Gear
Options Abound: Spring 2011 Shoe Review
February 17, 2011By Michal Kapral
Significant updates to classic models and some exciting new offerings give runners even more to choose from in their 2011 footwear options. We’ve broken down our review into five categories - in addition to the traditional neutral cushioning, stability and lightweight trainer sections, we now have categories for barefoot-style minimalist shoes and crossover shoes that can be used on roads and trails. The result is more selection for runners, whatever their gait and preference.
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1080 - $170
New Balance (Neutral Cushioning) Men's 12 oz, 342 g / Women's 9.7 oz, 275 g
Redesigned Abzorb and N-Ergy heel crash pads add an extra-cushy underfoot feel to this top-end New Balance cushioning shoe. More blown rubber on the outsole improves ground-contact stability and channels the flow of the heel-to-forefoot transition. Adjustments to the forefoot upper construction reduce the chance of irritation, allow more airflow and reduce the shoe's weight. Pliable, synthetic overlays in the midfoot fit securely over the foot without causing any binding effect. Testers enthusiastically embraced this update, praising the 1080s performance, traction, fit and gorgeous esthetics.
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LunarElite+ 2 - $140
Nike (Neutral Cushioning) Men's 9.3 oz, 264 g / Women's 7.1 oz, 201 g
The update to the popular LunarElite+ sees significant changes to the upper, with new zig-zag Flywire overlays that provide stability from the medial and lateral forefoot right through to the start of the heel. The Nike Swoosh gets a more subtle treatment and has been bump back to the heel. A reinforced toe box reduces the chance of blisters, while a relatively tall and padded heel cup keeps the foot in place. Continuing with the previous model, this version is equipped with the same Dynamic Support system wedge that adapts to a runner's stride offering stability for overpronators and cushioning for more neutral runners.
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Ultra Kalani - $160
Zoot (Neutral Cushioning) Men's 10.5 oz, 297 g / Women's 9.1 oz, 258 g
The Ultra Kalani signals a major change of direction for Zoot. This shoe transitions the Kona-founded company's triathlon roots to mainstream running, while still bringing some of the tri-specific technology along for the ride. This neutral trainer is built with the unmistakable Zoot stamp of a seamless, elasticized upper that hugs the foot comfortably without any chafe zones. The first giveaway that the Kalanis are not tri shoes is that they use conventional laces rather than the elasticized laces found on their tri-specific offerings. The asymmetrical lacing snakes through three pairs of three flexible overlays providing excellent midfoot security and control. These are fast shoes with excellent cushioning and transitional flexibility.
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Adrenaline GTS 11 - $150
Brooks (Stability) Men's 11.4 oz, 323 g / Women's 9.7 oz, 275 g
After introducing its impact-adaptable DNA midsole with the Glycerine late last year, Brooks has now rolled out the DNA technology across its running shoe line, including the Adrenaline. The shoe is outfitted with the high-tech material in both the heel and forefoot and provides cushioning that adjusts to the runner's weight and impact of each stride. Brooks adds multiple segments to the heel crash pad, which provide a more secure feel during the landing phase. The heel counter has also be updated for snugger more comfortable and snug. And another common tweak this season is modifications the eyelets. The Adrenaline GTS 11 has elasticized eyelets, which accommodate swollen feet at the end of a long run.
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AdiZero Tempo 4 - $140
Adidas (Stability) Men's 10.5 oz, 298 g / Women's 9.3 oz, 264 g
The new Tempo delivers more with less. At just 10.6 oz for the men's size 9, this shoe lets moderate overpronators enjoy a speedy ride for faster-paced workouts without compromising on stability and cushioning. Adidas adds adiPrene in the forefoot midsole for a plush ride, while the de-coupled Formation crash pod provides a smooth transition. Testers said the soft lining and breathable mesh upper further enhanced the shoe's overall comfort. The combination of pronation protection and a touch of cushioning make this lightweight stability trainer suitable for longer runs up to the marathon distance.
