Erfahrungsbericht: Suunto 9 Peak - Skandinavisches Design! (German)

Article by Nils Scharff

Link zum englischsprachigen Testbericht des Suunto 9 Peak: HIER

Link zu allen RTR-Testberichten: HIER

Suunto 9 Peak (699€ Titanium / 569€ Edelstahl)

Einleitung

Wer schon Mal einen meiner Laufschuh-Testberichte hier auf RoadTrailRun gelesen hat, hat ggfs. schon in der Überschrift dieses Artikels einen gravierenden Unterschied zu meinen sonstigen Berichten bemerkt: Ich spreche hier von einem Erfahrungs- und nicht wie sonst von einem Testbericht. Damit möchte ich zum Ausdruck bringen, dass ich mich zwar schon das ein oder andere Mal mit Laufuhren beschäftigt habe, jedoch lange nicht so viel Expertise sammeln konnte, wie das beim Thema Laufschuhe der Fall ist. 

Die Grundlage dieses Artikels über die Suunto 9 Peak sind demnach meine ganz subjektiven Eindrücke. Diese habe ich gewonnen, als ich die Uhr zwei Wochen lang parallel zu meiner privat erworbenen Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE getragen habe. Da sich beide Uhren in Preis, Erscheinungsdatum und Zielgruppe ähneln, werde ich den Vergleich beider Modelle in der Folge immer wieder zu Rate ziehen. Das mag zugegebenermaßen etwas unfair der Suunto 9 Peak gegenüber sein, da ich bisher ausschließlich im Garmin Universum unterwegs war. Vieles was für mich deshalb bisher auf die ein oder andere Art und Weise ganz normal war, macht Suunto evtl. ganz anders. Da dies nicht bedeuten muss, dass die für mich neue Variante besser oder schlechter ist, versuche ich dies in der Folge zu berücksichtigen und eine gewisse Neutralität an den Tag zu legen. Das Testmodell, dass ich zur Verfügung gestellt bekommen habe, ist ein sog. Media-Loaner - ich schicke die Uhr nach meinem Test also wieder zurück zu Suunto.

Topo Magnifly 4 Multi Tester Review: Zero Drop with a Superb Upper and Versatile Easy Ride

Article by Beto Hughes, Peter Stuart, Joost de Raeymaeker, Jana Herzgova and Michael Postaski

Topo Athletic Magnifly 4 ($125)

Introduction

Joost: This is the fourth pair of Topo shoes I’ve reviewed over the period of a year and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed them all, albeit some for different reasons than others. The Cyclone was an instant hit with my feet and even though the Fli-Lyte 4 didn’t fill all the running shoe boxes for me, it is still a great all-round workout shoe and looks great too. Both of those had a 3mm drop. Then I received the more minimalist ST-4, a 0 drop, 16mm stack height road running shoe which I liked a lot. So, I was looking forward to receiving another 0 drop shoe from Topo, this time a more traditionally cushioned one.

Before reviewing the Magnifly 4, I think it’s important to distinguish 0 drop from minimalism or shoes to supposedly make you run with a more “natural” running form. The Magnifly is a perfect example of this. It is in no way a minimalist or more natural running form inducing shoe. It is a fairly traditionally cushioned medium stack height running shoe which happens to have 0 drop. Too much has been made of the high vs low drop issue. Drop is a matter of personal preference and less won’t make you run faster or become less injury-prone. You also won’t miraculously develop a stride that would make Cheptegei jealous. I always raise my eyebrows when I hear someone say they simply can’t run in anything with more than 4mm drop or others in less than 8mm.

The one thing I’ve enjoyed the most in all the Topo shoes I’ve reviewed is the wide forefoot, foot hold and mild arch support. Let’s see if the Magnifly 4 ticks all my Topo boxes.

Pros:

Beto, Peter, Jana, Joost: Soft and bouncy with great response for a 0mm drop shoe and very stable platform.

Beto, Peter, Mike P, Jana, Joost: Great lock down on midfoot with plenty of space on the front.

Beto, Peter, Mike P: The heel counter locks the heel securely and midfoot lockdown works great together when picking up the pace.

Beto, Peter, Mike P, Jana: Zipfoam midsole’s response is great at different paces moderate or easy, with a very comfortable ride.

Mike P, Joost: Surprising flexibility, especially up front for its stack height at 0 drop

Cons:

Beto, Jana, Joost: No cons for the Magnifly 4, considering this shoe is designed also for newcomers to the sport.

