The Patagonia Fore Runner Trail Running Shoes are the most lightweight shoe in Patagonia’s running line this year. While they aren’t a “true” minimalist shoe, they are a great lightweight runner that doesn’t compromise on performance or comfort. Patagonia sent me a pair to test this spring and here are my thoughts.

Patagonia Fore Runner Trail Running Shoes Features

• Upper Material: [outer shell] air mesh, synthetic leather
• Lining: polyester
• Sole: multi-density sticky rubber
• Midsole: Air Cushion
• Footbed: anatomical EVA
• Heel / Forefoot Height: 9 mm / 5 mm
• Lacing: standard
• Weight: (size 9) [each] 9.2 oz
• Price: $110.00

Patagonia Fore Runner Trail Running Shoes Review

Let’s quickly get the minimalist thing out of the way. The Patagonia Fore Runner Trail Running Shoes are lightweight (9.2 oz is pretty good) but for you purists out there you likely won’t be happy. They do feature 4 mm in drop and do have a cushioned midsole. What does make them minimalist is their weight but also the amount of cushion provided. It does begin to force one to be even more selective on their running path. The Fore Runner would make a good transition shoe for someone looking to start the path to minimalist running. Performance in the Fore Runner was strong. The lugged sole provided sufficient traction for dry, compact, wet, and light sandy trails. I didn’t notice much slippage on the ups or the downs. Between the sole and midsole my feet were protected from all but the biggest and sharpest of rocks. The air mesh upper is very airy (no pun intended). This is great for fair weather runs, hot runs, and even mild, dry days. If you want to run in inclement weather or on extremely wet trails, your feet are going to get soaked. My feet sweat a ton and the mesh kept me comfortable on warmer runs. One downside to the mesh is it does stretch and flex. I had to cinch the lacing down extra tight to reduce the stretching factor for the downs. I do need to play around with the lacing configuration to see if I can reduce the stretch even more. Overall, Patagonia is making strong strides in the trail running market and the Fore Runner is an excellent shoe. I’ve run in them for couple of months now and so far the quality has remained strong. I haven’t noticed any fraying in the mesh, stitching, or anything else coming apart. The Good

• Fairly lightweight
• Airy and comfortable
• Long-lasting quality
• Good mix between traditional shoes and minimalist shoes

The Bad

• Mesh stretches require extra tight lacing to keep your feet from toe-jamming on the downs

Bottom Line:

For a lightweight, non-minimalist (zero drop) shoe the Patagonia Fore Runner is an excellent choice. Buy Now: Pick up the Patagonia Fore Runner Trail Running Shoes

What’s barefoot without actually being barefoot? The New Balance Minimus MT10 Trail Running Shoes. The right nomenclature is “minimalist” and the Minimus is New Balance’s answer to the growing minimalist running movement. New Balance gave me the opportunity this summer to test a pair of the Minimus MT10 shoes.

New Balance Minimus MT10 Trail Running Shoes Features

• Deconstructed ACTEVA midsole provides great flexibility and a featherweight cushion
• Minimal Vibram outsole for lightweight traction and durability
• Synthetic/Mesh upper provides lightweight comfort and support
• Odor Resistant
• 4 mm drop (9 mm heel/5 mm forefoot)
• D width
• Price: $99.95

New Balance Minimus MT10 Trail Running Shoes Review

Overall, the New Balance Minimus MT10 Trail Running Shoes impressed me. It’s a fairly lightweight shoe that is well constructed, fits nicely, performs well, and looks good (come on admit it, you want your running shoes to look good).

Performance: The Minimus MT10 is a good performing shoe. The most notable feature I thought, was the 4mm drop. For those who are unfamiliar with drop, it is the height different between the forefoot and heel (in this case the forefoot is 5mm thick and the heel is 9mm thick). The reason this was so pronounced for me is I’ve running in a zero drop shoe for the entire year so far. If you are coming from a typical shoe you might not notice this as much. There are a few benefits of a 4mm drop shoe over a zero drop. First, if you are making the transition from regular shoes to minimalist, this will help. It’s not as dramatic as going to zero and the transition will be a little less dramatic (and painful, depending on if you push it too much in the beginning). Second, I found the 4mm drop effective in having an almost flat foot strike. With a zero drop there was a more pronounced forefoot strike to heel movement. With the 4mm I almost always have a near flat strike. This can be more comfortable. Some proponents will argue that a zero drop shoe is more ‘pure’ but I think you need to try both.

One feature that New Balance included that I really like is the wide rubber strap that spans the toe box. This helps provide stability and structure to all the mesh in the shoe. With a lot of mesh shoes I’ve experienced a lot of side to side play which isn’t good on the trails and can lead to instability and blisters. The toe strap, as I’ve come to call it, helps keep your foot stable and minimizes the side to side sliding.

Lastly the soles. I have both positive and negative comments about the soles. Starting with the positive, the Miminal Vibram outsole is fairly sticky and provides good traction on rocks/hard surfaces. It is a little softer which helps with the traction and is nice if you have to run on paved surfaces. Now for the negative: if you run on very rocky or gravelly trails, you can feel even the smallest rocks. The dot pattern is nice, however, the gaps between the dots are soft and if you happen to land on a rock or other hard/pointy surface you definitely feel it. Most of the trails I am running on are either rocky (think big rocks) or gravelly. After a few miles the bottoms of my feet get very sore. This is an issue with a lot of minimalist shoes, however, I noticed it more with the Minimus MT10. Now, if you spend most of your time running buff trails, you have no worries. If you split your time between roads and trails, it’s less of a worry. It would be nice to have something a little more stiff to help minimize the soreness. One of the photos to the right gives a close up of the soles. You can see the tread wear along with the gaps in the dot pattern.

