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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

Oktober 24, 2022 / Keine Kommentare

shoeporn: Saucony – Endorphin Edge

Sauconys PWRRUN PB midsole foam is the base for one of the brands most popular running shoe lines named Endorphin. With an energy return of 88% PWRRUN PB is Saucony’s lightest and most responsive cushioning ever. The foam is one of the best I have tried in the last few months and was used generally on road shoes. It is tremendously springy, and amazingly sturdy. After the foam and the respective Endorphin line gained following all across the road running market, Waltham, Massachusetts based Saucony, takes this line of the beaten track and onto the trails. But it is not only the foam. Saucony delivers a mix of carbon with their PWRRUN PB and shapes capable mixture for all off-road desires.

To my liking, Saucony continues to offer a roomy toe box once again and to my full satisfaction also adds little shielding on top of it. A feature that protected me and my size US13 feet quite some time while being out and about. A suitable toe protection is key and nicely crafted with the latest Endorphin Edge. As a lot of trail runners looking specifically into bigger toe boxes like seen in popular Topo and Altra models, it can also be found right here.

Saucony has adapted quite a lot of features from the Endorphin Road running line. Even though the general fit is now true to size, the sensation of the shoe compared to the road version feels very alike and bids the same snug feeling and comfort. A well understood change is a suitable modification to the upper. Although some other brands choose to take their road upper for their trail versions, Saucony altered that around and made the upper more robust and better suited for rougher excursions. Still the air circulation and comfort remains. The lightweight mesh dynamically pulls wetness away from your foot, keeping you cool and dry.

The word carbon joint with running shoe, draws a lot of attention. Although it is practically standard to have carbon plated road running shoes, it is still a novel feature beside the street. We can now witness an invasion of carbon equipped models which is long overdue. Since years trail shoes were equipped with rocker plates as a protection feature on rocky trails. Now companies combine the protection with performance. Saucony uses a MonoFlex carbon-fiber platter named Carbitex. It is managed as a 3-quarter plate design that delivers the bounce and spring but still keeps the suppleness on the trails. This explicit carbon plate shape is unique and not used in any other carbon model. Most of the times, one plate is used or various, compact plates. This Carbitex plate has a lobster claw split that allows flexion.

Who doesn’t like a pleasant, subtle feature? Saucony appears to pay more and more attention towards their trail line. Also, with a simple lace cover on the front upper.

I took the Endorphin Edge through more than a few proper sessions including our latest SwimRun excursion at the Ötillö competition in Cannes (more HERE). The thoughtless mixture of rocky, technical trails combined with sand and proper off-trail runs AKA bushwhacking should have been a proper challenge for the Endorphin Edge, but it wasn’t really. There is no perfect shoe for such a competition, also when you consider that there was a proper amount of basic and clean road running on the agenda. We decided not to take a road shoe and expected to suffer a bit with a sluggish performance on the road, but that wasn’t the case. The shoe works very well on the road but undoubtedly excels on the trail and offers a splendid grip. And it doesn’t soak a lot of water thanks to the upper as described above.

The true heart and sole (by any means…) is the PWRRUN PB foam that’s used throughout the midsole. I quickly became a fan of the foam. It is very durable and keeps the springiness for a long time. Some of the other super foams seem to last only for a short while, something I haven’t experienced in the Saucony Endorphin Edge until now. With a measurement of 36 millimeters at the heel part and 30 millimeters at the forefoot, the shoe is not overly high in stack. Which can be quite comfortable and secure on the trails. It still offers proper cushion through the PWRRUN PB foam. Something that adds to the very well-rounded overall firmness and steadiness amid the rounded corners of the midsole and outsole.

Sauconys very own outsole material goes by the name of PWRTRAC. It is an adhesive, sturdy rubber providing proper traction. The 4-millimeter lugs work fine and deliver real good grip on techy trail but struggle quite a bit with real deep mud. The ground feel is amazing, and the transitions feel super smooth and quick.

