Road-Running Shoes
Archive
New spring-loaded tech promises to make us faster. But they might go the way of swimming鈥檚 ill-fated LZR Racer suit鈥攚ithout making an Olympic debut.
The springs inside this sole could make you a faster runner
Running to work is hard, especially when you have to contend with cold weather, poor visibility, and icy roads. On those days, your gear matters.
Top shoe brands are racing to enter the super-cushioned fray. We review 2014鈥檚 corpulent shoe crop.
Dominate the water and the road with the help of this gear arsenal.
From superfat to ultrathin, these are the best new sun-season road runners.
After 16,000 miles of wear testing by runners around the country鈥攊ncluding Farah鈥擭ike's Air Pegasus 31 debuts this weekend.
Next week at Outdoor Retailer, Black Diamond will unveil jackets with a revolutionary cord management system that shrinks, hides, and embeds the technology needed to tighten hoods and hems. It鈥檚 called Cohaesive, and I鈥檓 excited about it for a few reasons. Cohaesive simplifies cord…
Over the past few decades, humans have developed some pretty high-tech synthetic fabrics, including membranes with nine billion pores per square inch and bi-layer wicking polyester. 聽聽 But in spite of our best efforts, the most advanced technical fibers still come from Mother Nature. Take merino wool, which is hard…
This is always a tricky question. There鈥檚 plenty of room for debate when it comes to choosing the 鈥渞ight鈥 ski length, and a useful answer should entail a lot of research. 聽 聽 Take the rocker revolution, which had people arguing about how the effective edge鈥攐r the length of metal…
The 2014 Consumer Electronics Show, a tech orgy that draws hundreds of thousands of people every year, wrapped up Friday in Las Vegas. And as usual, there was some pretty weird technology on the floor.聽 Sensoria Fitness Sock A tattoo that measures your pH. A glove…
Exercise caution when you look for an inexpensive mountaineering pack. Remember, a well-built pack is going to last a lot longer than a cheap one, and you want to make sure it won鈥檛 fail at a crucial moment. But that doesn鈥檛 mean there aren鈥檛 good options out there that cost…
国产吃瓜黑料聽staff members are always busy testing gear鈥攚e reviewed more than 600 items for the summer and winter聽Buyer鈥檚 Guides alone. We can鈥檛 cover everything in the magazine, so we asked 11 国产吃瓜黑料rs to name their favorite piece of gear from 2013. And because our staff ranges from elk hunters to ultramarathoners,…
It鈥檚 been years since we picked a thickly padded road runner as our top shoe. But the 1260v3 demanded the recognition. Yes, it goes overboard on the comfort, with a pillowy tongue and heel collar and spongy mesh in the upper. Yet it鈥檚 still efficient, so it was a welcome partner on long hauls.
国产吃瓜黑料 reviews the best gear of June 2013, including the Saucony Kinvara 4
From minimalist speedsters to winter-ready mountain scramblers, we鈥檝e got you covered.
国产吃瓜黑料 reviews the best triathlon gear of 2012, including the Felt B12 triathlon bike.
国产吃瓜黑料 reviews the 6 best running shoes of the season, including the Saucony Kinvara 3.
Reviewing shoes used to be straightforward. Lightweight shoes were meant for racing, heavily cushioned shoes were meant for efficient runners who racked up lots of miles, and stability shoes鈥攚ith a section of dense rubber under the arch, a.k.a. a medial post鈥攚ere meant for people whose feet collapse inward.
Kicks designed specifically for the female foot, including The North Face Single Track Hayasa, best for mixed road and trail runs; the Salomon XR Mission, best for long trail runs in rough terrain; the New Balance 890V2, best for a cushy on up-tempo runs; and the Pearl Izumi Kissaki, best for high-mileage marathon training and racing.
国产吃瓜黑料 reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Saucony ProGrid Outlaw.
国产吃瓜黑料 reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Saucony PowerGrid Cortana running shoe.
Best Foot Forward: From marathon trainers to minimalist runners, we've got the right shoe for you, including the Pearl Izumi Streak II running shoe.
Best Foot Forward: From marathon trainers to minimalist trail runners, we've got the right shoe for you, including the Adidas Response Cushion Twenty M running shoe.