Fit: I have what I’d call a typical sized foot. I wear an 11 in trail running shoes as it gives me a little bit of room and the Minimus MT10 fit true to size. Width wise, the fit is also good. It is narrow enough that you can dial in the fit with the lacing without having to cinch it all the way down, yet wide enough that your foot won’t feel scrunched.

Construction: after 40 years of so of making shoes, you’d expect just that. Out of the box the stitching, glue, materials all looked good on basic inspection. After a couple months of testing construction has held up and I haven’t noticed any loose threads or flaps. Two of the photos on the right show the shoes after a couple months of use.

My final, very minor comment is this: The Minimus MT10 comes in an awesome orange color which is always worth extra points in my book.

The Good

• Well made, high performing shoe
• Toe strap minimizes side-to-side play
• 4mm helps ease into minimalist running & provides a more flat footed strike
• Orange!

The Bad

• Sole is soft & gaps in sole provide a lot of soreness when running rocky/gravelling trails
• 4mm drop (depends on your stance) if you want a more ‘pure’ minimalist experience

Bottom Line:

The New Balance Minimus MT10 is a great shoe for both new entrants into the minimalist running scene and veterans. It performs well, is built to last, and is a great shoe to run in. Just be weary of rocky trails.

Buy Now: Pick up some New Balance Minimus MT10 Trail Running Shoes

“Free my feet!” is becoming my new running mantra with the Merrell Men’s Trail Glove Barefoot Running Shoes.

“Free Your Feet!” is the official new call coming from Merrell Shoes. Merrell has recently launched a new barefoot running line of shoes. I was plenty stoked when they sent me a pair of the Merrell Men’s Trail Glove Barefoot Running Shoes to get in a month of testing before they were released.

Merrell Men’s Trail Glove Barefoot Running Shoes Features

UPPER/LINING

• Microfiber and breathable air mesh upper
• Merrell Omni-Fit™ lacing system secured with welded TPU provides a precise, glove-like fit
• Fused rubber toe bumper provides ultimate durability
• Synthetic leather rear foot sling provides stability
• Flexible plate in the forefoot protects the foot from stone bruises
• Non-removable microfiber footbed treated with Aegis® antimicrobial solution resists odor

MIDSOLE/OUTSOLE

• 4mm compression molded EVA midsole cushions
• 1mm forefoot shock absorption plate maintains forefoot flexibility and protects the foot by distributing pressure
• 0mm ball to heel drop keeps you connected to your terrain
• Vibram® Trail Glove Sole/ Rubber Compound TC-1
• Men’s Weight: 6.2 ozs / 175.8 gm (1/2 pair)
• Price: $110

Merrell Men’s Trail Glove Barefoot Running Shoes Review

Out of the box I was impressed with the Merrell Men’s Trail Glove Barefoot Running Shoes. They are light in weight, great style, well constructed, and ready for running. As soon as I put them on I knew things were going to be different.

The uppers are super airy mesh. I’ve always worn socks while running, always. My feet sweat a ton and I have to wear socks or else the funk gets unbearable. The mesh allows for high ventilation and breathability. Granted it’s winter time and that will play a factor but it’s been super warm here as a late in Central Oregon and I’ve been out in 60 degree sunny days and haven’t had any issues with too much sweat. On that same token, I’ve worn these shoes out on 30 degree days (perhaps a bit colder too) with no socks and my feet have not been too cold. Moving along with this topic, the footbed does really resist odor. I’ve put about 6 weeks of running on my shoes and they don’t smell at all.

The Omni-Fit™ lacing system is good and it does allow for a precise fit. What I have come across is between the mesh and the placement of the laces I have to cinch them down almost as tight as they go to get a secure fit. If you have a very low volume foot, keep this in mind.

Enough of that, let’s talk about the sole. The specs say it all…4mm of midsole provides a little cushion (not much at all) and 1mm shock plate does about the same. What you end up with is essentially one step away from actually running in your bare feet. I’ve run on the road in my bare feet before but I’m a trail runner. I haven’t mustered the cojones to hit the trails in my bare feet. With the Men’s Trail Glove it’s as close as you can get. The sole provides just enough protection that your feet aren’t getting chewed up but there is enough sensitivity that you can still feel the trail and textures of it. I’ve found that I have to steer clear of anything larger than a pebble or else I feel it, a lot. But hey, you should be missing most all of that stuff anyway.

In most all situations the Vibram sole is good. For dry trails it gives you enough traction to run without slippage. The toe section features an aggressive, toothy tread to help give additional traction. Where I found the sole to come up lacking in the mud and muck. Even in just a light mud I was losing traction and slipping around. In heavier muds it was pretty bad. I’d like to see a more aggressive tread pattern on upcoming models.

One thing I would add is a GORE-Tex option would be nice. From what I hear that option will be coming soon, which makes me glad.

On fit, the Trail Glove runs almost true to size. I normally wear a size 11 in running shoes (sized just a little long to prevent toe-bump). When I put the size 11 Trail Glove on they seem just a little bigger than a 11 usually fits me (maybe 1/4 size if that). While running though, the fit is fine. I haven’t noticed any differences from my regular shoes in terms of sizing.

