Michael: A few years ago, I compared the annual Pegasus launch to Nike’s iPhone unveiling - largely because it’s inevitable, but also because it’s a chance for each brand to showcase its latest tech in its long-running product. If that holds true, then this year’s Pegasus 41 may well be the iPhone X review - a significant break in past design (which had held largely constant for the past few generations) and a look into the direction the Pegasus line is going moving forward.
And, well… it’s good. Speaking as a non-tech-reviewer (but stubbornly insistent Apple user), the iPhone X was probably a more foundational change, but the Pegasus’s change over to ReactX (hooray!) paired with dual Air Zoom units is undoubtedly a new and enjoyable ride. I was also pleased to see a 4mm increase in stack height, which functions to add a little more cushion and help eliminate the shoe from bottoming out.
But, with so many good trainers on the market (seriously - after many years focusing on racing shoes, I think this is the year of the trainer!), how does Nike’s classic Pegasus stack up?
Die Rab Veil 2 Trailrunning Rucksackweste verspricht ein Höchstmaß an Leichtigkeit, Atmungsaktivität und Bewegungsfreiheit für Trailrunner, die kurze Distanzen bevorzugen. Als Teil der neuen Veil Serie von Rab bietet sie eine innovative Kombination aus strapazierfähigem Ripstop-Material, multidirektionalem Mono Mesh und praktischen Aufbewahrungsmöglichkeiten. Dieser Testbericht wirft einen genauen Blick darauf, wie sich die Veil 2 in den Bereichen Ausstattung, Passform und Performance schlägt, und gibt eine Einschätzung darüber, ob sie den hohen Erwartungen gerecht wird. Die Veil Serie von Laufwesten markiert Rab's Einstieg in das Trailrunning-Segment, und die Veil 2 ist das kleinste Modell dieser neuen Linie. Wir möchten in diesem Test herausfinden, wie sich diese Neuentwicklung im Vergleich zu etablierten Konkurrenten schlägt und ob sie bereits nach dem ersten Versuch von Rab überzeugen kann.
Seit Puma in 2021 seine Nitro-Laufschuhfamilie initiert hat, spielen die Bayern auf einmal ganz oben mit in der Laufschuhwelt. Die Produkte waren von Anfang an gut durchdacht, das Portfolio aufeinander abgestimmt. Und nicht zuletzt das Nitro-Mittelsohlenmaterial sowie die herausragenden Außensohlen aus dem eigens entwickelten Pumagrip Material machten sich sehr schnell sehr viele Freunde unter den Läufer:innnen.
Der Velocity war dabei von Anfang an der typische Dailytrainer und im Vergleich zu seinen Geschwistern fast schon langweilig: Eine klassische Geometrie mit Flex und ohne großen Rocker, 10mm Sprengung, mittelstark gedämpft. Doch auch ohne große Standout-Features konnte der Velocity schon von der ersten Minute an überzeugen und war von jetzt auf gleich ein ernstzunehmender Konkurrent für die Pegasus dieser Welt.
Article by Renee Krusemark, Jeff Valliere, Allison Valliere
Saucony Peregrine 14 ($140)
Renee: The Peregrine is a staple in the Saucony trail shoe lineup. The newest version launched in early 2024 with a somewhat quiet release. We didn’t receive review samples until June. Saucony focused on other trail shoes during our visit with them during 2023’s The Running Event (namely the new Xodus Ultra and Ride TR). The updates to the Peregrine 14 from v13 sound minimal and cosmetic, but after some miles I found to have a clear preference for one version over the other.
Pros:
Versatile use/terrain and distance: Renee/Jeff/Allison
Well priced: Renee/Jeff/Allison
Secure fit: Renee/Jeff/Allison
Comfort/cushion: Jeff/Allison
Traction: Jeff/Allison/Renee
Cons:
“Softer” midsole feels less cushioned/protective than v13: Renee
Would be nice to have a more sticky rubber: Jeff/Allison
When it comes to ultralight sleeping pads, the balance between weight, warmth, comfort, and packability is critical. Here's a detailed comparison of five popular models: the Therm-A-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT, Therm-A-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT, Nemo Tensor Insulated, Flextail Gear Zero Mattress R05, and Rab Ultrasphere 1.5.
Responsive, energetic midsole capable of a wide range of paces
Top-notch durability and traction from Pumagrip outsole
Cons:
Lateral midfoot feels too firm, especially as compared to V2
Heel lockdown could be better for a high performance trainer
Introduction
Ryan: The previous (V2) of the Deviate Nitro made it blatantly clear that Puma is capable of delivering a versatile, high-performance plated trainer. The standout features were its delightful engineered mesh upper, a moderate but soft midsole to inject some excitement, and a Pumagrip rubber outsole that is still holding up after 300 miles of running. A tough act to follow for V3.
It slots into Puma’s lineup as a jack-of-many-trades type of shoe, with a plate that adds performance but isn’t stiff enough to scare anyone off.
Article by Renee Krusemark, Sam Winebaum, Peter Stuart, and Jeff Beck
361° Eleos ($145)
Pros:
Comfortable, rebounding and responsive PEBA/EVA midsole: Renee/Sam/Peter/Jeff
Geometry: smooth transitions, broad and stable for such a soft foam: Renee/Sam/Peter/Jeff
Broad, soft well fitting upper: Sam/Peter/Jeff
Fun! Peter/Sam/Jeff
Surprisingly wide toebox: Jeff
Cons:
Wide platform affects use for speed: Renee/Sam
Introduction
Sam: The Eleos is a broad platform, relatively low stack height (36mn heel / 30mm forefoot) daily trainer. 361, with the Eleos, is following up on its Centauri (RTR Review) trainer which had an energetic and pleasing TPE midsole which surprised and delighted us. Here they emerge with yet another training focused super foam shoe, this time with an EVA/PEBA blend midsole foam called Primo and at a very fair price of $145 And the ride here matches the marketing as it is Primo and big smiles indeed! Please read on for all the details.
