It’s easy to be swayed by the sex appeal of a shell jacket. Waterproof, expensive, colorful. I constantly find myself lusting after the new Gore-Tex whatever. But then I kit up for any high-output winter activity— backcountry skiing, running, hiking, cycling, etc—and am reminded that midlayers are the backbone of winter layering, get triple the use of other pieces, and warrant a bigger investment.

That’s because unless it’s pissing rain, dumping snow, or freezing cold, my shell stays in my bag. A shell, even the most breathable, is just a plastic bag and will not vent your heat, whereas a breathable midlayer creates just the right amount of warmth but sheds excess heat while you slog down pavement or up a mountain. Midlayers also get extra use on warmer winter days when worn by themselves without a base layer underneath.

Over my 10-plus years at şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř I’ve tested well over 100 midlayers, out of which I’ve found a few favorites for each of my winter sports.

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Best for Backcountry Skiing and Hiking

Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody

This has become my number one skiing and hiking midlayer because it’s light—just 14.2 ounces—and provides the perfect balance of warmth and breathability. A medium-thick layer of migration-resistant Primaloft Gold Active insulation keeps me warm even when temps hover around 10 degrees, but is also capable of dumping heat faster than anything I’ve ever tested. On the outside, there’s a 20-denier nylon ripstop face fabric that’s tough enough to resist a tree branch but allows plenty of hot air to escape. Even if I’m absolutely pinned, with a heart rate above 160, I never feel the need to throw off the jacket on a cold day. The synthetic materials will also dry in minutes if I get sweaty.

Those who prefer wool to synthetic materials will love the , which has a similar warmth/breathability ratio, an amazing high-collar hood, and, like all wool, stays warm when wet and resists odors.

Best For Running

Path Projects Lomond Hoodie

I recently joined the Dukes Track Club in Albuquerque, New Mexico and the group run I love the most starts at 6 a.m. on Friday mornings. Temps are usually around 25 degrees, so I need more than a long-sleeve shirt but nothing so heavy it will gather heat and slow me down. My go-to has become this hoodie. The secret to the hoodie’s versatility is in the 180 gsm (grams per square meter) grid fleece that’s heavy enough to add warmth in sub-freezing temps, but comes with lots of perforations (thus the grid moniker) that are designed to let all the heat and sweat generated on the run find an immediate way off my skin and into the air. I usually use the hood at the beginning of my runs but then it comes off and just serves as a neck warmer.

Those who live where it’s really cold should look at the that has a wind-resistant face fabric layered over 40 gsm Coreloft insulation around the shoulders and chest. The insulation is light, but combined with the fully wind-resistant outer and paired with a medium-thick long-sleeve base layer, it has been enough to keep me warm even when temps were below 10 degrees.

Best for Cycling

Velocio Alpha Long Sleeve

The first few minutes of a cold bike ride are the worst because you’re not producing heat yet but are moving at speed so the cold wind has more bite than when you’re running or standing. To fight back I wear a windproof cycling vest matched with this cozy midlayer that’s a high-loft Polartec Alpha fleece up front and a heavy-ish 210-gsm merino wool on the sides and back. The extra cozy Alpha keeps my core temp from dropping, while the arms and backs breathe enough that I’m not dripping sweat once I’m working hard. If I get too warm, it’s easy to shed the vest and unzip the collar of the jersey for more airflow. If my ride has a long descent, I also bring a full windproof jacket because the Alpha allows so much airflow I can get chilled.

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There are skiers who while away the fall months watching ski movies and dreaming of their first powder day of the coming season; and then there are those who dust off the ski tuning bench in the garage, snap a rubber band around the brakes of their carving skis, and get busy sharpening edges and dreaming of the first carving turns of the season on crappy, mostly man-made snow.

To the skiers in that second group: We salute you. To those in the first camp: You’re missing out on one of skiing’s greatest joys. There’s nothing quite like skiing in late November and early December, when there’s just one lift open and you’re navigating a narrow white ribbon. There’s no distraction, no temptation lurking off-piste, nothing to do but to work on your turns. Over and over again.

But carving up groomers during the early-season is only fun if you have the right tool for the job. Those 95 millimeter-plus all-mountain planks you ski during the heart of the season aren’t going to convince you that lapping the same two runs is exciting (especially if your trusty all-mountain skis haven’t been tuned in a season or two). To understand the joys of early-season turns, you need something narrower underfoot—something designed to be tipped on edge and stick to hard snow like white on rice. Something like the skis listed below.

Also read:

These 10 skis are hot off the 2023-24 presses and SKI’s top choices for skiing early season snow conditions. With waist widths between 65-90mm, solid core constructions (usually with metal), and traditional camber underfoot with minimal rocker in the tips and tails, these skis earned major props from our gear testers for their rock-solid performance on hard snow.

If you’re an advanced skier in the market for a dedicated groomer ski, peruse the skis listed under the Carving section. If you’re still working on your carving chops, or just looking for a more versatile groomer ski, scroll down to the Frontside section. Wherever you land, you can’t go wrong with these 10 skis that are right at home on hard snow.

Carving Skis: Piste-Specific Skis That Excel on Hard Snow

Stöckli WRT Laser Pro ($1,449)

Hard-Snow Integrity Score: 9.6/10
Waist Width: 66 mm
Available Lengths: 162, 172, 180 cm
Level: Expert

Tester Feedback: “This ski is definitely for an expert skier that likes to ski hard snow and ice. It would be a great ski to rip GS turns down Main Street at Stowe, Vt. I would take this ski out first thing in the morning to find the wide open bomber trails and rip turns until my back can’t take it anymore. It’s not super playful, but it will force you to be a better skier.” —Ryan Collopy

Read the full review and see how this ski scored in all skill categories here. 

Nordica Spitfire DC 74 Pro FDT ($999)

Hard-Snow Integrity Score: 9.25/10
Waist Width: 74
Available Lengths: 160, 165, 170, 175, 180 cm
Level: Intermediate to expert

Tester Feedback: “This is just a very good all-around frontside carving ski for the West or East Coast. It’s super fun on the hardpack and for mixing up turn shapes. Short turns long turns—it held and transitioned quickly and with energy out of the turn. Fairly dynamic and responsive with great edge hold. A ski that suits intermediates through experts.” —Krista Crabtree

K2 Disruption MTI ($1,050)

Hard-Snow Integrity Score: 9.2/10
Waist Width: 74 mm
Available Lengths: 165, 170, 175, 180 cm
Level: Advanced, expert

Tester Feedback: “With a 19.2-meter radius, this ski wants to go fast and holds up extremely well on hard snow conditions. But it’s not as versatile as other skis in the carving category. It does best on hard, steep slopes.” —Chris Bivona

Read the full review and see how this ski scored in all skill categories here. 

Völkl Deacon 76 ($1,100)

Hard-Snow Integrity Score: 9/10
Waist Width: 76 mm
Available Lengths: 171, 176, 181 cm
Level: Intermediate to expert

Tester Feedback: “The Deacon 76 is a classic on-piste carving ski made for the skier who wants to work on their edge-to-edge transitions and improve their skills. It’s a great carving ski, but it lacks the energy to generate more speed turn to turn.” —Ryan Collopy

Blizzard Phoenix R14 Pro ($900)

Hard-Snow Integrity Score: 8.9/10
Waist Width: 70 mm
Available Lengths: 155, 160, 165, 170, 175 cm
Level: Advanced, expert

Tester Feedback: “This is a high-performance carver for high-performance skiers—those who care about precision and exact energy transfer. Whether you’re making little slalom turns or big Super-G arcs, this ski was bread for charging early-season conditions.” —Jenny Wiegand 

Frontside Skis: Narrow All-Mountain Skis with Carving Chops

Völkl Kendo 88 ($700)

Hard-Snow Integrity Score: 9.1/10
Waist Width: 88 mm
Available Lengths: 163, 170, 177, 184 cm
Level: Advanced, expert

Tester Feedback: “The Kendo 88 rails turns on hardpack and is spectacularly smooth from edge to edge in medium to longer radius turns. It’s for the skier who wants to be able to carve turns anywhere on the hill and knows how to stand on a pair of skis. It doesn’t have as much pop and liveneliness to it as other skis in this category, so there’s a trade-off in terms of playfulness.” —Jon Sexuaer 

Stöckli Montero AR ($1,349)

Hard-Snow Integrity Score: 8.75/10
Waist Width: 84mm
Available Lengths: 165, 170, 175, 180, 185
Level: Advanced, expert

Tester Feedback: “Smooth and supple are the words that come to mind here. From the moment I rolled into my first turn I knew these were going to be a fun ride. Quick adjustments on turn shape were effortless. My confidence boosted, I opened them up into some hard-charging GS turns and they held strong—literally glued to every ripple in the terrain and absorbing any imperfection for a smooth supple ride.” —Avery Pesce 

Nordica Enforcer 88 ($700)

Hard-Snow Integrity Score: 8.1/10
Waist Width: 88 mm
Available Lengths: 165, 172, 179, 186 cm
Level: Advanced, expert

Tester Feedback: “A ski that slices and dices no matter the terrain you are on. Keep an edge on this ski and it handles even the firmest conditions. Tackles any snow conditions besides the deepest of snow.” —Luke Larsen

Rossignol Experience 82 Ti ($999)

Hard-Snow Integrity Score: 8/10
Waist Width: 82 mm
Available Lengths: 151, 159, 167 cm
Level: Intermediate to expert

Tester Feedback: “Anyone can step into this ski and have a good time, as long as you’re keeping it on trail. I would not take it anywhere steep or cruddy. I was surprised at how user-friendly this ski is.” —Brady Newton

Elan Wildcat 86 C Black Edition ($1,100)

Hard-Snow Integrity Score: 9.2/10
Waist Width: 86 mm
Available Lengths: 152, 158, 164, 170 cm
Level: Intermediate to expert

Tester Feedback: “This is an awesome ski for anyone who wants to get better at carving or keep progressing their skiing. It’s also just a fun ski to make groomers interesting again.” —Caitlin Kelly 

Read the full review and see how this ski scored in all skill categories here. 

