Topo Athletic Phantom 3 Reseña Completa (Spanish)

Artículo de Beto Hughes

Topo Phantom 3 ($145)

Phantom 3 llega mas ligero con una mediasuela Zipfoam mas suave y mucho mas energetica, y un upper anatomico al pie con suficiente espacio y excelente ajuste siendo bastante comodo.

Pros:

• Zip Foam 2 de doble densidad para acolchonamiento y respuesta.

• Upper de excelente calidad, cómodo y con excelente ajuste como todo modelo de Topo.

• Neutral pero con laterales de mediasuela que ayudan a ser más estable si eres pronador.

• Excelente para días de distancia donde buscas comodidad y acolchonamiento.

• Versátil para diferentes tipos de entrenamiento diario ya que tiene respuesta en varios ritmos.

Cons:

• Si tuviera un rocker mas pronunciado que ayude a la transición sería excelente para ritmos más fuertes.

• 5mm drop puede ser bajo para personas que usan 8mm de drop en esta categoría.

Saucony Endorphin Rift Multi Tester Review: Stretching Boundaries! Astonishingly Light, Supercritical Foam, Big Outsole- 18 Comparisons

Article by Mike Postaski, Renee Krusemark, John Tribbia, Jeff Beck, Jeff Valliere and Sam Winebaum

Saucony Endorphin Rift ($170)

Introduction

Sam: The Endorphin Rift is an all new trail runner from Saucony. Very light at 8.6 oz / (244g) US9 for its 33mm heel / 27mm stack height, it features a full PWRRUN Pb supercritical foam midsole with a woven rock plate and a big 4.5mm lug PWRTRAC outsole. 

Pb is an expanded bead PEBA foam which is found in multiple Saucony road and trail shoes as their top performance foam until recently (Endorphin Elite has a new foam). In trail, Pb has been in the Endorphin Trail, full carbon plated Endorphin Edge racer, and as a core insert in the Xodus Ultra. 

When we first saw the Rift at the 2022 The Running Event, far down the big table, we were instantly drawn to its cheerful vibes upper and big outsole. We almost thought, before Saucony’s presentation, that it was a near “lifestyle” shoe. It is not that for sure but it sure looks sharp! And trail running shoes are often sold for hiking and more casual uses. Our test team of trail runners of varying paces and on varying terrain in Colorado, Nebraska, and New Hampshire put them to a rigorous test.

Pros:

Quick ride, feels fast - and mostly controllable on the run Mike P/Sam/Renee/Jeff B/Jeff V

Energetic, rebounding, flexible deeply cushioned ride Sam/Renee/Jeff B/Jeff V

Very high cushion to weight ratio for a trail shoe at men 8.6 oz / (244g) US9 with a big 32mm heel/27mm forefoot stack: Sam/Mike P/ Jeff B /Renee/Jeff V

Excellent Heel lockdown and midfoot hold Mike P /John /Sam/Jeff B/Jeff V

Stable heel landing and one that extends slightly further forward than usual. Credit to upper hold as much as midsole which is soft and forgiving Sam

Sock-like upper John

Upper material has been tightened up (compared to Edge) Mike P/John/Jeff V

Speedroll (toe rocker) feels great on inclines Mike P/Jeff V

More versatile/accessible than its sibling, the Endo Edge Mike P/Sam/Renee/Jeff V

Cons:

Big, thick lugs seem a bit “much” for the fast/energetic ride & add to shoe weight: Mike P/Sam/Jeff B/Jeff V

A bit heel “prominent” - can feel unstable under the heel Mike P/Renee/Jeff V

Toe box is narrowish (similar to Xodus Ultra from V1 to V2), some may need to size up Mike P/Jeff Not much adjustability to forefoot hold: why so few lace rows orr no extended strap upfront? Mike P/Sam/Renee/Jeff V

Sizing is slightly short Mike P/ John

Testbericht: Topo Cyclone 2: Hightech-Materialien + Natürliches Laufen = FUN! (German)

Artikel von Nils Scharff

Topo Cyclone 2 (190€)

