Indholdsfortegnelse for January/February 2019 i Runner's World

DAVE MACKEY, RUNNER, LOST HIS LEG TO LIVE AGAIN P.44 Hiking and biking are both great cross-training activities if you’re injured. ASHLEY BLAKE, RUNNER, RESCUING PUPPIES! P.52 When training runs become monotonous, turn them into fun runs. Run to a town you don’t usually frequent, high-five your training partner every mile, make a loop including each of your friends’ houses, or use your favorite candy as your fuel instead of gels. You’ll enjoy them more. SAMANTHA CHAN, RUNNER, CHINA IS OBSESSED WITH RUNNING P.60 Sometimes I have stomach issues during races, so I take ginger to help with that. It’s very effective for nausea and vomiting, since it’s a natural anti-inflammatory and an ancient Chinese remedy. CHARLIE DARK, RUNNER, REVOLUTIONIZING THE MEANING OF RUN CREWS P.54 When racing, choose a…

NO 1. Nike Doernbecher Zoom Fly / $170 We’ve tested Nike’s latest Zoom Flys, but the story behind this version grabbed me like no other. While a handful of popular designers have taken a crack at this silhouette—Off-White’s Virgil Abloh, Undercover’s Jun Takahashi come to mind—these come from a more inspirational source: Cedar Park Middle School’s Payton Fentress. The sixth-grader receives monthly medication infusions at the Oregon Health & Science University’s Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland to treat his Crohn’s disease. He’s one of six kids receiving treatment at the hospital who worked with Nike designers to create custom sneakers. The Fentress shoe is a colorful take on the springy Zoom Fly, with baseball graphics and references to the Chicago Cubs, his favorite team.—Dan Roe, test editor NO 2. Addaday Knot Bad…

Submarino/ Simply dunk a 0.5-ounce dark chocolate bar into one cup of very hot, whole milk, and stir until melted. This little-known Argentine drink can pack a one-two punch for athletes—the protein in milk helps repair muscle damage, and the flavonols in cocoa may help oxygen flow. Turmeric Tea/ A spice used in Indian curries, turmeric also makes a mean tea. Thanks to its curcumin, it can help ward off inflammation, too. Skratch Labs Sport Hydration Mix in Matcha Green Tea & Lemon/ Add it to hot water for a full-bodied beverage that will help you refuel, thanks to its carbs and electrolytes. Cinnamon Coffee/ Add a sprinkle of cinnamon to your morning brew for a shot of flavor. Added bonus: It could help regulate your blood sugar, too.…

It’s 32°F at the start of the Philadelphia Marathon and the corrals are packed with runners bobbing up and down as the anthem plays. One of them, Gary Collina, stares straight ahead and reminds himself why he’s running today. He turns to a woman standing next to him, offers a fist bump, wishes her luck. Then turns to another runner, repeats the gesture. Earlier, he’d compared goal times and race strategies with an older man with tree-trunk legs. The man, nearly three decades Gary’s senior, had said he hoped to run a 3:22. “Fast,” Gary had said. “You’ve got it, man.” They shook hands. Gary is that runner—the one at every race who you don’t know but who slaps your back and wishes you luck. The one who turns to…

John Henwood’s pacing primer Warm up for 5 minutes, then alternate 2 minutes at 75 to 80 percent effort with 2 minutes of easy running. Do this eight times. If you have trouble sustaining the same pace, slow down so you can finish the set. Emily Toia’s long-run mixup For runs 2 hours and longer, Toia alternates 17 minutes at an easy pace with 3 minutes at a comfortably challenging pace (about 85 percent effort). For shorter runs, she’ll go 8 minutes easy, 2 minutes hard. Jenny Spangler’s treadmill tempo After a 1- to 2-mile warmup, run 2 to 3 miles at marathon pace, 1 to 2 miles at half-marathon pace, then a half-mile to a mile at 10K pace, followed by a mile-long cooldown. Annie Bersagel’s mountain mimicker Warm…

