10 Super Cushion Plated 2023 Road Trainer Comparison Review: adidas, ASICS, Hoka, New Balance, Nike, Puma, Saucony, and Skechers

 Article by Sam Winebaum, Editor

In the article I will compare ten 2023  “Super Trainers” with their key highlights, strengths and weaknesses (few actually) in brief with links to our multi tester reviews. All but one have plates of various kinds.

There  is quite a bumper crop of them including  New Balance FuelCell SC Trainer v2 (RTR Review), Saucony KInvara Pro (RTR Review), Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 (RTR Review), Hoka Mach X (RTR Review), adidas Adizero Boston 12 (RTR Review), ASICS Superblast (RTR Review), adidas Prime X Strung (RTR Review), Nike Tempo Next % (RTR Review), Skechers Ride 11 (RTR Review) and Puma Deviate Nitro 2 (RTR Review)

The last few years has seen the emergence of not only “super” plated race shoes but super trainers as well. Generally somewhat heavier and more practical, as well as lower priced than full on racers, these shoes can be characterized by their high stack heights and here we’ll start at 36mm at the heel. 

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trail Multi Tester Review: Carbon & Super Foams Done Really Right for Trail! 7 Comparisons

Article by Jeff Valliere, John Tribbia, Adam Glueck and Jacob Brady

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trail ($200)

Introduction

Jeff V:  New Balance have thrown their hat into the ring in the carbon trail super shoe competition with the SC Trail.  While I find the term “Super Shoe” to be thrown around a bit loosely, at least especially as it pertains to trail shoes, I think the SC Trail is the closest yet to claim validity and legitimacy here.   

Many carbon trail shoes are either too heavy, too stiff, too tippy, harsh underfoot, or any combination of the above, whereas New Balance has managed to make a shoe that is light, flexible, stable and remarkably well cushioned.  This is one of the most versatile shoes on the market (carbon plate or not) and is going to be a hit for any runner looking for a shorter fast technical mountain races or runs, or those looking for comfort, speed and efficiency over long distances.  

Highlights of the SC Trail include the upper, midsole and outsole, basically the whole shoe. Please read on.for all the details and our 7 comparisons.

Ever since I tried my first carbon plated super shoe (The Saucony Endorphin Pro), I knew that the technology had the potential to redefine what running shoes felt like.  I’ve always been more of a trail runner, and my first thought was:  “When will this be ready for the trails?”  I’ve tested a variety of attempts at the concept of bringing energetic foams, plates, and innovative technologies to trail shoes, and while some of those shoes have excelled in individual areas (the Scarpa Golden Gate Kima RT for technica trailsl protection, Saucony Endorphin Edge for energy return and short-middle distance racing. The  SC Trail manages to be a balanced trail shoe that nails the cushion, versatility, control on technical terrain, and propulsive energy return.  To echo Jeff, versatility, and a marvel of engineering. 

Pros:

Exceptionally light for all that the shoe offers, responsive, agile, cushioning, traction, fit, protection, stability, versatility. Jeff V / John / Adam

Runs well at a range of paces Jacob / Adam

Propulsive and forgiving—it is a plated super shoe for trails Jacob / Adam

Surprisingly competent on technical terrain Adam

Cons:

The cutout under the shoe can collect marble size rocks. Jeff V /Adam

Snug fit in toe box John

Firm forefoot—plate is very noticeable Jacob

Slightly less forefoot cushion than I prefer for ultra distances Jacob

Testbericht: Mizuno Wave Rider 27 (German)

Artikel von Markus Zinkl

Mizuno Wave Rider 27 (160,00 €)

Einleitung

In diesem Bericht werden wir uns den neuesten Vertreter der beliebten Wave Rider-Serie genauer ansehen. Mizuno hat bei diesem Modell die bewährte Mittelsohle des Vorgängers, des Wave Rider 26, beibehalten. Das Hauptaugenmerk liegt jedoch auf den Updates am Obermaterial. Eine der auffälligsten Veränderungen ist die an den Seiten angenähte Zunge, die für eine verbesserte Passform und weniger Druckstellen sorgt. Zudem wurde die Fersenkappe überarbeitet, um eine bessere Stabilität und Unterstützung zu bieten. Darüber hinaus wurde die Innenschuh-Auskleidung des Mizuno Wave Rider 27 angepasst, um einen noch komfortableren Lauf zu ermöglichen. Nun lassen Sie uns tiefer in die Details eintauchen und herausfinden, wie sich dieser Laufschuh auf der Strecke bewährt!