More from the 2024 Winter Gear Guide

We Tested More Than 800 Winter Gear Items. These 20 Products Were Best in Test.
The Best All-Mountain Skis of the Year
The Best Alpine Ski Boots

The post The 10 Best Skis for Early-Season Turns on Hard Snow appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Some years, there just isn’t that much big, exciting news to report in the world of gear. This, however, is not one of those years.

From ski boots with the new BOA H+i1 lacing system to innovative avalanche safety tech to new skis touted by pros like Cody Townsend and , brands gave us a lot of exciting new gear to consider for our annual Winter Gear Guide. When all was said and done, we tested more than 800 products in 2023 to determine which ones were worth writing home about. Of those 800-plus products, 20 stood out during months of field testing to earn our prestigious Editor’s Choice award.

What merits an Editor’s Choice award? Performance, first and foremost. To receive this award, products have to demonstrate best-in-class performance over months of rigorous testing, besting the competition in their respective categories. Items that showcase innovative new technology or significant moves towards sustainability also get brownie points. But it’s not just the newest and shiniest toys that are considered for an Editor’s Choice award. Sometimes, products that have been around for a while continue to outperform in their field. Items like the Tracksmith Bislett pants and Salomon QST Blank get an Editor’s Choice nod because, after years of being on shelves, they’re still the best.

If top-of-the-line gear is what you’re after this season, then you’ve come to the right place.

The Best Winter Gear of 2024

DB/Safeback Snow Pro Vest 8L with Safeback SBX ($699)

While avalanche airbags aim to keep users on top of the snow, the Snow Pro Vest, developed with the Norwegian Armed Forces and School of Winter Warfare, is designed to keep athletes from asphyxiating when buried underneath the snow—the cause of 75 percent of avalanche deaths. After pulling a T-shaped handle, the Safeback SBX’s lithium battery-powered electric fan provides breathing assistance under the snow by pumping clean, oxygenated air through mesh tubes from the back of the vest to the air pocket around the victim’s face, all while pushing out exhaled carbon dioxide—no mouthpiece required. The brand alleges that this process extends the survival window from 15 minutes to up to 90 minutes in temperatures as cold as negative 22 degrees Fahrenheit. .

Salomon Brigade MIPS helmet ($200)

In an age when some products are overcomplicated and overdesigned, the Salomon Brigade MIPS helmet won over testers for its understated minimalism. Some helmets come with an attached plastic clip on the back to hold your goggles in place, but they tend to break or fall off. Salomon solved that problem with an integrated rubber strap that’s not going anywhere. The chin buckle is old-school but easy to use. The Brigade comes in a MIPS and non-MIPS version (which is $70 less). The MIPS one has an extra layer between the foam and the liner to help divert rotational impacts to the brain in case of a fall. .

Sweet Protection Connor Rig goggles ($220)

In order to increase the field of vision, goggles these days have gotten massively oversized. But the new Sweet Protection Connor Rig offers a large field of vision without dramatically increasing the span of the goggle. These sleek frameless goggles do that thanks to a toric sculpted lens that gives you an understated feel with ample side vision. .

Rab Conduit Crew base layer ($75)

In spite of the widely different range of tester expectations, sports, and geography—the Conduit was a unanimous tester favorite thanks to its extreme comfort and wide usable temperature range. Testers unanimously agreed that there must be some form of alchemy in the 92-percent recycled polyester eight-percent elastane weave that manifested in a lightly gridded fleece backer. It received top marks all along the temperature range—it was called “comfortable” by testers in temps around the tens in sideways snow in central Oregon under some layers all the way up to a 40-degree overcast long-run on its own in the Ashland, OR watershed. See how it stacks up against other base layers here.

Lib Tech Apex Golden Orca snowboard ($1,299)

This year’s crop of boards was arguably the best submitted in the history of our snowboard test, yet awarding our Editor’s Choice honors was easier than ever. Why? Well, the Gnarwinian evolution of Travis Rice’s ever-popular Orca series has surely peaked with the debut of this year’s supercharged Apex Golden Orca. Six of nine testers gave this futuristic directional deck perfect scores—nearly 15 percent of the perfect scores awarded at this year’s test. This telling data sums up an airtime-annihilating, confidence-inspiring ride that approaches terrain like a killer whale toying with a blubbery seal before making it a meal. Read more here.

Jones Stratos splitboard ($950)

Whether you’re buying your first split or upgrading your main squeeze, you’ll make the most of your days on the skintrack with a board that’s fun in dreamy conditions and capable in nightmarish ones. The Jones Stratos Splitboard, now available in both men’s and women’s sizes, hits that sweet spot. It’s a heavenly blend of trustworthiness, capability, and fun. From hut trips and glacial camping expeditions to sidecountry laps and dawn patrol powder days, the Stratos is ready for the task at hand. Read more here.

Rome Katana bindings ($400)

If you like to tweak your bindings as much as you tweak your grabs, peep the Rome Katana. This high-performance binding is ultra-adjustable thanks to Rome’s PivotMounts—modifiable ankle strap mounting hardware that enables riders to swap between eight ankle strap positions per side, yielding a total of 64 possible configurations. Raising the ankle strap provides more rapid-fire responsiveness, while lowering the strap position translates to increased range of motion and a surfier ride. Additional adjustability comes courtesy of composite highbacks that pivot and cant for a more ergonomic, fine-tuned fit. Read more here.

Stöckli Laser WRT Pro carving ski ($1,499)

If the Stöckli Laser WRT Pro were college bound, it’d be an Ivy League contender. This hard-charging model scored top marks in all testing categories, solidifying its spot as the No. 1 unisex carving ski in this year’s test, including near-perfect scores for stability at speed and hard-snow integrity. .

Elan Wildcat 86 C Black Edition frontside ski ($1,150 with bindings)

A frontside friend with benefits, the Elan Wildcat 86 C Black Edition earned the highest marks of all women’s frontside skis for nearly all traits, including near-perfect tens for carving and responsiveness. The Black Edition adds a higher level of performance to the Wildcat line (plus a layer of carbon), and testers appreciated the combination of characteristics that allows for aggressive skiing—without needing Mikaela Shiffrin’s thighs or precision. .

Blizzard Sheeva 9 all-mountain ski ($750)

Last year, the Blizzard Sheeva 9 won best in test. This year, it repeats the feat, but while boasting a complete redesign that hones its strengths and eliminates its weaknesses—“favorite ski of the day” was our testers’ refrain.

Nordica Enforcer 104 Free all-mountain wide ski ($850)

The Nordica Enforcer lineup is no stranger to the upper ranks of the SKI Test, and the Enforcer 104 Free carries on that tradition by claiming the top step on the unisex all-mountain wide podium for 2023-24. This model combines a wood core, carbon, and two sheets of metal sandwiched into Nordica’s Powder Rocker Profile to build a stout ski that earned top scores for stability at speed, flotation, and versatility. .

Salomon QST Blank powder ski ($800)

Except for new graphics, nothing has changed about the highly popular Salomon QST Blank for 2023-’24 season, and that includes how much skiers of all stripes love it. Proof: For the third year in a row, this unisex ski won the highest scores in the powder ski category from both male and female testers. What we loved most about this ski is how quick and playful it is. The QST Blank features a full poplar wood core and no metal, which keeps it feeling light underfoot (2,220 grams per ski) and makes it extraordinarily nimble..

Salomon QST Echo 106 backcountry ski ($800)

Known for their energy, playfulness, and solid feel in variable conditions, the QST skis have an uncanny ability to please pros like Cody Townsend as well as us mere mortals. The brand-new QST Echo 106 shares the shape and profile of the all-mountain QST 106, with a slimmed-down construction (the Echo shaves off 200 grams per ski) that’s spry on the skintrack while maintaining an impressively quiet feel through variable snow in the backcountry. .

Fischer RC4 Pro alpine boot ($1,100)

So often in the hardgoods market, a brand will roll out a redesign that’s little more than a fresh decal. But with the RC4 Pro MV, Fischer tore up the foundation and started from scratch. This thing is a legitimate work of art, and it comes with a Sotheby’s-level price tag to prove it. Built to bring the brand’s heritage race last to the consumer market, the new RC4 Pro MV was developed from the ground up with a new mold to include the BOA H+i1 alpine lace system and a full ZipFit liner. .

Dynafit Tigard 130 hybrid boot ($899)

Dynafit’s Tigard 130 is the most impressive hybrid boot we’ve ever tried. In a category defined by compromise, this model seems to operate in a different plane of reality. The Tigard 130 is the hardest-skiing boot with a walk mode we’ve ever had the pleasure of stepping into. .

Mammut Haldigrat HS Hooded Jacket ($629)

With a freeride cut, light and durable Bluesign-certified recycled fabric, and tasteful color hits, testers couldn’t clock enough ski days in this jacket. It’s the perfect freeride jacket for anyone looking to do front, side, and backcountry. If you can’t make up your mind about what you want to do for the day, this is the jacket for you. .

Strafe Cham Jacket ($589)

With a name like the Cham Jacket, there’s no surprise that this shell was one of our favorites for long days in the high alpine. The three-layer design constructed with Schoeller Aerobrane fabric boasted a ton of air permeability and an impressively soft and supple handfeel, staying on during long climbs with the occasional deployment of pit zips. .