A close up to highlight the outsole material and the well placed lugs of the Endorphin Edge.

As with almost all carbon plated shoes the style and kick-back changes in this shoe with the speediness you choose. It is not as bouncy and springy as its road brothers and sisters, but it still delivers a very exceptional feeling for a trail shoe. A feature that makes this allrounder a proper challenger for trail races. With the huge toe box, this shoe is even ready to take on an ultra-effort.

Maximum cushion on minimal weight – the Saucony Endorphin Edge weighs in at 268 grams in US13. That is pretty light when you consider the proper amount of cushion that this shoe offers. This was one of the first sensations that this shoe offered to me during the first runs. Today it is the sensation that I’m looking forward to when I lace up. These days I use this shoe for a wide range of runs as it is happy to take on the roads as well. A proper allrounder that doesn’t compromise in its natural habitat.

The last few seasons have been rough on the trail side of things for Saucony. Although the road shoes last to perform to the peak standards, the trail part wasn’t really looked after. At least that was the impression I had. After the modernized versions of the Peregrine 11 & 12 have been hits, I also became a big fan of the Xodus Ultra. But the up-to-date adding to the trail range takes the level to new heights. The Saucony Endorphin Edge is a proper high end trail shoe that doesn’t shy back from hard work and rough milieu. Whereas I was sceptic towards an implementation of the Endorphin series into the trail collection, this shoe has proved me wrong. Though daily sessions are a lot of fun, this shoe displays its full potential when its raced.

¨Tune of the day: Enfant Sauvage – 58500 (Daniel Avery Remix)

Juni 20, 2021 / Keine Kommentare

shoeporn: Salomon – Index.01

The mix of diverse resources that are used to produce a shoe, often makes it problematic or even impossible to reprocess. The awareness of burning shoes after they have been used was one of the driving forces in Salomon’s footwear development squad when they set out to form a running shoe for the roads that could later be recycled and used for other goods. The first design concepts of the Index.01 looked simple, unique and promising. Finally, it was time to release the end product.

The generous wedge of sole material is a nitrogen-infused, TPU-based foam named INFINIRIDE. The bottom unit of the Index.01 can be milled into small fragments and recycled as soon as the shoe has reached the end of its lifecycle. The sole is comfortable, not too soft and with the rocker geometry does a great job to improve a comfortable stride and swift toe-off.

Setting a mark – generating a full recycle loop entails some more actions. For example, the most environmentally friendly homecoming of the castoff product. With the presentation of the Index.01, Salomon also announces a reappearance strategy were users must register under Salomon.com. They obtain a shipping label that enable to send the shoes to a nearby collection center – free of charge. To diminish transport volume, the shoes will be collected there and shipped in bulks back to France for Salomon to use in future products.

The upper of the shoe is thin, breathable and comfortable. Comfort is a big thing with this shoe as there is basically nothing to complain about. No rubbing or pinching wherever at the heel or toe section. Salomon chose the use of recycled polyester, which in case of this shoe, originates from old plastic bottles. The plastic flasks are undone into polyester fibers, which prevents the bottles from landing on landfill or being incinerated.

The Index.01 is the first creation out of the promising and exiting Play Minded Program. Salomon aims to take the full life circle of their product and tries to keep the impact on the environment as low as possible. It will be exited to see what’s next.

A comprehensive look at the back part of the shoe highlighting the unusual designed silhouette of the gigantic white TPU sole.

A meek but very substantial detail that this shoe has to offer is the plain performance. Overall, this is a no-nonsense shoe. The stride feels natural and there is no unusual stress to the body of any kind. It is a fantastic and reliable training shoe and the curved sole drives a good bit of speed into the stride without stressing too much.

