By Brian Metzler Monday, April 22 is Earth Day, that annual day we like to celebrate all things green and sustainable as runners, even though the shoes on our feet are typically a very noxious problem. How so? The manufacturing of running shoes is a dirty business that uses virgin materials and ships products all over the world. Furthermore, every running shoe I’ve ever run in is still likely on the planet, in relatively good condition, given that it takes several hundred years for a shoe to break down and biodegrade. Considering I have been wear-testing running shoes for the past 25 years, it means there are a lot of my old shoes that haven’t started rotting away yet. Ugh, that’s a rough thing to think about. Here are three ways to take a more sustainable approach to running shoes: 1. Recycle Your Running Shoes It might take anywhere from 50 to 1,000 years for a pair of running shoes to break down and begin to biodegrade. On average it takes natural materials 25-80 years to break down, but the synthetic materials of a shoe made from plastics and petroleum take much longer, going up to 1,000 years to decompose. That should be all the reason you need to donate your shoes to an organization that will find someone who can continue using them before they are discarded, or better yet, use those shoes to implement bigger changes. “We can wind up taking running shoes for granted, because it’s so easy for us to buy and use running shoes, and when we’re done we just get rid of them. But they can be so valuable to someone else,” says Mike Sandrock, founder of One World Running, which collects and distributes used running shoes to runners in need in the U.S., Honduras, Haiti and Cuba. “In many parts of the world, used shoes are so valuable and so cherished.” Here are a couple of other organizations doing good work on this issue: Shoe4Africa’s initial focus was on collecting and distributing athletic shoes to aspiring young runners in Kenya. Over the years, Shoe4Africa expanded its scope to address broader issues affecting children, including healthcare and education. Soles4Souls gives people in need shoes so they can go to school, work and stay healthy. They also organize work trips for individuals and groups to give out the shoes. Share Your Soles provides gently worn running shoes to people in underdeveloped countries so they can safely walk to work, school or wherever they may need to go. 2. Buy Recyclable Shoes The running shoe industry has a long way to go to make its manufacturing processes more sustainable, but progress has been made. ASICS recently launched the Nimbus Mirai, a cushy everyday trainer made from green materials that are completely recyclable. It looks, feels and runs like the standard Gel-Nimbus 26, but it’s much better for the environment. Built with a one-piece recycled polyester mesh upper, a cushy and responsive FF Blast Plus Eco midsole foam, and a one-piece segment of recyclable outsole rubber, the shoe looks and runs similarly to the brand’s traditionally-built GEL-Nimbus 26 that hit running stores in February of this year. Salomon launched its Index.01 recyclable shoe in 2021, while On unveiled its Cyclon subscription program and its fully recyclable Cloudneo shoe in 2022. Nike rolled out its sustainably-oriented Air Zoom Alphafly Next Nature in 2021 and then last year debuted its ISPA Link Axis sneaker made from fully recyclable interlocking components. In 2022, Adidas and Allbirds collaborated to make the Adizero x Allbirds running shoe with a 2.94 kg CO2e score. There’s also the Saucony Triumph RFG, a neutral-oriented everyday trainer with an innovative bio-based midsole, a cotton upper colored with plant-based dyes and an outsole engineered from 80 percent natural rubber. Lastly, a new brand called Hylo Athletics has just released its Impact training shoe with a corn-derived lining and a supercritical nitrogen-injected foam with added bio-EVA to increase responsiveness and a 8.63kg/CO2e score. 3. Do the Little Things Better Doing the little things matters. Running errands around town instead of driving, installing energy-efficient light bulbs, choosing reusable shopping bags, conserving water, and, in general, reducing, reusing, and recycling whenever possible. For trail runner, artist, and filmmaker Max Romey it’s about taking small creative steps that include messaging, changing manufacturing norms, and developing products that can be repaired, recycled, and reused. In the short film, “No Lost Shoes,” Romey highlights, collects, and illustrates hundreds of shoes he finds washed ashore at Katmai National Park and Preserve. In doing so, he tells a story about how the footwear industry has inadvertently become one of the biggest ocean polluters in the world because people discard old shoes. “I used to think that these massive issues that are coming down the pipeline would be something that would take an enormous solution, but the more that I learn and the more that I see, I’m realizing that these huge issues are going take a lot of little solutions to add up, to fix them,” he says. ”It’s a little bit more heartening when you can actually see those solutions happening. It’s gonna take just a ton of people and a lot of creativity to find what those solutions are. It’s great to share why it’s so important that shoes are more than something that’s just disposable.”

