RIDGE RACER
Most of us stick to established trails when we run. For those who don’t, or whose “runs” end atop toothy peaks, may we suggest the Cooper’s Hill? With an extremely pliable forefoot and easy-twisting torsional rigidity, this shoe remains stable even while blasting up steep, scree-covered slopes. “The sketchier the conditions were, the more comfortable I felt running in these,” said a tester in Victor, Idaho. Off-piste, it felt lightweight and sprightly, allowing testers to sense every nook and cranny underfoot; however, on hard-packed trails, the softness translates to sluggishness and a lack of midfoot stability. 11.2 oz; thenorthface.com