To guarantee a proper all-around recycling circle, simplicity is key. Primarily the Salomon engineers were targeting to use just only one material to reach their prime goal. Previous prototypes I had seen used only one material – thermoplastic polyurethane foam (TPU). Still this concept wasn’t strong enough, so a second material had to be added and the upper is now made from recycled polyester as described earlier.

Like the midsole, the outsole is also made of the same TPU material. This is unlike many other brands that use rubber material for this part of the shoe. The durability of the Index.01 is not affected by this. Also because the heavy used parts of the sole are build extra rigid. Minor studs shape the design of the sole and the grip on road runs is faultless and I liked it a lot. Smooth and simple design is also put into the place at this part of the shoe.

The design is simple and smooth and mirrors the approach Salomon has with this line. The white colorway will eventually be obliterated by where the user takes this shoe.

In a quite a short time, I have become a vast admirer of this shoe. For me the Index.01 offers everything I enjoy in a day-to-day training shoe. Notwithstanding the weight, the shoe is fun to run in and quicker stuff is not a real problem. Would I race with it? Doubtless not. But everything in between is fine. The entire idea that is being the shoe ticks all my boxes and I love that Salomon takes this on so offensively and well thought out. Some companies have tried to tackle the environmental matters but no one in the way Salomon has. To me, the concept completely makes sense and I’m really looking forward seeing what else is next. Until then, I just go out for another loop in my Index.01.

Movie of the day: Tony Martin – Qualen, Lehren, Perspektiven

Tune of the day: Anchorsong – Remedy

März 10, 2021 / Keine Kommentare

shoeporn: Adidas – UltraBOOST 21

Herzogenaurach’s three stripes company just released the state-of-the-art renovation of their popular UltraBOOST series. There is possibly no shoe in the assortment that feature so much of adidas’ soft and springy Boost material then this one. In addition to the iconic three lines, the material has been a trademark for adidas running shoes since its very first release in 2013. I had the chance to test one of the first pairs, the Adizero Adios Boost, back then. Check the Post if you are interested.

With the UltraBOOST series adidas has been surfing amid the so called “lifestyle” and “performance” segment. There are no two opinions about the look, that is for sure. Nonetheless we will concentrate on the performance part of things in this post.

As mentioned earlier on, the boost material is a trademarked polymer exclusively used by adidas. Basically, it is a lot of small balls which are compressed and molded to protect the foot from the ground and it delivers a certain boost while toeing off during the running movement. The small balls contain of patented thermoplastic urethane. Adidas cooperated with the German chemical powerhouse BASF (Hello Steffen 😉) to create this material.

Adidas did not hold back with the usage of the boost material. Particularly at the back end of the shoe. At first the Boost material was only known within the running scene, but when a certain Kanye Omari West was seen wearing a pair of UltraBOOST “Triple White” in 2015, the shoes went mainstream and not only boosted running strides but also sales.

The three stripes are an iconic characteristic that defines Adidas. At first the brand added the stripes to its running shoes to make them sturdier. One of the initial T&F athletes to use the shoes with the stripes was legendary Jesse Owens in the 1936 Summer Olympics. By now, the stripes on the clover symbol represent Adidas focus on variety. Finnish brand Karhu and Adidas used to share the three stripes but Adi Dassler bought the rights in 1952.

Comfort undoubtedly is a key feature with this shoe. The upper feels super pleasant and comfortable. The pattern on the side of the shoe make sure that enough stability is provided. I like the sock-like design and the wide flexible fit around the forefoot. The Ultraboost 21 upper is made from flexible Primeknit material and is only 1.9mm thick. Compared to a traditional upper, this really feels like a sock.

The last 7 years, the Boost material was a stable when it comes to cushioning. Several models have proofed this. Notwithstanding the age, the material is still good and certainly does the trick when it comes to the padding part. The energy return was lacking in previous models and adidas successfully changed this with this model and the newly developed LEP Torsion System. The Torsion system is something that can been seen in older models but adidas changed it quite a bit and added the flexible TPU fork to increase the toe off.

