Article by John Tribbia, Ryan Eiler and Renee Krusemark
adidas Supernova Rise (€ 150 / $140)
Introduction
John: I'm excited to share my thoughts on the new Adidas Supernova Rise, a shoe that Adidas has reengineered from the ground up with the everyday runner in mind. This reimagined version promises unmatched comfort due to the innovative Dreamstrike+ midsole and a variety of other features.
Article by Jana Herzgova
Saucony Guide 17 ($140)
Introduction
The Guide is Saucony’s moderate stability offering. For the 17, the model follows the recent trend towards more inherent stability as the prior plastic support hoop on the medial side is removed. The platform width on the ground increases dramatically as do the side wall into which the foot sits to provide the stability. Along with an asymmetrical profile to guide the stride the combination is what Saucony calls Center Path Technology, Weight remains about the same.
Pros: Well cushioned daily trainer, smooth and soft feel when running/walking, mid-range toe box width, true to size. Stability without add on pieces or firmer foam
Cons: Wish for slightly more energy return, but I have not found any real flaws with this model.
Stats
Weight: men's 9.63oz / 273g (US9) / women's 8.1 oz / 232g
Samples: men’s 9.63oz / 273g (US9) (Guide 16: 9.55 oz / 271g (US9)
Stack Height: men’s 35mm heel / 29mm forefoot ( 6mm drop spec)
Guide 16: 35mm heel / 27mm forefoot (8 mm drop spec)
Platform Width: 105mm heel / 85 mm midfoot / 120 mm forefoot
Guide 16: 85mm heel / 70mm midfoot / 110 mm forefoot
$140 Available February 2024
Article by Alexandra Zvezdin and Sam Winebaum
Norda 003 ($325)
Introduction
Versatile running & all-around shoe within its niche. Read on to find out what that niche might be.
Alexandra: Norda introduces the 003 as an approach shoe transitioning seamlessly between hiking and running with usage extending to approaches. The Vibram MegaGrip outsole is highly inspired by the 001 while the upper is completely re-imagined but still using Dyneema, the strongest fiber by weight available. With the 003, you will find a laceless, elasticized Bio-Dyneema laceless upper that maintains a good fit through time. G+ graphene is used for thermoregulation and the upper provides sufficient warmth for winter use. The collaboration with Haven gives a design inspired by the brutalist movement that appeals to many making the shoe a good option for urban all-around use.
Sam: Alex describes the 003 well. The original 003, shown above, is a collaboration between Norda and Haven both of Canada with Norda of Montreal and Haven from the Pacific Coast. We have tested and been very impressed by Norda’s two trail shoes the 001 (RTR Review), a highly durable protective trail runner and the 002 its more agile and flexible sibling (RTR Review).
Norda goes all out to source and integrate the very best and often unique footwear technologies, customised for their product vision into their offerings. Here they set out to create a shoe that “is a durable, supportive approach shoe designed to transition seamlessly between hiking, scrambling and running.” And for more lifestyle uses. A tall order and many hats to wear.
As I had a recent knee operation they arrived just in time for steady road walks in a brace in late fall weather while Alex put them through their paces in all manner of activities up north in Quebec. Update: I have recently been able to run in them on a rail trail in a pair half size up and have also worn them daily for everything. Let’s see how they performed.
Article by Michael Ellenberger, Ben David, Ryan Eiler, and Derek Li
Nike Alphafly 3 ($285)
Introduction
Michael: I don’t remember a shoe being quite as hyped as the Alphafly 3 - maybe it was the relatively similarities between Alphafly 1 and 2 that really whetted runners appetites, or maybe the recent success of the Vaporfly 3 (showing that Nike is still innovating, if incrementally!), but there is undoubtedly some genuine excitement about Nike’s latest and greatest marathon racer.
I’ve become an Alphafly devotee (well, relatively) in the recent past; I wore version 1 (v1) for my brutal 2:25 2023 Houston Marathon performance - certainly not the shoe’s fault, but man! Rough day - and several workouts adjacent, and switched to the AlphaFly v2, for my 2:21 PR at Grandma’s in 2023. There are some (most notably top American Connor Mantz) who swear by the first generation; I don’t have all that strong of a preference between the first two iterations, with potentially a slight preference for the mildly firmer, more kinetic-feeling v2.
But, Vaporfly 3 intervened between AF2 and now, and seems a massive hit; I think many folks who found the Vaporfly line lacking a little something specifically for the marathon distance were enamored by VF3, myself included (though I never gave it an opportunity in a race). 2024’s Alphafly seems a blend of new (VF3) and old (AF1/2), so there is lots to be excited about.
Derek: I’ve set my two fastest marathon times, and countless superb long run workouts in the Alphafly 1 so I’m really looking forward to seeing what version 3 can offer, after what is generally considered to be a dud in version 2. I had zero fit issues with version 1 but experienced horrible arch blistering with version 2, so that’s another aspect I will be paying close attention to.
