz (women’s)
Stack Height: 32–26 millimeters (6 mm drop)

Smooth Strider

The Ultra Glide 2 checked a slew of boxes in qualifying as the ultimate travel companion. Throw what you may at this shoe—be it hard or soft ground; airport halls, malls, twisted ancient trails, or even more treacherous terrain—it can handle it with aplomb.

Some of its versatility comes from the shoe’s midsole foam, a combination of long-lasting EVA with Olefin that creates the most cushioned ride in Salomon’s trail running line. The soft and bouncy material is shaped into a curved reverse camber geometry—a fancy way of saying “rockered”— similar to that of a rockered ski with raised tips and tail, inspired by Salomon’s Alpine heritage. A protective film, called Profeel, sits between the midsole and outsole, obstructing underfoot protrusions while smoothing out the stride on technical terrain. The material and geometry combo delivers a fluid heel-to-toe transition that I rarely experience from trail footwear. And, while the light and cushioned midsole foam provides sufficient protection and comfort on rough terrain, it is flexible and responsive enough that the shoe also works well when I pick up the cadence on flatter surfaces.

With 3.5mm lugs on Salomon’s proprietary sticky-rubber outsole, the shoe kept me upright on mud, snow, and other semi-slick surfaces. Fortunately, the tread isn’t so aggressive that it drags or feels clunky when moving over paved roads or paths.

Friendly Fit

While the bottom unit—the mid and outsole—is largely unchanged from the original Ultra Glide, the fit of the Ultra Glide 2’s updated upper is what really stood out as remarkable—and seals the shoe’s spot atop travel shoe contenders. The forefoot space is somewhat higher volume than I’d expected from Salomon, which tends to fit more European narrow, and will please all runners with wider toes or those whose feet swell during longer outings.

The fit is enhanced by a stretchy internal midfoot sleeve that embraces the foot and secures it to the midsole for lateral stability. The Ultra Glide 2 also uses Salomon’s traditional quick-pull speed lacing which snugged my foot with a hold that felt customized. Combined with the adept grip of the tread, the foothold gave me confidence when maneuvering through patches of rocky, sloppy, and otherwise tricky footing of Boulder’s foothill and mountain trails where I tested the shoes. The fit will be familiar to those who’ve worn the brand in the past, and made me nostalgic for “the good old days” when I raced for Salomon in the early 2000s (back when I was able to run a lot faster).

Upgrades to the upper on this new version of the Ultra Glide make it more comfortable, versatile, and better suited to be a travel shoe. The fabric is more breathable and quick drying, should your travel running route encounter a stream or river crossing. The shoe is slightly lighter, with a slimmed-down collar and tongue. And, regarding their appearance when not running (criteria number 4), the look is a presentable snappiness, giving you a sporty demeanor without being obnoxious or flamboyant.

Aside from the exceptional fit, the Ultra Glide 2 doesn’t stand out in any one area—but that’s what makes it so well suited to pack on summer trips. It appeals for its dependability as a one-shoe-does-it-all selection for the trail, road, or whatever else you may face along the way.

Ìę

The post The One Running Shoe You Need to Pack in Your Summer Trip Bag appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

The first time I used poles for running was in 2008 at a vertical kilometer race in the Italian Dolomites. The slope was so steep I practically scraped my chin on the mossy grass growing on the ascent. I had previous pole experience from years of Nordic skiing, mogul competitions, and even some ski ballet, where I used oversized poles to assist with tricks. But in Italy, I learned the value of using a tool to help propel myself up excruciating slopes. The light, stiff poles let me use my arms in addition to my gassed legs to lighten the load, reduce my effort, and aid my ascent. And, I found they required little in the way of skill or training to reap the benefits. I believe one reason American trail and ultrarunners consistently lose races to their European counterparts is that their continental competition consistently trains and races with the aid of poles on their long, steep trails.

I’ve since learned that poles are not only convenient on big ascents but also useful when you are well into a long run. When you’re fatigued and on new terrain, poles give you a feel for the trail—especially at night or when your sight is compromised—and they make noises to warn animals of your presence in the backcountry. They are also convenient on multiday fastpacking efforts, when they can double as tent poles for lightweight shelters and, in the case of an emergency, as splints for damaged limbs.

On runs and races of any distance, poles can also keep you upright when the footing gets slippery. “Poles are a runner’s friend when it comes to running on slick wintery surfaces,” says Jeff Colt, a professional trail and ultrarunner with On Running and Ultimate Direction who recently placed 14th at the World Mountain & Trail Running Championship as part of the gold medal US team.

