RUNssel

Kategorie: shoe (Seite 1 von 2)

April 16, 2023 / Keine Kommentare

shoeporn: Hoka – Rocket X 2

Another month, another super shoe. Hoka has been on the forefront when it comes to running shoe innovation. They have been pushing the market like no other brand in the last few years. Hokas uprising is closely connected to their maximum cushion approach balancing with the weightlessness of their product. Their latest release features the utter pinnacle of their recent collection – the long anticipated Rocket X2.

The Rocket in its second edition is the brands leading road-racing shoe. Plainly aimed for marathon racing, the X2 has everything that all carbon super shoes these days obtain – a springy oversized midsole combined with a firm carbon plate – the magic combination for speed.

Although weight typically is one of the strongholds for Hoka shoes, I was quite surprised to find out that the update to the Rocket X does also include a weight gain of 234 grams. One of the explanations could be that the stack height has been raised from 30 mm/25 mm to 36 mm/31 mm. Although running in the Rocket X2 did not feel clumsy and heavy though.

While Hoka seems to rule the running shoe market, their top racing shoes have been lacking the magic somehow. One of the explanations for this is, that Hokas compression molded EVA foam, that is widespread with their training shoes, lacks the energy return that is needed for quicker running. The Rocket x2 is the first Hoka shoe to use the PEBA foam that most of the other shoe brands take for their top range carbon race shoes.

Hoka listened and changed quite everything to the initial Rocket X model. With the arrangement of the new foam material and a remodeled carbon plate, this shoe has an amazing springboard feel. I was super thrilled to feel that amazing bounce that this shoe overs. A very powerful and race-oriented feeling of pure bounciness. Entertaining!

Quite weirdly, the Rocket X2 doesn’t feel as “high” as some of the other carbon plated high stacked super shoes. It feels more like you’re in the shoe, other than on top of it. An experience some of the other shoes give to me and something that is very noticeable with this model. Consequently, this shoe feels exceptionally stable for its style. I sneaked some dry trails in during one of my jogs with this shoe and it felt positively bizarre to do that in such ease with such a road racing shoe.

Although I used this shoe on trails, it is clearly a road racing shoe and should be used just for this. The outsole is very solid, offers a great grip on dry and wet roads and runs smooth on the track. The design is pretty much flat and that creates a smooth and comfortable ride. Its feels very stable and durable, also something that is not the norm for high end shoes nowadays.

For some runners the missing padding on the heel section might be a problem. I’m used to it especially in the light high end racing shoes, but it is missing in this model. After some runs I figured out how to lace the shoe and it didn’t cause me any trouble at all, but It surely is a feature that can be improved in the next version.

Although there are some downsides, the latest version of the Rocket X is an amazing and fast racing shoe. It’s a proper and well-constructed update to its predecessor. The shoe has an amazing support for speed and that makes this shoe a lot of fun and easy to run fast in. While additional weight might be a problem, it gets outweigh by the pure springiness that is exceptionally special and to me one of the best on the market right now. It is no surprise that all Hoka Elite athletes instantly switched to this model as soon as it was accessible. A shoe that now moves that distinct Hoka character into a real road racing Rocket ship.

Tune of the day: Goldie @ HÖR

Januar 25, 2023 / Keine Kommentare

shoeporn: Saucony – Endorphin Elite

The year kicks off with the public unveiling of the long awaited and profoundly teased Saucony Supershoe. Throughout the last few weeks this shoe could be spotted on the fast feet of US Elite Runners Jared Ward and just a couple of days ago as Parker Stinson amazed with a 4^th place finish at a stacked Houston Marathon, his fastest ever. Perchance the all-new Endorphin Elite helped a little. Let’s get into the specifics and see what magic Saucony is distributing with their chief model.

