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XTERRA Footwear 50% Trail Running Shoes Christmas Sale

Tuesday, December 14th, 2010

XTERRA Footwear is having a 50% off sale on their Trail Running shoes now until December 17th. Looks like Christmas is coming early for trail runners. Use coupon code: “Xmasjoy” when checking out to receive the 50% discount. XTERRA started as a SUV, then it was 1 trail race, and now it has grown to 195 events in 16 countries! It is the premiere trail running organization which spans across the United States and now they have moved on to making trail running shoes. Why not, they have the feedback of thousands of trail runners all over the nation, who have run and raced on all types of trail surfaces? Their team members worked for many of the best footwear brands in the industry. Now they are building the best trail running shoes for the greatest running events anywhere. Their shoes have been tried and tested on the most intense race courses XTERRA has to offer.

XTERRA has made a trail running shoe that performs on hard packed dirt, loose soil, sand, rock, asphalt, or a combination of all. XTERRA Footwear builds shoes for the XTERRA races, training, and outdoor lifestyle. The XTERRA XR 1.0 is made for support and stability which doesn’t mean it has to be “overbuilt” and bulky. It’s lightweight and stable which provides the optimal flexibility, breathability, cushioning, and support to handle trails and neighborhood roads. The XR 1.0 is made for heel-strike and forefoot runners. Colin Chapman, designer and builder of the Lotus Cars, once said, “Simplify and add lightness” and that’s what XTERRA tried to do with the XR 1.0. They found that most trail running shoes were too stiff, too heavy, and the lugs were so sever they could be felt through the shoe, but running on trails in a road shoe didn’t provide enough support, traction or protection. That is why they developed the hybrid XTERRA XR1.0 running shoe, a shoe that can go both ways. So enlightened.

The XTERRA XT1.0 and 2.0 is a light, comfortable running shoe designed for XTERRA trail race training. XTERRA race training includes all things active and fun. Your routine might include running your favorite trail, hiking, scrambling, playing hid and go seek, chasing Fido at the park, surfing, leaping tall buildings, or even going to the gym. (Lame). At any rate, the XT 1.0 and 2.0 are made for all of those activities plus running. If you don’t like having to change your shoes then this is the running shoe for you. This shoe is designed for shorter XTERRA and road races.

So how do they fit and feel? Well I don’t know what your foot shape is, but that doesn’t matter, XTERRA offers a 100% absolute guarantee on any purchase of shoes! 50% off and a 30-day money back guarantee, you can’t go wrong with these shoes as a present! Go to XTERRA footwear and get your Christmas shopping complete.

Tags:XTERRA
Posted in Shoes, trail running | Comments

Born to Run: Minimalist Running Shoe Store

Monday, December 13th, 2010

The next logical step has come in the barefoot and minimalist running movement, a minimalist only running shoe store. First, athletes started running barefoot. Seeing the loss in business, running shoe companies started developing their own minimalist running shoes. Established running shoe companies like New Balance developed minimalist models and many new running shoe companies sprang up who focused predominantly on minimalist shoes like Kigo Footwear and Terra Plana. Someone has to sell these new models of running shoes; enter Born to Run: the barefoot shoe store. Wait, barefoot shoes? Oxymoron anyone?

The store is located in Bellevue, Washington and is owned by Barefoot Ted McDonald, one of the original and expert barefoot runners, along with Dan Fairbanks as CEO. They started Born to Run because, “We believe that the human foot was created perfectly as it is. Our mission is to spread the joy of free feet by educating others on the benefits of minimalist footwear, teaching how to use it properly, and by selling the highest quality of minimalist footwear on the market.” There is a lot of great information on their website about minimalist running techniques. They also have weekly minimalist running seminars at the store along with minimalist group runs. A great place for minimalist runners to learn from each other.

I couldn’t find any other minimalist running shoe specific brick and mortar stores on the Internet, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. I think this is a great idea which has finally capitulated since ‘Born to Run‘ the book was released. My problem is with their store name though, “Born to Run.” They are already capitalizing on Chris McDougall’s book, ‘Born to Run’ which created the demand for a minimalist running shoes for a specific store, so why go all the way and name the store the exact title of the book? Their website URL is actually borntorun.com! In my research I also found another running shoe store that is named Born to Run Inc., obviously before the book was released. I’m not sure how trademarks work, but I found that the store has trademarked the name ‘Born to Run’ for their use. I wonder how this is legal?