Any light trekking pole can be used for running, but just as material and design advances have refined poles for the Nordic, skimo, and hiking markets, running-specific poles are more fine-tuned than ever. If you’re going to use them primarily for running, you’d do well by choosing poles made to meet the needs of the runner, from grip to portability. Here are three of the best running poles on the market.

Black Diamond Distance Carbon Running Poles ($170)

Weight: 3.1 ounces per pole

These carbon poles are the stiffest and lightest on the market, thanks to the “fixed” design that doesn’t collapse or pull apart. The downside: You must carry them at full length when you’re not using them. Fortunately, the 47-inch poles (they come in lengths ranging from 39 to 51 inches) were light enough that I barely noticed them when I wasn’t using them to push me forward, and Black Diamond even thought to add a label mid-shaft to mark where to hold them to keep them balanced when carried.

I also appreciated the EVA foam handgrips, made of recycled materials, which were lightweight and didn’t get clammy. The poles even come with interchangeable rubber and metal tips, which can be swapped out depending on the surface you’re most likely to encounter on the run. And, if they get in the way, you can remove the low-profile baskets.

Colt told me he uses the Distance Carbon Running Poles for his workouts and faster mountain efforts and during short, steep, Vertical Kilometer style races. “If I am doing a hill workout with 5 repeats on a 1,000ft climb, I’ll use these poles and won’t worry about collapsing them, as they are quite light and I’m taking it easier on the descents as is,” he says.

The Distance Carbon Running Poles do pose a problem when traveling long distances, especially via air, because they require special handling outside normal luggage processing. They are not unlike fixed-length fly fishing rods that way. An easy alternative is the brand’s Z Poles, which are slightly heavier and lose some efficiency from the tri-fold design. Colt says he uses the Carbon Z Poles ($190) for big mountain adventures and races.

LEKI Ultratrail FX.One Superlite ($220)

Weight: 4.8 ounces per pole

LEKI has made a big push to dominate the ultradistance running scene and their poles were everywhere in Chamonix, France in late August during the UTMB and its related races. LEKI poles stand out from others because of an integrated “Trail Shark,” system with dedicated gloves that snap into the poles. The snug gloves are designed to transfer power directly from each hand to the center of the pole. Hooks make it easy to click the strap in, even on the run.

While the poles were effective in transferring arm power into forward movement, I found some drawbacks. The largest was that the Trail Shark system forced me to use LEKI’s glove and prevented me from swapping out for a more comfortable one, or a warmer one when the weather changed on the run. It also discouraged me from eating chocolate at aid stations for fear of getting food stains on the gloves. To be fair, you can wear other gloves and use the LEKI straps, but the connection to the poles isn’t quite as direct and it adds a bit of weight.

On the plus side, the Ultratrail FX.One Superlite was easy to collapse and fold into three segments for ease of carrying or stowing away in a belt or vest. At a mere 4.8 ounces per pole, they are, indeed, super light. LEKI also offers an optional trail running basket and concave carbide tip to provide grip in all conditions.

MSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon Backcountry Poles ($170)

Weight: 1 pound, 2 ounces per pole

For those who prefer simple versatility, MSR’s DynaLock Ascent Carbon Backcountry Poles are easily collapsible and don’t require the use of dedicated gloves. The EVA foam grips even offer a variety of hold options. Compared to the other poles in this review, the DynaLocks’ plainness is what makes them so appealing: they don’t require an operation manual.

The Kevlar-reinforced carbon fiber poles allow for nearly eight inches of length adjustment on the fly, using the convenient tool-free aluminum DynaLock mechanism. They fold in thirds for easy stashing and the poles come with removable winter baskets so they can be used all four seasons. Unfortunately, at just over a pound each, they are considerably heavier than the other poles in this review, but that heft also promises to make them more durable, as they are anything but flimsy. They are likely the only set of poles you’ll own, given their utility for a variety of activities.

The post I Never Used to Run with Poles. Now I Won’t Hit the Trails Without Them. appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

“Don’t paddle him!” my significant other demanded. “His resting heart rate is normally 34,” she explained to the surgery team as they were preparing to hit me with their charged shock plates. I was in the emergency room of a Denver Hospital, having been rushed there by an ambulance that had met my plane on the runway after I passed out on the flight. It took more than 50 tests over several hours to determine that I had a blood clot in my brain stem.

