Running Footwear

Recent Running Footwear Reviews

Topo Athletic Runventure 4

These are great trail running shoes for runners who want a grippy, zero-drop Vibram sole shoe with a wide toe box and low stack height. They are comfortable and lightweight and work well on various types of trail surfaces. I've been searching for a lightweight zero-drop trail running shoe with a wide-toe box. I've used Altra Lone Peaks in the past, but some of the recent Lone Peaks are narrower in the toe box than previous editions, so I've moved on from those. Enter Topo Athletic shoes. I've used… Full review

Asics Gel-Trabuco 11 Trail

An already fantastic shoe now even better with improvements made to the 11 range adding to both comfort and durability. An excellent shoe for trail running and hiking in warm to hot conditions Now into my third pair of trail runners over the last 3 or so years, my second Gel Trabuco, and have to say I am a massive fan of the Trabuco 11s. Previously I owned a pair of Gel Trabuco 10s and while these were an excellent shoe they lacked a little durability on the upper. The 11s however more than make… Full review

Skinners Sock Shoes

great for "at the hut" shoes Kia ora , I use the as my "change into at the hut" shoes. Leave my wet, muddy, smelly tramping (hiking) shoes at the door to pretend to be drying. Walk around in the hut, or outside to use the long drop. Unfortunately my friends know I prefer to walk in bare feet so tend to borrow them to go to the long drop.  Last year on a tramp one of our friends tramping boots died. We taped, tided with micro cord & they stayed dead. The friend put the boot liners inside my… Full review

Skinners Sock Shoes

Great minimal shoes, but not "barefoot". Highly recommend as transition footwear, backup shoes, or for non-barefooters. Kids will absolutely love them! Do not recommend for running. I am nearly 20 years barefooted and these socks are almost fit for purpose except the toe box is just as narrow as regular shoes. They were perfect while I was switching equally between normal shoes and barefoot, but in recent years I only wear Vibram FiveFingers, so my toes are too permanently splayed for Skinners… Full review

Vasque Velocity

For a 19 year old shoe for $10 at the thrift store in late 2023, looks surprisingly new, got to support recycling too. For a foam soled shoe to last 19 years is incredible! Not bad for $10 at the thrift store in late 2023, looks like new, the previous owner must not have worn them much and stored them correctly. We have got to support recycling too. '04 Vasque Velocity trail running shoe. Save the earth with your spending people. Full review

VJ Falcon

VJ claims to have the best grip on the planet. These are the widest orienteering shoes with metal studs that I could find. I got these after realizing that my super-comfy Altra Lone Peak 6 may be great for all-day comfort, but don't compare with studded orienteering shoes for off-trail running and may be a little too roomy for competition.  After these arrived in the mail (from Latvia!), I tried them on, and took them for a 1.6 mile run through some nearby woods. The extra traction was most noticeable… Full review

Saucony Peregrine 12

Very comfy for descents, terrible for ascents. My quest for a decent trail runner continues and, unfortunately, these are not the one. The Peregrine 12's are a very lightweight trail running shoe with amazing grip. But uphill comfort and longevity fall short. At first I thought the heel rub on ascents was just a matter of stiff shoes needing to be broken in, but now broken in, they still rub. The heel rub is most noticeable on uphill climbs. Now with almost 40 miles on them, they should be broken… Full review

Upstep Fitness Walking & Hiking Custom Orthotics

Terrible quality control, wrong size and width showed up, not sure how since they had imprints... Took over 45 days to arrive. I had to CUT them myself to make it fit. Nonsense, waste of time and money. The only reason I don't call this a scam is that the product showed up at all. I don't know if this is a problem because the product comes from Israel—are they using non-USA shoe sizes to make the insoles?—but the size I indicated vs what showed up was quite different. There is no indication… Full review

Altra Lone Peak 6

These shoes have a fit and build that are great for all day comfort, on or off trail. "Original Footshape fit" is amazing for wide feet! The extra space may make them unsuitable for fierce competition, though. Fit: These use Altra's "original footshape fit", which is their roomiest fit. Believe it, or not, they also come in a wide. When I ordered these, they were only available in wide, so that's what I got.  Comfort: The wide toe box is so comfortable. I'm almost always used to having my foot… Full review