During the end of last year, early prototype images have been flocking the internet and the prominent hype sites. The unremitting contest for the next super shoe is real, and Saucony has lifted the high stacked top range marketplace with the vastly applauded Endorphin Pro 3 in the 2022 spell. Although Elite Athletes hackle brands to drive the development further and further in this top range hustle, Saucony devoted time and resources to surpass the needs of their elite athletes with this shoe. As stated above, Stinson and Ward have been quite crucial in the course of the making and development of this shoe. Saucony continues with its strong dedication to raw performance products.

Right on time for their 125^th birthday, Saucony reveals the shoe, that at this point of time, is the lightest, fastest and most energy efficient product they ever put on the market. The companies latest and peak rebound foam, PWRRUN is the base of the Endorphin Elite. Carbon is a significant share of every so-called super shoe. An innovative fork-shaped carbon plate is constructed to push runners forward and that is obvious and well placed in the Endorphin Elite. Precisely engineered with thoughtful toe-spring for a faster turnover and a positioned forefoot for a more adaptive ride. The sensation of snappiness and the feeling of forward drive is up to a new extreme, something I have never experienced in any other model in this category.

It is a typical road racing outsole. Kept to a minimum and features a thin layer of tactically placed rubber that provides confidence inspiring-traction deprived of adding needless weight.

To me, the upper has always been one of the strong points in Saucony shoes. And there is no difference in this one. Saucony calls it “Performance Knit Mesh”. It is a next-to-skin upper that snugs around the foot super nicely and is highly breathable. The inner feels like a sock and offers great shelter for the feet during the run. Whereas high stacked shoes sometimes can feel a bit insecure, I had the feeling that the inner construction helps to evade just this. I even tested some light trails and that wasn’t a big issue but assuredly not the footing that this shoe should be used for.

Your foots POV – A shot that highlights the thin upper of this shoe. Very elastic but jet stable as the sites is protected by an added guard that keeps the foot in place. Particularly during high paced intervals a real game changer.

The Endorphin Elite essentially features a combination of the energy efficient PWRRUN HG foam together with a newly designed carbon plate. Saucony calls this the Speedroll technology. It can be found in all the Endorphin models, but the Elite Version features the most aggressive available.

The ‘Original Running Brand’, as Saucony calls itself, is making waves with this shoe. The vast sole with a 40 mm heel and a 32 mm forefoot (Heel-to-toe Offset: 8mm) is the base and combines the springy feeling with great padding. The Endorphin Elite is a first-class racing shoe and made for the marathon distance. After four years of development Saucony accomplished the aim for a top-class running shoe. Often marketing quotes sound self-assured and harsh but when Parker Stinson stated that this shoe is “a real game changer” some truth can be heard in his words.

While I struggled a bit with the sizing in the Endorphin Pros, the Elite is true to size. I tested the shoe in a US13 and they were fitting flawlessly. The toe box gives plenty of room which I used to had problems with in other super carbon plates shoes in the past. Notwithstanding the generous fit, the lockdown of the foot is super good also down to a special padding in the heel section of this shoe. Generally speaking, this is a well composed shoe in regards to fitting. I never felt any compromises.

The up-to-date performance model from Saucony comes with a fully new design approach and clearly sticks out in the Endorphin assortment. In addition this shoe the companies top line up features the Endorphin Pro, the kindly cushioned tempo trainer in the Endorphin Speed, the day to day workhorse that is the popular Endorphin Shift and the carbon-plated trail racing shoe that I have already been writing about, the Endorphin Edge.

It is pretty apparent that this shoe is made for competing in its purest form. The Endorphin Elite is a performance shoe and should shine when race day is here. The farfetched spring-back paired with the direct notion, the negligeable design and geometry are a seamless blend to run fast on race day. And with the initial flashy green colorway (there is another one launching soon) on the lightweight knitted, mesh blend upper, all is set to run fast and aggressive.