Einleitung

Die amerikanische Marke Topo Athletics hat sich in der Läufergemeinde mittlerweile einen Namen gemacht. Das verfolgte Konzept des natürlichen Laufens, gepaart mit hochwertigen Materialien und einer tollen Verarbeitungsqualität begeistert vor allem in der Trailrunning-Szene viele Fans. Mit dem Specter hat dann Topo im vergangenen Jahr auch auf der Straße einen kleinen Durchbruch erzielt, konnten hier doch erstmals die Werte der Marke mit dem allgegenwärtigen Trend nach maximaler Dämpfung und auch Performance vereint werden. 

Der hier getestete Topo Cyclone 2 ist im Vergleich zum Specter zweierlei: Zum einen stellt er eine Orientierung näher an die Wurzeln von Topo dar - der Schuh ist deutlich flexibler und entspricht somit eher der Vorstellung der natürlichen Laufbewegung. Doch gleichzeitig ist der Cyclone 2 auch eine beträchtliche Weiterentwicklung, in dem er erstmalig (für Topo) eine komplett auf PEBA-Schaum bestehende Mittelsohle einsetzt und so Performance und Gewicht auf ein neues Level hebt. Topo selbst sagt, der Cyclone 2 sei “das revolutionärste Update und Upgrade, dass Topo je entwickelt hat”. Das klingt natürlich sehr, sehr spannend und deshalb bin ich schon extrem gespannt, wie sich dieses sehr wohlklingende Konzept beim Laufen widerspiegelt und wofür er sich am besten eignet.

Skechers GO Run Ride 11 Multi Tester Review: New Foam, More Cushion, Carbon Infused Plate 11 Comparisons

Article by Sam Winebaum, Peter Stuart and Jeff Beck

Skechers GO Run Ride 11 ($125)

Introduction

The Ride sits as Skechers all around daily trainer with the yet more cushioned Max Road as the long to recovery run option and the Razor series as the uptempo models.

The Ride 11 sees a major update in midsole foam to Hyperburst Ice dual density construction with a new Hyperburst 2.0 as a central core, 4mm more stack height front and back with now 38mm at the heel, and the inclusion of Skechers carbon infused H-Plate, here the less aggressive version. 

The upper changes from a mono mesh polyester to an engineered mesh material.

The changes lead to a 13g increase in weight to about  9.7 oz  / 275g (US9) which is quite frankly not noticed on the run as we get a snappier, more agile, deeper and more energetically cushioned versatile trainer.  There is plenty of deep GoodYear rubber with a more aggressively gripping pattern for some terrain versatility as well.  

And in a huge plus with all the updates including carbon in the mix, and despite inflation, the Ride remains at a super fair $125, one of the best if not the best trainer bargains out there.

Pros:

• Versatile: Any pace or distance friendly Sam/Peter/Jeff

• Great value: Still $125 for a now dual supercritical foam midsole and lots of it, carbon infused partial plate, and copious GoodYear rubber outsole  Sam/Peter/Jeff

• New Hyperburst Ice midsole is energetic, soft and even with the big stack not mushy

• Smooth rocker off of heel landings even at slow paces, snappy flexible toe off at all paces Sam/Peter/Jeff

• H Plate is felt as stabilizing and propulsive but not over demanding of a particular strike pattern, really comes to life at faster paces, is not harsh or in the way at slower paces.Sam/Peter/Jeff

• Runs lighter than weight

Cons:

• Upper feels warmish and may also add to shoe weight Sam/Peter

• Tongue is perhaps a bit too padded Peter

• Weight has increased 13g, understandable given stack height increase and outsole but..

🇧🇷 🇵🇹 Review do Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 40: confiável e extremamente durável (Portuguese)

Artigo de Daniel da Silva 

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 40   (R$ 1,099 versão Premium / $140 USD versão Premium / $130 USD)

O Pegasus chega na sua 40º edição. Confira o que mudou e o que permanece inalterado, num dos mais antigos tênis de corrida existentes no mercado.

