New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v10 Initial Run Video Review with 6 Comparisons!

Article by Sam Winebaum

New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v10 ($150)
Update: Read our full multi tester review HERE

The New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v10 ($150) launches November 2019. It drops about 0.5 oz in weight coming in at about 9.5 oz / 269g (US size 9).  It has an 8mm offset

It features a new engineered knit upper with trace fiber stitching and a bootie for support.


The knit stretches over the toes and a it has better heel hold for me while using the same last as the v9, so the fit is similar but more refined.

The outsole is redesigned with the shoe more flexible and easier to transition.

Initial Review and Shoe Details
In the video below I share my first run impressions and detail the features of the v10

Comparisons
In the Part II video below I compare 1080v10 to v9 and to 6 other shoes in its class including: NB FuelCell Propel, ASICS Glideride, Skechers Ride 8 Hyper, Nike Pegasus, Brooks Launch, and Salomon Sonic 3 Balance.

Full Multi Tester Review Soon!

Fresh Foam 1080v10 releases November 2019

Read reviewers' full run bios here. 

The product reviewed was provided at no cost. The opinions herein are the authors'.

Comments and Questions Welcome Below!

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

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Hoka One One Elevon 2 Initial Run Video Review and Shoe Details

Article by Sam Winebaum

Hoka ONE ONE Elevon 2  ($160)
Update: Read our full multi tester review here

A maximally cushioned daily trainer with a responsive and stable ride from a ProFly layer under the foot and its broad neutral geometry. I found it has easy transitions at all paces and springs to toe off helped along by an easy to find, and hold rocker, as well as deep front flex grooves. It has a big 32 mm heel / 27 mm forefoot stack, 5mm drop. It weighs 10.1 oz / 288 g so light for the shear amount of cushion it provides. One might call it the EVO Mafate 2 for road
The upper is a soft engineered mesh with no overlays with support provided by inner mid foot support wings connected to the laces as well as a deep rear Active Foot Frame. 

The Elevon 2 launches February 2020. My understanding is that it is primarily an upper update. I did not run the Elevon 1. The Elevon checks 0.8 oz lighter than the stiffer Bondi which has only a touch more stack height. 

I took it out for a first run and share my first run impression and shoe details in the video below.

WATCH OUR VIDEO

Tester Profile

Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is 62 with a 2018 3:40 Boston qualifier. Sam has been running for over 45 years and has a 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range training 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah. He is 5'10" tall and weighs about 165 lbs.

The product reviewed was provided at no cost. The opinions herein are the authors'.

Comments and Questions Welcome Below!

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

SHOP FOR HOKA ONE ONE ELEVON 1

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Hoka One One Speedgoat 4 Multi Tester Review

Article by Jeff Beck, Canice Harte, Dom Layfield, and Jeff Valliere

Hoka ONE ONE Speedgoat 4 ($145)

Pros

Jeff B: Amazing grip, just right cushioning, upper breathes and locks foot down, toe box no longer crushes digits.

Dom:    All the strengths of the previous version: tons of cushion, great grip, solid foothold. 

Jeff V:   Cushioning, traction, improved upper, stability, protection

Canice: Great cushion without being mushy or too soft. Plenty of traction and a roomy toe box.

Cons

Dom/Jeff V./ Jeff B.:  Weight increased slightly 

Dom:  Lack of stretch in forefoot compromises comfort (but enhances foothold)

Dom:  Subjective weaknesses of previous Speedgoats: so much cushion that ground feel is limited.

Canice: Upper fabric does not stretch and the height of the toe box is shallow to flat.

Dom:  Not much to report, as shoe feels very similar.

Tester Profiles

Dom 47, trains and competes mainly on trails in Southern California running about 3000 miles and 500k ft of vert per year.  In 2017 he was 14th at Western States 100 and in 2018 finished 50th at UTMB and 32nd at the 2018 Los Angeles marathon in a time of 2:46.  

Jeff V. runs mostly on very steep technical terrain above Boulder often challenging well known local FKT's. 

Canice is a 2 x finisher of the Wasatch 100, the Bear 100, Moab 100 and Western States 100 as well as many other Ultras. He regularly competes in Expedition Length Adventure races with his longest race to date 600 miles as well as traditional road races and triathlons.

