Subscribe to Outside Magazine
advertisement
2009 Winter Buyer's Guide
View the entire 300-plus collection of must-have gear items tailor-made for your adventurous lifestyle. PLUS: A special section on womens gear.
Gear Guy

Today's Question
What happened to external-frame backpacks? answer

What pack should I use for a multi-day ski touring trip in Patagonia? answer

Gear Girl

Today's Question
What are the best lightweight, warm-weather hiking boots? answer

Can you recommend clothing with insect repellent in the fabric? answer

Workbench

Skin Care

Gear Upgrade

Make a Ski Sling

User Reviews

User Reviews

Browse Outdoor Gear

Online Favorites

Special Issues

Photo Galleries
save this page print this page email this page
  • share this page

Outside Magazine July 2003

Review: Road Runners
Great Strides
The latest road runners fit better, feel faster, and work almost as hard as you do

By Michael Frank


Intro | Mizuno Wave Maverick 2 & Nike's Air Zoom Spiridon | Saucony Grid Vision & Asics Gel-Creed Plus | Pearl Izumi Push & Brooks Glycerin 2 | New Balance 833 & Adidas Climacool II

(Nitin Vadukul)
RUNNING-SHOE MANUFACTURERS peek at each other's homework all the time. Need proof? Compare the eight kicks on the pages that follow—this year's best in show—and you'll see that they share some notable breakthroughs. More shoemakers are using mesh in the uppers, which helps your feet breathe better, even during sweltering summer workouts. You'll also find plenty of fusion welding, a process new to the athletic footwear market that involves bonding materials with heat and glue (rather than stitching) to increase durability without adding weight. And many designers are lightening up, going easier on the shock-absorbing air/gel/fluid cushions under the heels—good stuff that can weigh down shoes when overused. These and other innovations have been rolled out in a range of models, so whether you need a swift racer for your next 10K or beefed-up trainers for pre-marathon regimens, you'll have no trouble finding a pair to kick your style.



Next Page:

 
Intro | Mizuno Wave Maverick 2 & Nike's Air Zoom Spiridon | Saucony Grid Vision & Asics Gel-Creed Plus | Pearl Izumi Push & Brooks Glycerin 2 | New Balance 833 & Adidas Climacool II