The Neo Vista is Mizuno’s entry into the “super road trainer” category. What are super road trainers? I generally consider them to be shoes whose heel height is higher than the World Athletics standard of a maximum 40 mm for elite level racing and in the Vista we are 44.5 mm.
Designers of such shoes have a tricky task. The higher the stack the less stable and stiffer a shoe can become. Thus, most but not all, such giants incorporate a plate and/or broaden the underfoot platform. Broaden the platform and you get more weight and less agility and flexibitity so many incorporate the new lighter more resilient super critical foams as midsoles and use a plate to provide a propulsive rocker and to stabilize the foam.
The Neo Vista incorporates a lower soft layer of Mizuno’s Enerzy NXT supercritical foam with above that a full length and somewhat flexible glass fiber reinforced nylon plate and then above that its more conventional light Enerzy EVA blend foam.
Part of the design magic here is that the center of the shoe is deeply “canyoned”with a closed loop of foam and outsole all around to reduce weight, decouple the platform in motion and by compressing give some deflection at landings.
The result is a shoe that sits on a very broad 90 mm heel / 85 mm midfoot / 115 mm forefoot platform yet weighs just 8.96 oz / 255g in my US8.5 sample. Its closest competitor, as I see it, is the New Balance SC Trainer v2, also $180 which is about 0.25 oz / 7.1 g heavier with a 4mm lower heel.
Nils: Die Metaspeed (Sky) Modelle gehören seit Ihrem jeweiligen Launch vor drei bzw. zwei Jahren zum besten Material, dass man sich als Athlet:in für den Marathonwettkampf an den Fuß ziehen kann. Sie bestechen seit jeher durch ein niedriges Gewicht, durch vor allem sehr atmungsaktive Obermaterialien sowie durch den eher festen, aber sehr energetischen Dämpfungsschaum FFTurbo. Das bis vor kurzem aktuelle Modell Metaspeed Sky+ hat im Frühjahr 2022 das Licht der Welt erblickt, ist also gemessen am schnelllebigen Laufschuhmarkt beinahe in die Jahre gekommen.
Rechtzeitig zum Start des olympischen Jahres beschert uns ASICS deshalb ein Update seiner erfolgreichen Metaspeed Modelle und bleibt sich dabei insofern treu, dass auch diesmal keine Numerierung den Produktnamen ergänzt. Das neue Modell ist stattdessen nach dem Austragungsort der diesjährigen Olympischen Spiele benannt: ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris. Obwohl dieser in seiner Silhouette dem Vorgängermodell zum Verwechseln ähnlich sieht, hat sich einiges geändert. Hervor sticht vor allem das neue Mittelsohlenmaterial FF Turbo Plus sowie das extrem niedrige Gewicht, dass den Metaspeed Sky Paris zum leichtesten (regulär erhältlichen) Superschuh auf dem Markt macht.
Ergänzt wird der Sky Paris genauso wie bisher durch einen zweiten, zum Verwechseln ähnlichen Superschuh, den Metaspeed Edge Paris, den wir hoffentlich auch noch testen dürfen. ASICS propagiert in diesem Kontext weiterhin die Unterscheidung zwischen kraftbetonten Stride-Läufern und eher leichtfüßigen Cadence-Läufern und stellt beiden Läufertypen einen auf sie spezialisierten Laufschuh zur Seite. Der hier getestete ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris sollte zu mir als Stride-Läufer wie die Faust aufs Auge passen. Entsprechend bin ich sehr gespannt, wie ASCIS neuester Bolide während meiner Testläufe performt.
Altra is an American brand that first made a name for itself in the running shoe world during the minimalist revolution that took place around 15 years ago (does anyone still remember those bygone days?).
What sets Altra models apart from most of the competition is their anatomical shape (read wide midfoot and forefoot) and zero drop (no difference in foam thickness between the back and front of the shoe). And it is this latter feature in particular that I would like to highlight in the introduction to the review below because the Altra Form model is part of the Experience line, where for the first time (except for the 2023 FWD Experience) tha Altra has moved away from zero drop to 4mm with the light stability Form here, neutral Flow and trail Wild.
Altra to amerykańska marka, która pierwszy raz zasłynęła w świecie obuwia biegowego podczas minimalistycznej rewolucji, która miała miejsce około 15 lat temu (czy ktoś jeszcze pamięta te zamierzchłe czasy?). W ofercie Altra trudno jednak szukać, teraz czy wtedy, obuwia z minimalistyczną grubością pianki w podeszwie środkowej. Cechą odróżniającą modele Altra od większości konkurencji jest anatomiczny kształt (czytaj szerokie śródstopie oraz przód) oraz zerowy drop (brak różnicy w grubości pianki między tyłem a przodem buta). I to właśnie na tę drugą cechę chciałbym w szczególności zwrócić uwagę we wprowadzeniu do poniższej recenzji bowiem model Altra Form jest częścią linii Experience, w której po raz pierwszy Altra odeszła od zerowego dropu. Czy to dobry pomysł? Zapraszam do recenzji!