By Brian Metzler If the ASICS Novablast 4 was a sports car, it wouldn’t be a muscle car like a Mustang or a Corvette. It wouldn’t be a more costly high-end Porsche Boxster or a Ferrari 308 GTS, either. In fact, it might be closer to a Toyota Rav4 than anything else. You weren’t expecting that kind of comparison, were you? No, but it not only fits, but it also lives up to the reliable, sporty, durable, versatile and made-for-fun vibe a Rav4 is known for. The Novablast 4, like the Rav4, does everything well at a modest price ($140) that won’t break your budget. When ASICS released the original Novablast shoe in the fall of 2019, it was ahead of its time as a lightweight, responsive daily training shoe with a max-cushioned chassis. The brand has continued to evolve this category-defining training shoe without a carbon or nylon plate into a do-everything shoe for just about every type of runner. And since every runner could benefit from having an energetic trainer without a plate in their quiver, the Novablast 4 is a good primary training workhorse or secondary model that offers a great blend of cozy comfort, lively cushioning, and do-almost-everything versatility. Is a Rav4 the car of your dreams? No, probably not, but it can be a great ride for your errands around town, commuting to work, picking up the kids or going on a weekend road trip to a fun destination. Same goes for the Novablast 4. It might not be glamorous, but it’s effective. It’s got everything you need in a training shoe without any glaring flaws. What’s New: After the launch of the initial Novablast four years ago, ASICS has improved it through each of three versions, making it cushier, lighter, and more stable. The fourth edition follows those trends even more dramatically. Specifically, the Novablast 4 has been enhanced with a full-length layer of the brand’s new lightweight FlyteFoam Blast Plus Eco cushioning material, made from 20% recycled bio materials. ASICS says it keeps the shoe’s overall carbon footprint 23% below the industry average), but it also feels less squishy and less bouncy than the standard version. However, there is slightly more foam in each shoe, as the width and the height have been increased slightly to provide more inherent stability. Other tweaks include asymmetrical engineering within the midsole/outsole chassis for smoother and more efficient heel-toe transitions, and a stretchy, engineered woven one-piece upper for a secure fit and accommodating comfort over the top of the foot. Fit/Feel/Ride: The Novablast 4 fits true-to-size with a medium-width volume and a fairly snug toe box that provides only a little bit of wiggle room for toes from a new, semi-stretchy upper material. The step-in feel is plush thanks to a premium sockliner, a thickly padded heel collar and a stretchy, thinly padded, wing-shaped tongue. The snug fit and cushy feel are similar to last year’s edition of the shoe, but the slight changes have made some nice improvements in the ride. There’s a smooth, lively sensation that’s equal parts soft/accommodating and spring-loaded propulsiveness. While the shoe’s sweet spot is in the mid-range – medium to long runs at a moderate to slightly faster pace (Zone 3 and Zone 4 training) – its combination of comfort and cushion gives it a lot of versatility, allowing it to feel buttery smooth on recovery runs but also providing enough pop for up-tempo workouts. Is it comfy and quick, or is it quick and comfy? Probably both. Why It’s Great: This is a great example of a modern everyday trainer with an energetic ride. It’s crazy to think that a shoe with so much comfy cushioning can be so lively without any kind of interior plate (carbon-fiber or nylon) to moderate the energetic foam. Nope, it’s just the foam putting a spring in your step on its own. If you like a soft, comfortable, energetic vibe in every kind of run you do during any given week, the Novablast 4 can be your versatile only-tool-in-the-tool-box kind of shoe. Specifications Weights: 7.9 oz. (women’s size 8), 9.1 oz. (men’s size 9) Stack Heights: Women: 40.5mm in the heel, 32.5mm in the forefoot; Men: 41.5mm in the heel, 33.5mm in the forefoot Heel-Toe Offset: 8mm Why You’ll Love It: You’ll love it because it’s so versatile. And no matter if you’re a beginner, novice or even an advanced runner, having an everyday trainer that offers do-almost-everything versatility gives you a lot of options to feel good and run well. Of all the greatly revamped ASICS training shoes over the past two years, the Novablast 4 is the one that can best accommodate long runs, recovery runs, and up-tempo runs without any sacrifice. Pro: The lower-density outsole rubber in this year’s edition is slightly more adhesive than the higher-density (and slightly more durable) outsole rubber on the previous editions of the Novablast. Con: There aren’t many drawbacks to the Novablast 4, but if I have to be picky, I’d say that it’s not as nimble as it could be for some up-tempo workouts. Yes, it can handle spontaneous fartlek runs and mile repeats in a pinch, but the wider footprint and thick cushioning tend to mute the proprioceptive, foot-to-ground sensations, making it harder to run with an agile gait while also lessening its pace versatility a little bit.

