The following article from Adam Chase is published courtesy of Trail Runner Magazine.
Fall means different things to different trail runners. For some, it means the x-country season. For others it is time to run that 100 miler they’ve been training for all summer. For those in the North, it means the onset of colder days with some dampness and mud. The following line-up of new shoes for this fall addresses all trail runners’ needs while managing to pioneer some excellent ideas into the classic trail shoe design.
This shoe is ideal for aggressive trail runners who attack the trail yet want to retain some feeling for it. The traction on the Sentero is superb; so good that the shoes would work for playing ultimate or pick-up soccer. The midsole was bestowed with the Goldilocks rating: not too soft, not too hard, it was just right. The Sentero has a low enough profile that it is true to its name, allowing for trail sensation yet enough protection to avoid exposing the foot to bone bruising. Although the shoe is not necessarily light, it feels light on the foot. Overall, the Sentero was a top performer and comes highly recommended as a great training and racing shoe for mid to long distances trail runs. SRP: $75
If Michael Johnson were to run trails (and switch sponsors) he’d be running on the Proviso, adidas’ high-end, high-speed cross-country spike. These ultra-light racers are good for shorter trail races and provide superb traction, even without the screw-in spikes, given the strategic placement of adidas’ Z-traction tread. The EVA midsole has a plastic plate for protection and stability, but as one would expect from a cross shoe, the Proviso does not offer a plush ride and you can definitely feel a hard surface under your feet. The uppers are very breathable and although the shoe is cut long and narrow, it managed to feel secure when put to the test. The laces, however, are too thin and dig though the minimalist tongue to the point of putting some pressure on the top of the foot. SRP: $85.
Shikari is Japanese for "run happy." And you will, indeed, run happy if your runs take you on road and trail at a good clip. These shoes are not made for walking; they’ll run right out the door given that they are part of the Brooks progeny of trail footwear that are running shoes first and trail shoes second. The Shikari’s EVA midsole uses HydroFlow for cushioning and Crumple Zone design for a smooth heel-to-toe transition on any surface. It is built on a new last and the synthetic upper offers a secure fit that has a fast road shoe feel yet handles all but the more technical of trails with a breeze. If used for more rugged terrain, the Shikari is not recommended for trail runners who need extra stability and cushioning, or who are prone to ankle rolls. SRP: $75.
Torrent is not Japanese for anything, but perhaps its Swahili for "run even happier." In short, the Torrent is a slightly improved version of the Shikari, which is already a pretty sweet shoe for starters. The Torrent is extremely runable on all surfaces and handled a bit better than the Shikari on rocky terrain because it was more responsive, perhaps due to the stabilizing mechanisms that are in place to enhance torsional and lateral stability. The Torrent’s polyurethane sockliner (made of "Substance 257 CushSole"), along with HydroFlow, ST, did a fine job of dampening any pounding under the foot, as the Torrent rated very highly in the cushioning arena. In sum, the Torrent is a running shoe that performs well on and off the trail and it promises to do so for many miles, given its solid construction that is built for durability. SRP: $80.
Built as a lightweight shoe for both road and trail, the "X-Shoe" was perceived as very "lite" but not just in weight. The X was fine to very good for non-technical running, especially on shorter, faster jaunts that combined road and footpath or dirt road. It offered admirable traction and secure lacing and received high marks on its austere appearance. Where it lacked was in the protection and stability realm, enough so that the testers felt exposed and vulnerable when it came to rocky trails. For trail runners who need a substantial midsole or worry about stability, "X" does not mark your spot. SRP: $75
These shoes really show some ingenuity and bring a new concept to trail footwear — one that promises to develop into something that will help the entire industry. Called "Z-WARP" (Zoned Wrapped Agile Response Protection), the low-to-the-ground, anatomically-molded outsole lacks a formal midsole, relying instead on a removable polyurethane sockliner to place the cushioning closer to the foot. The low profile ride is, indeed, highly responsive and agile, but the shoes felt a little too barren under the ball of the foot. The wrapped and beveled outsole performed exceptionally well for traction and smoothness of ride and if Mountain Athletics begins to make replacement sockliners with different densities for more or less protection, the Z-WARP will be a force to be reckoned with, indeed. SRP: $85
New Balance’s 800 series has come to define the trail shoe. From the classic 801, the 804 changes very little other than cosmetics and still packs the welcome mix of cushioning, protection, and stability (and fashion) that has made and kept these shoes as the top selling trail footwear in the country. The 804 is a good choice for training on any surface and has become a favorite of heavier runners who want the cushioned and protective ride of its Abzorb forefoot and heel and C-Cap midsole. The 804’s lacing system strays from that of the 801, but works well enough to provide one of the best tongue-and-collar fits in the industry. The 804 is recommended for long slow runs that carry you over a wide variety of surfaces. SRP: $85.
