Article by Ivan Luca Corda, Derek Li, Joost de Raeymaeker, Peter Stuart, Adam Glueck, and Sam and Dominique Winebaum
Quick Strides is a weekly article here at RTR. The format and content is as our contributors wish and includes mini short take reviews, testing notes on the way to reviews, long time and new favorites and other content.
This week, chiming in from the US, Denmark, Singapore, and Angola we share our thoughts on: adizero Adios Pro 2, Boston 10, Skechers Max Road 5, Saucony Triumph 19, Xodus 11 and Endorphin Trail in Iceland, Garmin Forerunner 55, Craft CTM Ultra, Darn Tough Socks, Hoka Anacapa, Vim&Vigr Compression.
Ivan (Copenhagen, Denmark)
The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro was my favorite racer of 2020. I just received the brand new second version of this beauty and immediately took it out for a longer workout i. At first, changes seemed substantial with an updated design and a medial cut out of the Lightstrike midsole exposing the carbon-infused rods. I really enjoyed the aggressive nature and responsive ride of the original. From my first run in this new update, I’m happy to report that the ride feels very familiar and maybe even a bit smoother. A few tweaks to the upper also ensures a tighter and more secure fit which leads to a great overall first impression. A full review of the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 2 is expected later this week.
Sam (New Hampshire and Utah)
Skechers Max Road 5
I have been testing the Max Road 5 for our upcoming multi tester review with an initial video review here.
At a mere 8.3 oz / 235g in a US9 and only $135 the latest Max Road gets a carbon infused plastic “H” plate to stabilize its midfoot and first part of the forefoot while retaining front flexibility. So, you get a combination of the distinct soft Hyperburst pillared midsole’s lively spring with some needed (compared to the Max Road 4 and +) stability and plate propulsion similar but wider in feel than say adidas Torsion.
The Max Road gets a new much more secure yet still generous engineered mesh upper. The result is about the lightest, high stack (38/32) lower drop trainer around and one that for many can now serve as a daily trainer or long run shoe. Given the pillared midsole and relatively light outsole coverage durability remains to be determined but should be not much different than the Max Road 4.
Max Road 5 is available at Running Warehouse now HERE
Garmin Forerunner 55
I am testing the just released Forerunner 55. At $20,0 it is very light on the wallet and on the wrist at 33g with only the Coros Pace 2 (RTR Review) a few grams lighter. Fully capable as a training watch with most commonly used data fields available, it only leaves out some of the more sophisticated physiological and performance evaluation metrics of its pricier siblings, , navigation and usable altimeter, and some battery life. It has a very respectable 20 hours training time and my initial test indicates it meets that and it exceeds the 14 day smart watch battery life. Initial GPS track and optical heart rate accuracy have also been excellent. My initial review is here
The Garmin Forerunner 55 is available from Running Warehouse HERE
Hoka One One Anacapa ($155)
Dominique and I enjoy hiking, when we are not running! Over the last 3 years or so, shoes andboots from Hoka’s Sky Collection have been our goto hikers for their max cushion and great Vibram MegaGrip. We trekked across Switzerland in the Sky Toa in 2019 and last year tested the Kaha Low and Mid and the Ten Nine.
The Anacapa Low GTX ( a mid is also available) modernizes, let’s just say, the hike ride using a new rocker design and swallow tail shared with their newest road shoes such as the Mach 4. The extended rear swallow tail allows for smooth stable landings and movement forward with the front rocker now also having some flexibility unlike prior Hoka such as the Speedgoat and Kaha Low.
I really like the new rear Achilles hold and side straps which help lock the foot to what is a roomy upper that won’t remind you of the fit of a Speedgoat.
The construction focuses on sustainability with leather certified by the Leather Working Group, recycled content in the collars/mesh/laces, PFC free water repellency, a 50% soy based sockliner, and recycled fabric in the Gore-Tex bootie.
We took them on a 10 mile round trip to 10,700 feet with 2300 feet of vertical in Little Cottonwood Canyon. We both noted how well they climbed due to the flexibility in the rocker. The deep 30/24 midsole of compression molded EVA was soft, stable, and a touch bouncy not at all resembling the usual firm hike boot/shoe cushion.
We traversed loose gravel/rocks, mud and soft snow patches and the grip everywhere from the MegaGrip was fantastic. At 14 oz / 397g, they are light for such a substantial hiking shoe. I think they are also run-able due to the agile front rocker and flex.
Due to the high stack height and relatively low collars, we don’t recommend inserting an aftermarket orthotic with plastic shank and for carrying a heavy load the Mid GTX ($170) may be a better choice,. As a day hiker with light pack on any terrain or trekking shoe on smoother terrain so far they are proving superb. They are lighter and less overbuilt than the super stable, heavier, stiffer all leather Kaha Low and more stable and better cushioned than the Toa. Available soon.
Dominique (New Hampshire and Utah)
I wore my first pair of Vim&Vigr Compression Legwear - calf sleeves - on a 10+mile hike a few days ago and for the past few days have been wearing the knee-high sock Vim&Vigr, to both promote muscle recovery and to reduce swelling in my ankle (after a fall).