BRIGID PICKETT ONLY NEEDED TO PACE HER husband for 10 miles. When she met him at an aid station, he was 90 miles into Idaho’s IMTUF 100, and struggling, hours behind schedule. She wanted to help him to the finish. What was 10 miles? Still, she had reservations. “I didn’t want to be a concern to him,” she says. “And I was really worried what people might think.” Pickett, 29, was 31 weeks pregnant. She felt pangs of worry. Her bump was growing—running while pregnant drew stares. But Jeff insisted that if she felt good, she should pace him. Three years before, when Pickett was pregnant with her first child, Mila, she didn’t run at all. She had high blood pressure and feared that asking her doctor to run would…

IT’S A NOVEMBER MORNING IN HOUSTON, and rapper Stayve “Slim Thug” Thomas, 38, is one mile into his daily three-mile loop around Memorial Park. His hoodie is already soaked in sweat. The temperature registers near 90 degrees, with humidity to match. Thomas grew up here—raised by the Houston streets, hustling his way to musical success. Unlike his Houston contemporaries, Chamillionaire and the Geto Boys, he stayed. To him, the people are genuine and it’s the only place he’d ever call home. In August, he celebrated his 20-year anniversary in the rap game. In that time, he released 40 albums and mixtapes. Today, he continues to be one of the most prolific and revered rap artists in Texas. With the sun in his eyes, he trots forward, his 6'6" silhouette charging…

ON A FREEZING FEBRUARY MORNING IN Boston, Meaghan O’Sullivan arrived at the Chestnut Hill Reservoir. She searched the faces filling the park, looking for a pack of runners and specifically for a man known as Coach Mike. She had sent him an email. She wanted to join the Boston Bulldogs, a running club for people in recovery or affected by addiction. “When Coach called, I was prepared to tell him why I was qualified to be a Bulldog,” O’Sullivan says. “But he just said to show up.” She spotted a group of about 20. They stretched together while an older, thin-framed man with pale blue eyes talked in a gravelly voice, reminding them to use the run to find the kindhearted warrior inside themselves. O’Sullivan was just months out of…

BROOKS LAUNCH 5 PRICE: $100 | TYPE: Road WEIGHT: 9.3 oz (m), 7.7 oz (w) DROP: 10.4 mm (m), 9.3 mm (w) WHEN IT WAS released in 2009, we gave the Launch our Best Debut award for its fantastic balance of weight and cushioning; it was supportive without hindering speed, fast without skimping on softness. And yet, the Launch never saw a second generation, until a campaign back in 2012 saved the model from early retirement. Now on its fifth iteration, the Launch is still affordable, still reliable, and still the ideal mixture of light and plush. Our testing at the Runner’s World Shoe Lab found that the Launch 5 is softer in the heel and stiffer compared to past Launch models. This translates to a more cushioned ride for…

PRICE: $120 | TYPE: Road WEIGHT: 10.1 oz (m), 8.3 oz (w) DROP: 12.8 mm (m), 11.4 mm (w) THE WAVE RIDER has long been Mizuno’s do-it-all model, and it works for everything from long runs to up-tempo workouts. A lot of that versatility stems from the responsive feeling the shoe delivers when you get up to speed. Longtime Rider wearers will instantly recognize the fit and smooth underfoot sensation of the 22. One tester said this shoe is like having a beer with an old friend. But, like the previous version, this one is a whole lot softer than earlier models, especially in the heel. Given the trend for cushy, bouncy midsoles, this is no surprise. To achieve this, Mizuno uses two foams in the Rider’s midsole—the softest is…