At any rate, I wish Barefoot Ted and Dan the best of luck in their endeavor to grow this minimalist running shoe store across the country. It’s a great idea and should prove to be a profitable concept, they just missed the mark on creating a unique brand. No one knew what a Google was when it first got started, but that doesn’t mean they should have named the company, “Search Engine Plus.”

Tags:running shoe store
Posted in minimalist, Shoes | Comments

Karhu Fast Fulcrum_Ride Running Shoe Review

Friday, December 10th, 2010

The Karhu Fast Fulcrum_Ride road running shoe is scheduled to hit stores in the United States on February of 2011, but you can get these hot new shoes now on Amazon.com. The Internet spreads across oceans. If you haven’t heard of Karhu before, it’s probably because they are a Finnish company, but they have been producing running shoes in Europe for over 100 years. Karhu has a rich history in running shoes. After WWII they sold their 3 stripes trademark to a little known German brand named Adidas for the equivalent of 1600 Euros today and 2 bottles of whiskey. That better have been some good whiskey. In the 1980s Karhu sold off their outdoor shoe division to Merrell. Karhu is now back with its new fulcrum technology and bringing it to its new running shoe line.

The patented fulcrum technology they say is, “independently tested and proven, collaborates with the foot to convert your body’s natural energy into forward motion.” Much like a fulcrum would but with collaboration with your body. The technology is located in the sole of the shoe. The fulcrum is more efficient with its lower pronation angle and velocity because it allows for appropriate pronation during the gait cycle. The center of pressure moves along it’s natural path vertically from the heel to the toes without interruption. Traditional running shoes transfer pronation energy from side to side. The fulcrum also allows for more balance because it is naturally centered which accelerates the transition, the most unbalanced portion of your stride. Traditional running shoes with flat cushioning and vertical posting can create braking and angular forces. The fulcrum keeps you moving forward with less vertical oscillation. Stop wasting energy on oscillating anywhere but forward, unless you’re running up stairs or something.

The Karhu Fast Fulcrum_Ride is a neutral shoe built for performance; that’s why its named “fast.” The Fast Fulcrum_Ride is able to transition pressure to energy. The body’s nerve signals anticipate contact with the ground at a natural heel strike, and because of the fulcrum, the force of the impact is distributed evenly. The activation leads to forward movement, following the body’s natural inclination. The mid-foot is fully loaded and the body pivots over the fulcrum. The maximum horizontal velocity is applied in a final push off the fulcrum, driving the body forward. It’s just science.

The new Fast Fulcrum_Ride are great for flat footed runners. The fit is true to size, with a narrow and low profile for speed. However, they feel like they may not be as durable as other running shoes so the Fast Fulcrum_Ride may be best kept for race day. The cushioning is great but the amount of padding seems unnecessary for a performance shoe. The extra padding makes the shoe heavier, especially if it gets wet from rain or sweat.

It’s an interesting new concept and you can feel the difference when you run. Check out if the fulcrum technology fits you. It could be a fast ride.

Tags:Karhu shoes, performance
Posted in Shoes | Comments

The Best Running Shoe Laces

Thursday, December 2nd, 2010

I’ve noticed the past couple of years that running shoe laces have been going through an enlightenment period; evolving at a faster rate than ever before, but I’m not sure it’s necessarily a good thing. Personally I have the latest technology in shoe lace science in my New Balance MT101s and to be honest, they have been coming untied a lot lately. The good thing about shoe laces though is that they are interchangeable, you can put any type of shoe lace on any type of running shoe. We examine if it’s time to go back from the future for your running shoe laces.

Flat woven: These are your traditional running shoe laces. They are a 1/2 inch wide, flat and square with plastic end points for ease of lacing. They range from 27 to 72 inches and have traditionally been about 34 inches in running shoes. They can be made of cotton, jute, or hemp which is different from modern running shoe laces made from synthetic fibers which tend to be more slippery. The length of the flat woven on traditional running shoes allows for little excess lace to dangle on the side of your shoe. This results in an extra tight shoe as runners must tighten enough to have plenty of lace for the tie.

Fat Woven: These are very similar to the flat woven running shoe laces above; however, they have a width of 3/4 inch. The idea behind having fatter woven laces is that they won’t loosen in the lacing holes on the shoe as you run. They also make it easier to tie for all intensive gripping purposes.

Round Braided: These first appeared in basketball shoes and made their way into running shoes. The lengths range from 27 to 72 inches; however, most are 72 inches because of their basketball “baggy look” heritage. The 72 inch laces are much too long for running shoes as runners feet pass each other very closely. Basketball players are able to tuck the long laces into their shoes but runners can’t due to chaffing. Don’t buy these shoe laces and if they come with your running shoes throw them out.