Overall as running shoes, these shoes are great. As I said in the intro I am embracing the mantra to free my feet. I almost fully converted. At this point all but my longest runs are in the Trail Gloves. In the coming weeks that will change as well. Well done Merrell, well done.

On a non-running related note: I’ve worn these shoes for other workouts as well and they perform nicely. If you are going to make the switch for running, make the switch for the rest of your workouts as well. And then go ahead and the make the switch for your everyday.

Merrell has a fantastic site called the Barefoot Connection that gives tips on barefoot running, how to get started, and a few other things. In the near future they’ll have a barefoot app and more things to choose from.

Check out the rest of the Merrell Barefoot line.

The Good

• More natural running experience with the protection your feet need for the trail
• Good fit
• Solid construction

The Bad

• Tread needs to be more aggressive for the mud
• I have to cinch the laces almost all the way up to get the secure fit I want

Bottom Line:

Do your feet and body a favor and make the switch to barefoot with the Merrell Men’s Trail Glove Barefoot Running Shoes. You won’t be disappointed. I’ve freed my feet.

Buy Now: Pick up the Merrell Men’s Trail Glove Barefoot Running Shoes

I’ve never owned a pair of Merrell shoes. I’ve never even tried on a pair of Merrell shoes. When given the opportunity to test a pair of Merrell trail running shoes I jumped on the chance.

Merrell sent me a pair of the Merrell CTR Cruise GORE-TEX Running Shoes to test and review. Over the past few weeks I put them to the test on everything from quick trips to the store to runs out on the trails. I have to admit, I haven’t been disappointed.

Merrell CTR Cruise GORE-TEX Running Shoes Features

• Nature-Tex recycled strobel board provides underfoot protection
• iR3 rubber/iR3 sticky rubber outsole for traction, lateral traction, and grip
• Gait-Phase midsole/heel cushioning for shock-absorption and stability
• Breathable Gore-Tex lining keeps feet dry
• Mesh upper for breathable comfort
• T-cup slip-resistant heel and tongue construction
• Gender-specific semicurved anatomical last
• Outlast heat management sock liner
• OrthoLite antimicrobial sock insert
• DWR treatment provides durable water resistance
• Price: $120

Merrell CTR Cruise GORE-TEX Running Shoes Review

The Merrell CTR Cruise GORE-TEX Running Shoes is the waterproof version in the their CTR Running Shoe line. Out of the box I was impressed with their light weight, aggressive tread, and overall design.

For my first run I took the shoes straight from the box, laced them up, and hit the trail for a four mile trail run. First feeling once they were on was good. I had cinched them down to a point that felt tight, flexed my feet, walked around, and everything felt good. The first run was a cool drizzly day after a night of rain. Trail conditions varied from gravel to damp sand to puddles to muck to solid rock. The CTR GORE-TEX shoes feature a fairly aggressive tread. I ran through every section of muck that I could (you know the type, glossy on top looking like a pool of pudding) to see if I lost traction at all. The CTR GORE-TEX held their own. I didn’t slip once. Steep downhills were no match for the aggressive tread either. I was able to pick up the pace a little without worry of sliding around.

When I laced up I cinched the shoes on fairly tight. I thought I would have to stop partway in to loosen them. The shoes/laces did stretch some. I didn’t have to loosen at all which became a problem on the downhill. My big were toes rammed like the SWAT team breaking down a door with every step. I took this learning to change up the lacing configuration to something a little more aggressive and didn’t experience any problems on my runs afterward.

The GORE-TEX fabric held up to it’s name and reputation. On the one rainy day I stomped every puddle I could (some up over the toe-box) and no water came through. I loved how waterproof the shoes are, but my main gripe with GORE-TEX running shoes on any runs warmer than about 40-45 degrees I feel like I have mini-sweat-lodges on each of my feet. I usually only wear GORE-TEX shoes in the winter or on rainy runs. If you are only a fair-weather runner or live a climate where rain or water on the trail isn’t an issue, go with the Merrell Cruise CTR sans GORE-TEX.

The shoes do feature a thick heel pad and midsole. As a runner I am finding myself moving more towards the barefoot ethos both physiologically and philosophically. I did find the midsole to be too thick and too soft. This is great for the average runner and it was nice on the rockier trails, it helped to absorb the impact on the heavier footfalls. If you find yourself moving towards barefoot running, I’d recommend going with something else.

The Good

• Aggressive Tread
• Lighter weight
• Soft
• Waterproof

The Bad

• Fabric & laces stretch, must use aggressive lacing configuration
• GORE-TEX makes hot feet on warm days
• Too much padding if you are moving towards barefoot running

Bottom Line:

If you want a solid trail running shoe with waterproof protection, go with the Merrell CTR Cruise GORE-TEX Running Shoe.

Buy Now: Pick up the Merrell CTR Cruise GORE-TEX Running Shoes

More known for their ski boots, Tecnica is attacking the trail running market with a handful of well-constructed and designed trail running shoes. Utilizing the TRS system (Tecnica Rolling System) for improved rolling stride and with a slew of other innovations (asymmetrical overlap, performance platform, bathtub construction and more), Tecnica really means business… err, trails.

The bright orange Inferno Max ($150) is built like a capable training shoe with the ability to smoke the trails on race-day if you choose to lace ‘em up on your next race. Not ultralight, but the wide platform and rocker design is built to make you more efficient and comfortable for miles. Weight looks like 12.2 oz each on these.