PRICE: $130 | TYPE: Trail WEIGHT: 9.9 OZ (m), 8.2 OZ (w) DROP: 5.6 MM (m), 4.5 MM (w) THE LATEST TRAIL offering from this Massachusetts-based shoe company affirms a not-so-recent development in runner preference: People like shoes that are wider and flatter than the norm. “The space this shoe provides reminds me of Altras,” one tester said. The comparison with Altra Running’s trail options is obvious, given the brand’s commitment to anatomically shaped, low-drop shoes. (Topo Athletic launched in 2012, three years after Altra.) With high marks from all of our wear-testers who wore it, the Ultraventure offers runners who like the Altra-esque foot-shaped design another off-road option. The spongy footbed is unusually thick and full-cushioned, and the Vibram outsole has angular 6mm lugs that help you find grip…

PRICE: $100 | TYPE: Road WEIGHT: 9.5 oz (m), 8.4 oz (w) DROP: 11.4 mm (m), 9.7 mm (w) EVEN THOUGH IT has a budget price, the Revel 2 still has a ton of performance-running features, helping you get more mileage out of your hard-earned cash. It starts with the flat-knit upper, which delivers a comfortable, irritation-free fit. Our testers liked the snug wrap of the inner bootie and the soft feel from the breathable upper. The shoe is so comfortable you’ll want to wear it after your run, too, whether for a postrun coffee, to work, or tackling errands. On the road, its delivers a cushioned, neutral ride thanks to the BioMoGo DNA midsole foam, which changes properties depending on how hard the impact is, basically adapting to your…

PRICE: $120 | TYPE: Road WEIGHT: 11.8 oz (m), 9.3 oz (w) DROP: 9.3 mm (m) FOR HARDENED RUNNERS who head outside despite below-freezing temps, the Hovr CGR Connected could be the new go-to shoe. CGR stands for ColdGear Reactor, Under Armour’s insulted, closed-hole mesh upper. The toasty interior, along with an outsole that delivers great grip thanks to an angled tread reminiscent of a trail shoe’s lugs, will keep you upright on wintry runs. The Hovr midsole, a squishy material encased within a more durable carrier foam, provides a lot of rebound and a soft ride. Our wear-testers appreciated the balanced ride as the miles added up, although they weren’t wild about the shoe’s extra weight—even Clydesdales found the Hovr CGR to be on the hefty side. Data-driven runners…

PRICE: $120 | TYPE: Road WEIGHT: 6.6 oz (m), 5.3 oz (w) DROP: 8.6 mm (m), 7.9 mm (w) THE FIRST WORD that comes to mind after running in the 361-Feisu is “feisty.” The shoe simply wants to go fast on the track—our testers reported feeling speedier—but it also has the chops to help you conquer longer road races. With its firm sole, sub-7-ounce weight, and minimal cushioning, this shoe is clearly a racing flat, and tests at the our Shoe Lab confirm what we felt on the road: It has a thin sole with minimal cushioning. To cut down on weight, 361 incorporated a lightweight EVA midsole instead of the brand’s heavier, durable QuikFoam. But some of our testers wished for a little more impact protection as the miles…

PRICE: $140 | TYPE: Road WEIGHT: 8.8 oz (m), 7.1 oz (w) DROP: 7.8 mm (m), 8.8 mm (w) IF YOU’RE A Newton newb or have been intrigued by this brand’s unconventional shoes, which are known for the pronounced outsole lugs under the ball of the foot, then the Fate 4 is a good shoe to step into. Because it’s a lightweight, neutral model, you can focus on the brand’s Action/Reaction technology, which provides the oomph in the Fate’s responsive ride. The design is centered on those conspicuous beveled lugs on the forefoot, which work with the foam midsole when your foot hits the ground to deliver more energy return. Wear-testers said the Fate 4 had outstanding comfort and they felt that they benefited from Newton’s tech. “I really enjoyed…

