Thursday, May 28, 2020

Hoka One One Clifton 7 1st Run Video Review, A/B Test Run, Shoe Details, and Comparisons

Article by Sam Winebaum


Hoka One One Clifton 7 ($130)


The Clifton 7 gets a new very soft engineered sandwich mesh upper, a gusseted tongue instead of the 6’s rear stitching, and swept back rear tab that also serves to help pull them on.  

It loses some weight about 0.35 oz, 9 or so grams to come in at about 8.55 oz / 243 g in a US9 based on our sample. Still $130. Releases August 2020. Multi tester review soon!

WATCH OUR CLIFTON 7 VS. CLIFTON 6 A/B TEST CLOSE COMPARISONS


WATCH OUR FIRST RUN REVIEW WITH DETAILS AND COMPARISONS

Read reviewers' full run bios here
The product reviewed was a provided at no charge. 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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Your purchases help support RoadTrailRun. Thanks!

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Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Testbericht: Nike Air Zoom Terra Kiger 6 - Fun!

Article by Nils Scharff


Link zum original RTR-Test des Nike Air Zoom Terra Kiger 6: HIER

Link zu allen RTR-Testberichten: HIER


Nike Air Zoom Terra Kiger 6 (130€)C:\Users\Nils\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.Word\Ontop.jpg


Einleitung

"Der Nike Air Zoom Terra Kiger 6 wurde für nasse und felsige Trails entwickelt. Er besticht durch sein leichtes Design und einen modischen Look mit einer gewebten Ferse, die eine sichere Passform und ein tolles Tragegefühl gewährleistet."

Das sind die Worte die Nike's Marketingexperten für den neuen Terra Kiger 6 gefunden haben. Ich war nach erfolgreich abgeschlossenem Marathon Trainingsblock sowieso auf der Suche nach einem schnellen Trailschuh. "Stravasegmente jagen" soll die Devise über den wettkampffreien Coronasommer lauten und dafür sollte das entsprechende Schuhwerk her. Umso aufgeregter war ich, als ich erfahren habe, dass es sich bei meinem ersten offiziellen Testschuh um dem neuen Terra Kiger 6 handeln wird. Und umso dankbarer bin ich, dass Runningwarehouse EU mir diesen Schuh für den Test zur Verfügung gestellt hat. Die hier dargestellte Meinung zum Terra Kiger 6 - und die Antwort auf die Frage, ob dieser die genannten Marketingversprechen einhalten kann - ist selbstverständlich trotzdem wie immer meine eigene.

Pro & Contra

Pro:

Tolle Passform!

Hammer Design!

Inspiriert zum schnell laufen

Contra:

Frisch aus dem Karton ein wenig fummelig zu schnüren (wird aber besser wenn der Schuh dreckig wird)

Zu schön um ihn dreckig zu machen

Monday, May 25, 2020

ASICS GEL-Kayano 27 Review: A Refined, Smooth Running, Adaptive Approach to Stability for "Pronators" and "Neutrals"

Article by Michael Ellenberger and Sam Winebaum


ASICS GEL-Kayano 27 ($160)


Stats

Official Weight:  men’s  11.1 oz / 315g women’s 8.8 oz / 249g

  Samples: 308 grams / 10.86 oz US men’s 8.5

Midsole Stack Height: 

Women: Heel: 24mm Forefoot: 11mm, 13mm drop

Men: Heel: 22mm Forefoot: 12mm, 10mm drop

Widths: D=Medium, 2E=Wide, 4E=Extra Wide

Available now including Running Warehouse here. $160


Introduction

Sam: When a shoe gets to 27 editions, the 2nd longest “run” of any current run shoe. and is ASICS best selling shoe at running stores, something must be up. Yet I have never run it, been tempted by it and I have been running longer than 27 years that’s for sure!  


So when ASICS asked Michael and I to test we said OK, not exactly looking forward to it as the Kayano is known as a support stability shoe and isn’t the lightest out there at 11.1 oz but it is the lightest Kayano with a massive looking exo-skeleton heel and substantial mid foot Trusstic plate under foot. 


Strangely it also sure also looked sleek with a low profile engineered Jacquard mesh upper with a not ridiculously plush looking collar. Neither Michael and I need or rock support stability shoes much and when RTR tests I often end up the guinea pig for them with Michael also occasionally headed to that side as well.


Could there be more than met the eye, could there be a real good reason for 27 editions and still very popular. Were we shoe snobs?


We tested it and were frankly surprised in mostly pleasant ways by this highly refined shoe. Cleverly ASICS offered to give us and the history and answer questions after we tested.


The Kayano Trainer (picture below) was first launched in 1993 with a design mission of having the ultimate in comfort, durability, and protection. 