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ProGrid Guide 4 - $145
Saucony (Stability) Men's 11.6 oz, 330 g / Women's 10.1 oz, 285 g
As the most popular shoe in the Saucony line, it's no surprise that the company has worked hard to further hone this light-stability training shoe. True to its name, the shoe does actually seem to guide you along on the right path, with an incredibly smooth transition and a balance of moderate pronation control and cushioning. This spring's update slightly increases the heel ride height making room for more cushioning and adding a noticeable boost in ride-plushness. Runners looking for a stability shoe with extra cushioned comfort will enjoy this season's Guide 4.
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GT-2160 - $160
Asics (Stability) Men's 12.0 oz, 340 g / Women's 10.2 oz, 289 g
For moderate overpronators, the GT-2160 builds may be the perfect shoe. This year Asics adds a guidance line through the entire forefoot, which improves toe-off. The heel collar gets an added piece of memory foam on the lateral side to increase fit and comfort, and the shoe continues to offer silicone-based gel cushioning in the both the heel and forefoot. Asics uses a section of DuoMax foam for pronation control. This is a sleek-looking update that improves on the GT 2100 series without making any compromises.
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Gel-Kayano 17 - $200
Asics (Stability) Men's 11.9 oz, 337 g / Women's 10.7 oz, 303 g
Asics upgraded a few aspects of their top-level support shoe, among them different density midsole materials in the forefoot and heel for a softer ride. In the upper, the eyelets get a makeover to conform to the top of the foot, and with memory foam paneling on either side of the ankle, testers found the fit was greatly enhanced. Asics continues to employ its DuoMax pronation control system in the midfoot, while the shock-absorbing gel in the heel and forefoot enhance the shoe's well-cushioned ride. The outsole's guidance lines, which curve through the forefoot toward the big toe, encourage proper alignment when transitioning from mid-stance to push-off during the gait cycle.
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Wave Elixir 6 - $150
Mizuno (Stability) Men's 9.8 oz, 278 g / Women's 8.1 oz, 230 g
As with many models this spring, the Elixir's upper gets an update with lighter more flexible overlays. This shoe's combination of blown rubber and G3 forefoot outsole provides cushioning while remaining flexible and lightweight. Mizuno smartly chose not to mess with the underlying structure of this go-to shoe for runners who want some pronation control, but who also seek a responsive ride with a smooth heel-to-toe transition. The flashy Elixir could easily fall into the lightweight trainer category, or even as a racing shoe for heavier runners, but it has enough support to take runners with mid-arch runners through longer workouts.
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GT-2160 Trail - $160
Asics (Crossover Shoes) Men 11.9 oz, 337 g / Women's 10.2 oz, 289 g
Although technically an off-road shoe, the GT-2160 Trail fits nicely in the crossover category. Built on the same platform as the GT-2160 stability shoe with DuoMax pronation control, the trail version features a slightly more rugged and grippy outsole that has a low enough profile to perform well on pavement while offering improved performance on trails. The upper gets a denser mesh fabric reducing mud and moisture penetration. With these minimal additions to the road version, runners will feel agile training on the road and equally at ease barrelling down slippery, rocky trails.
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XR Crossmax - $140
Salomon (Crossover Shoes) Men's 11.3 oz, 320 g / Women's 9.9 oz, 280 g
A lightweight trail-running shoe that Salomon created to fill the gap for runners, mainly in urban areas, who want a trail shoe that can also be used on the road. The XR Crossmax's lugs, although less aggressive than true trail models such as the XT Wings, are rugged enough to handle slippery and rocky trail, while anti-debris mesh uppers will take runners through dirty and muddy conditions. This is a versatile shoe that should capture a significant segment of this emerging crossover market.