When you’re feeling frazzled, our best advice is to just go for a run—hello, endorphins—but we realize an injury, nasty weather, or a busy schedule can keep you from lacing up. So we asked a group of experts for simple, easy strategies that can instantly give you some zen. Steal these tips the next time you feel stress sneaking up on you. Take a Deep Breath There’s a reason this advice is given so often. It works. Conscious, deep breathing engages the parasympathetic nervous system, which in turn slows your heart rate, according to Henry Emmons, M.D., author of The Chemistry of Calm. To make it most effective, exhale twice as long as you inhale. Eat Some Protein When your blood sugar gets low, your body responds by releasing stress…

As the calendar page flips to January first, most Americans will unsurprisingly set a New Year’s resolution. Many of these post-holiday promises will include being more active in the coming year—to move more, to sit less, to take the stairs in lieu of the elevator, and maybe even to sign up for a race. You, on the other hand, likely won’t feel that gravitational pull to pledge more movement. I mean, you’re already logging double-digit miles each week. You’re active most days—if not every day. Sure, increased fitness is the most common resolution among the general population, but doesn’t that mean that we, as highly motivated runners, can get a pass on the tradition? When it comes to fitness, we’ve already proven that we’re up to the task. But if…

The Receiver “If you’re full of nerves at the start, and hyper-focused on the race, a greeting might be the distraction you need to get out of your own head. It breaks the anxiety and tension and reminds you of the human connection in a very solo sport.” The Giver “The person who’s calm and just a genuinely nice person truly wants the runner next to him to do well. His thought process is, ‘If my competitor has a good race, I’ll have a good race.’ The positivity elevates the competition.” The Jerk “Some athletes want to give the illusion of confidence. They might wish their opponent well and hope that breaks them down. But if you need to rely on mind tricks, you’re likely making up for a lack…

IT’S A SUNNY MID-SEPTEMBER MORNING as Jessica Hay nears the final stretch of the Highlands Parkrun 5K in Craigieburn, Australia. Look at my watch. Breathe. Keep your head up. Breathe. Repeat. She has one goal: Set a PR. Moments later, she crosses the finish line, lungs burning. The time on the clock reads 1:04:45, beating her previous best by six minutes. Almost two years earlier, Hay, then 34 years old and 436 pounds, didn’t have the energy to be the mother she wanted to be to her two children—6-year-old Khloe and 3-year-old Archie. Throughout adulthood, she had made a New Year’s resolution to lose weight, but she dreaded physical activity. She was judgmental of herself, thinking that she was too fat to run. But in late 2016 she reached a…

IN FEBRUARY 2017, RETIRED ELITE runner Colin McCourt went for his first run in five years: a challenging 20-minute shuffle, at a pace just over 12 minutes per mile. The former 14-minute 5K specialist had spent his post-competition years sitting behind a desk, eating fast food, and drinking too many pints in the evenings. Looking in the mirror, he saw an unhealthy man, someone he barely recognized. Back from that first run, he posted on Instagram how humbling and painful it was. “My legs rubbed and I needed a sports bra.” To his horror, his ex-training partners started a group chat to harass him. The texts flew for a solid five hours. They proposed a bet: McCourt had to run a sub-16-minute 5K by the end of 2017 or have…

ERIN BENNER, ART DIRECTOR Adidas Alphabounce Instinct/ $120 I am obsessed with shoes. All shoes. I want pure performance ones for my hardest workouts, but I like wearing running shoes the rest of the day, too. The Alphabounce has a super-comfy Boost midsole and makes a fashion statement. I love how the men’s color combo goes with everything and the upper’s moiré pattern gives these kicks futuristic styling. MOLLY RITTERBECK, HEALTH & FITNESS DIRECTOR Peloton Tread/ $3,995 I broke my ankle when I was 16, and doctors told me I’d never run again. Fifteen years later, it’s more important than ever for me to train properly and go easy on my arthritic joint. The Peloton Tread is my next go-to training tool. It has extensive virtual programming that can keep…

