If you run in any sort of adverse or variable conditions, the Brooks Adrenaline GTX has got you covered.  (If you are familiar with Brooks models, this shoe is basically the GORE-TEX® version of the Adrenaline ASR 8.)  For me, Brooks’ claims that this shoe is for “ultimate protection from elements on and off the trail” and the “GORE-TEX® membrane allows you to go almost anywhere, in almost any weather” could not have been more true.

Colorado’s winter weather provided me the opportunity to test these shoes in a myriad of conditions including: dry pavement, snow-packed sidewalks, slush, snowy singletrack, mud, and ice. Given the variable conditions, the GORE-TEX® membrane was the star of the show. Even when splashing through slush or puddles, my feet remained warm and dry. In milder, dry weather my feet did not overheat; as advertised, the GORE-TEX® membrane kept the cold and wet out while still being breathable and light.

I was also really impressed with the midsole of this shoe.  I generally run in very minimalist, sub-5mm drop shoes, so I wasn’t sure what to expect from the relatively substantial Adrenaline GTX.  From the moment I slipped my foot into the shoe, the fit felt great and it seemed to mold to my foot, which is exactly what the Brooks DNA technology is supposed to do. Even with a thicker, more supportive midsole, I felt connected to the ground with each step, the impact was dispersed throughout the sole, and the rebound felt just right – not too soft, not too firm.  Additionally, I felt very stable in uneven, varied terrain.  Brooks does stability well – the shoe is designed for pronation control and has a rollbar to prevent twist torsion.

The HPR outsole was sufficiently lugged to deliver excellent traction on both wet and dry terrain.

I have already raved about the GORE-TEX ®membrane, but the rest of the upper on the Adrenaline GTX is also impressive. It is tough, but not too heavy. At 10.7 ounces they’re about twice the weight of my minimalist shoes, but I honestly didn’t notice it, and think the go-anywhere and stay-dry feature is worth the weight. Although I did not have the opportunity to run on overly rocky trails, I have no doubt that these would protect me from sharp edges. I was also a huge fan of the attached tongue. No need to worry about it slipping out of place. My one concern is that, for people with higher arches, the attached tongue may put too much pressure on the top of the foot.  Even with a normal arch I could feel a bit of pressure – more than just the snugness of the shoe.

The Adrenaline GTX has a feature I hadn’t seen on a shoe before:  four of the shoelace eyelets are stretchy, so that when you lace up, you get a more of a customized fit.

I did have one issue with the shoes that arose for the first time after approximately 50 miles.  I went out for a long run and, for no apparent reason, my second toe began to go numb, and it spread into pins and needles in the rest of my foot. The same thing happened on a trail run the following week. I still have yet to pinpoint the issue.  I liked the shoes so much from the start that I’m reluctant to set them aside, and I plan to further investigate the cause.

Overall, I loved the Adrenaline GTX; this is a great all-terrain shoe for heel-toe runners who get out in all conditions.  They held true to the manufacturer claims, the fit ran true to size, and the black with teal accents keep them looking new even after they’ve been put through the paces.  I am curious to see if a black GTX shoe – even with good breathability – will get hot in summer months.   More on that once I am able to test in those conditions.

Available also in Men’s (black/orange).

MSRP: $120

I’ve been running in Salomon shoes on and off for many years. I typically find their regular trail shoes a little too firm for my running style, so I rotate with other brands for summer trail activities. However, winter in Colorado offers some great running in snow conditions. The downside, though, can be ice!

These are the conditions in which Salomon most excels, in my opinion.  I have tried many shoe brands on snowy trails and found none better than the Salomon brand for watertight, dry runs.  The Spikecross 3 CS is the model best suited, of all the Salomon shoes, for running on those somewhat icy, snowy trails, which I have in abundance outside my front door at 6,500ft above Boulder.

Salomon describes the Spikecross as a “winter racing shoe with innovative Climashield weatherproofing and embedded metal spikes for gripping on wet, icy trail conditions”. Think of it this way: If you’ve  ever driven a vehicle on icy roads fitted with summer tires you’ll know how hard it is to stay on the black-top. The Spikecross is the equivalent of a studded snow tire for runners.