With a more traditional contact patch width and a burrito wrap upper, the Inferno Sprint ($160) packs a serious punch in a low-profile race-ready shoe. A look inside yields all the goodies you’d expect with the addition of a carbon plate for lightweight protection and quickness. These will tip the scales at 10.4 oz each, so not the lightest race shoe, but still respectably-light.

More Info: Visit TecnicaUSA.com

When the 312′s first arrived, my wife commented, “Did you get some football cleats?” I just laughed, but I must admit, she was right–the black color-scheme with meaty treads did make them look somewhat football cleat-ish. Thankfully, a walk around the tile wasn’t met with disdain since these lugged kicks have soft, sticky rubber instead of turf-digging spikes.

What first caught my eye about these shoes was the styling. They don’t look much like other trail runners on the market. The full mesh uppers, a lightweight exo-skeleton for support, chunky treads and piping around the toebox really set these shoes apart. They were smart looking on the shelf and are smart looking on the trail (good thing too… I hear mountain lions stay away from sharp-dressers on the trail).

One of the first things that I noticed about wearing the Roclite 312′s was the natural stride and flex. I really like how the entire system works in concert to provide a smooth and consistent feel throughout the step. While some shoes suffer from a hinged feeling, these feel nothing of the sort.

The large, widely-spaced treads are great for maintaining traction on rough and wet trails. You can actually feel the treads as they bite into the dirt. The only caveat to this is in loose conditions where the toe-off push wasn’t always as solid as I’d like. This may likely be due to the squared-off nose.

As far as support goes, these shoes are pretty minimal. I was able to slip in a pair of Sole footbeds to support my pancake-flat feet, but the lateral support is pretty light. That, combined with the narrow heel profile, did exhibit some foot rolling tendencies, which aren’t typically common in trail shoes. That said, if you are confident and sure-footed, you may not have issues, but the technical terrain I’ve been tackling did present some occasional challenges.

As far as Gore-Tex shoes go, these are by far the most breathable I’ve worn. The full mesh uppers really lend themselves to allowing your feet to breathe. While I still wouldn’t recommend them in dry, warm climates, I was comfortable in temperatures around 60 and above. I intentionally stood in a running stream for 30 seconds and not a drop of water entered the shoe.

The Good

• Very lightweight
• Solid overall traction
• Smooth and comfortable stride
• Ample cushioning
• Excellent foot protection and trail feel
• Waterproof, yet still very breathable for a GTX shoe (still comfortable above 60-degrees)
• Love the casual-esque styling accents

The Bad

• Stability is lacking–especially with narrow heel
• Toe-off traction could be better
• Very high volume (bad for me… OK for high-volume feet)
• Mesh toebox captured dirt between mesh
• Grippy rubber outsole feels really slow on pavement

Bottom Line: Inov-8 Roclite 312 GTX

Unique styling and good function really makes the Roclite 312 an appealing choice for the sure-footed trail runner looking for a lightweight, bad-weather trainer.

Buy Now: Visit Zappos.com to Buy the Inov-8 Roclite 312 GTX

Facing stiff competition in the trail running market, The North Face is stepping up their product offering and styling for their Spring 2010 trail running lineup. One notable change throughout is the new swooshy waterfall logo treatment on the side of every shoe. Gone is the subtle red square in favor of a swooshy thing–not sure how I feel about that, but the brand experts must have weighed in and spoken.

Refinements and/or new trail running shoes in the Spring line include the following:

North Face Singletrack

North Face Fire Road II

North Face Devil’s Thumb GTX

North Face Sentinel Boa

I don’t have much detail on these shoes, but what do you think about the new styling? Good, bad, indifferent?

Buy Now: Search for North Face Trail Running Shoes

It has been nice to slip back into a pair of New Balance shoes. It’s been several years, but my feet haven’t forgotten how well The Big N’s feel. I’ve now had the 875′s on-trail for several weeks and about 50 miles of mixed trail and pavement (80/20 split), so it’s time to spill the beans.

The 875′s have been super-comfortable for my feet from the outset. I simply slipped a pair of standard Sole footbeds inside and never looked back. A full day of walking the halls of Outdoor Retailer followed by miles of demanding trails in American Fork Canyon has shown the versatility of the 875′s in the all-around competition.

Construction of the 875′s is solid with huge vents on either side of the forefoot, which act like wind-tunnels expelling midsummer moisture. My feet are always hot, but these shoes run comfortably at high temperatures. My sock of choice has and typically always is the Lorpen Ultralight, but I also wore a pair Bridgedale X-Hale Speed Demon socks during the course of the review. Both socks worked well, but I always prefer the minimalistic design of the Lorpen’s.

On rugged and rough trails, the Rock Stop forefoot protection in combination with Abzorb cushioning is superb. Honestly, this is the best trail running chassis I’ve worn this year. I feel like I’ve got enough protection to run all day in the rocky terrain so common to Utah without fear of bruising.

My favorite feature of these shoes is the Lockdown Liner. Just as the name suggests… it locks down your foot for a precise and predictable feel on all terrain. This is definitely a unique system that puts the fit over the top.

Traction throughout the stride is solid and confidence-inspiring-except for extreme toe-off where the minimal toe treads lose traction on occasion.