A new standard is the Continental rubber that is used on the outsole of the shoe. Its durable and grips pretty well.

Two german tradional companies unite. Continental was founded in 1871 as a rubber producer and still is strong in this segment producing all kinds of tires and car equipment.

It is no top-secret that the Ultraboost 21 is not the lightest shoe. With a weight of nearly 380 grams in my US13 model it is weighty for its standard. Nevertheless, it doesn’t feel super heavy or unsmooth while running. The feeling was normal and I never felt I have to invest more energy then I essentially got out of the shoe. According to adidas, the Boost foam in this shoe is now firmer. This should result 20% more responsiveness.

A close up shot highlighting the Primeknit upper that is made of yarn from recycled plastic bottles.

It looks like the heel is one gigantic portion of Boost foam with one major drop. With 10mm, it is not that huge at the end. The heel foam is wrinkled around the cup of the heel and produces a setup that allows the foot to sit securely inside the midsole. This is a major change to the previous version, the Ultraboost ST.

To me the Ultraboost 21 is a daily milage grinder. I really treasure the fit and the padding it offers. I use this shoe on a daily basis to get the base miles in the tank. I like the fit the reliability of the boost material that certainly doesn’t disappoint. With the arrival of the Lightstrike and Lightstrike Pro material it will be exitng to see what the future holds for this modell range. Boost is the heaviest of the current three Adidas performance foams and it will be interesting to see how the brand develops or include these materials further.

Tune of the day: Fred The Godson – Garcias
YouTube of the day: Kengo Suzuki’s 2:04:56 National Record to Win Final Lake Biwa Mainichi
Pod of the day: Tommy Hughes joins the Spring Snyggt Podcast (Start at 53 Minutes)

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

Januar 6, 2017 / Keine Kommentare

shoeporn: New Balance – 1500 V2 (Team NB Elite edition)

224 grams of running flat beauty – with the second revise of the firstly in 2015 launched 1500 series; prominent Boston based footwear makers New Balance provides an terrific and elegant shoe for wholesome and loose running.

The first issue of the 1500 series received raving reviews. Still New Balance included the athlete response and shaped a shoe that could be described as a perfect distance racing shoe. The 1500 in its second version comes up with light pronation stability as well as just about the right amount of cushioning that a running shoe of this style requires.

The special “Team NB Elite edition” looks extravagant with its “Bright Cherry” colour scheme. Pretty difficult to oversee. Naturally style is matter of personal favour. Personally I like the look of the new 1500 v2. That is how a racing flat should look like.

Sebastian Kienle, 2014 Ironman World Champ, wore the first version of the 1500 when he won the iconic event on Hawaii’s big island. Subsequently he was instrumental in the development of this shoe. Till now this is his racing shoe when it comes to Ironman distance racing.

Getting low – the general drop comes in at 6mm. Other hard facts are a 22mm heel height and 16mm on the forefoot. Proper racing style!

However the crash pad of the outsole still remains the same as seen in the first version, the design got altered a bit by the New Balance designers. Whilst they used tiny rubber cruxes in the previous model there are now some sort of triangular formed lugs. I took the shoe through its paces while running on the roads, gravel and on the track. I like the grip, no changes when it comes to ground control and general feel.

An inside look – The 1500 V2 bids added padding in the middle of the sole to care for runners with pronation troubles. While the shoe is light and meant for racing this could be a bonus for runners that are generally struggling with lightweight racing flats. Still the support is light that the extra “T-Beam” technology offers. The lightweight TPU shaft is built to provide torsional stability arch support through a middle beam design.

“REVlite” is the title of the foam mixture that is used as the base of the shoe. The lightweight composition bids excellent and springy underfoot cushioning which I really valued.

Besides a tacky design the greatly centred heel-to-toe cavity supports the runner to achieve a straightforward and precise ride as the shoe is stabilised.

More specifics of the firm outsole and the certain lug-designs.