While they were poking and prodding in the emergency department to determine what was wrong, my body did what it is supposed to do when faced with dire stress; it retreated to preservation mode. My heart rate lowered and my temperature dropped to 94 degrees F. Fortunately, as you can surmise because you are reading this, they didn’t shock me to speed up my heart, but focused on the clot and removed it successfully.

The last thing I remember on my flight from Washington to Denver was that we were starting our descent and the captain told us this was the last chance to use the restroom. I got up from my window seat near the front of the plane and the flight attendant instructed me to use the lavatory next to the cockpit. I felt off in the bathroom and got sweaty hot before washing up, so I sat down in the jump seat as we were descending. Then it all went dark.

I, a 56-year-old, vegetarian, healthy runner dude, had suffered a clot in my basilar artery—a stroke. The healthcare teams determined that four or five clots had formed in my legs and one particularly persistent fellow had made its way not only to my lungs but also through both upper chambers of my heart—apparently, I am one of 25% adults with a hole between the left and right atria—then lodged itself in my brain stem, blocking blood flow around my brain. The perfect storm.

What had led up to the stroke? I was traveling back from Chamonix, France, where I had gone to support fellow team members on the Brooks Trail Running Team who were participating in the Ultra Tour De Mont Blanc (UTMB) races. That morning began with a pre-travel run on the UTMB course, and by the time I flew from Geneva to Washington, I was probably dehydrated. Dehydration is a chronic condition for me and a lot of endurance athletes, and, the doctors told me, made me susceptible to clots.

My incident was the result of many factors, but I’ve learned that you can reduce your chances of suffering such a calamity by following a few guidelines:

• • Stay properly hydrated
  • Don’t exercise at altitude before travel
  • Wear compression socks on long-haul flights
  • Thin your blood through or medication
  • Lower your blood pressure
  • Avoid A-fib (atrial fibrillation)
  • Consume a heart-healthy diet low in cholesterol and sodium
  • Don’t be overweight
  • Don’t drink excessive alcohol
  • Stress not

Many of these factors are improved by running regularly, so, while running at altitude pre-flight may have led to my incident, being a lifelong runner greatly increased my ability to survive it. In addition, doctors told me they work harder to save athletes who take care of their bodies, and my low heart rate and ability to deal with oxygen deprivation certainly contributed to my survival.

Writing this has taken more time than it would have before the stroke, and I have yet to run in the three weeks since the incident, but I have a new appreciation for the little things in life. Or the big things: Like breathing. The neurologic surgeon who performed the surgery to remove the clot gave me only a 10% chance of survival, and, if I made it through, an 80% chance that the vegetative state likely to be found on the other end would require “having to make life decisions.”

Yes, I count my lucky stars.

—

For more information on stroke warning signs, prevention and recovery, see the .

No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.Ìę

The post Running Nearly Killed Me, But Being a Runner Saved My Life appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

Craft CTM Ultra Carbon 2 Review

MSRP: $250
Weight: 9.8 oz M, 7.9 oz W
Stack height: 40-millimeter heel / 30-millimeter forefoot (10-millimeter drop)

I was skeptical of that promised to be the footwear equivalent to a top-end gravel bike, smoothly transitioning from road to dirt. Too often, I find shoes that are proficient at handling multiple surfaces to be masters of none. But after three months of testing the retooled, all-terrain CTM Ultra Carbon 2, I found it a welcome surprise, successfully packaging the elements of a supershoe—ultra-responsive foam and carbon-fiber plates—for off-road performance.

Craft is better known for making outdoor athletic apparel—especially next-to-skin Nordic and cycling wear—and the Swedish brand does that exceptionally well. They entered the U.S. running shoe market in 2020 and stepped up their game in 2021, releasing a wide array of competitive models for road and trail.

Truth be told, there are speedier shoes than the Ultra Carbon 2 for pure road running, including the Nike Vaporfly and all its super shoe cousins across the brands. And you can find many shoes that are more nimble for traversing technical trails, including other plated models like The North Face’s Flight Vectiv, HOKA’s Tecton X, and Saucony’s Endorphin Edge. But no shoe I’ve tested compares with the Ultra Carbon 2’s performance on long dirt roads or on runs covering both road and tame trails.

“The Ultra Carbon 2 was designed to be a runner’s everyday best friend,” says Eric Sarin, Craft’s footwear lead (read: shoe guy). It’s more versatile and durable than a road shoe, Sarin says, and performs far better than road models on gravel and light trails.