Best Foot Forward: From marathon trainers to minimalist trail runners, we've got the right shoe for you, including the Asics Gel-Kinsei 4 running shoe.
国产吃瓜黑料 reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Nike Lunar Elite + 2 running shoes.
国产吃瓜黑料 reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Brooks Trance 10 running shoes.
国产吃瓜黑料 reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the New Balance 890 running shoe.
国产吃瓜黑料 reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Brooks Ravenna 2 running shoe.
国产吃瓜黑料 reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Asics Kayano 17 running shoe.
国产吃瓜黑料 reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Puma Faas 500 running shoe.
国产吃瓜黑料 reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Saucony ProGrid Mirage running shoe.
国产吃瓜黑料 reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Mizuno Wave Elixir 6 running shoe.
Barefoot-inspired shoes are flying off the shelves, and they're poised to transform the way we run. Here's how to make the most of running with less.
Triathlon is one of the most gear-intensive sports there is, so try a few tris before you invest in a top-of-the line wetsuit or bike. In the meantime, here are a few great buys that will shave seconds off your time and get you amped for an Ironman. Specialized Women's…
Why They’re CoolLet the marathoners worry about shoe mechanics—here’s a fat-foot Cadillac for the rest of us. 禄 Reebok’s top-of-the-line cushioning road shoes padded my peds like a down pillow. But it was the perforated heel that sold me. The innocuous-looking row of holes along the outer heel reduced skidding…
AN IPOD-READY STABILITY SHOE If rock and roll is integral to your running—and we mean either the Flaming Lips or the instability caused by pronation—then you’ll want a pair of iPod-compatible, supportive Equalons. Testers raved about this shoe’s stability and heel-to-toe cushioning. But the real genius of this soft-flexing shoe…
HEAVY SUPPORT, LIGHT FEEL Even the best shoes can’t turn a severe overpronator into a neutral strider. But the AdiStar Control makes trompers feel like bounders. Sure, it offers a wide base, rock-solid medial posting, and a beveled, decoupled-heel crash pad that will serve heavier runners or severe overpronators. But…
Mild Stability If the 769 were a coffee drink, it’d be a quadruple espresso. That highly caffeinated feel is due in part to a lightweight midsole compound and deep flex grooves under the toes. Which is not to say it’s jittery: A midfoot shank and a dual-density…
Looking to set a new personal best? The Redemption can help with a less-is-more approach reminiscent of a racing flat. Plus midsole thickness descends dramatically from heel to toe—putting you in a forward-leaning position and encouraging quick leg turnover. The effect? I ran the Rock ‘n Roll Arizona Half Marathon…
Why They’re CoolThe translucent outsoles are made of a house-brand polymer that, according to Brooks’s R&D crew, lasts 30 percent longer than that supersticky rubber you see on approach and climbing shoes. It also improves wet and dry skid resistance by 20 percent. In the lab, anyway. 禄 The road…
SUPERLIGHT AND SUPER-SECURE The lacing system on this shoe swerves so radically you might think it’s a factory blooper. It’s not. Less than a mile into a training run along the Boulder Creek Path, it was clear that the Concinnity’s off-center lacing system pulls double duty: It helps provide an…
Ever since that heroic, fatal dash from Marathon to Athens, runners have been looking for an edge. Here’s a guaranteed advantage, whether you’re going 26 miles or two. ASICS’s Gear of the Year–winning Gel-Kinsei adjusts to various foot types and running styles, while improving performance across the board. The…
Mild Stability Which sounds more like your morning ritual: Trying to set a new PR, or trying not to hit snooze again? If it’s the latter, the SyncroPace III is your shoe. Like most of Pearl’s running shoes, it has a remarkably comfortable, seamless upper and a…
Pavement Pounder The Glide 2 is the Tempur-Pedic bed of the road-running world. Case in point:鈥圫oft, moldable foam conforms around your heel and the top of your foot, making this one of the most comfortable runners we've ever stepped into. It's a breezy, mesh neutral trainer with ample cushioning, ready…
Why They’re CoolIf you’ve had double ACL repairs or are minus some meniscus, you could be a candidate for the ultrasupportive 3D Grid Hurricanes. 禄 On a day when my knees verged on mutiny and I detected squawking from strange little muscles that had never made their presence known, I…