A key factor for the steadfast and supportive ride that this shoe offers is the “REVlite” sole.

Front end – New Balance reorganised the start of the lacing and built-in a petite holder in the centre of the bottom end of the shoe.

Pretty much like his predecessor the V2 comes in with a snug and well-made no-sew layers finish that is called “FantomFit”. A lot of racing flats are designed very narrow in the toe box area. Not so with this one. NB gives the forefoot plenty of space.

The foremost revise to the first version of the 1500 – a sock-like tongue support that keeps everything in check and creates a very comfy and precise feeling while striding.

With the revise of the 1500 NB raised the bar when it comes to running flats. Whilst the latest model supports a direct stride it still has some decent and well located cushioning. Something that hasn’t been seen within such a style of shoes. I really became a fan of this one. Still I don’t know why the up-to-the-minute model is a little bit heavier then the first version?

Tune of the day: Aidan Baker and Tomas Järmyr – Werl I

Oktober 5, 2016 / Keine Kommentare

sneakerporn: Mizuno – Wave Ekiden 10

I do not really memorize which version, but the Wave Ekiden was my very first road-flat quite some years ago. From the time when then I got my first pair until now, I raced several pairs of this modern road-running classic. It is not only a shiny and fast looking shoe, it is also a superior racing flat I loved every time I got my hand on one. Now Mizuno released the 10th version. Lets have a close look.

The term “Ekiden” is something that should be well-known to all running fans across the globe. It refers to a long-distance relay running race, typically on roads. The Japanese term originally referred to a post-horse or stagecoach which transmitted communication by stages.

Mizuno calls the outsole by the name of “G3“. It is merely created for road running and bids just enough charge for reckless excursions on the cemented underground or track workouts. For a humble and slick get-up it latest quite some time when I used the shoe through numerous trainings and road interval sessions.

Personally I always enjoyed the fitting of the Ekiden. The elegant and thin upper creates a comfortable and close fit and makes running fast a controlled experience.

It is called “X10” and its job is to ensure stability and traction. The durable Mizuno carbon rubber allows for longer wear in high impact areas and provides more traction.

“U4ic” is the name of the midsole compound providing high comfort and performance, while being extremely lightweight.

The height of accurate racing expertise is found in this Japanese heritage shoe.

Unconquerable – the pure beauty of a simple running flat.

The polite 6mm offset bids a fast and very responsive ride.

All pictures show the Mizuno Wave Ekiden in the Diva Blue, White and Safety Yellow colour line. Mizuno sticks to the characteristic design.

All my dear reader please note: This shoe does not have a lot of cushioning you consequently need to be able to have some experience running a shoe like this. The minimalist design does not offer much and feet and legs might need to work more. It is a pure racing shoe that follows the minimal route.

Mizuno’s 10th version of the Wave Ekiden bids minimal underfoot support which is desired to run fast and efficient. With a total weight of sweet 145g the shoe offers no arch support either.

Once more I was delighted to have a go with this classic. Mizuno delivers once more as the only update their road-racing flagship insignificant. Why change a running system?

All pictures (c) Runssel

Tune of the day: Aesop Rock and Homeboy Sandman – Lice 2: Still Buggin’

April 8, 2016 / Keine Kommentare

Shoeporn: Scarpa – Atom (Orange Fluo)

Scarpa is on the move. On the move to further increase and improve their quality alpinist inventions. Since years the Italians are a household name when it comes to high-quality off-road outdoor equipment. Particularly the footwear union is widely recognized and highly popular among hikers, mountaineers, alpinist or Skimo competitors.

The rapid chunk of mountain and off-road undertakings have been overlooked for some time. Last year’s running shoe collection (Already I reviewed the Minima) was an exciting starter to the lighter efforts of alpine travels. With the latest signing of well-known athlete, photographer and outdoor novelist Joe Grant, Scarpa puts the emphasis on the thriving trail-running market place. With a three-year contract in its pocket, Grant will be the face to their alpine shoe product line. It will be exciting to see how his contribution will assist the corporation to settle in this market slice.