The metal studs protruding from the sole are designed to prevent a fall on icy surfaces, while the tractor-tire-style ContaGrip treads keep your feet from slipping in mud or snow. The non-marking ContaGrip rubber materials also enhance the eco-friendly approach that Salomon has to trail running.  The innovative sole is only part of the story;  they included Climashield insulation technology, designed to keep your feet nice and warm during those sub-zero run days, a water-resistant upper that has anti-debris mesh, and a mud-guard.  When you then consider that all of this sturdy tech comes in a light 8.5 oz package, it becomes fairly clear why the Spikecross 3 CS is an award-winner.

During the course of several runs, the Spikecross felt comfy and snug, as one would expect from Salomon’s Sensifit.  I was running with a friend who was wearing regular trail shoes and she clearly lacked the traction and confidence I had running in these spiked versions. If there is a need to run on some sort of pavement for a stretch, the studs are fairly loud, but they don’t spoil the cushioning of the shoe.   The Spikecross, however, are not meant to run on asphalt, they were bred to run in the backcountry.

I must admit, at times I felt almost invincible running in these ‘studly’ shoes. I could rip down icy trails and blast up hills with such confidence that I tended to forget I was running in icy conditions that would normally make me much more tentative. The grip is just superb.

Finally, you get the Salomon Quicklace system which involves no tying; simply tug the laces tight, and then stow them neatly in the tongue sleeve, where they stay put.  Quicklace is super user-friendly, and one of the best lacing systems on the planet, in my opinion.

In summary, The Salomon Spikecross 3 CS is basically safety equipment in the form of a shoe for those hardcore trail runners who brave inclement weather to race or train. The technology on board  provides a confidence-inspiring ride in any form of snow, sleet or mud. I have yet to test a better shoe for running on winter trails .

MSRP $160

For the trail runner that is looking for a plush ride on the trails while being able to stick to the trail surface, the La Sportiva Quantum is a must see.  When I first received this shoe to test, I was very skeptical about the outsole and whether it would hold to the trail.  It is different than anything I have seen from the trail running manufactures and by the looks of it, you would think the wavy bottom wouldn’t allow for any traction.  After I got over the looks of the outsole, I took the La Sportiva Quantum’s out for a spin.  Living in Colorado, we have a lot of rocky dry technical trails with steep ascents and descents.  To test out the Quantum’s, I decided to see how they held up on the very rocky technical trails.  To my surprise, these shoes gripped amazing on rocks and roots.  One of the reasons for the great grip is the rubber compound that La Sportiva uses.  It uses its own rubber called Friction X.  With La Sportiva’s background in climbing where sticky rubber is so important, they have been able to make a nice transition to the trail running scene.  Another reason the shoe sticks well to technical trails is because of the soft blown EVA and PU in the midsole.  Instead of holding stiff on surfaces like many trail shoes, the outsole in a way wraps around what you are stepping on to give you excellent grip.  While running in the snow on very wet surfaces, we found the shoes to lose the great grip, so it is best to stick to the dryer trails.

The La Sportiva Quantum has a very snug fit, so if you are looking to make a purchase, I suggest going up a half to full size.  When I first took these trail running shoes out, I found the snug fit to disappear after a half mile, but out of the box they seem to be almost too snug.   The Quantum’s weigh in at 12.9 oz. which is a little heavy for a trail running shoe, so if you are looking for a minimalist shoe, we suggest you looking somewhere else.  While out on my runs, I didn’t find the shoe to be heavy though.  For the heal to toe drop, the Quantum runs 31mm in the heel and 20mm in the toe, which gives you a 11mm drop.   If you tend to stub your toes from time to time on trail runs, it is nice to know the Quantum has a nice toe bumper.  As for durability and longevity of the Quantum, I found the shoe to provide a comfy ride on both trails runs between 3-5 miles and longer trail runs ranging from 18-25 miles.

One thing that I stumbled upon with the Quantum’s is that they perform pretty well on pavement.  I was planning on doing a long run while in a Vail, CO and the trails were pretty super sloppy and muddy.  I ended up running on a paved path for 18 miles and I felt like I was running in a road shoe, definitely something I was not expecting.  While I would not suggest buying these shoes for the road, it is nice to know they can make the transition.  The La Sportiva Quantum retails for $115 which I find to be a fair price for a quality pair of trail running shoes.  Overall, while I was skeptical about the performance of the outsole, I am very pleased with the performance of the La Sportiva Quantum’s.

