The Rundown

The Altra Torin 4.5 Plush is more than an ounce lighter than its , making it a good long-run shoe that won鈥檛 leave you dragging your feet as you add on miles. For runners who regard weight, cushion and fit as the most important qualities in distance footwear, the Altra Torin 4.5 Plush is a great pick. But you should know going in that it is zero drop and provides no stability features in the sole, upper, or heel counter.

The Specs

Weight: 7.4 oz (W) / 9.1 oz (M)
Offset: 0 mm
Heel/Forefoot: 28 mm/28 mm
Midsole: Quantic foam
Outsole: FootPod Technology
Upper: Engineered Knit
Price: $140

100 Miles In: The Review

A wide toe box 鈥� an Altra signature 鈥� combined with a high stack height and minimal weight make the Altra Torin 4.5 Plush an obvious choice for runners who rack up a ton of mileage. Not only is it cushy, it鈥檚 durable.

The Quantic foam midsole started out a bit stiff, taking about 10 miles to break in, and it held up well over the 100-mile test. It鈥檚 a nice, cushioned ride 鈥� not mushy, but also not very responsive. I wore the Torin 4.5 Plush on a 34-mile run and finished with surprisingly little soreness underfoot and no blisters, which I usually experience after runs longer than 15 miles. I credit those results to the cushion and foot-shaped toe box.

Like the midsole, the knit upper was a little stiff initially, pinching when rolling from mid-to-forefoot, but it broke in after a single run. Though not particularly eye-catching, the upper breathes well and fits comfortably. The lacing configuration is simpler and more straightforward than on the 4.0, and the laces tie securely and stay put. The women鈥檚 and men鈥檚 versions each come in four colorways.

The remaining features of the Torin 4.5 Plush are more characteristic of Altra than this specific model, but they鈥檙e worth pointing out: Altra shoes are zero drop, or 鈥渂alanced cushioning,鈥� meaning your heel and forefoot are the same distance from the ground. Zero-drop shoes are said to encourage a more natural running form akin to barefoot running and may . But the different geometry, combined with the thick, soft midsole, can take its toll if you don鈥檛 focus on strength and biomechanics as a regular part of your training as a runner.

While I these shoes roll me to the inside way more than other neutral shoes I wear,聽I keep going back to them even after I’ve finished my 100 miles in it 鈥� which I definitely don’t do in all shoes I review. I like the Torin 4.5 Plush for recovery runs in particular.

There鈥檚 The Rub

Despite the cushion, the Altra Torin 4.5 Plush offers no real stability support underfoot. In fact, the high stack height can mean less stability and lead you to . I experienced atypical inner-ankle soreness after putting in a lot of miles on the Torin 4.5 Plush, even though I usually wear neutral shoes (albeit with a lower stack height and some heel/toe drop). The stack height and its effect on pronation isn鈥檛 unique to this shoe, though. Rather, it鈥檚 something to watch out for, in general, when considering shoes with a thick midsole.

Stack height aside, the Altra Torin 4.5 Plush has a few disappointing qualities. The tongue seems to be designed to look sleek, with a seamless edge, but it is too short and cuts into the bend of the ankle. I tried on the shoe wearing ankle socks and changed to crew-cut socks before going on my first run. It was that irritating. This made for an especially uncomfortable initial fit because the shoe comes laced all the way up to the top eyelet. Unlacing the shoe to the second-highest eyelet (which is typical) avoided extra pressure on the top of my foot.

TL; DR

The Altra Torin 4.5 Plush is a nice blend of smooth, light, soft, roomy 鈥� and durable. If you have solid form and run long distances, your feet will thank you for having it in your rotation.

The post Altra Torin 4.5 Plush Shoe Review: 100-Mile Rundown appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Most running events require little more than shoes and clothing. While ultramarathons don鈥檛 fall into the 鈥渕ost running events鈥� category, you only have to add a few more things to your gear list when you set out on your first ultra. We talked to three successful ultrarunners, and they all agree: It depends on the race, but you probably don鈥檛 need as much as you think you do.

The Necessities

鈥� Good Shoes

Choosing gear for an ultramarathon is all about taking care of yourself, says Sarah J. Bard, a pro runner for . 鈥淭he more comfortable you are, the more successful you鈥檒l be.鈥�

And with long races, comfort starts with your shoes. recalls standing in a locker room before the 2015 in Maryland, her first of that distance. She had a trail shoe on one foot and a road shoe on the other.

鈥淚 knew I was more comfortable and confident in the road shoe, and I know the trail would have benefitted me,鈥� Bard says. She chose the road shoe. 鈥淪taying within my comfort zone and only experimenting a little bit was helpful for me.鈥� Bard went on to win the race.