Ultimate Direction Fastpack 40L Review: Tuscany Trek Tested!

Article by Dominique Winebaum

Ultimate Direction Fastpack 40L ($195)

Over the past year I have tested a collection of technical apparel from Ultimate Direction for running and hiking, however, going with a UD pack on a multi-day hike was a first – and a game changer! 

Pressio Men's Elite 3" Shorts and Pressio Men's Elite S/S Top Sustainable Run Apparel Reviews

Article by Michael Ellenberger

Pressio Men's Elite 3" Shorts ($50) and Elite S/S Top ($65)

Overview

These are the first products I’ve worn from Pressio, a brand that seamlessly combines performance, style, and sustainability. As stated on their website, every single clothing item they create includes “the most sustainable materials and technologies, including recycled yarns, non-dying & biodegradation. Complete with traceability. No exceptions.” 

It doesn’t hurt that, with a strong commitment to the environment, Pressio provides athletic apparel that not only reduces your carbon footprint but also, you know, works out well with you. As detailed below, I had the Elite 3” Shorts and the Elite S/S (short sleeve) top for review, and used both on approximately 5 runs, indoors and out, to gauge how they felt - I also washed them accordingly, to check on durability.

Ultimate Direction Fastpack 20 Review

Article by Markus Zinkl

Ultimate Direction Fastpack 20 ($149.95)

Introduction

The UD Fastpack line features packs of different capacities. The line covers 20, 30 and 40 liters and also has a women specific range called “Fastpackher”. UD was nice enough to send me over their 20 liter Fastpack model. The Fastpack combines the running vest style strap system with higher capacity usually found in more traditional backpacks. Over the years more and more manufacturers like Salomon with their XA or Montane with their Trailblazer launched similar style packs. UD was nice enough to send me over their Fastpack 20 to run it through its paces. 

ASICS Magic Speed 3 Multi Tester Review: An Amazing Shoe for the Money! 8 Comparisons

Article by Ryan Eiler, Sally Reiley, Peter Stuart and Sam Winebaum

ASICS Magic Speed 3 ($160)

Introduction

Sam: The Magic Speed 3 is a road racer/trainer with super shoe features and tech at a reasonable $160 price, about $100 less than the top end  “elite” shoes such as ASICS own Metaspeeds.

This beauty of a racer/trainer has everything its elite race cousin Metaspeeds have with the only major difference being the substitution of non-supercritical FlyteFoam Blast Plus for supercritical FlyteFoam Turbo. 

Blast + is a little heavier and as a result the Magic weighs a quite minor 10-15g more than the Metaspeeds in my US8.5 men’s  7.4 oz / 210g. While we’re talking weight it drops 0.55 oz or 15g  compared to the Magic Speed 2. It even gets the Motion Wrap upper of the original Metaspeed Sky super shoe.

The Magic Speed 2 was a top RTR (and my) favorite as a tempo workouts shoe as it was high performing, forgiving and had a not overly aggressive TPU carbon plate that allowed for smooth rolls at a variety of training and racing paces. For sure I was very curious to see how the new all Blast+ foam and all carbon plate might affect the Magic Speed 2’s friendly fast ride. 

Pros:

Good value at $160 for a lightweight shoe with a full length carbon plate that is race day worthy. Sally/Sam/Ryan/Peter

Less aggressive than full on elite Metaspeed so friendlier for training and slower paced racers: Sam

0.5 oz / 14g weight drop in a US8.5: Sam

Aesthetically a great looking shoe: clean and classic looking (white colorway with black and pinky red). Sally/Sam/Peter/Sam

Light and highly breathable upper with a race like fit (very similar to Metaspeed Sky/Edge). Sally/Sam/Ryan/Peter

Two layers of Flytefoam Blast Plus result in a softer and more responsive ride than V2. Sally/Ryan

Cons:

Similar to the original Metaspeed Sky, runs short in length by a half size for me: Sally / Ryan

Leans more racing and faster paces than v1, would have preferred ASICS stay with TPU/carbon plate: Sam/Peter

Not well suited to high-mileage or casual paces: Ryan/Sam/Sally/Peter

Racer Story: Joost's 6th Star and Age Group Win at the London Marathon

Article by Joost De Raeymaeker

The Story of my 6th Star

As I write this, it’s May 22nd. Tomorrow, it will be exactly a month since I ran the London Marathon, my 6th World Marathon Major. 

