Initial Review: New Balance Fresh Foam Zante- 2nd Generation Fresh Foam. Smooth did just get Fast.

The New Balance Fresh Foam Zante is a 7.5 oz 6mm drop racer trainer just released in limited quantities ahead of a certain "big" running event in NYC this weekend. It represents the first shoe of the 2nd generation of New Balance's Fresh Foam concept. It will go into wider release in March 2015 along with a new version of the Fresh Foam 980 now called the Fresh Foam Boracay (Feb.2015). See my preview from this summer's Outdoor Retailer here.

Fresh Foam Zante

I reviewed the previous generation trainer the Fresh Foam 980 here as well as the Fresh Foam Trail here. The Trail was a home run for me, the 980 overly stiff and firm for my taste. The Trail did a better job of leveraging the geometry of the concave ( for cushion) and convex (for firmness and support)  hexagons which are along the midsole to soften and smooth the ride on roads yet provide excellent stability and performance on most trails. The Trail was outstanding on all surfaces.. This computer generated patterning of materials based on stride forces and their effect on the shoe's mid and outsole is the key innovation of the Fresh Foam line. At OR I discussed the shortcomings and strengths of the then current models and saw where they were heading with Fresh Foam Zante and Boracay. I was optimistic.

Well, I am happy to report that New Balance really listened and learned from reaction to the first generation of Fresh Foam.   The Fresh Foam Zante is a fabulous shoe.  I am calling it a light trainer racer in the same category as the Adios Boost I like so much due to its Boost material rebound and snappy toe spring or  the Saucony Kinvara which weighs about the same and which for me is too soft and unstable in the forefoot.  More than decently cushioned especially in the forefoot, only 7.5 oz, and very smooth running due to its simple construction, hexagon patterning and continuous outsole the Fresh Foam Zante is one heck of a fine shoe. It is equally comfortable at speed or slow, an unusual combination as often fast responsive shoes are not particularly suited to slower running, for example the Saucony Zealot I recently reviewed here

So while the Zante and Fresh Foam 980 are  different shoes they are of the same basic design concept:  hexagons to tune the cushioning, a single density midsole, and a continuous outsole. Why could the Fresh Foam Zante a far lighter shoe at  7.5 oz feel so much better,to me : less harsh, stiff and firm, and far more responsive and smoother than the Fresh Foam 980?

Midsole Outsole: The Fresh Foam concept in practice

• The Fresh Foam midsole material is softer or in tech speak has a softer durometer at about 40 vs. around 45 for the Fresh Foam 980 by my not totally accurate but still relatively accurate gauge. The 980 was about the firmest midsole I have measured with the exception of the way to firm Pearl Izumi E:M N2 Road version 1, Version 2 a very different story, review here. The concave hexagons which tune the cushioning on the lateral side are larger towards the heel and longer and flatter towards the forefoot. The 980 had convex firming hexagons towards the toe which I think made the shoe overly firm and stiff.

  

  Fresh Foam Zante- All Hexagons on the Lateral side are Convex for cushion and better flexibility
  

  

  Fresh Foam 980- Forefoot Convex hexagons added firmness and stiffness to forefoot.

  The forefoot hexagons, now on both lateral and medial sides seem to help provide the nice snappy flex and toe spring. Far more flexible and snappy than the 980, understanding the 980 had a higher forefoot stack as well as firmer outsole material upfront.  The heel through mid foot medial side retains convex hexagons to provide a touch of pronation support and guide the foot to toe off. 
• The outsole material, unlike the 980, is made up of 2 densities of rubber. A firm decoupled heel piece, with the rest of the outsole a considerably softer rubber  not far in firmness from the midsole firmness by my measurements.  The outsole hexagons in the forefoot are elongated compared to the 980 much as they are on the 980 Trail  The majority of the Zante outsole is considerably softer than the outsole of the 980 Road.  In all likelihood the overly firm feel of the 980 came from this very firm outsole covering so much of the shoe combined with a firm midsole.  The Fresh Foam Zante's close matching of the midsole and outsole firmness contributes to the smoothness of the ride from heel forward. The heel crash pad is firm, almost too firm for me. I wish the very slight heel bevel was increased with more of an angle as on the Adios Boost.  I think that would really make the shoe even smoother from heel to toe but this a minor complaint.
•  

So, the net results of these midsole and outsole improvements is a far smoother ride from heel to toe and a more flexible shoe than the Fresh Foam 980.