The Good

• Fit is true-to-size (Men’s 10)
• Excellent breathability
• Comfort right out of the box
• Smooth on/off road
• Top-notch trail protection with Rockstop plates
• Ribbed laces eliminate need for double-knots
• Huge side vents keep feet cool
• Abzorb cushioning offers just the right comfort

The Bad

• Not for wet weather or stream crossing
• Toe-off treads could provide more traction

Buy Now: Search for New Balance Trail Running Shoes

I got the rundown on the upcoming Merrell shoe lineup while at Outdoor Retailer last month. The all-new Merrell CTR Cruise caught my eye, so here are a few highlights of this model.

Built for athletic trail running, the new Merrell CTR Cruise utilizes Outlast temperature management technology combined with breathable mesh uppers. On top of that, the tread pattern is as burly as they come for no-nonsense traction in all conditions. On this shoe, the “M” logo isn’t just for show, it’s an integral part of the lateral support system and the lower tongue features a scree guard to keep the… well, scree from entering the toebox.

The CTR Cruise will be offered in regular and Gore-tex versions for $110 and $120 respectively.

Buy Now: Search for Merrell Trail Running Shoes

At Outdoor Retailer, I stopped in at the New Balance booth to get a rundown of the latest trail runners. As one of the staples of the trail running market, New Balance will offer two updated styles: The 876 (replacing the current 875) comes out in Jan/Feb 2010 and the race flat 100 comes out in Oct 2009.

New Balance 876 Trail Running Shoe

The New Balance 876 features an all-new design from top-to-bottom featuring a debris-free tongue design, Absorb cushioning, N-lock heel and an entirely new, lower-profile tread pattern. As you can see in the 2nd picture, the tread pattern has been drastically changed for the better (top is new 876 and bottom is current 875). Tipping the scales around 20 oz./pair, the new 876 looks to be a solid everyday trainer for warm weather. MSRP will be $99.95.

New Balance 100 Racing Flat

The New Balance 100 is a race flat with a few really cool innovations. While it’s not as low-profile as some race flats, it appears to provide just enough cushioning and support for longer races (hence the 100 name for 100-mile endurance races). It does feature a Rockstop Plate and is built to wear with or without socks–all in a svelte 7.7 oz (each) package. MSRP will be $74.95.

Buy Now: Search for New Balance

I have been trying out the Oboz Ignition trail runner along with the END Stumptown 10 and 8.5 these past couple months. My opinion about trail running is if your going to go, get far and get dirty. Trail running provides the chance to get away from the mundane neighborhood loop. There are a lot of choices out there for trail runners and hopefully I can relay some knowledge to keep your feet happy on the trail.

About Oboz Footwear
Pronounced “Oh!-Boze”, this Bozeman company uses the saying ‘True to the Trail’ as a motivation to provide solid footwear for your outdoor demise. Their philosophy is make time for getting outdoors despite the whirling time suckers that consume us and strive to minimize our carbon footprint. I’m looking forward to calling up their number to compliment them on their shoes and listen to their recent bike ride story. Nice to see a company run by people who can relate to their audience.

FYI – Oboz has commited to planting a tree for every pair sold.

The Oboz Fit
After using the Ignition for a couple 4 mile runs I couldn’t describe how the shoe formed around my foot. Later I found the technology is called the Radial Fit System which fits perfect to how it feels. Some shoes I have worn in the past do a good job wrenching a gripping fit around the arch but can cause soreness after a while. The Oboz have a good stable fit without cutting blood to the toes. The rocker in the Ignition is a bit more aggressive than I have seen in other runners.

The rocker made it nice for uphill jaunts keeping my toes higher than I am use to. The heel cup is also more snug and stable than other shoes I have tried. I telemark in the winter so believe me when I say, “I hate heel lift”. The TPU cup and plate work together to protect your feet from rocks while maintaining stability. The toe box is fairly wide which I appreciated to give my toes room. I did notice a bit of a hot spot on the outside of my pinky toe after a run, but I never noticed it again.

Ignition Material
The leathery upper is key for those wet muddy days. I also think the leather helps preserve the toe bend area. I have had shoes wear out very quickly because that area was just made with mesh. I can tell Oboz paid close attention to detail for common complaints with trail shoes.

The Z-Grip rubber has a lot of bang without the bulk. Compared to the END trail runners, the Oboz sole is definitely a lot heavier but with that comes more stability than the END line. It is up to the runner really, if your ankles can compensate for the stability than END is a good choice. Personally it was a toss up because running in the Oboz really doesn’t require extra thought on how stride or place your feet.

The Z-Grip is grippier than a rubber glove in the ER.

All-around Use
Who doesn’t show of their new trail runner at dinner? The no tongue design isn’t ideal for everyday use. I don’t normally care for the slip-on style footwear, but once it’s on, you’re set for a stellar run. The benefit of this shoe is you can leave it on after a run so really you could probably shower and sleep with them until snow falls. The Ignition was also comfortable for a backpacking trip I recently did, once again that sole is plenty stable.

Bottom Line
The 27oz. Ignition may seem a lot heavier than an END shoe but don’t let weight be your boss. The breathability works well in wet conditions and would be a great stable addition to your trail runner quiver.

BUY NOW: Get the Best Price on Oboz Footwear

As promised when I wrote my quick review of the La Sportiva Women’s Wildcat Mountain Running Shoes, I have put several miles on them and can now provide you with a more extensive review! To get the basic specs and review of the general info about the shoe, check back in on my quick review.

