2011 Spring Shoe Review
by Drex Earle
Editor-in-Chief
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French philosopher Jean-Baptiste Karr’s oft-quoted words “Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose” is usually translated “The more things change, the more they remain the same,” and that’s certainly true with the shoe offerings in Spring 2011.
We’ve had some new thinking and some new companies evident in every season for as long as I’ve been reviewing shoes. The changes we’re seeing this spring are merely a broadening of the shoes offered; the old reliables continue to be there.
More lightweight and performance shoes are being introduced than in several decades (they represent fully half of the shoes in this review), more new brands are launching, new technologies continue to be introduced, and there’s more parity in the industry than perhaps ever. New thinking that’s been percolating in shoemakers’ minds for some time has finally flooded out, prompted by barefoot enthusiasts, as well as the emerging ranks of minimalist supporters.
But never fear, the well-cushioned neutral category and motion stabilizing shoes continue to roll along, meeting the requirements of runners with specific biomechanical needs and fitness levels who aren’t yet ready for or interested in less shoe.
So for those runners looking for something new — we have it. For those who prefer to stick with their tried-and-true, we have those, too.
by Cregg Weinmann, Running Network Footwear Reviewer
[PERFORMANCE]
Puma Faas 500 $100
www.puma.com
The Faas 500 is the top-end of a series of Puma shoes designed with less material and a simpler ethos. Performance is the goal, so it’s not surprising that the name derives from the Jamaican pronunciation of the word “fast.” The upper is a thin mesh and synthetic suede with an ankle collar of memory foam that’s not exactly Spartan. It has a snug feel, and the EVA Strobel board and Ortholite innersole contribute to great step-in comfort. The ride is responsive, thanks to the flexible midsole, and is aided by well-placed grooves underfoot. The thin outersole offers good traction and uses more durable (and heavier) carbon rubber only where needed. The combination of light weight, comfort, and responsive performance earned the Faas 500 honors as our Best New Shoe.
Nike Lunar elite+ 2 $100
www.nike.com
The Lunar Elite+ 2 does the original at least one better in several areas, and winds up a better shoe as a result. The original midsole and outersole benefitted from earlier Lunar series shoes and the effectiveness of the Dynamic Support platform, so both have been retained in their original configuration. The original upper lacked the close tailoring needed for a really good performance fit. Round 2 changes to a breathable, open mesh and remedies the tailoring issue by welding on a supportive saddle with Flywire strands running from the midsole to the lace eyelets. The saddle consists of a zigzag of welded straps that function like independent fingers to snug the midfoot, while keeping the weight down. The fit is outstanding and lines the foot up over the midsole, overcoming the weakness of the original. The improved fit, quality and comfort of the materials, as well as its outstanding ride, earned the Lunar Elite+ 2 our Best Renovation honors.
Saucony ProGrid Mirage $100
www.saucony.com
The Mirage follows in the footsteps of last season’s innovative Kinvara, so it shares more than a few similarities. Its weight belies its durable nature and it has a more traditional feel in both the upper and the outersole. The midsole shares the small heel-to-toe drop found in the Kinvara, but an EVA Strobel board adds a few millimeters of foam to up the ante on the cushioning. A TPU support shores up the medial side of the shoe, unobtrusively adding a touch of stability. The outersole is largely exposed midsole, but key wear areas are XT-900 in the heel, blown rubber in the forefoot. The upper has a familiar heel design and a well-padded ankle collar with an open airmesh for breathability and supportive midfoot welded overlays. The performance is unexpectedly good, whether for faster running or daily running. Its performance, versatility, and outstanding design earned the Mirage distinction as our Best Shoe in the Performance shoe category.
[Neutral/Motion Stabilizing]
New Balance 1080 $135
www.newbalance.com
With the 1080, New Balance leads into a numerical reset, establishing numbers that correspond to their category. The 1080 represents the pinnacle of neutral cushioning in the NBx performance running line. Though it bears a resemblance to the 1064, which it replaces, the upper now features an airier, two-layer mesh, as well as more substantial overlays positioned for better flexibility where the foot flexes. The midsole is much the same as before, but there’s a new crashpad under the cuboid bone to soften a midfoot landing. Redesigned flex grooves and Stability Web allow an improved transition from heel to toe. The outersole features tougher rubber on the lateral side, softer blown rubber medially. The attention to detail and fit, as well as its plush ride, earned the 1080 top honors in the Neutral shoe category.