Fit and Upper
The Zante is a half size small for me and fortunately I ordered half size up. Zante is built according to New Balance on a 'different last than the 1400.  The shoe is built on the new VL-6 performance running last and has a wider forefoot for proper toe splay." They are somewhat pointy and occasionally I could feel my toes touching either the front where the top bumper is fairly thick and substantial or the top of the shoe. Not an issue for me but this shoe may not work for those with wide high volume feet.

Fresh Foam Zante-Toebox

The upper is beautifully made up of 2 grades of mesh: finer up front and slightly more robust over the mid foot saddle. There are no seams in front of the last lace hole The overlays in the toe area remind me of the pattern on the Energy Boost, strips over the top and sides of toes without a connection down to the midsole where the shoes flex. As the shoe flexes, the overlays don't impede or bunch. Some recent testing I have been doing tells me the flexibility of the upper material plays a role in how the shoe flexes or how it is perceived to flex when running.

Ride and Recommendations
While some shoes require many runs to "figure out",  the $115,  7.5 oz 6mm drop, Fresh Foam Zante spoke clearly and almost immediately. This is a very refined, smooth riding fast shoe with some toe spring and a small hint of structure and stability much as the Adios Boost has. The New Balance marketing for this shoe is "Smooth Just Got Fast." and I agree.
Size up half a size.
The drop at 6mm is a very reasonable compromise between very low drop shoes where I struggle when tired and back on my heels late in a race, and conventional 10mm plus drop models.
The tuned hexagons, when combined with the relatively simple (one midsole material and 2 densities of out sole rubber) do not introduce, let's just say any "artificial ingredients" such as plastic plates, multiple densities of midsole foam, variations in the outsole pattern or stiff to flex overlays in the toe area into my feel for the ride.
While not heavily cushioned, it certainly is cushioned enough to be a daily trainer for lighter, faster runners.  This said a Hoka Clifton at about the same weight it is not in terms of max cushioning. For many this will be a great all race distances and tempo shoe. Unlike many speed oriented shoes it runs very nicely slow as well as fast.

Highly Recommended!

See Pete Larson's fine review of the Fresh Foam Zante at Runblogger here

( The Fresh Foam Zante was a personal purchase at retail)

Fresh Foam Zante are available from Running Warehouse: men's here, women's here. Your purchases support my blog. 

Deals for New Balance 1980 v1 Fresh Foam Zante

Review: Saucony Zealot-Firm where the rubber hits the road, Soft where the upper meets the foot.

The Saucony Zealot is a 8.3 oz lightweight trainer with a stack height of 21mm in the forefoot and 25mm in the heel. The forefoot stack height puts it in the more cushioned,  not quite maximal category. It features Saucony's innovative ISOFIT upper, a sock, bootie like soft mid foot upper material with the foot supported by foam bands tied into the laces and at the midsole, but with the bootie only partially attached to the sides of the upper.

Saucony Zealot

The "numbers" of stack height don't tell the whole tale of the Zealot. One would think with a 21/25mm stack height and relatively soft blue midsole as measured by my durometer (a device to measure foam firmness) that the Zealot would be a softish shoe, a bit firmer than Kinvara, Hoka Clifton or adidas Energy Boost. It is definitely something different. The  heel  is quite firm despite the cushioning as the outer rubber orange pods are very thick and firm, among if not, the firmest and thickest outsole material I have measured to date. The forefoot has slightly softer outsole lime green rubber but it too is quite firm, thick and covers much of the surface in pods.  Outsoles can definitely change the ride. Needless to say all this hard rubber will give tremendous wear and I have almost no wear visible on the heel pods after 35 miles in the areas I usually wear extremely rapidly in other shoes. The deep forefoot grooves make the Zealot plenty flexible.