Ultrarunner Tessa Chesser, who races for Craft, turns to the Ultra Carbon 2 in the same settings in which she would reach for her 29-inch gravel bike: when she’s looking for high performance in a fast, relatively-smooth, off-road setting.

“The CTM Ultra Carbon 2 is a no-brainer for dirt roads,” Chesser says. “Given that dirt roads usually don’t have any technicality to them, the carbon shoe glides right over that surface.”

The Package

The Ultra Carbon 2’s dual-density midsole is made from a new light and bouncy EVA-based blend called Ud foam.“Ud is only about half EVA,” Sarin says, “And the mix of other compounds are what make the foam special. It delivers as much or more rebound than any other EVA-based foam on the market.” Craft claims the foam’s rebound is comparable to Pebax-based blends and other supershoe midsole compounds—I found it comes close enough. And, while I didn’t put enough miles on it to truly assess wear, Craft promises it will excel in durability: “We have tested this compound over hundreds of miles and found that it continues to deliver its performance qualities over long periods of time and use,” Sarin says.

Embedded in the midsole is a curved carbon fiber plate with a slot splitting off the big toe so it can act independently and allow for torsion on varying grades and surfaces. Craft tuned the top and bottom parts of the midsole differently, with a firmer layer of Ud on the bottom and softer layer on top. Together, they deliver a cushioned, coordinated, smooth, stable, and propulsive ride. Plus, the insole is made with bouncy PU beads for added rebound directly under the foot, providing immediate bouncy feedback and step-in comfort.

A thin, minimally-lugged outsole keeps the sub-10 ounce CTM Ultra Carbon 2 light and versatile on smooth surfaces, unlike its trail-specific sibling, the 12-ounce CTM Ultra Carbon Trail, whose chunky rubber outsole tackles tougher terrain but feels quite bulky.

The one-piece mesh upper fits closely around the heel and saddle, but opens to a wider toe box for an anatomical fit that allows for toe splay. The sizing, however, is Euro-snug and runners with higher-volume feet should go up a half size.

Even the bold color scheme of the CTM Ultra Carbon 2 is carefully selected to reflect the shoe’s design ethos. “The lines and form themselves are simple and elegant, as part of the brand’s Scandinavian design philosophy of less is more,” Sarin says.

On the (Dirt) Road

Craft made the Ultra Carbon 2 with diversity in mind. Chesser has opted for the Ultra Carbon 2 to race up to 50 miles, and other sponsored runners have used it to race as long as 100k. But the shoe also serves shorter training efforts, when the liveliness and energy return of a supershoe adds pep to a workout. “This shoe really loves a change of pace and scenery,” Sarin says.

My runs, from four to ten miles long, involved a variety of surfaces, from technical singletrack to double-wide dirt trail to paved road. I found the shoe’s 40-millimeter stack height—the legal limit for non-spiked racing shoes—too high off the ground to handle tricky footing without risking an ankle roll, making me feel unstable on uneven surfaces. That said, they did roll over rocks, ruts, and roots better than expected. The three-piece lugged outsole was nonintrusive on paved surfaces, and bit nicely into looser ground, providing considerably more traction than the buffed treads of road supershoes.

I enjoyed some of the “super” qualities of this shoe; namely its energy return from the foam mixture’s rebound, especially on harder surfaces. But I felt like The Princess and the Pea when trying to discern the different actions of the two midsole densities; I only noted the combined effect, delivering both cushioning and responsiveness. I also appreciated how the rocker served as sort of an invisible hand, subtly urging my foot toward toe-off as it moved through each gait cycle and encouraging a peppier turn-over and launch on the dirt.

I’ll continue to reach for this shoe when I don’t know where a run will take me. I won’t wear them on (any more) runs that involve precarious adventures on unstable terrain, but I plan to keep them in my regular rotation for mystery runs that involve a variety of tame, off-road surfaces—where they shine.

The post Want to Fly Over Dirt? Meet the First Gravel Grinder Supershoe. appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

Welcome. We’re your trail shoemeliers, and we’ll be serving you today. You choose the trail, and we’ll find the perfect shoe to complement it. More than 25 years of testing off-road shoes on all types of trails have given us the knowledge and expertise to find a shoe that offers the right combination of upper, sole, tread, stack height, rocker, and lacing system for your specific surface, footing, slope, and weather condition. Of course, terrain and conditions are only part of the equation—distance, pace, fitness level, experience, and ride preferences also affect shoe choice—but these broad trail categories and shoe recommendations should help narrow your search.