Tune of the day: Strategy – Graffiti In Space

August 16, 2022 / Keine Kommentare

shoeporn: Hoka – Speedgoat 5

What to say about Hokas Speedgoat series really? If you haven’t been hiding under a rock since mid-2015 I’m sure you have heard about this one. Its one of Hokas utter stalwarts. Deeply rooted in the rich trail culture this company has. The name comes from the fabled Speedgoat 50k in Little Cottonwood Canyon (Utah), organized by Ultra Running Legend and one of the first Hoka sponsored athletes, Karl “Speedgoat” Meltzer.

The newest version marks the 5^th update of this highly popular series. The first thing that is undoubtedly drawing the attention is the well-made upper, a dynamic sandwich mesh that feels astonishing but still dense for proper off-road satisfaction.

After a couple of strides, it’s pretty deceptive where another major development update comes into play – weight decrease. For the first time a Speedgoat shoe comes in under 300 grams. And that results in a lot of fun while taking this agile workhorse for a spin. Comparing it to the older versions, this is a noteworthy update. Hoka kept the comfort but cut down on overlays to slim the construction.

In case you wonder – Spring Measurement: 35×21 mm

A nice new feature is the protected toe rand in the forefoot zone. Especially during rocky outings this is a pretty nice add-on that keeps the foot secure.

I was raving about the weight drop earlier, but another new feature shouldn’t be underestimated – the new CMEVA midsole. This is a lighter and more responsive material as before (although found in the EVO Speedgoats). This material adds nicely to a shoe that now has become significant more springy in its presentation.

Why do runners choose to run in trail running shoes, of course – it’s the traction! The Speedgoat was never a shoe for super technical and rocky trails but it always was a super dependable partner for your wide-ranging door to trail runs. Whereas the preceding models had some issues, especially on wet rocky trails, this version comes with a new outsole design that certainly has improved.

A close up of the Vibram Megarip outsole.

Another year, another Speedgoat. Hoka managed to keep a great shoe great and managed to integrate some proper thought-out updates. With the 5^th version of this shoe, they keep raising the bar and will please the fans of this model even more.

Tune of the day: Hudson Mohawke – Cry Sugar

Mai 12, 2021 / Keine Kommentare

shoeporn: Puma – Deviate Nitro

Undoubtedly Puma is no stranger to the running game. One of their prime athltes was Ethiopian Abebe Bikila who won the marathon of the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo wearing a pair of Puma running shoes. Defending his title from Rome 1960, which he won without wearing any shoes. Having had a massive impact on the worldwide T&F scene with the likes of Linford Christie and legendary Wilson Kipketer, the company further increased their fanbase with the early signing of superstar Usain Bolt. When Puma signed Bolt in 2003, he was only 16 years old, but this deal certainly paid off.

Although being a recognized brand within the sprint scene, the company seemed to have forgotten its roots that, besides football, lies within running. In the beginning of 2021 a lot of professional runners switched sponsors and Puma appeared behind the name of a lot of recognized distance runners. With the Nitro range the company seem to hit the scene with new and promising products.

The Deviate range symbols Pumas homecoming to the serious performance side of running. The very first prototypes made a lot of noise within the scene and Puma marked their return to the market with their interpretation of a carbon-fiber plate road running shoe.

In 1924 Rudolf and his brother Adolf “Adi” Dassler formed the so called “Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory”. When they split in 1948, Adi went on to develop his own brand named Adidas and Rudolf established a new company called Ruda. Ultimately he changed the companies name into Puma and introduced the well-known symbol and the characteristic “Formstrip” in 1958. Until today both companies are situated in the small Franconian town Herzogenaurach in Bavaria, Germany.

Puma offers two high-end models. The Deviate Nitro that’s studied here and the Deviate Elite as the absolute top range model. The crucial alteration between these two shoes is the foam material. Back in the days, way before the carbon excitement, companies used EVA material as the attention was more on cushion then on rebound. Then the carbon-bouncy propaganda took over and nothing has been the same since.