Stio Figment Bib ($479)

Usually, the first time wearing a bib pant involves a few stops to make adjustments. Not with the Figment. Adjusting the fit required just a quick tighten or release of the Velcro tabs on the suspenders and a pull on the waist belt. Done! Whether sitting, carving, or picking his way down the steeps off of Whistler’s Peak Chair, category manager Ryan Stuart didn’t notice the pants again. “They felt like a custom fit,” he said. .

Nike Ultrafly trail shoe ($250)

The Ultrafly borrows the successful energy-saving, speed-enhancing tech from Nike’s speedster Alphafly and Vaporfly road shoes, with some smart tweaks to make it excel on trails. A super-responsive midsole of Pebax ZoomX foam (the same foam found in Nike’s road supershoes) is encased in a textile wrap, which slightly limits its squishy tippiness and harnesses its energy, creating a controlled rebound effect. Read more here.

Tracksmith Bislett pants ($198)

Lead running apparel tester Scott Douglas bought the Bisletts when they first came out in 2014, and they’ve been his main winter running bottoms since. He’s tried dozens of other pants and tights since then, he says, but none are better. Read more here.

More from the 2024 Winter Gear Guide

The Best Midlayers

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There’s a new champion in the insulated sleeping pad category. The not only boasts more insulation than any other ultralight pad, but also sports an incredible warmth-to-weight ratio, beating out most of its competition. I spoke to its designer to find out what made that possible.

To give you a little context, here’s how this new pad stacks up against its competition. In 72 x 20-inch mummy form the $250 Nemo Tensor Extreme Conditions weighs 17 ounces, inflates to 3.5 inches thick, and achieves an 8.5 R-Value. Therm-a-Rest’s $240 NeoAir XTherm NXT is one ounce lighter, but also half an inch thinner, and only reaches a 7.3 R-value. The $220 Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Extreme is thicker at four inches, but weighs 25 ounces, and its R-value is only 6.2. The $240 Exped Ultra 7R Mummy weighs 17.5 ounces and is 3.5 inches thick, but only manages a 7.1 R-value.

The Nemo will pack smaller than either the Sea to Summit or Exped, which use lofted insulation, and sleeps quieter than the Therm-a-Rest, which also uses mylar baffles. Tensor Extreme Conditions also uses a 40 denier nylon fabric on its underside, which will make it durable and puncture resistant. Winter backpackers, mountaineers, backcountry hunters, and anyone else who camps out of a backpack in very cold conditions will benefit.

R-value is a measurement of how well a pad resists heat transfer. Lay down on a cold surface, and the ground, packed snow, or glacial ice will suck the heat right out of your body. Because a sleeping bag’s insulation is compressed by your weight, it’s the pad, not the bag, that insulates you from conductive heat loss. When a sleeping bag’s temperature rating is measured, that test is conducted using a 4.0 R-value pad. The higher the R-value number, the warmer you’ll sleep.

“Laying on the pad for the first time, even just in your living room, you’ll feel it reflect your body heat nearly instantly, providing a stable, warm surface,” describes Luke Scotton, a product developer at Nemo who led the Tensor Extreme Conditions project.

Scotton explains that Nemo was able to achieve such a radical degree of insulation without increasing packed size or weight by stacking multiple layers of mylar inside the the pad’s baffles.

“Nemo’s previous Tensor Insulated pads [above] used our rectangular Spaceframe baffle system that suspends mylar insulation at the top and bottom of the pad by mechanically trapping the mylar around each weld,” he says. “The new Apex baffle system replaces the rectangular Spaceframe with trapezoidal trusses [below] that allow multiple layers of mylar to be suspended within the baffle, distributing insulative power throughout the full inflated height of the pad and creating a much warmer pad without a significant weight penalty.”

I also asked Scotton how he was able to design a pad with reflective insulation that doesn’t crinkle and crunch when you roll around.

“Our Apex baffle system suspends the mylar insulation without welding it in place, so you don’t get that potato chip crunch common to other insulated pads,” he explains. The mylar is captured within the pad without making it part of the pad’s support structure, so it’s not disturbed as you move.

It’s the ability to “float” those multiple layers of mylar inside the pad that makes Nemo’s new design unique. But it also requires that the pad be used with one surface always facing upwards. Tensor Extreme Conditions uses a two-tone design and thinner, 20-denier sleep surface fabric to make that obvious. And achieving that weld-free structure also meant redesigning both the pad baffles and manufacturing process.

“This pad was designed for backcountry enthusiasts looking for the highest warmth-to-weight possible, and it’s also a great option for cold sleepers or anyone looking to extend the backpacking season into chillier conditions,” says Scotton.

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In the ski world, you are more than just a talented skier; you’re the life of the mountain’s social scene, making skiing an unforgettable adventure on and off the slopes. You’re known as the “Après King,” and you like to dress the part. When the lifts stop spinning for the day, you’re ready to swap the goggles for shades that make a statement, boots for comfy kicks, and grab a beanie that will hide that helmet hair. Complete your look with these pieces that transition seamlessly from the slopes to the après deck.

5 Après-Ski Essentials

Roka Torino sunglasses ($190)

Roka’s Torino sunglasses are a must-have for any skier, blending sporty aesthetics with precision optics. The polarized lenses offer exceptional clarity while protecting your eyes from the sun’s glare on the snow. The sleek and rugged design is perfect for apres-ski activities and adds a touch of style to your ski culture look. Read more about our favorite sunnies for winter here.

Strafe Highlands Shirt Jacket ($319)

The Strafe Highlands Shirt Jacket is a versatile addition to your winter wardrobe. Its lightweight insulation and moisture-wicking properties make it ideal for layering during long days on the mountain. This jacket embodies the perfect fusion of functionality and ski culture style. Compare it with our other favorite midlayers here.

Cotopaxi Fuego Down Overalls ($285)

Cotopaxi’s Fuego Down Overalls offer warmth and adventure in one package. These overalls are perfect for extreme cold conditions and are designed to keep you toasty and stylish on and off the slopes. Their unique and vibrant color schemes make a bold statement in the ski culture, showcasing your passion for skiing and sustainability. Check it out here.

Topo Designs Fleece Cap ($39)

Topo Designs’ Fleece Cap is a simple yet essential winter wear and ski culture accessory. This cap combines warmth and style, ensuring you stay comfortable on the slopes while enjoying après-ski activities. Its timeless design and quality construction make it a classic choice for any skier looking to stay cozy and fashionable.

Allbirds Wool Runner-Up Fluffs shoes ($120)

These cozy and eco-friendly shoes from Allbirds combine style and comfort for winter wear and ski culture. The Wool Runner-Up Fluffs feature soft, sustainably sourced Merino wool uppers that keep your feet warm and snug after a long day on the slopes. Designed for the environmentally-conscious skier, they make a statement about responsible fashion. Check out our other favorite après footwear here.

More From the 2024 Winter Gear Guide

The Best Snowboards of the Year
The Best All-Mountain Skis
The Best Winter Trail Packs

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We love the winter backcountry because it’s never the same twice. Pristine powder one day is chopped up snow the next day and frozen coral reef chunks the next. Snow and weather conditions change the landscape every minute, and to be there to witness it is something special. But it also means that highly technical gear is necessary to stay prepared for almost any situation—especially if you’re a charger who gets after it. This backcountry ski kit—handpicked by the backcountry skiers on our editorial staff—will maximize your fun and safety in winter’s best playground.

7 Gear Picks for Backcountry Skiers

Salomon QST Echo 106 ($800)

Brand new for the 2023-24 season, the backcountry-specific QST Echo 106 is the missing piece from Salomon’s legendary QST line. At just 1,760 grams per ski, the brand managed to keep the quiet, solid, and stable feel of the all-mountain QST 106 and transform it into a lightweight package better suited to the backcountry. The Caruba-poplar wood core with basalt fibers does away with the Titanal found in the QST 106, but keeps the ski stiff and responsive. With 106 millimeters in the waist, this is the ski you’ll want for any backcountry condition imaginable—from mid-season powder and crud to late-season corn. Read the full review here.

Lange XT3 Tour Light 130 ($1,000)

Lange might be known for its beefy racing boots, but the XT3 Tour Light 130 proves that the brand can crush the backcountry, too. Even lighter than last year’s XT3 Pro, the Tour Light features a Vibram outsole, lighter buckles, and the brand’s Dual Core Light Grilamid to make this uphill-charging machine. It’s sbactill fun on the downhill, too, perhaps partly due to all the energy you save on the way up. Look here for a boot that can handle your longest days (or multi-day missions) with ease. Read the full review here.

Strafe 3L Cham Jacket ($589)

For long days in the backcountry when you anticipate mostly mild weather, the Cham jacket is your best bet. Thanks to its Schoeller Aerobrane fabric, it feels extremely soft to the touch, breathable, and comfortable to wear, but it won’t tear during high-alpine scrambles when brushing against rough rocks. This jacket’s generous and accessible chest pockets make it easy to store skins when multiple transitions are imminent. Compare it with our other favorite ski touring jackets here.

Patagonia Untracked Bibs ($649)

The beauty of Patagonia’s Untracked Bibs is in the details—a drop seat makes peeing in less-than-ideal conditions easy, the membrane is free of all PFCs, and the backer is made with a recycled nylon-flannel fabric. But these bibs also excel in the bigger picture, too. The Gore-Tex ePE three-layer membrane will make a huge difference in repelling water during ceaseless snow and sleet storms. Whether intense storms or sunny skies are in the forecast, these bibs have you covered. Check out our other favorite ski touring pants of the year here.

