THE SELL: A natural running shoe for everyday training. THE TEST: The lightweight Gel-Blur33 aspires to minimalism, with a pared-down upper and flexy midsole. And though the shoe was quick, it still felt like a well-cushioned, high-milage trainer—one that will forgive errant heel striking while still coddling midfoot runners in pillowy foam. That's a boon for comfort but a bust for responsiveness, as the gummy foam sucked a bit of energy out of every step. Also a bummer: the wide groove running the length of the sole, intended to improve the shoe's flexibility, felt distracting to some testers. THE VERDICT: A friendly departure from thick foam toward minimalism. 10.4 oz; 10mm heel drop
Responsiveness: 2.5
Comfort: 4.5
