Technical Terrain
The Ascend 4 wins the award for best out-of-the-box fit. The low-to-the-ground silhouette, combined with multidirectional traction, make this shoe impressively agile, while its ample cushioning and structured, supportive heel kept our testers feeling fresh on ten-plus-mile runs. It’s not sturdy enough for nasty scree-filled trails or epic slogs, but for everyday runs across most terrain—from quick dashes on the Hood River’s wet leaves to slower rambles on Denver’s dry and loose trails—the Wave Ascend 4 delivered. 11.5 oz;