The designer Toshikazu Kayano, yes the shoe is named after him, served 23 years as head of product design and development for overseas markets and is now curating ASICS Sports Museum archives came up with a radical initial design that yes featured an external exoskeleton, as still now in at the heel as still now to provide not only functional long term support and durability but I would say visual cues that the Kayano was meant to do exactly that. 


The original named GEL-Kayano Trainer launched at the then astronomical price of $130. It hasn’t gone up that much since then with the Kayano 27 at $160.


To this day the core values of the shoe to be the ultimate in comfort, durability, and protection. 

have remained the mission, yet the technologies continually evolved. 


Further. over those decades, the ASICS Sports Science Institute has refined its research around gender specific differences in biomechanical needs applied to shoe design even within the same model as here. This means the women’s Kayano 27, in addition to gender specific lasting, has softer FlyteFoam with 2mm more of it at the heel and 1mm less at forefoot. while the structure of the mid foot plastic Trusstic piece has a different design focused on forward motion support with the men’s focused on inside arch support.

Michael: Sam about covered our backstory, but unlike the guru himself, I have run in the Kayano once, many years ago (I believe it was the Kayano 15 or 16), simply due to the fact that my preferred trainers at the time - the ASICS GT-2000 and DS-Trainer - were sold out at my local running store. So, I trained in the (back then) very clunky Kayano, a shoe that is basically unrecognizable from what ASICS is offering in the 27th iteration. Let’s dive in!

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Nike Zoom Pegasus 37 Multi Tester Review with 15 Comparisons including to women's version

Article by Jeff Beck, Peter Stuart, Michael Ellenberger, Don Reichelt and Sam Winebaum


Nike Zoom Pegasus 37 ($120)

Stats

Official: men’s 9.6 oz /  272g US9,  women’s 8.28 oz / 235g US8

  Samples: 9.73 oz / 276g men’s US9 10.5 oz / 296g men’s US10.5

                    12.5 11.32 oz / 321g men’s US 12.5

Stack Height: 18mm (forefoot) 28mm (heel), 10mm drop

Available Now. $120


Introduction

The 37th edition of the Pegasus sees the most significant changes in years with a new React foam midsole and a front only 10mm thick Zoom Air bag, the prior edition having a full length 4mm thick Zoom Air unit.


The articulated Zoom Air unit is tuned based on gender preferences with 20 psi for the men's and 15 psi for the women as testing showed women preferred a slightly softer, more flexible front cushion.


Overall, the Pegasus gains 2mm of stack height with its weight going from 8.9 oz / 252g  to 9.73 oz / 276g for a men's US9 (confirmed by size 9 sample). Available now, including in wide.


Update: Sam- I had to also test the women's version! I have now tested the men's versions, and in equivalent size the women's which has slightly softer React foam and a Zoom Air with lower PSI at 15 PSI. The women's upper is of the same material as the men's but is slightly thinner and more pliable. The women's in women's10.5 D width, equivalent in size and width to a men's 9 is lighter by 0.35 oz/ 8g.

Jeff: Camry. Big Mac. Pegasus. Some items are so ubiquitous you don’t need to be a family sedan, fast food burger, or running shoe enthusiast to know what we’re talking about. And the 37 iteration of the Pegasus may be the best - it certainly is the most dramatic overhaul we’ve seen in the line for years. Does dramatic overhaul mean good? In this case, for me, it certainly does.


Michael: It’s Pegasus season! There are two reviews I’ll most frequently be referencing here, the predecessors to the new Zoom Pegasus (and of course, I’ll be comparing them to the P37, in the relevant sections): the Zoom Pegasus 36, and the Nike Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2. If you combined these two shoes, you wouldn’t quite get the P37 - you need to find that React foam from somewhere - but there is a lot of shared DNA. And guess what? I really liked both the P36 and the Turbo 2. And guess what? The Pegasus 37 is great - but not quite more than the sum of its parts. 


Of course, please make sure to read our Comparisons section, where we have a ton of comparisons to the leading trainers out there today!

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Brooks Running Ghost 13 First Run Video Review, Details, and Comparison to Levitate 4

Article by Sam Winebaum

Brooks Ghost 13 ($130)

I take a first run in the Brooks Ghost 13 in Park City, Utah and share my initial video review below. Weighing about the same as the Ghost 12 at 9.9 oz / 280 g US men's 9, the 13 now has a full length (instead of just a heel insert) lateral side DNA Loft foam that is softer than the co molded (not glued in) BioMoGo DNA foam on the medial side, a lighter engineered mesh upper, and slight changes to the forefoot outsole design all of which I conclude so far have very positive changes to the ride and fit. 
I compare to the Levitate 4 in the video. Releases September including in a Gore-Tex Invisible Fit version. $130. full multi tester review of men, women's and GTX versions of the Ghost 13 soon.