Cruiser Trails

Many trail runs, at least in the United States, stay on wide, rolling footpaths that have relatively smooth surfaces, perhaps with an occasional small rock, log, or root to navigate over or around. On this kind of terrain, you don’t need shoes with the burliest outsoles or the most bombproof uppers. Since many of these trail runs begin and end on tarmac or cement, look for shoes that roll smoothly on the road while offering a bit of additional protection when you venture off. For most of these trail forays, you’ll want a cushioned rebounding midsole that flexes or rocks under your toes and just enough traction to handle loose gravel and dirt without holding you back on paved surfaces. New bouncy midsole compounds tend to be dense enough to provide push-through protection against bone bruises, although for pokier terrain, you might look for a trail model with a light, flexible forefoot plate or embedded mesh webbing. Durability is also a premium since these shoes are likely to see more wear and tear than their road counterparts.

Inov-8 Trailfly Ultra G 300 Max ($190)

The Ultra G 300 Max is a well-tooled, dependable, if somewhat heavy trainer that fares well on a variety of surfaces. It’s built around a firm, protective, bouncy, and seemingly indestructible midsole foam—aÌę TPU/EVA blend enhanced with graphene, the . That innovative midsole is paired with a rugged yet flexible mesh upper with welded overlays for added foot security, plus a grippy graphene-infused rubber outsole with wide 4-millimeter-deep lugs. At 30 millimeters in the heel and 24 millimeters in the forefoot, this shoe’s midsole is unusually thick for Inov-8, which is known for close-to-the-ground mountain-racing shoes. But the designers offset the shoe’s firmness and bulk with deep flex grooves in the outsole, effectively decoupling the heel from the forefoot to enhance stride mechanics and help the shoe adapt and react to uneven footing. The result is a stable, versatile, and surprisingly nimble runner that delivers much of Inov-8’s famed ground feel. 9.6 oz (women’s)/10.6 oz (men’s); 6mm drop

The North Face VECTIV Enduris ($139)

The Enduris is the maximalist training model in The North Face’s new VECTIV trail running line. This well-cushioned shoe features a rockered dual-density midsole that’s firmer on the arch side, which moves you to toe-off with a balance of stability and propulsion. That effect is bolstered by a TPU plate positioned high up in the midsole, close to your foot, and wrapped up around the edges of the heel and back of the foot as far as the arch, providing a supportive platform that moderates the soft, almost mushy midsole. At the front, the plate flexes and rolls more smoothly than the rigid carbon plate found in TNF’s VECTIV Flight racing shoe, which yields a ride that’s more versatile for a variety of runners, paces, and terrains, albeit not as speedy. The Enduris rides plush and smooth on a variety of trails but shines most when the footing is firm and relatively stable, where you can stride out and get the full effect of the quick, forward-driving roll.Ìę The grippy 3.5-millimeter lugs provide exceptional traction yet don’t get in the way on the occasional pavement. The meshy upper is snug yet stretchy enough to provide ample volume, even around odd feet, without being sloppy. 9.8 oz (women’s)/11.15 oz (men’s); 6mm drop

Honorable Mention: Topo MTN Racer 2 ($145)

The Topo MTN Racer 2 combines a wide forefoot and anatomical fit with a responsive, road-ready, low-drop midsole and a burly rubber outsole, creating a shoe that is a competent jack-of-all-trades, if lacking a bit of flair. 8 oz (women’s)/10 oz (men’s); 5mm drop

Technical Trails

On the opposite end of the trail menu, we find rooty or rock-strewn slopes with rarely a secure foot plant. These are trails where the slopes are steep and frightening enough that ascending is easier than going down. In these situations, the quality of your shoes can be a life-or-death factor.

For technical trails, outsole quality (you need good grip!) and good ground feel (to provide catlike agility) are particularly key, so soft, sticky rubber outsoles and thinner midsoles tend to fare better. And while a good sense of your footing is essential, you don’t want to feel underfoot protrusions, so a protection plate or other push-through shielding can save a lot of pain or even injury. On precarious terrain, go for a snug, secure fit and a firm yet flexible sole that gives you the confidence to dance over and around trail obstacles, rather than a plush maximalist sponge or a heavy boot-like shoe. Of course, durability above and below the foot is always a valuable asset in a technical trail shoe.

