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Nike Free 3.0 v4 Men's Running Shoe

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Now lowered to a 4mm drop, the Nike Free 3.0 v4 lets your foot do its thing with an upper that hugs close but still gives you room to flex.
(View Men’s Free 3.0 v4 and Women’s Free 3.0 v4)

Big Updates

• New Upper Tech: A seamless, ultra-thin upper material called NanoPly covers most of the stretch mesh upper, providing additional structure in key areas.
• More Flex: Even though the v4 has tighter gaps between the siping of its platform, it improves on the flexibility of the prior Free 3.0 with the addition of a Transtarsal Flex Groove that runs the length of the shoe.
• Lower Drop: Nike lowered the heel-to-toe drop of the Free 3.0 v4 by raising up the forefoot stack height by 3mm.

Road Test

The Free 3.0 v4 continues in the tradition of the Free series to provide outstanding flexibility that lets your foot move naturally. But don’t confuse this with a near-barefoot shoe – all of our testers reported feeling fairly separated from the ground in this Nike. That’s a benefit if you want to save your feet from the grit, grime and other hazards the roads have to offer.

The flatter platform of the Free 3.0 v4 helps mid and forefoot strikers get into their groove a little better, but since Nike did not lower the heel stack height, testers found the shoe to work just as well as prior models for heel strikers. No matter how they landed, testers appreciated the very linear progression to toe-off.

The more streamlined look of the Free 3.0 v4 carries through to the fit of the upper. The shoe doesn’t give your foot a whole lot of wiggle room. The snug fit contrasts a bit from the Free 3.0 v3, which had a more stretchy upper material that felt close but never constricting. Testers liked the look of the NanoPly overlay, but for the most part wished for a bit less structure, particularly in the forefoot at the base of the laces. The shoe also feels more anchored in place in the heel than the prior version. Overall, the fit is a good match for runners with narrow, low-volume feet.

Runners Say

“Amazingly lightweight and pretty responsive for a mid or forefoot strike.” – Lindsay

“It’s definitely not a barefoot experience, but the degree of flexibility and softness is hard to beat.” – Matt

“Imagine a sock with padding on the bottom and you have the Free 3.0 v4. The NanoPly allows varying degrees of flexibility and structure in the upper.” – Jonathan

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Asics Gel Fuji Racer Men's Trail Running Shoe

The Gel Fuji Racer has been a big success for Asics since its February launch, both in terms of sales and also in helping the brand establish some cred in the stripped-down trail shoe category. We did a full video review of the Fuji Racer, and also covered it in a sneak peek and product review.

Our friends at the website IRunFar.com just completed a review of the Fuji Racer too (check it out here). Their longer-term test shows the shoe holding up well after over 200 miles of rock hopping and slush busting. We’re encouraged to hear such great feedback about this shoe and if you own a pair, we’d love to hear your experience here or on our Fuji Racer comment page.

Matt Running Shoes asics gel fuji racer, asics trail running shoes

Nike Air Pegasus+ 29 Women's Running Shoes

Not too many shoes last through 29 versions. The latest Pegasus is a testament to the comfortable, crowd-pleasing fit and ride the Pegasus series has offered over the years. A fresh design from heel to toe, the Air Pegasus+ 29 sports a few innovative features that look to keep it on the top of the list for neutral runners who want a reliable daily training companion.

Launch Date

July 2012

MSRP

$100.00

What to Watch For

• Engineered Mesh Upper: A lightweight, breathable material that minimizes the need for overlays, this mesh has differing weave patterns to give the upper added support where needed.
• Controlled Cushioning: 10mm of Zoom Air in the heel is encased in Cushlon carrier foam, which has been notched laterally in the rearfoot for better compression. Fine grooves in the rubber outsole further improve the shoe’s cushioned feel.
• Lighter Weight: The Men’s Pegasus 29 is estimated to come in at 10.0 oz, while the Women’s model should tip the scale around 8.4 oz. That’s about a half ounce lighter in the Men’s and a full ounce lighter in the Women’s.

