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AND THE WINNER IS...
Vasque Velocity $80
Like high-tops with wings, these runners fly over any off-road playing surface.
Why It's Cool: Yippee! Vasque's new shoes are the complete package. They fuse all of the best elements of a road runner with the necessary components of a trail shoe in a smartly designed kicker to carry you over just about anything. >> Although they resemble approach shoes, they have the grip of a honed crampon. >> The slightly taller-than-average upper adds protection and beefs up an already stable frame of dual-density EVA. A flexible polyurethane plate keeps sharp trail debris from pushing through to the bottom of your foot while perfectly complementing a reliable and effective (but not too aggressive) outsole. >> There's adequate cushioning in the midsole, as well as a firmer wedge to combat pronation. Most importantly, the curve-lasted Velocitys are flexible, agile, and fast—an uncommon combination for such a protective shoe.
Hmmm... The shoes aren't as light as some of their minimalist contemporaries. At 28 ounces per pair, they're chunkier than average.
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Teva Tsegi $75
If your favorite trails have vertical, slick rock—like the Navajo territory of Arizona that these shoes are named for—then the Tsegis are the only footwear you'll ever need.
Why It's Cool: The meshy upper practically hyperventilates, which is good, because you're bound to work up a sweat in these aggressively styled sneaks. >> The Tsegis have several key attributes that make them ideal for pounding down obstacle-infested trails, scrambling up near-vertical routes, or bounding through slickrock canyons: They're compact and low to the ground, the outsole is sticky like honey, the toe box is invincible, and a polyurethane shank provides lateral stability.
Hmmm... Although they have an EVA-and-TPU midsole, they're not nearly as springy as many trail runners. As a result, they can feel a bit clunky on smooth trails. >> Mesh sidewalls leave the pinky toe and the ball of the foot on the chopping block while running technical lines. |
Brooks Trail Addiction $85
Mash right on through deep-woods detritus.
Why It's Cool: With their mattress-like cushioning and motion-control midsole, the Trail Addictions are as stable as the Japanese yen. Like many trail shoes, they have a firmer chunk of EVA on the medial side of the heel to keep the foot balanced and reduce pronation. But unlike many off-pavement kicks, they combine the shock absorption of a road-runner with the girth of a snowplow—both key qualities when you're in ankle-rolling terrain. >> On a run up the craggy trails of Boulder's Green Mountain, the heavily armored upper easily fended off rocks, roots, and other junk.
Hmmm... The beefy construction and straight-lasted design relegate the Trail Addictions to slow and not terribly dynamic running. The additional stuffing creates a high center of gravity, especially for lighter runners. |
The North Face Vapor Light $90
Training for the Hard Rock 100? Your shoe search is over.
Why It's Cool: A slimmed-down version of the popular Ultra 102, the new Vapor Lights do everything their portlier cousins can do, only better. >> These shoes offer plenty of protection and stability for long-distance mountain running, in a fairly lightweight and très breathable package. >> These ramblers offer a smooth, stable ride (more akin to a road-running shoe) and unwavering downhill control. >> With an Outlast temperature-regulating footbed working in concert with the mesh upper, your feet won't overheat. Mine were cool as cukes while running on an 85-degree day in Tucson.
Hmmm... Missing: two standard elements in shoes geared for backcountry running—a gusseted tongue and a roomy toe box. >> On several steep climbs I longed for a more aggressively lugged outsole. |
New Balance 870 $90
These blend workmanlike sensibility and a good bit of giddyup.
Why It's Cool: The 21.2-ounce 870's offer everything a short- to middle-distance trail runner needs: a lightweight, low-profile design, exceptional traction, and a reinforced toe box—qualities that shine on soft forest trails and smooth fire roads. >> The 870's are particularly sprightly shoes with a seamless transition from heel strike to toe-off, which is one of the reasons I liked them best on up-tempo workouts. >> A felt-lined tongue and nonslip laces add to the dependably snug fit.
Hmmm... With no motion- control device in the heel, the 870's could spell disaster for habitual overpronators—those who tend to flatten out their arches when their feet strike the ground. >> With only a soft outsole and a thin layer of EVA up front, the forefoot is vulnerable to jagged rocks and pointy sticks. |
Nike ACG Air Zoom Steens $90
Lace up the full-suspension mountain bike of trail shoes.
Why It's Cool: Most kicks that offer low-to-the-ground dexterity lack forefoot cushioning, which can lead to a dead feeling on every foot strike and toe-off. The Steens solve that problem with a soft Zoom Air insert sandwiched between two thin layers of EVA. >> The result is a cushy, dynamic ride up front that doesn't sacrifice agility on steep trails rippled with knife-edge ridges. Combining a midfoot antiroll support shank, a dual-density EVA midsole to offset pronation, and an outsole that looks like a mountain-bike tire, the 27-ounce Steens are at once stable, reliable, and nimble. >> Although not the fastest horse in the corral, these are consummate long-distance mountain runners.
Hmmm... Like a sophomore in a slow dance, there's too much tongue migration going on here. |
Merrell Bolt $95
Dial in the fit of the first mass-produced custom-fit shoes.
Why It's Cool: Merrell's M-Chip technology allows you to strategically manipulate neutral and firm-density inserts into three sections of the midsole depending on your gait and foot-strike pattern. >> Technological tweaks aside, the surefooted Bolts are super-comfy—thanks in part to an inner bootie of soft mesh. >> These shoes groove on steep, rocky paths; credit their excellent foot protection and lateral stability.
