If you run hard-packed trails, the Whisper is for you. While the thin sole wasn’t comfortable on rocky terrain, the Whisper’s great traction on loose gravel and secure one-pull lacing (plus its light weight) make it race- ready. Best for wide feet. 9 oz; salomonsports.com…

Pavement Pounder The Glide 2 is the Tempur-Pedic bed of the road-running world. Case in point: Soft, moldable foam conforms around your heel and the top of your foot, making this one of the most comfortable runners we've ever stepped into. It's a breezy, mesh neutral trainer with ample cushioning, ready…

Tough Guy This is a stand-up pack—literally. Thanks in part to its extremely heavy-duty fabric (“Like Carhartts,” said one tester), the 29.5-liter Pit Boss stands up straight, on its own, even when empty. But the truly unique feature is the pack’s three interconnected zippers. Two close the lid over the…

TAKES IT EASY Good for Packed Trails If cushion is king for high-mileage training or heavier runners, then the Supernova reigns supreme. Its pillowy crash pad is perfect for cruising on mellow trails. And despite its speedy geometry—the shoe is tilted slightly forward—the forefoot foam doesn’t feel gutted.

Why They’re CoolWith their mainly mesh uppers, the Lightspeeds excel on smoothish trails in hotter climes. On a warm day in southern Minnesota, I ran in a pair of conventionally vented shoes, then switched to the Vasques—and instantly blissed out with the sensory equivalent of propping my feet up in…

SEAMLESS DREAMTrot out the Lizards for trail-running where the term “trail” is generous. Seams in the uppers won’t blow out from abrasion—because there aren’t any. Even the synthetic-leather trim is heat-welded rather than stitched. A fat rubber toe cap provides further armoring. Serious shoe abusers, such as adventure racers and…

TOUGH, LIKE THE ROCKS YOU RUN ON Thankfully, a little dirt will tone down these kicks to an acceptable level of garishness. And then you can tell your friends that the Fruity Pebbles-colored upper is reinforced with a nylon mesh that’s tough as chain mail, and that the outsole might…

A quick-connect hose makes these reservoirs easy to refill (you can remove the reservoir without rethreading the hose and bite valve through the pack's hydration port). 48–100 ounces; nalgene-outdoor.com      …

We can only imagine the highly caffeinated sessions that produced the Overdrive. No detail has been left out or unexamined, from integrated drain holes in the outsole to a protected gaiter strap channel under the arch to drawcord lacing that adjusts easily even with cold or gloved hands. Innovative tubular…

LOTS OF CUSHIONING The Testament II was a bit too sluggish for our most gazelle-like testers but well received by our heavier and slower (read: normal) runners. Impact energy is centered by a cushy, concave heel and transferred smoothly down a springy plastic shank to the luxuriously soft forefoot. “It…

What do you get when you cross a running shoe with the British military? Sounds like a joke, but that’s actually what UK Gear did to come up with the PT-03, the toughest road shoe we’ve seen. Using the British Army Physical Training Corps for testing, designers gave the PT-03…

Mild Stability If the 769 were a coffee drink, it’d be a quadruple espresso. That highly caffeinated feel is due in part to a lightweight midsole compound and deep flex grooves under the toes. Which is not to say it’s jittery: A midfoot shank and a dual-density…

Testers liked this solid, supportive training shoe best for long road runs. And while it’s a great pick for logging lots of base mileage for spring marathons, it can handle speedy fall jaunts like a 10K, too. A secure arch wrap and heel make for an agile stride, and…

Stability Road Runner For mild to moderate overpronators, the CT Stamina 2 offers stability with noticeable comfort. The stable heel cup gives way to a light and flexible mesh upper. And for a stability shoe, there's significant cushioning. Testers loved the Stamina 2 for distance training, but its light weight…