Recenzja: Mizuno Wave Rider 27 (Polish)

Article by Maciej ‘Matt’ Kolat

Mizuno Wave Rider 27 (€160 / 746,50 zł z VAT)

Wprowadzenie

Witam Państwa w kolejnej polskiej recenzji na Road Trail Run. Tym razem mam przyjemność zaprezentować Państwu buty Mizuno Wave Rider 27, które są już dostępne na rynku. Przyznam szczerze, że jest to moja pierwsza styczność z obuwiem Mizuno którego do tej pory unikałem gdyż spodziewałem się, że jest to firma specjalizująca się w butach typu ‘norm-core’ (czytaj: nuda) - BŁĄD!

Za i Przeciw

Za

• Wysoka stabilność jak na but neutralny

• Gruba podeszwa zewnętrzna - but wytrzyma długo

• Bardzo ladny design holewki (subiektywnie!)

• Wave Plate (czyli protoplasta obecnych płytek karbonowych) 

• Duży ‘fun’ z biegu (jak na treningowe)

• Dobry stosunek jakości do ceny 

Przeciw

• But jest relatywnie sztywny (co może być dla niektórych zaleta) 

• Pianka podeszwy środkowej składa się z tradycyjnych materiałów, daleko od współczesnych super pianek 

• Nie nadaje się na szybsze treningi tak bardzo jak na codziennie wybiegania

Salomon Thundercross Multi Tester Review 5 Comparisons

Article by Sam Winebaum, Dominique Winebaum, and Jeff Valliere

Salomon Running Thundercross ($140)

Introduction

The Thundercross is a 4mm drop softly cushioned trail and I would say door to trail shoe from Salomon. It has a 31mm heel and 27mm forefoot stack height so it is deeply cushioned, particularly up front. Even Salomon’s ultra focused Ultra Glide 2 only has 26 mm of stack height up front . 

In the “Cross” family, Salomon’s softer ground big traction shoes, it has 5mm lugs in an aggressive chevron pattern. 

When I heard Cross I immediately thought of the iconic Speedcross (RTR Review) with its yet more aggressive traction, firmer cushion and bowed geometry, a shoe, quite frankly barely run able outside of deep mud and snow but oh so popular now as a lifestyle shoe. 

Other than deep traction, a similar fabric like upper mesh and Cross in the name, the Thundercross is a far more versatile, moderate terrain runnable and very hiking worthy new take on the Cross franchise. It has Salomon’s soft and energetic Energy Foam, a well rockered geometry, mostly secure upper and lots of easy going flexibility. 

Saucony Kinvara Pro Multi Tester Review: 13 Comparisons

Article by Michael Ellenberger, Joost De Raeymaeker, Jamie Hershfang, Sally Reiley and Sam Winebaum

Saucony Kinvara Pro ($180)

Introduction

Michael: I’ll come out and say it - I had no real interest in trying the Kinvara Pro before it showed up at my doorstep. Kinvara? Love it. Endorphin Pro? Great racing option. But a plated, high-stack, chunky-looking trainer? Why would one need that? 

Well, happy to say - I was proven wrong, and basically immediately. From the first run, I enjoyed using these for all sorts of runs, from true workouts to recovery miles. The Kinvara Pro isn’t a perfect shoe, but it’s an extremely impressive first-generation shoe, and my favorite Saucony since, well - this may be my favorite Saucony ever.

GOrun Max Road 6 Multi Tester Review: 11 Comparisons

Article by Peter Stuart, Jeff Beck, Mac Jeffries, and Derek Li

Skechers GOrun Max Road 6 ($130

Introduction

The Skechers Max Road 6 is the latest iteration of, you guessed it, a max cushioned daily trainer. With a 41mm heel and a 35 mm forefoot, this is one stacked shoe. The shoe weighs in at about 10.9 oz and features a carbon infused “H plate” to help keep things moving forward. 

Pros:

Not too mushy considering all the foam  Peter / Jeff B/ Mac / Derek

Relatively stable  Peter / Jeff B/ Mac / Derek

Great outsole that will run forever  Peter / Jeff B / Mac / Derek

More traditional build (not prior pods/columns) midsole leads to zero collapse Jeff B

Comfortable, adaptable upper: Mac

Strong value at $130 for a max cushion plated shoe with supercritical foam

Cons:

So high up off the ground that there’s almost no proprioception. Peter

Upper could be more breathable  Peter / Jeff B  / Derek

Feels a bit heavy.  Peter / Jeff B  / Mac  / Derek

Tongue is ridiculously over-padded  Peter/ Jeff B

Stats

Weight: 10.9oz / 309g (Men’s 9)  /  8.5oz/241g (Women’s 7)