SURE LACE: This is what my New Balance 101s have. The length of the laces are 34 inches. The laces resemble round braided laces but are computer knit designed with a reciprocating wave pattern. New Balance says it, “secure shoe laces, provide added midfoot support, and keep the shoe snug around the foot.” I agree with all of these except it keeps the shoe laces secure. Here’s a video about them:

Overall, you have to find the shoe lace that fits you, but don’t be fooled by gimmicks like SURE LACE technology or the hip long lace fad. If it aint broke, don’t fix it, just tie a double knot!

Tags:laces, New Balance, sure lace
Posted in Shoes | Comments

Keen A86 Trail Running Minimalist Running Shoe Review

Monday, November 22nd, 2010

I went to Outdoor Retailer a couple of months ago and still haven’t been able to share everything I learned yet. Come on, I know you would rather go trail running than read about trail running. The reason I know this is because you’re reading the blog while forced to be in front of a computer at work. I’ve seen the web statistics, no one visits SeriousRunning.com after 5 pm or on the weekends.

While at Outdoor Retailer I kept passing by the Keen booth not quite sure what to make of them. They offer a lot of products, predominately bulky hiking shoes with a lot of support and durability and started with a closed toe sandal. Well just like everyone else, Keen is trying their hand (or foot) at the minimalist trail running shoe movement with the A86 due out in January 2011.

Instead of an over-sized toe guard like most of Keen’s heavy duty products this shoe is like a racing flat. Don’t worry, the A86 trail shoe does have a small toe bumper in the front. The lack of bulk still doesn’t compromise the support and comfort needed in a trail running shoe. The Keen A86 is 9 ounces and Keen boasts, “has a glove-like fit and a feather-light feel.” The asymmetric lacing allows trail runners to make the shoe as tight or as loose as they want for that lightweight minimalist feel. The tight fit still breaths too with a consistent mesh upper allowing air to flow through the feet. The light PU mid-sole provides ample shock absorption and the high rebound foot-bed gives that extra cushioning you may need, but it is removable if you want a more minimalist feel. The dot matrix, multidirectional 3 mm traction lugs make it fit not slip on the trail.

Keen says they stand to, “create, play, and care…for us it’s a way of life, we call it the Hybridlife.” We’ll see if they can create a hybrid minimalist and trail running shoe that we care to play in. The design looks great and the feel is promising. This could be a great minimalist trail running shoe or perhaps like the famous band Keane (not Keen) says, maybe they are, “Trying to make a move just to stay in the game.”

Note: Trail Running and Minimalist Running are not games to us.

Tags:keen, new, Outdoor Retailer
Posted in minimalist, Shoes, trail running | Comments

Kigo Footwear CURV and EDGE minimalist running shoe reviews

Monday, October 18th, 2010

I checked out Kigo Footwear at Outdoor Retailer this past year and love what this new start-up company is doing, developing green, minimalist shoes that are not only functional, but also stylish. They say, “Kigo footwear is committed to making shoes that are stylish enough for everyday wear, sturdy enough for athletics, and constructed to be good for the Earth and body.” Kigos are good for barefoot (well, minimalist) athletics and everyday wear. They produce the Kigo CURV for women which can be used for commuting, fitness, or general wear, similar to a Mary Jane style. No, not the eyes closed, eating Cheetos, and listening to Pink Floyd Mary Jane style. The Kigo EDGE is for active men and women and has complete foot coverage for a fully protected barefoot stride. Although they are strong enough for a man, Kigos are really PH balanced for women. As they should be, the staff at Kigo are all women who know about endurance athletics and being stylish at the same time.

Kigos are constructed of lightweight durable materials with a beathable, stain/water resistant upper. The outsoles are flexible because they are made with a high density rubber which is 1.5 mm thick. You can bend these shoes in half with just your hands. Kigos have a higher vamp for increased toe room which gives a better barefoot running experience. I also like that they have a deeper ankle opening than most shoes which prevents rubbing when running. Kigos are built around the body health benefits that come from going barefoot or wearing minimalist shoes and allows your foot to move more naturally. This strengthens the muscles in the foot, promotes better posture, and creates a more effortless stride while running or walking in Kigos. Not only were Kigos designed for minimalist benefits but also with the idea of having a comfortable shoe that is portable. The idea for Kigos came when the founder couldn’t enjoy a night out with friends because the only shoes she had were ski boots after a day on the mountain. I wish I had some Kigos about 10 years ago when I donned on ski boots prior to boarding a plane because I couldn’t wear running shoes in first class (free upgrade for being in the military). Someday we’ll live in a classless society where non-runners and runners alike are treated equal. Until then, bring your Kigos! The shoes are about 4 to 5 ounces and can be easily bent for the easy storage. They also come with a hookless toe cap and fixed webbing loop for easy pull on and off. They have orange, green, black, or white styles and MSRP for $69.99 USD.

