The following review was featured in Trail Runner magazine and is published courtesy of Trail Runner magazine.
Adidas Response Trail 8, $80
Old reliable is back and better than ever. Adidas went back to
the basics and removed some of the flashiness of last spring’s Response Trail 7. The
eighth version of this venerable classic is perhaps the best version yet because of its
simplicity: it’s very runable on all terrain, offers enormous cushioning and
it’s not overbuilt. The outsole isn’t overly aggressive, but the dual-density
rubber compounds provide exceptional traction on all surfaces—especially smooth rock.
“It sticks to just about anything, even mossy rocks under water,” one tester
said. The Response Trail 8 offers modest protection from underfoot stingers and a soft,
snug fit. The toe box is a bit snug, so you might think twice about wearing the Response 8
on trails with fixed obstacles or in an ultra-distance race. Most of our testers
appreciated the mother lode of cushioning, and only one complained about a lack of
stability common to highly cushioned trail runners. (However, keep in mind that this shoe
is soft underfoot and not meant to be a motion-control shoe.) The only complaints were
with the too-snug toe box and small toe bumper—something that becomes evident on
steep, rocky descents. “These are the shoes I always want to wear, and that’s
the best compliment a shoe can get,” said one tester.
Best for: Short to medium-length runs (up to about 15 miles), including fast races, on all
types of trails.
Info: 800-448-1796; www.adidas.com
Asics Gel-Eagle Trail II, $90
The Gel-Eagle Trail II is a bit schizophrenic; it has the body
of a trail runner and a mind of a road runner. It features Asics’ Impact Guidance
System stabilization technology that was developed in road running shoes. It’s a
flashy way of staying that the outsole and midsole work together to keep your feet in a
neutral plane as you hit the trail. It runs with the smoothness of a road shoe,
but—thanks Asics’ most aggressive trail outsole yet—it tackles the rough
stuff as well or better than its contemporaries. Our testers commented on the shoe’s
aggressive outsole, cushioned midsole and snug fit. (The fit is aided by a lacing system
that draws in the midfoot and heel as the laces are secured.) A few testers suggested that
the Eagle Trail II could have been a tad lighter and had a more protective toe box, but
overall marks were very high. The Eagle Trail II is by far the best shoe Asics has ever
made for technical trail running.
Best for: Any type of trail running on any type of trail, from short and fast to long
(including ultra-distances) and slow.
Info: 800-678-9435; www.asictiger.com
New Balance 705, $78
New Balance’s 800 series trail shoes (801 through 805)
have been among the top-selling athletic shoes for any category in recent years, but the
700 series—especially the 704 and 705—have been better New Balance shoes for
running a wide variety of trails. The 705 has been upgraded to include more cushioning and
a better overall fit, which several of our testers noticed. Although the 705 comes in a
variety of widths, it is built to have a wide, roomy toe box. (Note: Because New Balance
offer a variety of widths in the 705, it’s especially important to get the exact size
for your feet. The better the fit, the better it will perform.) A few testers thought the
beefy outsole/midsole construction might be a bit overbuilt, but several testers also
acknowledged that it also made the shoe very stable and protective. The 705 is lightweight
and breathable, thanks to the partial-mesh upper. One tester suggested that the shoes
“ran a little flat, lacking springiness or pop of other shoes,” while another
mentioned that “they felt a bit clunky on smooth trails and roads.” New Balance
trail runners have always scored high on aesthetics and, for what it’s worth, this
shoe was no different—every tester mentioned that they liked the looks of this shoe.
Best for: Short to medium length runs (up to about 15 miles) on more rugged trails.
Info: 800-253-7463; www.newbalance.com
Nike Zoom Waffle Racer/Waffle Jana, $40
If you run in cross country races in the fall, this shoe will
be right up your alley. It’s a featherweight racing flat ideal for early morning runs
on a golf course or racing on the turf in New York City’s Van Cortlandt Park. The
Zoom Waffle Racer is sleek and sassy, and it inspires quickness from the moment you slip
it on—perfect for speed workouts on soft surfaces. “It makes me want to run
repeat 200s on grass,” one tester said. But its minimalist EVA midsole makes it about
as protective as a bedroom slipper. It leaves feet very vulnerable on technical,
hard-packed trails and roads. (The women’s version of this shoe is called the Jana
Waffle Racer.) Not surprisingly, virtually every tester was amazed by this shoe’s
featherweight feel. But most were also concerned about a lack of stability and protection
for running on rugged trails and skeptical about its durability.
Best for: Short cross country races (up to 6 miles), speedwork
Info: 800-344-6453; www.nikerunning.com
Nike Air Storm Pegasus, $85
The initial Air Storm Pegasus was highly regarded when it
debuted last year, except that it was a bit too soft and slightly unstable. Nike addressed
that by added a stiffer outsole and a midsole more geared to help motion control.