Pros:
Cons:
Article by Jeff Valliere and Mike Postaski
Merrell Agility Peak 5 Zero GORE-TEX ($200)
Introduction
Jeff V: The Merrell Agility Peak 5 Zero GORE-TEX is a sturdy, well cushioned, waterproof winter trail running shoe with a built in gaiter and a superb Vibram outsole. This is one of the best winter shoes on the market and costs less than comparable shoes from other brands. They are high quality, durable, warm, cushy and have an appropriate fit for thicker winter socks.
Pros:
Comfortable, well cushioned, accommodating fit, traction, waterproof, built in gaiter, weight, price , Jeff V, Mike P
Keeps feet warm in very cold temps Mike P
Did not experience any moisture getting in Mike P
Cons:
Lace bite, excessive graphics/branding, fit might be a bit roomy for some Jeff V
No lace bite for me, but slightly loose in the heel Mike P
On the heavy side for pure running Mike P
Please find the testers full run bios at the end of the article after Comparisons.
Stats
Weight: men's: 12.5 oz/354g (US9)
Sample: men’s: 13.1 oz/372g (US10),13.0 oz/368g (US9.5)
Stack Height: men’s 31mm heel / 25mm forefoot (6mm drop)
Platform Width: 90mm heel / 80mm midfoot / 115mm forefoot
$200. Available Now
Article by Markus Zinkl
I did 1600 km of fast packing this year with the majority in the Austrian Alps to arrive at my Best of 2023 Fastpacking, testing a multitude of products on the trails. The highlight trek was, of course, this past summer’s 390 km Via Alpina across Switzerland. Please read on for my top picks.
Best Full Shelter
Durston Gear X-Mid Pro (RTR Review). At only 479 grams, one of the lightest shelters out there. The very easy setup and great weather protection make it the best full-fledged shelter of 2023 for me.
Best Minimal Shelter
Best Sleeping Pad
Best Fastpack
Best Midlayer
Best Fastpacking Shoes
Markus from Germany is mainly a recreational runner, currently running about 5 times per week. He runs about 50:50 on trails and roads. He is also an avid hiker with a focus on ultralight and fast. This is where his geek for gear and shoes comes to light. He loves the mountains and tries to spend as much free time there as possible.
Europe only: use RTR code RTR5ALL for 5% off all products, even sale products
Article by Jeff Valliere
Rab Winter Clothing
Rab is a British company that was founded over 40 years ago by Rab Carrington starting out with sleeping bags. Word spread about his high quality, hand stitched ingenious designs and he started making jackets as well and the rest is history!
I have heard of Rab of course, but remarkably have never owned or tested a single piece of Rab gear until now. To say that I am impressed is an understatement, Rab is next level gear, with the highest level quality, top end materials and well thought out designs, designs that are obviously tested and refined by those who are actually out in the field using the gear. Rab is THE benchmark for quality outdoor clothing/gear and I appreciate that they show a strong commitment to sustainable practices and materials.
I have been putting the Vapour-Rise Summit Jacket, Incline Vapour-Rise Pants, Mythic Alpine Down Jacket and the Khroma Latok Gore Tex Pro Pants to the test here in the foothills and high mountains of Colorado and am eager to share my impressions below!
Article by Dominique Winebaum
Merrell Antora 3 ($125)
Introduction
I opted for the Antora 3 from among a line-up of nine different models when the offer to test a pair of Merrell trail running shoes presented itself. I like a trail runner that does double duty as a hiker, and felt the Antora 3 would be a good fit for me. After several weeks of wear, I find them to be extremely versatile and not just built for the trails!
Reporting by Peter Stuart, Sally Reiley and Renee Krusemark
Nike Trail 2024: Zegama 2 and Pegasus Trail 5
Update:
The big story at Nike Trail at The Running Event was the promise of improved outsoles. Notorious for less than ideal wet grip, Nike has been working hard on this over the last year. The Peg Trail 4 GTX saw an improved wet grip rubber and miracle of miracles the flagship Ultrafly got a Vibram Megagrip outsole.
For 2024 Nike continues that trend with the Zegama also getting MegaGrip and the Pegasus Trail 5 getting a new Nike Trail All Terrain Compound (ATC) high abrasion rubber whose performance remains to be seen. We hope it is the same basic rubber as the Peg Trail GTX has which
had distinctly better grip than the regular Peg 4 Trail's.
The Zegama, Nike's long distance max cushion trail runner, beyond the outsole and a clear lymore pronounced rocker continues with Nike’s Zoom X supercritical foam and has essentially the same weight and stack height.
Pegasus Trail 5 gets a new React X midsole foam which is injected rather than compression molded and has reduces the midsole’s manufacturing footprint by 43%. We first experienced React X in the road InfinityRN 4 and it was a soft and kind of spongy foam with claimed 13% increased energy return. It increases in stack height and somewhat in weight.