Newton Momentum - Women's

Just so that I don’t have to write this long title every time, let’s start with the name.  Newton Running has chosen Latin names for their models (as would be appropriate for a company founded upon the principals of Sir Isaac), and refers to the shoes also in the English translation.  The Newton Terra Momentus, as it is called, is also known as the “Newton Momentum”.  The “All-Terrain” portion refers to the fact that this is an off-road shoe, and the (are we done yet?) “Guidance Trainer” finale refers to the category within the Newton lineup where this model resides.   So.  For the purpose of this review, I hope you don’t mind if I just call them the Momentum.  Thanks.

I should mention that I have been running on this shoe since its release in 2010, so my review perspective extends beyond what would be a normal product testing period.   I have been running on Newton road shoes since the company first arrived on the market with their patented Newton Action/Reaction Technology.   When the Momentum launched, I was very curious to see how this forward-propulsion technology, designed for natural running, would translate to the trail.

Newton Momentum lug design

The Newton Action/Reaction Technology is centered around a row of actuators or “lugs” on the sole’s midfoot (above photo: the primary midfoot lugs are black, and the flatter, forefoot lugs are green) .  These lugs press inward when you strike with your midfoot/forefoot, then as your foot levers, the lugs release that energy.  This is the Action/Reaction generated, an idea based on Sir Isaac Newton’s Third Law of Motion.   These actuator lugs are present on all Newton shoes, with minor revisions dependent upon the model’s specific purpose.   When you run on Newton shoes for the first time, especially on a road surface, it is a very strange sensation to land on these protruding lugs.  With proper form, however, the sensation normalizes quickly, and you begin to appreciate the forward kant of being propelled.   (Someone once told me that wearing Newton shoes in a race is cheating.)   On the Momentum the lugs are slightly lower, and, given the additional softness of being off-road, you may hardly notice the lugs at all.  (Note: My assumption throughout this review is that proper natural running form is being used.)

photo credit: TriSports University

My primary concern prior to testing was whether this lug would create additional imbalance for me on the trail (I say ‘additional’ because I am a notorious klutz and can barely stay upright as it is).  I was afraid that the seemingly reduced landing surface would cause me to turn ankles or otherwise send me flying on anything more technical than a fireroad.   But what I experienced is what you see in the above photo;  the actuator lugs can absorb individually, much like an independent suspension on a car.   This means that the shoe is able to perform very well on flat and uphill rocky surface without causing instability.

My second concern upon lacing up for the first time (remember the klutz part) was downhill performance.  The Newton Action/Reaction Technology is so effective for me on the road, I was worried the forward propulsion would jettison me off the trail.   My concern was valid – the Momentum indeed creates additional momentum, and on the downhill this needs to be kept in check.  I found that the traction could use some improvement as well for downhill running, as the sole just isn’t as grippy as other pure trail shoes.  As a natural runner I tend to increase speed on the downhill by increasing cadence, taking shorter, faster steps.  For me this has been the safest way to manage the forward motion and lessened traction of the Momentum.  When I have tried to blast downhill on the edge of control (don’t tell me you don’t do this too sometimes) it has not ended well.   In other words, if you enjoy running recklessly downhill, the Momentum may not be in your best interest.

The structure of the shoe feels to me more like a road shoe than a stiff trail shoe.  This has both positive and negative implications.   In the positive, the shoe feels light, without being so minimalist that the foot feels unprotected.  Almost all shoes on the market for natural runners are stripped-down, flyweight versions of their siblings, and I appreciate that Newton provides a shoe (both road and trail) with some substance to the natural runner.   Since natural runners have a lighter step, it just feels right to have a lighter shoe (the women’s Momentum weighs 9.2 ounces).   Traditional trail shoes are often double that weight or more.  In the negative, and likely in the interest of weight reduction, the shoe has given up a knobbier tread (as previously mentioned), and lateral stiffness.  While the upper has non-stretch reinforcement and the midfoot/rearfoot has a support chassis, I think Newton could improve upon lateral support, which would go a long way in delivering confidence to run more aggressively on the trail.    The upper is a highly-breathable mesh that is fine enough to keep out the dirt, dust, and sand which is ever-present in my Southern California environment.   I cross a lot of streams in my trail runs, and in the Momentum I run right through, leaving my waterproof-wearing friends to do their rock-to-rock routine.   The water comes right out and the shoes stay light.  The sockliner has terrific anti-friction and anti-bacterial properties, which contribute to the overall comfort of the shoe.