First, lets talk about when this shoe excels. After running these in a variety of conditions for a variety of lengths, the Wildcat seems to have one area of expertise- short runs with relatively level ground. If you’re heading out for a 45 minute run up the foothills on your lunch break at work, up a well beaten path, these shoes are awesome. So lightweight that you can barely feel them on your feet, they’re idea for short runs where you’re looking to move fast and save weight. They’re my first choice shoe for my lunch break runs, or late evening jogs up on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.

Now, let’s talk about when this shoe would not be my first shoe of choice. While the rubber and traction provided by the sole are grippy, the shoe itself does not offer enough support for more varied terrain. If you’re stepping on or over rocks larger than a grapefruit, the Wildcat’s lightweight mesh doesn’t seem to provide quite what your feet will need to have a great run. The same holds true for long runs (in my case, anything over an hour and a half). I reach for a more supportive shoe when I’m out for my longer days. Thought I’m sacrificing the lightweight advantage that the Wildcat’s provide, my choice is more support.

After running in the shoes for a while, the soles are still holding up great. Mud, dirt, trail and a bit of pavement, these shoes have seen a lot in the past few months. Since I’ve had them, I’ve logged about 100 hours in them, and they’re still holding up great. Overall, I have only 1 gripe with the shoe: No pull tab on the back for easy on and off. I’m constantly crushing my fingers or the back of the shoe in an attempt to get them on. The integrated tongue makes it a bit more snug of a fit, and with that added snugness, getting them on without a pull tab is a bit of a chore.

Bottom line: La Sportiva has made a great lightweight trail running (oh, excuse me, mountain running) shoe that excels for shorter runs on well established trails. They stay in my truck as my lunch break running partner!

Buy Now! La Sportiva Women’s Wildcat Mountain Running Shoe

I love to run. I’m no Karl Meltzer but trail running cleanses my soul. No need to rough it with uncomfortable kicks. After using a Vasque and Teva trail runners I was about to give up my dirty hobby. I stumbled across END footwear and have been sporting the 10oz Stumptown for a month now. Hang on to your socks folks.

Who is END?

END stands for Environmentally Neutral Design which they accomplish by using recycled materials for their shoes, shoe boxes, and even their trade show booths. Check the attached video to see how they re-use materials to make their shoes sustainable. Out of Portland, Oregon, END has a strong passion not only for the environment but also for a tough pair of shoes.

When I first put on the Stumptown it felt like a jacket for my foot. The thin walled material is easy to slip on and it doesn’t matter if you have a wide or narrow foot. The Seamsmart nylon material compensates for either one. The heel is a bit thicker then most shoes I have tried helping absorb shock.

Is it even a shoe?

No clunkiness. No resistance. No kidding. When I wear the 10oz Stumptown I’m not wearing shoes. The only way I can describe them is a burly sock. My feet usually get overheated when I run, but not with END shoes. On colder days it almost feels like my feet get wet, but it’s just the sweat cooling off my feet. The absolute mind boggler is the material keeps your feet clean and dry. I was told I could run through mud and not have problems. Absolutely correct. Mud, snow, and water sheds off the waterproof material with no problems.

END Fit

The toe box is smaller than my Oboz Igniitions but with the material being as flexible as it is I didn’t have any issues. I would also size down a half size, I normally wear a 10.5 but the 10′s fit perfect. To achieve a minimalist design the rear doesn’t cradle your heel like other shoes. It does feel a little small as if your heel grew a half inch. It takes a little adjustment but it feels really secure after a while.

The 10oz has a bit more material reinforcement on the sides of the foot where the 8.5oz is a true minimalist shoe. I can’t wait to try on the 12oz, from trying the 10oz and the 8.5oz I think the 12oz would make a good light backpacker.

Parting Thoughts

I wonder if I could send my old shoes to END to make me a pair of new Stumptowns? They are doing their part, I should do mine. The comfort and quality had me at ‘hello’ and the price tag of $75 is hard to compete with.

Lace em’ up: The END 10oz Stumptown trail running shoe.

Ahh… the shoulder season between Winter and Spring.  It’s a time when the trails aren’t quite dry enough for mountain biking, so trail running fills the void between backcountry ski tours and singletrack adventures. This year, I’ve got a handful of excellent trail running shoes and lightweight hikers to flog in the Wasatch Mountains.

Asolo has long been building high-quality hiking and mountaineering boots, but in addition, they have a solid trail running shoe lineup that consists of eight models. Some models include Gore-tex liners and other don’t. They all share a common Propulsion outsole and tread pattern, but differ in the support and breathability of the uppers.

From Asolo’s Web site, here’s a little more info on the Propulsion technology (see image at right):

The Propulsion sole is made of thermoset Eva rubber for maximum lightness. A central element located between the sole and the heel gives extra stability to the structure, in order to offer torsional rigidity. The sole protection is granted by a second element in thermoplastic polyurethane, positioned between the heel and the outsole. This element can be also seen from the outside.

The main features of the rubber outsole are the innovative Aso brake and Aso Propel systems which guarantee maximum support going down and up respectively. The radial design and the strategic positioning of the various elements maximizes grip on all types of terrain.

From the Asolo lineup, I’ve got two models in-hand and will be performing detailed reviews to be posted on FeedTheHabit.com.