By Brian Metzler Spring marathon season is upon us — Rotterdam (April 14), Boston (April 15), London (April 21) are just three of the most notable of the hundreds of marathons on the calendar in April — and that means we’ll probably be seeing a lot more prototypes of carbon-plated super shoes on the feet of elite runners very soon. One that dropped on Feb. 1 prior to the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon in Orlando that hasn’t yet gotten much coverage or hype is the Hoka Cielo X1. Hoka was the second brand to launch a carbon-plated racing shoe (after Nike reintroduced the category in 2017) when it launched the original Hoka Carbon Rocket in late 2018. That shoe had a lower–to-the-ground design that resembled a traditional racing flat. And while it proved to be speedy — Cam Levins was wearing a pair when he set a new Canadian record of 2:09:25 at the 2018 Toronto Waterfront Marathon — Hoka quickly pushed its carbon-plated technology into the maximally cushioned shoes that it was most known for. (And so did every other brand, once it was realized that the thick, resilient foam is the real catalyst in these types of shoes.) That led to the successful launch of the Hoka Carbon X and the Hoka Rocket X shoes (and their subsequent sequels), which were well-received and fast but perhaps just a sign of even greater things to come. The Rocket X 2 and now the Cielo X1 are a couple of the “what’s next?” shoes for Hoka and, judging by my first several runs in the Cielo X1, it’s definitely a great next step into the future and a hint of what’s still yet to come. What’s New: The Hoka Cielo X1 is a brand new shoe, but it actually debuted under wraps on the feet of a few athletes at the women’s edition of the 2023 Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, last October. It’s built around a winged carbon-fiber propulsion plate sandwiched in between two layers of a hyper-responsive Peba midsole (firmer on the bottom, softer directly under the foot) and a dramatic rocker geometry that promotes a lively, rolling stride cycle. A stretchy but very supportive and tightly knit upper is secured with a gusseted loosely knit tongue and flat laces, while a near-full coverage rubber outsole provides sufficient traction on dry and wet paved surfaces. It’s not as light as most top-level carbon-plated racing shoes, so whether this is one for your racing or training depends on what kind of runner you are. Fit/Feel/Ride: The Cielo X1 fits true to size with a medium/narrow interior volume (it’s especially narrow at the heel) and a toe box that’s roomy enough for my toes to wiggle and flex. The interior feels comfortably snug with a wrap-like sensation made possible by a lightly padded suede material around the heel cup and a stretchy knit tongue that is integrated into a partially gusset system at the arch. The step-in feel is soft and squishy (even before you run) because of the premium sockliner and that lays on top of the upper layer of extremely responsive Peba midsole foam. The two layers of foam and the winged plate are the best juice Hoka has ever put into a super shoe, so it’s not surprising that the ride is very lively and bouncy. (I love the midsole of the Hoka Rocket X 2, but this feels more energetic even though this shoe is heavier.) On every run I did (at various paces and distances), I felt a significant spring jolting through every stride — and considerable energy return into my subsequent strides, too. Why It’s Great: It’s great because it’s energetic and stable. The cushioning puts loads of bouncy propulsion into every stride, while the wings (and the wide footprint of the forefoot) provide a good amount of inherent stability. There’s no question this shoe serves up what is known as “easy speed,” meaning that it’s a shoe that will help you run slightly faster than you expect for any run or workout you do. That said, it’s hard to overlook the fact that it’s nearly 2 ounces heavier than the top-tier racing shoes, and therefore not an all-out racing model for runners at the front of the pack. However, if you’re a beginner, middle-of-the-pack, or larger runner who’s looking to PR, the weight won’t be a huge factor. What will be a huge factor is the consistent, responsive ride that will serve up enormous energy return and make your gait as efficient as possible. (I’m hoping to run a 3:15 marathon later this year, so that applies to me, too!) Specs Weights: 7.4 oz. (women’s 8); 9.3 oz. (men’s 9) Heel-Toe Offsets: 7mm; 37mm at the heel/30mm at the forefoot (women); 39mm at the heel/32mm at the forefoot (men) Why You’ll Love It: You’ll likely love it because it’s a fun shoe to wear. The Cielo X1 made my easy recovery runs feel much more energized than they should have, while they also felt lively and comfortable on my longer runs (up to 12 miles). I loved this shoe for my tempo-paced runs, fartleks runs and the session of 5 x 1,000-meter repeats I did on a track. I haven’t raced in it yet, but I do think this could be a great race-day shoe for a lot of runners in the middle of the pack (especially for half marathoners), and also be a high-rev training shoe for others. Pro: The eye-catching striped upper is the result of a high-tech micro-knit construction that provides a pliable, accommodating and a secure fit as well as very good breathability. (The corduroy pattern alternates between a tighter micro-knit for strength and a more airy micro-knit for venting.) Con: The jury is still out on this shoe’s flat and stiff laces. And by jury, I mean my own judgment. They are awkward to lace up and seem to require more torque for a tight knot, but then again I only once had one of the laces come undone once. They’re better than round laces, but traditional flat and soft laces or sausage-link laces are still my favorite for their reliability.