[Motion Stabilizing]
Brooks Ravenna 2 $100
www.brooksrunning.com
The Ravenna has moved up in the food chain. While it was a peppy performer, it now has a bit more muscle to it, thanks to the incorporation of Brooks’ DNA cushioning element. The Ravenna is still peppy, but the extra boost in cushioning makes it even better equipped for high mileage. The upper is ever so slightly altered (the usual few millimeter shift in overlays), but the elastic straps to the eyestay remain, allowing the upper to move with the foot. The midsole sports minor adjustments to the forefoot, but the lateral heel has much more articulation in the crashpad, and rests over a more concentrated outersole element and altered heel flex grooves. The remaining outersole is much as it was, with carbon rubber in the heel and blown rubber up front. The combination of its accommodating fit, good stability and lasting cushioning earned the Ravenna 2 the Best Shoe honors in the Motion Stabilizing category.
Other Notable Performace Shoes
adidas adiZero aegis 2 $110
www.adidas.com
karhu Fast2 Fulcrum_ride $130
www.karhu.com
k-Swiss kwicky Blade Light $130
www.kswiss.com
Mizuno wave elixer 6 $110
www.mizunorunning.com
Scott eRide trainer $115
www.scott-sports.com
on Cloudsurfer $149
www.on-running.com
Other Notable Neutral/Motion Stabilizing Shoes
Brooks Defyance 4 $100
www.brooksrunning.com
Saucony ProGrid triumph 8 $130
www.saucony.com
aSiCS Gel-DS trainer 16 $110
www.asicsamerica.com
aSiCS Gel-kayano 17 $140
www.asicsamerica.com
Other Notable Motion Stabilizing Shoes
Brooks trance 10 $140
www.brooksrunning.com
Mizuno wave inspire 7 $100
www.mizunorunning.com
Nike Zoom Structure triax+ 14 $100
www.nike.com
Reebok Premier Road Supreme 2 $100
www.reebok.com
We’ve had some new thinking and some new companies evident in every season for as long as I’ve been reviewing shoes. The changes we’re seeing this spring are merely a broadening of the shoes offered; the old reliables continue to be there.
More lightweight and performance shoes are being introduced than in several decades (they represent fully half of the shoes in this review), more new brands are launching, new technologies continue to be introduced, and there’s more parity in the industry than perhaps ever. New thinking that’s been percolating in shoemakers’ minds for some time has finally flooded out, prompted by barefoot enthusiasts, as well as the emerging ranks of minimalist supporters.
But never fear, the well-cushioned neutral category and motion stabilizing shoes continue to roll along, meeting the requirements of runners with specific biomechanical needs and fitness levels who aren’t yet ready for or interested in less shoe.
So for those runners looking for something new — we have it. For those who prefer to stick with their tried-and-true, we have those, too.
by Cregg Weinmann, Running Network Footwear Reviewer
[PERFORMANCE]
Puma Faas 500 $100
www.puma.com
The Faas 500 is the top-end of a series of Puma shoes designed with less material and a simpler ethos. Performance is the goal, so it’s not surprising that the name derives from the Jamaican pronunciation of the word “fast.” The upper is a thin mesh and synthetic suede with an ankle collar of memory foam that’s not exactly Spartan. It has a snug feel, and the EVA Strobel board and Ortholite innersole contribute to great step-in comfort. The ride is responsive, thanks to the flexible midsole, and is aided by well-placed grooves underfoot. The thin outersole offers good traction and uses more durable (and heavier) carbon rubber only where needed. The combination of light weight, comfort, and responsive performance earned the Faas 500 honors as our Best New Shoe.