Mike P: Agree with Beto, so reaching here- but possibly too much room up front?

Peter: Not as bouncy as I’d like

Peter: Zero drop kind of bums my calves out.

2022 Running Shoe Video Previews: Saucony, ASICS, Brooks, ON Running, Puma, Skechers, Altra, Salomon and Craft

Videos by Sam Winebaum and Peter Stuart

RoadTrailRun is reporting from the Running Event in Austin Texas. Ahead of our full written previews below video presentations by New Balance, ASICS, Brooks, ON Running, and Craft of their key first half 2022 introductions with more to be added on Day 2. Also please see @RoadTrailRun on Instagram for many more finds!

ON Running Cloudmonster and Cloudrunner

ASICS 2022 Previews: Nimbus 24, Cumulus 24, Noosa Tri 14

Brooks 2022 Previews: Launch 9, Glycerin 20, Caldera 6

Craft 2022 Introductions : CTM Ultra Trail & Ultra Trail Carbon & Pro Endurance (road)

Puma Fast R Nitro Elite Preview

Skechers Performance 2022 Previews: Razor Excess 2, new Persistence, Ride 10

Saucony 2022 Road Previews: Endorphin Pro 3 and Shift 3, Triumph 20

Saucony 2022 Trail Previews:  Endorphin Edge, Peregrine 12, Xodus Ultra

Altra 2022 Previews: Escalante 3, Torin 6, Timp 4, Mont Blanc Elite & BOA, Olympus Family
Out Road Hybrid

Salomon 2022 Trail and Road Previews: All Share Energy Surge Foam, Energy Blade Plates, and R Camber. Plus Speedcross 6!

Detailed written Salomon Road & Trail 2022 Previews Article

Tested samples were provided at no charge for review purposes others. RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and may earn commission on products purchased through affiliate links in this article. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content

The opinions herein are entirely the authors'.

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Comments and Questions Welcome Below!

Please let us know mileage, paces, race distances, and currently preferred shoes

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Diadora Equipe Atomo Multi Tester Review: Azzurri! High Performance, Durable, Made in Italy, Artisanal Excellence

Article by Derek Li, Beto Hughes, Michael Ellenberger, Dominique and Sam Winebaum

Diadora Equipe Atomo ($195)

Introduction

Sam: The Equipe Atomo is a  light 8.7 oz / 246g US9  daily miles to uptempo trainer with a  maximal class full stack of 36mm heel / 31mm forefoot.

Atomo was entirely designed, developed, and manufactured in Diadora’s Italian factory. Unusual to say the least in this day and age. And on top of that, Gelindo Bordin, 1988 Olympic Marathon champion and 1989 Boston winner, and long-time Diadora employee helped lead its development. 

Diadora quite frankly has been better known for its beautiful lifestyle, tennis, soccer, track spikes (Edwin Moses wore them),  and “near” but closer to lifestyle running shoes in recent years. But the light weight, in house developed foam, and sleek Italian looks sure had me sit up and eager to test and evaluate this $195 beauty.

Quick Strides 26: Renee races ASICS Metaspeed Sky and Fuji Lite 2, Jeremy "experiences" Nike Tempo Next %, Peter 1st Ultra Topo MTN Racer 2, Sam tests Tracksmith Off Roads, Hoka Mach Supersonic, Scott Kinabalu 2

Article by Peter Stuart, Renee Krusemark, Jeremy Marie and Sam Winebaum

Quick Strides 26: Renee races ASICS Metaspeed Sky and Fuji Lite 2, Jeremy "Experiences" Nike Tempo Next %, Peter Ultras Topo MTN Racer 2, Sam tests Tracksmith Off Roads, Hoka Mach Supersonic, & Scott Kinabalu 2

Scott Kinabalu Ultra RC 2.0 Multi Tester Review. 9 Comparisons

Article by Mike Postaski, Renee Krusemark, Jeff Valliere, and Alex Tilsley

Scott Kinabalu Ultra RC 2 ($160)

Introduction

Mike P: The Ultra RC is my first running shoe of any kind from Scott - so I have no idea what to expect.  I’ve seen some of their burlier trail shoes at long, mountainous ultras in the past.  The radial lug pattern was noticeable so I figure that traction must be a selling point. The Kinabalu Ultra RC’s that I’m testing now are explicitly designed for “man-made” trails - I do run ultras on all types of terrain, so let’s see if they can go the distance. 

