Though many trail runners have shifted focus away from “traditional” trail models in favor of lighter, more flexible options, there remains a place for more rugged trail shoes with plenty of cushioning. Mizuno’s Wave Ascend is one such shoe. With few changes coming to its 8th version, the Wave Ascend remains a solid option for trail runners wanting a beefier and more protective shoe.
What to Watch For
New Upper Design: Mizuno expands the Active-X traction theme of the outsole to the upper, with X shaped overlays to provide lateral control and support.
Improved Fit: An asymmetrical lacing design better contours the shape of the foot for increased comfort.
Carryover Sole Unit: The AP+ midsole from the Mizuno Wave Ascend 7 offers a responsive and resilient ride, while X shaped outsole lugs are suitable on the road and a variety of trail types.
MSRP
$110.00
Launch Date
July 2013
Men’s Color
Anthracite/Bolt/Victory Blue Mizuno Wave Ascend 8
Women’s Color
Diva Blue/Beetroot/Anthracite Mizuno Wave Ascend 8
If you’re a serious Kinvara fan (and we know there are a lot of you out there), you’re already in the loop on the changes coming with the Kinvara 4. Back in January, we posted some sneak peek photos and info on the Saucony Kinvara 4, and we just uploaded two videos that preview the new model coming in May. Watch the videos below for a detailed look at the Men’s and Women’s upcoming Kinvara line!
A few years ago, New Balance Minimus led the way in equipping the runner who wanted a more “minimal” running experience. Fast forward to 2013 and the preference of many runners is shifting to a shoe with a bit more impact protection, but that still offers a lightweight, flexible ride. So is Minimus dead? No way. The line is evolving to adapt to the needs and wants of today’s runner. Here’s what will be introduced into the line for the rest of 2013.
Minimus 1690
The New Balance 1690 (shown above, more sneak peek pictures and info here) bridges the gap between more minimal styles and a conventional running shoe. With a flexible, 4mm offset platform and RevLite cushioning, this shoe makes it easy to transition into the world of Minimus. Designed for ‘urban running,’ this shoe can be taken anywhere, paved or not, and with a no-sew upper, this looks to be one comfortable shoe. The 1690 will be available starting July 2013.
Men's New Balance Minimus MR1 Hi-Rez (Catalog Image)
Minimus MR1/WR1 Hi-Rez
A fresh take on the bare-bones Minimus 00, the Hi-Rez is designed for runners seeking unmatched ground feedback and flexibility in a running shoe. Featuring a midsole consisting of 42 independent pods, this sub 4 oz, zero-drop shoe is built to move effortlessly with the foot and deliver an almost-barefoot sensation. The Hi-Rez launches in April 2013. Read more…
Okay all you crazy fell runners and mountaineers – this sneak peek is for you.
Straight from the legendary S-Lab comes the second iteration of the Fellcross, Salomon’s technical and aggressive trail racing shoe. There are minimal changes with this update – slight modifications to the outsole should improve grip but all in all this will be the same shoe as its mountain-slaying predecessor.
What to Watch For
Improved Grip: The Fellcross 2 features Salomon’s patented V-shaped lugs for optimal traction over unforgiving terrain.
Carryover Upper: The upper on the original Fellcross does a great job of protecting the foot from the elements, so why change it?
In case you haven’t checked your calendar lately, we’re already a few days into March. Though some runners may still be facing the brunt of winter, for others (especially those in our hometown of San Luis Obispo, CA) it’s time to start looking towards the warmer months of the year.
And how do we prepare for the heat of summer? With Breathe, of course.
Nike’s Breathe treatment will make its return for 2013, outfitting shoes with a porous, open mesh upper for optimal breathability, while retaining the ride and runability of their most popular models. Included in the “Breathe Pack” are the LunarGlide+ 4 and Air Pegasus+ 29, as well as the update to the latest Nike Free Run model (which launches at the end of the month). Basically, this means that you can continue to run cool and comfortable in your favorite Nike’s all summer long.
All three Nike Breath Pack running shoes will be available at Running Warehouse in May 2013. In addition to the Men’s Blue and Women’s Turquoise colors shown, we’ll also carry a Men’s Crimson and Women’s Violet, giving you plenty of color options as you beat the heat.