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Double Track - $130
The North Face (Crossover Shoes) Men's 11.6 oz, 330 g / Women's 9.8 oz, 277 g
This new crossover shoe from The North Face will help runners manoeuvre with ease over road or trail surfaces. The X-Dome Cradle Support offers unobtrusive support during the heelstrike, so that the rest of the gait cycle can continue properly on rough terrain. Breathable mesh uppers help wick away moisture, while an external moulded heel counter and TPU-welded midfoot add support and control. An engineered harness platform with integrated medial post keep the foot aligned perfectly and a Snakeplate insert provides push-through protection. A grippy outsole will help runners keep their footing on some of the most perilous terrain. This is another fine addition to the crossover category.
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Adizero Boston 2 - $140
Adidas (Lightweight Trainer) Men's 9.5 oz, 269 g / Women's 8.5 oz, 241 g
A well-ventilated mesh upper keeps feet cool for fast-paced training runs in this second version of the ballyhooed Boston. The shoe comes equipped with AdiPrene in the forefoot for more cushioning, a decoupled heel and a new 3D Formotion system in the midfoot to promote a smooth transition. The Boston 2 offers a very stable and cushioned platform for its weight and fast-paced runners will enjoy the seamless flow from landing to push-off. The bold colour updates in both the men's and women's editions are likely to attract some attention on the roads. A winner.
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Gel-DS Trainer 16 - $170
Asics (Lightweight Trainer) Men's 10.5 oz, 298 g / Women's 9.2 oz, 261 g
As with its other models this spring, Asics adds a guidance line groove through the forefoot to encourage a proper transition through start of the gait cycle to toe off. The update to this classic lightweight trainer boosts late-stage stability with some extra platform width on the medial forefoot. The revamped external heel counter adds control, while maintaining slip-free comfort. Redesigned eyelet-construction keeps the laces from irritating the top of the foot while maintaining overall fit during the run. The new DS Trainer is the perfect fit for runners who want a light shoe with a hint of stability.
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Progrid Mirage - $150
Saucony (Lightweight Trainer) Men's 8.9 oz, 252 g / Women's 7.9 oz, 224 g
A great everyday training shoe for runners progressing to natural-motion style shoes, this new model from Saucony offers a wisp of pronation control with a supportive TPU arc and plush EVA cushioning in the midsole. This is an excellent choice for slight overpronators who want a responsive, lightweight and highly flexible trainer for faster workouts. Offering the same low profile and slight 4mm heel-to-toe drop as Saucony's Kinvara 2, the Mirage provides a little more cushioning and overpronation protection than its ultra-light cousin.
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890 Revlite - $150
New Balance (Lightweight Trainer) Men's 9.6 oz, 272 g / Women's 7.9 oz, 225 g
This amply cushioned everyday trainer has the look and feel of a lightweight trainer thanks to New Balance's Rev Lite weight-saving foam. The new foam midsole offers the same responsiveness and durability as traditional cushioning systems with about a 30 per cent weight savings. Sponsored athletes Andy Baddeley and Jenny Barringer (now Jenny Simpson) helped develop this model and their names are branded on the outside ankle cuff. Runners looking for a silken, breezy and flexible ride will adore the Revlite. Deep, diamond-shaped vertical flex grooves facilitate the natural roll of the foot through the transition, while two horizontal cutouts improve flex on toe-off. For longer runs, the outsole platform links through the midfoot transition to a very stable push-off position.
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Streak II - $150
Pearl Izumi (Minimal Shoes) Men's 7.9 oz, 224g / Women's 6.8 oz, 193 g
This lightweight trainer just got lighter with the second edition eliminating some overlays on the uppers and also cutting a perforated guidance groove along the length of the outsole. Grip and flexibility are both enhanced by several new horizontal grooves in the outsole, as well as with the addition of carbon rubber in landing and push-off sites. The new seamless uppers offer enough wraparound to keep the foot secure during speedwork and racing. This update will also feel faster thanks to a lower ride height, while maintaining a decent amount of cushioning thanks to Peal Izumi's Skydex system. An excellent trainer for efficient runners.