By Rebecca Trachsel Round 4 - Headphone Review: Jabra Elite 8 Active Available for purchase here. Ring the bell. We've made it to Round 4 of the Six Minute Mile and Running With Music Headphone Review Series. Let’s take a quick step back, shall we? We’ve tested Back Bay Audio, Shokz, and Jaybird Sports so far.  In a nutshell, the Backbay Tempos are great for the price, the Shokz OpenRun Pros are a sure thing and a clear favorite for most runners (but a little odd for me personally) and the Jaybird Vista 2s fit like a glove but are totally unreliable. You can check out all three reviews in detail here. Alas, we are clearly not done with this quest. Today I’m reviewing the Jabra Elite 8 Active. Jabra is a Danish brand that specializes in a full range of audio equipment. They’ve been around since the ‘80s but started coming up as a regular option on lists for “Best Sports Headphones” around 2000. Back then I was using Jaybirds so I did not try them out, but I specifically remember hearing good things as they became more of a household name. So, for obvious reasons, when SMM and I decided to take on this challenge, Jabra was one of the first brands that came to mind. A quick reminder about my test process. I have worn every pair that I have tried in this series for a minimum of 50 miles. I have also made a point to wear them in different conditions and for different types of workouts.  For these specifically, I have done long runs, multiple track workouts and I raced a 4-miler with them. As far as weather, I've worn them in very cold temps (single digits), rain and sleet/snow. So you can trust that you are getting the full picture here when I break this down for you. Let’s get right to it. QUALITY I’m admittedly not an expert on quality but I do feel after trying multiple designs that I can safely say this is a very high quality product. The earbuds are both light and durable and come in a sturdy but soft charging case that easily fits in a pocket. Jabra claims that the Elite 8s are waterproof, sweatproof and dustproof. I’ve yet to wear them in the desert but I can vouch for both the waterproof and sweatproof claims as I have worn them in both wet and sweaty conditions. Fully charged, they have eight hours of playback and have an additional twenty four hours of recharging from the case. This is huge as you can count on these to last for a full marathon or even an ultra if that’s your gig. In addition, they have what’s called “Adaptive Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation” so if you want to block things out when you’re on the move, this feature allows you to shut everything down but the music. I have used this a couple of times when it has been windy and it makes a huge difference. There is nothing worse than feeling like you are running in a wind tunnel with background music on. Well, there are some worse things, but you know what I mean. If and when you want to hear it, in this case, you’re good to go. SOUND As I’ve mentioned in all of my reviews up to this point, I’m not a sound connoisseur. If I put them in my ears and press play and I can hear the music pretty well then I’m good to go for the most part. These do have what they call Spatial Sound powered by Dolby which I know is a tried and true audio technology. I have them in Noise Cancellation mode with the volume up and I am totally in the zone, these sound pretty freaking fantastic. That’s enough for me. CONNECTION I confess that I do not tend to read manuals when I receive a new product. I tend to take them out of the box and hope that instinctually I will figure out how to set things up. (Don’t pretend most of you aren’t the same way.) Seriously, though, these were so easy to set up it felt like it was too good to be true. I put them in my ears and pressed the button, found them in my Bluetooth settings and I was off. I do run with my phone in a pocket but as far as the connection goes, it’s crystal clear and has not once broken up since I’ve used them. I have taken calls both walking and running without any issues as well. I don’t need fancy call technology but these do amplify your voice for the person on the other end when conditions are loud, like when you're running with full on wind in the face. And that’s a really nice feature. You can talk in your normal voice rather than yelling over the wind which likely looks pretty awkward to the outside observer. FIT I’m not going to lie. I was skeptical of these. There are no wings and the bud shape is very rounded. Comfortable?  Yes. But I was worried they would not stay in my very small ears which is a frequent problem for me. That said, to date, these have not let me down. Unlike any other style I’ve tried, these are designed with what they call “Shakegrip technology” which in layman’s terms means they have a rubbery outer layer that gently grips the inside of the ear right after you put them in. And these babies do not fall out. If you’ve been reading these reviews so far, you’ll know that fit is sort of the game changer for me. Even if they’re top-notch quality, if they don’t stay in my ears they drive me nuts. As I write this, I’m smiling because these are a sure thing and I am pretty damn happy about it. PRICE: $199.99 (Note: I have seen them on sale recently for $159.99.) Let’s be honest. These are pricey. But they are worth every penny as far as I can tell. If you want a long term investment, knowing how good they are, the Jabras are definitely the way to go. I can honestly tell you that I have about 8 pairs in rotation at the moment and these are the ones I am using the most frequently. At one point I thought I lost them and I was ready to throw down and get a second pair despite the fact that I have multiple others to choose from. Thankfully, I found them so I didn’t have to bite that bullet. But I would if I had to. Just saying. OVERALL RATING: A