Sam: The Altra Experience Flow is an upper update to Altra’s first non zero drop shoe, the FWD Experience (RTR Review). It is joined by the Experience Wild (RTR Review soon), a door to trail shoe and the Experience Form (RTR Review soon) which adds a bit more stability with the Flow already having plenty. Needless to say Altra, the “zero drop” pioneer’s move to introduce some shoes with drop is significant.
Altra staples the “Foot Shape” toe box, here in the intermediate Standard width, and the great forefoot underneath with Inner Flex and plenty of platform width are all on board.
At men's 8.25 oz / 234g (US9) / women's 7.18 oz / 203g (US8) on a quite big 32 mm heel / 28mm forefoot platform they are a lot of shoe for the weight even if they gain some weight over the earlier FWD.
The brand sees the Experience line as a way to broaden consumer’s experience with the other great parts of Altra’s offering and serve as a stepping stone, if desired, to zero drop. Personally, the Foot Shape and forefoot with Inner Flex have been what I have liked best at Altra, not so much the zero drop. Let’s see how they performed.
Introduction to the Ron Hill brand: Who was Ron Hill? I had never heard the name or of the brand before being approached to review these shoes. The description sent to us below sums it up best. I will also note that Ron Hill holds the world record run streak of 19,032 days!
‘Dr Ron Hill MBE founded the brand in September 1970, five months after becoming the first
Briton to win the Boston Marathon in a record time of 2:10:30. His sole purpose: to produce kit
that kept him winning.
Dr Ron gained a PhD in Textile Chemistry, from the University of Manchester and through
alchemy and his art as a runner, began to rethink the fly-by-night running kit of the time. After
winning the Commonwealth Games in 1970 he developed the ‘side-split short’ which famously
become the Freedom Short and the Mesh Vest - both having accompanied him to his greatest
victories on the road.
Half a century ago, Dr Ron’s innovations transformed the world of running clothing, we want to continue this journey with running footwear, allowing runners to run every day in comfort and invest in a product that truly performs how they require it to.
Our running shoes have been designed by runners and assisted by experts in the field of
developing and manufacturing performance trainers. We have also leant on our 50 years of
passion and knowhow, inspired by Dr Ron, and guided by feedback from our test team of
athletes to create our first footwear collection. Everything that has gone into our running shoe
collection has resulted in footwear fit for purpose.’
Introduction to the shoe: The Reverence is a mountain running/fell shoe designed in the English Lake District to take on the roughest, wettest, muddiest terrain with confidence. They feature a “True Fit” design to allow for the big toe to splay and give enough room to not feel confined on all day adventures and a Matryx upper to provide very good security, durability and protection.
The outsole for me is the star of the show, featuring super aggressive 7mm lugs made of Michelin’s OCX3 compound (Outdoor Compound Extreme 3), a sticky rubber that provides superb grip on all surfaces and especially in wet challenging conditions.
Pros: Traction (7mm lugs and Michelin OCX3 rubber are an amazing combo!), foothold, low to ground stable feel, protection, quality build
Cons: Weight, less than energetic midsole, laces are thin and come untied easily (unless you tie really tight triple knot, then is fine)
The BCA Stash Pro 32L is a high volume, lightweight backcountry pack, built with durable, high end materials. It is ideal for long days of ski touring, snowboarding or for other winter activities.
The Stash Pro 32 is loaded with winter specific conveniences that sets it apart from more typical daypacks, such as easy and secure ski/board/snowshoe carry solutions, easy access rear/side compartments (easily accessible without taking the pack entirely off) and many other well thought out details for winter backcountry travel.
Atreyu is a homegrown, modest operation out of Texas that continues to earn its place alongside the heavyweights of the running industry. Their commitment to simple construction and design, in a world loaded with complex makes and models, is refreshing and has been well-received since the company’s launch a few years ago.
