Test des NNormal Tomir 2.0 (French)

Article de Sam Winebaum

NNormal Tomir 2.0 (€160,$ 170)

Introduction

La Tomir est "l'autre chaussure" de NNormal de Kiilan Jornet avec la semelle intermédiaire modulaire Kboix (RTR preview) à venir en 2024. Elle est destinée à être un complément plus amorti pour les longues distances à la Kjerag ultralégère (RTR Review) , l'une de mes chaussures préférées de 2023 pour son agilité et sa polyvalence. La clé de sa merveilleuse conduite et de son poids léger était une semelle intermédiaire en mousse supercritique. La Tomir 2 bénéficie de la même mousse et, bien qu'elle pèse un peu plus que la version précédente, elle repose désormais sur une plateforme plus large. La conduite en course est nettement améliorée.

Testbericht: HOKA Mach 6 - Leichtgewichtiger Allrounder, der Spaß macht! 4 Vergleiche (German)

Artikel von Marcel Krebs

HOKA Mach 6 (160€)

 

Einleitung

Nachdem ich bereits vom Vorgängermodell, dem HOKA Mach 5, äußerst angetan gewesen bin, war ich sehr erfreut, als ich erfahren habe, dass ich nunmehr auch den neuen Mach 6 von HOKA werde testen können.

Im Vergleich zum Vorgänger verspricht der Mach 6 eine noch reaktivere und großzügiger bemessene Mittelsohle. In Kombination verspricht dies vor allem eins: Noch mehr Lauffreude!

Zudem verfügt der Mach 6 nunmehr auch über eine richtige Außensohle, was der Langlebigkeit deutlich zuträglich sein sollte.

Wie sich der HOKA Mach 6 während der Testphase geschlagen hat, was sein idealer Einsatzzweck ist und wie er sich vom Vorgängermodell im Praxistest vor allem unterschieden hat, erfahrt ihr in den nächsten Abschnitten.

Büite Hardloop Review: 3 Comparisons

Article by Bryan Lim

Büite Hardloop ($300 AUD / $199 (exchange rate as at 11 May 2024)

Introduction

It is kind of apt that I am reviewing the Büite Hardloop a couple of months before I fly out to South Africa for Comrades Marathon in Durban as the brand Büite, pronounced bœi̯.tə or booytuh means ‘outdoors’ in Afrikaans. ‘Hardloop’ also means run in Afrikaans and incidentally is such a fitting name for the shoe which is intended for hard all day trail running. 

Altra Experience Flow: Test d’une Altra avec du drop ! (French)

Article par Jérémy Marie

Altra Running Experience Flow ( €150)

Introduction

Altra, depuis sa création, est une marque qui s’identifie par des marqueurs forts: une toe box large, qui respecte l’anatomie naturelle du pied, une semelle flexible “Inner Flex”, avec des encoches de flexion qui suivent là encore l’anatomie du pied, et enfin un drop nul: la semelle fait la même épaisseur au talon qu’à l’avant pied. L’ensemble collant aux préceptes du “courir naturel”.

La sortie l’an dernier de l’Altra Experience FWD jetait donc un pavé dans la marre: une Altra avec du drop ! Certes mesuré, mais tout de même.

Loin de renier ses principes, Altra étend avec ce modèle son offre, en proposant une running d’introduction, moins exigeante: le zéro drop reste la caractéristiques d’Altra qui demande le plus d’adaptation.

Cette nouvelle Experience Flow est une révision de l’empeigne du modèle précédent, et se voit accompagnée d’une version tout terrain, l’Altra Experience Wild et une version stabilité légère  Experience Form.

Racer Story: Dominick Layfield's Canyons 100 Mile Race Report

 Article by Dominick Layfield

Canyons 100 mile Racer Report 

It’s a couple of minutes before nine, on the morning of April 26th, and I’m vacillating.  Nearly three hundred runners are gathered at China Wall staging area, some thirty-ish miles outside of the town of Auburn in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.  It’s colder than I expected, and raining lightly. 

