Nike Wildhorse 7
Nike is making a big push into the trail running scene, and it shows with the Wildhorse 7. With a full react cushion, raised side walls and some serious lugs, it gives the ultimate trail shoe—the HOKA Speedgoat—a run for its money. The built-up heel has just the right amount of cushion, and the lugs are sticky enough for rock hopping. The built-in gaiter adds a nice touch to keep rocks out. Overall, the Nike Wildhorse 7 is the perfect trail running shoe for longer distances, and will keep any runner’s feet happy for miles and miles.
One Favorite Thing: “The cushion. I was not expecting this shoe to have similar cushion as my go-to trail shoe, the HOKA Speedgoat. It delivered just as much, if not more, comfort.”
One Area for Improvement: “The laces felt thin and like they could easily break. Minor detail but a little annoying.”
Type: Neutral Trail
Price: $130
Weight: 9.4 oz (women); 11 oz (men)
Drop: 8 mm
On Cloudswift
For those familiar with On models of the past, the Cloudswift's "clouds" are noticeably larger. This is On's new Helion superfoam, which it advertises as being light on weight with a high energy return. However, despite the visibly more-pronounced cushioning, this doesn't feel like a maximalist shoe targeted for recovery runs. In fact, the shoe performs best at faster paces. While it's not classified by On as a race day shoe (it suggests the Cloudflow at a few ounces lighter), this is a fantastic workhorse for short-to-medium distance training mileage in faster scenarios.
Deceptively, the drop is only 7 mm, but it feels much greater due to the extreme rocker outsole, and the curvature can easily be seen in side-profile pictures. This helps create a rolling stride and strong follow through without the feeling of landing flat. Solid construction would be an understatement. There are only a handful of stitches visible, and the entire shoe is integrated in a near-seamless design. The vertical quarterpanels that house the upper four eyelets are more flexible than pictures would indicate and don't feel stiff or irritating during movement. The integrated tongue and seamless interior gives the option to go sockless, which is good news for triathletes looking to wear this shoe for the run leg of their next multisport race.
One Favorite Thing: "The integration! There are only a handful of visible stitches on the entire shoe. It's nearly seamless and can absolutely be worn without socks."
One Area for Improvement: "The laces are too long. Granted, they can be stashed behind the lateral quarter-panels, but it's an annoying extra step."
Type: Neutral Road
Price: $150
Weight: 7.76 oz (women); 9.95 oz (men)
Drop: 7 mm
Salomon Sense Ride 4
The Salomon Sense Ride 4 has a lot of great elements, including a comfortable fit and a smooth responsive ride. It feels much better on pavement than most trail shoes, making them a great choice for a run with variable terrain and surfaces. The construction of the upper is great for resisting small rocks as well puddle splashes, and the roomy toe box provides ample space for natural foot movement.
The Quicklace system is efficient (no more laces coming untied or struggles when they are caked with mud!) and provides great support through the midfoot, but the laces are very long and somewhat awkward to properly tuck away. This also made it difficult to get a secure lock around the ankle leading to less stability and confidence on more technical trails. Still, the Sense Ride 4 is a comfortable shoe with nice traction that will appeal to newer trail runners, as well as anyone looking for some versatility and mid-sole cushioning without giving up responsiveness.
One Favorite Thing: “The comfort. Most trail shoes this comfortable also feel squishy and lack responsiveness, but these manage to be both.”
One Area for Improvement: “As much as I instantly loved the Quicklace system, the design made it difficult to access the ‘lace garage’ once you get them tight enough.”
Type: Neutral Trail
Price: $120
Weight: 8.2 oz (Women); 10.2 oz (Men)
Drop: 8 mm
Skechers GOrun Razor Excess
Skechers is making impressive headway in the running community as of late. Its Hyper Burst cushioning in the midsole has been a fan favorite for a few years now, and with the release of the Go Run Razor Excess, it might have just found itself a true breakout star.
As far as cushioned shoes go, this one is exceptionally light, but nothing is sacrificed here for the sake of trimming weight. The mono-mesh upper is super breathable and roomy enough for a wide range of foot shapes, and the outsoles are made with full-coverage Goodyear rubber that's on par with the grippiest in the business. The shoes are surprisingly versatile too—the rigid M-Strike midfoot rocker paired with the Hyper Burst cushioning makes for a highly responsive running experience, and that's the perfect recipe for a well-rounded shoe that can handle anything from a 5K through a marathon.
One Favorite Thing: "The cushioning! It helps in every way—from responsiveness during the run to keeping your legs fresh on longer outings."
One Area for Improvement: "Although comfortable, I wish the insole was removable—many runners will swap this out for their own custom orthotics, but these are glued in place."
Type: Neutral Road
Price: Coming soon!
Weight: 5.9 oz (women); 7.5 oz (men)
Drop: 4 mm
Buy Now: Coming soon!
Under Armour Flow Velociti Wind
Under Armour put a lot of work into including only the most necessary technology in this lightweight, fast running shoe. The mesh upper provides a snug, custom fit that will mold to multiple foot shapes and sizes. The midsole geometry promotes a strong foot strike position that allows for an efficient toe-off and faster position overall. The outsole is really just an extension of the midsole with etching for traction on the road.
Overall, this is a light weight, breathable shoe that wants you to run fast. While you might not choose it as your go-to, everyday shoe, the Flow Velociti Wind is a good option for speed, tempo and track days.
One Favorite Thing: "The light weight and geometry promote a strong running position without adding additional bulk or weight."
One Area for Improvement: "I feel like this shoe falls in the 'no man's land' of speed shoes. It doesn't compete with the carbon fiber shoes if you're looking for springiness, but you can also get something cheaper if you want a lightweight, minimalist option."
Type: Neutral Road
Price: $160
Weight: 8.5 oz (women); 9.8 oz (men)
Drop: 8 mm
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