Size, Price: 64 oz, $23; 100 oz, $25Flow Rate: 2*Funk Figher?: Yes, with cleaning tablets, sold separatelyFilter-Compatible?: YesValve Shutoff?: YesGotta Love: Big Bore wide opening: Throw in the ice!Bummer: Rigid valve can be tough on teethSplat Test: Survived *Ratings: 1=Average, 3=Excellent…

Why They’re CoolTo keep the mesh uppers on the XA Pro 2 adventure-running shoes from stretching after repeated dunkings, Salomon topped ’em with a polymer exoskeleton this year. » These shoes protected me from sketchy terrain better than tall models: Their ground-hugging profile meant I had less chance of rolling…

BRING ON THE BREEZEYou don’t know ventilation until you’ve experienced the GCS Pro. The uppers are like a screened-in porch—take off the shoe and look straight through it to read your watch, if you wish. But its real worth comes with every stride; on a warm fall day in the…

ALL-WEATHER, ALL-TERRAIN Finally, a forecast-be-damned trail shoe that doesn’t make your feet feel like they’re in a sauna. The Trail Sensor’s water-resistant, breathable upper—a synthetic fabric with Nano-Tech treatment—kept our feet warm and dry even on sloppy fall runs in Boulder, while the fully gusseted tongue kept out grit and…

Gaping openings make for fast, thorough cleaning. 70–100 ounces; deuterusa.com      …

A TRAIL SHOE FOR ROADIES Sometimes you drive to the trailhead; other times you just run there. This is your shoe. Built to have the same smooth heel-to-toe transition as ASICS’s road shoes, the lightweight Attack is sufficiently cushioned for gravel roads and packed dirt, yet it still feels responsive…

CAN HANDLE HEAVY STRIKING The Elixir is like a Ferrari with all-terrain tires. It combines the barely there mesh upper of a race shoe with the full-foam midsole of a distance trainer. A snug heel cup and soft forefoot flex promote maximum thrust at toe-off, while a thermoplastic spring mechanism…

ROAD-AND-TRAIL HYBRID Good for Packed Trails Take a road trainer and a trail runner, smash them together, and voilà: the Adrenaline ASR 5. Medial posting (a.k.a. denser foam) in the midsole delivers moderate pronation support, a rarity in trail runners, and the slender fit feels nimble…

Mild Stability Which sounds more like your morning ritual: Trying to set a new PR, or trying not to hit snooze again? If it’s the latter, the SyncroPace III is your shoe. Like most of Pearl’s running shoes, it has a remarkably comfortable, seamless upper and a…

If cushioning shoes are mattresses, the Cruise is a futon. “It’s firm, but good firm,” said one tester. The Cruise has Pearl Izumi’s trademark seamless upper, fabric eyelets that allow fine-tuning of the laces, and unique cushioning pads under the forefoot and heel that deliver a responsive ride. Best…

When the slope rips out beneath you, your beacon will help friends find you, but how deep you’re buried will likely determine whether you survive. The BCA Float 30 (with an insulated hydration sleeve; shovel and probe pockets; and, new for this year, a diagonal-ski-carry system) deploys a 150-liter…

Size, Price: 70 oz, $23Flow Rate: 2*Funk Fighter?: Zip top opening for easy cleaningFilter-Compatible?: Yes, with $4 adapterValve Shutoff?: NoGotta Love: Dump an ice try in the zip topBummer: Pre-hike test of zip seal is criticalSplat Test: Splatted *Ratings: 1=Average, 3=Excellent…

Why They’re CoolThe Stormfronts reverse the paradigm of waterproof footwear construction. By using Gore-Tex XCR fabric on the exterior of the shoe, rather than tucking it in the lining, they move the first line of moisture defense out where the rubber meets the road—or where the nubuck meets the thaw-muck.

