Aah l’Adios. Une chaussure emblématique depuis 2008 lorsque le grand Haile Gebreselassie en portait le premier prototype pour établir le nouveau record du monde de marathon en 2h03:59 à Berlin.
Depuis, la chaussure a évolué, tout en étant LA chaussure des marathons record (Patrick Makau en 2011 toujours à Berlin), intégrant une couche de Boost en 2014 (et ajoutant un nouveau record sur marathon à la liste par Dennis Kimetto qui passait sous la barre des 2h03 en 2014 à….Berlin).
Depuis, la série des Adios commençait à accuser son âge, n’ayant subi que des retouches légères sur l’empeigne ou le chaussant, sans jamais revoir la conception initiale: celle d’une chaussure plutôt fine, très dynamique, légère (à ses débuts, mais son rapport poids/amorti n’avait plus rien d’exceptionnel depuis quelques années), avec juste ce qu’il faut d’amorti pour les coureurs les plus efficaces sur un marathon, ou sur semi pour le commun des mortels. La comparaison avec les super chaussures récentes, à plaque de carbone, ultra amorties, rigides n’étaient pas à son avantage.
Il était donc temps pour Adidas de revoir ce modèle emblématique de fond en comble.
A titre personnel, j’ai une assez longue histoire avec les Adios, ayant couru avec les Adios 2 non-Boostées, puis les Adios Boost 3, et enfin les Boost 5 qui intégrait une couche de Lightstrike au dessus du Boost à la place de l’ancien Adiprene.
Elles ont toujours été mes “kikourvite”, que je chaussais avec énormément de plaisir pour mes séances de fractionné sur route ou sur piste, malgré un gabarit parfois un peu limite (autour de 75kgs lorsque j’ai eu les Adios 2, puis 70 kilos depuis). Leur dynamisme et leur accroche me donnaient une sensation de vitesse énorme et c’était un réel plaisir que de passer des séries de 200m sur piste avec les Adios aux pieds.
J’ai pu suivre l’évolution de leur chaussant, jusqu’à celui de la 5 qui était presque large, surtout à l’avant-pied, ainsi que l’apparition du Boost qui a un peu “civilisé” une chaussure assez brutale auparavant.
Autant dire que la découverte de cette 6ème version a été un choc, tant elles sont différentes et marquent une franche rupture. Semelle beaucoup plus épaisse, drop un peu réduit (qui passe à 8mm), poids en hausse, disparition du Boost, remplacé par la “super-mousse” maison, Lightstrike Pro...autant d’éléments qui rendent le test intéressant.
Im April hatte ich mit dem Ultraventure 2 meine Premiere in einem Schuh von Topo Athletics. Damals bin ich völlig ergebnisoffen an die Sache herangegangen und war vor allem neugierig, was die für mich neue Marke aus den USA zu bieten hat. In diesem Rahmen hat mich Topo nicht nur vom Konzept, sondern auch von der Ausführung desselben vollends überzeugt. Die weite Zehenbox, eine sichere Passform um Mittelfuß und Ferse, natürliche Abrollbewegungen und all das bei einem relativ geringen Schuhgewicht - all das wurde nicht nur versprochen sondern im Ultraventure 2 auch eingehalten. Aus dem Nichts hatte ich auf einmal einen neuen Lieblings-Trailschuh.
Entsprechend hoch waren nun meine Erwartungen an den Topo MTN Racer 2, als er bei mir angekommen ist. Dies ist der Schuh in der Topo Familie, in dem man potentiell härteres Terrain in Angriff nehmen soll - technische Trails, alpines Gelände. Gut, dass er rechtzeitig zu meinem Urlaub in den Ammergauer Alpen bei mir eingetroffen ist. Wie er sich dort geschlagen hat, könnt ihr im Folgenden lesen.
Article by Bryan Lim, Joost de Raeymaeker, Sally Reiley, Derek Li, and Sam Winebaum
Brooks Running Leviate 5 and Levitate GTS 5 ($150)
Introduction
Sam: The Levitate sits in the Brooks Energize collection described by Brooks as “shoes that absorb energy and return it back for a springy feel”. I have run in several versions of the Levitate and all shared a dense pneumatic return and knit uppers. I have generally found the uppers supportive and dense, never quite delivering on Brooks famous step in and run comfort. All versions were quite ponderous at slow paces and came alive as the pace picked up and all but the Levitate 4 were quite weighty on the scale.
Women’s circular knit, non GTS
The Levitate will now come in 4 flavors all with the same DNA AMP midsole foam and outsole rubber and in a first for the model in two types of knit uppers, soft circular (right below) and StealthFit (left below).
The Ultra Glide features an Energy Surge foam midsole that is soft(er) and energetic, a rocker profile with some flex and a Salomon road shoe last for more front volume than usual in a Salomon.