The so-called Pebax material is the new reference class for springy shoes. Every company does use somewhat comparable. So does Puma for the Elite Version. The Nitro instead has a TPE sole. The presentation of this sole paired with the carbon plate is incredible. The structure and the placement of the foam generates a tremendously comfortable and lively piece of equipment. The Deviate Nitro is well-cushioned and the toe-off is speedy and energetic as you stride forward.

A very nice feature of the Deviate line is that there are specific models for women offered. These versions have slimmer heel sections, lower instep, and a carved arch for a specific fit. A feature that should be a standard by now.

A feature that made the shoe very comfortable for me, was this little feature in the back of the heel section. These pads are meant to lock the foot in the shoe and avoid slipping. Typically I tie my shoes very loose and this really made a difference to me, especially when running a bit faster.

The natural environment for this shoe is the road. And that’s what the so-called PumaGrip does best. A solid and sturdy rubber provides great traction on non-technical environment. I used this shoes also on lighter and dry trails and had no problems.

Despite the tendency of other running brands to use other expert rubber companies for the outsole material, Puma decided to create their own. The result is a good mix of rubbers that create a great and solid feeling for the ground and a material that appears to last well. I have about 400 kilometers on my pairs and it is astonishing how less wear this shoe has.

While I was training with the Deviate Nitro the last few weeks, some of my training buddies got curious and one of the most asked questions was if this shoe is a racing or training shoe. Until now, I do not really have an appropriate response to this question. The shoe is light, the shoe is speedy, direct on the ground it feels yet very comfortable. Would I race with it? I probably would. Until now I ran the Deviate Nitro during several trainings, from commute runs, long runs to track work and fartleks. I keep loving the shoe for it reliability during all these occasions. Pumas return to proper running shoes suprised me and it will be interesting to see where the brand goes from here.

Tune of the day: Brockhampton – Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine

Februar 22, 2021 / Keine Kommentare

shoeporn: The North Face – Flight Vectiv

Something that these days is part of the shoe business, is the rumor mill. Since months Alameda, California grounded outdoor powerhouse The North Face, was set to drop a carbon plated shoe. Well, it seems that all major shoe corporations are on the outlook to apprise their respective top range models with this technology. But suddenly it was a brand that is not necessarily known for its shoe building skills, that joined the hype.

Since 1968 The North Face distribute and produce outdoor equipment. It all started with climbing gear and then grew into a brought variety of accessories, clothing and footwear. Personally, I have tested more than a few of their off-road running shoes in the past. Although their jackets, vests, caps and technical gear have been a stable in my wardrobe over the last decade, none of the shoes have majorly impressed me and it seems that technical clothing was more the focus then suitable footwear. Now they released a performance oriented trail running shoe that goes by the name of Flight Vectiv, merging a 3 D carbon fiber footplate, midsole rocker geometry and SurfaceCTRL grip into the first trail specific shoe using the prominet carbon technique.

I had a chance to spot the Flight Vectiv last April as Spaniard and The North Face athlete Pau Capell wore the shoe throughout the 2020 version of the Fjällmaraton around Åre, Sweden where he came 2nd in the 100 kilometer distance. Pau was part of the development process of the Vectiv equipment range and mostly this shoe. TNFs VP of Global Footwear, Jean Marc Djian aimed high when the company took on this project. The company recognized that another try into the footwear market had to be an innovative and exciting.

The Flight Vectiv is the top model of the novel TNF shoe assortment. It is the one shoe that contains full-length carbon plate combined with a rocker geometry. This combination is intended to upsurge the energy return and I was more than keen to see how this mix turned out in a shoe that is intended to be used off the road, a setting where the carbon technology is more to be seen in up-to-date shoe releases. On the picture above some details of the carbon plate are teased on the external.