  Samples: men’s  12.17 oz  / 345 g US10.5, 11.25oz/319g

Stack Height: men’s 41mm heel / 35mm forefoot ( 6mm drop spec)

$130.  Available now at our partners including Running Warehouse HERE

NNormal Kjerag Multi Tester Review: Super Light, Super Versatile 9 Comparisons

Article by Jeff Valliere and Sam Winebaum

NNormal Kjerag ($195)

Introduction

Sam: The Kjerag is Kilian Jornet's signature shoe from his new brand NNormal. He sought a very light shoe he could do everything in from record setting at UTMB and Hardrock, and in the same pair, to road running and hiking and more. Versatility and durability were the product goals as a more versatile single shoe with durable materials is a more sustainable one. 

Not content to just be durable, the Kjerag features a state of the art supercritical EVA foam midsole, a Matryx Jacquard mesh upper with Kevlar fibers and a Vibram MegaGrip LiteBase outsole. By the stats (and tech) NNormal succeeds as we have an incredibly light shoe at 7.59 oz / 215g US8.5 sample (given fit equivalent to a US9) on a relatively broad and stable if low stack platform. The question we seek to answer here is this marvel for the rest of us? Jeff Valliere in Colorado and Sam in New Hampshire and during a trek in Italy set out to find out. 

Pros:

Jeff V/Sam: fit, comfort, versatility, cushion and protection for such light weight, fast, agile, responsive, secure, sustainably made, quality.

Sam: One shoe to do it all: the ultimate in lightweight, any terrain (even road and trekking) versatility. 

Sam: Stunningly light weight for the shoe’s substance 

Sam: Great ground feel, flexibiity and stability with just enough protection.

Sam: The Kilian shoe for the rest of us

Cons:

Jeff V/Sam: a minor complaint, but traction on loose terrain could be better, we wish the lugs were a little deeper/more pronounced.

Sam: A bit more stack height of foam would extend its distance range yet further for "average" runners.

adidas Adizero Adios 8 Review: In Form and Back for Fast!

Article by Joost De Raeymaeker

adidas Adizero Adios 8 ($130)

Introduction

Joost: The Adizero Adios used to be Adidas’ top marathon racing shoe, in the days before super-shoes came along, all the way back in 2017, which is an eternity in an industry that’s seen a rapid evolution since then. 

I remember Haile Gebrselassie running the first sub 2:04 world record in 2008 in them after allegedly only trying a prototype pair out the night before in the hotel hallway. Since then, the Adios has stayed more or less true to its origins, being a fast, low to the ground racing flat. In fact, all marathon world records from 2008 up till 2018, when Kipchoge beat it in a prototype pair of Vaporfly Next% were set in a pair of Adios or Adios 2 (Boost). 

In the meantime, the top of the line shoe had evolved from using traditional EVA to sporting Boost in the Adizero Adios Boost 2. The pair of Adios 4 I bought at the New York City marathon expo in 2019 and still use once in a while has a Boost midsole. After Adidas launched its first super shoes with a new foam called Lightstrike, it would obviously end up in the franchise. The Adios 5 had a Lightstrike midsole with Boost in the heel. Version 6 changed that to Lightstrike Pro supercritical foam and Lightstrike in the heel. Version 7 was an upper only change. Now  in version 8, both the upper and midsole have been redone, introducing a Lightstrike 2.0 (less dense more resilient)  and Lightstrike Pro combo. So, with a redone upper and midsole, is the Adios 8 still an Adios? If you don’t want to read further, I’ll spill the beans. The Adios is very much back and says Hola! after a very disappointing version 7. 

Hoka Mach X Multi Tester Review: 13 Comparisons

Article by Ryan Eiler, Renee Krusemark, Bryan Lim and Sam Winebaum

Hoka Mach X ($180)

 

The Mach X is an uptempo max cushion (39mm heel / 34 mm forefoot men's (2mm lower women's) daily trainer with a 3 part midsole construction of PEBA underfoot, a PEBAX plastic plate and a lower compressed EVA layer. Its upper is a Creel Jacquard mesh. Its approximate weight in a men's US9 is 8.95 oz / 254g.