Men’s Colors at Launch

• Volt/Black Nike Air Pegasus 29
• Grey/Volt Nike Air Pegasus 29

Women’s Colors at Launch

• Blue/White Nike Air Pegasus 29
• Grey/Blue Nike Air Pegasus 29

Nike Air Pegasus+ 29 Men's Running Shoe

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Nike LunarEclipse+ 2 Men's Shoe (Exhaust Flame Not Included)

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Think a support shoe has to feel stiff? Nope. Nike LunarEclipse 2 is proof that you can have a soft ride and a good dose of pronation control.
(View Men’s LunarEclipse 2 and Women’s LunarEclipse 2)

Big Updates

• Lighter Weight: About a half ounce lighter in both Men’s and Women’s versions, the LunarEclipse’s weight reduction comes from a lighter upper.
• Dynamic Fit Upper: Supportive bands wrap the midfoot and can be adjusted through tightening of the laces to provide a custom fit and increased arch support.

Road Test

A total lunar eclipse happens when the moon hides completely in the earth’s shadow. A Nike LunarEclipse happens when the major athletics company tailors its Lunarlon platform for runners needing moderate pronation control. See the connection? Yeah, neither do we. But it’s a cool name.

The LunarEclipse 2 occupies the same portion of the shoe universe as its predecessor. That means it’s still a max feature, moderate support ride. The special design of the Lunarlon material is meant to keep your foot from cratering inward, and from our testers’ experience, the shoe performs as advertised. In our opinion, it’s the most stable feeling Lunar shoe. The firmer Lunarlon foam is somewhat noticeable in the midfoot, but the shoe maintains a nicely cushioned feel in the forefoot as well.

A new and widely appreciated feature of the LunarEclipse 2 is the Dynamic Fit system, which replaces the Flywire from the original model. Our testers liked how well the system worked to customize the fit and keep them anchored in the shoe without an overly tight fit. The heel is on the narrow side and the toebox is on the shallow side, so with the laces cinched down the upper of the latest LunarEclipse offers a very race-oriented feel.

Though it uses Lunar technology, the LunarEclipse 2 is a star performer in Nike’s support shoe lineup (sorry, we couldn’t resist throwing in one more pun).

Runners Say

“Another Nike shoe that really benefits from the upgrade to Dynamic Fit technology. The upper is very adjustable and moves with your foot throughout your gait.” – Matt

“Substantial cushioned feel in the heel. Pretty amazing fit in the upper, though I found the LunarEclipse’s mesh in the toebox to be a bit crinkly.” – Lauren

“Tough transition in this shoe for me. The landing is soft, the midfoot is firm, but then you go back to a soft forefoot. I’d like more responsiveness on toe-off.” – Daniel

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And so the controversy rages on… For many of you who breathlessly read Born to Run or The Barefoot Running Book and couldn’t wait to shuck your sneaks in favor of good old fashioned flesh, barefoot running just makes sense. Lots of other runners are sticking with traditional shoe tech, while some of you are trying your hand (er…foot) at more minimal footwear options.

So Who’s Right?

We’re not about to call any balls or strikes on that issue. But a recent study from the University of Colorado (read more details here) has been bouncing around the past couple of weeks. This study, the first of its kind, found that running in the Nike Mayfly (one of the lightest running shoes currently available) offered a limited physiological edge over going barefoot.

As many bloggers have already pointed out, there are all sorts of complications inherent in designing and carrying out biomechanics studies. The results from the CU study – that runners wearing a featherweight running shoe may use 3 to 4% less energy than barefoot runners – are far from conclusive. We expect a lot more studies – and a lot more debate – in the coming years.

A Different Perspective

Performing well, staying healthy and enjoying the experience are at the top of every runner’s wish list. We can all agree on that. Whether running in shoes or running barefoot is “best” is really a false choice, and as many runners already know, the reality is a bit more complicated. Different styles of running will work for different runners in different conditions and for different objectives.

Not to end on a total kumbaya moment, but we’re glad to see so many runners continuing to tinker and experiment with new ways to train and race so they can build upon those three pillars of enjoyable running: performance, health and happiness. And we look forward to more objective research into the science of running, including studies on barefoot and shod styles.

What do you think? Have you tried minimal? Barefoot? Is a traditional trainer your only shoe for the foreseeable future? Share your experience with us.

Matt Running Shoes, Running Sport barefoot running study, running shoes vs barefoot, university of colorado running study

Asics GT-2000 Men's Running Shoe

Over the past 6 years, the Asics GT 2100 series has earned a reputation as one of the best daily trainers, period. The upper is a natural fit for runners of all stripes, the midsole balances cushion and responsiveness, and the outsole wears well for hundreds of miles. By far, it is Asics’ top seller in the running shoe category.

So when the company decided to redesign this shoe from the ground up and launch it under a whole new name – the GT-2000 – do you think they goofed around? No way. They invested in engineering and product testing to make sure the new shoe would perform better and remain a fan favorite.

