Patagonia Women’s Fore Runner Shoe

patagonia.com, 7.76 ounces
Weighing in at 7.76 ounces and made of polyester air-mesh and synthetic leather, the Patagonia Fore Runner barely feels like you even have a shoe on.  Once you are laced up, the shoe is extremely comfortable, and they look good too, which I know men don’t care so much about, but women do!  I barely noticed as I run over rocks or through gravel; the shock-absorption is still there even though this is branded more as a minimalist trail running shoe (with a most four-millimeter drop between heel and toe).  I personally would like a slightly wider toe box, but these shoes caused me no discomfort on my runs.  The multi-density, sticky rubber tread keeps traction on off-road courses in wet, dry, and muddy conditions, which is a must for a trail running shoe.  I’d say that Patagonia is definitely a contender against Montrail & Brooks that have dominated my narrow world of trail running shoes.
-Jennifer Seabolt