Trail runners seem to be trending towards a happy medium. Less super maximal in the case of Hoka and in the case of these 3 new shoes less super minimal and super flexible but still light and agile with rock protection and some support underfoot.
Saucony
Saucony introduced its Nomad TR a 9.2oz 22mm heel/ 18mm forefoot trail runner available 6/1/15 for $110. It has a new oblique, natural shaped last and one piece upper with a super tacky PWRTRAC outsole. To enhance shoe flexibility and over terrain agility the forefoot pods are siped (cut).
As with all the Saucony shoes and apparel, I along with my wife and friend Wendy, both serious runners, were very impressed with Saucony's sophisticated design aesthetic.
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| Saucony Nomad TR- new oblique last and gaiter clip |
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| Sacouny Nomad TR- Men and Women Colors |
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| Saucony Nomad TR- siped outsole for flexibility and agility |
La Sportiva
La Sportiva introduced the Helios SR. The Helios is still in the line for 2015 as are other favorites including the Bushido and several versions of the Wildcat. The SR is a 8.47 oz 16mm heel/ 14mm forefoot lightweight trail racer. $125.
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| LaSportiva Helios SR |
Helios SR has a full length plastic stone guard.
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| LaSportiva Helios SR |
It has super sticky Frixion XF rubber up front resilient Frixion at the heel.
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| LaSportiva Helios SR |
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| LaSportiva Helios SR |
All of this extra functionality and protection adds only 0.3 oz to the very minimal Helios.
Bonus find at La Sportiva as my wife and I consider our gear for our every 5 year trek in the Alps: Core High GTX. Only 14.63 oz with an incredible form fitting Nano Cell upper created by injecting PU patterns onto the upper base material and GoreTex weather protection.
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| La Sportiva Core High GTX |
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| La Sportiva Core High GTX |
This beauty also features GoreTex upper with underfoot a new GoreTex Surround spacer underfoot to not only help evacuate moisture but also make the boot more flexible. A worthy competitor to the new Hoka One One Tour Ultra and a boot that also should be run able.
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| La Sportiva Core High GTX |
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| La Sportiva Core High GTX |
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| Montrail Fluid Flex ST |
Unlike past years, when Montrail was in Columbia big fancy area, this year Montrail was in with the other running shoes with a small booth. Back to their roots?
The FluidFlex ST is a more substantial version of the FluidFlex a super flexible light trail racer, coming in at 8.8 oz. Current FluidFlex weighs 8.3 oz. It features Montrail's Fluid Foam which has polymers added to the EVA for durability and energy return. Most significantly the same foam now has different densities in the midsole as it is injected based on requirements. From my understanding not many shoe companies are doing this yet resorting to glued "layers" of foam of differing densities or plastic pieces.
Thus, there is a very firm 70 durometer foam under the midfoot medial side for support getting somewhat softer towards the lateral side and softer 50 at the heel with a gradient in firmness between. A rock plate made of the same type foam, at higher density is under the mid foot, black below. Will have to test but would think such an approach should lead to a very smooth riding shoe.
The Fluid Flex and Fluid Balance continue in the line.
See my other Outdoor Retailer Winter Market Running Introductions and Previews here
Thus, there is a very firm 70 durometer foam under the midfoot medial side for support getting somewhat softer towards the lateral side and softer 50 at the heel with a gradient in firmness between. A rock plate made of the same type foam, at higher density is under the mid foot, black below. Will have to test but would think such an approach should lead to a very smooth riding shoe.
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| Montrail Fluid Flex ST |
See my other Outdoor Retailer Winter Market Running Introductions and Previews here
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