PUBLISHED 09/04/2007
By Warren Greene and Ray Fredericksen, M.S.
VIDEO:
*SEE INDIVIDUAL REVIEWS OF EACH SHOE
*EDITOR WARREN GREENE SPOTLIGHTS THE AWARD WINNERS
Going off road means picking your steps--and your shoes--carefully. As the following reviews indicate, not all trail shoes are a perfect fit for every trail. Some are built low to the ground and feature midsole plates for protection on rock-strewn trails. Others have cushioning and stability features that make them more appropriate for long runs on less-rugged terrain. To determine how they measure up, we scrutinized a dozen shoes at the RW Shoe Lab and put them on the feet of nearly 250 wear-testers in East Lansing, Michigan, and Reading, Pennsylvania. Read on to find your perfect trail-running partner.
Adidas Adizero XT
We Say: At 10 ounces, the new Adizero is lightweight for a trail shoe. With its slightly lower heel and deep forefoot flex grooves, it's also one of the most flexible shoes in this guide, according to RW Shoe Lab tests. The shoe is built on a racing last (the foot form around which a shoe is constructed) and uses the Adidas stripes that run from the laces to the midsole to wrap the foot, so its fit is snug and socklike. We recommend the XT for runners with normal to high arches looking for a racing or speedwork shoe.
Wear-tester says: "It had great traction with a fast, lightweight feel--perfect for racing. But it just didn't have enough protection for rough terrain." --Jason Manbeck, 31, Reading
Price: $80
Weight: 10.1 oz (M) 8.6 oz (W)
Contact: 800-448-1796; www.shopadidas.com
Best Buy: Adidas Response Trail 14
We Say: This classic trail shoe has been updated with a wider fit through the arch and a new heel-cushioning system that aids overall stability. This system uses two pieces of low-friction plastic in the heel that move slightly across each other to help keep the shoe in contact with the ground on uneven terrain. Adidas resurrected the rubber spoiler from previous versions of the shoe, extending the outsole slightly behind the heel to improve traction on steep downhills. We recommend the Response for runners with normal to high arches who want a durable trainer.
Wear-tester says: "Extremely comfortable yet sturdy shoe, with a soft, smooth feel and excellent traction." --Richard Hayhoe, 55, East Lansing
Price: $80
Weight: 12 oz (M) 9.9 oz (W)
Contact: 800-448-1796; www.shopadidas.com