Even though the sock-like silhouette of the shoe looked like a pleasing feature, I was quite staggered how rigid it was to get into the shoe. The opening is rather small and that undoubtedly created some matters to me. As soon as you’ve entered the shoe, there is not a tense sensitivity. It just appears that the entering part of the shoe is pretty close-fitting. After a while I got used to it and know how to enter as the reinforced, breathable-knit upper is pretty strechable. Running this shoe throughout wintertime, I have the feeling that the body-hugging fitting also stops all sorts of muck to enter the inside. To me something that is very helpful particularly with the heavy use of salt and sand on the local streets. Frequently the small particles find a way to enter a shoe. Not so in this one. Generally the one piece upper that is elasticated and hugs your upper foot and ankle is super nice and fits around the foot like a glove.

With the Flight Vectiv, The North Face planned a shoe for the longer and ultra-distances. The company paid attention to durable ingredients such as kevlar, polyamide and matryx materials that they also tested and used in other equipment. This time it seems that The North Face was able to familiarize their extensive knowledge from mountain equipment into footgear. The Flight Vectiv is an overall quality shoe that is very well made. Till now I spend somewhat over 100 kilometers in this shoe and I’m constantly surprised how it tackles different grounds and weather situations. The picture shows the 3D-molded heel counter for a better fit, another nice detail in a well build shoe with a quality finish.

There were times when The North Face allowed their sponsored athletes to use different shoes and switch from their very own models to the ones that the competition offered. This has clearly changed now with the new shoe range. Several athletes have been smashing FKT’s last year. One of my favorite runs has been the record setting Grand Canyon R2R2R-alt FKT effort by TNF legends Mike Foote and Rob Krar. Check their video here. Time for these two to tackle some SwimRun competitions i guess.

Without a doubt, the climax of this shoe must be the so-called 3D Vectiv plate. It offers momentum and in combination with the stability Rocker shape, the foot placement is optimized. The shoe is not super soft as many other carbon running shoes, but this is something that aims the runner while running on technical ground. At the start it feels like the shoe is rigid as it does not provide much flexibly, especially to the sites. Although it feels stable and the feel for the ground is certainly given. Officially The North Face labels the Vectiv technology as “revolutionary soling architecture.” Fundamentally what they are describing are the layers beneath the feet. These are all the different foams and treads that work together to deliver a cushioned, safe and springy sensation.

Despite the fact there is a lot of advanced and new material that has been incorporated in this shoe, the outsole is known from previous models. Grip on wet and dry terrain has been the attention in the development procedure. If you expect a super aggressive and “deep” outsole, you will be dissatisfied. The lugs are well and smartly placed but come in with 3.5 mm which is not a standard in trail shoes. After some sketchy situations, the design and traction really grew on me. To me it is a great mix of traction and control. The lugs are places in proper distance and that means that snow, dirt, or whatever sticky stuff you encounter, will not get stuck. I try to break in shoes on the treadmill. Until now, this tradition has never been used with trail shoes. It was different with the Flight Vectiv. It certainly is a versatile sole.

A detailed look at the outsole construction that protects the 6 mm toe-to-heel offset. This shoe facilitated 14 North Face sponsored athletes to set FKTs wearing different Vectiv prototypes during a nearly race free 2020.

To me, the Flight Vectiv delivers a high level of comfort and proper cushioning that still allows to feel the ground but not the pounding. Combined with the securely sensation of the sock-fit paired with a minor, cushioned padding at the upper heel region, this shoe ensures thoroughgoing comfort and support.

Throughout the punitive dark and slushy time of the year and now, when all the lovely white stuff is about to dissolve, this shoe has really gotten to me. It’s fun to run due to the pleasant and well thought cushion, the ground feeling is excellent and joint with a well-planned outsole, it generates a certain security during the cold season. I ran the shoe a lot on icy and wintry streets but also took it around the local, technical, trail system. I get to treasure a well thought out shoe that I never saw coming from The North Face. Having run plenty of carbon-based road running shoes, I really valued this innovative tactic and the way it was shifted into a running shoe aimed to hit he paths. It can be discussed if it makes sense to issue a trail shoe that has a white upper, but at the end I felt it was enjoyable that the daily run was able to produce the color line. A very philosophical slant to this debate, I know. Its some sort of a minimalistic approach, even from the design. Typically trail shoes do look a bit unlike. The Flight Vectiv seems more like a road shoe. Yet, I have the feeling the shoe will continue in my daily rotation for a bit longer.