Saucony Zealot-Outsole

ISOFIT Upper

The ISOFIT upper, also featured on the new Triumph and Hurricane and previewed at OR here is by and large fantastic. The innovation came from Saucony's track spikes. The mid foot upper (yellow) from first to last lace is made of a very stretchy super soft mesh, truly sock like. The upper meets the tongue at the edges of the laces tied together into an excellent, thin, soft tongue. No tongue slippage is possible. The foot is held securely by 4 foam bands tied to the laces with only the first lace band and top half of the last band near the toe attached to the upper towards the top of the foot.

Saucony ISOFIT upper-Zealot

This means there is complete freedom for the foot to bend and expand during the gait yet with adequate support. The toe box is made of a less stretchy and a more dense thinner mesh but still very soft. The toe box is essentially unstructured with the overlays  also very flexible. The foot has full room to splay. I notice a bit of slipping forward towards the front of the shoe so potentially a bit more structure to the toe box might be called for.  I have a narrower foot but believe overall the Zealot and ISOFIT will fit many different foot shapes well.

Saucony ISOFIT upper-Zealot

Saucony Zealot

Now the hard part...

Ride and Recommendations

If you like a very firm yet still well cushioned heel the Zealot is for you. At slower speeds and heel striking, a lot of my day to day running,  the Zealot is not much fun or very comfortable and smooth for me. The ISOFIT Triumph would be more my style for a trainer. 

As speed increases Zealot shines. This is a shoe that calls for an efficient quick stride with focus on rapidly getting to toe off leveraging the SRC (Super Rebound Compound) Impact Zone of the midsole through the mid foot. Efficient, fast, sub 8:30/min mile training pace and mid foot runners will like this shoe as a everyday light trainer and marathon shoe.  So for me not a day in day out slower pace trainer but a tempo or 10K race shoe. Unlike for example, the adios  Boost, Energy Boost, the firm new Pearl Izumi N2 Road V2 or the Hoka Huaka this shoe is not particularly "forgiving" and will remind you to move along! I expect long term outsole wear to be outstanding. The ISOFIT upper is a comfort and fitting innovation. 

Available February 2015. $130 MSRP.

I passed the Zealots on to fellow run blogger Harold Shaw of Maine. I knew he liked firmer shoes and thought the ISO Fit upper and particularly the toe box would work for his bunions. They did! His kind of shoe. His fine review here

Derek Oxley over at Run4Lfye reviewed the Zealot here. He thought they had"... a light feeling and is the quintessential oxymoron with a unique combination of cushioned firmness.  I enjoyed the flexible feeling in the forefoot." He preferred the fit of the ISO upper on the Triumph.

  

The Zealot was provided to me at no charge for review purposes. The opinions herein are entirely my own.

Purchase your Zealot ISO at the links below. 
They are available from Running Warehouse: Men's here, Women's here. 

Running Warehouse has great customer service policies:

• Free 2 Day Shipping and Return Shipping
• 90 Days No Sweat Returns
• $9.95 Overnight Shipping 1-4 lbs

All your purchases at Running Warehouse via these links support my blog.

Mount Desert Island Marathon Report- Incredible Scenery, Brutal Hills, and another Marathoner in the Family!

What a place MDI- Mount Desert Island, Maine and what a Marathon along the rocky coast. Spectacular experience!

Bar Harbor-Maine where Lobstah is King

Seal Harbor Mile 8 or so

Somes Sound Mile 15 or so

A special race as my daughter Hannah completed her first in 4:02, running  perfectly even splits despite the far harder second half. I am in trouble. She will soon catch me. Very proud of her!

Hannah finishes smiling

My Race
I had a super solid 20, or so then single slo slo speed last 5, no bonk just no hip drive. Strong tailwind in first 3 miles may had me going out a bit fast but it was...effortless at that point.
3:50 8th in AG losing a couple places, at least, in the last 3. Given my disastrous 2014 Boston and the toughness of this course relatively pleased although my recent 1:36 half and 43:18 10K would indicate a faster time even here. .I have to cross train and do runs over 15- don't, didn't. 
Did beat a relay team from the famous Maine Warden Service of North Woods Law fame though. 

