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Montrail Rogue Fly Men's Running Shoe

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Montrail’s lightest trail shoe, Rogue Fly impressed our feet with a seamless, sock-like mesh upper on Rogue Racer’s mid/outsole.

Runners Say

“For me, this shoe’s a winner. Traditional trail protection in a light and fast package. I was surprised how different this shoe feels compared to the Rogue Racer, which sits on the same midsole/outsole. The Fly has only a few tenths of an ounce on the Racer, but feels like a much more nimble shoe for my foot.” – Jonathan

“I’m impressed by the fit of the upper, particularly given that there’s not much material covering your foot. The fit is somewhere between sock-like and slipper-like to me. I had to cinch down the laces pretty snug to feel anchored on the platform.” – Matt

Big Features

• All-Mesh Upper: The first thing you notice about this shoe is the clean, simple upper. There’s a surprising amount of structure, with reinforcements along the lateral side and toe of the shoe in particular that give you extra confidence on highly technical trails.


Montrail Rogue Fly Outsole View

• “Fly” Weight: The Fly lives up to its name, and is indeed the lightest trail shoe Montrail offers. Our measurements came in at 7.7 oz for Men’s size 9. The stripped-down upper design makes the Fly a few tenths of an ounce lighter than the Rogue Racer.
• Flexible, Responsive Midsole: The midsole of the Fly is unchanged from the one in the Rogue Racer, which has earned praise for its low weight, smooth transition and long-haul comfort.
• Rock Protection: Benefit from both a TPU shank and Trail Shield technology in the forefoot for protection when you’re out on the trail.
• Gryptonite Outsole: Gryptonite is Montrail’s proprietary outsole material that provides traction where you need it. It’s perforated to keep weight down.

Trail Test

Even though it’s based on the mid/outsole of the Rogue Racer (see Men’s Rogue Racer and Women’s Rogue Racer), the Rogue Fly feels like a very different shoe. All the changes in the upper come together to create a shoe that feels more nimble, and dare we say a little faster, than the Rogue Racer.

The all-mesh upper is obviously the big story in this shoe. A few testers felt a bit too much lateral movement in the shoe, but even so, all of us were impressed by the balance of structure and flexibility in the upper of this shoe. We’d like to see more manufacturers introduce such clean, elemental designs in their road and trail models.

Out on the trail, you still get all of the great features Montrail has packed into the midsole and outsole, including Gryptonite to keep you firmly moving forward and rock protection in the mid and forefoot. With many stripped-down and minimal trail shoes moving to a lower heel-to-toe drop, some folks may find it strange that Montrail is sticking with a 10mm offset. But we think that the feel under foot is so good that the heel-to-toe drop shouldn’t be a major factor for most buyers.

The Men’s Rogue Fly in Red/Laser Yellow and Titanium/Bronco is available now, with the Women’s Rogue Fly in Red/Yellow coming in April.

Matt Running Shoes montrail rogue fly, montrail rogue racer, montrail running shoes, montrail trail running shoes

Apparently, some of you out there thought that running 26.2 miles in a row wasn’t enough of a challenge, or at least wasn’t sparking quite enough fun in your life. Races with a little bit of zany (or a lot, in the case many past runnings of the Bay to Breakers) have been going strong for quite some time, but we’re impressed by the sheer volume of crazy races, obstacle courses, mud runs and nude dashes that have been put on in the past few years.

Looks like we’ll have a bumper crop o’ crazy in 2012, as some of the big names add more locations and dates while many other races see a rise in registrations.

Obsessed with Obstacles

Warrior Dash: Adding 14 more race locations than there were in 2011, the Warrior Dash is going strong with its “hellish” obstacle courses. (info)
Spartan Race: With nearly 50 events in North America and the UK this year, Spartan Race promises “pure primitive craziness.” (info)
Urbanathalon: Started in 2006 by the publishers of Men’s Health, this year’s event locations have yet to be announced. (info)

Small but Silly

Dark and Dirty Run: Get ready for 6.66 miles of nighttime trail running in rural Pennsylvania. As the organizer says, “We provide the organization, you provide the illumination.” (info)
Urban Iditarod: Want to watch people dressed in crazy costumes bark like dogs and pull shopping carts around for a few miles? Head to Portland, Oregon on February 25. (info)
Holiday Runs: Plenty of good times can be had at fun runs in your area for St. Patty’s, Halloween and Thanksgiving too.