CUSTOM FIT We were on high gimmick alert when testing the Paris Trainers, which use a pneumatic pump to create a custom rear-foot fit. Not all testers felt the benefit (those who did liked the snugness), but we downgraded the alert to low when, even without the pump, the shoe…
Not every run is a race. For long-distance training at a slow pace, this stability shoe delivers a surprisingly smooth ride for runners seeking firm support. All testers—even those who don’t pronate—scored the 857 high for protection, cushioning, and durability. Stability is enhanced by stiff support under the arch and…
Moderate Stability Think of the Triax+12 as a Mini Cooper. While wider-footed testers found the cockpit a bit cramped, everyone else raved about the shoe’s fast and in-control feel. Credit the Triax’s ample cushioning for heavy heel-strikers and nimble, low-to-the-ground profile. A sturdy medial post provides a…
Stability Road Runner For mild to moderate overpronators, the CT Stamina 2 offers stability with noticeable comfort. The stable heel cup gives way to a light and flexible mesh upper. And for a stability shoe, there's significant cushioning. Testers loved the Stamina 2 for distance training, but its light weight…
Can bike specialist Pearl Izumi really make a top-quality running shoe? In a word, yes. The Pace is the Syncro line’s first lightweight stability shoe, designed for a slightly overpronating woman. The Pace sports a firm thermoplastic polyurethane frame, a cushy TPU heel, and a bouncy, injection-molded EVA midsole.
SMOOTH, CUSHIONED VERSATILITY Lucky number 13? It is if you count a commitment to research as good fortune. The 13th version of this all-purpose favorite is the result of years of accumulated R&D. This Kayano boasts thicker gel cushioning units in the heel than previous models, resulting in an even…
Thanks to a full-length TPU Flexion Plate that instigates forward motion, we simply felt fastest in these light stability shoes. In other words, they’re pricey but worth it. And you can run them hot: The breath颅able mesh is treated with temperature-regulating material that actually seems to work. 10 oz;…
Moderate Stability Unlike most stability or control shoes, which use a stiff medial post near the heel or arch to correct an overpronator’s foot roll, the ProGrid Stabil’s post runs the entire length of the shoe—heel to toe. Although you’d think that might stiffen the shoe, Saucony…
Road The DS Trainer was minimalist before minimalist was trendy, and its 15th iteration is still extremely lightweight and has high-speed specs, gentle stability control, an airy upper, and just enough cushion for moderate-length runs. Our team raved about the fit, aided by pressure-free asymmetrical laces: “It feels like it…
Pick up the pace with this fast-forward shoe. Fans of its predecessor will recognize the familiar heel-cushion design, with its embedded thermoplastic, impact-dispersing “waves.” But now there are three waves rather than two, and they’re angled farther forward. The effect: It improves heel-to-toe transition, propelling you into the next…
SMOOTH OPERATORS Testers loved this shoe’s comfort and smooth heel-to-toe transition. Credit a combination of silicone-based cushioning pads, a stable heel, and a springy midsole compound called MoGo, which we found responsive and highly shock-absorbing. Best for neutral runners to mild pronators. 9.1 oz; brooksrunning.com Bonus: The eco-friendly…
This futuristic, iPod-compatible shoe—put the wireless chip in the sole and go—is chock-full of women-specific features. Most notice颅able are flex grooves that are aligned relative to a woman’s lower center of gravity, resulting in a more efficient gait. 10 oz; nikerunning.com…
Heartily cushioned, especially in the heel, this stability shoe is customized for women, with a narrower last, lower heel height, and more flexible forefoot than the men’s version. 9 oz; reebok.com…
Road Think classic American sedan: plush interior, soft in the shocks, and ready to cruise. The updated Ghost is a comfort-minded neutral trainer, ready for high-mileage days and moderate paces, though it was too spongy for our speedsters. 8.8 oz. TAGS: neutral, generous cushioning…
This shoe packs in technology like a NASA experiment, delivering the year’s fastest and most comfortable ride. Independent gel units in the rear foot absorb impact by adapting to individual strides; the midsole material, called Solyte, is about half the weight of ASICS’s standard-density EVA; and the new polyester…
DELUXE RIDE Cushy, comfy, and extremely breathable, these shoes are like a Mercedes convertible for your feet. The midsole offers good stability and major cushion that, combined with a seamless transition, had me on cruise control during long runs. Best for neutral runners. 10.3 oz; saucony.com Bonus: Moisture-wicking liners…