Tune of the day: Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth – It’s Not a Game (Instrumental Version)

Read of the day: Cathal Dennehy: Welcome to the age of the super shoes

Februar 19, 2016 / Keine Kommentare

shoeporn: Merrell – All Out Crush Light

Back in 1981, two directors for the Rossignol ski enterprise, Clark Matis and John Schweizer joint forces with Randy J. Merrell. Merrell had been manufacturing vastly celebrated custom hiking boots. Quite some amount of shoes has been build and sold over the past few years. All sorts of outdoor shoes can be found in the current Merrell catalogue. Their hottest onset is called “All Out Crush Light”. Another highlight to their rising off-road jogging battery.

Breathable netting paired with pleasant TPU and woven fabric upper makes for a comfy fitting and a smart exterior. The “All Out Crush Light” is a super flexible shoe. That does not mean you can bend the shoe all around. It means the shoe is pretty adjustable to diverse exteriors. An elastic upper makes up for this distinct touch and creates a dynamic feeling on the trails and on the road.

Merrell bids a pretty trustworthy under foot guard named “TrailProtect”. Notwithstanding eluding the significance of a sensation for the ground, a unfailing defence versus harsh natural disturbs is well incorporated.

Did you ever smash a stone or a rock while cruising around the trails? Well, I wear US 13 so it is pretty likeable I do get some knocks here and there. The shielding toe cap safed me some blue toenails.

Quick data: A courteous 6mm Drop beside a 5mm lug elevation. These specifics paired with a springy sole and some responsive soft foam make for a balanced trail shoe.

I enjoyed the tangible rubber outsole of the “All Out Crush”. It performed very reliable on all sorts of paths and throughout different types of weather. Besides the pleasant off-road performance the sole does also offer decent comfort on tarmac. The UniFly Midsole is a great comfort midsole and the heart of this shoe.

218 grams is not much for a shoe with such characters. It enhances to the vibrant impression while running Merrell’s latest lightweight cannonball throughout its speeds. A exciting all-rounder.

A good looking and fast Trail shoe. Alongside a 99,95 € retail price the “All Out Crush Light” occurs to be a well-thought-of and economically priced trail shoe option.

Heaps of smart features makes that shoe stick out. Certain facings do also feature highly shimmering outer material . An exciting feature during night runs.

A prosperous adding to the off-road running portion in the novel Merrell catalogue – the “All Out Crush Light”

All pictures (c) runssel

Tune of the day: Gramatik – Ass Kickin’ Bass

Februar 6, 2016 / Keine Kommentare

shoeporn: Mizuno – Wave Rider 19

The Wave Rider already is a Mizuno classic. Now issuing its 19th (!) edition this is the up-to-date version of this well-liked neutral kick. Looking back a couple of years, I jogged one of the elder styles of the Wave Rider. I recall the shoe to be a fabulous light training shoe, which I used for marathon tempo runs and normal training runs. Then I picked up this version. I was keen to sense the transformation throughout the years.

It is pretty apparent that this is a quality made shoe. Specifically the upper sock liner is effectively designed, smooth and decently soft. While the underfoot feel is a bit stiff the overall flexibly is great. I ran the shoe on longer workouts and during track sessions. Although the Wave Rider is direct, snug and smooth it still delivers sufficient cushion to guarantee a sensitivity that generates a lot of enjoyment while working out properly.

A smooth design is significant. The 19th version of the Wave Rider looks great. Mizuno reorganized the upper style with additional resilience and shock attenuation. This increases foot comfort throughout the run.