There is always a darling in every bunch and Nike’s Storm Pegasus was the favorite of the testers for the fall line-up. As the "winterized" version of Nike’s top shelf road shoe, the Storm Pegasus adds an all-weather Clima-FIT upper, Dri-FIT liners, cold-temp Phylon to the midsoles, and an aggressive waffle outsole to the proven full-length Airsole of the Air Pegasus for the first true cushioned trail shoe on the market. The Storm Pegasus was remarkably cushy yet unlike prior attempts by a number of manufacturers at making cushioned trail shoes, these babies are stable and low enough in profile that they handled well on rugged terrain. The testers found the cushioning — which they described as "bouncy" and "springy" — served them well on and off the trail and remarked at the comfort, fit, and support of the whole package. The only negative was that the weather-proofed uppers (which received high marks for keeping out the elements) were a bit toasty when used on dry, hot days. SRP: $ 85.
Remember those rubber shoe covers that someone like Mr. Rogers (or your great uncle . . . or you) used to protect your dress shoes from getting wet or muddy? A shoe condom, if you will? Nike has upgraded that concept and called it a "shroud," which it enlists in the Contego (which is Latin for "shield" or "protect") to encapsulate a simple base trail shoe with a zippered, synthetic, water-resistant fabric. The end result is a pretty solid, well-priced trail shoe that is good for all weather conditions and any type of terrain. The outsole functioned well on both trail and road, given a smooth yet functional lug pattern that does not pick up much mud or gravel. The midsole had sufficient protection for trail runners who are light on their feet, although the air bag is only in the heel so this is not an ideal shoe for those in need of extra forefoot protection. The shroud got mixed reviews because the zipper would come down on its own and the fabric was not very breathable. Also, as a normal, low cut shoe, the shroud did nothing to keep debris or moisture from intruding via the ankle collar. SRP: $75.
Gender equality has lagged in all realms, but strides toward that end are being made in the trail running world and the newest company to jump on board with a woman’s shoe is The North Face, which has introduced the Ultra 100 in a woman’s last so that women ultra trail runners no longer have to run in a man’s shoe. As with the original male last, the women’s Ultra 100 is a supportive, protective, and sturdy shoe that performs very well over the long haul. The EVA midsole is firm enough to retain its integrity over many hours of continuous running and yet the Ultra 100 offers stability, traction, and durability without suffering from the "clunky" syndrome that plagues many overbuilt long-distance trail shoes. The lightweight, scree gaiter is also offered with the women’s model. It is a removable dense-mesh ankle covering that attaches to the shoe without requiring any under-the-shoe strap. For women with wider or narrower feet, the two-tier lacing system allows you to customize the fit of the shoe and to adjust for the swelling of your foot as you log on the miles. And (like the men’s shoe) the multi-layer toe protection and thermoplastic cup shields the toes of less graceful runners from impact with rocks, logs, or roots. For more agile women trail runners, the toe box reinforcement may get in the way of "feeling" the trail. SRP: $105, Scree Gaiter Accessory: $10.
The best way to describe this halter-top, open forefoot shoe is "sexy." It is more of a lifestyle shoe than a trail runner because it does not stay very secure to the foot, given the lack of lacing, other than an elastic ankle drawcord and it lacks substantial midsole cushioning or protection. It is ideal for running or fast hiking to go rock climbing or bouldering because it slips on and off quickly and easily. It is very comfortable, but the Lycra collar was sloppy and the lack of midsole protection left the testers to worry about bone bruises, especially on aggressive, rocky descents. The Mudslinger received excellent marks for fit, lightness, and for fast running on smooth trails. SRP: $70
Adding to the line of Salomon adventure racing footwear, the Raid Proof works Gore-Tex into the mix for waterproofing. The Raid Proof builds on the Raid Race, with the same excellent mix of Kevlar speed lacing, asymmetric eyelets, dual-density midsole that sandwiches a protective Flex-shield between a dual rubber outsole that is designed for winter conditions. The gusseted tongue and waterproof boot do the trick for keeping moisture out, unless it comes in the collar or internally, due to the lack of breathability concomitant of a waterproof shoe. Unfortunately, as a side effect of the Gore-Tex and boot-like construction, the upper is very rigid enough that it does not move with the foot, which can cause friction and lead to blisters. The Proof’s outsole has excellent traction and combines with the midsole for a rocker-like heel-to-toe transition at a slower trekking pace but is not noticeable when running. As another bonus, the Raid Proof is laterally more stable than the Raid Race. SRP: $110.