Article by Jeff and Allison Valliere, Renee Krusemark, Jeff Beck, Mike Postaski, John Tribbia, and Bryan Lim
Mizuno Wave Mujin 9 ($150)
Introduction
Jeff V: The Mujin 9 is a trail shoe from Mizuno designed to tackle harsh terrain comfortably. It is a sturdy shoe with good durability and an outstanding Michelin outsole. Due to its weight, it is best suited to hiking or slower running. It is the first Mizuno trail shoe available in the US in several years.
Bryan: The Mujin 9 is the first Mizuno trail shoe I’ve worn. As a summary, Mizuno’s three trail offerings each serve their own purpose, the minimal Hayate for racing or shorter distances, the versatile and widely available Daichi for all purpose trails and the Mujin for ultra trails. Note that Mujin translates as ‘no end / unlimited’ to English which is a very apt name for its purpose. The Mujin 9 is a well built shoe that comes in at quite hefty weight and packs in a ton of protection for the long distance athlete.
Pros:
Outstanding outsole for harsh/winter conditions/traction: Renee/Jeff/Allison/Mike P/Jeff B
Comfort: Jeff/Allison/Bryan
Protection: Jeff/Allison/Bryan
Durability: Jeff/Allison/Jeff B/Bryan
Stable at steady at slow speeds Mike P
Cons:
Overall weight: Renee/Jeff/Mike P/Jeff B/Bryan
Comfort/ride underfoot: Renee/Mike P/Jeff B/Bryan
Heel design: Renee/Jeff/Allison/Mike P/Jeff B
Very harsh/stiff from the midfoot through to the heel Mike P/Jeff B
Stats
Estimated Weight: men's 11.9 oz / 337g (US9) / women's 10.39oz / 295g (US8)
Samples: men’s 13 oz /367g (US10), 11.64 oz / 330g (US8.5), 13.26 oz / 376g (US 10.5)
women’s 10.39oz / 295g (US8), women’s 10.5oz / 299g (US9)
Stack Height: men’s mm 39mm heel (measured) / 31mm forefoot (8mm drop spec)
Combination inner 4mm+ lugs, outer 6mm lugs
$150. Available now including at our partner Fleet Feet HERE
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
Renee: The Mizuno Wave Mujin 9 is a trail shoe meant for “comfort in harsh conditions.” My first impression was the outsole definitely has a “harsh condition” focus although the “comfort” aspect might be missing for me. With a skew of other trail shoes to review, the Mujin 9 wasn’t the shoe I reached for on a daily basis. My women’s size 8 weighs in at 10.39oz/295g, which is heavier than my GTX trail shoes. The outsole does give the shoe some benefits, so it’s not all bad-news-bears for the Mujin 9. If you need an outsole for harsh conditions, the Mujin 9 might be a contender.
The upper is a breathable mesh material that has some weather-resistant properties thanks to the placement of overlays. I ran in below -0 ℉ temps with wool socks and the toebox has breathability, although it works well in cold conditions with the right socks. The heel/ankle is supported with a TPU panel. For me, the heel hold was a bit stiff and it felt more like a hiker than a running shoe. I didn’t get the best fit within the foot opening because of the lace placement. The upper body lining textile is 90% recycled content.
Jeff V: When I was first presented with the opportunity to test the Mujin 9, I was eager, as they look fast, well treaded and were listed as 8.1 oz in a men’s US 9. When I pulled them out of the box however, I was stunned by the weight. I had to double check that there was not more than tissue paper stuffed in the toe, double checked the name of the shoe and revisited the spec sheet. I then put them on the scale to confirm I wasn’t having an off day in my assessment abilities and sure enough, they weigh 13 oz / 367 grams in my US men’s 10. Once over that shock, I had to concede that they are actually quite comfortable and protective feeling, with good cushion and a secure, well held upper.
