Coming in as the second cheapest shoe on test, the New Balance opens its account well by tipping the scalesat an impressively light 347g. Along with its Gore-Tex outer, this puts it in the same lightweight ballpark as the far more expensive shoes from Inov-8 and Salomon. Unfortunately, that’s where the similarity ends and, on […]
At exactly half the price of the most expensive shoes and £20 less than its nearest competitor, the Kanadias are firmly in the bargain basement. For weight, though, less being less is a good thing and they weigh in at a test-winning 342g. On towpath and hardpack trails, they feel light, flexible, fast and in […]
At 396g, the Mizuno is one of the heavyweights on test and, as well as the weight, the whole feel of the shoe is on the bulky and clumpy side. This is confirmed when you start running – although perfectly comfortable, they’re unresponsive and inflexible. There’s no sense of connectivity with the trail, and the […]
Slipping on the 379g Cascadias, they instantly feel comfortable. Setting off down the road, they’re light, responsive and encourage you to run with good technique. There’s enough cushioning to satisfy runners coming from a road background and to take the sting out of hard surfaces, but not an excessive amount. They’re spot on for non-technical […]
With a slightly bulky appearance, the 347g weight is quite a surprise and certainly impressive for a shoe that’s designed with winter trail conditions in mind. They perform well on non-technical terrain but you can feel a bit of squirm from the lugged sole on the road. The ultra-aggressive outsole shines once off the tarmac, […]
Weighing 356g and offering a low-slung fit and feel is a good start for a trail shoe, and right from the first couple of strides the Single Tracks feel stable and responsive. They don’t feel at all out of place on the road, and on non-technical and hardpack trails they don’t miss a beat. They’re […]
The ‘312’ refers to the weight of a UK size 8 and, although our UK 10 weighs 348g, that’s still light for a trail shoe. From a company that specialises in off-road shoes, the Roclites have a more off-roader feel and look than the other contenders. Despite employing Inov-8’s highest level of cushioning, the shoe […]
The Merrells look, feel and, tipping our scales at 397g, weigh more like a trekking approach shoe rather than a trail racer. They’re comfortable for loafing about in but just don’t give you any inspiration to run. The chunky toe bumper, cushioned heel and inflexible sole screams fast and light walking shoe and, with a […]
At 400g this is the heaviest shoe on test. When getting a feel for them out of the box, this weighty stack manifests itself in a highly inflexible shoe. On flat and non-technical trails this isn’t a problem, and they cope well with moderate, gently undulating off-road terrain. They also perform proficiently on hardpack terrain, […]
If you’re used to Asics road shoes then these trail offerings will feel familiar. Sadly, like several of their higher-end road shoes, we can’t help conclude that they’re over-engineered. The 396g weight is at the heavier end, and do you really need gel cushioning on the rear and forefoot and a ‘Rock Protection Plate’ in […]
Brooks is a latecomer to the minimalist barefoot run brigade. However, its new PureProject range proves it hasn’t been sitting around idly. This set of lightweight and high-feel shoes aims to inspire a more natural run gait. Dip into the PureConnect and, we hate to say it, the moulded fit really does make you feel […]
New Balance began their business in the early 20th century manufacturing arch supports for police officers and waiters. Their history of podiatry continues to be seen in their shoes, with the useful feature of different width shoes as well as standard sizes. The New Balance 1080 running shoe is designed for neutral runners with plenty […]
This aesthetically strong, if not traditional looking shoe, gives a highly pleasant run experience. As soon as you put it on your foot, you’re aware of how good a fit it is: well-considered, snug and tight enough around the midsole, without causing discomfort. Wider feet might find the toe box a little restrictive but it […]
I’m sure we’ve all owned a set of Asics at some point in our lives and I’d hedge a bet that most of us have owned a pair of Gel-Nimbus shoes. The Gel-Nimbus 13 is, as the name suggests, the 13th style in a pedigree line of award-winning trainers. It’s a neutral high miler with […]
Here we have a shoe that’s trying to break down the paradigms of performance running footwear… and has failed. Or at least it has when you compare it to, say, the subtlety of Newton’s energy return system. Rather, the One One Bondi B (seriously?) will have you leaving the house looking like a Tweenie. Name […]
There’s always something a bit special about putting on a brand-new pair of Brooks run shoes (plus they’re Chrissie Wellington’s brand of choice – T7’s in her case). And although you can always rely on a relatively standard, classic look from this brand, their shoes are more than happy to help you clock up the […]
As you’d expect given the brand name and the top-end price, Saucony’s ProGrid Cortana delivers on many fronts: supreme fit, light weight and vibrant styling. There’s good support from the upper on first wear – in particular at the ankle – which provides great reassurance and an excellent ride. And it’s not at the expense […]
This fantastically stylish, stand out shoe harps back to the classic Puma RS1. Thankfully it backs up the style with plenty of substance; there’s no real performance compromise, as both the comfort and speed boxes have been ticked. Faas actually means ‘fast’ in Jamaican – a country that knows a thing or two about fast […]
Zoot entered the tri market in the mid-Eighties with a host of innovative products. And judging by its latest Energy 3.0, it won’t be long until it makes its mark in the running market, too. The Energy is a cushioned, neutral, high miler and although Zoot offers lighter shoes, these are still very light. The […]
Here’s a collection of ground-breaking technologies packaged in a strong, attractive design. The Syncro Fuels benefit from several own-brand features, such as a new 1:1 Energy Foam, which cushions the foot on impact before returning the energy to the runner for a snug, confidence-inspiring ride. A further stand-out aspect is the wide lacing configuration – […]
Here we have a more stripped-out option to stop your toes from overheating in hotter climes. The Blade-Light Run comes with plenty of ventilation thanks to its mesh upper and drainage holes, but this dark heat-absorbing colourway does seem to contradict that ambition somewhat. (Thankfully it comes in a variety of light colour options.) The […]
As part of the celebrated Lunar range, the Lunarglide bridges the gap brilliantly between lightweight racer and high miler. This is down to its Lunarlite (30% lighter than standard Phylon) cushioning material and its Dynamic Support system. This system sits in the shoe’s midsole and features more soft foam on the lateral side for cushioning […]
Combining an ultra-lightweight upper (with more than a hint of Crocs about it), removable neoprene sock liner, minimal midsole and a quick-pull lacing system, the Ultra is seemingly perfect for the triathlete who wants a speedy T2 and a barefoot feel to their run. Slipping them on, they feel super comfortable without socks and the […]
The Mafate are built like any other run shoe, with one main difference – an incredibly thick and soft midsole. The idea is to give a ‘full suspension’ experience to trail running by creating a highly-cushioned, rolling feel to assist fast downhills. The first wear of these is certainly an experience. You feel disconnected with […]
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