The up-to-date product pool bids some pretty exciting lightweight and minimal goods. As I was checking the fresh assortment, the Atom caught my full attention. A refined and fast looking minimal piece of foot wear. Not only the flamboyant coloring forms an eye catching shoe, it is also the vigorous 4 mm drop that generates a shoe for quick and direct off-road undertakings.

In addition to the general clean and effective look, the Atom offers some thoughtful details that will appreciated during long and short outings. I ran the Atom through varieties of undergrounds and conditions. While I was training around the Cote d Azur lately, I had the chance to take the Atom from end to end of a variation of challenging undergrounds. Although damp and indulgent forest single-lanes were an laid-back mission, the shaky and technically difficult trails along the rocky coast line were a excessive playground for this model. I was astonished by the performance of the nifty grip the Vibram Genesis Lite outsole offers. The build-in rock platter bids a boundless protection without making the shoe too inflexible.

I still appreciate my excursions with the Atom as the shoe offers great traction that ends in a secure feeling during all sorts of punishing environments. Scarpa marks a move into the correct direction. It is going to be exciting to see what the Italians issue in the future. Their knowledge among mountain shoes is countless. How they will incorporate it into the light and fast style will be interesting to witness. Certainly the new-fangled Atom is a huge move that offers so much delight along the trails.

The low stack height of the Atom is created for steep and technical trails.

The brand name stands for Società Calzaturiera Asolana Riunita Pedemontana Anonima, which means Associated Shoe Manufacturing Company of the Asolo Mountain Area.

The Atom characters a fine and exiting refresh to Scarpa’s mountain running assortment.

Race ready – fused upper material to save weight and increase the comfort!

Hailing from the Montebelluna region in Italy, the company opened their US HQ in Boulder, CO in 2005.

249g of trail running madeness awaits.

The partner for wild outings is the Vibram Genesis Lite sole.

The midsole is made out of Compression Molded EVA and works quite well.

Not only the Orange Fluo painting makes this shoe stand out.

A pretty handy element – A little pocket on the tongue stores away the laces.

All pictures: Runssel

Tune of the day: Exiles beautiful Rework of Adiam’s Runaway Feat. BLU

März 12, 2016 / Keine Kommentare

shoeporn: Mizuno – Wave Catalyst

It is difficult to pick a running-shoe category for this one. With the latest Wave Catalyst, Mizuno just announced a successor for their Wave Elixir Modell. This shoe fulfils the lightweight and up-tempo chunk of their range. Pretty rare for a shoe of that category it features a moderate support for over-pronation. Looking back at the first-born Elixir model, the Mizuno engineers condensed the offset by 2mm. Mizuno used the grown space to renovate the padding, which provides this shoe a great cushioned sensation deprived of loosing a blameless contact to the ground, since very little energy is lost in compression and rebound.

Mizuno shaped a shoe that feels home among athletes gazing for a speedier trainer or tempo run shoe. Without a doubt there is speed in this shoe, but for a model like this it bids further stability, support and construction that a lot of comparable models miss.

The centre of attention is the Mizuno typical wave midsole (A Wave Plate constructed from pebax Rnew). It offers a great fitting and cushion through the heel and midfoot.

The Wave Catalyst is somewhat of a multipurpose, everyday training partner. There are not many shoes around that are that stable and likewise reckless. Mizuno offers great responsiveness with sufficient cushioning.

Pretty trendy – The Wave Catalyst in the “Palace Blue / Safety Yellow” colour theme. Mizuno understands to design characteristic shoes with a unique style.

Heavy-duty – I was astonished by the characteristic of the sole. Knowing the wear and tear sectors of my shoes following some miles of running, this one did not demonstrate too much shred. Mizuno promotes its extraordinary blown rubber to be super robust. Well, it looks like they are spot-on.