Addie Bracy, a athlete who came in second at last year鈥檚 , also highlighted the importance of footwear: 鈥淚t sounds so obvious,鈥� she says, adding that overlooking the obvious choices (like comfortable shoes) really hold you back.

If your ultra has a drop bag, put shoes with extra cushion in it, recommends Kris Mendoza, a ambassador and winner of the 2018 24-hour obstacle course race. 鈥淔or longer races, make sure you have a pair of shoes that鈥檚 at least a 陆 size up, because your feet swell.鈥� Given that swelling, it is more important than ever that all the shoes you wear in an ultra have room for your toes and the full width of your foot throughout your stride.

鈥� Fuel, and Something to Put it In

Reliable, comfortable shoes alone aren鈥檛 enough鈥攜ou need to fuel yourself so you can keep moving forward. Find a running vest or handheld water bottle to carry what you need. Every runner has a different preference in carrier style and fit, so make sure you thoroughly test several options before you take one to the race. To keep startup costs low, ask friends if you can try their gear before you buy, or stop by the local running store to see if they allow test runs (and, it goes without saying, buy the gear there if you do try it and like it).

Bracy learned this the hard way. For her first ultra, she carried nutrition in a vest, but she hadn鈥檛 tested it out, so it bothered her the whole race.

鈥淚 think I ended up taking things out of it and leaving it at an aid station,鈥� Bracy says, 鈥渁nd of course mile 29 I wish I had it.鈥� She now mostly runs with a handheld and plans stops at aid stations, because that makes her most comfortable.

On the flip side, Mendoza doesn鈥檛 like having things in his hands when he races. He keeps hydration and fuel in a pack.

鈥淵ou definitely want to have runs long enough that you have eat during them so you know what works for your stomach,鈥� he says. 鈥淚f you can鈥檛 keep food down, you can鈥檛 keep running, so I carry a couple things I know are going to work well for me.鈥�

Look at the course map and where the aid stations are to help determine how much you鈥檒l need to carry. Note, however, when deciding how much water and fuel to carry with you, Bracy, Bard, and Mendoza all stressed the importance of also looking at the terrain between aid stations.

鈥淵ou might see 6 miles on paper and think that鈥檚 not very far, but if you look at the terrain and the elevation change between stations, that could end up being several hours,鈥� Bracy says.

鈥� Protection from the Elements

In addition to fuel, Mendoza also always puts a windbreaker in his pack. Bracy and Bard also say a jacket is really important to take along, especially if your ultra is on the trails. The weather can change, or something could go wrong and cause you to stop running, which means getting cold. 鈥淗aving a lightweight jacket pretty much can save you,鈥� Bard says.

You鈥檒l need protection from another element as well: friction. Whether your ultramarathon is on the road or the trail, find an anti-chafe product you like and use it liberally.聽鈥淢ake sure you lube up everywhere,鈥� Mendoza says. You can鈥檛 always predict where you鈥檒l chafe, but given how long you鈥檙e moving in an ultra, something is bound to rub wrong. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of friction going on.鈥�

Speaking of friction, you may want to experiment with seamless, running-specific underwear rather than relying on shorts liners (which can easily be cut out). Anything that rubs will be far more than a nuisance after 50 or 100 miles.

Beyond shoes, clothes, fuel, water, and chafe protection, the only other thing you might need is a headlamp. But if there鈥檚 no chance you鈥檒l be out in the dark, you won鈥檛 need it.

鈥淭here鈥檚 so much gear out there, and you get into the holding pen on the start line, and you can really psych yourself out,鈥� Bard says. You鈥檒l see people with all sorts of stuff, but 鈥渋t鈥檚 pretty bare bones what you need.鈥�

The 鈥楴ice to Have鈥� List

That said, if you鈥檙e the kind of person who loves gearing up for a new adventure, Bracy, Bard, and Mendoza shared some things they don鈥檛 need but certainly like having:

• Poles: 鈥淭here are some races I鈥檝e taken them and they were awesome for steep terrain,鈥� Bracy says. 鈥淪ome companies make really light poles that fold up and fit in your pack.鈥�
• Headphones: Bard and Mendoza mentioned the value of headphones that allow you to hear what鈥檚 going on around you. 鈥淚 love music but on trails there鈥檚 bikers there鈥檚 runners,鈥� Mendoza says. 鈥淵ou have to be aware of your surroundings.鈥� Both he and Bard recommended , and Bard also recommended .
• GPS watch: 鈥淵ou can load the route you鈥檙e going to take so you don鈥檛 get lost,鈥� Bracy says. 鈥淲hile it is a little bit pricey, it鈥檚 something you buy once, and you know you鈥檒l have that peace of mind.鈥� , and all have models that include navigation features.
• Essentials upgrades: You can always get more shoes, a nicer pack, or better technical gear, like a jacket that can be tightly packed. Arm warmers are nice to have. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e small, compact, and very easy things you can slip on and off as you get hot and cold,鈥� Bard says.
• Toilet paper: Mendoza keeps some in a small compartment in his pack, along with mustard packets (for cramping) and anti-chafe cream. 鈥淭hese are things that I always have with me,鈥� he says. 鈥淚f it鈥檚 small and it can make your life a whole lot better, bring it.鈥�

Don鈥檛 Forget About Drop Bags

Taking a minimalist approach to the gear you carry on you can make an ultramarathon easier to tackle, but if your race allows you to prepare drop bags, take advantage.

鈥淚 try and sit and think about every situation that could possibly pop up and put [what I need for] it in the bag,鈥� Bracy says. 鈥淚f I never have to touch it, that鈥檚 great, but it gives you peace of mind knowing it鈥檚 there.鈥�

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The Rundown

Surface:

Trail

Stack Height:

High

With its release of the new Antora, added a sturdy, women-specific trail shoe to its vast line of off-road footwear. The Antora鈥檚 stability features and durable outsole make it a great pick for runners seeking protection from rough ground surfaces, while the upper retains the accommodating toe box and comfortable, foot-hugging shape Merrell is known for.

The Specs

Weight

8 oz. (W)

Offset

8 mm

Stack Heights

34 mm heel/26 mm forefoot

Midsole

Multi-density EVA foam with forefoot rock plate

Outsole

Full-coverage Vibram庐TC5+ rubber with 5mm lugs

Upper

TPU overlays bonded to an abrasion-resistant knit mesh

Price

$110

100 Miles In: The Review

As soon as I tried on the shoe and put weight on my foot, I noticed the Antora鈥檚 stability components. The shoes are designed with Merrell鈥檚 聽technology, a multidensity midsole designed to cushion, guide and support a woman鈥檚 unique foot shape and hip angles. While some shoes with stability features feel more restrictive than supportive, that鈥檚 not the case with the Antora鈥攊t鈥檚 a comfortable fit and allows you to run confidently on rocky routes.

I also immediately noticed the shoe鈥檚 roomy toe box, which is a key feature I look for in trail shoes. The toe box gives you the room you need to move with comfort and agility, while the rest of the shoe fits snugly. It all comes together with secure laces, and I never had to worry about losing a shoe in thick mud or deep water. Over 100 miles and trail runs up to 10 miles, the Antora retained its fit and proved itself as a durable, reliable piece of gear.

The Vibram outsole is a major factor in that durability. Its 5-millimeter lugs offer superb grip in even the sloppiest of conditions, and the outsole serves as a strong first layer of defense against uneven and jagged terrain. The “TrailProtect” rock plate provides a second shield from sharp obstacles, and it lives up to its name.

All these key features come in a reasonable package: The Antora has a simple design that comes in four colorways, or you can choose a Peruvian-mountain-inspired . A pair costs $110. Consider the fact that the Antora can easily double as a solid hiking shoe, and you鈥檝e got a good deal on your hands.

There鈥檚 The Rub

The above features make the Antora a great trail shoe, but they also have downsides. The rugged outsole, protective rock plate, and stabilizing components give the Antora a high stack height which adds bulk to the bottom of the shoe. You feel the shoe much more than you feel the ground, and in my experience, that makes it more difficult to adapt to terrain changes.

The volume of material also makes the mid- and outsoles a bit stiff. This construction means your feet don鈥檛 have to respond to every bump below you, but it also means that responsibility shifts to your next closest body part: the ankles. While this isn鈥檛 necessarily a problem, it鈥檚 something to be aware of and the lack of proprioception and adaptability creates its own dangers.

The good news is all that underfoot protection doesn鈥檛 carry a lot of weight. The shoe specs say the Antora weighs 8 ounces and it runs lightly.

It鈥檚 a good thing the Antora doesn鈥檛 start out heavy, because it doesn鈥檛 have the best drainage. That鈥檚 a definite downside, given how wet and muddy trail running can be. The TPU-textile fusion makes for a durable and water-resistant upper, but it also traps some moisture inside. If you want an even more durable and protective shoe, Merrell makes the Antora with GORE-TEX waterproof technology鈥攚hich adds $30 to the price and 1 ounce to the weight.

TL;DR

After 100 rugged miles, I have few complaints about the . Female runners who want stability beneath their feet and protection from unpredictable trail surfaces can鈥檛 go wrong with this model, but if you want to feel more connected the the earth, try something else.

