Product Reviews

Adidas Adios 2

2011-12-26T18:45:56Z

Runners are an implacable sort when it comes to their favorite shoes. We form somewhat of an emotional attachment from running hundreds of miles in them and are reluctant to change once we find a shoe we like. Additionally, we are apprehensive when our favorite shoe undergoes a revision, worrying we won't love it quite as much as before. Many iterations of a particular shoe are minor or even merely cosmetic, but sometimes companies make significant changes. With the Adizero Adios 2, set to release early January 2012, Adidas made several changes that are much more than cosmetic.

Mens Adios 2

Specifications

Weight:

Men: 7.4 ounces (Size 9)

Women: 6.3 ounces (Size 8)

Heel Offset:

11 mm (26 mm heel; 15 mm forefoot)

Womens Adios 2

Technology

Continental Rubber on Outsole
Adiprene Cushioning in Heel
Adiprene+ Forefoot For Increased Energy Return
Sockliner
Midfoot Torsion System
New 3D Heel Moulding Provides Better Fit
Solvent Free Synthetic Suede Upper

Fit and Feel

The Adidas Adios is a favorite lightweight racing shoe of elites and weekend warriors alike from the 5k to the marathon. One of the main reasons for this is their incredible fit. The Adios 2 continues this tradition with an even better fit in the midfoot due to a slightly increased volume.

One of the most significant changes is the switch to a firmer cushioning, Adiprene+, in the forefoot. The effect of this is a firmer feel and, according to Adidas, a better energy return. A new Torsion System in the midfoot was designed for improved energy return and support.

The heel cup in the Adios 2 is a bit more structured than the original which was already stiffer than most shoes in the category. As with the original I felt my heel slipped around a bit at first. Experimenting with different lacing and tightness I was able to solve this and it wasn't an issue.

Adidas also added Continental rubber to the outsole for greatly improved traction on dry and wet surfaces. The new rubber should also be more durable, but our test wasn't long enough to judge. A new mesh in the upper has a wider weave for improved heat exchange and is slightly stretchier, giving a more comfortable feel.

The result of all these changes is that Adidas found a way to make one one of the best fitting shoes feel even better. The improvement geared towards better energy return are difficult to quantify, but if Patrick Makau's world record marathon performance in the Adios 2 is any indication, we may have to take Adidas' word on that.

Testing

The most obvious difference in the Adios 2 compared to the original for me was the firmer feel in the forefoot. However, this didn't diminish the responsiveness or feeling of the ground underfoot. After a couple of runs the original firmness seemed to soften a bit but remained firmer than the original.

Compared to other lightweight racing flats the Adios 2 are about in the middle when it comes to weight, 7.4 ounces, and have a higher heel lift at 11 mm. Purists may frown on this a bit but the higher heel lift can help reduce fatigue especially on longer runs. Besides, if 11 mm is okay for the men who ran the 3 fastest marathons of all time, I for one am okay with it too.

The Adios 2 performed very well on a variety of terrain. On pavement and track they were as superb as their predecessor. While not designed as a trail shoe, on dirt road and trail they offered better protection and traction than most lightweight trail shoes I've worn. While not tested on muddy trails I doubt they would perform well, but this isn't often a concern due to our climate in Las Vegas.

Conclusion

I recently took a trip for a long training run on the course of an upcoming goal race. It was difficult not to pull out my traditional go to shoe but in the end chose to wear the Adios 2. They felt as good after 15 miles as they did after first putting them on. Since then I find myself wearing more and more on key workouts.

Having been a fan of the original Adios I admit to having a biased towards the shoe. Because of this bias, however, I was prepared to be critical if Adidas ruined one of my favorite shoes. In the end the changes are noticable but did not change the essence of the shoe. If you loved the original you'll love the Adios 2 just as much.

New Balance MT110

2011-11-26T21:02:47Z

Review of the New Balance MT 110/WT 110 available January 2012

Pearl Izumi syncroFuel II Trail

2011-07-24T02:29:44Z

It seems this is the year of the sequel at Pearl Izumi. They recently released the Streak II racing flat and their lightweight Peak II trail shoe. Now they have just launched the syncroFuel II Trail shoe. The syncroFuel, there is also a road version with an update coming soon, is Pearl's popular mid-weight line that offers good support with racing performance. The syncroFuel is the preferred shoe shoe of much of the Pearl Izumi Racing Team. Nick Clark wore the syncroFuel while placing 3rd at the Western States 100 and 3rd at the Hardrock 100 less than two weeks later.