The LOBSTAH Claw Medal- MDI Marathon. 

The Course
What incredible beauty and an an intimate and intense experience at this race:  the landscape, the ocean, the incredible stone walls and shingled "cottages", the wonderful quirky spectators, and 700 friendly competitors. I actually chatted with 2 guys for 10 or so miles. 
Rated "Most Scenic" and runner up for "Best Overall" by readers of Runner's World this is an event to experience and not worry about PR's for most.Make MDI a vacation and run. Highly Recommended! 
This is a brutal course with pretty much non stop hills. 

MDI Marathon Course Profile- Strong Tailwind miles 1-3 had me out...a bit too fast.

The MDI Marathon Gear:

• Shoe: old reliable adidas Energy Boost 1 with 300 miles on them review here chosen due to 1500 feet of net climbing and all the descents. Perfect balance of cushion and response. 
• Salomon Sense shorts (review here) to easily carry and with no bounce- 5 gels, pack of blocks, salt tabs and iPhone,  The world's most expensive shorts are worth it!
• Patagonia Merino Silkweight shirt just right never chilled or too hot as it was 50 and windy, 
• CEP sleeves and Ashmei socks (review here). No blisters, no cramps, no issues. 

From the NY Times: Why Are Americans So Fascinated With Extreme Fitness?

Not for me boutique, fitness, torture regimes such as CrossFit conducted in strip mall parking lots and windowless rooms as described in this NY Times Magazine article 

"It makes sense that for those segments of humanity who aren’t fighting for survival every day of their lives, the new definition of fulfillment is feeling as if you’re about to die. Maybe that’s the point. If we aren’t lugging five gallons of water back from a well 10 miles away or slamming a hammer into a mountainside, something feels as if it’s missing. Who wants to sit alone at a desk all day, then work out alone on a machine? Why can’t we suffer and sweat together, as a group, in a way that feels meaningful? Why can’t someone yell at us while we do it? For the privileged, maybe the most grueling path seems the most likely to lead to divinity. When I run on Sunday mornings, I pass seven packed, bustling fitness boutiques, and five nearly empty churches."

I'll stick to my 40 miles per week of running some road racing and a few marathons a year. Extreme enough for me and I get out in nature and fresh air.  

Many unfortunately live in places generally inhospitable to outdoor exercise with busy boring roads, in the city, in a foul climate or feel a need to be pushed by paid instructors and others in the class to get "it" done. Note winter weather is not foul, just tough and yes I occasionally duck into Planet Fitness for the dreadmill when the snow is deep and the roads a mess.  

While far "better" than this indoor regimented stuff, ultra-running races are also extreme in the sense that they too fulfil the same kind of need to suffer mightily together. Thinking of ultra runners often running together for many miles,the pacers, aid stations, etc...Mere marathons are tough but ultras can be brutal in their prolonged extreme suffering. When I was younger I often did ultra length runs in the mountains alone and occasionally with friends, rarely with any support, so I know what they feel like.

This weekend daughter Hannah and I am running Mount Desert Island Marathon, a spectacularly scenic and hilly marathon. Extremely beautiful and tough course. Extreme enough for me. 

Review: Altra Running Paradigm-Max Cushion, Supremely Refined

Running shoe design continues to evolve and Altra Running pioneers in minimal cushion, FootShapeTM toe boxes and  "Zero DropTM" shoes (no height difference heel to toe) is evolving too. With the Paradigm Altra maintains its heritage of incredibly comfortable toe boxes and zero drop and now applies it to a maximally cushioned, super light shoe. Hoka One One now has real competition in the space they invented.
Altra founder Golden Harper gave me a full update on the line and was kind enough to send me a pair of the Paradigms to try. My preview of the Spring 2015 Altras here. Paradigm not expected to change.

Details
The Paradigm has 34mm of stack height front and back according to Altra and 25mm according to Running Warehouse. Will inquire as to measurements difference. Most conventional "well cushioned" shoes have 20mm or less in forefoot and 24-28mm in the heel.  The advertised weight is 9.1 oz in a men's size 9. My 8.5 Paradigms (review sample provided at no charge, opinions herein entirely my own) weighed 9.5 oz on my digital scale. I will not quibble over the difference as there can be manufacturing differences. From Altra: "As for the weight discrepancy, manufacturing tolerance is usually about an ounce in either direction.  Our weights are based off of weighing production shoes when they show up in a size 9. " These weights are incredibly light for such a supremely cushioned shoe. They fit me true to size.