Ever had one of those days when your feet felt so light it’s like they weren’t quite touching the ground? The X-1/C is the next best thing to bottling that feeling. The secret is shaving every possible gram while still retaining the essentials: cushion, traction, and stability. The Encapsulated…

BEST FOR ADVENTURE RACING You run where others walk? Then this is the shoe for you. After cruising up Colorado’s wickedly steep Mount Sanitas Trail, one tester gave the Active Trail Pro props for its reinforced sides, protective toe cap, and branch-busting undercarriage. Plus the Vibram sole adhered to everything…

If you train like a mailman—neither rain nor sleet will stop you—reach for these submersibles. The seamless upper is sealed with a Gore-Tex XCR liner and reinforced with a see-through TPU rand, which toughens the shoe without marring its clean look. The masochists among our crew raced up Colorado’s…

SMOOTH OPERATOR Don’t mistake the minimalist Streak for a beefed-up road shoe—it’s more like a big-mountain shoe that’s been eating mostly salad. Though it has the airy mesh upper of a pavement pounder, underneath is a pliable plastic rock guard and sticky dual-density outsole that can handle full-speed switchbacks. With…

HEAVY SUPPORT, LIGHT FEEL Even the best shoes can’t turn a severe overpronator into a neutral strider. But the AdiStar Control makes trompers feel like bounders. Sure, it offers a wide base, rock-solid medial posting, and a beveled, decoupled-heel crash pad that will serve heavier runners or severe overpronators. But…

FLEXIBLE FLIER Good for Packed TrailsLike to blaze along your local fire road or creek path? The extremely light and flexible Paragon is tailor-made for off-road tempo runs and speed work. A sleek tread and multiple forefoot grooves make for a supple feel on the flats, but the Paragon…

Moderate Stability Think of the Triax+12 as a Mini Cooper. While wider-footed testers found the cockpit a bit cramped, everyone else raved about the shoe’s fast and in-control feel. Credit the Triax’s ample cushioning for heavy heel-strikers and nimble, low-to-the-ground profile. A sturdy medial post provides a…

The Stature was our favorite shoe for mellower trails, serving up ample cushioning, a medial post for pronation control, and a comfy, debris-thwarting neoprene ankle cuff. Traction was great on uphills, but our feet slipped too much inside the shoe on the downs. Testers loved the female-specific fit and…

Bare-Bones Speedster Designed with input from ultrarunner Anton Krupicka, who’s so allergic to carrying extra ounces he races nearly nude, this super-minimalist trail shoe, with its wafer-thin midsole and highly flexible forefoot, is among the lightest we’ve ever seen. Ideal for faster runners with perfect mechanics who pick their way…

FROZEN GRIP Live in Minnesota, Montana, or Maine? This is the winter training shoe for you. With 16 carbide-tipped spikes protruding from the outsole, these sturdy snowcats provide reliable, no-slip traction on iced-over trails and snowpacked roads. “Amazing,” said one tester, “I’ve never felt so confident going downhill on icy…

Why They’re CoolEvery pavement pounder knows the drill: Just when your feet and shoes start feeling like old friends, a variety of joint ailments emerge to tell you your midsoles are fresh out of sproing. » New Balance rebels against such obsolescence with a proprietary midsole material called Acteva, which…

This shoe will make a convert of even diehard roadies. With aggressive tread perched on top of road-shoe-like gel cushioning, and a flexibility that allows the smooth heel-to-toe roll that roadies are accustomed to, the Eagle Trail makes for an easy transition to dirt. Already a trail fan? Get…

BUILT FOR SPEED Last year’s X-1 was like a thoroughbred—fast, but hard to handle. So Teva tamed it just a little. The result, the still respectably light X-1 Control, is a versatile, high-energy trail shoe that’s just as comfortable grinding up switchbacks as it is opening it up on fifth-gear…

Trail, road, trail, road: Like other 2006 standouts, this shoe understands your dilemma and solves it with a mix of cushioning, stability, and traction. Sportiva’s climbing-shoe heritage shows in the sticky FriXion AT outsole, and the sharper-than-average heel cut provides good braking on steep descents. Unlike some of the grippiest…