Men's Pearl Izumi syncroFuel Trail II

Specifications

Weight:

Men: 10.9 ounces (size 10)

Women: 9.6 ounces (size 8)

Heel-Toe Offset:

10mm (23mm heel, 13mm forefoot)

Technology

Seamless Upper
360ᐤ Lacing System
1:1 Energy Foam
Gusseted Tongue
Ortholoite® Sockliner

Fit and Feel

The seamless upper wraps around your foot uniformly providing an excellent fit. There is ample room in the toe box, but the fit of the shoe keeps your foot in place and well connected. Like the Peak II, the syncroFuel Trail II has a gusseted tongue the helps with the wrap around feel and keep dirt out. At first the seam at the top of the tongue pressed on my ankle a bit, but I forgot about it after a few minutes. There is more cushioning in the achilles that most shoes I've tried on. This was pretty comfortable though and seamed to help keep the heel snug in place.

One complaint some people had with the original syncroFuel Trail was with the tread of the shoe. Pearl Izumi completely revamped the sole in the syncroFuel Trail II. The aggressive lugs and new pattern provided excellent traction on dirt and rocks. Although designed for trail, the syncroFuel Trail II performed well on asphalt. Many of our training runs, and even trail races, have road sections and some trail shoes are a disaster on pavement. While I wouldn't lace up these shoes for a local 5k, they will see you through any road sections you will encounter.

Pearl Izumi syncroFuel Trail II tread

Testing

I have worn the syncroFuel Trail II on several runs out at Bootleg Canyon and Mt. Charleston. We got them in the week after I ran the Western States 100 and they were my go to shoe providing much needed comfort for my tender feet. The syncroFuel Trail II seemed to sit slightly lower to the ground than the orignal, but they have more E.V.A. and sit higher than most shoes. This is somewhat of a matter of preference. I normally prefer a shoe that sits lower; however, I didn't feel any rolling in my ankles that I normally feel in shoes of similar height. On the other hand, the extra cushioning made steamrolling over sharp rocks almost feel like cheating.

Although the syncroFuel Trail II looks like a bulky shoe, it is (10.9 ounces size 10) and feels lighter than it looks. While not quite as nimble as the Pearl Izumi Peak II; it is surprisingly only a little over an ounce heavier. Compared to other popular trail shoes it is actually quite light; Brooks Cascadia (12.2 ounces size 9) and Salomon Crossmax (12.3 ounces size 9).

Pearl Izumi also improved the responsiveness in the syncroFuel Trail II. Despite the thickness of the E.V.A. I felt I had good feedback of the trail underfoot. Yet not even the most sinister rocks Bootleg Canyon has to offer even threatened to poke through. To me, this is one of the most impressive features of the syncroFuel Trail II. To provide heavy protection and comfort in a shoe that gives excellent feedback is something that not many companies have gotten right. Many shoes with good protection make your foot fall asleep and you have no feeling of the terrain.

Women's Pearl Izumi syncroFuel Trail II

If you are a runner that always seems to trip over rocks on trails I can attest the reinforced toe box did its job. I kicked the heck, not on purpose, of a rock that appeared out of nowhere. As I was stumbling and struggling to not go down I was thinking "I may fall, but at least my toe doesn't hurt." This was particularly significant for me because I managed to kick the rock directly on the toe that had taken the worst beaten the week before at Western States.

Overall, I really like the Pearl Izumi syncroFuel Trail II. It has a good fit, provides excellent protection in the sole and toe box, and manages to feel fairly light and nimble for all that comfort.

Pearl Izumi Streak 2

2011-06-12T19:54:00Z

Pearl Izumi Streak II

In addition to the recently reviewed Peak 2 trail shoe, Pearl Izumi also recently released the Streak 2; their lightweight road racing shoe. Where the original Streak was a great first iteration; the Streak 2 is astonishing.

The Streak 2 is lighter than the original and has a lower profile making it a true competitor to the popular Adidas Adizero and the Asics Hyperspeed. While the Streak 2 is light enough to be a 5k racer, it is also cushioned and durable enough for a marathon. Although not intended as a trail shoe, it is the shoe of choice for Red Rock Running Company owner and Pearl Izumi Ultra Team member Josh Brimhall. The following is a video featuring Pearl Izumi Product Line Manager Mike Thompson discussing some of the technology in the Streak 2.