La Sportiva Cyklon ($160)

With dialed-in security and a firm, low midsole (28 millimeters in the heel, 20 millimeters up front), the Cyklon allows for precise foot placement and is ideal for delicate navigation. This shoe is best suited for short races or speedy training runs in any tricky terrain—rugged, rooty, rocky, or loose. The Boa lacing system, cage construction, unique tongue, and integrated gaiter-like ankle wrap envelope the foot for a secure hold, but it’s the dual-density EVA midsole, plastic toe cap, and sticky rubber outsole with deep 7-millimeter lugs that provide the most assurance on steep, sketchy slopes. Note: step up a half or full size, as this style runs small. 9.5 oz (women’s)/11.60 oz (men’s); 8mm drop

Dynafit Alpine ($140)

These low-profile, lightweight, responsive shoes shine on mountainous terrain. They seem capable of pivoting on a dime and adeptly maneuver through variable rocks and scree. With a snug-fitting upper, outstanding traction, and low stack height (24 millimeters in the forefoot, 30 millimeters in the heel), the Alpine brings a minimalist approach to burly trails. Surprisingly, it also rolls nicely enough to handle more sedate terrain, with a smooth flex, rounded rockered shape, and just enough cushioning to deliver moderate shock-absorbing comfort without compromising ground feel. Note: these shoes run very small, so go at least a half size bigger. 8.5 oz (women’s)/9.87 oz (men’s); 6mm drop

Honorable Mention: Speedland SL:PDX ($375)

In a novel use of top-end materials, Speedland impresses with an advanced dual-Boa lacing system and innovative customizable traction to provide an unsurpassed fit and a ride—but they are ĂŒber-pricey. Ìę10.3 oz (unisex); 5mm drop

Slippery, Sloppy Trail

Trail runners will argue about what’s sketchier: mud or wintry slush and ice. But those who have fallen on both will attest that neither is pleasant. Mud is the more forgiving landing surface, but it makes laundering a challenge.

No matter the surface, outsole grip is key for gaining purchase when things get slick. Lug length matters, but you should also pay attention to the shape, placement, and design of the tread pattern, as well as sole flexibility and the supportiveness of the upper (particularly important in mud, which can pull a shoe right off your foot). For mud running, the ability to shed slop is also key. When facing snow and ice, look for compounds designed to flex, grip, and maintain their performance in subfreezing temperatures.

Altra Lone Peak 5 ($130)

Altra made its perennially popular Lone Peak more runner-friendly by updating the midsole to a soft and bouncy proprietary foam. It delivers better energy return and gives the shoe a livelier performance without obfuscating the low-profile, responsive, proprioceptive feel that allows it to excel on slippery terrain. The 25-millimeter stack height is 7 millimeters thicker than the previous version but doesn’t feel like it. Credit the foam, which compresses underfoot before firming up and bouncing back, even in cold temps. The stone guard has also been engineered to be lighter and more flexible, providing invisible poke-through protection, while 4-millimeter chevron-shaped canted lugs grab mud and snow. As expected from Altra, the toe box is wide enough for full splay and combines with the zero-drop geometry for a stable, natural, balanced platform. 9.2 oz (women’s)/11.1 oz (men’s); 0mm drop

Inov-8 Mudclaw G 260 V2 ($185)

Inov-8’s shoes are traditionally designed for fell running—charging up and down the UK’s grassy, muddy hills—so they are all about performing in soft conditions. The Mudclaw G 260 exemplifies the genre. This flexible, lightweight, rugged moccasin features a graphene-enhanced rubber outsole and bombproof shank plate for cleat-like traction. The outstanding grip of the triangular 8-millimeter-deep lugs gives you the ability to rip through mud, snow, slush, and even soft ice. The midsole is only 8.5 millimeters thick in the heel and 4.5 millimeters under the forefoot and thus produces immediate underfoot feedback for an agile ride. The upper is nearly as burly as the bottom, featuring a new tightly woven rand material that wraps up the sides for extra durability and protection. 9.1 oz (unisex); 4mm drop

Honorable Mention: Kahtoola MICROspikes ($70)

When it’s seriously icy, pull out these stainless-steel spikes that stretch over your running shoe for crampon-like traction.

Travel Trails

Running is one of the best ways to explore a new place. When you’re traveling, however, you have to be flexible—and that means the ability to run on any surface or, often, many surfaces, even in the same run. A good travel outing might begin on cobblestone, transition to a dirt road, turn onto a singletrack trail, and then involve some rock scrambling to an overlook before a crazy descent back to a generous continental breakfast.