By Brian Metzler If you’ve read shoe reviews I’ve written in recent years, you know that the various iterations of the Saucony Endorphin Speed have been my favorite training shoes since the release of the first one in 2021. I’ve run in just about every shoe released in the past few years, but the Endorphin Speed has consistently been the best. Why? In short, the sum of the parts has been greater than the whole, and it’s had the best combination of everything I seek out in an everyday  training shoe without being too little or too much. It has had the right amount of high-rebound midsole foam, but it’s not maximally cushioned. It’s light and zippy, but it’s not super light and flimsy. It’s smooth and responsive, but not exceptionally bouncy or sharp like some carbon-plated racing shoes. Plus, especially with the third edition, it’s been uniquely versatile – a shoe that can truly do everything very well. Each new Endorphin Speed model has been slightly different from the previous one. That’s the nature of the shoe game – brands are under pressure to continually tweak and update each model, no matter how popular or high-performing they might be. I loved the Endorphin Speed 2, but I found the update that became the third version wasn’t quite as good, as Saucony seemed to force it into being more of an all-around trainer for a wider range of runners. The upper was a bit sloppy, and the vibe was somehow not quite as energetic as the previous versions. The challenge for shoe manufacturers is that the changes are typically already in the works before the current one is fully vetted by consumers. In other words, as I am serving up a review about the new Endorphin Speed 4 here, Saucony has already begun the revisions that will appear in next year’s Endorphin Speed 5. That said, Saucony has done a great job at keeping the best materials, the best features and the essence of the shoe intact to keep a similar vibe going through the first four editions, so I’m quite pleased with my first 10 or so runs in  the Endorphin Speed 4. What’s New: The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 retains  the juicy PWRRUN PB midsole that everyone has loved, as well as the semi-rigid/semi-flexible, wing-shaped nylon propulsion plate, the curvy rocker shape of Saucony’s Speedroll geometry, and the rear-foot structure from the interior heel counter. However, it also features a softer sockliner, an updated outsole, a revised, dual-layer mesh upper and a brilliant new aesthetic design that seems to evoke a feeling of speed and efficiency. (The looks of a shoe have nothing to do with how it performs, but the looks of a shoe can definitely create an emotional stirring within a runner to want to run faster or better while wearing it.) On the materials alone, this shoe gets at A for its updates. Plus, it’s the same price ($170) as last year’s edition. Fit/Feel/Ride: The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 fits true to size with a medium-volume interior and a moderately roomy toe box that gives ample space for my toes to flex and splay. It feels more spacious than the Endorphin Speed 2 but about the same as the Endorphin Speed 3. The step-in feel is comfortable but not opulent, although the new sockliner offers a slightly softer feeling underfoot and contributes to the softer overall sensation of feel and ride of the shoe. The fit is enhanced by the new upper, which has several different zones of airy but sturdy mesh, an updated lacing system (with ghillie loops instead of eyelets) and a partially gusseted tongue that feels like a snug-fitting bootie construction once it’s laced up. The new edition is slightly heavier than the previous version (about a half ounce, which is barely noticeable except that it is) and it feels like it’s “more shoe,” even though the stack heights are the same. The ride of the Speed 4 is what’s most important, and it’s certainly been enhanced by the improved fit. In general, it’s smooth, lively and compliant for any pace. It feels softer and more cushy than the previous iterations and, like the third version, not nearly as agile and snappy as the sports car vibe of the second edition. It’s still a very responsive shoe that feels great running at a variety of speeds, even if it’s never going to be the nimble speedster that it was in its second edition. If you view this model as a better version of an everyday trainer (which it