While this trainer may not serve up super-stability or piles of cush, we appreciated its simplicity, light weight, and ability to comfortably take on miles. It’s a good choice for neutral runners to mild pron颅ators, as the medial post does offer a tinge of support, which is plenty for…
The most gender-specific shoe in our test, the Wave Rider accommodates a woman’s unique biomechanics. The result is a nimble, comfortable, impressively breathable, neutral trainer that’s also ready to race. 8 oz; mizunousa.com…
Road Not so sure about this minimalist running craze? The Vectana hears you. It’s a classic stability shoe—beefy midsole, thick heel, and big medial post—with an agile feel and a noticeably secure upper. The ride is a bit stiffer than most. Some liked it; some wished the forefoot was more…
Don’t be fooled by the adiStar’s low weight and mesh upper. It’s a solid motion-control shoe for heavier runners or severe overpronators looking to hammer out miles. Adidas recently streamlined its proprietary Ground Control System, resulting in a sleeker, lighter shoe with the same support benefits. It nips overpronation…
MOST VERSATILE From a fast 5K to a long, slow jog to a moderate trail run, these shoes do it all. The 2120 has a lighter midsole material than its predecessors, and a solid support system helps both heel and midfoot strikers retain a natural stride while gently correcting overpronation.
Runners seeking structure that can stand up to long training runs and marathon-distance races will appreciate this stability shoe. This tried-and-true model got some major updates this season, including better rear-foot stability and new women-specific support in the midfoot. 11 oz; asics颅.com…
The women-only PDQ is a minimalist shoe that’s great for agile runners with good biomechanics. We love the use of partially recycled materials and reduced use of glues and parts overall, though we did notice some early wear and tear. 5 oz; endfootwear.com…
A running shoe that weighs less than eight ounces is usually a flimsy racing flat. So imagine our shock during the first test runs in the Kinvara: It’s a legit training shoe but with 30 percent less weight than most other high-mileage trainers. There’s radically less rubber on the outsole—only…
For decades, world-class athletes have conditioned their feet—and upped the speed at which they shift from one foot to the next—by leaving their shoes at home. Nike gets barefoot-running religion with the Free, which distills the training shoe to its very essence. For an ultra-minimalist platform, this year’s Gear of…
SOFT YET NIMBLE These low-profile, highly flexible shoes employ a new midsole compound called eBound that provides great cushion and a lively, responsive feel. The updated last is sleek and stream-lined, and it perfectly cradles narrow feet (even though the slimmest width they come in is B). A great choice…
“Just right” is not exactly a technical attribute, but that’s what testers kept saying about this shoe after subjecting it to a variety of conditions. It’s simply the most versatile runner of the bunch. The Syncro Pace has sufficient motion-control mechanisms to combat mild pronation, it’s light and flexible enough…
Testers liked this solid, supportive training shoe best for long road runs. And while it’s a great pick for logging lots of base mileage for spring marathons, it can handle speedy fall jaunts like a 10K, too. A secure arch wrap and heel make for an agile stride, and…
CROSSOVER ARTISTTo save weight and increase comfort, Pearl installed a urethane crash pad in the heel-strike zone at the rear of the Float’s midsole, while bolstering the instep with lighter expanded-vinyl-acetate foam. The result is a great compromise between cush and stability, offering even overpronators an excellent all-around ride. Go…
SPEED DEMON “My initial response after trying these on was ‘Wanna race?’ ” one tester said of the aptly named Streak. With a flyweight construction, socklike fit, and soft yet energetic midsole, it’s basically a racing flat with just enough guts for daily training. The relatively generous heel cushioning and…
What do you get when you cross a running shoe with the British military? Sounds like a joke, but that’s actually what UK Gear did to come up with the PT-03, the toughest road shoe we’ve seen. Using the British Army Physical Training Corps for testing, designers gave the PT-03…
If cushioning shoes are mattresses, the Cruise is a futon. “It’s firm, but good firm,” said one tester. The Cruise has Pearl Izumi’s trademark seamless upper, fabric eyelets that allow fine-tuning of the laces, and unique cushioning pads under the forefoot and heel that deliver a responsive ride. Best…