WATCH THE VIDEO REVIEW INCLUDING COMPARISONS TO LEVITATE 4 (11:21)
Read reviewers' full run bios here
The product reviewed was a provided at no charge. The opinions herein are the authors'.
Comments and Questions Welcome Below!
Please let us know mileage, paces, race distances, and current preferred shoes

RoadTrailRun receives a commission on purchases at the stores below.
Your purchases help support RoadTrailRun. Thanks!

RUNNING WAREHOUSE
USA  Men's & Women's SHOP HERE
FREE 2 Day Shipping EASY No Sweat Returns
EUROPE Men's & Women's SHOP HERE
AUSTRALIA Men's & Women's SHOP HERE

ROADRUNNER SPORTS
Men's & Women's SHOP HERE
Join VIP Family, Get Free Shipping and 15% in VIP Benefits on every order, Details here

REI 
Men's & Women's  SHOP HERE

AMAZON  
Men's & Women's SHOP HERE

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Monday, May 18, 2020

New Balance FuelCell 890 v8 Multi Tester Review

Article by Peter Stuart, Jamie Hershfang, Mac Jeffries, Renee Krusemark, Derek Li, and Sam Winebaum


New Balance 890v8 ($120)

Stats

Estimated Weight:: 8.25 oz / 238g US M9,   

  Samples: 8.0 oz / 227g US M8.5, 12.9 oz / 366g  US M14E, 8.47 oz / 240g US M9.5

Stack Height: 25mm heel, 19mm forefoot, 6mm drop

$120. Available now including Running Warehouse US here 



Introduction

The 890 changes quite radically, yet again, getting a full Fuel Cell midsole replacing the prior RevLite. It gains about 1.4 oz / 39 g coming in at approximately 8.25 oz / 233g US men’s 9 with a 25mm heel /19 mm forefoot, 6mm drop. The upper changes from engineered knit to engineered mesh. The outsole is a combination of Ground Contact RevLite and rubber. It remains a more stable up tempo option as its predecessors were.



Pros:

Peter/Sam/Mac: fits well and secure

Peter/Jamie/Sam: fast and firm

Jamie/Sam: wide platform gives stability without rigidity

Jamie/Mac: gusseted tongue provides a very comfy fit

Sam: Firm, stable, fast ride that is also strangely not as punishing as I expected.

Sam: Great aesthetics, 

Sam/Jamie/Mac/Renee: very secure upper with a rounded decently roomy toe box, disappears on the foot 

Mac: Extra lateral midsole material great for those who land on the outside of the foot

Derek: Good rocker profile, Subtle forefoot bounce at faster paces


Cons:

Peter: Not my favorite NB, not my favorite use of Fuel Cell 

Peter/Jamie: Neither here nor there. Stranded between the 1400 and others.

Peter: a little too firm 

Jamie/Sam: a little too firm for a daily trainer

Sam/Jamie: ride is a little too “serious” lacking fun 

Mac: Not as bouncy as the Rebel

Mac: Disappointed to see the weight gain

Sam: Soft forefoot rubber, wearing fast, deadens (while softening shock) final toe off, lacks some snap

Sam: Not as versatile as I would like, best run fast.

Renee: Narrow in lateral midfoot area

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Odlo Summer 2020 Run Collection Review: Highly Effective Technologies, Thoughtful Design and Great Style

Article by Dominique Winebaum, Adam Glueck, and Sam Winebaum

Odlo Sportswear

Introduction

Dominique: “Born in Norway and engineered in Switzerland” ODLO has been around since 1946, yet this is my first introduction to the brand as I am testing a running outfit from their summer collection. Created by Odd Roar Lofterod, ODLO is known as the innovator of performance sports underwear and three-layer principles. ODLO first made its marks on the Norwegian Nordic ski scene, and over the past seven decades, has expanded its line of products into several sport categories: Sports Underwear & Baselayer; Running & Trail; Hiking & Trekking; Cycling & MTB; Fitness & Yoga; Ski & Snowboard, and Nordic Ski where among others it outfits MTB Scott Sram, Biathlon  Switzerland/Norway/France, French Ski Federation, and trail running TSL France.


ODLO has been at the forefront of innovation in producing performance sportswear as reflected in their line of apparel, which is engineered with a blend of high end technology, functionality, attractive designs, and top quality. Pricing mirrors the long lasting-quality of the ODLO brand and the Norwegian-Swiss platform for manufacturing engineered high performance apparel. Oldo is also a leader in the Fair Wear Foundation an independent, transparent initiative which seeks to improve labor conditions in the textile industry.

The Spring-Summer 2020 Collection features apparel engineered with new technologies aimed at keeping your cool, dry, comfortable, and odor free. Some of the apparel with their respective technologies in the 2020 Collection are reviewed here -- Women: Dominique and Men: Sam and Adam.