For a trail shoe that comes from road-shoe heritage, it would be logical to question the off-road durability.  So, after having already abused this particular pair of shoes for 3 months, I took the Momentum to the GORE-TEX Transrockies Run, a six-day, 125-mile stage race in the Colorado Rockies, to see what they’ve got.  While most people alternated between two or three pairs of shoes during the race, I decided to test the Momentum on every type of terrain the race served up.   The shoes held up remarkably well, with no outersole chipping, toe cap damage, or mesh tearing, any or all of which I would have expected after such extreme usage.  In fact, when I got home, I washed them up and kept wearing them.

dirty, but no apparent battle scars from TransRockies

Perhaps the best compliment I can give the Momentum is that I not only finished the race in them, I wasn’t sporting a single Band-Aid.  While most racers spent time in the medical tent getting toes and ankles taped before and after each stage, my feet remained injury-free.  No blisters, hotspots, or black toenails, none of the small irritants that can rapidly turn into major suffering on a long run.   The rest of my body was sufficiently tapped, but at least my feet were good to go.  This is because the shoe is built for the running style, is designed for the movement, and therefore nicely conforms to the foot throughout the land-lever-lift motion.   Getting a good fit is important with the Newtons to achieve this level of comfort.

Newton shoes in general tend to run small, and the Momentum is no exception.  I wear a half size larger in Newton shoes than I do in any other brand.  They recommend that you have a full thumbs-width between your toes and the end of the shoe; if you are ordering online, use your current shoes to test; if you don’t already have a full thumb’s width in them, order a half size up when ordering the Newton.  Remember that the sizing is important to make sure your foot is properly centered over the actuator lugs.   I have a narrow foot, and find the width of the Momentum to be on the generous side.  When I lace up my shoes for a run, they are pulled almost as tight as they can go (somewhat apparent in the above photo). If you have a very narrow foot and prefer a snug, enveloping feel, you may not be able to achieve this with the Momentum.  If you have a normal/medium to wide foot, you should not have any issues with the Momentum fit.   The toe box is also amply-sized to allow enough space for the levering action.  A final note on fit:  I often use custom orthotics when I feel flare-ups of an old injury, and I have been able to run very comfortably with these orthotics in the Momentum.  Simply remove the insole.

I recommend the Momentum for natural runners seeking more protection on the trail than a minimalist shoe, and who frequent trails with moderate terrain.  This is a comfortable and durable shoe that can help you to run both better (in form) and most certainly faster.

MSRP $139

Newton Momentum Giveaway - sign up by Dec 12 to enter

The shoes weigh in at about 1.3 pounds (20.8 oz), which is actually right in the range of other supportive, GTX trail running shoes.  Since they aren’t necessarily heavier than their competitors, perhaps what my hands were noticing initially was the structural sturdiness.  The shoe is categorized as a trail runner on the LOWA website, but the site also states the S-Cruise GTX’s ideal use as ‘fitness walking’.  I tested them as a trail runner more than a fitness walker, and I think this shoe will work just fine in either capacity.

I was especially impressed with the arch and heel support, because I tend to suffer from lower leg aches and pains that, if the support isn’t there, might stop me short on the trail.   I love the gusseted tongue, and am a huge fan of the tough laces. The seams appear to be strong, and I don’t foresee these shoes breaking down quickly. The muted Stone/Lime color combination (your only choice) is neutral and flattering.

I ordered the same size in the S-Cruise GTX as I use for road-running shoes, which proved to be a good fit.  I would say the LOWA S-Cruise GTX runs true to size.   LOWA uses an exclusive female last for their women’s products, which inherently improves the fit and comfort.

The first test was three miles on a graded single track gravel and dirt trail in the local foothills. Nothing too strenuous, but enough to get a good taste of what this shoe has to offer. The tread held well on the gravel, no slippage, and the shoe overall offered very good support. There was plenty of room in the toe box, and I felt like I could flex my foot naturally, without any constrictive binding.  The comfort and confidence allowed me to run more aggressively – I was able to out-run my trail partner that day, who usually smokes me without a second thought.  After the run I felt good, with no signs of aches or pains (thank you arch support).   I also didn’t detect any signs of rubbing, and noticed for the first time the very-ample cushioning around the shoe collar.    When I got home, I compared the LOWAs to other running shoes in my closet, and confirmed that the S-Cruise GTX does indeed have  more collar padding than anything else I own.