Currently Kigo is participating in British Airways competition for small businesses. Click here and vote for Kigo to help this small start-up business! There are only 2 days left to vote! The Kigo staff are magnificent people with a positive outlook on barefoot running and staying stylish. Support small businesses and try some Kigos yourself!

Tags:Outdoor Retailer
Posted in minimalist, Shoes, Women's Running | Comments

Hoka One One Trail Running Shoes

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

The Hoka One One Trail Running Shoes movement may be moving down the trail next. From minimalist trail running shoes comes the complete opposite, the Hoka One One. The Hoka One One was invented by Nicolas Mermoud and Jean Luc Diard of France, who had previously worked at Salomon. From an adventure race in Sicily was born a love for running over mountains and on trails. Nicolas and Jean wanted a trail running shoe that they could fly downhills even if they were heel striking (opposite of minimalist again). They came up with the Hoka One One Trail Running Shoes.

The Hoka One One soles are 2.5 times larger than traditional trail running shoes which is what sets them apart from other trail runners. Hoka claims the foam gives a 30% softer ride and is able to dissipate 80% of the impact of a heel strike. Even though the shoes look bulky, they are relatively light, 15% lighter than traditional trail running shoes. There is a 13 cm rockering profile at the toe which provides a spring in your step when running on flat or uphill terrain. According to Hoka, the low ramps angle also allows for tremendous confidence running downhill, engaging the gluteus and lower back, as opposed to isolating the quads like traditional downhill trail running. The bottom of the shoe has 50% more surface area so you run straight over rocks and roots without feeling anything or changing your stride. Like a mountain bike barreling down a hill rolling over every obstacle in its path rather than avoiding them. The sole is etched with large lugs, also like mountain bike tires, for the best possible grip. The Hoka One One was invented so trails runners could run fast over any surface and any terrain.

What do you think? Anyone ever try these?

Tags:Hoka, minimalist
Posted in Shoes, trail running | Comments

New Balance Minimus Minimalist Trail Running Shoe Evolution

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

New Balance released an article today about how they went about developing the new New Balance Minimus running shoe. New Balance has been on the forefront of minimalist trail running development for a while. I’ve personally reviewed and enjoyed trail running in the New Balance MT100s and the, not yet released, New Balance 101 Minimalist Trail Running Shoes. I’m excited to see what the Minimus is all about when they are released in 2011.

The article talks about how the running shoe developers at New Balance met Anton (Tony) Krupicka and Kyle Skaggs at a running store in Colorado and heard about how these guys were doing a different type of trail running and ultra-running, in minimalist shoes. These runners are all about stripping down to the bare essentials. To run as natural as possible to increase the most basic primal experience from running. Tony and Kyle began working with Senior Designer Chris Wawrosek of New Balance, giving advice and challenging prototypes. Once they got to the product they were looking for, New Balance determined the broader consumer base wasn’t ready for minimalist trail running shoes. Then came Chris McDougall’s book, Born to Run, and the general population was ready for them. However, after New Balance released the MT100s they still felt they were a year or two early because not everyone wanted a flat, flexible shoe. Shoe companies like Vibram and Terra Plana have already been developing running shoes with flat soles and now New Balance is joining the party. I wonder when are the next big shoe manufactures are going to develop a minimalist trail running shoes?

Check out Tony’s inspirational video:

Posted in minimalist, Shoes, trail running | Comments

Salomon XR Crossmax Guidance and Neutral Trail Running Shoes Review

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010

Salomon had some pretty sweet new trail running shoes on display at outdoor retailer this year. I got the sneak peak at the new XR Crossmax Guidance (Women’s) and XR Crossmax Neutral (Women’s) trail running shoes which haven’t been release yet. I got to play around with them and had the Salomon experts tell my why these shoes are so close to spectacular.