LONG-DISTANCE PLAN Some trail shoes make you cringe at the thought of training for anything longer than a 10K. Not the Cascadia. With plush cushioning and easy flex, this shoe is perfect for high-mileage runs on mellow terrain. The combination of a unique trail-stabilizing system—foam wedges at mid- and forefoot…

With all due respect to Martha Stewart, this shoe is the ultimate control freak. With close-to-the-ground feel and gravity-defying weight, the Highlander is like a racing flat for trails. Speed fanatics will love the stiff sole, and mud wrestlers will envy the aggressive Gryptonite tread, which shook off glop better…

BURLY SUPPORTER Good for Technical Trails If the other shoes here are sedans, the Velocity is an SUV. A plastic spine in the midsole stiffens this powerful shoe and does an extraordinary job of correcting off-camber footstrikes. Testers appreciated the aggressive tread in muck, and rocks…

Moderate Stability Unlike most stability or control shoes, which use a stiff medial post near the heel or arch to correct an overpronator’s foot roll, the ProGrid Stabil’s post runs the entire length of the shoe—heel to toe. Although you’d think that might stiffen the shoe, Saucony…

Rain-soaked singletrack? Don’t even hesitate. The Apex is made for muck. The aggressive outsole gripped well on both the way up and the way down, and the Gore-Tex upper fended off even the slushiest snow. The stiff, supportive platform is very stable—easily crossing over for all-day hike/run epics—but it’s…

Hybrid Hauler The Adrenaline ASR 7 is a classic stability road shoe with a perk: four-wheel drive. Its outsole has teeth for grip on snowy roads and moderately technical trails, but the rest of the shoe is made for high-mileage pounding on pavement. The tread didn’t wow us on rocky…

This Bond-worthy shoe hides a secret weapon in its midsole: A springy thermoplastic plate—or wave—mechanism runs the length of the shoe, yielding consistent rebound and smooth transition at moderate and fast speeds. I cranked out a marathon-pace tempo run and felt like I was running downhill with the wind at…

Why They’re CoolHow little does a runner need the heavy exterior material of most road shoes? If these sleek mesh numbers are any indication, very little. » The 21-ounce Swift Vapors practically drifted from their box to the ceiling. But would the less-is-more aesthetic spell instant speed? Yes. » Not…

Got control issues? The Trail Comp’s upper contours around your foot like a padded spiderweb, hugging it close to the sole for a supersnug fit. Salomon also slimmed down the ankle and tightened the instep to accommodate female feet. All of the above, plus good traction, equaled mad control…

FAST AND CUSHIONED Isn’t it disheartening when you spot a chunky-looking guy at the starting line—inside you think, Well, at least I won’t come in last—and then he pulls away, leaving you sucking wind? The Lava Run is that guy. “They look like they’d be clunky,” said one tester, “but…

This featherweight will make your last pair of trail runners feel like ankle weights, but its stability let us sprint down Boulder’s ankle-eating Mount Sanitas Trail without limping home. Add grippy, multidirectional lugs and snug ankle collars for grit defense and the Attack makes a good choice for fanatics who…

VERSATILE AND FAST We’re not saying you were the kind of kid who got chased home from school. We’re saying if you were that kid, this shoe could have saved your ass. With a snug fit and low-to-the-ground design, the Zoom inspires high-speed running on everything from hard-packed dirt trails…

If you took a razor and cut every gram of fat from a typical trail runner, you’d get the X-1/C. Amazingly, Teva didn’t have to whittle away stability to do it. The trick: The upper’s lacing-and-support system, called Wraptor Lite, pushes your instep toward the center of the shoe while…

TRACTION ACTION Good for Technical Trails Those who like to stay in tune with the trail will love the low-riding 840. Cleat-like, dual-density lugs dig in on loose, loamy terrain, making it a good choice for speedmongers in climes where dusty trails turn to mud in the winter.

