Article by Ben David and Sam Winebaum
Tracksmith Eliot Range ($240)
Introduction
Sam: The Range is Tracksmith’s first full attempt at a “trail” shoe. I might argue, their Eliot Runner was really their first trail shoe and was more a door to trail gravel leaning shoe than a road runner.
There is no question the Range’s build (upper, midsole, and outsole) is a trail shoe design and one that primarily leans gravel, moderate trails and even pavement if you like a firmer more old school ride.
The midsole echos the Eliot Racer (if on a slightly higher stack height) with a dual supercritical foam build. We have a drop in thick and highly reactive foam (unspecified likely but same A-TPU as the Racers’) insole nesting into an outer PEBA carrier with a plate below in the insole. In a smart move, the plate is a very flexible nylon material as on trail some give for climbing and agility is essential.
The upper is a dense but thin ripstop material with a very thin lining of merino wool for temperature regulation (It works well).
The outsole is Vibram’s XS Trek EVO rubber, a well known multi sport choice.
Pros:
Totally secure, any trails worthy upper that is actually very comfortable: Sam/Sally
Snappy, reactive ride that remains stable and is not overly “springy”-PEBAX vs carbon plate: Sam
Rugged build top to bottom, yet decently light: Sam
Versatile: decent cross over ride to road and gravel running, hiking, and of course casual use: Sam/Ben/Sally
Good outsole that offers decent traction: Ben/Sally
Relatively light at 9.7 oz / 275g US9: Ben/Sam
Cons:
Firm heel on firm surfaces: not the midsole but the extensive unsegmented heel rubber: Sam/Ben/Sally
High pricing: mitigated somewhat by versatility and expected durability : Sam/Ben/Sally
Stats
Approx. Weight: men's 9.7 oz / 275g US9
Sample Weights:
men’s 9.45 oz / 268g US 8.5 sample (to the gram the same left and right shoe,Impressive)
women’s: 8.2 oz / 233 g (US 6.5 / W8)
Stack Height: 34.5 mm heel / 25.5mm forefoot, 9mm drop
Most comparable shoes (with your name next to each)
Norda 001A
TNF Vectiv Sky 2
ASICS Fuji Speed
Salomon Pulsar Pro
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
Ben: I guess I’ll start with a preface about Tracksmith. I am an OG, ride-or-die Tracksmith fan. I have dozens (literally dozens) of their items. I think that their clothing is well-made, clean and clearly designed with the modern-day runner in mind. While not for everyone, their aesthetic is unlike other contemporary brands that seek to be loud, bright and blaring.
Tracksmith has resisted this for years, maintaining its identity as a New England brand that thrives on simplicity, class and functionality. Go to any race these days and you will see the Van Cortlandt singlet or one of their stellar racing shorts, such as the Strata Half Tight, in abundance. Their items are expensive but fit well and last forever.
When Tracksmith ventured into the shoe game, I was skeptical. This is not me urging them to ‘stay in their lane’ but wondering whether they would ever really compete with the bigger names in a market that is already quite crowded. I’m not sure they want to, but runners can be highly particular about their shoes.You think! Even a Tracksmith enthusiast would pass over a Tracksmith shoe quickly in the name of something more famous, or lighter, faster and more functional.
The Elliot Runner (RTR Review) was fine (at best), but was more of a lifestyle shoe in the end: firm, narrow and rather unforgiving. There are easily a dozen daily trainers that are more affordable and more runnable. It probably worked better at the barbecue after the run than on the run itself.
The Elliot Racer (RTR Review) on the other hand, was surprisingly nimble and likable. I still wear mine regularly. It’s quick and peppy, while maybe just a notch below some of the best from Nike and ASICS in everything but price. Its drop in thick insole as midsole is the same as we have in the Range.
To me, the Elliot Range is the Elliot Runner with a different outsole. It’s firm and stiff, feels narrow and is not going to handle serious trails. The price point is simply outrageous. You could buy almost two pairs of La Sportiva’s or Hoka Challenger’s for the same amount. Incidentally, the colorway I was sent - clay / silver gray / faded myrtle - is really awful. I don’t know anyone who would even wear these casually. (The faded myrtle colorway, on the hand, is kind of lovely). I don’t call it ‘awful’ subjectively but in how far it is from the Tracsmith so many of us know and love: clean, simple, recognizable. I wanted to like these and give them a real chance but my miles in them were not much fun and I found that they offered very little help on the trail. They can likely work as a rail-to-trail shoe, but only on the most modest of trails. No one will be taking these through serious mud or streams or careening off boulders in ultras in these.
Tracksmith says that the rugged ripstop upper is lined with the same Merino blend that goes into their Brighton Base layer. This is designed to regulate temperature and reduce odor. All told, I found the upper to be comfortable, hugging the foot and providing a fairly good lockdown.