For comparison, I did a later run on an unmaintained trail in a wildlife area, that is a seasonal wetland with some year-round wetlands as well. No hills here, all flatland, but not an inch of pavement or gravel in sight anywhere on this trail. Because the trails are flooded on an annual basis, the ground may be level, but there are plenty of holes and ditches hidden by low overgrowth.  And I’m fairly certain that I stepped in every, single one of them.  Did I mention the Lowa’s are stable?  This trail proved their mettle, and the shoe’s lateral stability helped to keep me upright on the trail, with only minor stumbles, and no ankle turns.  I had great traction on some of the dew-slick grasses and brambles, and my feet remained dry thanks to the GORE-TEX lining.  The S-Cruise GTX even cleaned up well after my workout with a quick hose-down. The outer-upper is a synthetic microfiber blend, and the sole is a Lowa Spine proprietary technology that works with the natural rolling stride of a runner. Even though the shoe is marketed as a trail runner/fitness walker, it is versatile enough that I would wear these shoes for running errands around town.

While this may not be your go-to shoe for trail racing, it is a very stable and well-crafted everyday shoe for people who run and walk regularly on the trails.  Due to its versatility and level of workmanship (durability), it may also be a good shoe to consider for adventure travel.

Lowa products have been around for almost 90 years, first established in Germany.   There is a 12-month warranty offered from the date of purchase on workmanship. The suggested retail price is $160.00.

The heart of the Double-Track is the X-Dome™ Cradle Support system in the midsole which wraps the heel in a cuplike cradle and prevents pronation with a subtle, yet effective medial post. Our netural stride testers commented that the post in the Double-Track was not terribly noticeable and didn’t bother them. A ‘Snake Plate’ made of TPU lies just beneath the outsole rubber in the forefoot to help soak up sharp rocks and roots, and it is segmented so it doesn’t end up creating a super stiff forefoot. The outsole of the TNF is made up of a great blend of sticky softer zones for grip on solid surfaces with some firmer lugged zones that provided great traction in looser sand and gravel. Outsole wear did not seem excessive for the mileage our testers put on the Double Track. Overall, the midsole and outsole technologies in the Double-Track work very well in concert to produce a nice soft ride that makes  long stretches on the road or steeper downhills on the trail feel comfortable.

All eyelets in the upper are reinforced, as you know we are partial to, and which allow for the very secure ‘lockdown’ that trail runners frequenting aggressive terrain need. Upper mesh is right in the sweet spot- open enough to be breathable on hot days, but not so open that you end up with loads of road dust in your socks or with frozen toes due to over-ventilation on cooler runs. The toe of the Double Track lacks significant protection, and some testers did report toe stubs, so this is something we’d like to see tweaked in a future revision, along with making the heel pull loop a bit wider and stiffer for better ease of use. Some testers did report feeling a bit cramped in the lower-volume upper of the Double-Track, so this might not be the best trail shoe for runner with super high insteps or excessively wide feet.

We tested the TNF Double-Track on all types of runs including stretches on pavement and concrete path, as well as smooth fire roads and technical singletrack, and came away praising the shoe for its ability to gracefully provide comfort and responsiveness on the road just as well as it does on the trail, and we highly recommend the Double-Track to runners who want one do-it-all workhorse training shoe.

From The North Face:

Want a cushioned, stable trail running shoe that doesn’t feel like a brick? The nimble Double-Track with X-Dome™ Cradle Support corrects your overpronation without you even realizing it, freeing up your attention to focus to enjoy your run. Cushioned footbed intended to absorb shock on the trail, with raised lugs underfoot to provide tread for hundreds of miles.

Make puma tracks – on the trail.

Puma’s long been known for everything sports related – indeed, their slogan this year is to live the “sportslifestyle”. That’s all one word on purpose. It was only a matter of time, therefore, until Puma decided they needed to take their show on the road… or trail, rather.

As trail running becomes more and more mainstream, more and more companies will attempt to put shoes out there to accommodate the growing number of eager participants. I love trail running – there’s something so freeing about gliding through miles of single track over rolling hills and rocky slopes. Puma’s aptly named “Trail Fox” helps you do just that, glide over all the terrain. Although Puma hasn’t been known to be terribly active in the trail running scene to this point, it’s clear that they are well acquainted with what goes into a trail shoe. I’ll take you through some initial impressions of the shoe, followed by my take on how it actually held up on the trail, and then we’ll talk some nitty gritty.