Asics GT-2000 GT-X Women's and Men's Shoes

Launch Date

October 2012

MSRP

$120.00

What to Watch For

• More Cushioning: The GT-2000 has the largest Gel pad of any GT series to date.
• Two-Layer Midsole: The dual layer Solyte foam allows for differing foam densities for a gender-specific fit.
• Updated Pronation Support: The new Dynamic Duomax continues to provide support through a redesigned medial posting in the lower portion of the midsole.
• Reconstructed Heel Collar: Asics redesigned the Personal Heel Fit heel collar system to help keep the shoe comfortably locked in place on the foot.
• Seamless Upper: Welded overlays reduce the risk of hotspots forming or a random seam jabbing your skin.
• 10mm Offset: This shoe drops a bit from the GT-2170, which has an 11mm offset. The 1mm change will not be perceptible but is designed to reduce weight slightly.
• GT-X Version: A waterproof Gore-Tex upper and lugged outsole makes this shoe ready for almost any type of weather.
• Trail Version: With the same midsole and upper as the GT-2000, the Trail version adds grippy lugs for added traction on road and off.

Men’s Colors at Launch

• Lime/White/Red GT-2000
• White/Orange/Lightning GT-2000
• Black/Blue/Lime GT-2000
• Titanium/White/Red GT-2000 GT-X
• Black/Orange/Lime GT-2000 Trail

Women’s Colors at Launch

• Grape/White/Pink GT-2000
• White/Orange/Fuschia GT-2000
• Black/White/Blue GT-2000
• Titanium/Yellow/Orange GT-2000 GT-X
• Black/Raspberry/Lime GT-2000 Trail

Asics GT-2000 Women's Running Shoe

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Nike Zoom Vomero+ 7 Women's Running Shoe

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For those who prize pillow over road feel, it doesn’t get any better than the Nike Vomero 7, now with a Dynamic Fit upper and lighter weight.
(View Men’s Zoom Vomero 7 and Women’s Zoom Vomero 7)

Big Updates

• Lighter Weight: The latest Vomero is almost half an ounce lighter than the outgoing model.
• Dynamic Fit: A supportive inner sleeve (the green material on the shoe shown above) wraps under the arch and around the midfoot for an adaptive fit and better arch support.

Road Test

The Zoom Vomero 7 keeps comfort cranked up to an 11 for distance runners who are all about long-haul pavement pounding. Our testers found plushness in every direction in this shoe. On the upper, the heel collar wraps you in comfort, the tongue is nicely padded, and the forefoot gives you plenty of room to spread out. Your heel feels locked in place, but even the heel cup is nice and soft.

But the upper isn’t just about plushness. The Vomero keeps your foot anchored in place thanks to the Dynamic Fit system, which wraps around the midfoot. We found this to be one of the best systems out there for customizing midfoot fit. The bands of material mold to your foot shape as you tighten the laces and can flex to adjust with changes in your foot during a run.

Of course the main attraction of the Vomero series is the cushioning in the midsole. As expected, testers found gobs of cushioning in the heel, making ground impact as soft as can be when heel striking. The forefoot Zoom Air unit also keeps things cushy up front. The experience of midfoot strikers wasn’t quite as plush – when you land in between the rearfoot and forefoot Zoom Air pockets, the Cushlon foam midsole is your main cushioning source.

Whichever way you land, don’t expect a ton of responsiveness on toe-off. Though testers found the latest Vomero to be firmed up a smidge over the prior version, this shoe is still happily disconnected from the ground underneath. That should come as good news for runners who love a luxurious ride.

Runners Say

“Dynamic fit is not a marketing gimmick – this is a real innovation that helps you customize the entire midfoot fit.” – Daniel

“To me, the Vomero 7 feels firmed up a bit compared to the prior version. That said, it’s still a highly cushioned ride.” – Joanna

“I found the Vomero a little on the dull side when midfoot striking, but it’s a very soft and pleasant landing for heel strikers.” – Matt

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Asics Gel DS Racer 9 Women's Running Shoe

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Fit, feel and fast come together beautifully in the Asics Gel DS Racer 9, a lightweight racing flat with just a bit of pronation support.
(View Men’s DS Racer 9 and Women’s DS Racer 9)

Big Updates

• Soft Mesh Upper: A new mesh design maintains ventilation and provides a soft feel.
• Lower Stack Height: The platform height of the latest DS Racer has dropped 2mm compared to the prior version.