Specifications

Weight:

Men's 7.8 oz (Size 10)

Women's 6.8 (Size 8)

Heel-Toe Drop:

9 mm (19 mm heel-10 mm forefoot)

Technology

Seamless Upper
360ᵒ Lacing system conforms to all types of foot sizes
Energy Foam cushions on impact and returns energy back to runner
Segmented forefoot
Ortholite® sockliner

Fit and Feel

Just about everything with the Pearl Izumi logo has a polished look and feel. The Streak 2 is no exception to this. The toe box is somewhat snug, but your toes have plenty of freedom to move thanks to the mesh upper. The seamless upper technology is hard to quantify, yet it makes a dramatic difference in how smooth the shoe fits.

Usually I kind of snicker when companies use grandiose language to describe shoe laces; however, the lacing system in the Steak 2 really does do a good job of tightening with even pressure. The cushioning around the achilles kept my foot in snugly in place and seemed to help make the shoe feel apart of your foot.

Streak 2 Side

At 7.8 ounces, the Streak 2 isn't the lightest road racer out there. However, it is a viable lightweight option for a wider spectrum of runners and probably light enough for all but the most fervorant of minimalists. In addition, the fit and cushioning gives the shoe the versatility to be used for any distance.

Testing

For my first run in the Streak 2 I was up to the White Mountains in California for some high altitude hill training. The Streak 2 handled a variety of terrain (asphalt, dirt road, trail, and snow) extremely well. They felt light and agile on the climbs and secure and comfortable on the decents.

The sole of Streak 2 is mostly blown rubber with only the traditional carbon rubber on the heel. This gave a bit of a unique slipper like feel. It was plenty cushioned, but not spongy feeling. In fact, I found it quite responsive and provided excellent feedback on all surfaces. The sole is flexible but still offers some support. I wasn't sure what to make of the holes that stretch medially along the sole, but they didn't seem to have any negative qualities even on trail.

Streak 2 SoleAfter 25 miles right out of the box, I had no hot spots despite some pretty fierce decents. The mesh upper wicked away moisture better than any shoe I've worn. Above all, although I was trying to think about the Streak 2 while testing, I kept forgetting about it and simply enjoyed the running and scenery. To me, this is one of highest compliments possible for any shoe.

To make sure the first run wasn't a fluke I have worn the Streak 2 on several more runs and they continued to impress. By no means did Pearl Izumi intend this as a trail shoe, yet they performed well even on rocky trail. I did feel quite a few more rocks than most shoes, but I only felt "stabbed" once and that rock was a nasty beast. The soft rubber sole will wear pretty quickly on trail though.

If you are used to a more supportive shoe I'd recommend working the Streak 2, or any minimalist lightweight type of shoe for that matter, into your weekly mileage slowly. The slightly higher heel drop may make for an easier transition to a more minimalist shoe than many other options currently on the market.

Overall, I'd rate the Pearl Izumi Streak 2 as excellent. Its lightness and responsiveness make it a very good lightweight trainer/racer. While its comfort and versatility allows you to wear it even on your longest runs.

Pearl Izumi Peak 2 Trail Shoe

2011-05-22T03:02:05Z

Pearl Izumi has been busy of late releasing updates to a couple of their popular lightweight shoes. Pearl completely revamped their Peak XC trail shoe with the Peak 2 XC. The new Peaks sit lower to the ground than the previous model, and have a much sturdier upper. Pearl Izumi works closely with athletes on development. As a result, Pearl Izumi products are both technologically advanced and have the intangibles lacking in many larger shoe companies. Here is a video featuring PearI Izumi Ultrarunning Team member Scott Jaime discussing what they were trying to achieve with the Peak 2.

Specifications

Weight:

Men's 9.6 oz (Size 10)

Heel-Toe Drop:

8 mm (17 mm heel-9 mm forefoot)

Pearl Izumi Peak 2

Technology

Seamless Upper
1 mm TPU Rockplate in Forefoot
Sits lower to ground than most trail shoes
Gusseted Tongue

Fit and Feel

Pearl Izumi designed the Peak 2 with a snug feel. In fact, you will definitely want to try them on beforehand and probably start with a half size larger than you normally wear. The toe box has a relatively low amount of volume, which is largely a matter of preference. I liked the wrap around feel that the gusseted tongue provided. Additionally, this feature helps keep out dust and rocks. The shoe sits lower to the ground than most trail shoes. This is an important feature for me because it helps prevent ankle roll, as well as adds some inherent stability. The back of the shoe wraps around your heel and achilles nicely without having to cinch the laces.