What shoes can handle such a smorgasbord? Look for a crossover all-surface shoe with a neutral ride, plenty of underfoot protection, and solid but not overly aggressive traction. These models are akin to the Cruiser Trail shoes mentioned above but trend lighter and are more adaptable to handle anything thrown at them, from urban walks to technical trails—at least in small doses. Shoes in this category have a low to medium stack height and firm midsole to fare well on variable footing, plus a simple secure yet flexible upper. It helps if they dry quickly and don’t clash with travel attire.

Brooks Catamount ($160)

This performance model shines on and off trails thanks to Brooks’ nitrogen-infused midsole foam—the same cushy, bouncy material that powers the racer worn by Des Linden in her win at the 2018 Boston Marathon. Nitrogen infusion expands EVA foam and makes it lighter while enhancing its bounce-back resiliency, feeling simultaneously plush and nimble underfoot. Despite its smooth-rolling ride, this shoe doesn’t skimp on underfoot protection, layering that lively rebounding foam with a full-coverage sticky rubber outsole and a ballistic rock plate to block sharp things from poking through. The simple, breathable, stretchy mesh upper holds the foot with moderate security while presenting a clean and simple look that feels appropriate regardless of the setting. The Catamount can handle most any trail but doesn’t feel clunky on pavement or cobblestones, making this a great candidate for long runs that cover multiple kinds of terrain. 8.8 oz (women’s)/9.3 oz (men’s); 6mm drop

Salomon Sense Ride 4 ($120)

The fourth version of the versatile Sense Ride offers a responsive feel while providing adequate protection over whatever terrain you choose. Salomon’s proprietary sticky rubber outsole delivers a dependable grip on wet and dry surfaces without compromising durability. The moderately high midsole (24 millimeters in the forefoot, 32 millimeters in the heel) layers an insert of softer shock-absorbing, vibration-dampening foam into a somewhat firmer, more responsive foam frame. Embedded in the sole is a thin, flexible, woven, film-like TPU layer that protects from underfoot protrusions when running on sharp, rocky terrain—without feeling stiff or getting in the way on smooth surfaces—allowing you to cross over comfortably from road to trail. The Kevlar-enhanced pull-cord lacing system quickly secures flexible midfoot straps over an airy mesh upper, providing a snug hold that still allows your toes to breathe. 8.3 oz (women’s)/11 oz (men’s); 8mm drop

Honorable Mention: Skechers GOrun Razor Trail ($140)

These lightweight speedsters add a slightly knobby durable-rubber outsole to the brand’s popular ultralight, ultraresponsive Hyperburst midsole to take on anything and everything thrown at them—but check the finicky fit of the toe box. 6.8 oz (women’s)/8.3 oz (men’s); 4mm drop

The post The Best New Running Shoe for Every Type of Trail appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

After wrapping up your senior season as a stand-out high school cross-country runner, you committed to a D1 university program with a full ride. Then, over the summer before your first year, you sign an agreement with a gambling site, granting perpetual rights to your name, image and likeness in return for logoed sweatshirts and hats.Ìę

The gambling site announced you’re joining on social media and you posted pictures of you wearing their branded apparel and that gave you enough of a media boost to parlay your influencer status into a sponsorship with a local sub sandwich shop for up to five subs a week throughout your college career. A year into that collegiate career, however, you try to follow your coach, who is transferring to a new program. Unfortunately, it is in a state where student-athletes are legally barred from profiting from associations with gambling businesses.Ìę

While this isn’t an actual scenario, it certainly could be, given the nascent evolution of name, image and likeness (NIL) sponsorships, with both student-athletes and sponsors learning as they go along. Student-athletes are enticed by seemingly promising offers and trying to navigate these emerging opportunities with limited knowledge.

NIL Law OriginsÌę

In 2019, California passed Senate Bill No. 206, which prohibited California universities from restricting college athletes’ ability to profit off their name, image, and likeness, in direct conflict with NCAA rules. Several states followed, coupled with an onslaught of antitrust litigation brought by current and former NCAA athletes against the NCAA. This summer, the Supreme Court ruled in NCAA v. Alston that NCAA policies limiting education-related benefits were too restrictive, effectively striking down the antitrust arguments the NCAA has been making in courts for the past decade. As a result, the NCAA ceded to public pressure and passed an interim NIL policy that went into effect on July 1, 2021.