Alex: After being pleasantly surprised by the Scott Pursuit, I was excited to test the Kinabalu Ultra RC. Billed as Scott’s shoe for ultras and long training miles on man-made trails, I thought they might be perfect for ramping up my trail mileage around our local parks. 

Pros:

Refined upper, good forefoot volume, secure from midfoot through toebox Mike P/Renee/Alex

Easy toe-flex when running/hiking uphill Mike P/Renee/Jeff

Decent lateral flexibility for such a stiff shoe Mike P

Very secure foothold:  Jeff V

Light and responsive feel:  Jeff V

Excellent traction given size of lugs:  Jeff V

Cons:

Firm midsole can feel a bit harsh Mike P/Renee/Alex

Heel/Achilles collar seems overbuilt, mismatched to rest of the upper Mike P

Somewhat stiff - comes with the rockered territory Mike P/Alex

Outsole peeling off at only 21 miles Mike P

The rocker can get in the way if you get thrown off of  straight-line motion Alex

I found forefoot width to be a bit narrow, even for my narrow foot.  Not a problem for me, but those with wider feet take note:  Jeff V

Stats

Approx. Weight: men's 9.7 oz/ 275g (US9)  ::  women's 8.71 oz  / 247g  (US8)

  Samples: men’s  9.45 oz / 268g US8.5, 10.4 oz / 294g (US10.0)  

women’s  L: 8.89 oz / 252g R: 8.54 oz / 242g (US8)

Stack Height: 29mm heel / 21mm forefoot

$160

Topo Athletic MT-4 Multi Tester Review

Article by Peter Stuart, Canice Harte, Jeff Valliere, and Jana Herzgova

Topo Athletic MT-4 ($120 at launch, $125 Jan. 2022)

Introduction

Peter: The MT-4 is a 10.7 oz /  303g men’s US9 that Topo suggests is a good road/trail hybrid that’s also good for light hiking and trail running. I haven’t run the previous versions, but the MT-4 is a really nice shoe that took to the trails from the jump. 

Pros:

Breathable, Peter, Jeff V, Jana

Very comfortable, Peter, Jeff V

Good traction, Peter, Jeff V, Jana

Well padded tongue, Peter, Jeff V, , Jana

Roomy, yet secure fit:  Jeff V

Great mid foot hold and very breathable while not letting trail debris in: Canice 

Cons:

A tiny bit firm:  Peter

Flat dense feel: Canice

Protection in rocky, technical terrain:  Jeff V

A bit too much of a wide/floppy feel when running: Jana 

Stats

Official Weight: men's 10.7 oz  / 303g (US9) 8.6 oz / 244g women's / (US7)

  Samples: men’s: 11oz  / 311 grams US10, 11.05 oz /312g US10

Stack Height: 25mm heel /22mm forefoot, 3mm drop

Available Dec. 2021 $120, Jan. 2022 $125

Puma Running Voyage Nitro GTX Multi Tester Review. 8 Comparisons

Article by Jacob Brady, Jeremy Marie, Mike Potaski and Sam Winebaum

Puma Running Voyage GTX ($150)

Introduction

Jacob:  have been following along with Puma’s recent excellence in the road running shoe realm (such as the Deviate Nitro Elite), but had not tried any Puma Nitro shoe myself. The Voyage Nitro GTX is a Gore-Tex waterproof high-cushion trail shoe which uses Puma’s modern, low density, high-rebound Nitro midsole foam which is cradled by a firmer material called PFlite. It is rare that the first shoe I run in from a brand is a heavy waterproof trail shoe. However, due to where I live in Maine, I have been using a Gore-Tex waterproof shoe for daily wear for the past few weeks and from this time of year (mid fall) all through winter every year. Through fall, winter, and spring, I wear a waterproof trail shoe while out of the house for walking my dog, going to the store, exploring, and other similar things to keep my feet warmer and dry. Thus the Voyage Nitro GTX came in for testing at a great time.

Scarpa Spin Infinity Multi Tester Review. 12 Comparisons

Article by Jeff Valliere and Sam Winebaum

Scarpa Spin Infinity ($149)

Introduction

Sam: The Infinity is Scarpa’s most cushioned current trail and ultra shoe and the shoe that was  on the feet of Aurélien Dunand-Pallaz for 2nd at the 2021 UTMB. This fact had me sit up right away and wanting to test as a UTMB podium shoe has to be capable of tackling any surface, tremendous vertical and many hours of running. 