Peak 2 Top View

At 9.6 ounces., the Peak 2s are already a very lightweight trail shoe. However, they seem to feel even lighter than their weight. When wearing them, I had a hard time feeling the difference in weight between the Peak 2 and the Saucony Kinvara which is nearly 2 ounces lighter. While I didn't kick any rocks in testing, the toe protector is robust making this shoe a good option for those that are chronic trippers

Overall, the Peak 2s have a polished look and an eye for detail design and fit that Pearl Izumi fans have grown to love and expect. While the fit is tighter than I was used to, several other people have worn the Streak 2s and didn't find this to be the case.

Testing

I tested the Peak 2s out on the rugged Bootleg Canyon trails near Boulder City. One of the first things I noticed is the excellent balance the shoes have between protection and responsiveness. By responsiveness, I mean how the shoe allows you to feel the terrain below your feet. This provides feedback on whether the ground is loose or solid, and allows you to make quick micro adjustments on your weight distribution. Most shoes seem to skew too far to one side or the other. Either they provide maximum protection and you can't feel a thing, or you feel every little rock underfoot and are constantly getting stabbed in the foot.

Peak 2 Sole

One advantage of the low volume toe box is that it helps provide extra power when climbing uphill. I felt like I had a little more spring from my toes on the final push off. The seamless wrap around upper held my foot in place well, which prevented my toes from jamming on steep decents.

I am typically pretty hesitant about stepping on rocks when trying new shoes. I quickly gained confidence in the Peak 2'sTPU forefoot rockplate which is much more flexible than traditional plastic rockplates yet provides excellent protection. I could feel rocks but didn't have any painful stabbing. Similarly, the mid-foot and heel provided excellent protection for such a lightweight shoe.

In the end, the Pearl Izumi Peak 2 is an excellent trail shoe and a great option for those looking for a sub-10 ounce shoe that will still protect your foot from the virtual cornucopia of sharp nasty rocks typical of Las Vegas trails.

Peak 2 Side

New Balance Minimus Trail-MT10/WT10

2011-03-05T05:10:21Z

The much anticipated New Balance Minimus Trail have arrived. These shoes are New Balance's answer to the barefoot running fever that has hit the running community by storm. New Balance did a great deal of testing and running biomechanics research in producing the entire Minimus line; including the recently reviewed Minimus Road and the Minimus Life.

Men's Minimus Trail

Women's Minimus Trail

One of the first things I noticed when unboxing the Minimus Trail was a warning label attached to the shoe that read the following:

"Caution: This product increases the strain on the foot, calf, and Achilles tendon. Overuse of this product or use of activities outside of running and walking may increase the risk of sustaining injury.

This product should be introduced slowly into a running exercise routine. New Balance recommends limiting initial use to 10% of overall running workouts and very gradually increasing training time and distance."

This warning should not be ignored. There are some definite benefits of minimalist shoes. If used properly, improved running form and efficiency are chief among them. However, one is more likely to suffer injury than reap those benefits if one tries to do too much too fast.

Specifications

Weight:

Men's 7.1 oz

Women's 5.5 oz

Heel-Toe Drop:

4 mm (9 mm heel/5 mm forefoot)

Technology

Vibram outsole
ACTEVA® midsole for lightweight cushioning and flexibility
Low profile sets foot close to ground to promote natural running form
Wider forefoot allows toes to spread on impact

Fit/Feel

The NB Minimus Trail have a distinct, but appealing, look with almost no resemblance to the Miminus Road Shoe.

Shoe manufacturers often make road and trail versions of popular shoes so people can have a consistent experience on different terrains. New Balance threw this logic out the window and made very different versions in both look and feel; however, they are built on the same last which is why they are part of the same lineup. New Balance may have also needed to differentiate the Minimus Trail from its other lightweight trail shoe currently on the market, the NB MT 101.

Sliding your foot into the Minimus Trail sort of feels like putting on an Aqua Sock. The liner is comfortable with or without socks. One of the first things I noticed was the pressure from a rubber strip that spans across the shoe just below the toes. While noticeable, this pressure wasn't uncomfortable and thought of it receded out of the forefront of my mind before long. The material of the upper is fairly stretchy and I believe the intent of this strip is for shoe integrity and to help keep your foot in place.