Fit is true to size and the heel and midfoot are well held for me. The toe box is adequately roomy for longer days, yet well held. Breathability feels to be average, not overly airy, but not hot either, admittedly hard to tell as I have been testing in January, but they are not allowing in a lot of cold air. Lacing is comfortable and secure and I like that there is a generous lace garage that I can tuck the laces into on top of the tongue.
The upper is durably constructed and protective, perhaps even a bit overly so from the midfoot back as there is a lot going on. As Renee mentions, the heel counter is very stiff and overbuilt.
Allison: I too was surprised by the weight, but overall I like the look and quality build of the Mujin. They feel quite comfortable and protective, well cushioned and have an aggressive outsole. Fit is true to size in my US women's 9 with good room in the toe, a secure midfoot and heel. As mentioned, the heel is overbuilt and stiff, but has not caused me any trouble. Lacing is secure and I too appreciate the lace garage. Breathability is average. While the upper is somewhat thick and protective, I did not require any break in period. I mostly hike in them and find the upper to be adequately secure and comfortable for that purpose and have also had no trouble with foothold running.
Jeff B: The weight is the most striking thing when you first put on the shoe, and I was immediately reminded of the Xodus ISO 3 I reviewed in late 2018; just an absolute beast of a shoe that feels a bit over engineered for just about every terrain. As usual, Mizuno’s top notch fit and finish is on display here: my left and right shoe are 1g apart on the scale and the materials are as good as they get. Sizing is true, both in length and width. Their execution is seemingly never a miss, but the design of this one has some issues.
My colleagues describe the upper well. The toebox has nice room, without approaching sloppiness, and the upper materials are middle ground in most ways. Breathable but not too thin, comfortable but not plush.
The overlays and toe bumper aren’t overly obtrusive, until you get to the heel, which is massively overbuilt.
The tongue is nice, and the lace garage is better executed than most - you can actually tuck the knot inside the garage, which is a step up over most of them I’ve experienced.
Mike P: First impression for me was the same as Jeff V - Mizuno sent us an official spec sheet which definitely has a misprint for the weight. Mistakes happen, but it’s unfortunate for Mizuno as it guarantees a bad first impression when a shoe comes in 4+ oz heavier than expected. So yes, the shoe is heavy and that’s probably the most notable aspect of the shoe. Also noticeable and impressive is the full coverage Michelin rubber outsole. I’m sure the outsole contributes a good portion of the overall weight.
I do like the fit of the shoe - it is noticeably wide across the forefoot, perhaps one of the widest shoes that I’ve tested. The upper material is non-stretchy and there’s enough volume to allow you to snug down the lace tension around the forefoot without squeezing the foot. So definitely a great toebox for standard - wide width feet, but I would not recommend the shoe if you have narrow feet.
The blocky feel of the heel is also noticeable when trying on the shoe - it just feels like there’s a lot going on under there. Drop is listed at 8mm, but it doesn’t feel obtrusive to me. It feels like the arch area through the heel is raised, and the forefoot sits a bit lower - as opposed to a gradual ramp down from the heel to the front. This type of underfoot feel is preferable for me when the drop is on the highish side (8mm+).
John: The Mizuno Wave Mujin 9 feels like a trail shoe meant for comfort in harsh conditions. Like the other reviewers, I generally found it to be well-made and protective, but heavier than expected. The shoe's outsole definitely appears ready to withstand harsh conditions, but it contributes to the shoe's overall weight. The upper is breathable and comfortable, with a secure fit. However, the heel is stiff and overbuilt, but I didn't find it to be uncomfortable.
Bryan: As some of my peers have expressed, the initial shock for me was the sheer weight of the shoe in hand, coming in at close to 12 oz or 337g, heavier, but also reminiscent of the 11 oz Asics Gel Trabuco 10. Both are very protective shoes but I felt the Mujin 9 to be almost ‘over engineered’ on first impressions with a very protective and structured upper and aggressive lug pattern.
Surprisingly the upper was quite breathable on a warm Australian summer’s day. Fit wise, it was true to size and fits like a glove - one of those shoes that you know would work fit wise upon trying them on for the first time. As I’ll express later, the Mujin 9 was a big surprise when comparing first impressions to wearing it.