NIL refers to an individual’s right to publicity. Typically, this comes in the form of sponsorship and endorsement deals. To be clear, NIL is not the same as pay-for-play. The NCAA is clear that athletes still cannot be compensated for their athletic performance, nor can they receive money from their institutions. Rather, an athlete must provide a service in exchange for monetary or in-kind compensation. For example, a brand might send an athlete clothing, and the athlete posts in that clothing on their Instagram page and tags the brand.

State-Specific Laws

Although the NCAA has passed its own policy, athletes are still subjected to NIL laws in their university’s state, if the state has passed one. State laws vary broadly on the activities they permit. Some do not allow athletes to obtain agents and others might prohibit athletes from signing deals with alcohol or gambling companies. In Colorado, for example, athletes are permitted to hire an agent or attorney to represent them in negotiations, but they are also required to disclose contracts to their school’s athletic department.Ìę

Athletes should also be aware of their university’s policies around NIL. Most schools do not permit an athlete to wear school gear or use any school branding in NIL partnerships, because schools own the trademark rights to their own logos. Some schools might prohibit athletes from signing a deal with a competitor of one of the school’s sponsors.

The Quickly-Evolving NIL World

NIL has already provided major opportunities across the board, from high-profile athletes in revenue sports to even walk-ons in non-revenue sports. The day that NIL went into effect, BoostMobile signed Hanna and Haley Cavinder, twin basketball players at Fresno State University. Some brands have even inked deals with entire teams. SmartyStreets, a location data intelligence company, signed agreements with all female athletes at Brigham Young University.Ìę

While the implementation of NIL has been overwhelmingly positive for college athletes, a few cases give rise to caution. One gaming company, YOKE, paid college athletes for posting about its app on Instagram, in exchange for perpetual, royalty-free, irrevocable rights to YOKE. Many athletes granted YOKE perpetual rights to their name, image, and likeness for as little as $20. Others have cautioned athletes from signing with Barstool, in part because Barstool may be classified as a gambling company by certain state laws.

Emily Sloan, 100-meter hurdler from the University of Oregon, says she always loved Barstool Sports and figured joining the gaming and media company “would definitely help her to build her personal brand.” Since joining, however, the only substantive communication Barstool sent was an email saying “they are trying to figure out what everything means and how to do this all since it is very new. They said they will keep us updated.” Sloan says that when they “posted about me being a part of Barstool Sports I gained about 100 followers on Instagram.”

“I was initially prompted to sign with Barstool because I thought it might be a good way to get some exposure, connections, and building my brand,” said University of Colorado 400-meter runner Tyler Williams. “I just recently heard from Dave Portnoy with some updates on the rewards card, merch, and the first Barstool athlete to who now has their own shirt for sale. He said they will promote it, fill all orders, and the athlete will receive 80% of the profit.” Williams said that since Barstool posted his photo he received “a few more followers but nothing drastic considering the sheer number of new athletes they post daily. Overall, the goal is to potentially grow with money-making opportunities and social influence. They have also let me know that they are open to new ideas but are just being slow and careful because they want to make sure our image is presented in the right way.”

Sports agent Merhawi Keflezighi, who represents some of the biggest names in running, doesn’t have any NIL athletes because there isn’t much flowing to runners yet, at least not enough to warrant a sports agent’s involvement. That said, Keflezighi cautions that student-athletes need to protect themselves and be wary of potential traps and hopes schools will provide legal representation to help the athletes. He has cautioned some athletes, “no deal is better than a bad deal.”Ìę

In trying to find your way in this new NIL landscape, here are some easy pointers:

Do:

• Read contracts and terms and conditions before signing, and ideally have an attorney review documents for you.Ìę
• Know your state’s law.
• Connect with school resources. Many schools have partnered with NIL companies to educate athletes on entrepreneurship and building a social media presence.Ìę
• Keep track of your income, because the compensation is taxable, including in-kind sponsorships.
• Recognize your personal brand and make sure sponsorships align with your values and beliefs.Ìę

¶ÙŽÇČÔ’t:

• Accept money or in-kind benefits from a company, without providing a service in return.
• Use university trademarks in commercial deals.
• Contract with brands that might conflict with NCAA rules, like drug and gambling companies, or supplement companies that are not NCAA-approved.
• Sign a contract that covers categories, such as footwear or apparel, that is carved out by your school’s exclusivity in those areas.

The following resources and links should help in guiding you through the NIL maze:

The post The Pluses and Perils of Profiting as an NCAA Athlete appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.