Road Test

The latest version of the DS Racer series gets a serious style makeover but thankfully the guts of the winning formula remain the same. Testers were expecting a light, responsive feel and that’s exactly what they got.

The light feel comes from a combination of low weight and a responsive midsole that’s got more spring than a mattress factory. The DS Racer 9 provides plenty of heel cushioning, which testers found great for long distance running. Still, with all that cushioning you never lose a connected feel to the ground. The added pronation support is noticeable but not distracting or blocky feeling.

Some testers felt that the close-fitting upper gave them the race-day feel they were looking for in this shoe, while others thought the shoe was cut just too close, particularly in the forefoot. Our measurements and those of Shoefitr indicate that the DS Racer 9 is in fact a little more snug in the forefoot than the DS Racer 8. Women who want a little extra width might want to consider bumping over to the Men’s model.

All told, the DS Racer 9 delivers a light, flexible, and stable ride for the runner needing a touch of pronation control.

Runners Say

“Near perfect shoe for a tempo workout, if you need the support. It could almost be a daily trainer except that the upper is pretty narrow.” – Daniel

“I feel like the DS Racer 9 was built just for me, since I’m a heel striker that needs a little pronation control.” – Matt

“Wow. This shoe feels incredibly fast but still gives you a very cushioned heel.” – Joanna

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New Balance 1260v2 Men's and Women's Running Shoes

A fresh take on the max support, max cush trainer for New Balance, the 1260 v2 switches to lighter technologies that still deliver a plenty plush ride.

Launch Date

August 2012

MSRP

$145.00

What to Watch For

• Updated Support Tech: The 1260 v2 uses a reconfigured Stabilicore design along with a T-Beam midfoot shank to provide stability and arch support.
• Updated Cushioning Tech: The 1260 v2 features N2 cushioning (replacing N-ergy) contained in Acteva Lite midsole foam (replacing ABZORB FL). These tech updates keep the ride soft while reducing weight.
• Lighter Weight: Both Men’s and Women’s versions of the 1260 are expected to be a few tenths of an ounce lighter.
• New Last: The 1260 v2 is built on the “natural” PL-1 last, which is constructed to closely contour the foot for a running-specific fit.
• Lower Drop: The 1260 v2 will feature an 8mm heel-to-toe offset, down from 12mm in the original version.

Men’s Colors

Silver/Red/Yellow 1260 v2
White/Black/Yellow 1260 v2

Women’s Colors

Lavender 1260 v2
Raspberry 1260 v2

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K-Swiss Blade Max Stable Men's Running Shoe

Our Tweet

Does the world really need another moderate support daily trainer? If it’s the K-Swiss Blade Max Stable, the answer is “yes.”
(View Men’s Blade Max Stable and Women’s Blade Max Stable)

Big Features

• 2 Kinds of Cushioning: The Max Stable uses a composite foam layered on top of the blade-shaped EVA foam that makes up the majority of the midsole.
• Pronation Support: Located behind the arch area, the thermoplastic post is designed to stop pronation before it starts.
• Plush Upper: The seamless upper design features an open mesh and strategic perforations for additional temperature and moisture management.

Road Test

K-Swiss is a fledgling brand in the running market, but they’re working hard to produce shoes that compete with the big boys in the sport. Everyone loves an underdog story – so did testers find the Blade Max Stable to be an underdog or just plain dog on the road?

The overall verdict is that the Max Stable is a winner. It has the significant heel cushioning runners are looking for in this category, with a transition that is noticeably smoother than similar shoes. This smooth ride is partly the result of the full ground contact the Max Stable offers – unlike many daily trainers, there’s no midfoot cutout in the platform.

The Max Stable felt faster than our testers were expecting. It doesn’t seem as heavy as its weight suggests, and it has good responsiveness in the forefoot. The upper gives your foot a plush place to do its work, and keeps a hold on your foot thanks to a heel cup that’s on the narrower side and a heel collar that’s nice and padded.

A support shoe with one of the smoothest rides in the segment, the Blade Max Stable is a worthy entry by K-Swiss.

Runners Say

“The upper of the Max Stable fits amazingly well and uses pretty nice materials. The heel feels a bit overbuilt.” – Daniel

“Very plush ride. Some shoes with this much cushion get floaty, but the Max Stable remains true to its name and still feels grounded.” – Lauren

“I’ve found that some of the plush shoes out there can overheat easily. My foot never felt hot in this shoe.” – Matt

Matt Running Shoes k-swiss blade max stable, k-swiss running shoes