My size 9 felt true-to-size, though the shoe is narrow.
I found the heel particularly narrow. This has been the case with other Tracksmith shoes as well. For a shoe that seems suited best for door-to-trail and casual wear, the overall narrowness and firmness are detractions.
Sam: Ben has a great introduction. Yes, the Range is the Runner but with a different outsole lug pattern but the same overal outsolel design and a trail specific upper.
My Faded Myrtle colorway is classy and says trail, in a new Tracksmith way. I find the color very attractive for casual wear with many compliments received, and after many travel days in the shoe it is great for that too, and as a bonus it will not show “trail colors” that prominently.
The merino lined ripstop upper is totally any trail worthy for me and in New England summer heat and humidity regulated temperatures very well. I would call this upper breathable. The mesh is very rugged and non-stretch, true “ripstop” in the classic sense of the word.
The fit is precise and comfortable with the fit actually surprisingly broad for what looks like a narrow fit. The underlays and soft quite minimal toe bumper construction gave me to issues with my bunion as many similar precise dense uppers have, a surprise.
The semi rigid heel counter is deeply and solidly padded.
Heel hold is excellent and while not plush is effective.
The “partial “knit tongue. NNormal with their Kjerag 2 should take a lesson from trail newbie Tracksmith. Whereas the Kjerag has a full stretch knit tongue that also becomes a gusset, the Range keeps the knit to the classic tongue area relying on midfoot mesh for hold. The midfoot hold is very all of a piece secure and confidence inspiring. No need to over cinch the laces here.
The toe box is in appearance low and narrow but works brilliantly for me.
Ultra distance worthy maybe not but for my typical runs of up to a few hours the solid secure everywhere hold and comfort is just right. The fit is clearly true to size in length.
Midsole & Platform
Sam: The midsole is made up of a PEBA outer carrier with a 5mm forefoot-10mm heel drop in supercritical foam insole as partial midsole (type of foam unspecified but likely A-TPU as in the Eliot Racer). I liked this construction in the somewhat higher stack height and nearly identical Eliot Racer (RTR Review), a carbon plate being the big difference and a thicker drop in midsole, along with of course the outsole and upper. The nylon plate (and front of the shoe) is flexible, something I like in a plated trail shoe and provides some propulsion and stability without being over rigid at the front of the shoe. The Eliot climbs very well.
At 34.5 mm heel / 25.5mm forefoot, 9mm drop with a weight of 9.7 oz / 275g US9 we have a very reasonable weight especially given the rugged upper and (overdone) outsole.
The midsole taken “in isolation” from the outsole is great with a snappy flex and nice rebound feel, plenty of dynamic cushion and stability. That said, much of the goodness seems to be masked by the outsole leading to a firm and rigid rear of the shoe ride, and especially at the heel due to all the extensive rubber coverage there.
The front of the shoe has a nice snappy and not overly springy flex from the nylon plate but is not exactly “bouncy” big smiles due to the outsole. I think the Range would benefit from a thicker drop in midsole, as the somewhat higher stack Racer has, to give the shoe more pleasing rebound and perceived energy return.
The result is a quite firm ride that is old school quick and sharply responsive but not bouncy/rebounding in feel with the dual supercritical foams taking some but not all of the hardish edge off
Ben - The dual supercritical foam of the Range offers a bit of spring. Because the stack is so moderate at 34.5mm, however, that spring and protection is also pretty moderate and thus not overly noticeable (or overbearing), which may be a plus for some. We have a flexible nylon plate that adds to the shoe’s pep, though this too is fairly understated.
Outsole
Sam: Vibram XS Trek EVO is a solid rubber with good traction and especially durability. Zero wear to date. Combined with the upper and the potential to replace the thick insole as midsole, long term durability should be excellent helping with value.
Outsole design can affect ride. The design of this particular outsole and the rubber coverage is overdone in “density” of lugs at the heel adding to weight and leading to firm landings on firmer surfaces. The heel is stable for sure but also not particularly agile feeling and quite rigid.
I think a more dispersed lug like arrangement is in order at the heel, for example as in the Salomon Pulsar shown below would help with not only traction but firmer terrain and road feel.
Ben - This is a good outsole ultimately. It likely will not compete with major trail brands, but it provides good enough grip on moderate trails. The Vibram XS Trek EVO ‘is designed for multisurface grip, durability and responsiveness.’ The lugs are modest enough that the shoe seems to work on roads as well as trails. I found the traction to be fairly good and had no concerns around corners or on partially wet surfaces.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
Ben - Forme, the Tracksmith Elliot Range is a bit of a miss. At a hefty price, it does not offer what a committed trail runner would need, nor does it compete with other well-established door-to-trail shoes on the market. I admire Tracksmith for trying something new and attempting to reach a broader audience, but I suspect this shoe will ironically appeal only to the most devout Tracksmith adherents. Like the Elliot Runner, the Range will likely work best as a lifestyle shoe, but certainly an expensive lifestyle shoe at that. I’ll wait to see if there’s a version two and - if so - if it can improve on this first attempt.
