How many versions can a shoe go through and still maintain their success? Runner’s World has selected the Cascadia 9 as their Editor’s Choice for the Spring 2014 trail shoe guide. For you Cascadia lovers, Version 9 did not stray too far from last...
The Altra Torin 1.5 is classified as “high cushioning” in a neutral platform. INITIAL IMPRESSIONS The Torin 1.5 comes in at 10.9 oz (309 grams). The stack height is listed as 27 mm. I believe this includes the insole. Running warehouse measures the...
The Altra Olympus is another entrant into the 2014 “maximal” shoes, that is, lots of cushioning with a minimal offset (for Altra shoes, it is a zero offset). Altra trail running shoes are categorized by Maximum cushioning (Olympus); Moderate...
If you have been searching the web and social media, 2014 is the trend for “maximal” shoes. Although this category of shoes doesn’t have an official definition, but you can see that it is taking the learnings of the minimal trend (zero to low...
The Asics Gel Fuji Trainer 3 comes in at sub-10 oz (~9.70 oz). The offset is at 8mm (10/18mm). I would have preferred an offset at 4mm to 6mm. Out of the box, it fit true to size. Unlike the complaint of the Trainer 2 not having eyelets but...
The Mammut MTR 201 Pro Low fit true to size. You will notice that it has new lower lugs with a “sticky” rubber outsole (Gripex Sonar II). It has a secure fit due to the “anchors” – lacing is built into the shoe. I like the speed lace system with...
You will notice something very different about the Newton Running Energy shoe. It is the second shoe in the Newton Running line-up that has five lugs versus the traditional four lugs. See picture below. You will also notice the five lugs are less...
The New Balance MT1010 V2 is a great upgrade to the original MT1010. It is slightly thicker, 1mm ultra-lightweight midsole, adding cushioning without adding weight. Let’s take a look at the MT1010 V2. INITIAL IMPRESSION I’ve tried minimal shoes...
Wow! Pearl Izumi has definitely made a debut with their E:Motion line of shoes. They have three trail shoe versions – N1, N2, and M2. The N1 debuted last year with Tim Olsen’s Western States win (not sure what happened since North Face is his...
Asics FluidAxis technology debuts in the Gel-Excel 33 2. What is the FluidAxis? It is an anatomically correct deep flex grooves that have been aligned to the joints of the foot. This allows the shoe to “recognize”, adapt, and respond to the...