I’m trying to decide whether to take off my rain jacket.  My guess is that the rain will taper off.  If I keep my jacket on, I’ll probably get hot and sweaty and have to take it off soon after the start of the race.  If I’m wrong, and the rain continues, or gets heavier, I’ll get soaked and cold, and have a really tough time getting warm again.  The safe choice is obvious.

Hoka Speedgoat 6 Review: 7 Comparisons

Article by Jeff Valliere

Hoka Speedgoat 6 ($155)

Introduction

After ~2 years, Hoka has released their long anticipated update to the ever so popular Speedgoat which is their all around most versatile trail shoe. It has been  equally at home on technical mountain ridges and steep loose rocky trails as it is going fast on smooth singletrack or door to trail.  If you are the one shoe quiver type, the Speedgoat has long been a front runner choice.  

New in the Speedgoat 6 

• new lighter and more resilient CMEVA midsole foam, resulting in an 11g/ 0.39 oz weight reduction, 
• revamped textile upper which also contributes to the weight drop
• revised pattern Vibram Meggrip outsole now with Traction Lug mini side lugs. 

If you liked the previous version, then you should really love the improvements, I did! Please read on for all the details and 7 comparisons.

2024 Supercritical Foam, Unplated Trainers Comparison Review: Hoka Mach 6, New Balance FC Rebel v4, and Craft Pacer

Article by Sam Winebaum

Hoka Mach 6 ($140), New Balance FC Rebel v4 ($140), Craft Pacer ($150)

In the article I compare 4 top 2024 unplated light road trainers. All have supercritical foams, similar moderate stack heights, low weights, and pricing yet are very different in ride and fit.

NNormal Tomir 2.0 Review: 4 Comparisons

Article by Sam Winebaum

Update: NNormal Tomir 2.0 now Multi Tester Review 4 Comparisons French Review

NNormal Tomir 2.0 ($170)

Introduction

The Tomir is the “other shoe” from Kiilan Jornet’s NNormal with the modular midsole  Kboix (RTR preview) coming in 2024, It is intended to be a longer distance more cushioned complement to the ultralight  Kjerag (RTR Review) one of my favorite shoes of 2023 for its agility and versatility. Key to its wonderful ride and light weight was a supercritical foam midsole. And great news the Tomir 2 gets the same foam and while it doesn’t lose weight of the prior version as it now sits on a wider platform. The ride is vastly improved.

The Tomir 1 (RTR Review), in contrast to the Kjerag, was at best an awkward shoe on many levels despite a very decent weight. It was rigid and quite firm with a stiff upper with poor heel hold even with my thickest socks, noting that my test pair was the waterproof version at true to size. My fellow tester Mike Potasaki agreed. 

With its new more friendly and secure upper and far more energetic, flexible, wider and more stable platform Tomir 2 is clearly a major and I think successful update, and is really a new shoe despite similar appearances and the same stack height.

Mizuno Neo Vista Multi Tester Review: a Bold & Practical Super Trainer- 5 Comparisons

Article by Sam Winebaum, Peter Stuart, Ryan Eiler, and Michael Ellenberger

Mizuno Neo Vista ($180)

Introduction

The Neo Vista is Mizuno’s entry into the “super road trainer” category. What are super road trainers? I generally consider them to be shoes whose heel height is higher than the World Athletics standard of a maximum 40 mm for elite level racing and in the Vista we are 44.5 mm and all 4 of us testing think it is a delightful shoe setting a new high bar in its category.

Testbericht: ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris – Ab auf den Laufschuh-Olymp! 13 Vergleiche (German)

Artikel von Marcel Krebs & Nils Scharff

ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris (250€)

Einleitung

Nils: Die Metaspeed (Sky) Modelle gehören seit Ihrem jeweiligen Launch vor drei bzw. zwei Jahren zum besten Material, dass man sich als Athlet:in für den Marathonwettkampf an den Fuß ziehen kann. Sie bestechen seit jeher durch ein niedriges Gewicht, durch vor allem sehr atmungsaktive Obermaterialien sowie durch den eher festen, aber sehr energetischen Dämpfungsschaum FFTurbo. Das bis vor kurzem aktuelle Modell Metaspeed Sky+ hat im Frühjahr 2022 das Licht der Welt erblickt, ist also gemessen am schnelllebigen Laufschuhmarkt beinahe in die Jahre gekommen.