Jeff B.is the token slow runner of the RTR lineup as such his viewpoints on shoe and gear can differ from those who routinely finish marathons in three hours or less. Jeff runs 40 miles per week, both roads and desert trails in Phoenix, Arizona. He has a PR's of 4:07 marathon and 5K at 23:39 both he is working to demolish with help from his coach Dave Ames as he trains for his first 50 mile race in December 2019.

Stats

Weight:: 10.8 ounces men's / (US9)  / 9.2 ounces women's / (US8)

  Samples: US Men’s Size 10: 11.25 oz. / 318 grams

      US Men’s Size 10.5: 11.7 oz. / 332 grams

Stack Height: 28mm (forefoot) 32mm (heel)

Available November 2019, including in wide for the1st time. $145.00

Topo Athletic Zephyr Multi Tester Review: Zip Along in Comfort!

Article by Jeff Beck, Hope Wilkes, and Sam Winebaum

Topo Athletic Zephyr ($130)

Introduction

Sam: Striking in its simple blue with that wider natural shape toe box and secure fit we have come to expect from Topo, the Zephyr’s underfoot platform is the big news here. A somewhat softer 5mm drop platform (for Topo known for lower to zero drop and firm midsoles), the Zephyr has an insert of ZipFoam a TPU blend first seen in the the slow and easy Phantom embedding it in an outer EVA carrier frame. That’s not all.. Below the ZipFoam, in a broadening shape as it goes from mid foot to toe, we have a quite stiff Pebax elastomer plate to stabilize that relatively soft front Does it provide a propulsive effect as well? 

Jeff: Here is is - the brightly colored, well-cushioned running shoe with a plate in the middle that’s causing all kinds of debates over technology in running and if shoes should be declared illegal- wait, nope. Nevermind, wrong shoe. This is the Zephyr, the latest road road shoe from Topo Athletic using an EVA outer frame with an inset  ZipFoam core. Like all Topo shoes, the Zephyr boasts a wide, foot-shaped toe box and relatively low 5mm drop. What sets the Zephyr apart is the inclusion of an elastomer plate that gives the shoe extra stability for a better toe off. The big question, does it work? Massively, but keep reading for more details.

Hope: Here’s a hot take that speaks to Jeff’s same point: if you’re going to be racing in the Next%, you should be training in the Zephyr. The synergy between these two models from two widely different brands (one scrappy, one monolithic) is undeniable. I’m using strong statements because this is a strong contender for shoe of the year and it really does pair well with the racer that’s on the feet of so many elite marathoners.

Pros:

Jeff, Sam & Hope: Upper is breathable, toe box is top notch, midsole is plush without being mushy, relatively lightweight for how much shoe there is.

Cons:

Jeff: The concave opening for the plate can give a slight horse hoof noise on landing.

Hope: Break-in required. First few steps in my first run had me thinking “these feel like a bad prototype” because the midsole felt so stiff and inflexible. Have the patience to let them soften up after a few miles and you’ll be rewarded.

Sam: not a great shoe for slow paces if heel striking, as I do. The heel feels a bit low. Best run fast.

Stats

Approx. Weight: 9.5 oz / 269 g

Samples: 8.5 men’s: 9.2 oz / 261 g

      10.5 men’s 10.1 oz / 286 grams

Stack Height: 28mm heel / 23 mm forefoot, 5mm drop

Available November 2019.  $130

Skechers Performance Go Meb Speed 6 Hyper Multi Tester Review. Speed Indeed!

Article by Peter Stuart, Derek Li, and Mac Jeffries

Skechers Performance Go Meb Speed 6 Hyper ($140)

Introduction

Peter: The Go Meb line has been producing reliably light and fast racing flats for years now. 

I’ve enjoyed some models more than others, but overall they’ve been great. The 5 was a really solid shoe, and didn’t feel as stiff (or punishing) as earlier versions. With the Speed 6 we’re looking at the introduction of HyperBurst foam and the new Goodyear outsole. I’m very curious to see how this all affects the ride of theSpeed. I’m also eager to see whether there are any substantial differences between the Razor 3 and the Speed 6. Word from Skechers Performance is that stack height is 22/18, compared to 23/19 in the Razor. The HyperBurst Foam in the Razor and the Speed 6 is the same hardness/durometer.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Peter: best looking Skechers yet, light, fast, smooth

Derek: Great looks, superlight and cushioned

Mac: Lacing is secure, upper lightweight, good looking, explosive midsole

Cons:

Peter: You may fear the race fit.