Gordini Cirque 3-Finger Glove ($150)

The lobster claw glove design is taking over the backcountry ski scene—and for good reason. The Gordini Cirque 3-Finger gloves provide the warmth of a mitten for cold descents, but the necessary dexterity for messing with bindings or taking off skins on stormy summits. Skiers will feel extra protected thanks to the reinforced panels on the back of the fingers. The low-profile cuffs slide seamlessly into jacket cuffs and make the gloves easy to stuff into jackets during transitions. Read the full review here.

Picture Komit.Tr 26 pack ($160)

This pack won us over with its plethora of features, including a zippered back panel to easily access buried layers, a dry pocket at the bottom of the pack to keep wet items away from dry ones, and a roll-top closure that makes it easy to compress or expand the pack. For tours in stormy conditions, the 210 Denier Ripstop nylon and PU coating made with 100 percent recycled polyester will keep gear dry. And it adjusts to fit a variety of body types, too—the sternum strap rests low enough on skiers’ chests that it feels secure even on those with longer torsos. Read the full review here.

Marker Confidant Tour helmet ($140)

The ultralight weight and ample vents make this the ideal helmet for long, sweaty tours in the backcountry (though skiers should note that the vents don’t close—something to think about for frigid days). It has separate straps to hold goggles and a headlamp in place, making it a great choice for dawn patrol missions. Marker’s 360-degree RTS system keeps the head centered in the helmet so it fits snugly, and if you do need to tweak the fit, the helmet is fully adjustable. For skiers considering multi-sport missions, this lid is also safety-certified for cycling. Check out more of this year’s best helmets here.

More From the 2024 Winter Gear Guide

The Best All-Mountain Skis
The Best Powder Skis
The Best Snow Safety Equipment 

The post The Backcountry Ski Kit of Our Editors’ Dreams appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Skiing isn’t just a pastime for you, it’s your way of life. When September turns to October, it’s time to bust out the and . You might not be racing anymore, but old habits die hard, and you’ll be damned if your carvers aren’t in race-ready shape on opening day. After all, nothing beats laying down clean railroad tracks on the ’roy. Let the yahoos cut up the snow off-piste—you stick to the groomers where conditions are ideal to master technique. Your mission in life: . With that in mind, you’re on the hunt for the latest equipment to help you maximize your skiing potential.

This list of this season’s best high-performance ski gear should get you started.

The Best Ski Gear for Carving Up Groomers

Stöckli WRT Laser Pro ($1,449)

A serious corduroy crusher like you needs a ski that knows no speed limit and rails on edge, no matter how bulletproof the conditions. The Stöckli WRT Laser Pro is the scalpel of skis, another example of Swiss precision. Hard snow, soft snow—this carving ski isn’t picky, it delivers no matter the conditions. All it demands is a skilled driver. If that’s you, read on.

Fischer RC4 Pro MV ($1,100)

You finally (and reluctantly) ditched your plug boots to let your poor, battered feet heal, but you’re not ready to give up on high-performance ski boots all together. You still want a stiff boot that will deliver the kind of energy transfer you’re accustomed to from your race boots. Enter the new Fischer RC4 Pro MV. Don’t be deterred by the BOA lacing system—your feet will thank you for it. As for performance: this boot is a real 140 flex and comes with a ZipFit liner. Need we say more?

Strafe Hayden Jacket ($519)

You hit the hill no matter the weather, so you need a jacket that will keep you warm and protect you from the elements on cold chair rides. Featuring a waterproof polyester outer shell and PrimaLoft Silver P.U.R.E. recycled insulation (60 grams in the sleeves and hood and 100 grams in the body), the Strafe Hayden is a great option for skiers like you who stay inbounds and might need a little extra insulation. Compare it with our other favorite jackets here.

Patagonia Storm Shift Pants ($400)

Long rides on wet chairlift seats are brutal when you’re wearing pants that aren’t actually waterproof—you learned that the hard way years ago. Now, you invest in a quality pair of ski pants that are weatherproof, durable, and fit right. The Storm Shift Pants are those pants. They’re waterproof, lined, and eco-friendly to boot. Check them out here.

Uvex Ultra MIPS ($225)

You don’t fall, but you know the slopes are crowded these days, and you’re not willing to take any chances. A helmet with top-of-the-line protection is an essential item on your kit list. But it should also be comfortable. Equipped with MIPS and ample padding for a secure and cozy fit, the Uvex Ultra MIPS is your best line of defense in a crash. Read more here.

Glade Adapt 2 ($149)

Good visibility is a must when you’re skiing on piste, where you can’t always rely on trees to help with definition. But you hate having to swap out goggle lenses on the go, no matter how seamless the lens-change system. In that case, the Glade Adapt 2, featuring an all-conditions, light-adapting lens, is the perfect choice for you. Check it out here.

More From the 2024 Winter Gear Guide

The Best All-Mountain Skis of 2024
The Best Alpine Ski Boots of the Year
The Best Ski Gloves and Mittens

The post If You Live for Carving Up the ’Roy, This New Gear Was Made for You appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

In the exhilarating setting of Sun Valley, Idaho, 32 top-tier skiers, not professional athletes but experts from across North America, convened for our annual SKI Test in early March 2023. Their mission? To determine which skis would earn the prestigious “Skis of the Year” title for the 2024 Winter Gear Guide. It was a formidable challenge, with over 150 pairs from 27 brands to evaluate.
To aid their quest, we partnered with select brands to provide the ideal gear on and off the slopes, ensuring our testers stayed protected and energized for the task at hand. Here’s a roundup of the top-notch gear and products these dedicated testers utilized to enhance their testing experience:

Sweet Protection Connor Rig goggles

The Sweet Protection Connor Rig goggles provide a generous field of vision without the need for an excessively large design. They achieve this through a toric sculpted lens with understated style and ample side vision. Testers found them to offer a “medium-sized fit with large-sized vision,” greatly enhancing peripheral vision on the slopes. The lenses are easy to swap and perform well in various light conditions. Additionally, the goggles feature comfortable foam against the face.

Strafe Hayden Jacket

This jacket offers a cozy and comfortable experience. It has a soft quilted interior lining that smoothly slides over midlayers. The stretchy wrist gaiters are effective at keeping out cold and snow. The hand pockets are fleece-lined, and the jacket’s outer shell and insulation are made from recycled materials with four-way stretch. Testers found it to be non-restrictive, even during active movements. The jacket provides substantial warmth and can be customized with a detachable hood and hidden vents for heat management. One tester remained warm down to 10 degrees Fahrenheit with two baselayers underneath, and described the Hayden as feeling like a weighted blanket in terms of comfort.

Auclair A-Peak 2-in-1 Mitt

The Auclair A-Peak 2-in-1 Mitt is a high-quality solution for women facing cold winters. It features a durable goatskin leather shell with a powder cuff to keep out the elements. Thinsulate insulation and a soft liner provide warmth and comfort. The standout feature is the removable inner mitten, made of butter-soft fleece with added durability features. This inner mitten can be easily reattached to the shell glove, preventing it from coming out when removing the mitten. Note that sizing may run slightly small, so consider sizing up for a better fit, as per the tester’s experience.

YETI Yonder 1L / 34 oz Water Bottle

These plastic water bottles are a skier’s ideal companion, offering eco-friendly, leak-proof, and lightweight design. They’re made from BPA-free and 50% recycled plastic, ensuring both gear and skier stay dry. The exceptional lightweight feature allows for carrying more water without added weight, making them perfect for sustainability-conscious skiers seeking convenience in their outdoor gear.

CamelBak Powderhound 12 Hydration Pack

The Powderhound 12 Hydration Pack is perfect for experienced mountain enthusiasts and those seeking quick day trips on the slopes. This pack features a 12-liter storage capacity and a 2-liter reservoir, striking an ideal balance between functionality and convenience. Designed with winter sports in mind, it ensures your gear stays secure while offering easy access, minimizing downtime, and maximizing time on the snow. This compact pack ensures you’re fully prepared for any snowy escapade, whether a day at the resort or an excursion into the sidecountry.

Pine Ridge Vineyards 2021 Black Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon

What would a week-long ski test be without indulging in a little après while we ice our knees? Pine Ridge Vineyards’ wines, specifically the 2021 Black Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon, offer skiers a taste of luxury and relaxation after a day on the slopes. This wine, hailing from Red Mountain, Washington, pays tribute to the spirit of adventure, named in honor of Pine Ridge Vineyards’ founder, an Olympic downhill skier. Opening the bottle reveals an enticing bouquet, and the wine’s floral fragrance sets the stage for an exhilarating flavor journey. It combines dark chocolate and acai compote with hints of cassis and lavender candy. The wine’s smooth entry leads to an explosion of pomegranate juice and cherry cordial flavors, akin to carving down a mountain. The finish is lifted by mouth-watering acidity and balanced tannins, with hints of cocoa powder and cassis lingering—a perfect après-ski indulgence.

Goodr Sunglasses The OG

Goodr Sunglasses are ideal for skiers seeking a blend of style and performance on the slopes. These non-reflective lenses effectively reduce glare, ensuring optimal visibility while navigating the snowy terrain. Designed to fit medium-sized heads comfortably, these sunglasses offer just the right fit. Their customizable frames allow for precise adjustments, accommodating various users. With a sleek design, Goodr’s sunglasses provide essential eye protection and make a fashionable statement. Their motto, “Look good, ski goodr,” encapsulates their commitment to blending style and functionality.

Decked Drawer System

While in Sun Valley, we had the chance to test out the Decked Drawer System. This burly storage solution offers full bed-length drawers and convenient side access pass-throughs to the wheel wells, providing massive and highly customizable storage space.

