Hoka One One Mafate 2 Trail Runners

www.hokaoneone.com
Call them the anti-barefoot shoe. These thick-soled, ultra-cushy trail runners combine lightweight uppers with a rockered EVA midsole that’s 35% wider, 30% softer, and 2.5 times thicker than standard trail runners. French manufacturer Hoka One One claims the design dissipates up to 80% of the strike force in a running stride, and after training on two pairs since last December, our stocky Clydesdale tester raved about their impact protection and cushioning.

“I’ve been struggling with Morton’s neuroma (underfoot nerve pain), a chrome steel hip replacement, and deteriorating knees for years,” he reported. ”For me, they’ve been a new lease on running. I can even train on pavement with no resulting joint tenderness or foot pain, and minimal soreness in quads and calves.”

For those same reasons, Hokas (available in trail, road, and combo models) have gained quick acceptance among ultra-marathoners and heavier, injury-prone runners. Some minimalist-shoe fans incorporate them into their footwear spectrum for recovery days and high-mileage training. When we first put them on, they felt a bit tall and tippy. Lateral dodging and nubbin edging are not their forte, but a polyurethane rearfoot cradle, and a wide sole platform avoid most ankle rolling, even on sidehills. The underfoot rocker and lack of a heel block make gravelly uphill sprints and muddy descents a bit insecure, but the cushion also meant we could heel strike aggressively on secure downhills.

The actual stride feels like running on stiff marshmallows. Stones disappear underfoot, and the rockered geometry, which incorporates a 4 mm drop between heel and forefoot, creates a natural mid-foot strike and easy forward momentum with no fold point between heel strike and toe push. This works well for devotees of Zen running technique. The shoes look massive, but they come in at a lightweight 11 ounces per shoe.

Hokas don’t work for everybody, but if you have stress injury issues with feet, knees, hips, or lower back, the Mafates are worth checking out. They cost a bit more, but ours still have plenty of cushion after 500 miles of running and hiking, so the value seems there. Mafate 2s run true to size in men’s and women’s, but other Hoka road models we’ve tried can run a half-size small.
-Steve Howe

$150

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Karhu Stable 2 Fulcrum Running Shoes

www.karhu.com
While we know that minimalist running has revolutionized the shoe category, teaching a runner the “right” way to run—especially if they’ve been running the “wrong” way since childhood—is no small feat. And while some testers have hurdled into the barefoot revolution with aplomb, others are content to lace on a pair of more traditional running shoes and start clocking miles without concern for cadence or foot strike. The Stable 2 Fulcrum runners from Karhu are perfect for that latter crowd. Pebax Fulcrum technology—a triangular gap in the sole—is a result of two years of earnest study in dynamic biometric research. It feels like a miniature spring as you run; keeping your foot in a neutral position while also guiding you through the traditional heel-to-toe gait. That tech is complimented by a precision-molded EVA midsole, an anatomical forefoot insert, and a breathable insole. The uppers boast open-air mesh to keep things light and cool, with a soft-to-the-touch tongue that’s mapped around the instep. Reflective 3M piping enhances your visibility in the dark, while the low-profile “edge free” design keeps the Stable 2 feeling incredibly sleek. It did take some adjustment to the feel of the Fulcrum, but after a mile the shoe was mostly an afterthought—which is just want we like. The shoe is ideal for those suffering from over-pronation. One tester experienced foot fatigue in the ball of one foot after four months of steady use—but attributed it to his wider-than-normal gait.

$130

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Skora Form Running Shoe

Now available for ordering, this inventive spin on a running shoe comes from Skora, a new footwear maker playing in the neutral running scene. The off-balance, asymmetrical lacing runs along the outer slope of your foot, which reduces lace tension that could cause discomfort from more traditional lacing when the laces put pressure on the tendon running from your big toe to the ankle. This construction also enables the shoe to be make without a traditional tongue, which allows for an even tighter, glove-like fit. The zero-drop shoe provides a modest 9mm of cushioning—and the additional 4mm liner can be removed for a closer-to-the-ground feel. Abrasive rubber offers grip on the pavement, an anatomical last caters to a foot’s natural movement, goatskin leather uppers add armor to the outside, and the sheepskin inner lining means you can easily go sockless. We’ve got a test pair on their way, and we will report back this fall.
The shoes also come in warmer, synthetic mesh with new models slated for spring 2013.

$185

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Saucony Kinvara 3 Running Shoes

www.saucony.com, 7.7 ounces
Running footwear is personal, but here’s some straight talk. The minimalist craze is not for everybody; most people will find those shoes uncomfortable once the initial glow wears off. The Kinvara 3 is still extremely light (just under eight ounces per pair), but also boasts a supportive sole with excellent flex pattern that makes running relatively effortless. The original Kinvara was one of the first natural-motion running shoes; this upgrade maintains the four mm heel-to-toe offset that positions the runner’s foot during impact to create a greater range of motion than traditional running shoes (most have a 12 mm heel-to-toe offset). Basically, this allows your foot to flex more, creating a more powerful running stride. For people who’ve never worn these ultralight marvels, the difference is astounding. The upper is made of the company’s proprietary FlexFilm—basically a lightweight, highly dynamic flexible film that’s welded onto the breathable mesh upper to stabilize the foot. Additional security is provided by a memory foam heel pod and exposed EVA foam midsole that maximizes rebound and flexibility. Under the protective outsole are strategically-placed XT-900 carbon rubber pods that increase durability without increasing weight. Our testers, who have logged literally hundreds of miles in the Kinvara 1 and 2 applauded the new, reengineered outsole, with its beveled heel that improves the shoe’s natural rolling motion from heel to toe.

$100

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Asics Gel-Nimbus Running Shoe

www.asicsamerica.com
The ASICS GEL-Nimbus is like a good, firm handshake. The shoe hugged my feet right off the bat and put a spring in my step. So much so, that it might have felt like an indulgence was it not for some serious support to balance the cushy ride. This was especially appreciated on downhills. No matter which way I run in my neighborhood in Northwest DC, there are hills to enjoy. The Nimbus eases the jar and keeps you on track. ACICS’ combination of GEL and foam technology affords this delicate combination at a very light weight, allowing for an even more airy ride. I wore the Nimbus for my part in a 200-mile Ragnar Relay on paved and dirt trails from Cumberland, Maryland, to Washington, DC, through the light of day and the dark of night. Lack of sleep and miles of wear-and-tear had me running on fumes during several points along the way, but the Nimbus offered enough balance to help keep my stride steady, even while my head swooned and my muscles ached. The shoe’s wide base, high-tech guidance underneath, and welcome inner details such as memory foam and close-wrapping asymmetrical lacing contributed to a nice, snug fit and confident footing for the long haul. Whether out for a loop around the hood or on a days-long trek, the Nimbus offers comfort without sacrificing performance.
-Pawan Bhatia

$130

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