Article by John Tribbia
Craft Xplor 2 ($150)
Introduction
John: In an exciting partnership, Craft and acclaimed bicycle tire manufacturer Vittoria unveil the Xplor 2, a running shoe channeling inspiration from gravel bikes into a running shoe.
According to Craft, this hybrid is engineered for smooth transitions between pavement and dirt, blending the comfort of a road shoe with the resilience of a trail runner. The Xplor 2 is designed as the ultimate versatile option for runners who desire the flexibility to tackle diverse terrains without changing footwear.
For version 2, it boasts a re-engineered upper, a supercritical TPU Px Foam midsole, and a distinctive Vittoria traction outsole. The Xplor 2 makes a bold promise of versatile performance.
Pros:
premium road-to-trail (John),
cushioned and reactive (John),
Vittoria rubber outsole (John)
Cons:
I don’t necessarily need the toe box room (John)
Stats
Spec. Weight: men's 9.15oz / 260g US9 Sample Weights:
Sample Weight: men’s 9.2oz / 262g US9
Stack Height: 38.5 mm heel / 32.5 mm forefoot
Platform Width: 112mm heel / 95mm midfoot / 127mm forefoot US men’s 9
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
John: Unboxing the Xplor 2, the immediate standout are two things: (1) the bold colorway and (2) the unique outsole, a clear nod to its gravel-grinding inspiration. The shoe feels substantial yet not overly heavy. The aesthetics are clean, modern, and vibrant, which I’m a huge fan of
The fit of the Xplor 2 is what Craft calls their “Endurance Fit,” which is designed to lock in the heel and midfoot while providing ample room in the toe box for natural splay. SSizing feels true to size for length in my usual US Men’s 9 sample size
The re-engineered two-layer mesh upper offers a secure and breathable experience and from what I read it is supposed to be a vast improvement compared to the previous model.
Personally, for my slightly narrow, lower-volume feet, the forefoot is overly spacious, and I experienced my foot swimming in the toe box. While this roominess can be a blessing for runners with wider feet or for those whose feet swell over long distances, it compromises the precise lockdown needed for more nimble running or uneven terrain.
The rest of the “body-mapped” design provides structure in key areas for a confident lockdown, which I found to be effective during my test runs on the varied terrain of Boulder’s foothills.
The gusseted, padded mesh tongue stays in place and adds to the overall comfort, preventing any unwanted pressure from the laces.
Midsole & Platform
John: The heart of the Xplor 2's ride is the supercritical TPU Px Foam midsole. Craft claims this foam provides superior energy return while being 20% lighter than traditional EVA. The stack height is generous, with 41mm in the heel and 35mm in the forefoot, resulting in a 6mm drop with the at the ground platform very wide at Platform Width: 112mm heel / 95mm midfoot / 127mm forefoot.
This ample cushioning provides a soft and bouncy feel underfoot, absorbing impact effectively on harder surfaces. On the roads and smooth dirt paths, the Px Foam delivered a lively and energetic ride, making the miles feel effortless. The midsole strikes a great balance between softness and responsiveness, avoiding the mushy feeling that I often find unappealing with highly cushioned shoes.
Outsole
John: The CraftXplor 2's most distinctive feature is its collaboration with Vittoria, and it certainly met expectations. The outsole, inspired by Vittoria's Terreno gravel bike tires, is engineered for multi-surface traction. It incorporates a unique "fish-scale" pattern, delivering exceptional grip across diverse terrains.
I felt confident with the reliable traction during my runs on loose gravel trails and even through light mud. This shoe really excels in road-to-trail transitions, which is where I typically run anyways. The outsole has a smooth and quiet performance on pavement while effectively gripping softer ground in transition.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
John: The ride of the Craft Xplor 2 is impressively versatile, albeit somewhat clunky on truly technical terrain due to its big stack height and platform width. That said, it does live up to its "gravel bike" inspiration, providing a smooth and cushioned experience on the road that seamlessly transitions to a grippy and confident ride on the trail.
The supercritical TPU Px Foam midsole is the star of the show, offering a great blend of cushioning and energy return that makes this shoe suitable for a wide range of distances.
The engineered upper provides a secure and comfortable fit, which I assume is a welcome improvement for those who may have found the previous version a bit loose. For runners located where there is easy access to a mix of road and trail, the Xplor 2 is an excellent daily training option. It's the perfect shoe for those days when you're not quite sure where your run will take you. While it may not be the top choice for highly technical or mountainous terrain, it excels on easy to moderate trails, gravel roads, and pavement.
At $150, the Craft Xplor 2 offers solid value for its versatility and performance, as a well-cushioned, comfortable, and grippy hybrid shoe that successfully bridges the gap between road and trail. For the runner who values freedom and exploration, the Xplor 2 could be a worthy companion.
John’s Score: 9.15 / 10
Ride: 9.5 (A fantastic blend of soft cushioning and energetic rebound for road and trail)
Fit: 9.0 (Secure through the midfoot with a comfortably roomy toebox)
Value: 9.0 (Excellent value for a true hybrid shoe that performs on multiple surfaces)
Style: 8.5 (Clean, modern aesthetic that looks capable and fast)
Traction: 9.5 (The Vittoria outsole provides confidence-inspiring grip on varied terrain)
Rock Protection: 8.5 (Ample protection for its intended use, but not a technical mountain shoe)
Smiles: 😊😊😊😊
3 Comparisons
Norda 005 (RTR Review)
John: The Xplor 2 is a versatile and comfortable hybrid trainer, while the Norda 005 is an elite, lightweight performance machine. The Xplor 2’s Px Foam provides a cushioned, comfortable, and energetic ride well-suited for daily miles on road and moderate trails. The 005, with its 100% Arnitel TPEE midsole, is in another league of performance - it's significantly lighter, bouncier, and has a "super shoe" feel that begs to be pushed fast. One must of course note the Norda is more than 2x the price of the Craft.
Salomon S/LAB Pulsar 4 (RTR Review)
John: While both shoes can handle varied terrain, they are built with different intentions. The Xplor 2 is a highly cushioned, comfortable road-to-trail shoe. The Pulsar 4 is a precision-tuned race machine for technical trails. The Xplor 2 has a much higher stack and a softer, more forgiving ride. The Pulsar 4’s dual-foam midsole feels more dynamic and is paired with a far more precise, locked-down Matryx upper designed for navigating technical terrain at speed. I would choose the Xplor 2 for daily training runs that start at my door and wander onto smooth trails. For any focused effort on technical terrain or a race, the Pulsar 4's agility, superior lockdown, and more aggressive design make it the clear choice.
Hoka Zinal 2 (RTR Review)
John: The Xplor 2's midsole offers a bouncier and significantly more protective ride compared to the Zinal's firmer, lower-to-the-ground feel. The Xplor 2 is the more versatile of the two, handling pavement much more comfortably due to its higher stack and forgiving foam. The Zinal, by contrast, feels more like a traditional racing flat, prioritizing ground feel and agility over cushioning. For runners who want a plush and energetic feel for their mixed-terrain runs, the Xplor 2 is the better choice. Those who prefer a more direct connection to the trail and a classic, responsive ride would lean toward the Zinal.
All RTR reviews: HERE
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The Craft Xplor 2 is available now
CRAFT SPORTSWEAR
Tester Profile
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.
Samples were provided at no charge for review purposes. No compensation was provided by brands for writing this article. RoadTrail Run does have 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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