is) and not solely a speed-day shoe (which it isn’t), then it’s a win-win situation. Why It’s Great: It’s great because it’s better than the previous version, which, by the way, was still a very good shoe. The PWRRUN PB midsole is still one of the best midsole materials in the business, and Saucony put better complementary upper and outsole materials into this version of the shoe. After my initial runs, it was clear that the fourth edition is a combination of the best aspects of the second and third versions. It’s a fairly light, comfortable, smooth-riding shoe with a lot of energetic pop, but with more stability than the second version and a better fit than the third version. If you had never run in any of the first three versions of the Endorphin Speed, you will try on this shoe and might be convinced it’s going to be the best training shoe you’ve ever worn. Specs Weights: 7.5 oz. (women’s 8); 8.2 oz. (men’s 9) Heel-Toe Offset: 8mm (36mm at the heel/28mm at the forefoot) Why You’ll Love It: It’s a versatile everyday trainer that does everything you ask of it extremely well. If you’re interested in an energetic ride for most of your running, this is one to consider. I love the soft, responsive sensation for the training runs I have done in it – long runs, recovery runs, tempo runs, etc. – and believe it could suffice for faster workouts and races for some runners. No, it’s not an all-out racer, nor is it an electric speed workout shoe. But if you’re a new runner, a novice runner or a committed mid-packer who is looking for a comfortable shoe with a lively, bounce-back feeling all the way through a 5K, 10K, half marathon or marathon, the Endorphin Speed 4 has got you covered. Pro: The new outsole has less rubber coverage in the heel but more in the forefoot with a grippier grid pattern that offers better traction on wet surfaces. Improved traction is gained from both the structure and the material of the carbon-rubber lattice-style segment that covers the entire forefoot. Con: In evolving the Endorphin Speed into a do-everything, everyday trainer, it’s lost a bit of its all-out speed vibes that it had in the second edition. It’s slightly heavier and not as poppy. That’s not a horrible thing, but I’d be less apt to take the Endorphin Speed 4 to the track for 400- or 800-meter intervals, and would instead choose another lighter, faster and more agile trainer. But I could be splitting hairs because most runners might find this ideal for intervals.

By Brian Metzler No matter where you live, you're probably within an hour of a great place to go trail running. While we all may enjoy easy escapes from pavement, the kinds of trails that exist in your region will certainly vary greatly compared to others. The best way to figure out which trail running shoes you should buy should be based mostly on the type of terrain you run on most often. But just about every region (including Boulder, Colorado, where I live) has trails that have a variety of surfaces, so ultimately your buying decision comes down to selecting a pair of shoes that works for most types of terrain. One of the shoes I’ve been running a lot in this spring is the La Sportiva Prodigio, a new all-mountain runner that somewhat breaks the mold for a brand typically known for hard-core technical mountain running shoes. Built on an energetic new midsole foam, it’s what I would consider the first true all-terrain running shoe from La Sportiva. What also makes this shoe notable is that the women’s version – known as the Levante – was designed with significant input from La Sportiva pro Silke Koester and other women trail runners. What’s New: The Prodigio is a brand new shoe from La Sportiva built on its new, XFlow midsole foam (a supercritical, nitrogen-infused EVA foam) that provides responsive cushioning like a road running shoe on a stable secure base that’s ideal for running on a wide variety of surfaces. It also has a high-tenacity engineered knit upper and a dual-compound sticky rubber FriXion XT 2.0 outsole that provides great traction on rocks, roots and other trail obstacles while still being flexible and resilient to run over hard-packed trails and bike paths. FIT/FEEL/RIDE: The La Sportiva Prodigio runs a bit small like most La Sportiva trail shoes, so going through a try-on session is crucial to getting the right size. La Sportiva shoes are designed on a Euro sizing scale, which tends to run shorter for comparable U.S. sizes. For example, I’m typically a 10.5 in everything and usually that’s about 43.5-44.0 in Euro sizing, but in La Sportivas I’m typically in the 11.0-11.5 range, which is somewhere around 45.5 in Euro sizing. Once I got the right size, I found the Prodigio has a medium-narrow interior volume and a roomy toe box that was connected in a compact, comfortable fit secured by a gusseted tongue and a soft, engineered mesh upper. The interior felt soft and sleek, but not overly plush with moderate ankle collar padding and a mid-range sockliner underfoot. What makes the Prodigio compelling is the energetic ride. While I initially knew the lively sensation in my stride was because of the