The Standard in Men’s Trail Runners
If you’re an all season runner who loves hitting the trails, consider the Montrail Susitna XCR Trail Running shoe this season. With a Gore-Tex shell, and a DryShell to prevent water weight gain, it provides one of the greatest levels of breathability ever achieved in waterproof footwear. This trail runner provides a comfortable, conforming and durable fit.
Back Country Outlet reviews the Montrail Susitna XCR. The shoe earns between 4 and 5 stars with each review.
” I wore these shoes for a 20 mile trail run right out of the box. The track was wet with several creek crossings and lots of slogging through thick mud. My feet stayed dry and comfortable without blistering. The only improvement I could ask for is an easier lacing system to allow tightening without stopping and removing gators. “
” The greatest thing about this pair of goretex shoes is that it actually stays dry and therefore, *light*. This is very important for runners. Unlike the others, the goretex layer is on the outside and so the shoes won’t get soaked. As for why I didn’t give it 5 stars, well, I never find much breathability of any goretex shoes, not even in this pair that uses XCR.”
Before your next trail runner purchase, learn about the Montrail Susitna XCR.
Find me a Running Shoe!
You’ve read the reviews. You understand the importance of a properly fitting shoe. You know your gait. You’ve identified your foot type. Your running stride is no mystery and you’ve analyzed your running habits. All you want is a running shoe. But, so many shoes remain. You’re a lot smarter about running shoes, cross-trainers, racing flats and trail runners, but your foot is still bare. Is there any hope?
Some runners benefit from an interactive Running Shoe Finder tool. Several online sites offer short questionnaires to help you narrow down a shoe for you. It’s like your own personal podiatrist running shoe expert living in your laptop. Check out the sites below and determine the shoe for you:
Stay Firm: Puma Complete Phasis III
If you’re feet are fairly normal, you do not suffer from especially high or low arches and you dig a firm shoe, the Puma Complete Phasis III might be the shoe for you. It offers breathable fabric and serious support. Runner’s World creates an annual review of shoes, and highlights the Puma Complete Phasis III in 2006′s report. Runner’s World says:
Think of the updated Phasis as a neutral-cushioned version of the Tenos. According to our Shoe Lab tests, the Phasis is a bit firmer, but slightly more flexible than the Tenos. The reason for the shoe’s improved flexibility: additional flex grooves in the outsole. The Phasis is built on Puma’s new last, which is slightly narrower in the heel. Recommended for biomechanically efficient runners with normal to high arches who are looking for a flexible cushioning shoe.
Runner’s World offers one line quotes about shoes from their wear-testers. These comments provide excellent, simple analysis from real runners about shoes you’re considering. Here’s an example:
“These shoes [the Puma Complete Phasis III] offered just the right amount of support and cushioning.” -Bobbie Krueger, 22, San Diego
A Racing Flat with Nerve
As you gear up for spring races, consider a Brooks racing flat. The Brooks Nerve LD sells for about $50, providing solid performance without overwhelming cost. If you’re prepping to race 800 to 5000 meters (or even longer), be sure to check out the Brooks Nerve LD. The Running Network says:
By managing the longer distances in an economical fashion, the Nerve picks up where the Brooks line left off last season. A capable little sibling to the Z1, every feature has been scaled back just enough to trim the cost while still providing performance. The upper is attractive, ventilated and offers a secure fit. The midsole provides enough cushioning for successful racing or faster training sessions. The spikeplate is effective, comfortable to run on and, with a variety of placements for the seven spikes, adjustable.
Check it out today!
Perhaps the Best Running Tights of the Year
Supplement your winter run with a fantastic pair of running tights. No pair of winter running shoes is complete without solid running tights to accompany them for an icy workout. While a little pricier than the average tight, Brooks Vapor-Dry 2, Men’s Running Tights leads the way for warm, dare we say hot, durable, comfortable running tights. Rarely does a running tight earn 5 stars, but this one does without exception. Check out reviews at Epinions.com . Here’s a great excerpt:
Brooks constructs the tights using their Vapor-Dry˛™ fabric, a fabric composed of a gradient-design polyester for the moisture-transfer properties and 7% spandex for elasticity. This blend is well-suited for cold weather, as it’s heavier than most “standard” running tights made of spandex and wicks moisture away from the wearer’s skin. The poly-spandex blend has a nice, smooth hand, wears well, and is not prone to snags. The fabric moves extremely well without binding, and does not hold moisture at the skin level. On damp days, the tights act to keep moisture from penetrating, so that even such a thin layer of fabric keeps the wearer warm and dry. They’re machine-washable, drying in just a few hours if you have a short turnaround time.