Rechtzeitig zum Start des olympischen Jahres beschert uns ASICS deshalb ein Update seiner erfolgreichen Metaspeed Modelle und bleibt sich dabei insofern treu, dass auch diesmal keine Numerierung den Produktnamen ergänzt. Das neue Modell ist stattdessen nach dem Austragungsort der diesjährigen Olympischen Spiele benannt: ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris. Obwohl dieser in seiner Silhouette dem Vorgängermodell zum Verwechseln ähnlich sieht, hat sich einiges geändert. Hervor sticht vor allem das neue Mittelsohlenmaterial FF Turbo Plus sowie das extrem niedrige Gewicht, dass den Metaspeed Sky Paris zum leichtesten (regulär erhältlichen) Superschuh auf dem Markt macht.

Ergänzt wird der Sky Paris genauso wie bisher durch einen zweiten, zum Verwechseln ähnlichen Superschuh, den Metaspeed Edge Paris, den wir hoffentlich auch noch testen dürfen. ASICS propagiert in diesem Kontext weiterhin die Unterscheidung zwischen kraftbetonten Stride-Läufern und eher leichtfüßigen Cadence-Läufern und stellt beiden Läufertypen einen auf sie spezialisierten Laufschuh zur Seite. Der hier getestete ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris sollte zu mir als Stride-Läufer wie die Faust aufs Auge passen. Entsprechend bin ich sehr gespannt, wie ASCIS neuester Bolide während meiner Testläufe performt.

Altra Running Experience Form Review

Article by Matt Kolat

Altra Experience Form ($140 US)

Introduction 

Altra is an American brand that first made a name for itself in the running shoe world during the minimalist revolution that took place around 15 years ago (does anyone still remember those bygone days?). 

What sets Altra models apart from most of the competition is their anatomical shape (read wide midfoot and forefoot) and zero drop (no difference in foam thickness between the back and front of the shoe). And it is this latter feature in particular that I would like to highlight in the introduction to the review below because the Altra Form model is part of the Experience line, where for the first time (except for the 2023 FWD Experience) tha  Altra has moved away from zero drop to 4mm with the light stability Form here, neutral Flow and trail Wild. 

Is this a good idea? I invite you to the review!

Recenzja: Altra Running Experience Form (Polish)

Article by Matt Kolat

Altra Experience Form ($140 US, expected 150€)

Wprowadzenie 

Altra to amerykańska marka, która pierwszy raz zasłynęła w świecie obuwia biegowego podczas minimalistycznej rewolucji, która miała miejsce około 15 lat temu (czy ktoś jeszcze pamięta te zamierzchłe czasy?). W ofercie Altra trudno jednak szukać, teraz czy wtedy, obuwia z minimalistyczną grubością pianki w podeszwie środkowej. Cechą odróżniającą modele Altra od większości konkurencji jest anatomiczny kształt (czytaj szerokie śródstopie oraz przód) oraz zerowy drop (brak różnicy w grubości pianki między tyłem a przodem buta). I to właśnie na tę drugą cechę chciałbym w szczególności zwrócić uwagę we wprowadzeniu do poniższej recenzji bowiem model Altra Form jest częścią linii Experience, w której po raz pierwszy Altra odeszła od zerowego dropu. Czy to dobry pomysł? Zapraszam do recenzji!

Alltra Running Experience Flow Multi Tester Review 4 Comparisons

Article by Renee Krusemark and Sam Winebaum

Altra Experience Flow ($140)

Introduction

Sam: The Altra Experience Flow is an upper update to Altra’s first non zero drop shoe, the FWD Experience (RTR Review). It is joined by the Experience Wild (RTR Review soon), a door to trail shoe and the Experience Form (RTR Review soon) which adds a bit more stability with the Flow already having plenty. Needless to say Altra, the “zero drop” pioneer’s move to introduce some shoes with drop is significant. 