It’s still very soft underfoot and highly flexible, but it has more firmness and
gives the runner more control on varied terrain than the previous version. The cushioning
comes from a full-length Air Sole unit, a trademark of Nike road running shoes. The Storm
Pegasus is a waterproof shoe—using Nike’s Clima-fit and Dri-fit applications,
not a Gore-Tex membrane—that does a good job at keeping moisture out away from the
foot, even though it still makes feet feel warm in mild and hot conditions. (It might do
an even better job of keeping moisture out if it had a fully gusseted tongue.) Testers
complained about the lack of arch height and the roomy fit; one tester suggested it was
still too soft and lacked stability. High marks were given to the shoe’s versatility
and traction on a wide variety of surfaces. “It’s like a road shoe with a good,
grippy tread,” one tester said.
Best for: Short to medium-length runs (up to about 15 miles) in cold, wet conditions,
especially runs that include trails and roads.
Info: 800-344-6453; www.nikerunning.com
Nike ACG Air Teocalli XCR, $100
Nike ACG is finally coming out of the giant shadows cast by
corporate cousin Nike Running when it comes to trail running shoes. With a very runable
chassis, plenty of protection and loads of cushioning (thanks to a full-length Air Sole
unit), the waterproof Air Teocalli succeeds, judging by our testers remarks, by doing most
things well. It rides higher off the ground and is more built-up than many of its
contemporaries and therefore isn’t as nimble or flexible, but the additional
cushioning and protection are a valued trade-off. Although it feels a bit heavy out of the
box, partially because it has more mass than many other shoes, our testers didn’t
complain about the weight while running in it. Our testers especially liked the traction,
cushioning and a snug-but-not-cramped fit. That fit helped the Teocalli run well on all
types of terrain, including slick rock, technical trails, dirt roads and even paved roads.
The absence of a toe bumper could leave your piggies in harm’s way, but the toe box
is wide the synthetic overlays can withstand some of the impact. The Air Teocalli uses the
new Gore-Tex XCR waterproof membrane, which makes it comfy in cool conditions but warm in
mild weather.
Best for: Short to medium-length runs (up to about 15 miles) in cold, sloppy weather.
Info: 800-344-6453; www.nike.com/acg
The North Face Ultra 100 GTX, $115
The North Face updated its original Ultra 100 to a
waterproof/breathable trail runner and added an optional weatherproof gaiter to fully
combat the elements. This is the heaviest shoe in this review (14.5 ounces for men’s
size 9, 12 ounces for women’s size 7), and it feels a bit beefy. But that extra
weight and a relative lack of flexibility are only factors when running short and
fast—something this shoe clearly isn’t designed for. Like its name suggests,
this shoe is best for very long winter training runs (several hours) and ultra races in
inclement weather. When it comes to a technical running shoe, the Ultra 100 has it all: a
wide, reinforced toe box, a midsole/outsole construction designed to prevent ankle rolls,
a durable upper and fully gusseted tongue. Testers liked the shoe’s stability,
control on loose rock, heel cushioning and its ability to tackle a wide range of terrain
during long runs. Testers gave low marks to shoe’s breathability (read: warm feet
without cold weather), lack of arch support, stiffness or lack of nimbleness. The Winter
Gaiter GTX, made from a strechable Gore-Tex fabric, attaches with hooks and a drawstring
and prevents moisture entering the shoe above the ankle.
Best for: Medium-length to ultra-distance runs on very rugged terrain in bad weather
Info: 800-535-3331, www.thenorthface.com
Salomon XA Pro XCR, $120
Last spring, our test crew tabbed the XA Pro as one of the
best technical mountain running shoe ever built. Following the trend of weatherproof
shoes, it has been updated this fall with the new Gore-Tex XCR waterproof/breathable
membrane. (It’s made the shoe about a half-ounce heavier, but it’s hardly
noticeable.) Like its meshy, loudly colored predecessor, the flexible and very protective
XA Pro XCR excels on terrain with rocks, roots and uneven footing; the flexible underfoot
plate does an extraordinary job at keeping sharp objects at bay. They do just fine on
gravel roads and dirt trails, too, although they tend to feel slightly less flexible on
smooth, hard surfaces. Testers gave high marks to overall fit, stability, underfoot
protection and a superior lacing system—Kevlar laces synch up with a locking pulley
system and tuck into a special compartment at the top of the tongue. As with any
waterproof shoe, your feet will get pretty warm on mild to warm days, although if
you’re running in the mountains (where these shoes work best), it’s less of a
factor. Among the few negative comments was a suggestion that XA Pro XCR could have had
more forefoot cushioning for running on hard surfaces.
Best for: Short to ultra-distance running and racing on technical trails in sloppy, cold
weather
Info: 800-654-2668; www.salomonsports.com
Tecnica Icon, $85
Tecnica’s original trail running shoes were more geared
toward light hiking, and although the Icon definitely has more running features, it still
seems best for light hiking or trail walking. It offers a snug, comfortable fit and a good
amount of cushioning underfoot. The outsole has a subtle but effective design that offers
great traction on all types of terrain. A beefy heel and wide outsole provide good
stability on rocky trails and the well-built upper aids in support. But the shoe’s
lack of flexibility creates a clunky feeling on smooth trails. And therein lies the
biggest downfall of the Icon—it’s just not as runable as it could be. Our
testers felt the Icons tended to fit about a half size small, especially in the toe box.
Best for: Short, slow runs and power hikes on a variety of trails
Info: 800-258-3897; www.tecnicausa.com