Midsole
Renee: The upper gives me “hiker” vibes, but the midsole not so much. The full length “Mizuno Wave” foam is meant for “max cushion,” but it does not feel like a max cushion shoe even though its overall stack height checks in at 39mm heel / 31mm forefoot. The drop is 8mm, which encourages a fast take off from the forefoot. I found the midsole to be firm, but not harsh. I don’t think the cushion works well as a long run shoe for me, at least not when comfort is wanted. I had one great speed workout in the shoe on the snow and some ice, and my forefoot was sore near the end (7 miles total). That said, the responsiveness was felt, which is surprising for such a heavy shoe. I think, in part, the shoe works well for speed because of the outsole’s outstanding traction and grip on harsh terrain.
Jeff V: I found the midsole to be adequate to provide good cushioning and protection, but am not sure I would put it in the Max category despite its specs. It is made up of an top layer of dark blue U4ICX pretty standard firm EVA with below softer Mizuno Enerzy foam
That said, while on the firm side, I found them to be plenty well cushioned for day to day training and long days on the trail at moderate to slower running paces, or hiking, offering good support. Responsiveness is actually surprisingly good, but that is much stifled by the overall weight of the shoe. 13 oz is a lot to push for a running shoe in 2023.
Allison: I find the Mujin to be very well cushioned for my use and preference and protective underfoot. Because of the weight of the shoe, I prefer to hike in them, but they are reasonably responsive for hiking and slower paces.
Jeff B.: The midsole is what stands out in this shoe, it’s the big miss for me. Jeff and Renee both nailed it - despite its height it really doesn’t have max cushion performance. Maybe it’s a nod to Mizuno shoes of the past, incredibly firm was their calling card for years, which definitely has its place for some folks. Also, I’m right with Allison, it’s more of a hiker than a runner, between the weight and firm midsole.
Despite the 31mm forefoot stack which includes lugs, the Mujin still feels quite firm up front. I would have expected a more cushioned feel at 31mm, but it’s not the case. With the nice wide forefoot base, you do get a bit more ground feel than expected - at least under the forefoot. The rearfoot area (from the arch through to the heel) gives no ground feel at all. Generally with this kind of feel (i.e. lack of), that’s when I tend to use the term “blocky” in descriptions.
John: The summary of the midsole is well captured from reviewers above. Although the full length "Mizuno Wave" foam is meant for "max cushion," I also found that the cushioning is not as soft as it could be. Even though the shoe is still considered to be firm, I didn’t think that was a bad thing. It just means it shouldn’t be considered a “max cushion”. Like others, the firmness reminds me of original Mizuno models (I loved the Alchemy!). I think the midsole provides decent cushioning and response for long days on the trail at slower paces.
Bryan: I’ll skip on the technicalities that have been well described by my peers. I personally like a 6-8mm drop in my trail shoes so the Mujin 9 was right in the zone, and noticeably is more forgiving than lower stacked options such as Saucony’s 4mm drop in their trail offerings, which I like for racing but not so much for training.
The Mujin 9’s implementation of a dual density midsole worked well for me. I liked the firm but forgiving ride it offers. At moderate to slower paces, including power hiking up steep ascents, this is where the Mujin 9 comes alive. It's not so capable for quicker paces as it doesn’t quite offer the performance of a maximalist trail shoe nor higher levels of responsiveness suitable for picking up pace.
Outsole
Renee: If you notice a pattern here, the shoe isn’t my favorite but the outsole is a hero. The forefoot width is listed as 120mm, which helps with stability.
The lug design is outstanding for what I ran through, which included a mix of icy/slushy gravel, mud, snow, packed snow, and some ice.
I ran a 7 mile workout with 2 miles of warm up followed by 1/5 mile fast, 1/5 slow x 6. I ran 1/4 mile “sprints” x 5 afterward and was able to reach a pace under a 5 minute/mile on packed snow (fast for me). I had a lot of confidence in the outsole’s traction to hold a fast cadence and long(ish) stride. Getting speed workouts in winter on snow isn’t easy, and for as much as the shoe is not my favorite, the outsole should be commended.