I love wearing my knee-high socks as they are helping with my recovery and are extremely comfortable, in addition to being stylish and attractive looking. The ones I am testing are made with high-grade Australian Merino wool (40%), 45% nylon, and 15% spandex. I feel a bit sassy wearing them with a skirt while doing good for my legs. For sure, I need to rethink my hiking outfit (same old & passé) as I plan to wear my Vim&Vigr calf sleeves and/or knee-high socks hiking -- and also walking, trail running, or just sitting at my desk. Truly, they are designed for “everyday compression and everyday wellness®”
Vim&Vigr offers a wide range of compression levels, from 15-20 mmHg to 20-30 mmHg, and up to 30-40 mmHg among its collection of knee-high socks, as well as different types of fabric and design. The compression level of all calf-sleeves is 15-20 mmHg.
Derek (Singapore)
It's been a busy week of testing for me and I finally got around to testing the humble Saucony Triumph 19.
This is a really good update. I mean, you think of just how versatile and fun the Ride 13 and 14 are, then you look at Triumph 19 and you realize they are the same weight! Triumph 19 has 6mm more stack across the board by my measurement. Incredibly good cushioning in this shoe for tired days. Maybe a little bit bottom heavy in terms of overall weight balance but otherwise there is nothing to gripe about.
Joost (Luanda, Angola)
Just in time for this week’s Quick Strides, a package was delivered to my door this morning. Lo and behold, the Adidas Adizero Boston 10 made it to Luanda.
After taking a couple of pictures and weighing them (302g - 10.65 oz, quite heavy) I took them out for an easy 10k around the block. First impressions are that they actually still feel a bit like a Boston, in spite of the huge slab of Lightstrike and Lightstrike Pro. It’s firm, but a little bit more disconnected from the ground.
Like the previous two versions of the Boston I ran and still run in (version 6 and 8), the upper is very well executed. The suede overlays are not a strange sight to fans of the Boston (and also Adios) line of shoes, although the rest of the upper is a bit different from previous versions. There’s an internal mesh in a booty type of construction with a gusseted tongue. On top of it is what on first sight looks like a plasticky layer to hold it all together. 50% of the upper is recycled materials. I’m not sure if that’s one of the 2 layers, or 50% of both, but the most important part is that it’s recycled.
The energy rods that debuted in the Adios Pro last year made their way into this Boston to provide a faster spring back according to Adidas. I’m looking forward to putting some more km on the shoe and adding my thoughts to the multi tester review at RoadTrailRun here. .
The adidas adizero Boston 10 is available from Running Warehouse HERE
Adam (New Hampshire but now in Iceland!)
This past week I’ve been in Iceland, which has coincidentally been a phenomenal environment to test trail shoes and clothing. Stay tuned for my full thoughts in our multi-tester reviews. Here’s my thoughts on what I’ve been testing.
Endorphin Trail (RTR Review I will be joining soon)
The Endorphin Trail is an intriguing shoe for me. Rather than using the PEBA based foam and rocker geometry to make a lightweight trail racer, Saucony built a heavy duty Speedgoat competitor, with a massive stack height, and stiff rocker and wide platform to stabilize.
The stability works well, as I was able to run the Presidential Traverse (19 miles of aggressive rocky terrain with 10,000 feet of elevation gain) without rolling my ankles. I don’t think they were necessarily the best shoes for the job but it shows that Saucony did the work to make a high stack Pebax trail shoe controllable. In Iceland, the Endorphin Trail excels even more as a hiking shoe as the bottomless cushion smooths out rocks and the rocker propels you through each stride. When running on less technical, smoother trails, the endorphin trail is truly propulsive.
The Endorphin trail on a black sand beach north of the Arctic circle in Hornstrandir
Xodus 11 (RTR Review): The Xodus 11 is currently one of my favorite trail shoes, featuring a beaded TPU foam (Powerrun +) that is bouncy but firm and dense.
The stack height is more traditional for an ultra trail shoe, and the outsole is incredibly versatile and grippy. The rock plate protects from sharp point loads from rocks, yet still will flex enough to allow for precise foot movement and variable gaits. The upper is comfortable and heel slip free, though not quite as secure as the Salomon trail shoes with a gusseted tongue.
The stability of the Xodus is amazing and I regularly use it for rocky terrain and even games of pickup soccer. In Iceland I found that the Xodus continued to excel in rocky terrain and gripped well on snow, mud, and rock.
Peter (Austin, Texas)
This week I’ve been switching between the excellent Skechers Max Road 5 and the equally excellent Craft CTM Ultra.
I have yet to get one on each foot or put back to back miles in them but will get to that this week. They’re a bit different, but the venn diagram definitely shows some overlap! The upper on the Max Road 5 holds my foot better, but retains more water (plenty of sweat on these humid days) than the Craft CTM. More to come on both of these...
Also a shout out to Darn Tough Vermont. I’ve been running in their Micro Crew Ultra Lightweight Sock and they are terrific! Tried them and immediately bought 4 more pairs. Love them.
Shop for Darn Tough Micro Crew at Running Warehouse HERE
The opinions herein are entirely the authors'.
EUROPE Men's & Women's SHOP HERE
AUSTRALIA Men's & Women's SHOP HERE
AMAZON Men's & Women's SHOP HERE
1 comment:
I've got set of the Adios Pro 2 on backorder, shipping in a couple of weeks. Does the sole seem any thicker or more durable than the sole on the originals?
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