Scarpa, an Italian brand is well known for its climbing, hiking and ski mountaineering shoes and boots and with the Spin line has created trail running shoes that are not clearly not “variants” of footwear for those other activities in any way but are pure trail runners top to bottom.

It has a 35mm heel (measured), 31mm forefoot (spec 4mm drop) and weighs 10.9 oz / 309g in our US9/EU 42 sample so it is on the heavier side but this said only 0.2 oz more than a Speedgoat 4.

The midsole is a dual density compression molded EVA with a firmer outer perimeter and arch and a lower density softer center core, an approach in trail and road shoes we see in 2021  becoming more common. 

It has a full coverage 4mm lug Vibram MegaGrip compound outsole in a Velox Cross pattern. There is no rock plate and we’ll say it right up front none is needed and the omission helps lead to a nicely agile “big” shoe with some front flex. 

Nike Zoom Fly 4 Review

Article by Michael Ellenberger

Nike Zoom Fly 4 ($160)

Introduction

Michael: Is it a racer? Is it a trainer? Nike’s high-end Zoom Fly 4 is back in 2021 after the ZF3 released way back in summer 2019. Nike’s almost-racer lineup is a little more crowded now, with the mouthful-of-a-shoe Nike Air Zoom Tempo Next% blending the line nicely, but I think the Zoom Fly 4 still has a place in 2021… but it’s not a perfect offering! We’ll break down all the good and the bad (and why I, acknowledging its imperfections, will keep it in my stable of trainers for a while!).

Testbericht Asics Fuji Lite 2 & Fuji Trail Kollektion

Artikel von Marcel Krebs & Nils Scharff

Link zum englischen RTR-Test des Asics Fuji Lite 2: HIER

Link zu allen RTR-Testberichten: HIER

Asics Fuji Lite 2 (130€)

Einleitung

Marcel: Nachdem ich im Sommer mit dem Novablast 2 bereits einen sehr lauffreudigen Straßenschuh von ASiCS testen durfte (RTR-Review auf Deutsch, hier entlang), war ich natürlich sehr gespannt, als mich mit dem ASICS Fuji Lite 2 der erste Trailschuh aus dem Hause ASICS erreichte. Dies galt um so mehr, als dass dieser nicht alleine kam, sondern zusammen mit der brandneuen Trail Bekleidungskollektion von ASICS. Diese ist sogar farblich auf den neuen Fuji Lite 2 abgestimmt und vor allem der leichte Windbreaker, der auch leichteren Regenschauern sehr gut standhält, konnte mich nachhaltig begeistern. Details zu den Bekleidungsstücken findet ihr weiter unten in diesem Artikel.

Aber zurück zum Fuji Lite 2: Dieser bringt für einen leichten, aber vergleichsweise sehr komfortabel gedämpften Trailschuh ein sehr geringes Gewicht von gerade einmal 274g Gramm für Größe EU 44 auf die Waage. Wie er sich im Praxistest im nasskalten deutschen Herbst und tropischer Hitze geschlagen hat, lest ihr in den nächsten Abschnitten.

RoadTrailRun's Holiday Gift Guides for Runners and Savings Page

RoadTrailRun brings you RTR team tested multiple Gift Guides with mini reviews and frequently updated savings and deals at our Gift Guides for Runners and Savings page. 

Please check out our Holiday Gift Guides for Runners and Savings Page HERE

2021 Holiday Gift Guide and Mini Reviews: GPS Watches from Garmin, Polar, Suunto and COROS. Lighting from Petzl and Kogalla

Article by Sam Winebaum, Jeff Valliere, and Peter Stuart

2021 Holiday Gift Guide & Mini Reviews: GPS Watches from Garmin, Polar, Suunto and COROS. Lighting from Petzl and Kogalla.

2021 Gift Guide for Runners & Mini Reviews: Books, Recovery and Compression, Sunglasses, Recovery Shoes and Sandals, Hats.

Article by Sally Reiley, Peter Stuart, Cheng Chen, Jeremy Marie, Marcel Krebs, Sam and Dominique Winebaum 

2021 Gift Guide for Runners: Books, Recovery and Compression, Sunglasses, Recovery Shoes and Sandals.

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