It has been over a year since we tested the original Altra ONE. The new Altra ONE2 is the next generation from the Altra Running neutral low cushioning collection. The ONE2 is billed as a ‘fast, do-it-all performance shoe’ with an incredible cushion-to-weight ratio. From a casual seven-mile run to a full marathon, this shoe…
Category: Running Gear Reviews
SKORA end of season sale – 5 days only!
Just in time for the summer! SKORA is having an end-of-season sale starting June 25 with site-wide savings through June 30th. SKORA premium running shoes are 25% OFF. Summer sale ends 6/30! Free-Shipping on orders over $90 + earn Gift Cards with qualified purchases. Shop SKORA here for your end-of-season savings.
VIVOBAREFOOT Trail Freak Review & Giveaway
The last VIVOBAREFOOT designed-for-trails shoe we wear tested two years ago was the Breatho Trail. At first glance, the new Trail Freak is similar but with a quick closure lacing system. That’s where it ends. After running in them for a few weeks, they are way different and the Trail Freak is my preferred VIVOBAREFOOT…
Taking the next step with minimal shoes… Track & Field Masters/Seniors Games
A few months back, I decided that in order to really field test various running and fitness products, I have to pick a race or meet that really bring out the best out of the products and myself. So I decided to test out my over 4 years of running and training exclusively with minimal…
Ryders Eyewear STRIKE, PINT, VIA
We last reviewed performance sunglasses from Ryders Eyewear over two years ago – Ryders Interchangeable and Ryders Standard. New in 2014, we wear tested three models with three different technologies: STRIKE with Polarized & Photochromic lenses, VIA with Photochromic lenses, and PINT with Polarized lenses. Ryders Eyewear VIA The Ryders VIA has a rimless design…
2014 Wear Tested Shoe of the Year Candidates
Here’s a sneak preview list of some of the candidates for the 2014 Wear Tested Shoe of the Year in minimalist shoes for Road, Trail, and Casual (includes Walking and Hiking). We hope to have test pairs for all the models listed here by the last quarter of 2014. All shoes available publicly by Fall…
Topo Athletic MT Mountain Trainer
Ever since we declared the Topo Athletic’s Speed Trainer (ST) as Wear Tested Shoes of the Year for 2013, we were naturally excited to get our hands (and feet) on their new trail running shoes, the Mountain Trainer (MT). The Topo MT offers the ultimate hybrid experience by pairing the best features of a trail…
New Balance Minimus Zero Trail v2 Review
It has been a long time since New Balance made radical changes to its Minimus collection. In the pipeline with major changes are two trail shoes, the NB Minimus Zero Trail v2 and NB Minimus 110 v2. We recently wear tested the Minimus Zero Trail v2 and is surprised at the changes! The new Minimus…
ZEMgear launches on Kickstarter.com today!
ZEMgear founder, Christina Bracken shares her 20-year footwear industry experience and passion for design and development as she brings her new collection of shoes “Engineered for WOW” to life through a Kickstarter campaign today, April 15, 2014. Crowd funding is the fast growing “out-of-the-box” approach to brand marketing and pre-production financing. For a “successful” campaign,…
Newton Running Distance III & Gravity III Review
It has been a long time since Newton Running came out with radical changes to their technology. The Newton MV3 with its 5 mini-lugs was a teaser and that model is still my one and only favorite Newton shoe that I still use today for speed work and competition in track & field. With the…
Altra Superior 1.5 Review
The new Altra Zero Drop Superior 1.5 is an update to Altra’s lightweight performance off-road shoe. The foot-shaped toe box provides maximum foot relaxation and speed while the zero drop platform gives you greater stabilization and better form. Conquer the rugged, rocky terrain in comfort with the stone guard rock protection system that deflects rocks…
Altra Olympus & Repetition Review
The Altra Olympus and Altra Repetition joins the rank of maximalist shoes that we touched on in our previous post, The Pendulum Swings… Fat & Flat Running Shoes?. The Olympus and Repetition are the only zero drop maximalist shoes currently available in the market. My mantra has always been to mix it up with both…