Light at about 10 oz / 283g for a US9 it has a substantial 32mm heel / 26mm forefoot stack height and a full Contragrip outsole with 4mm lugs
Pros:
Jeff V: Finally a max cushion shoe from Salomon! Light, responsive, secure, comfortable, plush cushioning, stable, traction, protective
Cons:
Jeff V: Uppermost eyelet grommets can cause a bit of discomfort when really snugging the shoe, lace garage takes a bit of work, tread durability is not as good as all of the other Salomons I have tested.
Article by Sam Winebaum, Nils Scharff, Shannon Payne, and Jeremy Marie
This week's Quick Strides includes CEP Ultralight, 361 Meraki 4, Predict Soc 2, Rincon 3, Terra Kiger 7,Adios 6, Rabbit, Whoop, Stryd, Kayano 28 with contributors joining in from the US, Germany, and France.
Der Cumulus ist einer der beliebtesten Trainer von ASICS. Es handelt sich um einen neutralen Schuh mit moderatem Gewicht, 10mm Sprengung und klassischer Sohlengeometrie. Obwohl sich der Schuh einer großen Fangemeinde erfreut und fast schon Klassiker genannt werden darf (23 Versionen!), hatte ich noch nie einen Cumulus am Fuß.
Vermutlich lag es daran, dass ich in der Vergangenheit kaum einen sog. Daily-Trainer in meiner Rotation hatte. Wenn man unzählige Paar Laufschuhe zu Hause hat, hat man eben für jede Situation “den richtigen” bzw. einen Favorit. Ein Schuh, der im Zweifel das gesamte Lautrepertoire abbilden kann, ist da einfach nicht gefragt. Ich bin trotzdem sehr gespannt. Alles was ASICS in letzter Zeit angefasst hat, war Mal mindestens gut. Trifft das auch auf den Cumulus zu?
Pro & Contra
Pro:
Die Mittelsohle schafft es irgendwie gleichzeitig fest zu sein und trotzdem ein weiches, komfortables Gefühl zu vermitteln!
Smoothes Laufgefühl dank gutem Flexpunkt im Vorfuß!
Super vielfältig - das ist wirklich ein Schuh für alles!
Sitzt ziemlich gut am Fuß!
Durch die festere Mittelsohle ziemlich stabil für einen neutralen Schuh!
Gute Vibrationsdämpfung durch das Gel-Element in der Ferse!
Contra:
Das Mittelsohlenmaterial ist nicht das aller modernste - hier bieten andere Hersteller mehr Pep!
Zu locker gebunden hat die Polsterung an der Innenseite des Knöchels gescheuert und für wunde Stellen gesorgt - fest geschnürt hat sich das Problem erübrigt.
Design ist immer eine subjektive Sache, aber der Cumulus haut mich nicht vom Hocker!
Article by Dominique Winebaum, Jeff Beck, and Sam Winebaum
Mizuno Wave Sky 5 ($170)
Introduction
Dominique: Back in March, I reviewed the Wave Sky 4 (my first introduction to Mizuno running shoes) and since this past June, I have been running in the Wave Sky 5. There are many upgrades, from the upper to the outsole and especially the midsole, which makes this fifth edition of the Wave Sky more exciting than its predecessor. Running at slow pace (most of the time), twenty some miles per week, the Wave Sky 5 is a good fit for me: protective cushioning; responsive ride; comfortable fit; and attractive looking without calling attention.
Sam: The Wave Sky 3 was my favorite easy run shoe of 2019 for its excitement for a big shoe rebounding ride. The firmer, duller Wave Sky 4 with its overdone knit upper was a comparative dud.
Sam: Clearly a neutral (but inherently stable) heavy duty, highly cushioned, easy run or big and burly style daily trainer, the Wave Sky 5 is designed to last and last, to provide a reliable day in day out ride that even at its up there weight is not ponderous at any moderate pace. So what did Mizuno do to potentially re-capture some of the Wave Sky 3’s magic?
Left to Right: MIZUNO ENERZY FOAM, MIZUNO ENERZY CORE, U4icx
For the Wave Sky 5 MIZUNO ENERZY FOAM (white) becomes the bottom layer instead of the top layer which remains U4icx. Very soft rubberized MIZUNO ENERZY CORE (red) is used in place of PU beads embedded in TPU based XPOP as a central core. U4ic X (gray) becomes the top layer instead of being the bottom layer. It is a lighter form or Mizuno’s long time EVA midsole foam.
The Wave Sky goes from a 10mm drop shoe with a 37mm heel / 29mm forefoot stack by taking one millimeter off the heel and adding a millimeter to the forefoot.
The Wave interface between layers now also appears to be lower in the stack. There is no plastic Wave plate here. The Wave effect is created by the geometry of how the 2 main layers join.
The outsole is reduced in rear to mid foot coverage with a flatter coverage and no massive lugs as before but remains Mizumo’s X10. Upfront, instead of an array of bulky lugs, broad wavy bands are used. The flex grooves in the outsole are joined by grooves in the top layer of the midsole. For a big 28mm front stack the Wave Sky flexes well.
The upper becomes a smooth stretch woven material in place of the prior Waveknit, a denser thicker knit.
And all of these changes get the Wave Sky to 10.9 oz dropping about 0.4 oz / 11g from the Wave Sky 4. All of this is promising to say the least.