Hmmm... It takes a professional gait analysis or a bit of trial and error to find out which configuration is best for you. I didn't figure it out until I had my stride videotaped while on a treadmill. Using the wrong pattern left me with sore lower legs. >> Although the chips are lightweight, the shoes are rather heavy (27 ounces) because of large synthetic-leather overlays.
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Salomon XA Series $100
Behold: The first true racing flat for technical trails.
Why It's Cool: The XA's offer a unique mix of agility and underfoot protection in an innovative, featherweight (20.6 ounces) package. >> A seamless mesh "unibody" upper construction provides a socklike fit and keeps trail rubble out, while the updated one-pull Kevlar lacing system is just about bulletproof. >> With a fiberglass plate sandwiched between the polyurethane midsole and dual-density rubber outsole, you'll ford the odd scree field without breaking stride. >> The fusion of protection and minimalism inspires unprecedented quick-cadence leg turnover on technical trails.
Hmmm... The meshy upper is very breathable, but lacking armor, it leaves the top and sides of the foot vulnerable.
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Montrail Kinabalu $100
The flexible Kinabalus are right at home in the hills.
Why It's Cool: These lightweight and versatile shoes are ideal for a plethora of activities, but some of their technical features—especially the adhesive multidensity outsole and oversize rubber toe-box wrap—also make them an ideal long-distance mountain runner. >> Patches of synthetic-leather armor add lateral protection to the mesh upper, yet they don't seem to inhibit the shoes' ability to breathe. >> The Kinabalus are as light (24 ounces) as any of Montrail's ultrarunning-oriented shoes.
Hmmm... Running on hard, flat surfaces can be awkward; there's not much midsole cushioning under the toes and no motion-control functionality in the heel. |
Reebok Premier Road $80
Like your grandfather's wool cardigan, the Premier Roads aren't flashy, but they're comfortable and get the job done when you're running long, slow miles.
Why It's Cool: This pair is really pretty basic, and that's their best feature. The Premier Roads are highly cushioned and very comfy road trainers, thanks to an extra-thick slice of DMX foam (paired with Reebok's own spin on EVA) running from heel to toe. >> A firmer medial posting provides reliable motion control, while the four sections of the multimaterial outsole independently address shock absorption, traction, durability, and flexibility for each part of the foot during the heel-strike-toe-off cycle. >> But I didn't think about any of that when I ran—I was entranced by the sweet, consistent rhythm humming from my feet. And, really, there is no higher compliment that can be bestowed upon a running shoe.
Hmmm... They're not tortoises, but "race pace" definitely isn't in their vocabulary. At best, you might crank these up to about 60 percent of top speed. |
Saucony Grid Stabil MC $90
If your gait is vintage Monty Python, these are the perfect shoes for you. they can get anybody moving in a straight line.
Why It's Cool: The Grid Stabils are very effective motion-control trainers that lack some of the genre's usual characteristics, i.e. weight and bulk. >> For control-oriented shoes, they're very lightweight. But they don't skimp on any of the necessary ingredients that supply torsional rigidity, heel hold, midfoot support, and pronation control. >> They offer a sorbet-smooth heel-to-toe transition on a variety of surfaces, from paved roads to bridle trails. >> While Clydesdales would be able to tip-toe through the tulips in these marvels, the shoes also offer a consistent ride for smaller and flat-footed wobblers.
Hmmm... Like most motion-control shoes, they lack a high gear. You won't reach top speed even if you stomp on the gas. >> The exposed EVA sections on the outsole are vulnerable to wear. |
Asics Gel-DS Trainer VIII $100
Here's a speedy shoe to get you across the finish line.
Why It's Cool: Formerly minimalist racers, these shoes have been updated to become ideal up-tempo trainers. Several independent features work together to slow the rate of pronation, absorb shock, and transfer energy into forward propulsion. Every stride seems to produce more pop than the last. >> The shoe's motion-control system (dual-density EVA foam, a polyurethane midfoot truss, and gel cushioning) directs your foot into the perfect gait on every step.
Hmmm... Damn, how much whiter could these shoes be? >> These aren't ideal for long, slow Sunday runs. They don't have the cushioning to absorb the pounding the way a
traditional training shoe does. |
Adidas AdiSTAR Control $110
They practically do the running for you.
Why It's Cool: Because it works. Adidas calls its springy innovation "a3 technology," but it's essentially a polyurethane-and-EVA sandwich that aids cushioning, motion control, and forward propulsion. When the heel is depressed on impact, the sandwich absorbs the blow and begins to move the energy forward to meet the impact of the forefoot. As the heel releases, the sandwich expands with an energetic thrust. >> Running in the adiSTARs produces a subtle bounding sensation; I definitely felt there were other forces aiding my stride. (Flubber?) >> It's a reliable system that noticeably reduces the rate of pronation or supination.
Hmmm... The engineering involved in this shoe contributes to the three-figure price tag. >> Tipping the scales at 28.4 ounces, these are chunky monkeys compared to most other road-running shoes. |
Nike Shox TL $150
When a gimmick actually works, it's called innovation.
Why It's Cool: Who didn't dream of having spring-loaded shoes as a kid? Leave it to Nike to pursue the concept to the hilt with the Shox system—basically polyurethane springs that cushion the blow of landing and propel the foot into the air. >> The faster I ran and the more deliberately I placed my feet at the end of each stride, the more I felt the springs do their work. >> As for fit, the micro-mesh upper half of the shoe is soft, snug, and very airy. But Nike could put a construction boot upper on this platform and it would work. It's what's underneath the hood that makes these such an engineering marvel.
Hmmm... While the technology works, the Shox TL's are on the heavy side (27.6 ounces). >> For $150, I could buy two pairs of road trainers and never get funny looks from my friends.
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