Nike’s Vomero line has always been about delivering a plush, protective ride suitable for high mileage training. The 8th iteration of Nike’s premium trainer continues on this trend, introducing a more form-fitting and flexible upper for wear-all-day comfort. The changes to this update end in the upper. The platform remains unchanged from its predecessor, ensuring a smooth, ultra-cushioned ride.
We measured a Men’s sample size 10 at 11.5 oz and a Women’s size 8 at 9.1 oz. Production weights should be nearly identical to the current shoe.
What to Watch For
Seamless Comfort: A no-sew interior reduces friction on the foot for an irritation-free running experience.
Improved Upper Flexibility: Reduced overlays around the upper allow for a more supple and flexible fit.
Carryover Tooling: The mid and outsole carryover in this update, and should offer a similar cushioned ride.
Salomon’s S-Lab XT series receives an update in Fall 2013, though fans of the XT 5 need not worry – the changes in store are mainly cosmetic. The XT 6 will remain an ideal choice for mountaineers taking on the most technical and demanding trails. For those running in snowy or muddy conditions, a Softground version featuring deeper lugs also will be available.
We measured samples at 11.1 oz for a size 9 XT 6, and 11.7 oz for the Softground model of the same size.
What to Watch For
Improved Fit: Salomon’s endoFIT technology has been added, featuring an internal sleeve construction for a more seamless, bootie-like fit.
New Lace Garage Design: The laces now run through the lace garage, which opens at the top of the tongue for easier access. It’s all in the details.
Carryover Platform: The mid and outsole carry over unchanged in this update, offering the same protective and supportive ride as the prior model.
The Wave Universe is a shoe that needs little introduction. Mizuno’s premier racing flat has always pushed the boundaries of running shoe weight, while offering resilient cushioning and impact protection. Considering its pedigree, we probably shouldn’t have been jumping out of our seats when we learned that the upcoming Universe 5 shaves almost a ridiculous 30% off the weight of its predecessor. But jump we did when we saw the shoe in person.
Mizuno lists the weight of a Men’s size 9 at just 2.8 oz, while a Women’s 7.5 is listed at 2.2 oz. If that doesn’t get you excited, we’re not sure what will.
What to Watch For
Lightweight Midsole: Previously introduced on the Wave Sayonara, the new U4ic midsole is 30% lighter than Mizuno’s AP+ compound, while offering a similar ride and feel.
New Lace Material: According to Mizuno, the laces are made of the material used to make fuses on dynamite, a strong and lightweight material sure to provide an ‘explosive’ run.
High Traction Outsole: Mizuno’s G3 Sole ensures optimal grip on the road for confidence while racing.
Women’s Sizes: Though the Men’s and Women’s models look identical, Mizuno introduces gender specific sizes of the Universe for the first time.
So what does Brooks have in store in terms of changes with the upcoming Ghost 6? Not much. Expect updates to be minimal, mostly to improve upon the shoe’s already excellent transition. After all, it ain’t broke, don’t fix it – right?
What to Watch For
Full Ground Contact: Brooks has removed the midfoot shank and filled in the arch area, resulting in full ground contact and a smoother heel to toe transition.
Same Great Cushioned Ride: Minimal changes to the midsole mean this shoe will offer the same award-winning cushioning as its predecessor.
Unchanged Weight: Brooks lists weights for the Ghost 6 as identical to those of the Ghost 5 – 10.7 oz for Men’s size 9 and 8.8 oz for Women’s size 7.
We recently previewed the upcoming Asics Gel Nimbus 15 and Asics Gel Cumulus 15. The updates certainly look good, and we think the added cushioning in the updated versions will be a lifesaver for fans of cushioned trainers.
“Lite-Show” colorways are another lifesaver – possibly literally – that will be introduced on these new models. What’s Lite-Show? As the images in this post suggest, we’re talking about some serious reflectivity in the upper along with glow-in-the-dark visible Gel units. For additional visibility, the Men’s models feature a “Flash Yellow” color on the upper, while Women’s models receive “Hot Coral.”
Lite-Show technology was first introduced last Fall in some of Asics’ apparel line. We appreciate the added safety offered by these apparel pieces and footwear options, and we’d recommend them to any runners who frequently find themselves training in the dark.