Their shoes look and feel different: clean, light, easygoing. While initially offering just their “base model,” their catalog has expanded into racing with a very respectable carbon-plated shoe called the Race Model and a fun and upbeat trail shoe called the Base Trail. I’ve run in everything they’ve put out so far and have loved all of it. They feel like the anti-Nike, anti-Adidas and are just fun to run in. Let’s see what their newest offering, the Daily Trainer 1.2, is all about. (Ben)
Pros: light, energetic, simple, price point (Ben)
Cons: likely not ample enough for marathon training, minimal support (Ben)
Most comparable shoes
Atreyu Base Model
Tracksmith Elliot Runner
On Cloudsurfer
Stats
Sample Weight: men's 9.3 oz / g (US9)
Stack Height: men’s 30 mm heel / 24 mm forefoot ( drop spec)
Der New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro V8 ist ein vielseitiger Trailschuh, der nicht nur auf unwegsamem Gelände, sondern auch auf festem Untergrund eine gute Figur macht. In diesem Testbericht werde ich dir einen Überblick über die wichtigsten Eigenschaften des Hierro V8 geben. Der Hierro V8 ist eine überarbeitete Version des beliebten New Balance-Modells. Ursprünglich als geländegängige Trailschuhvariante des Straßenmodells 1080 konzipiert, vereint er die besten Eigenschaften beider Welten. Mit einer neuen Vibram Außensohle, einem komfortablen Obermaterial und nachhaltigen Materialien ist der Hierro V8 ein echter Allrounder. In diesem Testbericht werden wir uns genauer mit diesen Aspekten befassen und herausfinden, wie sich der New Balance Hierro V8 in der Praxis schlägt.
Strengths: Most versatile with a wide range of temperatures performance even as a “summer” weight fabric.
The Aero incorporates 37.5 tech which is truly temperature regulating. This natural minerals derived treatment not only absorbs and disperses your IR energy to cool but the billions of pores in its particles create more surface area for evaporation. In my testing I could clear feel both the well regulated temperatures and moisture evaporation. It also incorporates Ionic+ Botanical treatment to prevent microbe build up and thus odors.
The feel is easy on the skin with a touch of stand off fabric texture to prevent sticking
While clearly a summer tee, I have also worn it as a base layer in winter with no clammy cold feel when wet due to its slightly textured fabric and the 37.5 tech which I think may also make it more abrasion resistant than many performance tees.
The fit is generous without being sloppy fitting. I am true to my usual medium with my height 5’ 9” and weight 164 lbs.
Best Uses: Variable conditions from heat to cool, trail and road running
Strengths: lightest and airiest fabric, most reflective elements
This is the lightest and airiest option of the three. While I have not had the opportunity to run in high heat I am sure it will perform very well. The Contest has a very light knit construction
The fit is true to my usual medium size and is more generous than customary for Gorewear due to the extra light fabric.
The neck is bonded instead of stitched to reduce potential irritation.
There are reflective black out highlights and logos front and back for safety and some visual contrast.
The Contest is available as T, singlet, and long sleeve for both men and women.
Best Uses: road running, extreme heat where a loose, airy and non cling fit is essential,
I have been a big fan of the long sleeve Brighton which this past winter ended up as my favorite winter base layer for innumerable runs and nordic skis.
Very cool: no labels
The short sleeve version has the same 52% Wool, 28% Nylon, 20% Polyester blend, same seamless construction with the same fabric weight of 16.5 Micron, 145 gsm, so is moderately thin. It is made in the EU. After many many cold water washes of the long sleeve version I see no wear and no shrinkage and I expect the same here.
The fabric texture is somewhat “furry” which provides insulating and cooling/evaporative distance from the skin.
It also has ventilating holes in the stretch knit in a Tracksmith sash across the chest and at the upper back.
I have never had a clammy cold feel when a breeze hits the shirt even with no outer layer. While not as thin and airy as the others here, it handles warmer temperatures well enough and is the best option for variable cool windy conditions during your runs or hikes. The Merino content helps makes the Brighton odor resistant.
Called out as a “base layer” the fit is stretchy and the snuggest of the three here. I am true to my usual medium with my height 5’ 9” and weight 164 lbs.
Of note, are the longer arms than typical for a tee and are snug yet comfortable.
Many will choose to wear as intended as a base layer under a shell or other layer but it certainly can be worn as is. I often have worn it in the mid to lower 40”s F after warming up and taking my jacket off. I makes an excellent base layer under the Tracksmith Downpour jacket (Review soon) I am now testing, staying dry and comfortable even in somewhat warmer temperatures just under 50F in the rain..
Best Uses: running in cooler temperatures, as a base layer under a shell or other layers, hiking and travel.
Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is 66 with a 2018 3:40 Boston qualifier. 2023 was Sam’s 51th year of running. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range if he gets very very lucky. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, hiking or on nordic skis. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 164 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s.
Samples were provided at no charge for review purposes. RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and may earn commission on products purchased via shopping links in this article. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content. The opinions herein are entirely the authors'.
Comments and Questions Welcome Below!
RoadTrailRun Official Store Custom Fractel Caps and Bucket Hats
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