Definite points for styling.

Right out of the box, my impressions of the Trail Fox were a bit mixed. While the coloring, design, and styling were all glitzy, I wasn’t convinced that (at first glance) these shoes were the real deal. The heft felt a bit off, for starters – typically trail shoes carry a bit more weight than their road suited brethren, and feel just a bit stiff. There are exceptions to this, of course, but by and large you would expect a certain measure of protection from trail shoe. The shoe feels a bit stretchy and overly flexible; it was as if they forgot to put the shank in the center of the shoe. The lacing felt a bit off in the fact that the rounded, overstuffed lacing was inadequate for the demands of trail running. All in all – it seemed a bit soft.

A soft, plush heel cup and rounded laces. Certainly a bit of a deviation here...

The heel and the tongue were no exception to this. As opposed to a typical anchoring heel cup – solid, slightly high, with a stiff cuff to hold your heel firmly in place regardless of what terrain you run into (no pun intended), the heel is soft, plush, and fairly flexible. It was pretty easy to twist and turn it in my hand, even collapse it a bit in on itself. As for the tongue, it’s plush, thick, and felt suited more for a neutral cushioned long distance trainer than any sort of trail shoe. I literally had to flip the box back over and check if this was a trail shoe. While the outsole seemed geared for trail activities, the rest of the shoe was fairly perplexing.

The outsole - grippy, with well spaced lugs for going on and off the road.

It wasn’t until I slipped the shoe on that I began to understand the bigger picture here. After walking around the house and down the block for a bit, I began to understand the overall construction of the shoe. While being soft and pliable, there was also an element of protection that belied my initial impressions. While listed as a trail shoe, it was designed much more to be an all terrain shoe. The traction was aggressive without being overly so, the protection was slightly more than a road shoe,  and while there was certainly cushioning underfoot, there was still a sense of the ground underfoot that many trail shoes are too bulky and stiff to have.

The big question, though, is how well does the trail fox actually perform? I tested the trail fox on a variety of surfaces rather than just head straight out to a trail, mostly because of my initial impressions of the shoe. First up I eased into smooth, gravel trails, with only minimal climbing involved. On mostly flat terrain, with only minimum challenge, the trail fox felt fairly smooth. There was just enough cushion in the shoe to block out the feel of the smaller, jagged rocks while still providing a nimble feel for the road. The shoe felt quick and stable in these conditions.

Going from gravel roads to trails was another matter, though. Due to the soft nature of the shoe, I didn’t feel as well balanced in tougher conditions. First off, I tried a few sections of narrow single-track trails. While being very rutted and gnarly, these trails are relatively rock free, and provide a consistent surface throughout 3 or so miles of windy turns and moderately difficult climbs. While the tread on the bottom of the shoe was grippy enough to tackle varying dirt conditions with success, the narrow single track at times didn’t feel solid due to the flexing of the midsole. This only occurred when the trail narrowed severely, but it was still a bit of a let down. I would have preferred a bit more torsional stability here.

As for technical rocky trails, the trail fox was just a bit outmatched. It tended to lose traction on sections that contained mixed surfaces, and was unstable on slick rock – both climbing and descending. While feeling very nimble on gravel roads and stable surfaces, I always felt on the verge of losing my footing on any technical section I tackled.

The shank ends a bit early in the shoe, making for a soft, easy flex as well.

I feel that overall, Puma’s foray into trail shoes is a little underrepresented with the Trail Fox and true to everything Puma, will be vastly improved upon with runner feedback. I was impressed with how nimble the shoe felt despite all of the cushioning, and like the shoe when moving from gravel to road and back. This would be a great shoe for wide, rolling country trails which switch from dirt to gravel and occasionally take on a short climb or two. I feel it’s more suited to the label of all terrain trainer than a serious trail shoe. As trail running is still in it’s infancy as a mainstream sport, many companies will test the waters, and improve as a result of it. I feel Puma is no exception.

The Asics Trabuco has been a staple in the Asics trail running line for a number of years now.  And while Asics is not the first brand that comes to mind when many runners think of trail running, I feel they DO make a solid trail running shoe.  The Asics Trabuco 14 doesn’t belong in the category for hardcore technical trail running, but I have found this shoe to handle pretty much any trail obstacle I came across in the Rocky Mountains.