The Competitor Has No Clothes

Maybe we’re just a bunch of nevernudes, but we find it a bit hard to wrap our heads around why you want to race naked. That’s a whole lot of unnecessary flippin’ and floppin’. Just sayin’. But don’t let us harsh on your fun if you’re planning to take part in the Bare Buns 5K, Bare Dare 5K, Streak the Cove 5K, or another less well clothed, er, we mean known, naked race happening somewhere in this big ol’ country of ours.

Matt Running Sport crazy run race, naked run race, obstacle run race

Mizuno Wave Ronin 4 Women's Shoe

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Want silky smooth speed? Get runnin’ in Ronin, now in its 4th version with minimal changes to its winning formula for fast.
(View Men’s Ronin 4 and Women’s Ronin 4.)

Runners Say

“The Ronin 4 is an impressive racing flat, but my foot just couldn’t quite settle into the upper. I had to cinch the laces pretty tight to feel securely in place, but then my midfoot was cramped. Still, I enjoyed the firm, flexible ride.” – Matt

“This shoe is super flexible and fast. My foot felt at one with the ground, thanks to the very natural transition. I had to go a half size up to get the right fit.” – Joanna

“Bit of a strange shape in the upper. The toebox had some extra room, but it didn’t affect performance. When speed is the objective, this shoe delivers.” – Daniel

Big Updates

• Fresh Design: The Ronin takes a big step forward in design, with a flashier look compared to prior models that flew under the radar.
• Flex Controllers: These additions to the outsole maximize energy optimization by improving efficiency during the final stages of toe-off.

Road Test

Many of you out there probably know what a ronin is. Japanese samurai who became masterless were known as ronin, which translates in English to “wave man.” They got this name because of their status as warriors who were socially adrift. The Mizuno Ronin 4 certainly hasn’t lost its way, but wave man is quite a fitting description, given the shoe’s Wave cushioning technology.

Mizuno Wave Ronin 4 Women's Shoe Outsole View

Version 4 of the Ronin looks very fresh but rides much like the outgoing model. You still get plenty of tech in this shoe, including Wave plate cushioning, AP+ midsole, AIRmesh upper for better breathability and a G3 outsole for lightweight grip.

It was a challenge for our testers to feel much of a difference between the Ronin 3 and Ronin 4. Many commented that the latest version felt just a touch more responsive in the forefoot, which probably can be attributed to the Flex Controllers placed on the outsole. Like its predecessor, the Musha 4 has a 10mm heel-to-toe offset, but the shoe feels flatter than that on the road. The slipper-like fit received a lot of praise, letting the foot do its thing without too much interference or slipping around.

While the Men’s version fit true to size, we recommend purchasing a 1/2 size bigger in the Women’s model. The bottom line is that Mizuno didn’t mess with success on the Ronin 4 design, and that will be music to the ears of the many Ronin fans out there.

Matt Running Shoes mizuno ronin 4, mizuno wave ronin 4

Asics GT-2170 Trail Women's Running Shoe

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Asics’ popular 2170, with a fresh outsole geared for trail duty. This hybrid shoe offers a sticky outsole that can give you just the traction you need off-road.
(View Men’s 2170 Trail and Women’s 2170 Trail.)

Runners Say

“As expected, this shoe still feels just like a 2170 – which is to say, it’s got great comfort, an amazing fit, and a smooth transition. It’s a good option for someone who does a mix of road and hard-packed trail running. But this shoe’s certainly not right for the serious trail runner – the technical features just aren’t there.” – Matt

“Of course the fit and ride of this shoe is great, since it’s on the 2170 platform. I could see a runner who just loves the 2170 buying a pair of these for days when they want to do a little off-roading.” – Joanna

Big Updates

• 2170 Design Updates: The 2170 trail benefits from the new design of the 2170 road shoe. Asics was careful to innovate without rocking the boat too much in this popular model.
• Gusseted Tongue Gone: The 2160 Trail had a gusseted tongue to keep out rocks and debris. Customer feedback indicated that feature wasn’t particularly necessary, so Asics went back to a traditional tongue on this model.

Road Test

As you would expect from a comfy road shoe injected with just a smidge of trail DNA, the GT 2170 Trail rides a whole lot like the road version of the shoe. In fact, we’d bet that most runners wouldn’t be able to tell the difference in a blind race test.

That’s a good thing if all you want in a trail shoe is a little bit of extra grip. And we do mean a little bit. The trail-specific outsole on the 2170 Trail is definitely stickier than the road shoe’s outsole, and it adds a bunch of tiny pyramid-shaped grips on the outsole as well. But that’s really the only thing differentiating the Trail from the road version. It’s a great choice for the runner who wants to option to go off-road and feel confident about having a little extra traction. Other shoes in this category worth a look are the Nike Pegasus Trail (Men’s and Women’s) and Brooks Adrenaline ASR (Men’s and Women’s).