PRICE: $160 | TYPE: Road WEIGHT: 8.7 oz (m), 6.8 oz (w) DROP: 9.6 mm (m), 9.2 mm (w) IF YOU’VE BEEN hunting without luck for the hard-to-obtain, provenfast, $250 Nike Vaporf ly 4%, or just want similar tech at a lower cost, these shoes are for you. Both models feature a full Flyknit upper and a carbon-fiber plate that runs the length of the midsole to propel you forward. And, like the 4%, the Zoom Fly Flyknit feels better the faster you run. The main difference is that this shoe uses Nike’s React foam midsole instead of the lightweight ZoomX foam in the 4%. And Nike isn’t claiming that this one will make you run more efficiently the way it does with the more expensive option. Still, there are…

PRICE: $170 | TYPE: Trail WEIGHT: 12.2 oz (m), 10.2 oz (w) DROP: 8.9 mm (m), 8.1 mm (w) YOU MIGHT NOT think of Adidas when it comes to trail shoes, but this is the brand that jump-started performance running on dirt decades ago with its popular (now defunct) Response Trail. In recent years, the company has been making trail kicks under its Adidas Outdoor brand. The Agravic isn’t just a good-looking pair of hiking shoes. It’s built to tame trails at top speed. That all starts with grippy lugs on the Continental rubber outsole for sure footing whether you’re going uphill, downhill, or blasting along muddy, wet terrain. A layer of Boost midsole dampens sharp rocks and hard-packed ground. It’s a thin layer, however, and doesn’t feel plush, but…

PRICE: $150 | TYPE: Road WEIGHT: 8.8 OZ (m), 7.6 OZ (w) DROP: 11.1 MM (m), 10.6 MM (w) THIS NEW CLOUD model is unmistakably an On shoe, complete with the unorthodox cushioning pods along the sole. But the 100-percent waterproof upper is a new addition—though it adds $20 to the price of the conventional version of the shoe. The engineered-mesh upper shields you from rain and keeps socks dry from wet snow and slush puddles. What if you live in the South and don’t get wintry weather? Our test team found a practical reason for lacing these up. “When I was running on grass covered with morning dew, my shoes and socks never became wet,” said one tester. Our team found that the heel cushioning worked for daily training,…

PRICE: $115 | TYPE: Road WEIGHT: 7.2 oz (m), 5.7 oz (w) DROP: 7.7 mm (m), 6.7 mm (w) THE GEL-451 IS essentially a reboot of the old Asics Gel-Hyper Speed 7 racing flat, complete with a new coat of paint and some new features. Like the Hyper Speed, this is a versatile racer that’s ideally suited for anything up to a marathon, though some runners will find the midsole a little too thin for such long road races. A key difference between the previous racing flat and this new model is the BOA lacing system. This feature is relatively new to running shoes, though it’s more commonly found on snowboard boots and bike shoes. Instead of laces, a strong fabric band loops through an easy-turning knob with micro adjustments…

PRICE: $130 | TYPE: Road WEIGHT: 9.3 oz (m), 7.5 oz (w) DROP: 8.0 mm (m), 7.8 mm (w) THE DYNAFLYTE 3’S combination of cushioning and responsiveness makes it a nice lightweight training shoe that’s versatile enough for speedwork or on mileage-based training runs. For some, it could also be a race-day option because it provides great heel-to-toe cushioning without sacrificing too much responsiveness. Asics’ strategic placement of Gel in the shoe’s heel helps dissipate impact forces without weighing down the shoe. The rest of the midsole is made of the company’s FlyteFoam Lyte, which it claims is 55 percent lighter than traditional EVA foam. Compared to the previous shoe, the Dyna-Flyte 3 has more midsole foam and also some extra outsole rubber beneath the arch, which helps the shoe…