responsive, medium-thick XFlow foam midsole, I quickly realized it was a combination of the foam and how the shoe was put together. The dual-compound rubber outsole is both firm and flexible, while the accommodating upper is both stretchy and secure. It has a wide enough footprint to have some inherent stability, but it’s still agile enough for nimble running on technical terrain. That allowed me to run with confidence on smooth dirt trails, moderate, semi-technical routes and extremely rocky routes around Boulder. Why It’s Great: It’s great because there’s nothing the Prodigio can’t tackle. While I’d consider it a do-everything all-around trail shoe, its range is a lot wider than most shoes in that class. That range is made possible because the Prodigio offers soft, responsive cushioning, reliable traction and exceptional proprioceptive feel for the trail. Its sweet spot is variable terrain with a mix of dirt, rocks, gravel and other moderately technical features, but it also runs well on smooth dirt terrain without any debris and can also handle rocky ridgelines with aplomb. OK, it’s not the absolute best shoe for running on smooth dirt trails (because it’s heavier than some more agile road-to-trail shoes) or rugged mountain trails (because it’s not as protective as it could be), but it’s very capable on both ends of the spectrum. Specifications Weights: 8.6 oz. (women’s 8); 9.5 oz. (men’s 9) Heel-Toe Offset: 6mm (34mm at the heel, 28mm at the forefoot) Why You’ll Love It: It’s the best of both worlds. The Prodigio is almost as comfortable and responsive as a pair of road running shoes, but it’s as durable and grippy as any pair of trail running shoes you’ve worn in the past few years. Even if you live in a place like Boulder – which has a wide range of trails – the Prodigio could be the only trail shoe in your quiver. (I’d always recommend having more than one shoe available, but this one is exceptionally versatile and adept at running every route nearby.) Plus: The women’s version, the La Sportiva Levante, is a shoe built on a women’s specific last and has a unique stretch lacing system and dynamic upper to optimally meet the unique specifications of women’s feet (typically narrower in the heel, higher under the arch and wider in the forefoot) and gait patterns. Minus: If you only run mild dirt trails, the Prodigo might be “too much shoe” for your needs. But if you mostly run gnarly mountain trails, you might think the Prodigio isn’t burly or protective enough. However, if you run every kind of trail surface imaginable, you’ll find the Prodigio to be more than sufficient on just about any type of trail.

By Brian Metzler It’s that time of the year for most runners: time to buy new running shoes! Although most of the spring’s new running shoes hit stores last month, March is the busiest time for running shoe sales, since everyone is busy getting fit for spring and summer races. I’ve said it before, but happiness is a new pair of running shoes, mostly because it’s so much more than a transactional purchase. Every time I get a new pair of shoes, I am inspired to run more. From that point of view, buying a new pair of shoes is a direct investment in your health. So how do you know which shoes you should buy this year? You can read or watch online reviews, or take a recommendation from your favorite social media influencer. No matter what anyone tells you, there is no “best shoe of the year,” so don’t fall prey to the hype or marketing of a particular shoe. The bottom line is a shoe has to work for you, your feet, your gait, and your budget for it to be great. A much better way to find your next pair is to head to your local specialty running shop and spend an hour with one of their fit experts, trying on several models to see which ones you like the best. Beyond that, there are four tips you should know before you start shopping. 1. Focus on Fit and Feel The most important thing you can do is find a pair of running shoes that specifically fit your feet. Sounds simple, right? It is, but everyone’s feet are unique in length, width, volume and shape. What makes it complicated is that every shoe is also unique. The interior shape around which a shoe is designed is entirely different, as are the combination of materials that impact how your feet fit in any specific shoe. It’s also important to realize that the feel of every pair of shoes evolves from the moment you lace them up to the end of your run. Consider how snug the fit is. Do your toes feel cramped? Do your heels feel like they’re slipping when you roll through a stride? Are they too soft or firm? Or are they just right? Believe it or not, how a shoe feels, specifically how comfortable it is, is one of the key elements that will help you run more efficiently. Before he retired, Dr. Benno Nigg, a leading biomechanics researcher at the University of Calgary, concluded through several studies that comfort should trump unique technological features or fancy gimmicks when it comes to buying running shoes. The only way to know how different shoes fit and feel on your feet is to try on several pairs at your local running store, and