What truly stands out is the almost zero wasted space, making the most of your truck bed. It’s as if they’ve managed to achieve a 100% increase in the utility of your truck bed—a dream come true for those of us who need to haul skis, sleds, and other gear to the slopes.

But what really sets this system apart is its customization. Decked encourages you to “customize your Drawer System like a boss for just how you use it.” It’s like the perfect pairing of peanut butter and chocolate but for your gear-hauling needs, and we guarantee it will make your winter trips smoother and more organized. Highly recommended for anyone looking to maximize their truck bed storage for winter activities.

Read More About the Best Gear From the 2024 SKI Test

The Best All-Mountain Skis
The Best Powder Skis
The Best Carving Skis

The post Gear We Used to Test the Skis of the Year appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

When dogsledding in extreme environments, good gear isn’t just about comfort; it can be life-saving—especially if you fall through ice, get stuck or lost, or encounter rapidly changing conditions. I’ve raced the Iditarod—the iconic 938-mile race through Alaska’s wild interior—as well as some of the other toughest dogsled races in the world, and I’ve learned firsthand what gear cuts it in temperatures so cold that the mercury drops off the charts. Here are some of those items.

RefrigiWear Extreme Softshell Bib Overalls 0795 ($229-$244)

Sizing: S-5XL

I rarely see RefrigiWear recommended in outdoor circles; much of their gear is designed for people who work long hours in industrial freezers. That means it’s remarkably durable–and relatively inexpensive, too. I’ve tried countless bibs—down-filled and otherwise—and these softshell bibs with synthetic insulation and a reflective twill lining are by far the warmest. They’re comfort-rated to negative-60 degrees Fahrenheit , and hold warmth even when they get damp. These bibs are simple—there aren’t a lot of technical details or extra seams, which probably helps keep the warmth trapped inside. I particularly like the side-zips on the legs, which offer quick ventilation, and the high bib that keeps my torso so warm, I can often get by without a parka.

LaCrosse Aero Insulator Boot ($230)

Sizing: 7-16 (men’s)

Though I’ve tried countless cold-weather boots, I keep coming back to these heavy-duty neoprene ones. I wouldn’t say my toes are toasty in thirty, forty, or fifty below, but I can still feel them—particularly when I add a thick wool insole—which feels like a big achievement. They’re sleeker than other options, so it’s easier to run alongside my sled, shift between sled runners, and step on the brake at a moment’s notice. Plus, they’re completely waterproof, which comes in handy when I encounter river crossings, slush, and overflow. I like this Lacrosse model because the polyurethane shell adds durability; neoprene on its own tends to crack after a year or two of heavy use.

Canada Goose Snow Mantra Parka ($1,725)

Sizing: 2XS-3XL (men’s), 2XS-2XL (women’s)

I’ve been using this parka consistently for a decade now, and it’s held up beautifully. It feels like I’m wearing insulated armor: it’s very heavy and very protective. Every design detail is thoughtful, from the recessed, rib-knit cuffs to the flap of windproof fleece that keeps my neck warm when it’s slightly unzipped.There are nine external pockets and five internal ones to store items that you need to keep from freezing, like a a thermos, snacks, headlamp, and extra batteries. The tunnel hood might be overkill, but I love the thick wire incorporated in the front seam to bend your ruff to block wind. The 675-fill goose down makes this jacket one of the warmest I’ve ever worn. When I’m too tired to unpack my sleeping bag at night, I simply lie down in this parka and pull my arms inside.

Non-Stop Dogwear Long Distance Jacket ($89)

Sizing: S-XL

My dogs’ gear is at least as important as mine when I’m mushing. For serious wind or cold, I love Non-Stop’s long-distance dog coat. The synthetic insulation packs up a little bulky, but at 320 grams (for a size medium including the belly flap), the coat is still lightweight, even when I’m carrying a dozen in my sled. The biggest selling point: The water resistant ripstop shell sheds ice better than any other dog coat I’ve tried; if one gets wet from water or urine, you can simply bend it back and forth and the ice will crack off. Bonus: A removable belly flap protects male dogs’ sensitive bits when it’s windy.

UnTapped Energy Gels ($2 for 1 packet, $11 for 5 packets, $20 for 10 packets, $37 for 20)

In deep cold, it becomes especially important to consume a steady supply of calories so the body can generate its own heat. Unfortunately, I tend to lose my appetite in serious cold. It doesn’t help that most foods freeze rock-hard, which turns eating into a real chore. Enter these packets of pure Vermont maple syrup. They go down easy and the low water content prevents them from freezing completely. I always keep a couple in my pockets for when my energy dips or I start to shiver. Plus, the coffee-infused ones keep me energized on long night runs.

Magic Gloves (From $1 each from different retailers)

I keep a stock of these stretchy, one-size-fits-all acrylic-spandex gloves in a waterproof bag in my dogsled, and trade them out whenever my hands get damp (which is often). They’re dirt cheap, so losing or tearing them isn’t a big deal, and they allow enough dexterity to care for dogs, light a cooker, and complete other tasks that require dexterity. I keep them on all the times in deep cold when I’m handling metal items like dog bowls and brass snaps to protect me from contact frostbite.

More From the 2024 Winter Gear Guide

The Best Winter Hiking Boots of the Year

The Best Snowshoes

The post The Gear I Use to Survive the Country’s Most Extreme Dogsled Race appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

There is no such thing as the single best road running shoe for everyone. Every runner’s body, gait, speed, experience, and ride preferences are different, so every runner will interact differently with each running shoe. The shoe that your best friend or your sister-in-law loves may be uncomfortable for you and make running feel slow, sluggish, or even painful. Finding the perfect pair of road running shoes is a seriously personal affair.

While we can’t tell you the definitive best shoe, we can steer you toward models that have impressed a variety of testers with their comfort, support, protection, and ride, and tell you where they excel. From this list you will need to select which shoes best complement and enhance your running stride and experience.

The Winners At-A-Glance

The Best Road Running Shoes of Winter 2024

• Best Carbon-Fiber-Fueled Speed Trainer: Asics Magic Speed 3
• Most Versatile Cushioned Trainer: Saucony Kinvara Pro
• Best Distance Trainer: Adidas Adizero Boston 12
• Best for Cushioned Everyday Runs: Skechers GO RUN Ride 11
• Best Plush Stability: Asics GEL-Kayano 30
• Best Lightweight Daily Trainer: Brooks Hyperion GTS
• Best Recovery Shoe: Nike InfinityRN 4

The Best Road Running Shoes of Summer 2023

• Best Daily Trainer: Tracksmith Eliot Runner
• Best for Plush Stability: Puma ForeverRun Nitro
• Best for Carbon-Fiber-Fueled Speed: Hoka Rocket X2
• Best Combo of Cushioning and Connection: Topo Cyclone 2
• Best for Smooth Cruising: Adidas Ultraboost Light
• Best for Comfort Junkies: Asics Gel-Nimbus 25
• Best for Longer Races: Saucony Endorphin Elite
• Best for Nimble Versatility: Brooks Levitate 6
• Most Forgiving: Nike Invincible 3
• Best Cushy Uptempo Shoe: On Cloudsurfer

The Reviews: The Best Road Running Shoes of Winter 2024

Best Carbon-Fiber-Fueled Speed Trainer: Asics Magic Speed 3 ($160)

Weight: 7.7 oz (men’s); 6.5 oz (women’s)
Stack Height: 36–29mm (men’s); 35–27mm (women’s)
Drop: 7 mm
Sizing: ˛Ń±đ˛Ô’s 6–15; °Â´Çłľ±đ˛Ô’s: 5–12
Strengths: New bouncy, snappy midsole, breathable mesh upper
Weaknesses: Not as adaptable to different strides as some super trainers

The Asics Magic Speed 3 proves that low cost and high performance aren’t mutually exclusive. Priced nearly a hundred dollars less than many carbon-fiber super shoes, these are “the best bang-for-the-buck 5k-to-half marathon racing or speed workout shoe on the market,” said one tester. Asics swapped the carbon/TPU blend plate in the Magic Speed 2 for a full-length carbon fiber plate that’s noticeably more snappy and forward-propelling. That, coupled with a soft and responsive double layer of Asics’ top EVA-based midsole foam, results in a “light and bouncy ride” that “inspires speed,” noted one tester, while not feeling overly bouncy or unstable. Complementing the magic in the midsole is the same form-fitting, airy, lightweight mesh upper material seen on the brand’s top-tier, carbon-fiber, marathon-racing models.

Most Versatile Cushioned Trainer: Saucony Kinvara Pro ($180)

Weight: 9.5 oz (men’s), 8.5 oz (women’s)
Stack Height: 42–34łľłľ
Drop: 8mm
Sizing: ˛Ń±đ˛Ô’s 7–15; °Â´Çłľ±đ˛Ô’s 5–12
Strengths: Combines cush, support, and performance in one package
Weaknesses: Lack of durable rubber on the outsole

While the Kinvara has meant minimalist speed for over a decade, this “Pro” version adds oodles of cushioning and a teardrop-shaped (tapered at the heel) ¾-length carbon-fiber plate that delivers soft landings and extra snap. The cush comes from a layer of Saucony’s resilient Pebax superfoam over a firmer, more stable slab of an EVA-blend that doubles as the outsole, all topped by a responsive, TPU-based insole. The combination results in a fun, versatile, mega-cushy-while-still-slightly-stable shoe that can handle anything from easy recovery runs to long tempo efforts. Testers raved at the “responsive, snappy, poppy” ride that, one said, “allowed me to run faster with less effort.” One tester felt that the shoe not only did a great job of absorbing impact, but that it transferred the load of each step toward forward propulsion.