JORDAN SMITH EDITOR // DOG LOVER FROM THE SOUTH DAKOTA BLACK HILLS, WILL RUN FOR DOUGHNUTS 1 / Warby Parker Prescription Sunglasses $175 I hate wasting a pair of contacts on a single run, so on days when I wear glasses, I swap in my Warby Parker prescription sunglasses. After years of sweating in them, they still offer great sun protection and don’t bounce around. 2 / Fits Socks $25 I wear Fits for my runs and recovery. I like the running sock’s light compression feel throughout my foot, and I’ll slide on a pair of the compression socks postrun. Well-cushioned and comfortable, they’re just tight enough to avoid sliding down. I also love them for travel—my ankles swell when I’m sitting all day, and these little guys keep them…

GEAR TO KEEP YOU WARM 1. NEW BALANCE WOMEN’S REFLECTIVE PACKABLE JACKET / $130 2. SALOMON MEN’S FAST WING HYBRID JACKET / $150 3. SMARTWOOL PHD TRAINING BEANIE / $32 4. BROOKS THRESHOLD GLOVES / $50 When the temperatures drop, your resolve to lace up might take a nosedive, too. But the frosty air doesn’t have to put a freeze on your running routine. “Winter running is the time to develop your mental toughness and up your game,” says Susan Paul, running coach and exercise physiologist in Orlando, Florida. “Finishing a run under miserable weather circumstances is an incredible confidence booster, and it will help get you out there next time.” And that’s a good thing, since keeping up with your normal exercise schedule can help you fight off the…

The Go-To Run Buddy An exclusive running partner is great—until he or she gets injured or goes on vacation, and you’re suddenly a solo act. That’s why having multiple training buddies you rotate through is smart if you love partner runs. You might have one chatty partner for slower-paced long runs, but one performance-focused bud for speedwork days, says Andrew Allden, women’s cross-country coach at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. The Fun Run Crew Running with a group can be a very effective training tool that helps you stay interested by making running a social experience. First, search for what options you have available in your area. Then reach out to see if the club matches your goals—like how often and what days they meet, or if there…

Whining about boredom, trite references to the “dreadmill”—Jacob Puzey cringes when he hears this. To him, hate for the thousand-dollar-plus mechanical marvel that is the modern treadmill represents the epitome of entitlement. “You have the means to choose between running inside and outside, and you’re going to complain about that?” says the Alberta, Canada–based elite ultrarunner and coach. Of course, there’s no passing up a run out in the world when the conditions are ideal. (Just picture brisk fall temps and those first rays of sun in the spring.) But Puzey puts his Altras where his mouth is when it comes to training consistently on the ’mill. Yes, he’s still at home on gnarly trails—Puzey has won races like the Grizzly Ultra 50K and Badger Mountain Challenge—but he also holds…

RUNNING DOESN’T HURT NOAH Lambrecht too much, but it’s hard to breathe. During cross-country season, he often found himself alone on the road, the slowest runner, finishing workouts long after his teammates. He pushes through; he always has. Born with life-threatening birth defects, he worked hard from the time he was an infant, struggling to live. Seventeen years ago, his birth parents abandoned him at a Chicago hospital, where he underwent three open-heart surgeries in the first two weeks of his life. A couple, Sheri and Gaylord from McCool Junction, Nebraska, adopted him and saw him through three more heart surgeries before the age of 9. That fighting spirit has stayed with him. Year after year, his heart strengthened. But he still wasn’t completely whole; his left lung is half…

Extend Your Endurance To build up to a 50K, aim for 40 miles a week, and for a 50-miler, 50, says Ellie Greenwood, coach with Sharman Ultra Endurance Coaching and two-time Western States 100 winner. Then hit that weekly mileage four times (spread over five weeks) before tapering. Power-Hike Hills “It’s more energy-efficient on steep terrain where running takes you above a conversational effort,” says Greenwood. Use trekking poles or put your hands on your knees to propel yourself forward. Incorporate it into long runs, or simulate climbs on a treadmill at a 15-percent incline. Train for the Course “Visit if possible,” says Michele Yates, endurance and fitness coach of Rugged Running. If not, add climbs and descents similar to the course profile into your training. Work Up to 100…