Ben’s Score: 8.0/10
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Sam: The Range scores strongly for me in looks, its rugged nearly flawless upper and expected all around durability.
Its ride while equipped with a state of the art midsole and flexible plate is in my view held back by its outsole design. For sure, the outsole will be very durable and its traction just fine on most surfaces but the coverage, especially at the heel, makes for a firmer rigid landing on harder surfaces and does not match the superior agility of the front of the shoe. I am somewhat puzzled. Tracksmith went with essentially the same outsole design as their Eliot Runner where I also found the rear of the shoe similarly rigid and firm “at the ground”. I say at the ground as the midsole itself is plenty cushioned and dynamic in feel.
At $240, we for sure get a quality, very well built, rugged shoe which is reasonable in weight that should last a long long time but a shoe but one that on the run lacks some excitement and pizazz and is too conservative, firm and stiff in ride feel.
If you are looking for a versatile shoe to do many things decently: trail, gravel, road, casual wear, travel, and if expected durability is a high priority, it ends up a fair value but as a trail running or gravel running shoe there are better options.
Sam’s Score: 8.89 /10
Ride (30%): 8.4 Fit (30%): 9.4 Value (10%): 8.2 Style (5%): 9.3
Traction (15%): 8.8 Rock Protection (10%): 9
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4 Comparisons
Norda 001A (RTR Review)
Yes, yet more expensive at $295, the Norda has a far simpler midsole construction of a single slab of very dynamic Arnitel foam, a deeper and more effective MegaGrip outsole and far livelier and pleasing ride on any and all surfaces, including road. Its upper does not quite have the total hold of the Range but has a roomier toe box. Looks are up to preferences but both are stunning in my view. The earlier 001 with its EVA midsole has a feel similar to the Eliot.
Craft Xplor Hybrid (RTR Review)
The Craft focuses on the same gravel easy trails market as the Eliot. It has a softer single density slab of supercritical expanded TPE beads midsole. Its upper is not nearly as locked down and trail ready as the Range’s but will be more accommodating for wider, higher volume feet. Its Vittoria outsole, inspired by cycling tire design, has a more aggressive grip and is less harsh riding on hard surfaces. Overall, the Craft is a friendlier, roomier, less aggressive riding shoe with the Range more locked down, stable, and faster if you favor a responsive firmer ride.
Mount to Coast H1 (RTR Review soon)
Far lighter at barely 8 oz in a US9, and $80 less, the upcoming H1 has about the same heel height and 4.5mm more forefoot stack and no plate. Its “mysterious” sustainable midsole is very stable and while dense, very energetic and even without a plate provides great rock protection. Its upper is more “relaxed” and light in feel but ends up with similar security due in part to the incorporation of aramid fibers. I sized down a half size from my normal in the H1 but am true to size in the Tracksmith. The H1 2mm lug outsole is grippy enough for gravel running and I even wore them 2 days on rocky terrain with a heavy pack during a trek. Then I wound them up for a super fast and energetic 7 mile road run, with a ride feel about as good as any road shoe I tested this year. No real contest between these two, H1 although the Tracksmith wins for its looks and potentially greater durability long term.
La Sportiva Prodigo Max (RTR Review)
The Max has a dual supercritical foam midsole with a glued in inner core of softer foam, one difference being the Range also a glued in plate making it firmer and more rigid overall if a bit snappier in flex. The Max has more cushion stack at 37/31 with fun energetic smooth ride on smooth firm terrain yet can also handle the most technical terrain.
The Max has a similarly super secure upper. I am a half size up (true to size in Range) and still a bit constrained over the toes due to its overdone, more extensive and stiff toe bumper and rigid mesh. The Max's outsole is deeper, grippier and stickier yet plays considerably better on firm surfaces than the Range's. For ride and value at $165 clearly the Max. For fit, classic style, and upper slight advantage to the Range.
Index to all RTR reviews: HERE
The Eliot Range for men and women is available now
Tracksmith
Tester Profile
Ben is the Senior Rabbi of Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel of Elkins Park, PA. A cancer survivor, he has run 23 marathons. He holds PRs of 3:15 for the marathon and 1:30 for the half. At 46, he still enjoys pushing himself and combining his running with supporting a variety of causes. Follow him on Instagram: @RabbiBPD or Twitter: @BDinPA
Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is in his 60’s with 2025 Sam’s 54th year of running roads and trails. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:43 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 160 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s.
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