Skechers GOrun 3 Review
Building on the success of the best selling Skechers GOrun 2, Skechers has created another blockbuster with the launch of its GOrun 3 running shoe. The Skechers GOrun 3 is the next generation of transitional (or bridging) running shoes. Designed for speed with innovative performance technologies to promote a midfoot strike, it fosters a barefoot…
On Running Cloud Shoe Review
Stripped down to the bare maximum, the On Cloud is the newest running shoe of the Swiss sports company On Running. It is also the lightest On shoe of all times. We have previously reviewed various models including the On CloudRacer and On CloudSurfer and we can certainly attest that the On Cloud is the…
Topo Athletic Expands Footprint in Outdoor, Functional Training and Running
Newton, Mass. – January 16, 2014 – Innovative new footwear brand, Topo Athletic, announced today that its ST model was awarded “2013 Wear Tested Shoe of the Year” by Wear Tested – Minimalist Shoes & Fitness Gear. The STs were recognized for the brand’s unique ergonomic design, combining a natural fit and lightweight construction without sacrificing…
2013 Wear Tested Shoe of the Year – Topo Athletic ST
We gave you a sneak preview of the new Topo Athletic ST speed trainer last year. After putting over 100 miles on these shoes, my female wear tester and myself can declare the Topo Athletic ST, the ‘Wear Tested Shoe of the Year’ for 2013! In previous years, there are at least a few flaws…
The Pendulum Swings… Fat & Flat Running Shoes?
There is a dangerous swing (in my opinion) in the running shoe pendulum from minimalist to maximalist running shoes for 2014. The pendulum swung the opposite direction a few years ago. Which direction will it swing next and where will it settle? Make sure you understand the choices before diving in. What is going on…
Mizuno Wave Universe 5 Shoe Review
It has been over two years since we reviewed the Mizuno Wave Universe 4. The new Mizuno Wave Universe 5 is a feather light minimalist racing shoe built for the neutral runner. The 2mm drop minimalist racing flat remains one of the lightest (2.8 ounces in standard men’s size 9) available in the market today….
The Running Event 2013 – Wrap Up & Best Products
The 2013 Running Event just ended December 6. It has been an exhaustive but thoroughly enjoyable three days at the Running Event (TRE) and Austin, Texas! I intend to make this pilgrimage every year as long as I’m still involved in running gear and running education. The Summer Outdoor Retailer Show is another major tradeshow…
The Running Event 2013 – Day Three
The Running Event (TRE) is a conference and expo for running specialty store buyers held annually in Austin, TX. TRE 2013 runs from December 3 to December 6. The last TRE day is usually quiet and last minute deals are finalized between buyers and vendors. Read my complete The Running Event: On The Floor – Day…
The Running Event 2013 – Day Two
The Running Event (TRE) is a conference and expo for running specialty store buyers held annually in Austin, TX. TRE 2013 runs from December 3 to December 6. Continuing with what we saw on the floor on TRE Day One yesterday… Read my complete The Running Event: On The Floor – Day Two report…
The Running Event 2013 – Day One
Greetings from Austin, Texas! This is my fourth year attending the Running Event in Austin, TX. The Running Event (TRE) is a conference and expo for running specialty store buyers. Over 250 exhibitors include dozens of young, start-up companies joining running industry flagship brands such as adidas, ASICS, Mizuno USA, New Balance, Nike, Reebok, Under…
Mizuno Wave EVO Ferus Shoe Review
We tested the Mizuno Wave EVO Levitas during the initial launch of the Wave EVO zero drop collection over a year ago. At that time, we also took the Wave EVO Levitas on trail runs but debris got stuck on the outsole. Now Mizuno has the solution to that problem, the Mizuno Wave EVO Ferus,…
Topo Athletic Laces Up for Speed and Rugged Trails
Innovative footwear brand Topo Athletic announced today the addition of two new models to its expanding shoe portfolio: the zero drop Speed Trainer (ST) and 2mm drop Mountain Trainer (MT). The ST and MT models feature a traditional toe box, providing consumers with a wider selection of style and fit. It is an interesting design twist from…