Jeff V: Renee sums the outsole well and I agree that it is the best part of the Mujin. The lugs have an aggressive and effective design to provide bite into all soft to semi soft surfaces and the Michelin rubber compound is sticky, giving very good grip on rocky slab, in the wet and difficult conditions. I have run snow, slush, mud, ice, dry trail, rocky slab, loose off trail and never felt a slip or waiver in confidence.
Allison: Agreed, the Michelin rubber outsole is sticky and the lugs are well designed for very good grip. I have hiked through a lot of varied conditions and the Mujin provides excellent grip all the way around.
Jeff B: Yup, I’m in the same camp. This outsole is something else, and incredibly grippy. The lug layout is aggressive and the Michelin rubber is also tacky, but also durable. It’s incredibly thick with a combination of 4mm and 6mm lugs plus the wrap up sides, and I have to imagine it plays a decent-sized part in making the shoe so stiff, and heavy.
Other full slab rubber outsoles incorporate some open slits to allow for some flexibility - none exist here beyond a few small ones upfront.
Mike P: The outsole is great - all the traction you need in muddy, sandy, or snowy conditions. I would not expect it to shed mud well though, with all of the small grooves and cutouts. I did pick up a good amount of wet dirt/sand mix on one of my test runs. I think some segmentation could have been incorporated into the outsole in order to make the shoe a bit more flexible in the rear. Possibly segmenting the outsole under the arch area specifically or having a separate “landing area” segment under the lateral heel would help smooth out and improve the ride.
John: Renee captures all of the details about the outsole. The Michelin rubber compound is sticky, and the lugs are well-designed for excellent grip on a variety of surfaces and in various conditions. However, the outsole is a bit thick and heavy, and it doesn't shed mud well.
Bryan: The outsole on the Mujin 9 is probably the best I’ve tried in my 6.5 years of running. The Michelin compound is sticky, and the combination of 4 and 6mm lugs and the unique lug design proves superior to other trail offerings. In the dry, dusty and slippery (dry conditions) terrain of my local National Park,, I’ve never felt so confident ascending and descending.
Ride
Renee: The shoe is heavy and the midsole is firm, so the ride is not what I consider to be long-run comfort. For shorter runs through harsh terrain, the shoe works well because of the outsole. The ride is compromised for me because of the over-built heel and placement of the top lacing. The heel hold feels more like a hiking shoe to me. The forefoot strike can be fast, but at 10.39oz in a women’s size 8 the ride and weight don’t mesh well for me.
Jeff V: The ride is smooth and protective, stable, predictable, but the weight of the shoe really slows it down. The slower the better in this case.
Allison: Smooth, stable, predictable and comfortable, but best suited to slower paces and hiking.
Jeff B: Jeff and Allison both used the word “predictable” and I think that’s the best description. The moment you put this shoe on, you know exactly how it’s going to ride. The protection is decent, but the cushioning is unlikely to blow you away.
Mike P: During my first test run, I experienced a bit of ankle soreness as well as some Achilles discomfort. For me, the shoe has two distinct sections - the front/forefoot area is nice and wide and even a bit flexible I’d say. But the midfoot-rear area is completely the opposite - exceedingly stiff and blocky. I found them quite uncomfortable to run in, as my midfoot-heel touchdown felt overly harsh. While the shoe is definitely on the heavy side, I’d say the issue with the ride is more one of stiffness and inflexibility than sheer weight. I’ve run in other heavy shoes which still have very nice rides and make the weight somewhat of a non factor.
After that first run, I had a race coming up, so I had to shelve them for a bit. After the race, I took them out for a few more runs at slower speeds. I found the “performance” was much better with a more deliberate, slower turnover. When going slower, they feel solid and stable underfoot, and trying to flex them and get more forward lean is less of an issue. They were much more comfortable and worked better for me at those slower, recovery type paces. Ultimately, I’d reserve them for days when you want to take it easy, and just need something solid underfoot.