Below is a video produced by New Balance featuring ultrarunner Tony Krupicka explaining New Balance's philosophy of minimalism and the Minimus line

If you are used to wearing a traditional running shoe you will also notice how close your foot is to the ground and the minimal heel lift. Barefoot purists wanting a truly barefoot experience may be slightly disappointed that the Minimus shoes for having a 4 mm heel lift, instead of zero. Most people, however, will barely notice the heel lift in the Minimus Trail as it is about one-third that of a normal running shoe (4 mm is about the thickness of two nickels). Going from a typical 12 mm heal lift, 4 mm is very low indeed and perhaps a more responsible introduction to barefoot inspired running.

Testing

I was a little more cautious about testing the NB Minimus Trail than other recently reviewed lightweight shoes, NB Minimus Road or Saucony Progrid Kinvara. Despite being dubbed a trail shoe, most of the trails around Las Vegas, Red Rock and Bootleg Canyon in particular, are quite rocky and not ideally suited for the Minumus Trail in my opinion. I ran first tested them on a short easy run at a local park and logged about 1.5 miles on pavement and 4 miles on a combination of dirt and grass.

The thin outsole sets your foot close to the ground and gives great ground feel but doesn't offer a great deal protection. This is done intentionally and, over time, your feet will become stronger. I had to be pretty careful about foot placements and felt like I was prancing around a bit at times. Although significantly less so than with the Vibram Five Fingers. The Minimus Trail definitely helps promote a midfoot to forefoot foot strike, yet this action felt more forced than with the Minimus Road.

On pavement/cement I was careful not to land on my heel and had a shorter stride. I noticed my upper body posture to be more erect and my feet were landing more directly underneath my body. The dirt track at the park has small rocks that are barely noticeable in other shoes but were quite evident in the Minimus Trail. In my opinion, grass was the best surface for running on in these shoes. Unfortunately, around Las Vegas open grassy areas aren't very abundant but can be found at most parks or schools. I felt comfortable picking up the pace a bit on the grass and found running on it the Minimus Trail to be pretty fun.

I have worn the NB Minimus Trail on a few such runs with similar results. In addition, they are comfortable to wear around town and their appearance allows you to do so without feeling self-conscious. The NB Minimus Trail are an excellent training tool if you are interested in experimenting with barefoot or minimalist running. However, I would encourage people to use good judgement and caution as you introduce them slowly into your training.

New Balance Minimus Road-MR10/WR10

2011-02-27T05:23:45Z

New Balance recently introduced a new line of shoes called the Minimus. Their design was inspired with the trend to barefoot, or near barefoot, and minimalist running in mind but targeted for the masses. Katherine Petrecca, New Balance category manager for the Minimus line, states:

"We view these shoes very much as tools that encourage better running form, and help strengthen the legs and feet. As important, a great minimal shoe should deliver increased ground feel and control, which is what makes them so much fun to use."

Men's Road Minimus

Women's Road Minimus

The trend in the running industry to minimalist or barefoot running is undeniable. Below are the results of Google Insights for Search query for the term "minimalist running." This graph shows relative number of searches for the term over the last three years. Beginning in 2009 interest began to rise and shows no sign of decline. In turn, the shoe industry has scrambled to meet this interest and it seems every company is coming out with their version of minimalist shoes.

Specifications

Weight:

Men's 8.2 oz.

Women's 6.6 oz

Heel-Toe Drop:

4 mm (11 mm heel/7 mm forefoot)

Technology

Anatomically correct last
Wider forefoot lets toes spread on impact
Rounded heel discourages heel strike

Fit/Feel

The NB Minimus Road has the look and feel of a lightweight trainer. While 0.5 oz heavier than the recently reviewed Saucony Kinvara, the Minimus are much lower to the ground, 7 mm, and more flexible. There is a fair amount of padding in the achilles that secures your heel in place nicely. Despite there being no removable insole, the Minimus Road were comfortable and provided an excellent balance of support and ground feel. The sole is firm and provided excellent protection against rocks and varying terrain. Overall, the NB Minimus Road fits comfortably snug and feels like an extention of your foot.

New Balance touts the shoe as having a roomy toebox that encourages your toes to spread on impact. I didn't find this to be the case; however, I suspect this may be due to the shoes fitting slightly small. Make sure to try on both your regular size and a half size larger.

Testing

I tested the Minimus Road on a 1.5 hour moderate paced run on pavement. My plan in testing them was to run easy for 20 minutes or so to feel them out. At that point I was going to decide whether to continue the rest of my run in them or switch to a different shoe. This plan lasted all of about 42 seconds.