The tights’ waist is elasticized with a flat mesh drawstring, which is cunningly constructed so that it’s already crossed inside the waistband. Unlike many tights I’ve owned, this pair has a key pocket sewn inside the waistband. The legs feature elastic grippers much like those seen on cycling shorts, so that they fit snugly at the ankles. The all-black (the sole color available) tights have a reflective Brooks logo at the right ankle and a tiny reflective Vapor-Dry tag on the left hip. The seams are sewn flat to prevent chafing, and the tights are shaped anatomically to increase the wearer’s comfort and mobility.
Speed for $55
Over recent years, Mizuno has adapted their spikes to meet the demands of a broader range of American sprinters. When it comes to racing flats, it’s worth checking out the Mizuno Speed 2005, sprinting off the shelves for just $55. Running Network.com recommends it.
In updating the Speed this spring, the proven rubber outersole and nylon spikeplate remain while the upper has been redesigned for better performance. Tailored to hug the foot and visually reminiscent of the Tokyo of recent seasons, the Speed 2005 is designed to appeal to developing sprinters.
Sizes: men/unisex 6-13 * Weight: 6.6 oz. (size 9) * Upper: mesh, synthetic overlays * Midsole: EVA * Outersole: rubber heel, nylon spikeplate, eight spikes * Recommended for: sprints up to 400 meters; training and competition on all track surfaces.
Asics Gel Trabuco Gets 4.5 Stars!
Check out these opinions on ePinions.com. People seem to really love the Asics Gel Trabuco trail running shoe; the average rating is 4.5 stars! The shoe is described as “perfect” and “great”. Here’s an example:
This is an amazing shoe for running on trails and the road. It has alot of stability and you can run easily over rocks and roots without having to worry about tripping or twisting your ankle.
Go check it out!
New Balance: Balancing Great Shoes and Commendable Labor Practices
Long has negative publicity surrounding shoe manufacture labor practices in developing countries plagued the athletic shoe industry. New Balance, however, has been paraded as the exemplary brand for runners concerned with fair labor practices. Unlike other athletic shoe producers, New Balance rarely outsources production. In fact, 100% of New Balance’s manufacturing plants are located in the United States. At the height of public awareness about labor practices in the athletic shoe industry, New Balance was the clear choice for socially aware runners. But, it turns out, New Balance also makes a fantastic running shoe. Regardless of manufacturing labor practices, runners love New Balance.
So, you’ve decided a New Balance shoe is for you. But which one?
Supportive Cushioning Models
- 2001 (Men’s Styles Only) The New Balance 2001 a Heritage style built with N-ergy V 2.0 system midsole technology and a full footbed of ABZORB SBS for the mild to moderate pronator.
- 992 The New Balance 992 is a Heritage shoe featuring Abzorb® cushioning and Encap® built for the mild to moderate overpronator who requires a combination of cushioning and stability.
- 991 The New Balance 991 is a Heritage shoe featuring Abzorb® cushioning and Encap® built for the mild to moderate overpronator who requires a combination of cushioning and stability.
- 1041 (Women’s Style’s Only) An innovative trainer with a unique foxing construction and N-ergy system midsole technology developed for the mild to moderate overpronator.
- 766 The New Balance 766 named “Editor’s Choice” by Runner’s World. The New Balance 766 is a supportive trainer featuring the “Transitional Support” system and ABZORB in the heel and forefoot which offers a combination of cushioning and stability. The 766 is available in a regular and water resistant version.
Stability/Motion Control Models
- 1221 The 1221 is a high mileage trainer designed with integrated medial ROLLBAR and TS2 midsole technology offering the ultimate in support and cushioning.
- 1122 (Men’s Models Only) The New Balance 1122 is a high mileage trainer for the runner who requires maximum motion control, stability and cushioning.
- 856 The New Balance 856 is a high mileage trainer with ABZORB SBS cushioning, ROLLBAR and dual density medial post to accomodate the moderate to severe overpronator.
- 855 A high mileage trainer with ABZORB SBS cushioning, ROLLBAR and dual density medial post to accommodate the moderate to severe overpronator.