John: As a durable but heavy shoe with a firm midsole and inflexible feel, the Mizuno Mujin 9 is best suited for shorter runs or hiking. Needless to say, I really appreciate the smooth, protective, and stable ride, as long as I’m not in need of awesome cushioning on that particular excursion.
Bryan: I’m not sure if this is the best place to mention it but the heaviness of the Mujin 9 is diminished slightly as the weight is well distributed. It feels heavy, but balanced. As the others have mentioned, the Mujin is certainly more suited for slower running or even hiking but I think it is definitely capable of longer distances. Running a trail half in them albeit at a slower pace felt perfectly fine. The ride is smooth, stable and firm but responsive.
Conclusions and Recommendations
Renee: The Wave Mujin 9 has a great outsole for winter and sloppy conditions. The weight and heel hold feel more like a hiking shoe to me, and the underfoot cushion doesn’t provide the comfort I’d need for long efforts at any pace. For shorter runs, the weight and heel hold are counter productive. At a lower drop, with a lower and more flexible heel hold, the Mujin 9 would work better for me. I don’t want to discount the shoe because of the great outsole, but the midsole and upper make the usage of the shoe less appealing than other trail running shoes.
Renee’s Score: 7.5/10 (- 1 heel design, -.50 underfoot comfort/ride, -1 weight)
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Jeff V: I like the Mujin 9 just fine for family hiking and day to day use, especially because of the amazing outsole, but I do not feel at all inclined to run in them and it would be hard to recommend them over say a Brooks Cascadia, Caldera or even the budget priced Divide, all of which are lighter, more responsive, run well, but hike great too.
Jeff V’s Score: 8.4/10
Ride: 8 - ride is good at slower paces
Fit: 9 - I find them very comfortable, secure and true to size
Value: 6 - Value is not great, as versatility is limited at this weight. They are durable though and I think would last a long time.
Style: 7 - they look fine, not exciting, but not ugly either
Traction: 9.5 - very good traction, the best aspect of the Mujin
Rock protection: 9.5 - never have had a ding or zinger, quite solid underfoot
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Allison V: The Mujin is a nice shoe for hiking or really slow runs, with good protection, a comfortable upper and good cushioning. Traction is outstanding and the quality/durability is very good. My biggest complaint is the weight.
Allison’s Score: 8.5/10 (-1 for weight, - .5 as cushioning could be better)
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Jeff B: Mizuno created an absolute trail beast that can be at home on virtually any trail - just not at any speed. It’s massively overbuilt, making it one of the best trail hikers out there, but also one of the worst trail runners too. That hurts its versatility, but if you want the do-it-all hiking shoe, that’s actually lightweight compared to other hiking boots, you could do a lot worse.
Jeff B’s Score: 8.4/10
Ride: 7 Fit: 10 Value: 6 Style: 8 Traction: 10 Rock Protection: 8
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Mike P: The Mujin 9 is not the best option out there for trail runners. It has some nice features - comfortable fit, nice and wide forefoot, solid traction. But the weight and stiffness is just too much for pure running usage. They could absolutely be a solid hiking option though. The stiffness could be useful if carrying a heavy load, and you do get a nice solid and protected feel up front.
Mike P’s Score: 7.38 / 10
Ride: 5 - Firm, stiff. Only works well at slower paces
Fit: 9 - Solid and comfortable - great if you prefer a wider forefoot area
Value: 6 - Good as a hiker, but much better running options in the market
Style: 7 - Just ok
Traction: 9.5 - The most notable feature
Rock Protection: 8 - Good, but surprisingly less so under the forefoot
Smiles 😊😊
John: The Mizuno Wave Mujin 9 is a durable and protective trail running shoe that feels best on light hikes or trail runs that call for slower paces. The wide toe box, inflexible midfoot and firm midsole create a stable and predictable fit, although a break-in period is necessary. While I appreciate the shoe's smooth ride and even-keeled approach to terrain, the stiffness and wideness may not be for everyone.