Altra Running Paradigm

Comparison to Hoka One One 
I have run in a multitude of the earlier Hokas such as the Mafate, Bondi, and Stinson all with similar stack heights. I loved the ride but found them slow and soft given my no knee lift, heel striking stride. The challenge is to provide either enough forefoot flexibility for all that foam and/or create a rocker effect. Newer Hokas such as the Huaka and Clifton reviewed here have reduced their maximal forefoot  height somewhat and are now fantastically flexible fast and light, about the same weight as the Paradigm and even lighter for the Clifton. However, Hoka uppers are often not quite there in terms of fit and comfort for me. Don't get me wrong I will still reach for my Huakas when I want to go fast with super cushion, but for supreme comfort Paradigms will have a place in my rotation.

Altra hits it out of the park with the Paradigm creating a super cushioned,  supremely comfortable long run shoe.

• The FootShape toe box allows my foot to splay spread out fully, yet I do not feel it is too wide as the midfoot upper hold is just snug enough with the lacing also effective. The overall upper is supremely comfortable, among the best or in fact the best for a long run trainer I have ever put on.  

  

  Altra Running Paradigm- FootShape

Initial Review: adidas Terrex Boost- Trail Monster- But Can It Dance?

I spotted the adidas Terrex Boost at Outdoor Retailer as as Boost fan knew I had to learn more and try them.  The adidas Terrex Boost is in the Spring 2015 (release date) a 11.5 oz 325 gram 6mm drop mountain/trail running shoe. Women's weighs 9.9 oz 280 grams. Retail $160.  (Updated: confirmed production weight is 11.5 oz,)

I titled this review Trail Monster as on first sight this is one beefy shoe. Huge lugs,

adidas Terrex Boost

a substantial upper with overlays along the rand and toe, a shoe clearly design for rough trails, rocks, mud. The question in my mind was what would Boost, the TPU based high rebound midsole that I like so much in the adios boost racer on both roads and yes trails (review here), add to a dedicated trail shoe? I say adios Boost as close as I can tell the white Boost layer in the Terrex looks identical to the adios, at least in the forefoot and appears to sit on top of EVA that wraps up the sides. The orange Terrex and Boost logoed areas seen around the heel are a TPU based film (same material but thicker than the seamless overlays now seen so frequently on run shoes) support element. It wraps all the way around the heel. The orange TPU is not hard plastic but have some give when pressed and when running, clever.

adidas Terrex Boost

The speed laces are not my favorite way to keep a shoe snug and just right but clearly adidas has done some homework on these. Lots of friction when tightening, good. We'll see as cord wears if the friction stays. To lock, no goofy additional sliding piece as on for example the Hokas. A small black center button that as one holds the cincher is depressed. Takes considerable appropriate pressure to make it work. Cord is snug and slip free through the cincher, at least so far on new shoes.

adidas Terrex Boost

The lace tucks into a loop near the toes, no lace garage and a bit worried they might catch on branches or rocks if not wrapped around the lace loops.

The fit is roomy enough for my narrow foot with a substantial enough upper to prevent rolling of the fore and midfoot. It is quite narrow in the forefoot, especially in the area of the last quick lace loop and overlays. Strangely there is no heel counter, just soft leather like material with the heel sitting about half an inch down into the orange TPU collar. Didn't miss the heel counter except a bit on steep uphills when balancing on rocks. The TPU rear and outsole were plenty stable on downhills without the heel counter. The upper does not appear to be "water proof" or "weather resistant", and that's the way I like my uppers even in winter with the laminated rand (just above midsole) overlays protecting from shallow puddles.  With the exception of the 3 stripe midfoot bands and the overlays all the way around the outside where midsole meets upper  there are no seams or overlays whatsoever over the top of the foot all the way to the front. A very sock like fit using a rugged not overly heavy mesh, a good approach that felt great on the foot if a bit narrow upfront.