Pros: 

Secure and comfortable upper, appropriate for high mileage - Ryan/Renee/Sam/Bryan

Highly protective yet well-behaved ride dynamics - Ryan/Renee/Sam/Bryan

More versatile and approachable than many other plated trainers - Ryan

Flexible PEBAX plate provides easy to engage front propulsion: Sam/Bryan

Purposeful, responsive, direct, well guided ride: Sam 

Very stable, dense rear of shoe, also a con: Sam

Cons:

Rear midsole design can feel ‘blocky’ under foot - Ryan/Renee/Sam/Bryan

Lack of turnover from solid build - Ryan/Bryan

Outer rubber showing wear after ~35 miles - Ryan

Over stabilized quite firm heel lacks some bounce, more PEBA foam less EVA please: Sam

A bit over serious in ride, could deliver more Smiles given its stack height and weight: Sam

Stats

Weight: men's 8.92 oz / 253g (US9) 

Official Weight women's: 8.0 oz/ 227g (US8)

Sample Weights: 

men’s  8.72 oz / 247g US8.5 , 9.45 oz  / 268g (M9.5), 8.20oz / 232g (M7), 8.92 oz / 253g (US9) 

women’s (right) 8.04 oz / 228g (left) 8.29oz/235g (US8)

Stack Height: men’s 39 mm heel / 34 mm forefoot (5mm drop spec) 

                       women’s  37 mm heel / 32 mm forefoot (5mm drop spec) 

$180.  Available now at our partners at the end of the article.

Testbericht: adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 9 - Kompromisslose Performance! (German)

 Article by Nils Scharff

adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 9 (200€)

Einleitung

Nils: Der adidas Takumi Sen 9 ist jetzt schon die dritte aufeinanderfolgende Variante des Takumi, die ich für RTR testen darf. Dabei ist die Entwicklung von adidas’ Wettkampfschuh für kurze Strecken enorm: Während Takumi Sen 7 und älter in ihrer minimalistischen Art vor allem dem asiatischen Markt vorbehalten und hierzulande fast schon eine Rarität waren, gab es mit der letztjährigen achten Variante einen Paukenschlag in Form einer Rundum-Erneuerung. Der neue Takumi hatte eine deutlich höhere Stapelhöhe als bisher, mit Lightstrike Pro adidas’ performantesten Schaum und dazu verstärkende Glasfaserstreben, die für Vortrieb und Stabilität sorgen sollten. Einzig der Fokus auf kurze Wettkampfstrecken von 5 bis 10 Kilometer und die damit verbundene extrem leichte Bauart blieben der Takumi-Linie erhalten. Und in dieser Klasse überzeugte der Takumi Sen 8 nicht nur mich und wurde deshalb im letzten Jahr zurecht als einer der besten Wettkampfschuhe gefeiert.

Doch wie will adidas nun mit dem Takumi Sen 9 an den Erfolg dieser neugeborenen Ikone anschließen? Außer dem nochmals etwas niedrigeren Gewicht (181g vs. 185g) ist mir im Vorfeld dieses Tests nichts über die Weiterentwicklung bekannt. Lasst es uns also gemeinsam herausfinden.

On Cloudboom Echo 3 Multi Tester Review: 16 Comparisons

Article by Ryan Eiler, Derek Li and Joost De Raeymaeker

On Cloudboom Echo 3 ($290)

Introduction

The ON Cloudboom Echo 3 has been spotted on the feet of their professional runners for over a year now. It is easily the most anticipated super shoe release for the second half of this year. The original Cloudboom Echo had a very aggressive rockered ride, and many runners felt it was too firm for the marathon distance. The Echo 3 is widely expected to address this with a more forgiving ride. How does it stack up against the latest crop of super shoes? Read on to find out. 

Pros:

Upper: Superbly crafted precision fitting with great comfort upper also includes multiple lacing options: Sam/Joost/Derek

Smooth front roll without a mid foot plate hump that has to be consistently “found” for the shoe to work: Sam/Ryan/Derek

Heel is more stable than most comparable ‘supers’ - Ryan/Sam/Joost/Derek

Aesthetic is clean and sleek - Ryan/Joost/Sam/Derek

Feels nimble and fast - Joost/Sam

Cons:

Not a slower paces plated shoe. Plate just ahead of the heel is firm and over rigid. 8:10 or faster per mile needed for most:  Sam/Ryan/Joost/Derek

Top level pricing at $289 Sam/Ryan/Joost/Derek

Not as quick or forgiving as shoes of comparable price - Ryan/Sam/Derek

Upper doesn’t lock down foot as well as competitors - Ryan

Toe box feels too unstructured for a racing shoe - Ryan

Upper rubs a bit over top of first metatarsal - Joost

Outsole design/durability - Ryan

Tester Profiles (in brief, full run bios below)

Ryan, 37  is a 2:18 marathoner (2023) who trains in the Boston area

Derek, 40 is a 2:39 marathoner who trains in Singapore

Joost, 55 is a 2:26 marathoner (2019 at age 51) who trains in Angola, Africa