Salomon boasts the XR Crossmax Trail Running shoes as being built for door to trail running; strong enough for the road, but PH balanced just for the trail. I personally love to run to the trail so I am glad that a running shoe company is realizing the need for a hybrid shoe that works for both road running and trail running. Salomon is making this their focus for 2011 because they think it’s the next big thing. It makes sense, every trail runner probably runs on roads and buying two pairs of shoes sucks. We’ll see what the public thinks when these are released. I also like that Salomon has broken down these trail running shoes into motion control/stability (XR Crossmax Guidance) and neutral/cushioned (XR Crossmax Neutral). Until recently trail running shoes were merely categorized as “trail” with no denotation of what type of pronation they are built for. It seems Salomon is listening to their trail running customers.

The grip on the sole of the Salomon XR Crossmax Trail Running shoes are built for traction. The grip under the toes is an aggressive shaped grip that is a new product Salomon calls contragrip LT, which stands for lightweight. The front is made up of hang glider shapes, which point to the toe of the shoe for that extra traction when pushing off of loose sand or dirt. These shoes were definitely made for runners who run on their toes. The heel grip is totally different, Salomon calls it contagrip HA for high abrasion. This heel grip is focused more on support and durability rather than traction and runability like the front. One the bottom of the shoe the Salomon XR Crossmax has an over-sized tendon that looks like a glow in the dark tube running from the toe to the heel of the sole. This is to give stretch and balance from the heel to the toe in transition. It is made to absorb the flexibility when your foot makes its transition, like the tendon in your foot.

The upper fits snug for a couple of reasons. First, it is an all welded upper with very little stitches so you don’t get blisters in different parts of your foot from running. It is made out of sensifit which is a stretchy mesh that goes all the way across the top of the instep. This is made for a tight fit around your toes but loose enough so it won’t irritate them if you have injuries or are susceptible to blisters. Also, the inside is a one-piece liner so the interface of your foot is seamless with the shoe. Snuggy.

Check out a pair of the Salomon XR Crossmax Guidance and Neutrals when they are released. Start saving your running shoe money, these trail running shoes are going to be retailed for about $130.

Tags:Outdoor Retailer, Salomon
Posted in Shoes, trail running | Comments

Scarpa Pursuit Trail Running Shoe Review

Friday, September 17th, 2010

I got a pair of the Scarpa Pursuit Trail Running shoes a while back, but I was in between running shoes at the time so I really didn’t take the time to try them out until later. I wish I had tried them earlier though, they are a great shoe to throw into my trail running mix. I like to use different trail running shoes depending on the intensity of my run and terrain. The Scarpa Pursuits are my slow paced, comfort trail running shoes. Scarpa boasts, “cushioning meets stability” and they are right on. The Pursuits have the comfort of a hiking shoe and the stability of a trail runner. So if you are looking for a performance or minimalist trail running shoe, then these big guys aren’t for you.

These are my first Scarpa trail running shoe and I have to say that I’m pretty impressed. The thing that sets them apart from other trail running shoes I’ve tried is the triple density midsole which gives a much softer ride on both the heel and forefoot. When my knees are hurting from yesterday’s run and I still need to put some trail miles on, these are the shoes I run in. The insoles are removable, but these trail running shoes don’t require any additional inserts, which is a nice change for once.

They give good traction but I am very careful when running on wet rocks in these shoes. The soles remind me more of a hiking shoe than a trail running shoe because they have large traction squares around the outer portion of the sole. The middle of the sole are large triangles that weave into each other giving a fast push when running over loose dirt or sand. The soles are very flexible which gives more of a lift in each step which helps propel you even though the Scarpa Pursuit is a heavier trail running shoes.

The front toe guard is sturdy and allows for some protection from rocks and roots on the trail. The heel cup also has some hard plastic which gives it some protection and provides stability. The upper is made from synthetic leather and mesh. The sides are mesh which allows for them to breath; however, these shoe are more suited for cold weather running. A lot of the comfort is derived from thick sides that line the heel cup and the toes. The tongue is also made of a thick fabric which ads to the comfort and warmth.

Overall, these are solid trail running shoes, but may be more suited as a day hiker or everyday wearing shoe. They provide a lot of comfort and good stability, but this adds weight and bulkiness that is just too much for a trail runner. It’s a great shoe to put in your trail running mix for a slower, more comfortable ride, but I wouldn’t recommend this being your primary trail runner. If you are looking for a day hiker or an everyday shoe then grab a pair of Scarpa Pursuits for sure.

Tags:Scarpa
Posted in Shoes, trail running | Comments

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