For someone who needs a more dedicated trail shoe and would like to stick with the Asics line, there are a few other models to consider. In the support category, the Asics Gel Trabuco 14 (see Men’s and Women’s) still provides plenty of cushion along with a water-resistant, trail-specific upper and a WET GRIP outsole designed to increase traction on wet surfaces.

In the neutral category, the Trail Sensor 5 (see Men’s and Women’s) is Asics’ most high-feature trail shoe. It offers a cushioned ride along with many helpful features for the trail, including a specially designed lacing system, Trail Sensor midsole that adjusts to uneven terrain, and a forefoot rockplate to minimize stone bruising.

Matt Running Shoes asics 2170 trail, asics gt-2170 trail, asics trail running shoes

Consider a Coach in 2012

Certainly, coaching has been around for centuries. And probably every one of you has had a coach or two along the way who has inspired you to perform better and try harder. So what’s so special about coaching in 2012?

Well, coaching has been getting a fresh look in recent years, as more runners in their 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond turn to a personal coach for guidance on topics such as improved running form, race strategy and injury prevention. You can partner with a coach longer-term, or use coaching resources to help you do better with a specific goal.

If you’re looking to get in better shape this year or shave time off your next race, a coach can certainly help. A good coach can get you closer to that new PR, and can provide motivation for more casual runners who want to get deeper in the sport. They’ll help you develop a personal training plan and follow through with regular feedback about your performance.

OK, So I Need a Coach. What’s the Next Step?

There are many ways to find a coach. If you’re part of a running club or group, ask around to see if any of the other members have had a personal coach and get their feedback on that coach’s strengths and weaknesses. You can also go online to find a coach. One helpful site is the Road Runner’s Club of America, which offers a Find a Coach service, though there are several other coach locators on the Web as well. The service from RRCA is particularly nice because every coach it lists has completed a certification program

If you’re looking for educational resources to supplement the coaching you receive, be sure to check out our selection of Running DVDs that can help you improve your strength and your race times.

Matt Running Sport find a running coach, run coach, running coach, running dvd

Saucony Kinvara 3 Women's Running Shoes (May '12 Colors)

You’re forgiven if you couldn’t tell much a difference between your original pair of Kinvaras and your latest pair of Kinvara 2′s. And Saucony is forgiven for making minimal changes to their most popular minimal shoe last time around – the shoe rocked it, right out of the gate. But to stay on top, it was time for a closer look at the Kinvara, and Saucony gave the Kinvara 3 a top-to-bottom refresh.

Get ready for a whole new look and improved technology in the Kinvara 3, which releases in May 2012. At the initial launch, there will be four Women’s colors (the two shown above, along with a Blue/White color and Grey/Purple color) and four Men’s colors (the three colors shown below, along with a Grey/Red color). Two more Men’s colors and two more Women’s colors will be available in July.

What to Watch For

• More Durable Sole: Saucony heard the feedback about the durability of prior Kinvara models and responded by adding XT-900 rubber where it counts. Added rubber on the lateral midfoot and forefoot means you can expect more mileage out of your Kinvara 3′s compared to previous pairs.
• Same Heel-to-Toe Drop: Though many other Saucony models are lowering their offsets, 4mm is still the name of the game for the Kinvara. You know it, you love it, and Saucony didn’t mess with it.
• Smoother Transition: Already known for its flexible, light, and comfortable midsole, the Kinvara series is now designed to move with your foot even better thanks to a de-coupled and beveled heel, along with added flex grooves in the heel. While the Kinvara remains geared toward a midfoot strike, these updates make the shoe a little more welcoming for heel strikers as well.
• Still Lightweight: Official weights from Saucony are 7.7 oz (Men’s size 9) and 6.7 oz (Women’s size 8). That’s a few tenths of an ounce heavier than our measurements for the Kinvara 2, but identical to the official weights for the Kinvara 2, so we’ll have to wait to see whether or not the shoe has really bulked up at all.
• Redesigned Upper: Look for a streamlined upper with improved fit thanks to the use of FlexFilm™, a thin material bonded to the upper to secure your foot to the sole a little better throughout your gait.
• Widths Now Available: For those of you with a wider foot, Saucony is producing 2E widths in the Men’s version and D widths in the Women’s version.
• Pricing Uptick: All these innovations come at a price, specifically: ten bucks. MSRP on the Kinvara 3 rises to $100.00. We still think that the Kinvara is a tremendous value, especially since we expect increased durability in the latest iteration.