And with that, a project of mine sort of came to an end. I say sort of, because for the most part, I did better than I set out to do at the start of 2018. However, there is that nagging feeling I need to try and go back to the one race that didn’t go as well as intended.

Runners in general and definitely marathon runners will know from the title what the 6th star is. The Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York marathons are what’s called the World Marathon Majors. When you finish all 6 of them, you get a special medal from the series’ main sponsor, Abbott right at the finish line. All you need to do is set out to run them, register and let them know before your last one that you’re going to run it.

Salomon Glide Max TR Review: Salomon Joins the Max Cushion Trail Game..Big Time! 8 Comparisons

Article by Jeff Valliere

Salomon Glide Max TR ($160)

Introduction:  The Glide Max TR is Salomon’s most maximally cushioned ultra trail shoe, with a full 6 mm more cushioning than the Ultra Glide 2.  The upper is roomy and relaxed, though still with enough foothold to run reasonably confident through moderately technical terrain and even some technical terrain.  The Glide Max TR is exceptionally light for the amount of cushion, is soft and responsive, and is easily capable of tackling the longest days on the trail.

Pros: Cushion, comfort, lightweight, relaxed fit yet still with reasonable foothold

Cons: A gusseted tongue would be nice, but ultimately does not affect performance.

Stats

Approx. Weight: men's 9.75 oz  / 276g (US9)

Samples: men’s 10.25 oz  / 290  g US10

Stack Height: men’s 38 mm heel / 32 mm forefoot ( 6 mm drop spec)

$160. Available now.

FlipMits Convertible Handwear Review: 3 Way All Seasons Hand Protection

Article by Sam Winebaum

FlipMits ($29.99)

FlipMits are an ingenious three way hand protection system convertible between fingerless glove, mitten, and wrist sweatband.

They are designed to be worn for summer cooling and protection, some winter warmth and as a wrist sweatband, say at the gym. 

I tested them during a 5 day trek across Tuscany in both heat and sustained downpours one day.

Mizuno Wave Rider 27 Multi Tester Review: An Effective, Modern Fine Tune Up of a Classic! 7 Comparisons

Article by Sam Winebaum, Jana Herzgova, and Jeff Beck

Mizuno Wave Rider 27 ($140)

Introduction

For its 27th edition, the Wave Rider, Mizuno’s workhorse neutral trainer,  gets a well executed upper update and a slight weight drop of 0.3 oz to 9.51 oz / 269g in my US8.5 sample. A very respectable weight indeed as we have a max cushion grade 38.5mm heel with as always a Wave plate (bio based Pebax Renew) leading forward 12mm in drop to the 26.5mm forefoot. Trust me don’t worry about the drop if you do some heel striking as most do as with the deeply decoupled heel and wave plate you are led forward smoothly even at slower paces and there is plenty of cushion upfront. 

There are no called out or noticed changes to the lively protective Enerzy Foan midsole, bio Wave Plate, or outsole although during my A/B run with the Wave Rider 26 on the other foot the forefoot ride was a tiny touch softer in the 27, or so it seemed maybe with the rubber slightly softer. Always focused on the details and quality, as with every Mizuno I can recall, they weigh to the gram the same left and right (a rarity for sure in the industry) and one should expect excellent durability.

Pros:

Versatile, durable, a great value at $140

Very effective geometry including Wave plate to move the shoe forward off landings, even at slower paces.

Quite dynamic and highly protective midsole foam

Upper 90% recyled materials 

Cons:

Despite Enerzy foam being relatively light, I hope Mizuno eventually moves to a yet more dynamic, lighter supercritical foam.