How do they run?
Apart from being heavier than I would liked my 7 mile run on a combination of rough, rocky rooty trails and smoother single track was confident, often an issue for this timid older runner on rough terrain. Yes, they ran a lot like the adios boost especially upfront, with a snappy toe spring just like the adios. They were very stable on the rough terrain, smooth and quick on the smoother gravel. Never noticed the lugs. I ran a small amount of pavement and while somewhat slappy noisy the Boost layer seemed to absorb the usual awkward presence of big lugs when running roads in such shoes. Will have to try more road miles to really confirm.

What will they be good for?
I plan to make these my winter foul weather snow running shoe. Boost has the characteristic of being less susceptible to changes in the cushioning in heat and cold so on a cold snowy day on the road the ride should be great.
Apart from winter these should make great mud running shoes and appear to be designed to be a competitor to the Salomon SpeedCross and FellRaiser among others. And I imagine they are also sensational on wet rock given the Continental rubber outsole and the big lugs. While not an ultra runner I imagine we'll see these on the feet of many Ultra folks come next year. For me they will be an everyday trail shoe, ready for just about anything along the way.
Those with wide feet or bunion problems may find the toe box too tight given the overlays.

Despite appearances Terrex Boost certainly can Dance!

Update:
See also my more recent post on 3 summer 2015 adidas Boost trail shoes:
Adizero XT Boost here
adidas Response Trail Boost here
Adistar Raven Boost  here.

See what's coming from adidas and others for trail and road in 2016 at our January 2016 Outdoor Retailer previews article here

Terrex Boost Available Now from Backcountry.com at the links below. Your purchases support RoadTrailRun.

adidas Adizero XT Boost

adidas Response Trail Boost

adidas Adistar Raven Boost

Comparison Review: Hoka One One Clifton and Huaka

Hoka One One recently launched two fabulously light, super cushioned shoes: The Huaka and Clifton.  Having now run in both and reviewed the Huaka earlier here, where I called it the first "fast" Hoka,  I can say now having run in both,  that these close "cousins" are quite different in feel and even purpose.  Hoka's marketing theme is "Crazy Fast. Crazy Light. Crazy Does." and for sure marketing spin meets reality with these shoes, although I will quibble that the Huaka is for me a faster shoe than the Clifton. 

By the numbers

Huaka (9.3 oz/264g M9 , 2mm drop, 27mm heel/ 25mm forefoot, $150)

Clifton (7.7 oz/217g M9, 5mm, 29mm heel,/24mm forefoot, $130)

Both fit me true to my size 8.5 with the Huaka initially feeling a touch too roomy until I removed the speed laces.

The Huaka is a no compromises road and trail hybrid with an energetic and dynamic midsole (RMAT) with great rebound, decent support and traction for all but the roughest or muddiest trails. 

OR Summer 14: Sigvaris Sports Compression- Light with True Graduated Compression

Sigvaris is a 150 year old Swiss company specialized in medical compression garments. They have been in medical compression for over 50 years. Medical compression garments are used for varicose veins, DVT, maternity, diabetes, leg ulcers, etc... In recent years compression garments and especially leg sleeves/socks and shorts have become popular in endurance sports.
Sigvaris says:

 Athletes who wear SIGVARIS SPORTS products will benefit from:

- Increased circulation

- Improved blood flow through the veins
- Increased oxygen to the muscle tissue
- Less lactic acid buildup in the legs during exercise
- Reduced exercise-induced muscle soreness in the legs

I have used a number of compression products over the last several years, primarily calf compression sleeves,  including the first I found on the market CEP, then Zanesh, Salomon, SmartWool and more recently CEP again. While I am not sure about the performance benefits of improved circulation, improved blood flow and oxygen and less lactic acid build up I am pretty sure, that at least for me that with compression:

• I have less exercise induced soreness after wearing sleeves 
• My legs feel more aligned in the direction of travel
• I am quite sure they  help reduce calf cramps in long events by stabilizing the muscles, reducing vibration and preventing nerves from twitching into cramps. According to this article in Competitor quoting Prof. Schwellnus of the University of Cape Town “The mechanism for muscle fatigue and muscle damage causing cramping is best explained through an imbalance that develops in the nervous system control of muscle. Muscles tend to become very twitchy when they become fatigued or are injured,” said Schwellnus. "

The issue with calf sleeves  has been one of comfort for me. Zanesh was too thick and hot and while the latest CEP are fine, I keep looking for thinner and more comfortable options.