Packed Trail Everything about the pared-down X-1 is made for speed. Midsole foam is kept to a minimum, forefoot flexibility is maxed, and a snug-fitting heel and arch promote agility. Not surprisingly, this sub-ten-ounce racer is at its best on smooth or rolling terrain like fire roads.

Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you have to run in beefy shoes. The light weight, streamlined silhouette, and lateral stability of the SpeedComp made us more nimble on trails of all sorts, while the Gore-Tex upper kept us warm and dry. With the one-pull laces and a women’s…

Vasque’s lightweight (11.4-ounce) but firm Transistor FS shoes have a low chassis that keeps you in touch with the trail. vasque.com…

Muck Stomper True, you’ll wear this shoe only on nasty, muddy, slushy winter days—or paired with snowshoes (see page 58). But compared with other trail runners with an integrated gaiter, this is the lightest, most spry-feeling of all, weighing an impressive 13 ounces despite all that protective material. Underneath the…

By Stephen Regenold Newton Running is a Boulder, Colo., company known for a line of running shoes that promote midfoot or forefoot striking to dissuade runners from landing on their heels. The shoes are equipped with “actuator lugs,” stout rubber strips that sit beneath the foot’s…

It was about four years ago when I first became curious about the CW-X Pro Tights ($97). I had been training for the Philadelphia Marathon, my IT band was enflamed, and I couldn’t shuffle through a 2-mile warm-up without first swallowing a handful…

By Stephen Regenold We should clear the air of one item right away: The BIOM A shoes from ECCO, a Danish company known for its high-end footwear, cost an astounding $220. The shoes, an esoteric design created in collaboration with a…

By Stephen Regenold They come from Sweden. They are set with gridpatterns of carbide-tip studs. Their job is to conquer the gnarliest terrain arunner may ever see. The Icebug SPIRIT OLX, an aggressive yet fabulouslynimble sports car of a shoe, is among the coolest…

Get in gear with these heavy-duty trail runners and barely-there road shoes.

“In summer, the song sings itself,” William Carlos Williams once wrote. And it's true. It's that rarified time of year when the days are longer, the weather balmier, and the great outdoors begging to be hiked, rafted, and biked.  But if you're like me,…

I'm a big believer in using gear for new purposes (i.e., something for which it wasn't originally intended). With that in mind, I took two pieces of cycling apparel and have been logging my running miles in them for the past few weeks. I must say, they've adapted well. Here's…

After trail racing for fifteen years I've had the opportunity to make plenty of mistakes. But more importantly, I've also…

Karhu’s Strong Fulcrum Ride ($140) seems different out of the box than other road running shoes. Perhaps, it’s the styling with its nod to fashionable casual footwear. The stark white shoe has but a few touches…

San Francisco, CA

By Stephen Regenold Loved to death. That was the case with my first pair of Inov-8 Roclite 285s, a shoe that I destroyed after a year of use and a couple hundred collective miles of trail traveled underfoot. The shoe–lightweight…

The AlterG M300 Anti-Gravity Treadmillreceived the 2010 Medical Design Excellence Award, according to runnersweb.com.

By Stephen Regenold The ProGrid Razor shoes are a high-end winter trail-runner with integrated gaiters and a lightweight Vibram outsole touted to provide “exceptional traction and grip.” An eVent lining adds waterproof protection to the upper for puddles or slushy days on…

How can you tell when it's time to change your trail running shoes? Carlos Mexico City, Mexico

Ask any serious runner about their favorite piece of running gear and they will likely tell you about their super-technical shoes, lightweight polarized sunglasses, or distance/calorie/pace tracking-stopwatch system. And their running shorts? Shorts are probably the last piece of gear runners think about. The funny thing is you spend…

For a runner, is any piece of gear more important than the shoe? Conrad Stoltz doesn’t think so. That’s why the three-time Xterra world champion co-developed and tested the Avia Avi-Stoltz ($114), Avia’s first line of Xterra…