Saucony Kinvara 3 Men's Running Shoes (May '12 Colors)

Matt Running Shoes minimal running shoes, Minimalist Running Shoes, saucony kinvara 3, Saucony Running Shoes

Adidas adiStar Ride 4 Men's Running Shoe

Our Tweet

A max feature shoe for the neutral runner, Ride 4 doles out plenty of cush and plush but doesn’t totally disconnect you from the road.
(View Men’s Ride 4 and Women’s Ride 4.)

Runners Say

“There’s a ton of cushion in this shoe – particularly in the heel – but there’s a feeling of integrity in the cushioning technology that makes me think you’ll enjoy that ‘first try on’ feeling longer in this shoe than other maximum feature trainers.” – Daniel

“For long-lasting comfort, it’s hard to beat the Ride 4. Your feet sit high off the ground, surrounded by a plush upper. I liked the heel cushioning, and it’s impressive how much comfort they packed into this shoe given its weight.” – Joanna

“At first, it was Tale of Two Shoes for me in the Ride 4. I’d land on a chunky, pillowy heel and then get some actual road feel in the forefoot, which isn’t as soft as many other shoes in this category. But after a little more time in the shoe, I started to appreciate the heel-to-toe transition.” – Matt

Big Updates

• Microsuede Upper: This lining provides a soft and cozy home for your foot.
• Active Formotion: A stretch panel in the midfoot wraps the foot for an adaptive fit.
• Memory Foam Heel Collar: For a more customized fit in the heel, adidas adds a Fitfoam heel collar.

Road Test

“Cushion for sale…get your cushion here…lots and lots of cushion!” We envision an Adidas product rep shouting out something like this on the nearest streetcorner to attract some interest to the Ride 4. And cushion certainly is a big story for this shoe – but not the only one.

The Ride 4 gets a healthy dose of adiPRENE+, an EVA-based foam cushioning technology, along with a decoupled heel to help you land safely and securely. The upper also envelopes your foot with a soft, rich fit.

But it’s not like you’re just sticking your foot in a big tub of butter. The technology that gives this shoe structure never feels completely lost, so you still feel some connection to the road and a stable, purposeful ride. The forefoot in particular feels responsive at toe-off.

All testers were impressed by the build quality on this shoe. More than one of us commented that it reminds us of a high-end German car in terms of fit and finish, comfort and solidity.

Matt Running Shoes adidas adistar ride 4, adidas running shoes

The Forerunner 910XT has generated a lot of buzz over the past few months on several blogs and forums. Given the amount of technology the company managed to pack into this model, it’s no wonder that plenty of people are talking it up.

The Garmin 910XT is in stock at Running Warehouse, so it’s time to generate some buzz on our blog too. The 910XT offers several innovations to improve an athlete’s performance during a triathlon. The triathlete is the target audience and inspiration for the 910XT.

But don’t be fooled…this watch is also pretty awesome for the runner who wants an all-in-one device that can handle long distance running events, the occasional cycling trip or a serious water workout. In fact, it has a few features that are making it particularly enticing to ultra runners who crave highly accurate measurements in a watch that can go the distance.

9 Fantastic Features…

Some of the many reasons the 910XT is worth a look:

1. Barometric Altimeter: For real-time, highly accurate elevation data, a barometric altimeter leaves GPS measurement in the dust. GPS can get pretty inaccurate in mountainous terrain – the barometric altimeter is ideal for ultra runners who want to know exactly where they are on a climb or descent, along with their total elevation gain and loss.
2. 20-Hour Battery: A feature designed for Ironman competitions, the long battery life is a big plus for long-distance trail runners as well.
3. Virtual Racer: Introduced with the Garmin 610, this feature lets you race against your own PRs for a course or download someone else’s workout on the same course. You’ll know in real time how you stack up to the virtual runner.
4. Sleeker Fit: The 910XT is only 0.6 inches deep, meaning it protrudes out from the wrist less than the 310XT (0.8 inch depth) for a less-obtrusive look and better feel on your wrist.
5. Swim Features: Good for open water or the pool, the 910XT has an AutoLap feature that allows you to select from standard pool lengths or enter in a custom length. Also, thanks to the built-in accelerometer, it can keep track of your stoke count and analyze the efficiency of your swim stroke.
6. Run/Walk Alerts: Designed for runners who pace themselves by alternating between running and walking, these alerts can also be used as a reminder to eat or drink at regular intervals. Comes in handy for endurance events.
7. Training Effect: Also available on the 610, Training Effect measures exercise intensity level to help you train more efficiently.
8. More Bells & Whistles: Garmin had to cut back in other areas to make room for the new features, right? Nope. The headline features of the 910XT have been added to the many other features runners have come to expect in Garmin products, including calorie computation, fully customizable screen, multi-sport mode and many more.
9. With or Without HRM: Like all Garmin Forerunner models, you can purchase the 910XT alone, with a heart rate monitor (HRM), or add an HRM down the road (purchased separately).