Once I stepped outsite my gate I tried to run easy but my legs seemed to turn over more quickly for the given effort. These shoes simply wanted to go fast. Additionally, in lieu of my normal handheld bottle, I was trying out a waist belt which didn't have the best ride. This cumbersome device felt at odds with the Minimus at the atomic level so I ditched it behind a bush. Immediately my pace quickened another thrity seconds per mile and I understood what New Balance had in mind in naming this shoe Minimus. This shoe has everything you need, but not a stitch more.

The New Balance Minimus Road performed well on a variety of surfaces including asphalt, cement, rocks, gravel, and grass. Unlike many minimalist shoes out there, I didn't have to keep a constant lookout for objects to avoid stepping on. The rounded heel and low drop definitely promoted a forefoot footstrike that felt natural and unforced.

The die hard minimalist crowd may sneer slightly at the Minimus Road's weight and non-zero heel drop. However, compared to most running shoes on the market, the Minimus Road is very lightweight, about 30% lighter, and the 4 mm vs 12 mm average heel drop is very noticable. It would be wise to slowly implement these shoes into your training if you aren't used to this type of shoe.

I was extremely impressed with the New Balance Minimus Road and would highly recommend it to someone looking for a lightweight trainer or to someone that is interested in minimalist running looking for a responsible introduction.

Saucony Progrid Kinvara

2011-02-22T09:00:00Z

The Kinvara is a lightweight neutral shoe that gives the impression of mainstream minimalism. That is to say, it is very lightweight with a minimal heel drop, yet still looks and feels like a running shoe.

Specifications

Weight:

Men's 7.7 oz. (7.6 oz. tested size 9)

Women's 6.7oz. (6.7 oz. tested size 8)

Heel-Toe Drop

4 mm (18 mm Heel/14 mm Forefoot) Typical shoes are around 12 mm. A lower drop in the Kinvaras promotes a mid to forefoot footstrike.

Fit/Feel

When you first pick up the Kinvaras the first thing you notice is the weight, or rather lack of it. The Kinvara's lightweight materials are responsive yet provide an ample amount of cushioning and support.

The upper wraps snuggly around your foot and is roomy in the toe box. Padding on either side of your achilles provide a snug heel fit with no heel slippage.

Testing

I took out the Kinvaras for a 15 mile trail run in Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City. If you're not familiar with Bootleg, its network of trails are among the toughest and rockiest in the area. I was impressed with the Kinvaras from the beginning. The lightness of the shoes was particularly noticable while climbing and hopping over rocks. They have an agile feel and foot placements were effortless and accurate.

I was most amazed how much protection the Kinvaras provided over the sharp Bootleg volcanic rocks. They provided excellent responsivness to the trail, yet stopped even the nastiest of rocks from poking through. The only negative I can report is that the Kinvara's firm outsole didn't provide the best traction on some surfaces. However, this only applied to very short sections where the dirt trail gave way to bare rock. The air mesh upper is perfect for the Las Vegas hot and dry climate and didn't allow any dirt to permeate through.

While not a trail specific shoe, the Kinvaras were one of the best shoes I've ever worn on trails. They have all the benefits of a lightweight minimalist shoe, while providing excellent protection and support.

On the road the Kinvaras were simply brilliant. The smooth surface made the low drop much more apparent and I noticed my foot striking more towards the forefoot than normal. The Kinvaras helped this movement feel smooth and natural. Unlike other minimalist shoes, the Kinvaras provide ample support and cushioning so you don't feel like took a pounding.

Saucony has hit a home run with the Kinvaras. Appealing looks and simple minimal lightweight design make for a formidable shoe on a variety of surfaces.

Saucony ProGrid Kinvara from Saucony on Vimeo.

New Balance MT101

2011-02-02T05:21:00Z

The MT 101s are the hottest shoe to hit the trail this year. Perfect for the runner who wants a minimalistic shoe with plenty of comfort and stability. Smooth, responsive, and steady. As the successor to the MT 100, the MT 101 offers a much more stable upper and a surprising amount of protection in the forefoot.

Ultra Minimal: Your lightest, most flexible choice for advanced foot strengthening, speed workouts, and racing. Cutting-edge training tool for Stability or Neutral runners.

Men's 7.8 ounces

Women's 6.5 ounces

New Balance 759

2011-01-11T05:12:00Z

The NEW BALANCE 759 is a high-performance neutral comfort. New Balance 759 features slightly softer cushioning to smooth the ride, and best-ever midfoot fit. PL-1 Last - Performance fit.

Men's-11.1 ounces

Women's-8.8 ounces