John’s Score: 8.4/10
Ride: 8 - good for slow cadence
Fit: 9 - No major issues, but a short break in period was necessary
Value: 6 - very narrow use case due to weight, firmness, and stiffness
Style: 7 - I enjoy the bright orange accents
Traction: 9.5 - Solid traction, but didn’t shed mud very well
Rock protection: 9.5 - firmness is a nice feature here
Bryan: The Mujin 9 is a surprise for me. I had very low expectations on first impressions. Perhaps the reason why I’ve scored it reasonably high is due to the stark contrast it presented between first impressions and running it. I would certainly continue to use them for hikes as well as slower and longer trail runs, but I note the ample number of trail options out there that are far more versatile and capable than the Mujin. In saying that, I have to commend the epic implementation of the outsole and its superior traction. If the next Mujin could lose 2 oz. and dip below 290g / 10.2 oz, I would likely turn to it as one of my trail staples.
Bryan’s Score: 8.30/10
Ride: 7 Fit: 10 Value: 6 Style: 6 Traction: 10 Rock Protection: 8
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Comparisons
Index to all RTR reviews: HERE
Saucony Peregrine 13 (RTR Review) and Peregrine ST (RTR Review soon)
Renee: The Peregrine 13 is a much more user-friendly trail daily trainer. The drop is lower, the cushion is more comfortable, and the weight is dramatically lower. The only advantage of the Mujin 9 is the outsole traction. The Peregrine 13 ST outsole with shed mud more easily and works better on ungroomed, soft terrain. For slush/ice/muddy gravel, the Mujin 9 outsole works better, although I’d still overwhelmingly choose either Peregrine. Sizing is similar.
Jeff V: Agreed with Renee.
Jeff B: I only have the 13 ST but Renee’s comments are spot on. Especially with the more comfortable cushioning and substantial weight difference, and despite the Mujin traction advantage, the Peregrine is a much more versatile shoe.
Mike P: The regular Peregrine is light years ahead as far as a do-it-all trail shoe. If you need the traction, the ST delivers, yet still maintains a pretty dynamic ride considering the outsole. Mujin has much more width across the forefoot than the Peregrines.
John: The Peregrine is an excellent faster paced shoe that can handle just about everything. The Peregrine ST has better traction compared to the Mujin and is better suited for sloppy conditions. Both Sauconys have a snugger fit that feel more secure on technical terrain.
Nike Terra Kiger 8 (RTR Review)
Renee: The Kiger 8 is a more flexible trail shoe and it’s good for speed workouts. The upper is comfortable and the underfoot has more cushion. I had issues feeling the plate under my forefoot in the Kiger 8; however, between the two shoes, I’d choose the Kiger 8 for any run. The Mujin 9 outsole is far better for harsh terrain. Sizing is comparable, although the Kiger 8 runs slightly longer.
Jeff V: Agreed with Renee again, though for longer days, more rugged terrain where more protection and traction are needed, I would go with the Mujin.
Brooks Cascadia 16 (RTR Review)
Jeff V: The Cascadia is lighter, more responsive, has better cushioning and runs much better, but also hikes quite well giving more versatility. It is also $20 less. The Mujin might have a slight edge in traction though.
Jeff B: I’d agree with Jeff, except for the word “might”, the Mujin definitely has much more traction for me, but the Cascadia is a much better shoe in every other regard.
Brooks Caldera 6 (RTR Review)
Jeff V: The Caldera 6 is way more cushioned, is lighter, very quick for the size of the shoe, has an amazing upper, is more breathable and runs as well as it hikes. Mujin does have a more robust outsole for rugged trails and overall more durable/competent off trail and more technical trails.
Brooks Divide 3 (RTR Review)
Jeff V: The Divide 3 is the best shoe you can buy for $100 and surpases the Mujin in all aspects, except for maybe the outsole.