We love the combination of comfort and performance of the Kinvara Pro, proving you don’t have to sacrifice one for the other. The ride is springy, energetic, and downright lively. Suede-like (it’s vegan) paneling around the heel collar and a stretchy, slightly padded tongue add to the deluxe feel.

Best Distance Trainer: Adidas Adizero Boston 12 ($160)

Weight: 9.5 oz (men’s), 8 oz (women’s)
Stack Height: 37–30.5łľłľ
Drop: 6.5mm
Sizing: ˛Ń±đ˛Ô’s 4–15; °Â´Çłľ±đ˛Ô’s 5–12
Strengths: Grounded feel with extra pop, durable traction
Weaknesses: Upper can feel firm around the heel collar

Unlike many plated super-trainers that produce a hyper-cushy turbo boost, the Adizero Boston 12 allows a stable, connected ground-feel, delivering a more traditional running shoe vibe with a little extra pop—which some testers found preferable when putting in training miles. The shoe’s smooth roll comes from curved, glass-fiber-infused rods that parallel the foot’s metatarsal bones from heel to toes, sandwiched between a thick top layer of Adidas’s premium, bouncy, TPE-based foam (tuned softer than previous versions) and a bottom layer of a more-stable EVA blend. “I felt light on my feet and able to move and react quickly wearing these shoes,” said a tester.

The mesh upper is minimal and racy, which made us feel like going fast, and the Continental rubber outsole provides great traction for quick cornering and secure footing even on wet roads. This is a fun shoe to push the pace in, and a solid training partner for marathoners. Note: The fit is wide in the forefoot, leaving some testers craving a more secure foothold.

Best For Cushioned Everyday Runs: Skechers GO RUN Ride 11 ($125)

Weight: 9.9 oz (men’s), 7.6 oz (women’s)
Stack Height: 38–32łľłľ
Drop: 6 mm
Sizing: ˛Ń±đ˛Ô’s 7–14; °Â´Çłľ±đ˛Ô’s 5–11
Strengths: Responsive midsole, comfortable upper, great price point
Weaknesses: Lacks breathability

If you think Skechers is predominantly a walking and lifestyle brand, think again. Since the brand introduced the Hyperburst midsole in 2018, we’ve praised any running shoe featuring the ultralight, responsive foam. The newest formulation of the supercritical, gas-infused EVA foam found in the GO RUN Ride 11 is softer, and was “as well-cushioned and lively as any running shoe I’ve tried,” according to one tester. Embedded in the forefoot is a carbon-infused, H-shaped plate that’s not too stiff, allowing for a more natural forefoot flex while enhancing stability and speeding the roll off the toe. “It allows me to run freely, using my foot as it was meant to be used,” noted another tester.

Despite being advertised as a neutral everyday trainer, we applaud its versatility and ability to perform at any pace. From recovery to tempo runs, the GO RUN Ride 11 is remarkably smooth and bouncy. “I feel like I could run all day in them,” one tester raved. The plush, well-padded engineered mesh upper is one of the more comfortable uppers we tested, but we found it does lack adequate breathability when it’s hot. Bottom line: A modern, comfortable, versatile everyday trainer at a bargain price.

Best Plush Stability: Asics GEL-Kayano 30 ($160)

Weight: 10.6 oz (men’s), 9.2 oz (women’s)
Stack Height: 40—30mm (men’s); 39–29mm (women’s
Drop: 10 mm
Sizing: ˛Ń±đ˛Ô’s 6–16; °Â´Çłľ±đ˛Ô’s 5–13
Strengths: Well-cushioned, smooth rolling, stable without being firm or stiff
Weaknesses: Heavy

As running shoe brands begin to rethink the traditional strategies of using stiff midsoles and firm posts under the arch to control foot movement in stability shoes, no other flagship shoe has embraced this departure more than Asics GEL-Kayano 30. Every single tester, including our most prominent critic of stability shoes, applauded the now softer, newly refined model.

Asics created plush stability in the GEL-Kayano 30 by means of a wider midsole with an increased heel bevel, a flared sole under the forefoot, and, most surprisingly, a softer, high-energy foam under the arch where we’re used to finding a firm medial post. Rather than attempting to block rotational movement, Asics says the bouncy insert, in combination with the shoes’ geometry, is designed to reduce the time at peak pronation and gently guide an over-rotating foot back into a more neutral position as it transitions from heel to toe-off. Combined, these elements “delivered a smooth, comfortable ride that is stable without any hint of control,” said a neutral tester.

The stack height is also four millimeters higher than the previous GEL-Kayano, and the gel insert is 65 percent softer. The result is a shoe with softer cushioning that’s more “protective, responsive, and smoother,” as one tester described. Asics also added a steeper toe spring to help maintain a smooth toe-off from the thicker, more voluminous midsole. The plush persona continues throughout the engineered mesh upper that’s simple and heavily padded around the heel counter.

Best Recovery Shoe: Nike InfinityRN 4 ($160)

Weight: 12.5 oz (men’s), 9.9 oz (women’s)
Stack Height: 39–30łľłľ
Drop: 9mm
Sizing: ˛Ń±đ˛Ô’s 6–15; °Â´Çłľ±đ˛Ô’s 5–12
Strengths: Plush, comfortable platform that works for all gaits
Weaknesses: Laces and tongue can dig into narrow feet when cinched

Since its inception, the InfinityRN has aimed to ward off injury with its soft-but-responsive foam, wide base, and unique heel shape with a deep groove on the lateral (outside) edge, encouraging a fluid landing and smooth transition through the stride. This fourth iteration maintains those characteristics, while getting an even wider base and losing its firm heel clip. While there is scant evidence linking any , testers universally reported the InfinityRN 4 didn’t make any aches worse. In fact, one found that this shoe helped relieve her achy knee. Our test team also unanimously appreciated the InfinityRN 4’s comfortable ride, which made us want to run in the shoe regardless of its injury-prevention powers.

The latest InfinityRN uses Nike’s ReactX foam, which is cushier and springier than the original Nike React. A more energy-efficient injection-molding process makes the new foam more environmentally friendly, too. The new foam is not as explosive as Nike’s Pebax-based ZoomX, but delivers a smoother, more stable feel underfoot, and testers confirmed it does seem livelier than the original React blend. The knit upper, which is soft and stretchy, is also new, and fits more like a sock than a traditional running shoe. Said a tester: “It checks off every box for me in a good road shoe: comfortable, lightweight, well-cushioned, and supportive to handle the miles.”

Best Lightweight Daily Trainer: Brooks Hyperion and Hyperion GTS ($140)

Weight: 7.6 oz (men’s), 6.8 oz (women’s); GTS: 7.9 oz (men’s), 7.3 oz (women’s)
Stack Height: 28łľłľâ€“20łľłľ
Drop: 8mm
Sizing: ˛Ń±đ˛Ô’s 7–15; °Â´Çłľ±đ˛Ô’s 5–12
Strengths: Lightweight, low-profile, agile-feeling, breathable
Weaknesses: Slightly firm, more ground feel than some prefer

We loved both the Brooks Hyperion and Hyperion GTS for their lightweight comfort and springy, nitrogen-infused cushioning that one tester described as “fun and fast.” The only difference between the two shoes is that the GTS version features segments of firmer foam on top of the midsole along both sides of the heel—what Brooks called “GuideRails”—to help reduce rotation for runners whose stride strays excessively inward or outward, especially towards the end of their run as a result of fatigue. Both versions feature a lightly-padded, flexible, and super-breathable upper, which ranked high among hot-footed testers, but some felt chilly in winter conditions.

These shoes are ideal for any runner looking for a daily trainer or racer that gives them some feel for the ground. In an era of massive amounts of cushioning that can sometimes make us feel like we’re running on cushy platforms, the Hyperion and Hyperion GTS offer a lower-riding, more connected running experience without compromising rebound and comfort.

The Best Road Running Shoes of Summer 2023

Best Daily Trainer: Tracksmith Eliot Runner ($198)

Weight: 9.2 oz (men’s), 8.0 oz (women’s).
Stack Height: 33.5–24.5łľłľ
Drop: 9 mm
Sizes: Unisex shoe, M4/W5.5–M13/W14.5
Strengths: Good looks, immediate comfort, wide versatility
Weaknesses: Can feel a tad soft for fast efforts

Earning the distinction of “Best Daily Trainer” means this shoe cushions plenty for long runs, feels peppy and spry enough for tempo efforts, inspires quick quarter-mile efforts on the track, and can be worn casually on the daily. This trainer does it all.

Underfoot comfort and cush comes from a combination of a soft, super-thick (three times the norm) sockliner layered over a slightly denser midsole, both made of Pebax—the premier shock-absorbing compound of the hour, usually found in marathon-racing supershoes. The sockliner aims to mimic the feel of running on fall leaves or soft dirt (and does), while the firmer midsole is designed to compress just enough to encourage underfoot pop (and does). The fit leans low-volume from top to bottom, adding to a sleek feel, while a secure heel hold tapers out to a slightly wider toe box.

The engineered mesh upper sports soft and retro-stylish synthetic suede around the heel collar and lacing eyelets, and achieves structure with a simple sash at midfoot. This is a comfortable, capable, and great-looking shoe that we’re mildly obsessed with.

Best for Plush Stability: Puma ForeverRun Nitro ($150)

Weight: 9.7 oz (men’s), 7.9 oz (women’s)
Stack Height: 36–26 mm
Drop: 10 mm
Sizes: 7–14 (men’s), 5.5–11 (women’s)
Strengths: Wide, stable platform with springy ride; secure, supportive upper
Weaknesses: Heel-toe drop felt high to some

It’s rare to find a stability shoe that feels like a soft, plush, daily trainer—and also puts pep in your stride. With a fat midsole stacked with Puma’s nitrogen-infused, rubberized compound that absorbs and rebounds with aplomb, the ForeverRun Nitro is all that. The shoe creates subtle stability with a wide platform underfoot and a firmer-density foam frame topped by an external TPU heel clip, plus a sockliner designed to enhance forefoot alignment. “This shoe delivers a smooth ride that made me feel supported without ever getting in the way,” said one tester, who used them for everything from recovery days to tempo runs.