Mizuno’s Parallel Wave technology is a widespread characteristic with the Japanese company. It is designed to integrate more firmness into their models. Unlike the rest of the shoe brands, Mizuno uses a grade of foam thickness to generate stability. Basically there is plastic material that runs along the forefoot and the heel for best foot control. The sprightly U4ic midsole together with the corresponding wave technology comforts a bouncy approachable strike and gusted rubber in the forefoot area offers durability and softness.

Mizuno’s existing Runbird was revealed for the first time at the 1988 Seoul Olympics when Carl Lewis and Florence Griffith Joyner won gold medals wearing Mizuno shoes.

Nope. The Wave Rider is undeniably not a stability shoe. Although the Wave Plate in the forefoot portion offers some light assistance for the foot, there is not much stability seen anyplace else. The set-up offers a firm, fast ride and a stiff heel counter.

With the 19th style the Wave Rider appears to have a bit more midsole material then preceding models. Furthermore the upper got an excellent re-design. Although the toe box seems a bit sloppier, it is very accommodating for wider feet.

A mere of 229 grams is not that much for such a playful and comfortable shoe. I treasured this shoe throughout faster tempo track tests and speed workouts – a boundless all-rounder.

The so-called “Blown rubber” in the forefoot area surges cushioning and responsiveness. Flex Controllers placed in high flex areas on the outsole act as miniature wave plates for increased flexibility and reduced weight!

Mizuno calls its outside rubber “X10”. It is located in the heel and is created of robust carbon rubber for boosted traction

All pictures (c) RUNssel

Tune of the day: Klute- Just What You’re Feeling

Februar 15, 2014 / 6 Kommentare

#shoeporn: Haglöfs Gram XC

Swedish outdoor enterprise Haglöfs is not really a trademark you would associate with foot gear. Since a couple of years they build some pretty nice alpine and hiking shoes besides their key range of clothing. Recently they paired up with Japanese footwear powerhouse Asics to please the booming trail running market. The distinguishing presence of their main model Gram XC is nothing to oversee. This shoe is red. Just red. Funky.

Appearance is a lot for me when it comes to running shoes. If I don’t like the look of a shoe I would not really use it. Indubitably taste is something that is interpreted in a lot of special ways. For me this shoe looks good. I like the shape of the shoe and the little gimmicks that come with it. It is well build and pleases the eye with its individual monochrome design. Something new in a very special way.

It is raining and storming when I lace up the Gram XC to go out in the forest for a test ride. The first couple of kilometers lead me past the local farm roads and through grass tracks. The shoe feels solid on tarmac. Sometimes trail soles feels awkward running on normal, even ground. This one is a bit unalike. The lightness of the shoe is a main feature according to the product information. Yes, the shoe is light but not any different to comparable models. It feels good and for a shoe with this amount of cushion it certainly is not heavy.

Just when I take a sharp turn into a soaky grass trail I get to feel a nice feature this shoe has to offer. The grip is pretty awesome for a sole of that style. A very sweet foam mixture of the sole and the shape makes it nice to move aggressively in corners and on technical trails. A very responsive feeling is something you really appreciate with this shoe. I continued on some slippy trails through the local forest. Hurdled some trees and cruised along rock sections that generally make a road running shoe scream. Not so the Gram XC. Very straightforward performance by this guy.

I continue to wonder about the flexibility of the Gram XC and certainly feel that this shoe obviously does have a Rock Protection in the AHAR (Asics High Abrasion Resistance) sole, as I land on some sharp gravels. The Asics Gel system nevertheless works nice and for a forefoot runner like me the cushioning is well placed in that shoe. As always I could do with a bit less plastic on the back. After running the shoe for a couple of weeks now I have to say that the sole material looks pretty “run down” at some parts. Something that other shoes in my rack don’t.