Mike P: Agree - save the $ and go with the Divide. The Brooks outsole is really great too in terms of grip, but just not as deep as the Mizuno.
Saucony Xodus Ultra (RTR Review)
Jeff B: The Saucony similarly doesn’t feel as cushioned as the stack and construction would make you anticipate. The Mujin has the traction win, though not by much, the Saucony outsole is really good, and the Saucony’s midsole is much more dynamic. Overall the XU is much lighter and more versatile.
Mike P: XU is much more of a versatile trail shoe, with a much more enjoyable ride - major difference in flexibility. If you need a stiffer, more predictable shoe as a hiker, maybe consider the Mujin, but for anything running-wise, go with the Xodus Ultra.
Asics Trabuco 10 (RTR Review)
Bryan: The Trabuco 10 is in a similar class as the Mujin 9; an aggressively lugged ultra trail option that is quite traditional in its construction and is also quite heavy although coming in at close to 1 oz lighter. The Trabuco 10 is the faster shoe and is also more responsive, but actually feels quite similar to the Mujin 9 from a cushioned point of view. I prefer the Mujin’s fit and traction but would turn to the Trabuco 10 to race simply due to the sheer weight penalty of the Mujin.
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Allison Valliere is a 5th generation Coloradan who is passionate about the outdoors and has been hiking, backpacking, skiing, snowshoeing and running in the mountains since she was young. She has completed all but 5 of the Colorado 14ers (a dozen or so in winter), has many hundreds of year round ascents of 14ers, 13ers and other peaks in Colorado and the West. Allison has also traveled the world and trekked to over 18,000 feet in the Himalayas, to high altitudes in Ecuador and has worked for the National Park Service mapping plants in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California . Her almost daily routine involves runs/power hikes in the foothills above Boulder, or 4-5 mile flatter runs at 8-10 minute mile pace if schedule necessitates. But what really keeps her on her toes is working as a nurse and taking care of her 12 year old twin daughters who are also growing to share her love for the outdoors.
Mike Postaski currently focuses on long mountainous ultras - anywhere from 50K up to his favorite - 100M. 5'10", 138 lbs, midfoot/forefoot striker - he typically averages 70 mpw (mostly on trails), ramping up to nearly 100 mpw during race buildups. A recent 2:39 road marathoner, his easy running pace ranges from 7:30 - 9:00/mi. In 2022 Mike won both the Standhope 100M and IMTUF 100M trail ultras within a 7 week period - both extremely rugged Idaho mountain races. Mike's shoe preferences lean towards firmer, dense cushioning, and shoes with narrower profiles. He prefers extra forefoot space, especially for long ultras, and he strongly dislikes pointy toe boxes.
John Tribbia (5' 6", 130lbs) is a former sponsored mountain/trail runner who has run with La Sportiva, Brooks/Fleet Feet, Pearl Izumi, and Salomon. Even though he competes less frequently these days, you can still find John enjoying the daily grind of running on any surface, though his favorite terrain is 30-40% grade climbs. He has won races such as America's Uphill, Imogene Pass Run, and the US Skyrunner Vertical Kilometer Series; and he's held several FKTs on several iconic mountains in Boulder, Colorado and Salt Lake City, Utah. If you follow him on Strava, you'll notice he runs at varying paces between 5 minutes/mile to 12 minutes/mile before the break of dawn almost every day.
Bryan is a road and trail runner living in Melbourne, Australia. He picked up running as a stressed out law student back in 2016 and has never looked back since. He runs and coaches a social track club, Glasshouse Run Club. His most recent race times include a 1:22 half marathon. Parkrun is his thing, and Bryan tries to run a sub-20 minute tempo effort every Saturday, and maintains a 50-70km base mileage when not training specifically for a race. He is presently chasing a sub 3-hour marathon. He is 176cm tall and weighs about 68kg / 150lbs.
Samples were provided at no charge for review purposes. RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and may earn commission on products purchased via shopping links in this article. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content. The opinions herein are entirely the authors'.
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