Asolo Outrider Trail Running Shoes

Built with lots of mesh and welded outer support skeleton, the Outriders offer ample breathability and excellent overall support. The medium-profile outsole tread is widely-spaced to shed dirt but designed for both traction and braking. The lacing system offers uniform pulling for easy adjustments. The Propulsion system offers excellent cushioning and protection. The Outrider is available in three colors with an MSRP of $90.

Asolo Prolix XCR Trail Running Shoes

Also built on the Propulsion lowers, the Prolix XCR is built for wet adventures with extra lateral support just for good measure. The outer wing system wraps the forefoot for maximum support while keeping your foot on lock-down. If you need waterproof trail runners, the Prolix XCR with 3-layer Gore-tex look like great options. The Prolix XCR is available in three colors with an MSRP of $125.

Buy Now: Search for Asolo Trail Running Shoes

Trail runners to the rest of us, but La Sportiva has coined the phrase “Mountain Running” for their trail running shoes.  The all-new La Sportiva Wildcat trail runners are built for long training runs with excellent breathability, stability and traction in mind.

The entire upper is built from a combination of a mesh outer and a soft wicking liner with strategically-placed materials along the lower edges to improve water and abrasion resistance.  With a built-in scree-guard tongue and a reinforced heel cup, these shoes mean business.

Traction is second-to-none with the Impact Brake System and Frixion sole. I’ve been surprised thus far with how well these grip in all conditions thus far.  One interesting thing about these shoes is they feel a little ramped, which seems to facilitate a natural rolling motion–I like it.

I’ve only had these shoes for a day, so long-term thoughts will be posted later. Here are the specs on the La Sportiva Wildcat:

• Breathable mesh uppers
• Impact Braking System
• Frixion outsole
• TPU stabilizing heel
• Wildcat GTX (Gore-tex) available Fall 09
• Colors: Grey/Green or Grey/Yellow
• Weight: 12.1 oz each
• Price: $100

Read my long-term review of the La Sportiva Wildcat…

Buy Now: La Sportiva Wildcat – Wildcat GTX

Looks like Avia is continuing to push the limits of their running shoe lineup with a couple of new treads. Both the Avi-Bolt II racing flats and Avi Stoltz trail runners are new for 2009 and were built under the direction of the three-time XTERRA World Champion, Conrad Stoltz. With direction from “the man” combined with the valuable feedback from the entire Avia XTERRA team, these two new shoes should hit the mark. Here’s a little more info on each shoe.

About the 2009 Avia Avi Stoltz

The launch of the new AVI-STOLTZ is the first-ever XTERRA specific racing shoe in the AVIA collection. The non-traditional trail running shoe can handle all the rigors of off-road racing, is triathlon friendly and race ready. The AVI-STOLTZ features ESS-ROCKSTEADY PLATE technology which provides flexibility while preventing injury from uneven surfaces, an aggressive outsole and traction design for efficient sand running, and superior stability, cushioning and shock absorption. The one-of-a-kind shoe also boasts a gusseted tongue and breathable air mesh upper with protective monofilament top layer to keep the grit out while stretch tabs expedite foot entry.

About the 2009 Avia Avi-Bolt II

This high-performance racing flat, also co-developed by Stoltz, comes equipped with a lightweight air mesh upper and compression molded lightweight EVA midsole. AVIA’s CANTILEVER technology in the heel works to soften impact, stabilize the heel and provide increased energy return. Additionally, DURA-RYD in the heel strike area provides superior cushioning while DURA-STRYK high-abrasion carbon rubber increases outsole durability. The AVI-GRIP quick entry system helps expedite foot entry while a speed lacing design allows for faster transitions.

Both the AVI-STOLTZ and AVI-BOLT II will be available for men and women beginning April 2009 with a retail price of $110 and $100 respectively.

More Info: Visit Avia.com

The Salomon XA Pro 3D ULTRA Trail Running shoe is my new favorite everyday shoe. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t have serious trail running chops — its lacing system, its light weight and its stellar fit all ensure that. But I think that the sole isn’t as viciously grippy as a trail runner should be, and I think it sacrifices cushion for lighter weight. If they could fix those two things, I’d be stoked.

Let’s start with the positives:
- It is very cool looking — sleek black, with a few gray and white highlights. Not dorky at all — that’s why it’s my favorite new hanging out shoe. This Salomon shoe is also available in black + yellow, and in a GTX version (Gore-Tex).

- The fit is perfect for my average arch, average instep, average heel cup. Also — lots of trail runners I have been testing lately have a toe box that is waaaay too boxy. The Salomon XA Pro 3D trail running shoe has a low toe box (not so much space above the toe). I usually wear a size 10 in most non-athletic shoes, and 9.5 in athletic shoes (except for Nike, which I have to wear size 10 because of how narrow Nike tends to run). These Salomons are a size 9, and I can wear them comfortably with thin Pearl Izumi ankle socks — the fit hugs well, without hot spots. But if I were to want to wear cushioned socks with these shoes, I would get the Salomons in a 9.5 just like my other athletic shoes.

- However, even with the fitted toe box it still has a good, sturdy rubber toe cap to save your big toe nail from getting crushed when you stub it full-speed into a rock or a root.

- Salomon’s asymmetrical Quicklace system takes a minute to figure out, but once you do you will love it. It has a solid (not stretchy) lace that pulls through several hard plastic loops (for smooth pulling) and secures tightly like a Boa system does, but without the bulk or over-engineering. See attached pics…

- The tongue of the Salomon X3 Pro 3D ULTRA shoe has a small pocket to hide the Quicklace bracket, so that you do NOT have any laces flopping around while you run. I LOVE this sleek lacing design.