Derek: Narrow fit

Mac: Fits snugly, but that is only a con if you aren’t expecting it. 

Tester Profile

Peter lives in Austin, Texas and has been a sub 3 hour marathoner as well as a 1:25 half marathoner in recent years.

Derek is in his 30’s and trains 70-80 miles per week at 7 to 8 minute pace in mostly tropical conditions in Singapore. He has a 2:41 marathon PR.

Mac is a former collegiate defensive lineman who runs to fill the competitive void left after school and to stay in shape. He is in his late 30s, runs 50-80 mpw, and at 6’3”, has come down from his playing weight of 275 lbs to a steady 205 lbs for the last 10 years. Jeff’s PRs are 19:30, 1:33:xx, and 3:23:xx; he also teaches and coaches XC & T&F.

Salomon Sonic 3 Balance Initial Video Review: What a Ride!

Article by Sam Winebaum

Salomon Sonic 3 Balance ($130)

Stats
Estimated Weight: 9.9 oz / 281 g US M9
Stack Height: 28mm heel / 20 mm forefoot, 8 mm drop
Available Spring 2020

Launching Spring 2020, the Sonic 3 Balance features an Optivibe midsole which combines a very lively energy returning Infuse olefin main midsole with a JPAD super shock and vibration reducing heel insert.  The ride here has been sublime for me in its energy "return", cushion, shock and vibration absorption, and smoothness of transitions.  It runs way lighter than its weight!

WATCH OUR INITIAL VIDEO REVIEW

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Saucony Guide 13 Review: Support without Feeling it (that much) and a Lively Responsive Ride

Article by Canice Harte, Hope Wilkes and Sam Winebaum

Saucony Guide 13 ($120)

Introduction

Sam: The Guide 13 sees significant changes from prior models of Saucony’s lighter /support stability shoe. It gets a new midsole foam PWRRUN a TPU/EVA blend in a single slab with no longer in the mix the medial post of high density EVA foam typical of traditional stability/support shoes.

Instead of foam post we see an L shaped translucent TPU plate at midfoot. This approach is more focused on “guidance” than a firm block of foam and represents a growing trend in stability oriented shoes. Brands such as Altra (Paradigm) and Brooks (Ravenna and Adrenaline) are also going away from the firm foam post using supportive “rails” on the medial side above the midsole and often flaring also flaring the midsole below. Here Saucony chose to place the support element on the medial side wall of the shoe wrapping under the foot above the outsole with barely any flaring of the midsole on the medial side. The upper also see changes as Saucony gets rid of its ISOFit system replacing it with a more conventional lacing system. The Guide 13 is my first Guide as I have generally steered clear of posted shoes in the past but here was intrigued by the potential for more subtle support. I do appreciate a touch of stability but have not been wowed by the rails approach which often seems to make the shoe stiffer and harder to transition from midfoot than I would like.

Pros

Canice:  The big takeaway here is you get lots of support without feeling it. There are definitely “max” support shoes in the market that provide more support  but the Guide remains lively and fun to run yet supportive. Saucony has struck a great balance here.

Sam/Hope

• Truly guided not brick like support. Very stable rear of shoe, with an agile front for such a big stack.
• PWRRUN is a fantastic midsole. Lots of response (in concert with a great outsole) and a touch of bounce which takes its firmer edge off. A set-up to go fast  in daily training yet with stability
• Solid value at $120 for a state of the art shoe.

Hope: Reflective Elements!

Cons:

Sam: A bit lumbering and over supportive just after heel landing. Guide would be a total home run for me without or with less of the medial guidance plate and/or less continuous medial outsole coverage.

Canice: Not really a lot negative to report here. I guess if I could ask for anything, it would be to make the shoes lighter but the Guide punches above its weight class and delivers a great shoe.

Hope: Not that smooth of a ride -- I could feel the individual outsole elements