Found what I was looking for at Outdoor Retailer from Sigvaris .

Dominique Guest Post: Pakems -- Fun Apres Sport Footwear - WaterResistant and Packable

With thousands of exhibitors and 200 new exhibitors each year at the Outdoor Retailer Show, it can be a challenge for new product lines to stand out and catch the attention of the passerby.  Pakems caught my eye. They are lightweight, water resistant and packable footwear meant to be worn after/après a sport activity, such as hiking and skiing.

Outdoor Retailer Summer 14: Skechers GOmeb Speed 3- I Ran in Meb's Boston Winning Shoe!

Well I ran a minute or so on a treadmill at the Skechers Performance  booth and found the GOmeb Speed 3 to be one serious snappy racer.  This is the exact shoe that Meb wore to win Boston and the only difference between his shoe and yours will be that they have a special last to exactly fit his foot.
Speed 3 is more shoe than a traditional racing flat with decent race cushioning. The stats are 6.9 oz, 14mm midfoot/18mm heel 4mm drop. This marvel can be for many. including me, a fabulous 5K-Half racer. For the fleet footed and light or flatter courses a sensational and  one would have to say, proven marathon shoe.

Skechers GoMeb Speed 3

Earlier this year after reviewing the GoRun Ride 3 and GoRun Ultra I was tickled pink to be invited to participate in Skechers future models wear testing and feedback program. In addition to Meb, Skechers recently signed Kara Goucher.
While the GoMeb Speed 3 is Meb's shoe I can say that Skechers listens to its middle of the pack testers most closely. I have been amazed by their rapid iteration of changes, their careful listening and responding, and their follow through. It was a thrill to see some of the shoes I tested, and others, almost ready for production for Spring 15 at their booth. Lots of exciting shoes coming from Skechers.

Back to the GOmeb Speed 3 and a comparison to the GOmeb Speed 2 now on the market. First as people will ask the GOmeb Speed 3 will be available sometime in January but... there will be a special NY Marathon available in November.

Seth Hasty, a grassroots coordinator for Skechers Performance and the founder of the Running Shoe Geeks Group on Facebook gave me the tour and compared the Speed 2 to Speed 3. Read on to discover the differences.

Outdoor Retailer Summer 14: Brooks-Launch 2 and Transcend 2

Brooks has a new Launch and an updated Transcend 2. 

Launch 2

9.8 oz New BioMoGo DNA midsole, almost seamless upper, nice toe spring. $100.  Feb. 2015 release.

Transcend 2 

11.9 oz. $170. Updates to upper. Somewhat softer than version 1 according to rep who has run in Versions 1 and 2. Release Jan. 2015.

Guest Post: Dominique Finds the Ideal Exercise Dress at Outdoor Retailer- The Nuu Muu

Thank you Sam for inviting me to post on your blog to talk about a little exercise dress – that comes in black too – which I discovered at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market as I tagged along with you.  

To the readers of Sam’s blog, this still has to do with running, although it won’t make you run faster, but revolutionary exercise dresses from Nuu-Muu are worth talking about.

Nuu-Muu: Poppy Ruu $80

A runner and nordic skier for some 33 years, seasonal biker, once a week tennis player, who does yoga but not enough, and likes to paddle board with her sister-in-law in Maine, I have found the perfect versatile workout dress for all my indoor and outdoor activities.  To the 55+ that I am, the Nuu-Muu exercise dress is indeed revolutionary.

It all started with a postcard mailed to our New Hampshire address, from Bellingham, Washington, where the company Nuu-Muu is located, inviting us to visit booth # PV2036 at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market from August 6^th through the 9^th.   Mailers still work!  After visiting the Nuu-Muu booth, and trying on the Ruu-Muu pocket, in size medium, my next step was to purchase one, which I did.  (I was offered a discounted promotional price.)  I got the Poppy Ruu above.