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Adizero Adios - $150
Adidas (Minimal Shoes) Men's 6.9 oz, 196 g / Women's 5.9 oz, 167 g
Ah, the racing flat - you could call it the original barefoot-style shoe. The Adios, worn by the now-out-of-retirement marathon world record holder Haile Gebrselassie, offers more a of a traditional road-shoe feel than other more stripped-down racing flats. The minimal cushioning and slipper-like fit of the mesh uppers with scarce overlays produces a very natural stride for all kinds of training and racing situations. There's enough shoe here to take serious runners through medium-distance training runs and races up to the half-marathon and marathon. A narrow-width midfoot and snug heel keep the foot in place and a wider forefoot allows room for the foot's natural expansion on landing and push-off.
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Hattori - $120
Saucony (Minimal Shoes) Men's 4.4 oz, 125 g / Women's 3.8 oz, 108 g
The zero-drop, ultra-light Hattori brings Saucony squarely into the forefront of the minimal shoe category. Everything about this shoe is thin and lightweight, from the two wafer-thin Velcro lockdown tabs at the ankle and heel to the pantyhose-like construction of the Ultralite upper to the almost-imperceptible polymer overlays. Even the outsole is stripped down dramatically with the use of pure EVA and parallelogram-shaped cutouts that produce a Nike Free-style foot-mimicking flexibility. High-impact areas in the outsole are padded with denser XT-900 compounds. Runners looking to get as close to barefoot as possible without going all the way should give the Hattori a try.
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Minimus Road - $130
New Balance (Minimal Shoes) Men's 8.2 oz, 232 g / Women's 6.2 oz, 176 g
Developed with the help of American ultrarunner Anton Krupicka, the Minimus line is New Balance's entry into the expanding market for barefoot-mimicking shoes. It uses new MNL-1 last with a roomier forefoot to allow for natural toe splay during the landing phase. The Minimus Road looks more like a regular road running shoe than other minimalist models, but succeeds in providing the barefoot feel that that many runners are seeking. The most dramatic feature is the lack of heel crash pad, which encourages runners to adopt more of a midfoot strike. The outsole is thick enough to protect the foot from the sharp object, but is very flexible and has virtually no ride height and a scant 4 mm heel-to-toe drop. New Balance also created a smooth interior with an Aegis odour barrier, so runners can go sockless. The Minimus is sure to find a foothold in the rapidly expanding barefoot-style category.
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Trail Glove (men's) $140, Pace Glove (women's) $125
Merrell (Minimal Shoes) Men's 6.2 oz, 176 g / Women's 4.7 oz, 133 g
Merrell enters the minimalist shoe market with the Trail Glove (the women's version is called the Pace), a stripped down barefoot-style running shoe with very little heel-to-toe drop and a high-flex Vibram rubber outsole. Despite the name of the men's version, these shoes perform well on the road for runners who want to let their lower legs muscles take the brunt on the impact. A roomy forefoot, curved outsole that promoted midfoot striking and, like the New Balance Minimus, uses a non-platform heel to minimize heel impact and smooth out the transition. Be prepared to feel every bump in the road - and to suffer some Achilles soreness during the initial adaptation phase - if you're not accustomed to this type of shoe. A great option for runners who want the barefoot feel without going completely bare or wearing the individually toed Vibram FiveFingers. Testers had fun running in the Gloves. For Merrell, this is a gutsy and innovative departure.
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Biom Train - $200
Ecco (Crosstraining Shoe)
A thicker, soft-padded yak-leather upper gives the new Biom Train a cozy feel that might be too much for a lot of hard running, but is ideal for a varied gym workout that includes some treadmill running, cross-training and general gym workouts. The Train would also suit runners looking for some extra support beyond the Biom A. This shoe's construction uses the same single-piece, blown-polyurethane (PU) outsole as the other shoes in the Biom line, but the panel juts up higher behind the arch to give it a more secure fit. The PU sole is lightweight and shock-absorbing and offers almost twice the durability of traditional EVA midsoles. Anatomically placed flex grooves increase forefoot flexibility for a more natural push-off angle. Biom constructed its last based on 2,500 foot-scans to create the perfect fit for runners.