Besides the overall performance there are a lot of polite and petite features that make a shoe singular. Mizuno pleasantly incorporated their well-known runbird symbol in the sole.

The well-made compress of the upper material paired with stress-free adjustability of the laces creates a well fitting shoe. There is also plenty of room in the forefoot section without the impact on feet movement. With its 260 grams the shoe has a lot to offer for that weight division.

Robustness – A forceful carbon rubber is the highlight in the back part of the sole. Mizuno calls this rubber part “X10”. It supports the heel-striking runner. As a forefoot and middle foot striker I cannot access that piece. However I value the duration of the sole. Tough material is the backbones to the well-lit and bouncy cushion.

Key component – The flexible midsole shield provides an well-organized arrangement between the heel the middle part of the foot. It adds a secure sensation to every stride. Well needed with such a low-to-the-ground purpose. Running relaxed and gentle the shoe transports a clammy touch. But this is gone once you get yourself into a more lively and speedier state. The Wave Catalyst starts to deliver a dynamic and steadfast sensitivity with an capable structure that keep the motion in check.

All pictures (c) runssel

Other Mizuno reviews:

Mizuno – Wave Kazan 2
Mizuno – Wave Rider 19
Sneak Peak

Tune of the day: Joey Bada$$ – “Brooklyn’s Own” (Prod. By Statik Selektah)

März 4, 2016 / Keine Kommentare

shoeporn: Hoka One One – Vanquish 2

Hoka is back with its second version of the neutral Vanquish. More cushioning does not mean more weight. So the new form of the Vanquish happens to be even lighter and offers this characteristic and remarkable sensation of sensitivity combined with an incredibly light performance. With a total weight of 276 grams (size 42) this shoe is considered to be a partner for a smooth gallop.

Gossip has it that Hoka is well known to be pretty narrow. Width-wise I never experienced any difficulties. The Vanquish 2 adds to that impression and offers enough space for my ordinary sized feet.

As usual, the framework design is very distinctive. Not a surprise when it comes to Hoka. A robust two-layer foam shell saves the legs with its dense core construction. It benefits the feet to stay in place without being too inflexible. A foam layer close to the foot delivers cushioning. Foam on the outer assists a robust and agile stride.

Frenchman’s Jean-Luc Diard and Nicolas Mermoud formed Hoka One One with the intention to offer more cushioning paired with a wide and firm stand based on light and durable fabrics. When they searched for a name they came by the Maori expression of “flying over the earth” which means Hoka One One.

A robust, well-muffled sole is the key factor to transport firm support in an active and responsive ride.

A Dual-Layer Midsole Construction that fuses rebound EVA in the body with a cushioned EVA on top, offers customary HOKA ONE ONE Ultrasize cushioning with a bit of extra springy ‘zing’ in the stride.

The images display the Vanquish 2 in the “Grey / Orange Flash” colour theme.

Properly there is not a spookier midsole out there then the one you witness here. Hoka uses the midsole to intensify lateral structure to their produces. This works tremendously well with this exemplary. A feature that makes the brand stands out from the competition. As far as I’m concerned there is not a comparable technique around with the competition.

This shoe is considered for road running and the “Full Ground Contact design” bids a secure feel. In the past the Hoka outsoles caused some light issues as the wear and tear was an problem. Not with this one.

Several geometrical details: Offset: 5 mm, Forefoot: 27 mm, Heel: 32 mm

The Vanquish 2 makes for a great long-distance training shoe – bouncy and reactive. A joy for training crushed up jogging limbs.

Other Hoka One One Reviews:
Hoka One One – Speedgoat
Hoka One One – Huaka
Hoka One One – Clifton 2

All pictures (c) runssel

Tune of the day: Sendemast – Generation Hauptbahnhof

Kategorie: Test (Seite 1 von 3)

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