LAST MARCH, ASHLEY BLAKE AND Joshua Scott were 6.5 miles into a 10-mile run at Frozen Head State Park in Wartburg, Tennessee. They were training for the Barkley Fall Classic, a 50K that gives runners a taste of the incredibly technical trails of the Barkley Marathons. After climbing steep, technical trails over Frozen Head Mountain and descending into Armes Gap, both runners heard a faint rustling in the bushes. Interested in what kind of animal they may have stumbled upon, Blake went over to check it out. “Oh my gosh!” she yelled to Scott. “They’re puppies!” She found five young dogs, huddling together for warmth. “Two ran off terrified and crying, and we had to round them up,” Blake says. “But once we held them, they calmed down.” The runners…

There was your first run—hopefully you remember it. You felt amazing for 30 seconds. It was brilliant. The universe cracked open and blinded you with beautiful light. Then you got tired. Then the light went away and it all got real—more real than one person deserves; a grotesque extravagance of real. You began a rhythmic gasp—an awful, desperate sound that produced its own embarrassment, without laughing bystanders. You kept going until your body became a stranger. You thought you knew every kind of hurt, but this was new. For example: The front of your shins caught fire and you thought, What on earth? Before that moment, you didn’t know shin muscles were a thing. Your first run is the only one you never get to do again. This is the…

AT MILE 17, I KNEW I T WAS OVER, BUT I JUST WANTED TO BREAK MYSELF. I’VE RUN A LOT of trail races and ultramarathons, like the Leadville Trail 100. But this year’s New York City Marathon was my first road marathon. Earlier this year, on March 12, my wife, Marya, gave birth to our son, Wyatt. He was born with Down syndrome. I wanted a way to honor him and everyone else affected by the syndrome. So I decided to run New York and raise funds for others in the same circumstance. This year has been hard. After Wyatt was born premature, we spent 67 days with him in the NICU. He left the hospital on a feeding tube, and we fight every day to keep him from having…

PRICE: $130 | TYPE: Trail WEIGHT: 9.3 oz (m), 8.1 oz (w) DROP: 0.3 mm (m) THE FASTEST TRAIL and ultra runners often lace up road racing flats—especially on western U.S. courses that are heavily hiked and largely free of rocks. But what if you want that same sensation with a smidge more protection? Meet the Sense Pro 3, a lightweight, firm, and stiff trail shoe that’ll let you dance across rocks quickly. It’s not quite as paper-thin and minimal as the S/Lab Sense shoe that elite runners like Kilian Jornet race in, but it’s still less shoe than most of us mortals wear for daily training. Key to that experience is the 26mm-thick sole, which is in racing flat territory. The thin layer of EVA foam doesn’t offer much…

PRICE: $110 | TYPE: Trail WEIGHT: 8.4 oz (m), 7.0 oz (w) DROP: Lab data unavailable THE LIGHTEST TRAIL shoe Columbia Montrail has to offer, the Fluidflex X.S.R. was built with speed in mind. The upper is made from a thin mesh that’s buoyed by a plastic exoskeleton for stability and a rubber coating along the base for durability. The shoe uses the same FluidFoam midsole as other Montrail shoes, just in a thinner slab. It is far from the most robust model, but works fine on trail runs that don’t hit double-digit mileage. The tread can handle stretches of pavement and works great where it was meant to—on dirt trails. “The traction surprised me despite the lack of a true trail outsole,” said one tester. “It was sticky on…

PRICE: $150 | TYPE: Road WEIGHT: 11.1 OZ (m), 9.2 OZ (w) DROP: 7.9 MM (m), 7.2 MM (w) WITH ITS SLIVER DNA Amp midsole and stretchy knit upper, the Bedlam looks a lot like the Levitate 2, a heavy-duty neutral trainer. But look under the hood and you’ll see this ride is built to deliver more stable handling for those who need it. A key to that stability is the use of guide rails instead of the traditional medial post that supportive shoes have long featured. Lining the top of the midsole foam is a rim of firmer foam, which your foot bumps into if you deviate in or out. The idea behind the system is that those rails keep your feet in proper alignment through your stride, so…