Forefoot-oriented ride - big cushion and big platform under there
Dynamic Lightstrike Pro foam, not too unstable
Energy Rods - efficient yet unnoticeable (in a good way)
Efficient rocker
Cons:
Heel a bit rigid, could have a softer, more secure fit there
Short tongue
Firm heel landings - could be softened up for descents
Introduction
Mike P: The Adidas TERREX Agravic Speed Ultra is Adidas' first true entry into the "super shoe for the trails" category. To be honest, the majority of Adidas recent trail offerings have been, let's just say, less than exciting. Pretty much anything with "Agravic" in the name has been somewhat of a disappointment. They've varied from being heavy to stiff to clunky to ill-fitting, or some combination of those.
I've been anxiously awaiting for a true, performant, successor to the great Speed Ultra (RTR Review) which is now several years old. That shoe was one of my all time favs, but as the years have passed, it's been surpassed by more modern options.
Enter the new, similarly named Speed Ultra. Note on naming here - the successor to the original Speed Ultra is now named simply Adidas Terrex Agravic "Speed". The "Ultra" connotation has been passed on to this shoe which I am reviewing here - Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra.
In the article I review Smith 2024 cycling helmet and sunglasses: Payroll MIPS Bike Helmet with Aleck Crash Sensor. Trace MIPS Bike Helmet, and Motive Sunglasses with ChromaPop Bronze Mirror Lenses.
In this round up review Jeff and John test and review 2024 Gorewear cycling apparel including: the GoreWear Distance Jersey, Distance Bib Shorts+2.0, Spinshift Cargo Bib Shorts, Spinshift GORE-TEX Jacket, and the Spinshift Short Sleeve Jersey
L’amorti React X est excellent, stable et avec du rebond.
L’accroche est enfin bonne !
Modèle très polyvalent.
Le style
Le prix
Contre:
Le poids, en hausse.
A limiter aux terrains “faciles”
Introduction
J’avais beaucoup apprécié la version GoreTex de la Pegasus Trail 4, qui est rapidement devenue ma chaussure d’hiver préférée - surtout pour l’apport de chaleur. Elle était de plus très confortable, assez légère, et passait vraiment bien sur la plupart des terrains autour de chez moi (route, forêt, sentiers roulants), et surtout une nouvelle gomme pour la semelle qui évitait enfin l’effet savonnette trop bien connu sur les modèles trail de Nike.
Cette nouvelle version remplace la couche d’amorti par de la mousse ReactX, une évolution de la précédente React et met en avant un retour d’énergie 13% supérieur et une empreinte carbone diminuée de 43% grâce à un processus de fabrication simplifié. La semelle utlise quant à elle leur nouveau composant ATC (“All Terrain Compound”) censé apporter une accroche enfin correcte.
Ultimate in comfortable, top to bottom, max cushion inherent stability
4D Guidance, a softer rubbery foam at medial midfoot supports and helps the foot roll without pressing on the arch. Not sure how it works! Different and effective!
Excellent, no agenda, easier paces and recovery run shoe
Smoother transitions off the heel and easier toe off than Kayano 30
Cons:
Weight: approaching 11 oz / g US9 is a lot and noticed
Not a shoe that likes to go fast, but not really its purpose
Introduction
The Kayano 31 is a support/pronation control shoe that relies on its geometry and a unique 4D Guidance rubbery foam insert at mid foot to deliver a road training shoe that is inherently stable without resorting to firmer medial foams or plastic pieces.
Article by Renee Krusemark, Derek Li and Sam Winebaum
New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v14 ($140)
Introduction
Sam: The 860 has been New Balance’s moderate stability/support daily trainer. With the v14 they jettison the “traditional” firm and rigid foam medial pronation support post and substitute a thin hardened EVA Stability Plane plate. The entire midsole is now dual density with a soft (similar to the 1080) Fresh Foam X underfoot and a slightly firmer foam (similar to the 880 v14) below and focused on the medial side. It gains 2 mm of heel and 4 mm of forefoot stack height to become an 8mm drop shoe while its weight drops 0.1 oz/ 3g.
This more gentle approach to stability, and both the foams are by no means firm, reflects the latest trends in this category of shoes towards less obtrusive support elements at the arch and towards more inherent stability and guidance of the foot. Neutral shoe fans don’t stop reading now. I rarely get along with traditional or some of the high on the midsole “rails” based approaches to stability (Brooks GTS, Nike’s plastic clips etc..) but here New Balance has really nailed a combination of soft underfoot and slightly firmer below Fresh Foam X with some geometric support from the medial sidewalls and the new Stability Plane plate.
In fact, for me it is their best Fresh Foam X ride to date as in the past Fresh Foam X has been overly soft (1080 and More) or borderline overfirm (880 v14). Here we have a nice “balance” of forgiving cushion and gentle support.
In the video, I review with Introduction and Details, from two runs Impressions with plenty of coastal and Comparisons and Conclusions.
Adizero SL2 Video Review (15:15)
Clearly the SL2 is the friendliest current trainer in the Adizero (and adidas) line and a true all around daily trainer and a very light one now with a full length insert of Lightstrike Pro. I found them any pace versatile, except very fast where adidas as plenty of other options.
They are light at 8.45 oz / 240g with a very decent 36mm heel / 26-27 mm forefoot stack height. $130. Available now.
Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is in his 60’s with 2024 Sam’s 52th year of running roads and trails. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range if he gets very, very lucky. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, hiking or on nordic skis. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 164 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s.
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