The humble tee and tank continues to evolve with yet lighter and more technically evolved fabrics. Comfort, feel, moisture wicking, quick dry, odor resistance, natural and recycled materials all are on board these highly evolved picks each with a different “personality” and best uses while all are highly effective. The top picks are: Odlo Chill-Tec Tee and Tank, Craft Pro Hypervent, Patagonia Cool Merino, and adidas Terrex Parley Agravic Trail Running All-Around Tee.
All have been tested for several months in a variety of dry and humid summer heat, cooler weather in spring, and wet conditions. They been the only tops (other than occasionally older Salomon S/Lab Sense T and Send Pro tank) I have run in for months
In a change from most recent performance tops all but the Patagonia have a roomy long fit.
Of course this is not an exhaustive list of all the great technical run shirts around but each here has its distinctive differences and strengths.
We are huge fans of Odlo at RTR. They are the masters of winter base layers for active sports such as nordic and alpine skiing and last year's Blackcomb Pro T-shirts were our favorite all around run and do everything shirts for their performance and classy looks.
This year Odlo launches Chill-Tec t-shirts and tanks. They are made of a very thin, highly air permeable jersey fabric with quick drying and anti odor properties. More textured than the others here, the fabric never sticks to the skin and has an airy, always cool feel also in part helped by the roomy long fits, something I like for summer heat.
They have proved the most comfortable in both dry and humid hot conditions, if not quite the softest on the skin as the others here, the standoff from the skin from the texture of the mesh part of the cooling magic. All the seams are carefully finished and there are reflective details.
I liked the tee Odlo sent for the test so much that I purchased the tank and it will be my 2021 race shirt for sure. I tend to reach for the Odlo most of all this summer.
Shop for Odlo Chill-Tec, including new Engineered Zeroweight at Running Warehouse HERE
Shop for Odlo Chill-Tec, including new Engineered Zeroweight at BackcountryHERE
Stretchy, well vented with a luxurious soft and roomy fit, the Pro Hypervent is an all around great technical run shirt. The styling and colors are bright and distinctive but not overdone. The fit is long and lean and, as with the Odlo I was sent a half size up from norma,l and would stay there although as the stretchiest shirt here I am sure I would be fine at my normal size. The shirt has body mapped mesh ventilation in three grades including two at the back joined with taped seams along with extensive black reflective highlights.
The Hypervent performs very well in all conditions and temperatures and is the most comfortable run shirt overall here although the Odlo out performs it ever so slightly in humid conditions.
Shop for Craft Pro Hypervent for men and women at Running WarehouseHERE
The Cool Merino is made from a blend of 65% RWS (Responsible Wool Standard) certified merino wool and 35% recycled polyester. More fitted than the others, with less fabric texture it tends to be a bit stickier and slicker feeling when wet than the others but is still a high performance shirt. It’s classy colors and fit make it my choice for days when I not only run but have to look “presentable”. It is my top choice here for fall running, travel, everyday wear, and multi day trips and hikes.
The Mountain Specialist disguised as an old school undershirt
Made of Primeblue recycled materials including partially of Parley’s recovered ocean plastics, this “plain white” non dyed shirt is the softest of these t-shirts with a feel reminding of the very finest cotton/silk...undershirt and for sure if you need an undershirt it can do double duty. It is highly wicking, with a center back long mesh for increased ventilation and moisture evaporation and dries incredibly fast especially if any kind of breeze is present.
Testing in hot weather where it performed very well but was bit stickier than some of the others in more humid weather but great in dry heat. I wore it more than once in driving rain in the mid 40’s under the Agravic Pro Jacket and was surprised how comfortable the combination was, never cold and clammy and then drying very quickly.
As such it is my top choice as a base layer / t-shirt for mountain and foul weather summer to fall runs and hikes where the weather is variable.
Shop for Terrex Agravic apparel at Running WarehouseHERE
Shop for Terrex Agravic Trail Running Tee at Backcountry HERE
Some tested samples were provided at no charge for review purposes others were personal purchases. RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and may earn commission on products purchased through affiliate links. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content The opinions herein are entirely the authors'.
Run commuting has always been an aspiration of mine - with limited time in the day, and the need to squeeze in a run around work, I’ve always loved the idea of using my legs to get to work. Well, the COVID-19 Pandemic changed that - what I thought was two weeks at home to “flatten the curve” turned into me working remotely for nearly 16 months, and eventually accepting a fully remote position at a patent boutique - but, there are still plenty of opportunities where running (as opposed to driving, biking, or public transit) is still the easiest way for me to get somewhere.
Against that backdrop, I tested the Mission Backpack, a collaboration between fan- (and reviewer-) favorite Tracksmith, and hard-wearing, made-in-USA Mission Workshop, which is familiar to any bike commuter or bag enthusiast. The result is undoubtedly the best looking run commuter bag I’ve ever seen, but the performance is mixed; I think the Mission Backpack is ultimately a better backpack than run commuter bag (at least for me)... but I’ll cover all the good and bad below!