As you will see the pictures the Gram XC has some mesh covering the lacking. They say it is a ‘lace pocket’. I could not really fit the laces in there, as it is cut way to short and rigid. I tried it twice but lost the interest in that feature pretty fast. Other then this feature it is a nice protection against rocks and sand. Not so against water and rain. I found the shoe to get soaked pretty fast. Even with light rain and misty trails. The lacing system does come across a bit thin but feels good and holds the feet in a secure position. Also the cut of the shoe in the back gives a nice and secure feeling and all kind of undergrounds.

So did I like this shoe? I certainly did. Despite being a shoe designed for trails and off-road running the Gram XC pleased me on all king of terrains and weather conditions. It is a nice and well build all-day training shoe. For me the highlight is the sole and the way it supports you and keeps you on track. I’m exited to see what Haglöfs has on offer for the next round of trail running models. The start was ok. Lets see what the future holds.

Tune of the day: Talib Kweli – State Of Grace

Februar 9, 2014 / Keine Kommentare

Assessment Centre

Shoes
Brooks – Ghost 6
Brooks – PureGrit 2
Brooks – PureDrift
Brooks – Adrenaline ASR 10
Brooks – PureConnect
Brooks – T7 Racer
Ecco – Biom Ultra GTX
Haglöfs – Gram XC
Haglöfs L.I.M Low
Haglöfs – Gram Comp II
Altra – Adam
Adidas – Adizero Adios Boost
Salomon S-LAB Sense Ultra
Skechers – Go Run 2
Skechers – GoRun 4
Dynafit – MS Feline Superlight  
Dynafit – Feline SL
La Sportiva – Anakonda
Nike – Streak XC 3
Scarpa – Minima
Mizuno – Wave Catalyst
Mizuno – Wave Rider 19
Mizuno – Wave Kazan 2
Hoka One One – Vanquish 2
Hoka One One – Speedgoat
Hoka One One – Clifton 2
Hoka One One – Huaka
Merrell – All Out Crush Light
Merrell – All Out Charge
Merrell – Bare Access 4
Nike Zoom Terra Kiger 3
2016 Running Shoe Highlights
New Balance – 1600V2 Spikeless

Gear
Anton Krupicka Signature Collection Short and Vest + Headband
Philips SHQ3200
Jabra Sport Wireless+ Bluetooth Headset
Oakley Frogskins
yurbuds Ironman Inspire Pro
GoPro Hero3
Limar Ultralight+ Road
Ass Savers
SKINS – A200 Compression Long Tights
Haglöfs – Essens III Hooded Down Jacket
My Tour du Mont Blanc gear
Bellroy – Elements Sleeve
Thoni Mara
Norrøna – fjørå flex1 Shorts and aero100 Jacket
Norröna – Bitihorn dri1 jacket
New Balance – Ultra Hooded Jacket

Books
Steve Chilton – It’s a hill, get over it!
Sean Kelly – Hunger
Paul Kimmage – Rough Ride
Charlie Spedding – From last to first
It’s the limit (Fanzine)

SwimRun Wetsuits
Zone3 Evolution SwimRun wetsuit

Januar 21, 2014 / 1 Kommentar

Island to island – ÖTILLÖ

It was just too mesmerizing, too baffling and way to appealing.

What started a few years ago with viscous interchange of video clips and articles terminated in a simple and to the point merit application to Anders Malm and the Utö brothers. Since yesterday we know that we are a part of it in this years edition. Team number 35 “German Sparkle Party”!

“Take it easy, but take it.” Woody Guthrie

We extensively discussed this appreciation through training sessions and over certain beers. We both agreed that this is simply outlandish and absurd. But we eternally knew – This one is particular and highly motivating.

On the 1st of September 2014 we eventually will reach Utö MÅL. After 10 kilometers of swimming and 65 kilometers of running Fabian and I will know what it means to be part of “one of the toughest endurance races in the world” – the ÖTILLÖ

Picture: ÖTILLÖ

Kategorie: shoe (Seite 1 von 2)

Tag Cloud