The Nuu-Muu line of clothing consists to two different types of exercise dresses: the Nuu -Muu and the Ruu-Muu (the latter has a pocket in the back).  Huggs sleeves are available to mix and match with the Nuu & Ruu dresses, along with the Nuu-Tee, a long sleeve Tee made especially to layer with the dresses.  

Nuu-Muu Sangria with sleeve Huggs

What is outstanding about the dresses are the fit, the “ultra-flattering” look, the colorful prints and patterns, and the feel of wearing such free-spirited exercise wear.  The price reflects the quality and sustainable approach of the product, and Made in USA. The price for the  dresses is $70-$80, $5 shipping. More to come when I get the dress!

Outdoor Retailer Summer 14: Hoka One One- Challenger ATR (Clifton for Trail), Bondi 4, Constant(stability), Valor, Vanquish, Odyssey

Times are very good for Hoka One One, the original "maximalist" running shoe company. While the minimalist trend was in full force bucked the trend and went with super cushioned shoes. I have run in various Hokas since their inception and until the super versatile Huaka (review here) and Cliftons (review) came along found them more suited for long slow hauls than speed. No question fresher legs for me day in day out in Hokas.

Hoka introduced several new models and updates at Outdoor Retailer. The new models (Valor, Vanquish, Odyssey, and Challenger ATR) will be sold at both speciality running retail and "sporting goods" stores such as REI, etc...

Other Hokas such as the Mafate Speed, Clifton, Bondi, new Constant, Huaka, Stinson Lite and ATR will only be sold at speciality running retail.
As Hoka grows they have found the need to segment their lines. Interestingly it does not appear that the sporting goods models will be lower priced than models found at speciality running stores.

Reviewing the product grid (at bottom of post)  I see the original Mafate and the Rapa Nui will no longer be in the line for Spring 2015.

The highlights:

• The Challenger ATR, a 8.6 oz, 5mm drop 24mm forefoot/29mm heel trail version of the Clifton. All new shoe. The Challenger will launch  Dec 1st at REI exclusively for 60 days then available at all channels. This will be a popular trail runner for sure! I just wish that Hoka made a beefier lugged version of the Huaka.

• The Constant, $160. a 10.7 oz, 4mm drop, 26mm forefoot/30mm heel stability oriented model with firmer RMAT for stability combined with EVA, asymmetrical lacing combined with a medial lycra wrap of the midfoot. All new stability concept from Hoka.

•  Bondi 4, now has a padded tongue and is updated with a rounded heel, helpful in my view to initiate roll forward as well as longer wearing rubber at the heel and toe, key wear areas on the road with conventional Hokas' softer outsoles.

• The Valor is a 9.6 oz 29mm forefoot, 33mm heel with the stack heights of the Bondi 4 but a somewhat different midsole configuration and a bit lighter than the 10.6 oz Bondi.. Note white is just one of several potential colors! 
  
  

• The Vanquish, $170.  is a 11 oz 25mm forefoot 29 mm heel RMAT and EVA midsole combination. Basically a sporting goods channel Conquest with a different upper. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The Odyssey is a 8.4 oz 24mm forefoot 29mm heel with EVA based midsole and a different upper. Basically a bit heavier Clifton as Clifton comes in at 7.7 oz. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Model Comparison Chart 2015 

Hoka One One Spring 2015 Product Grid

With the exception of the Challenger XTR available exclusively for 60 days at REI by Dec. 1st then in wider distribution other models are for Spring 2015 

A few other notes from my visit to Hoka. Speed laces will disappear from the line over time.  The next version of the Huaka will likely have a few more overlays and potentially a somewhat more durable outsole materials in the heel and toe high wear areas. A good thing.

Can't wait for all these goodies? Consider the Huaka, a super versatile firm yet super cushioned road and trail speedster or the Clifton, a bit lighter than Huaka with a somewhat softer EVA midsole. Purchase via the links below and you support my blog. Thanks!