- 587 The New Balance 587 ia a highly stable Heritage trainer for runners who require maximum motion control, support and cushioning.
Lightweight Models
- 901 The New Balance 901 is a lightweight training shoe developed with added support for the performance runner looking for a fast-paced trainer.
- 900 The New Balance 900 is a lightweight training shoe developed with a dual density post providing added support for the performance runner looking for a fast-pace trainer.
Cushion: The MVP of Running Shoe Technology
The most important component of your faithful running shoe is the cushioned midsole. The midsole is the warrior protecting your feet from the exhausting impact of the road. Simply, the cushioned midsole provides protection and rebound.
Role of the Midsole
So why is the midsole so important? According to CoolRunning.com the midsole:
- Protects the foot from feeling hard or sharp objects
- Provides stability against over–pronation with dual densities and contoured foot bed
- Provides rebound properties for take-off
- Provides cushioning for the impact forces of 2.5 to 3 times body weight at heel strike
The cushion-y midsole is one of the most important parts of a good running shoe, therefore the foam that makes up the midsole is highly influential for the comfort and performance of the shoe. Two foam technologies have dominated running shoe design over the past decade: EVA and PU.
EVA
EVA is a copolymer or cross-linked foam made of ethylene and vinyl acetate. Hundreds of foam cells containing air or gas make up EVA foam. More simply, CoolRunning.com describes EVA:
EVA is the darling of running shoes. – It is light, it is flexible – and it has a great disposition as a cushioning material. If it were human, you would invite it to your next after race party. But like any good thing, it just doesn’t last forever. Over time and repeated impacts EVA tends to compress and lose some of its rebound or resilience. Runners notice this and say their shoes feel “flat”. The technical term would be the foam has taken a “compression set”.
PU
PU or polyurethane is a stronger, heavier version of EVA. In your running shoe, it behaves similarly to EVA, except that it takes significantly longer for it to feel flat, or take a “compression set.” It’s fantastically durable, but provides less spring than EVA. If you’re running shoe midsole is made primarily of PU, you can rest assured your shoe will last a long time, but it may start feeling heavy. As your shoe ages, the ‘bounce’ it provides will sharply decline.
Running Shoe Technobabble: Surviving Footwear Fluster
So, you’ve decided to purchase some running shoes. It’s not like you’re buying a computer. How technical could a pair of sneakers possibly be? In the 21st century, the answer is: very. The London Marathon Store provides excellent information for some of the hottest running shoe brands’ most cryptic technobabble .
Adidas A3 is an Energy Management technology used to enhance performance throughout the entire footstrike. Maximising energy use, individually engineered elements cushion, guide, and drive, to deliver the ultimate ride.
New Balance Abzorb(R) For pure cushioning in the heel and forefoot, Abzorb® is the solution. By absorbing shock and displacing energy, Abzorb® softens the impact, foot-strike after foot-strike.
Asics 3M-Scotchlite™ A special reflective material that enhances visibility when light is poor.
Saucony 3D Grid Soft grade Hytrel™ filaments wrapped around the midsole form a platform for heel strike cushioning and shock absorption.
Brooks Substance 257 This unique midsole compound is formulated to resist compression and rebound more quickly after impact than standard EVAs used in other brands. S257 has been tested to be 15% more durable than EVA which means your 400th mile has the same great ride as your first.
New Balance N-ergy™ 2.0 A new asymmetrical three-chamber design, N-ergy™ provides a unique supportive cushioning experience as it compresses upon impact.
Adidas adiPRENE® Now think where you need absorption the most – in your heel. This cushioning material under the heel protects the foot. It’s technology to reduce the harmful effects of repetitive impact.
Saucony Custom Ride Management (CRM) Custom Ride Management is multiple variations of a single style, modified to address the athlete’s need and/or preferences. CRM allows the user to “define their ride” by selecting their desired level of cushioning or stability depending on the purpose of the shoe and the needs of the individual.
Asics Flex-Grooves: These are located in the forefoot and/or rear foot for increased flexibility and cushioning.
New Balance TS2 Transitional Support System Provides optimal support while enhancing transition from heel strike to forefoot.
New Balance Stability Web® Delivers superior support in the midfoot while also reducing the overall weight of the shoe. Made of thermoplastic urethane (TPU) and positioned under the arch, Stability Web allows for torsion and flexion control in the arch while maintaining flexibility in the forefoot.