The ForeverRun Nitro also creates a great feeling of control thanks to excellent fit and traction. A secure heel hold gives way to a roomy toebox, while the tongue perfectly rides the line of minimal and cushy so that you don’t cause pressure on the top of the foot when you crank down the laces. The outsole’s traction, and slight flare of both midsole and outsole under the big toe, gave us great traction and security even on wet pavement.

Best for Carbon-Fiber-Fueled Speed: Hoka Rocket X 2 ($250)

Weight: 8.3 oz (men’s), 6.7 oz (women’s)
Stack Height: 36–31 mm—not including insole
Drop: 5 mm
Sizes: 5–14 (men’s), 6–15 (women’s)
Strengths: Phenomenally bouncy and explosive; comfortable, stretchy upper
Weaknesses: Heavy relative to other supershoe racers

After three years of being all but absent in the carbon-fiber supershoe game, Hoka finally lined up to compete with a top-to-bottom redesign of their first carbon-fiber racer, the Rocket X. The new tall, squishy, and energetic Rocket X 2 is nothing like the firm, low-profile original. Thanks to an all-new midsole using dual-density PEBA-based foam, the resulting ride is bouncy, explosive, and forward-propelling, one of the peppiest midsoles we’ve tested. Running in the Rocket X 2 felt like we were effortlessly bouncing from foot to foot. A steep, late rocker under the forefoot gives the Rocket X 2 what testers described as two distinct gears: At slower paces, the underfoot response feels like it comes mostly from the midsole’s bounce. But as soon as you hit faster paces and get up on your toes with a more powerful, forward-pressing push-off, the rocker aggressively slings you forward, like a sudden downshift in a Porsche 911 Turbo. The remarkably comfortable upper, made of a stretchy technical synthetic mesh with an internal midfoot cage attached to the tongue, is form-fitting and secure without undue pressure. Hats off to Hoka for creating a legitimate contender in the carbon-fiber supershoe race. The wait has been far too long, but it was worth it. Read our full review on the Hoka Rocket X 2.

Best Combo of Cushioning and Connection: Topo Cyclone 2 ($150)

Weight: 6.9 oz (men’s), 5.5 oz (women’s)
Stack Height: 28–23 mm
Sizes: 8–12 (men’s), 6–11 (women’s)
Drop: 5 mm
Strengths: Comfortable cushioning with an ultralight, flexible, close-to-the-ground feel
Weaknesses: Too minimal for some

For some runners, today’s supershoes feel overbuilt—the plate’s too stiff, the midsole too tipsy, and the rocker too aggressive. The Topo Cyclone 2 presents an alternative formula, combining today’s cutting-edge foam technology with a simplified, minimalist underfoot experience. One tester described the Cyclone as “a shoe that moves like a minimalist model and provides a stable, proprioceptive ground connection while cushioning and bouncing like a supershoe.” Despite the low, flexible, minimalist feeling, the midsole still provides plenty of cushioning underfoot for effective shock absorption. Even one tester who favors thick-soled, stiff, maximum-cushioned shoes appreciated the lightness and high-energy rebound provided by the full Pebax midsole. Sitting atop the super-powered sole is a thin, airy, engineered mesh upper that’s tailored for a secure midfoot wrap and a wide anatomical toe box. “The fit is comfortably snug and welcoming at 5k pace or slower,” praised one tester, who also noted, however, that he found the wide forefoot felt slightly “sloppy” as he approached top-end speeds. One tester summed up: “The Cyclone 2 is a lightweight speed and race-day shoe that lets your foot control the shoe, not—like with so many of today’s carbon-fiber super shoes—the other way around.” Read our full review on the Topo Cyclone 2.

Best for Smooth Cruising: Adidas Ultraboost Light ($190)

Weight: 10.5 oz (men’s), 9.2 oz (women’s)
Stack Height: 32–22 mm
Drop: 10 mm
Sizes: 4–18 (men’s), 5–11 (women’s)
Strengths: All the Boost bounce at a lighter weight; snug, supportive fit
Weaknesses: High heel felt obtrusive to some

The Adidas Ultraboost Light embodies everything we’ve come to love about the Ultraboost franchise—a soft, sock-like upper combined with a thick, luxurious slab of Adidas’s smoothly responsive cushioning—at a fraction of previous models’ heft. Credit Boost Light, a new foam formulation that weighs 30 percent less and gives four percent more bounce than the original Boost, while producing ten percent fewer carbon emissions in its production. On the road, we confirmed that the new midsole feels noticeably livelier than the foam in previous Ultraboosts. One tester noted, “There’s still a ton of cushioning, but it feels light and responsive.” şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř the new midsole, the airy knit upper remains essentially the same, with a snug, stretchy booty locked down with plastic midfoot overlays. The best part—there’s no price difference between the original and this new lighter version.

Best for Comfort Junkies: Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 ($160)

Weight:10.3 oz (men’s); 9.1 oz (women’s)
Stack Height: 41.5–33.5 mm (men’s); 40.5–32.5 (women’s)
Drop: 8 mm
Sizes: 6–16 (men’s), 5–13 (women’s)
Strengths: Plush from top to bottom; superior cushioning without feeling squishy
Weaknesses: Upper is a bit thick and heavy for a performance shoe

For its 25th birthday, Asics’ franchise cushioned shoe lost its traditional, visible gel pod under the forefoot, and we don’t miss it. The new EVA-blend foam in the Nimbus 25 is light, soft, and springy—and there’s plenty of it, as the shoe got a 20 percent increase in overall stack height. But it’s not overly squishy. “I especially like its bounce-back energy return,” said a tester. A flat, oval-shaped chunk of the company’s new gel (said to be softer and lighter than their previous formulations) sits within the foam under the heel and adds to the plush landing, while a late, steep rocker speeds toe-offs. Combined with the stretchy knit upper and well-padded heel collar, the new Nimbus delivers a supremely comfortable ride, ideal for high-mileage training, recovery runs, or just a soft, coddled feeling on daily outings.

Best for Longer Races: Saucony Endorphin Elite ($275)

Weight: 7.2 oz (men’s), 6.5 oz (women’s)
Stack Height: 39.5–31.5 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Sizes: 7–15 (men’s), 5–12 (women’s)
Strengths: Phenomenal bounce; quick-rolling ride
Weaknesses: Not as cushioned as some competitive super shoes

The all-new Endorphin Elite features a brand-new supercritical PEBA-based midsole called PWRRUN HG that Saucony claims is its most energy-efficient foam to date. The new midsole felt a tad firmer than the foam found in other Saucony supershoes, with one tester describing it as “well-cushioned but not overly soft.” A little extra downward force, however, revealed its phenomenal energy return, and, with a slight step on the gas, testers said their stride fell into a powerful, rhythmic cadence that felt effortless. The full-length carbon fiber-plate embedded in the foam is forked to allow flex as the foot rolls inward, while its sharp upward curve under the toes creates a smooth, stable ramp for takeoff. “The foam and plate seemed to encourage and enhance a quick turnover,” said one tester. The upper may look funky, but the combo of a soft, stretchy inner sleeve and an external webbing that wraps around the midfoot and beneath the carbon plate cinched testers’ feet comfortably and securely, like the cockpit of an F-16 fighter jet.

Best for Nimble Versatility: Brooks Levitate 6 ($150)

Weight: 10.9 oz (men’s), 9.8 oz (women’s)
Stack Height: 33.5–25.5 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Sizes: 7–15 (men’s), 5–12 (women’s)
Strengths: Sleek and quick-feeling, with a balance of cush and bounce
Weaknesses: Not as plush and overtly comfy as many cushioned models

This is the kind of shoe you wear day-in and day-out without having to decide what to put on. It’s comfortable on long, slow miles, but ready and capable to pick up the pace when you are. The polyurethane-based midsole foam, called DNA AMP v2, is 10 percent lighter than the original and emphasizes bounce over cush. Testers described the ride as “responsive,” “light,” and “springy.” One even said she felt “energized upon each step.” A wider midfoot platform, arrow-point grooves on the outsole, and what seemed like just the right amount of forefoot cushioning encouraged smooth transitions from touch-down to toe-off. It’s not the lightest shoe in this roundup, but it doesn’t feel heavy. On the contrary, the Levitate 6 (unlike early versions) made our feet feel quick and nimble. Bonus: The updated fit works for a range of foot shapes

Most Forgiving: Nike Invincible 3 ($180)

Weight: 10.9 ounces (men’s), 9.1 ounces (women’s)
Stack Height: 40–31 mm
Drop: 9 mm
Sizes: 6–15 (men’s), 5–12 (women’s)
Strengths: Unparalleled cushion-to-weight ratio; Ăśber-forgiving without being mushy or unstable
Weaknesses: Sluggish at speed

The bottom of Nike’s product info page for the Invincible 3 reads like something their lawyers made them post: “Not intended for use as Personal Protective Equipment.” That’s right, the company doesn’t want you to mistake this oversized shoe for a life preserver. Seriously, Nike appears to be avoiding any claims that the shoes are a protective medical device—and rightfully so, given the linking any running shoe attribute to injury prevention. However, the Invincible’s maximum cushioning—a full 40 mm of Pebax-based Nike ZoomX superfoam—absorbs the impact of each footfall and delivers a remarkably comfortable and forgiving ride. Yet it’s not a mushy cush; the ZoomX feels both energetic and gently supportive. The springy foam has a rockered shape, which seems to create a smooth toe-off and helps even fatigued runners propel forward.