Related would like to see the weight sub or close to  9 oz, at 9.5 oz now

Stats

Approximate Weight: men's oz 9.75 oz  / 276g (US9)  

  Samples: men’s  9.51 oz  /  269g US8.5 WR 26: 9.81 oz  /  278g US8.5

Stack Height: men’s 38.5mm heel / 26.5mm forefoot, (12mm drop spec) 

$140 

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Sleeping Pad Review: The New Ultralight King?

Article by Markus Zinkl

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT ($199.95-$239.95)

Introduction

The NeoAir XLite is undoubtedly the most used and most known ultralight sleeping pad in the ultralight backpacking community. The warmth-to-weight ratio is still unrivaled, which makes it the most versatile sleeping pad from Therm-A-Rest.

The NeoAir XLite was introduced for the first time about a decade ago, only with a small update in 2020 when Therm-a-Rest added their new Winglock Valve to it. Overall it has been the same pad since then and that is for good reason. TAR also offers two other models in their XLite range of sleeping pads. Their lightest “Uberlite” (left below) and their warmest “XTherm” sleeping pad (right below). 

Here is a size comparison of all three models with the XLite NXT sitting in the middle. 

The original XLite came with some drawbacks. Commonly known as the “chips bag”, it was pretty loud when you moved around on it. TAR uses their Triangular Core Matrix with heat radiating ThermaCaputre technology. This is basically heat reflective foil in a triangular pattern between the baffles to allow it to reach its level of insulation, while keeping the weight down. In its original version this caused it to be very crinkly sounding. Also the comfort of the horizontal 2.5 inches baffles couldn’t keep up with more recent options from the likes of Nemo and Sea-To-Summit. TAR set out to improve on those critiques, but did they succeed with a new ultralight sleeping pad king?

Testbericht: FuelCell Summit Unknown v3 - Auf ins Gelände! (German)

Artikel von Markus Zinkl und Maren Müller

FuelCell Summit Unknown v3 (140€)

Einleitung

Markus: Als wir kurzfristig die Möglichkeit erhielten, den Summit Unknown v3 zu testen, war ich, nach einem kurzen Blick auf die technischen Daten, sehr interessiert an dem Schuh. New Balance veröffentlichte zwar kürzlich bereits die Version 4, allerdings kommt beim V3 erstmals Fuelcell in der Mittelsohle zum Einsatz und löst die Revlite Mittelsohle aus dem V2 ab. Ich kenne diesen Mittelsohlen-Schaum bereits aus dem Rebel V3 und mag diese sehr. Sehr weich, aber super reaktiv und energetisch. Rein von den technischen Daten, könnte man den Summit Unknown also den Rebel für den Trail bezeichnen. Wie er sich auf dem Trail schlägt, erfahrt ihr hier.

Maren: Der New Balance FuelCell Trail Summit Unknown v3 ist ein viel gelobter Trailschuh, der eine Menge Spaß und Geschwindigkeit bei Läufen im Gelände verspricht. Es ist mein erster Testschuh von New Balance und ich freue mich, den Schuh auf den Trails im Odenwald testen zu dürfen. Besonders gespannt bin ich auf die FuelCell-Zwischensohle des Summit Unknown, die auch in der Kategorie der Wettkampfschuhe bei New Balance eingesetzt wird und ein reaktives Laufen ermöglichen soll.  Die Hydrohesion-Außensohle verspricht außerdem einen guten Halt auf feuchtem Untergrund. Beste Voraussetzungen für Läufe bei jedem Wetter. In diesem Sinne: Let’s go for a run!

Pro:

• leichter und vielseitiger Trailschuh (Maren/Markus)

• ermöglicht reaktives Laufen (Maren/Markus)

• als Trainings- und Wettkampfschuh einsetzbar (Maren)

Contra:

• bei Nässe rutscht man ab (Maren/Markus)

• hohe Ferse führt zu Reibungsfläche (Maren) 

• schlechter Mittelfuß Halt (Markus)

• relativ Schwer für moderaten Dämpfungsschuh (Markus)