Altra staples the “Foot Shape” toe box, here in the intermediate Standard width, and the great forefoot underneath with Inner Flex and plenty of platform width are all on board. 

At men's 8.25 oz  / 234g (US9)  /  women's 7.18 oz / 203g (US8) on a quite big 32 mm heel / 28mm forefoot platform they are a lot of shoe for the weight even if they gain some weight over the earlier FWD.

The brand sees the Experience line as a way to broaden consumer’s experience with the other great parts of Altra’s offering and serve as a stepping stone, if desired, to zero drop. Personally, the Foot Shape and forefoot with Inner Flex have been what I have liked best at Altra, not so much the zero drop. Let’s see how they performed.

Ron Hill Reverence Review: for the roughest and muddiest of trails! 4 Comparisons

Article by Jeff Valliere

Ron Hill Reverence (£135, €161.99, US$180.89)

Introduction to the Ron Hill brand:  Who was Ron Hill?  I had never heard the name or of the brand before being approached to review these shoes.  The description sent to us below sums it up best.  I will also note that Ron Hill holds the world record run streak of 19,032 days!

‘Dr Ron Hill MBE founded the brand in September 1970, five months after becoming the first

Briton to win the Boston Marathon in a record time of 2:10:30. His sole purpose: to produce kit

that kept him winning.

Dr Ron gained a PhD in Textile Chemistry, from the University of Manchester and through

alchemy and his art as a runner, began to rethink the fly-by-night running kit of the time. After

winning the Commonwealth Games in 1970 he developed the ‘side-split short’ which famously

become the Freedom Short and the Mesh Vest - both having accompanied him to his greatest

victories on the road.

Half a century ago, Dr Ron’s innovations transformed the world of running clothing, we want to continue this journey with running footwear, allowing runners to run every day in comfort and invest in a product that truly performs how they require it to.

Our running shoes have been designed by runners and assisted by experts in the field of

developing and manufacturing performance trainers. We have also leant on our 50 years of

passion and knowhow, inspired by Dr Ron, and guided by feedback from our test team of

athletes to create our first footwear collection. Everything that has gone into our running shoe

collection has resulted in footwear fit for purpose.’

Introduction to the shoe:  The Reverence is a mountain running/fell shoe designed in the English Lake District to take on the roughest, wettest, muddiest terrain with confidence.  They feature a “True Fit” design to allow for the big toe to splay and give enough room to not feel confined on all day adventures and a Matryx upper to provide very good security, durability and protection.  

The outsole for me is the star of the show, featuring super aggressive 7mm lugs made of Michelin’s OCX3 compound (Outdoor Compound Extreme 3), a sticky rubber that provides superb grip on all surfaces and especially in wet challenging conditions.

Pros:  Traction (7mm lugs and Michelin OCX3 rubber are an amazing combo!), foothold, low to ground stable feel, protection, quality build

Cons: Weight, less than energetic midsole, laces are thin and come untied easily (unless you tie really tight triple knot, then is fine)

BCA Stash Pro 32L Backpack & BCA Scepter 3S Pole 2024 Reviews

Article by Jeff Valliere

BCA Stash Pro 32L Backpack ($219)

Capacity: 32L/1983ci

Weight: 2.59lbs/1174g

Sizes S/M, M/L

Introduction:

The BCA Stash Pro 32L is a high volume, lightweight backcountry pack, built with durable, high end materials. It is ideal for long days of ski touring, snowboarding or for other winter activities.  

The Stash Pro 32 is loaded with winter specific conveniences that sets it apart from more typical daypacks, such as easy and secure ski/board/snowshoe carry solutions, easy access rear/side compartments (easily accessible without taking the pack entirely off) and many other well thought out details for winter backcountry travel.