Nike Lunar elite+ 2 $100
www.nike.com
The Lunar Elite+ 2 does the original at least one better in several areas, and winds up a better shoe as a result. The original midsole and outersole benefitted from earlier Lunar series shoes and the effectiveness of the Dynamic Support platform, so both have been retained in their original configuration. The original upper lacked the close tailoring needed for a really good performance fit. Round 2 changes to a breathable, open mesh and remedies the tailoring issue by welding on a supportive saddle with Flywire strands running from the midsole to the lace eyelets. The saddle consists of a zigzag of welded straps that function like independent fingers to snug the midfoot, while keeping the weight down. The fit is outstanding and lines the foot up over the midsole, overcoming the weakness of the original. The improved fit, quality and comfort of the materials, as well as its outstanding ride, earned the Lunar Elite+ 2 our Best Renovation honors.
Saucony ProGrid Mirage $100
www.saucony.com
The Mirage follows in the footsteps of last season’s innovative Kinvara, so it shares more than a few similarities. Its weight belies its durable nature and it has a more traditional feel in both the upper and the outersole. The midsole shares the small heel-to-toe drop found in the Kinvara, but an EVA Strobel board adds a few millimeters of foam to up the ante on the cushioning. A TPU support shores up the medial side of the shoe, unobtrusively adding a touch of stability. The outersole is largely exposed midsole, but key wear areas are XT-900 in the heel, blown rubber in the forefoot. The upper has a familiar heel design and a well-padded ankle collar with an open airmesh for breathability and supportive midfoot welded overlays. The performance is unexpectedly good, whether for faster running or daily running. Its performance, versatility, and outstanding design earned the Mirage distinction as our Best Shoe in the Performance shoe category.
[Neutral/Motion Stabilizing]
New Balance 1080 $135
www.newbalance.com
With the 1080, New Balance leads into a numerical reset, establishing numbers that correspond to their category. The 1080 represents the pinnacle of neutral cushioning in the NBx performance running line. Though it bears a resemblance to the 1064, which it replaces, the upper now features an airier, two-layer mesh, as well as more substantial overlays positioned for better flexibility where the foot flexes. The midsole is much the same as before, but there’s a new crashpad under the cuboid bone to soften a midfoot landing. Redesigned flex grooves and Stability Web allow an improved transition from heel to toe. The outersole features tougher rubber on the lateral side, softer blown rubber medially. The attention to detail and fit, as well as its plush ride, earned the 1080 top honors in the Neutral shoe category.
[Motion Stabilizing]
Brooks Ravenna 2 $100
www.brooksrunning.com
The Ravenna has moved up in the food chain. While it was a peppy performer, it now has a bit more muscle to it, thanks to the incorporation of Brooks’ DNA cushioning element. The Ravenna is still peppy, but the extra boost in cushioning makes it even better equipped for high mileage. The upper is ever so slightly altered (the usual few millimeter shift in overlays), but the elastic straps to the eyestay remain, allowing the upper to move with the foot. The midsole sports minor adjustments to the forefoot, but the lateral heel has much more articulation in the crashpad, and rests over a more concentrated outersole element and altered heel flex grooves. The remaining outersole is much as it was, with carbon rubber in the heel and blown rubber up front. The combination of its accommodating fit, good stability and lasting cushioning earned the Ravenna 2 the Best Shoe honors in the Motion Stabilizing category.
Other Notable Performace Shoes
adidas adiZero aegis 2 $110
www.adidas.com
karhu Fast2 Fulcrum_ride $130
www.karhu.com
k-Swiss kwicky Blade Light $130
www.kswiss.com
Mizuno wave elixer 6 $110
www.mizunorunning.com
Scott eRide trainer $115
www.scott-sports.com
on Cloudsurfer $149
www.on-running.com
Other Notable Neutral/Motion Stabilizing Shoes
Brooks Defyance 4 $100
www.brooksrunning.com
Saucony ProGrid triumph 8 $130
www.saucony.com
aSiCS Gel-DS trainer 16 $110
www.asicsamerica.com
aSiCS Gel-kayano 17 $140
www.asicsamerica.com
Other Notable Motion Stabilizing Shoes
Brooks trance 10 $140
www.brooksrunning.com
Mizuno wave inspire 7 $100
www.mizunorunning.com
Nike Zoom Structure triax+ 14 $100
www.nike.com
Reebok Premier Road Supreme 2 $100
www.reebok.com
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