…And a Little Something Extra

So what’s the extra 0.10 reason to consider the 910XT? The flexible plastic band can be traded out for a velcro strap (sold separately here) for increased comfort and a more customized fit. As you can see, the features of the 910XT are going to help a lot of runners and triathletes hit new heights on the road, the trails and in the water.

Matt Running Accessories garmin 610, garmin 910xt, garmin forerunner, garmin forerunner 910xt

First off, we get the sense that at least a few of you out there are asking, “What the heck is a vlog?” It’s not a new genetically engineered animal species or an alien race from an old Star Trek episode. No, vlogs are our video blogs…get it? They help us showcase the features and highlights of upcoming shoes, apparel and running accessories.

Every week, we put out a vlog geared toward Men’s or Women’s products. If you haven’t watched one of our blogs before, click on the tiles in this post to go directly to the vlog archive. You can also find a quick link to the latest vlog on the right-hand side of the Men’s or Women’s homepage. Click on the video and get ready for an in-depth look at the latest shoe models and new running gear.

Whenever you’re on the site and would like to check out some older vlog episodes, you can scroll down below our current vlog to see videos in the archive. The vlogs are also accessible from our Learning Center, under the Video Vault. Basically, they’re all over the place – we do that because we want to make it easy for you to find information on the latest running gear.

More Videos to Watch

And while we’re on the topic of video, our Learning Center offers plenty of video clips, with many more on the way in the coming months. Click on the Learning Center for:

• Detailed videos on finding the right shoe fit
• Sneak peek videos
• Video tips on recovery and nutrition
• Interviews with shoe designers and other product insiders

Matt Website Features running warehouse product videos, running warehouse vlog

Saucony Endorphin MD3 Men's Running Shoe

Our Tweet

Move over Nike Zoom Victory. Saucony Endorphin MD3 is stiff competition that will be on the feet of many mid-distance runners this spring.
(View the Men’s MD3 and Women’s MD3.)

Runners Say

“This is a pretty impressive spike by Saucony. The weight is a huge achievement but I give them a lot of credit for the spike plate design too. It’s comfortable and really puts you on your toes.” – Daniel

“This spike feels more like a 400m spike. The spike plate is a little too rigid for me for anything over 800m.” – Jonathan

“The MD3 fits me like a good mid-distance spike should – snug but not too tight, heel cup feels solidly locked in, and no immediately apparent hotspots. Kudos to Saucony for bringing some real competition to this category.” – Matt

Big Updates

• Way Lighter: The MD3 drops to 3.4 oz from the MD2′s 5.0 oz weight (Men’s size 9). Saucony achieved weight reduction throughout the shoe, including a new upper with barely-there FlexFilm overlays and the use of SSL (Saucony Super Lite) EVA foam in the midsole.
• Redesigned Spike Plate: Saucony added a new Pebax spike plate to the MD3 with improved torsional rigidity, grip and comfort.

Track Test

Well, well, well. Looks like the number of ultra-lightweight middle distance spikes just increased by 100%. The Nike Zoom Victory, introduced over 3 years ago, was pretty darn close to a revelation with its low 3.4 oz weight, snug fit, and aggressive spike plate. Nothing else on the market came close to its light weight…until now.

Enter the Saucony Endorphin MD3. This middle distance spike matches the Victory’s 3.4 oz weight thanks to redesigns throughout the shoe. A big part of the weight reduction comes from the upper, which now uses synthetic FlexFilm overlays. The redesigned spike plate is also lighter, while Saucony claims increased torsional rigidity.

Strapping this shoe on, we can attest to the light weight. Heck, you can tell that just by picking them up from the box. But a mid-distance spike has to fit and perform well too. We’re divided on the fit of the MD3, with some saying it felt like there was a bit too much wiggle room in the shoe and others finding the fit more comfortable and sock-like than the Zoom Victory. We suspect that runners with a wider foot in particular may prefer the MD3′s fit.

What we enjoyed most about this shoe is the redesigned spike plate. The shoe just begs you to get up on your toes and start going fast. The spike placement felt good too.

The bottom line is that before you head out on the track this season for an 800m to 1500m race, the Saucony MD3 deserves a try-on.

Matt Running Shoes saucony endorphin md 3, saucony endorphin md3, saucony track spikes