While taking this shoe on longer trail runs ranging from 12-18 miles, I found the shoe to have plenty of cushion and support.  Sometimes the stiffer more technical trail running shoes become a little less comfortable as you increase in mileage.  The soft EVA used is the Asics Trabuco absorbs rocks and roots with the best of them.  As the trails is Colorado are often filled with rocks and roots, your often feet start to feel the rocks and roots over time.  To add to the comfort of this shoe, Asics uses an Ortholite footbed which is comfortable and foot forming.

The outsole of the Asics Trabuco 14 gets an 8 out of 10 from me.  I found the outsole to hold up very well as far as durability and wear goes.  For the majority of trail runners, the lug pattern will be able to handle the terrain you run in.  For the elite trail runner that needs maximum traction and wants to stay light on their toes, I suggest trying another trail running shoe.  If you don’t find yourself in the elite trail runner category, I think this shoe will do you just fine as far as traction goes.

The fit of the upper in the Asics Trabuco 14 is somewhat generous for a trail running shoe.  I found the Trabuco 14 to fit a little looser than other trail running shoes on the market.  This is not a deal breaker for me, but if you have narrow and/or small volume feet, this might not be the shoe for you.  If you have normal to higher volume feet, this might be just the trick.  The Trabuco 14 upper has held up very well as far as durability goes.  I tend to be pretty rough on my trail shoes and there are no visible tears in the fabric.  A nice feature that you will find in the Asics Trabuco 14 is the shoe lace garage.  This is a pocket in the tongue to place your laces so you don’t trip over them and they don’t get snagged on anything.

Overall, I found the Asics Gel Trabuco 14 to be a solid option for the trail runner that runs in mild to moderate trail conditions and is looking for a plush ride.

Meet the latest race inspired trail shoe from Salomon.

Salomon trail shoes have the ability to polarize debates on running boards and blogs across the country. Certainly a giant in the outdoor sports industry, Salomon has been around for some time. A company doesn’t do this without doing a few things right along the way. So why all the hubbub? Take a pair of the S-3′s out, and you’ll find out why. As the name suggests, Salomon followed the design pattern for the XT series in this shoe. Unlike numerous other companies out there who threw away all design patterns in search of a better shoe (read – the barefoot movement), Salomon took a look at one of their flagship shoes and said “how do we make our core design better?” One of the luxuries of being an enormous company is the ability to attract pros to your label. Salomon took the XT wings to their pro team, let them beat the tar of them, and then sought feedback. And the feedback wasn’t all that simple. Make these lighter. Make them feel quicker. Oh, and by the way – don’t sacrifice performance.

Gotta love those 5 am runs...

Task 1 – make these lighter. And Salomon did just that. At a size 10.5, the S-3′s are just about 10% lighter than the XT wings 2 (GTX). They did this in two different areas of the shoe – first in the outsole, and second in the midsole material. The outsole is made up of a new “Contragrip” material and the midsole features triple density EVA in a lighter compound than it’s predecessor. But how does it perform? It certainly is lighter. Right out of the box, this felt more like a road shoe than a trail shoe. Almost completely gone was the stiff shanked feel of the wings – you could tell that it was going to be a different experience all together. For my first run, I elected to take them on 7 miles of extremely rocky, craggy trails. After 7 miles, I did miss that underfoot protection. My foot felt fairly bruised after a few small missteps, especially on the ball of my big toe. But what I noticed was a remarkable feel for the trail. So it’s clear that while Salomon chose to cut weight by removing some underfoot protection, they didn’t trade performance for it. So while the cushiony feeling that we’re used to from the wings is still there, run in them like a barefoot shoe, because the protection just isn’t.

You think that the OrthoLite insole has anything to do with the cushy feel?

Task 2 – make them feel quicker. Salomon achieved this in the construction of the upper, and how it fit with the lighter, more flexible midsole/outsole combination. A quick look at the photo of the upper shows that Salomon used an almost completely different fabric/rubber combination on the upper to create a more responsive feel. Instead of feeling like your foot was locked into place, this felt flexible, almost like the Nike Free does. It was great for the more even, smooth sections of the trail where you could really pick up some speed, but I didn’t like it for the technical, craggy sections. It felt like my foot seemed to slip around a bit in them, and when I needed the shoe to lock down the most, it would twist. I actually developed a blister from for this reason on my first run, but each successive run was fine after that.