The post Merrell Antora Review: 100 Mile Rundown appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

The Rundown

On Cloudswift offers comfort and responsiveness for runners seeking speed, but lacks adequate traction and security for those needing quick-footed agility.

Surface

Road

Stack Height

Medium

With the Cloudswift, the Swiss shoe company ON has made a clear attempt at producing the ultimate road performance runner, integrating comfort, durability and responsiveness into a lightweight package. On makes a play for the attention of the urban runner, highlighting its new cushioning foam and the easy fit and airflow offered by its unified mesh upper. Together, they provide speed and comfort while you run on the hot, unforgiving pavement of city streets.聽They also claim superior durability and traction from the rubber outsole pads. A city runner makes lots of quick movements and deals with a variety of weather conditions, and the Cloudswift is supposed to deliver what that runner needs.

We put the On Cloudswift to the test in the ultimate urban running environment鈥擭ew York City. After 100 miles, many of On鈥檚 claims held up, but the Cloudswift fell short in couple of areas crucial to navigating the Big Apple. Here鈥檚 the full rundown:

The Specs

Weight

8.5 oz. (W), 10.2 oz. (M)

Offset

7mm

Midsole

Helion superfoam 鈥渃louds鈥� and speedboard

Outsole

Rubber pads, heel and forefoot

Upper

Stretch mesh with silicone-like 鈥渕echanical side band鈥�

Price

$149.99

100 Miles In: The Review

On Cloudswift鈥檚 design grabbed my attention before anything else, and not because of On鈥檚 distinct, signature midsole鈥攊t was the upper that caught my eye. Instead of a traditional upper, segmented into the main body and the tongue, the mesh weaves together to form a continuous and comfortable unit. The laces weave through a silicone-like TPU cage outside the upper, which brings support and security to the stretchy fit.

The upper snugly held my foot, but the shoe runs a tad long. Consider sizing down, and if you鈥檙e the kind of person with a between-sizes foot, go with your smaller size for the On Cloudswift. After 10 miles, the upper noticeably stretched out (unsurprising, given you have to stretch it just to get your foot in) and it continued to stretch until I hit about 40 miles. The stretchiness made me less confident when making quick movements鈥攍ike when I need to stop suddenly or side-step around someone during a crowded run commute through the city.

On Cloudswift鈥檚 strengths were also immediately apparent. In addition to the comfortable upper, the shoe delivers the durable, lightweight, springy ride it promises. That spring has a lot of stiffness to it, which can take some getting used to if you regularly run in shoes with a bit of cushion. On calls its shoes cushioned, but the company has its own definition of the word. On鈥檚 cushion is more about propulsion than absorption, with little squishiness, which is a very different experience than most 鈥渃ushioned鈥� shoes. But that technology gives these shoes the snappy quality so many runners want, and it did so consistently over my 100-mile test.

For my first test in this urban runner鈥檚 performance shoe, I ran a 9-mile commute through New York in the rain. This left me with a few initial impressions:

• Slippery laces:聽You can鈥檛 get away with not double-knotting these shoes.
• Always light: Even in the rain, I hardly noticed the weight of this shoe.
• Great comfort: I would have liked a more secure fit, but these shoes are a joy to run in.
• Iffy traction: I thought it might be the rain or the fact that this was my first run in the shoes, but the Cloudswift slipped a lot. They also squeaked slightly.

There鈥檚 The Rub

I gave the shoe the benefit of the doubt after the first run and figured the traction issue was a result of running in the rain in new shoes. Unfortunately, it persisted. Though the traction improved after I broke in the shoes a bit, they didn鈥檛 grip the pavement well enough for me to trust them in situations requiring agile movements. For a fast, straightforward run, the Cloudswift perform well. I also enjoyed wearing them for speed sessions.

The poor traction goes hand-in-hand with the stretchy upper. It鈥檚 too stretchy for me. You can pull the laces and stretchy midfoot bands tight for some security, but the design lends itself to get overstretched. Yes, the Cloudswift has a sock-like feel, but after dozens of times stretching it to get your foot in, the upper fails to regain its shape. The On Cloudswifts are neither sturdy nor grippy enough for run commuting in a busy city where you have to be prepared to react quickly to anything.

TL;DR

The On Cloudswift is a comfortable and light, yet powerful, shoe to put in your rotation for up-tempo running, speed work or a race. But if your definition of 鈥渦rban running鈥� involves quickly stoping, starting and changing directions, Cloudswift has room for improvement in its fit and traction.

The post On Cloudswift Review: 100 Mile Rundown appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.