- The Salomon X3 Pro 3D ULTRA is light weight. Couple that with a sleek design and secure fit (not sloppy) and I’ve found my favorite everyday shoe.

A couple of drawbacks:
- The heel cushioning seems marginal — just EVA. I wish there were some sort of gel or air or something, as long as it doesn’t lose it’s secure fit or become bouncy.

- The sole is not very grippy. If you do a lot of trail running, then you’ll want something with real teeth on the sole, like the Vasque Celerator which has one of the best outsoles of any trail runner I’ve tried.

BUY NOW: Click here to buy the Salomon XA Pro 3D ULTRA Trail Running Shoe.

I love the Brown Santa (he can do lots for me).  That guy brings cheer year ’round with his brown box truck full of goodies for little girls and boys. Yesterday, he dropped off a couple of new trail runners from Vasque. The all-new Vasque Celerator and the next-generation Vasque Blur are great all-around trail shoes. I tested the old Blur extensively and found them very capable and stable for everyday trail abuse.

I’m looking forward to these new treads as well as the Oboz Ignition trail runners that the Brown Santa dropped off today. To round out the list, I should have a pair of End Stumptown 12′s, Avia Avi-Trail and a pair of Salomon XT Wings.

Quick Thoughts on the Vasque Celerator

Getting right to it, I took the new Celerator (MSRP $105 – Spring 09) shoes out for a 5 mile run today on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail here in Draper, UT. I’m liking them already. Nice and supportive, yet my knees are happy as can be. Breathability was superb and overall comfort was pretty good.  We’ll see what the next few weeks of pounding brings.

I’m liking the changes to the new Blur shoes and the Celerators seem promising. Stay tuned. Celerator and Blur shoes are pictured at right.

Buy Now: Search GEAR.com for Vasque Trail Running Shoes

There have been a lot of attempts at providing better and better hydration options in recent years. But most of them have to do with refining the tried-and-true CamelBak style hydration pack. There’s a problem with this though, and that is that having a pack on your back in the middle of a race is suffocating. Sure, it’s probably fine for an early morning trail run. But in a race? Your back would be soaked before the first mile.

So if you want to stay hydrated during an endurance race, the only other option has been a fanny pack from MountainSmith or something that has slots for 2 bike-style water bottles. Those have their place, but in a competition you’ll be bouncing the hips on every step! And you’ll always be re-tightening the belt strap after every 10 steps.

Enter Fuel Belt — the real runner’s best option to stay hydrated during an endurance race. There are other similar approaches, such as the ones by Ultimate Direction and Amphipod, but the Fuel Belt is an excellent option for the serious runner.

First of all, the model of Fuel Belt I tried out is cut very trim —- no extra straps hanging off. It is made of high-durability elastic, reinforced with welded neoprene. This makes it a snug fit (which is good — because the less bounce the better). But beware — this means if you are usually a 32- or 33-inch waist jean like me, you’ll have a snug fit in the Medium. The Medium fits 30-33 pretty well, but not much larger than that. Go for the Large if you are 34-inches+.

Another thing that reduces flapping straps is the closure — which is simply a large & wide swath of VERY strong velcro. No snap buckle to pinch your middle over the top of a plastic buckle. The velcro is very comfortable, very secure, very lightweight and foolproof.

The model of Fuel Belt I used had two 8 oz. squirt bottles in the kidney area of the belt, and a single zip pouch (for either keys, blister kit, or a few envelopes of energy gel). This is a great setup, since the bottles don’t bounce on your frontside (there is a model with four 8 oz. bottles, including 2 in the front, for ultra-long endurance runs). Also, having a little spot for the keys saves you the swing-and-slap of having them in a front pocket of your shorts.

The design of the bottle itself is one of the key successes of the Fuel Belt, in my opinion. By flattening the dimensions of the bottle it makes it more ergonomic, and feels more like just part of your body — rather than an attachment. The other cool thing? I’ve found that those little 8 oz squeeze bottles are perfect for sliding into a laptop bag or even a ski jacket pocket. I love gear like this that can do double-duty for regular daily use, as well as performance utility for race or high-action situations. These little 8 oz. hydration bottles are great little flasks for energy drinks when you don’t want to wear a pack — though I wish there were a more secure closure for the nozzle for those kinds of uses.

As I ran with the Fuel Belt I really enjoyed having hydration right at hand without the sweat of a backpack or the bounce of a fanny pack. Ideal for a race. The only trouble I had was with replacing the bottles into the kidney area of the Fuel Belt. Since the elastic straps are quite secure around the bottle, it’s a little tough to fit the bottle back in while running at standard pace — I had to reduce my cadence a bit for a moment to get it slipped back in. Once or twice I had to reach back with both hands and use one hand to hold the elastics open while slipping the bottle back in with the other. However — whatever seconds you lose by lowering your cadence to replace the bottle will likely be regained tenfold by keeping yourself properly hydrated to keep attacking late into the race.

All told, the Fuel Belt is a great hydration option for runners. But that’s not all — Fuel Belt has also made some bottles and fuel gel boxes for cyclists and other pursuits as well (see my photos at right).

Check them out at FuelBelt.com.

BUY NOW: Click here to check out deals on other hydration packs.