PRICE: $100 | TYPE: Road WEIGHT: 7.9 oz (w) DROP: 11.1 mm (w) THE EDGEBOUNCE IS at once a statement sneaker, a performance running shoe, and a bargain buy. Adidas designed it exclusively for women and gave it a wide forefoot and platform under the heel to enhance stability. The versatile trainer is ideally suited for women who want a shoe that they also can wear to CrossFit or on a mid-distance run. Adidas gave it the brand’s Bounce midsole—the same tech you see in more traditional running shoes like the Alphabounce and Aerobounce—for a ride with just enough cushioning without adding too much extra weight. Our testers liked the firm-feeling midsole, and declared the shoe soft enough to take out for longer runs. “I liked how light the shoe…

PRICE: $130 | TYPE: Road WEIGHT: 10.6 oz (m), 9.0 oz (w) DROP: 10.3 mm (m), 8.2 mm (w) KARHU CLAIMS IT used scans of more than 100,000 runners’ feet taken on Fleet Feet’s 3D “Fit ID” platform to build the Ikoni Ortix. The effort results in a sleek road warrior, with many of the recognizable Karhu elements—a fulcrum sole for a quick heel-to-toe transition; an M overlay referencing mestari, the Finnish word for champion; and an accommodating ride that feels very comfortable with ample cushioning. Although the soft midsole will cradle your feet during short and long runs, as well as races, this neutral road shoe still returns a lot of energy—confirmed by tests at the Runner’s World Shoe Lab. One knock, though, is that the Ikoni Ortix falls…

PRICE: $150 | TYPE: Road WEIGHT: 10.2 oz (m), 7.6 oz (w) DROP: 10.3 mm (m), 8.1 mm (w) IN HOKA’S FAMILY of maximalist shoes, the Bondi reigns as the king of cushioning. It boasts an exceptionally thick and soft midsole that’s typically going to be reserved for your easy days and recovery runs. Our lab tests measured the Bondi 6 to be about as soft as it gets, and you can feel that plush midsole with every step. “I’ve never run in Hoka One One shoes or other models with a lot of cushioning, but I was thoroughly impressed,” said one tester. “The foot strike took some getting used to, but I found that my feet and legs weren’t as tired as usual.” Clydesdale runners and those with a…

PRICE: $250 | TYPE: Road WEIGHT: 6.6 (m), 5.4 (w) DROP: 12.1 mm (m), 10.2 mm (w) A YEAR AFTER taking the running scene by storm with its Vaporfly 4%, Nike improved the exceptionally fast racing shoe by giving it a one-piece knit upper that seamlessly and securely hugs the foot. The change from a lightweight mesh used on the previous version reduces the risk of irritation and makes the shoe more breathable, too. Even with the knit upper, the shoe has an undeniable racing fit, with a tapered design that’s snug through the midfoot and opens just enough in the front to accommodate your forefoot. Our test team found that the women’s suggested sizing comes up a little too short, however, so you may need to go up a…

LET ME EXPLAIN (1) I would rather run in 15-degree weather than spend too much time on a treadmill; my Garmin disagrees, though—it likes to shut off when it gets too cold. (2) I’m definitely quad dominant, but I’m working on fixing that. (3) As a New Yorker, I can’t say no to a good bagel, but my standards are high. (4) I wake up naturally at around 5:30 a.m. I’m always ready to get the show on the road—no point in waiting. (5) When I get over a hill, I know there’s a downhill on the other side to look forward to. (6) When I’m following, it’s because I feel terrible and someone needs to drag me along. (7) I love the feeling of being able to pound down…