A super-wide platform that flares out under the forefoot and tapers uniquely toward the toe and arch, and a firm plastic clip surrounding the base of the heel, together help guide feet toward a natural, supported stride without trying to control. For so much shoe, the Invincible 3 is fairly lightweight. We reached for the Invincible 3 while ramping up mileage, and for days where we just needed a little extra love—like after doing a crap-ton of squats. Read our full review on the Nike Invincible 3.

Best Cushy Uptempo Shoe: On Cloudsurfer ($160)

Weight: 8.6 oz (men’s), 7.2 oz (women’s)
Stack Height: 32–22 mm
Drop: 10 mm
Sizes: 7–14 (men’s), 5–11 (women’s)
Strengths: Soft, lively, smooth and comfortable ride; plush upper
Weaknesses: Cloudsurfer fans will miss the responsive, proprioceptive feel of previous versions

Some shoe updates are small, others so large they completely alter a shoe. The new Cloudsurfer falls into the latter category. In a radical departure from the external cushioning pods linked by a flexible Speedboard plate that has defined On’s DNA, the new Cloudsurfer introduces a new era in Cloud cushioning technology called CloudTec Phase. The “clouds” are now holes carved through the über-soft midsole, angled like a string of falling dominos to allow the midsole to collapse as you move forward. The resulting ride is “soft, lively, and unbelievably comfortable,” said one previous On skeptic. Testers who have typically shied away from On running shoes for their stiff foam and firm underfoot feel absolutely raved about the new Cloudsurfer. However, our long-time Cloudsurfer loyalist missed the more stable, proprioceptive, and responsive ride of the original design. The new Cloudsurfer runs with a sense of freedom, plushness, bounciness, and flexibility that previous generations bound to the Speedboard platform could not. The heavily padded, soft mesh upper and tongue impressed our testers so much that one was inspired to run sockless. For those who prefer a lazyboy-soft ride and a flexible platform that moves with the foot, this is a fantastic lightweight, cushioned daily trainer, with enough pick-up-and-go for tempos and races.

Selecting a Road Shoe

If you’re looking for a road shoe, consider if you want a speedster or something that feels good on long, slow jogs. Do you like the feel of a soft, forgiving ride, a more bouncy, energetic sensation underfoot, or a firmer platform that provides more groundfeel? Given new foams and technologies, many shoes today provide cushioning without sacrificing responsiveness or stability. Each balances these characteristics differently, however, creating a spectrum of options. Feel free to choose from any part of the menu.

How to Choose the Best Running Shoes for You

Fit and Feel

Choosing the best running shoes for is a matter of finding the models that fit your foot and feel best when you’re running. To determine fit and feel, there’s no substitute for trying the shoes on and running in them.

Fit: Match Your Foot Shape

When assessing fit, first pay attention to length. You need room at the end of your toes as your feet lengthen during their dynamic movements on the run. A rule of thumb is to allow a thumb’s width between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Runners often wear a running shoe a half or full size bigger than their street shoes.

Ensure that the shape of the sole and the upper matches your foot shape. The sole should be as wide or wider than your foot for the whole length, and match the curve of your arch comfortably. The shoe should hold your foot securely over the instep, while allowing the ball of the foot and the toes to splay and flex when you roll forward onto them. Your heel shouldn’t slip when you lift it, and the arch should be able to dome and lengthen naturally. Nothing should bind or rub as you roll through the stride.

Feel: Match Your Movement Path

If the shoe fits, it’s time to take them on a short run on a treadmill, around the store, or, ideally, down the block and back. Every running shoe has a unique ride created by the type and density of foam(s) in the midsole and the geometry of that foam: its thickness, width, heel-to-toe drop, and forefoot flexibility or rocker shape. Each of these elements interact with each other and your stride to determine how the shoe reacts on landing, how much it cushions, how stably it supports, how smoothly it transitions from landing to toe off, and how quickly and powerfully it rebounds.

The best way to choose the shoes that complement your body and stride is to find the ones that feel right on the run. Benno Nigg, the world-leading biomechanics professor who , calls it the “comfort filter,” but makes clear it is far more than how plush the shoe feels when you step into it. What you want to assess is whether the shoe allows and supports the way your feet want to move, what Nigg calls your “preferred movement path.” In the right shoe, while running at your normal pace, you will touch down where you expect to land, roll smoothly and stably through the stride without noticing the shoe, feel both cushioned from and connected to the ground, and push off naturally, quickly, and powerfully. When this comes together you’ll know that you’ve found your pair.

It’s likely that several shoes will feel good on your feet. To find the most comfortable, it helps to compare them back to back, like an eye doctor will do with corrective lenses: flipping between “A” or “B,” “1” or “2.” You may also find that different shoes feel better at different paces or level of fatigue, and you may want more than one pair. In fact, research shows that wearing a variety of different shoes is one of the few to reduce injury risk as it appears to vary the stresses on your feet and joints.

What About Injury Prevention?

Running shoes have long been marketed and sold as prescriptive devices to help runners stay healthy, but there is correlating shoes, or any specific shoe properties—like cushioning or pronation control—with running injuries. Medical professionals say that it is highly difficult to determine whether a runner needs a certain type of shoe, and studies have shown that prescribing shoes with traditional methods like treadmill gait analyses or wet-foot arch height tests don’t consistently reduce injuries.

Don’t assume that you need more cushioning or more stability if you have sore joints, or if you’re a heavier runner, or if you’re a beginner—evidence doesn’t support many common beliefs. The best way to prevent injury is to find two or three different pairs that feel right on the run, ease into using them, and vary your shoes, your running surface and your pace regularly (plus avoid rapid increases in your training load).

How We Test

Testing Stats

• Number of testers: 27
• Number of shoes tested: 72
• Number of miles: 9300+ over four months

To test running shoes, we begin by researching every brand’s upcoming offerings for the coming season. We wind up with dozens of samples of the models (70 this season) that are most promising—not just for us, but for 25 testers that range in age, ability, running form, geographical location, terrain, and preferred shoe types. We try to put each tester in models from within the same category (all rugged, backcountry trail shoes, or all road-to-trail crossovers) so everyone can test apples-to-apples.

After three to six months of running in each model on varied terrain and in all conditions, our crew members report back with their assessments of fit, comfort, traction, cushioning, flexibility, stiffness, pop, what type of running the model is best used for, how the shoe compares to other models, and more. We also run in every shoe ourselves, and, combining all the tester feedback with years of personal experience, hone in on the best.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Cory Smith

passion for running started over 25 years ago in high school when he became the number six ranked runner in the nation at 3000 meters his senior year. After high school, he competed at Villanova University, earning two NCAA Division I Championship showings. Today, he’s determined not to let age slow him down and competes on the national master’s circuit, running a 4:12 (4:30 mile pace)) 1500 meters and 9:04 (4:52 mile pace) 3000 meters in 2021 at age 43. He prefers a hard track workout or tempo run over an easy long run any day but also appreciates a challenging trail or mountain run. His obsession with running shoes started in 2014 when he wrote his first shoe review for Gear Institute. Since then, he’s tested and reviewed hundreds of running shoes, clothing, and gear for şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř, Runner’s World, Footwear News, and other outlets. He has a soft spot for speedy shoes over heavy trainers but loves dissecting all shoes equally and thinking like a product engineer to explain the why behind every design detail. Cory is the Founder of , an online running coaching business, and since its inception in 2014, has coached runners’ to over 100 Boston Marathon Qualifying times.

Lisa Jhung

Freelance journalist, editor, and author has researched, tested, and written about running shoes for the past decade and a half, much of that time for şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř and şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Buyer’s Guides. She coordinates a fleet of female shoe testers out of Boulder, Colorado, and says her home office is a perpetual obstacle course of cardboard boxes and piles of running shoes. Lisa’s written about gear of all kinds for numerous national magazines as both an editor and freelancer, including a stint as the Shoes & Gear blogger and trail running microsite editor for Runner’s World. A high school jumper and occasional sprinter/hurdler, she started running—really running—after walking off the collegiate volleyball team, and moved on to road and trail races of any distance, triathlons, adventure races, and mountain running. She’s happiest testing rugged trail shoes on gnarly terrain, and also loves a good neighborhood jaunt…but is almost always looking for ribbons of dirt. Lisa is the author of “Running That Doesn’t Suck: How to Love Running (Even If You Think You Hate It)” (2019) and “Trailhead: The Dirt on All Things Trail Running” (2015).

Jonathan Beverly

Jonathan fell in love with running his freshman year of high school and quickly became fascinated with finding the perfect pair of running shoes. That quest got a boost when he became editor of Running Times in 2000 and started receiving every new model as they were released. The parade of shoes continued while he served as shoe editor for Runner’s World, then editor of PodiumRunner, and currently running gear editor at şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř. Having now worn nearly every running shoe created in this century—and a fair amount of those dating back to the early running models of the late 70s—he’s given up on finding the one best and now relishes the wide variety of excellent options. Once a 2:46 marathoner regularly doing 50+ mile weeks, recent injuries and his age (58) have reduced his volume by about half and slowed his easy training pace to around nine-minute miles—but he says he still enjoys an uptempo workout or two each week. Beverly wrote the book in 2017, which explored how each individual’s gait—and thus shoe preference—is unique. He enjoys getting biomechanical researcher’s take on new shoe trends, and, as a tester, trying to describe the nuances of each shoe’s ride.

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