I would be amiss if I didn’t talk about a few features that are similar to the original shoe. For one, the most talked about feature on this shoe – the lacing system. Salomon has made this the standout feature on all of their line up, and I for one am a huge fan. What’s nice about it is that they’ve now perfected it, so that it works quickly, efficiently and keeps your foot locked down. In the first iterations of the system pinch zones and uneven lacing would develop, which was the primary complaint. No more – the draw on the system is smooth, the cinch lock at the top has a secure grip, and Salomon even includes a small pocket in the tongue of the shoe to store the excess lace. Draw them as tight as you want them, and then take a few steps for proof – the eyelets are easy glide as well, so the tension will redistribute itself throughout the shoe. As I said before, I like the way it feels. Some, however, point to the fact that they like a tighter “cuff” around the heel, and a loose toe box. I’ve heard other people say the opposite. To each their own, but if you like hassle free lacing systems that actually work, look no further. A word of caution, though – don’t break a lace on a run. You’d be screwed.

Don't let the picture of how thin the laces are fool you - they actually don't pinch at all.

To Salomon’s credit, they kept all the usual bells and whistles that typically accompany a trail shoe. The rubber toe bumper up front provides adequate protection without being too heavy (it’s also very flexible), and the upper is actually lined at the base with another rubber strip as a type of mud guard. I didn’t get a chance to test that out – Colorado’s pretty dry at this time of year – but I did like the way the upper of the shoe breathed. Even with the rubber strip at the bottom, my feet stayed fairly dry. Also included is a fairly aggressive outsole (mentioned above) that does the job – but only just. In the quest to cut weight, I feel this is where Salomon may have erred. The outsole tends to wear quickly, and it loses traction on slick rock and scree. One would normally think that these two issues are in complete opposition to one another. The formula is as follows: hard and long lasting = poor traction; soft and short lived = great traction. For some reason, Salomon got the worst of both worlds here, and the result is rather disappointing on an otherwise great shoe. Don’t get me wrong – I’m going to run them until the tread wears through – they are just too comfortable not to.

It may look aggressive, but I saw serious wear after only one run.

I checked around the web, and you can find these at a few discount sites around the web for approximately a bill. They retailed at half again as much, and unless you were a die hard Salomon fan, I’d say that was a bit overpriced. But for the bill? I’d buy them all day long, short lived rubber and all. Plus, the bonus feature is that the color scheme looks pretty kick ass as well. Speed on over to Salomon and check them out – www.salomonrunning.com/us/.

If you have seen the Salmon Speedcross 2 or 1 in the past or you are seeing this shoe for the first time, the feature that sticks out most is the aggressive lug pattern on the bottom of the shoe.  When running up steep ascents, I found the traction to be superior and I felt that I could climb just about anything but ice. On the downhills the lugs have a reverse climb pattern on the heel to allow for you to slow down when the terrain is too steep.  Speaking of downhill, I found there to be plenty of cushion to absorb the impact on the downhills.  Often times, an aggressive trail running shoe doesn’t always have the greatest cushion in the heel, but not the case in this shoe.

The upper of the Salomon Speedcross 3 is made of a tight weaved ripstop nylon that keeps the dirt and debris out of the shoe. I recently ran the Gore-Tex Trans Rockies Run which is a 6 day stage run that averages 20 miles of trail running each day.  Through this run, I used the Salomon Speedcross 3 for 5 of the 6 days.  I found the shoes to keep out all debris while allowing the foot to breathe plenty.  After running through rivers and a mile of water, I found the shoes to drain and dry out about average compared to other trail running shoes.  The foot bed of the shoe is made with Ortholite which absorbs water more than some other foam foot beds, but nothing too drastic.  For those that stub their feet while trail running and need a tough toe bumper, I am happy to report that this shoe has plenty of toe protection.

The Salomon Speedcross 3 weighs in at 10.8 oz. for a men’s size 9 and 9.3 oz. for a women’s size 7.  This does not allow the shoe to fit into the minimalist category, but on both long and short runs, I felt the shoe to fit fairly light and I wear a size 12.5.  Overall, I found the Salomon Speedcross 3 to be an amazing performer on technical trails and would highly suggest this shoe for those that take trail running serious.