do a little bit of running on the sidewalk or a treadmill to see how they feel. 2. Consider What Surfaces You Run On My weekly running typically includes a few runs on the roads, a few runs on mild dirt trails, a few runs on technical trails, and, if I’m training for a race, often a once-a-week track workout. Could I wear one pair of everyday trainers for each of those types of runs? Perhaps, but I almost always wear shoes specifically geared to those types of terrain. Can you run on the trails with a pair of road shoes? Yes, you can, but it’s not the best scenario. I appreciate the variables of cushioning, energy return, weight and traction of different shoes combine to provide different kinds of interactions with the surface I’m running on, and I know I can run better and more efficiently with the right types of shoes. Bottom line: get the right tool for the job! 3. Consider Your Budget Running shoes have become a lot more expensive in recent years, with top-tier carbon-plated racing shoes ranging from $200 to nearly $300 a pair and many premium cushioned training shoes approaching $200. But that doesn’t mean you should break the bank on running shoes. While everyday training shoes typically cost $150 to $180, there are a lot of good models that start at $130 and even a few under $120–including the Brooks Launch 10 ($110) or the Skechers GoRun Supersonic Max ($90). What you spend on a pair of running shoes isn’t the only factor you need to consider, but it certainly is a factor for most runners. (Pro tip: you can look for closeout sales on last year’s best models at your local running store.) 4. Start a Quiver No matter if you’re a new or novice runner, an experienced middle-of-the-packer or an advanced/elite runner, it makes sense to start a quiver of shoes. Trust me, I’m not a secret operative for a running shoe brand trying to force you to buy more shoes. I genuinely believe that every runner benefits from having multiple shoes in their weekly rotation. The reason running form analysts suggest runners have a quiver of at least three shoes is to ensure they experience gait differentiation. In common terms, that means avoiding the daily monotony of a repetitious gait movement within the same shoe can likely lower the risk of some overuse injuries. Leading gait expert Jay Dicharry suggests every runner should have a minimalist shoe, a cushioned everyday trainer, and a light and fast racing shoe in their quiver. It doesn’t mean you need to buy three shoes at once, it just means you need to rotate your shoes so you can get a longer life out of each model. Then, as one pair starts to wear out, it will be time to buy another pair in a few months.

By Brian Metzler If you’re a runner like me who appreciates the value of a versatile, do-everything training shoe, you’ll probably like the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 a lot. It does a little bit of everything very well. It’s light, it can cover all paces, and it's a relative bargain compared to a lot of other options on the shoe wall at your local running store. It might not be a workhorse high-mileage shoe, but it can handle long runs with ease and the rest of the runs you do during the week. It’s light and agile so it has a penchant for up-tempo running. I consider it a great all-arounder for the way I run, to be honest. Running in the FuelCell Rebel v4 offers a nice break from the maximally cushioned shoes that seem to dominate the training shoe market and my massive shoe quiver. Although well-cushioned, it’s a shoe that sits a little bit lower to the ground and provides very good proprioceptive “feel for the road” that tends to get lost in high-stack training shoes. What’s New: The FuelCell Rebel v4 has been revised with a thicker and wider Peba/EVA-blended foam FuelCell midsole and New Balance’s proprietary Fantomfit upper that’s been redesigned for a more accommodating fit. Most of all, the Rebel v4 has a more bold new aesthetic appearance. Do looks count? Yes, because if you look good, you feel good! Fit/Feel/Ride: The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 fits true to size with a medium/wide interior volume and a very spacious toe box gives plenty of room for toes to splay, wiggle, curl up and just about anything else. (The standard size is pretty wide, so runners with wide feet will be stoked … even though there is also a wider width available for men and women. Narrow-footed runners like me, though, have to torque down on the laces a bit more.) The interior feeling is soft and seamless, but not very opulently cushioned. It has a thin, gusseted tongue that wraps the foot and a little bit of collar padding, but not much more. That’s fine because the upper adds security and completes the fit. The ride is smooth and compliant with easy transitions from heel-strike to toe-off. It can be equally appealing running at slower paces, but it’s also light and nimble enough to handle faster paces running with a mid-foot or forefoot gait. I like the blended foam midsole because it offers a good amount of cushioning and responsiveness, even though it’s not exceptional in either category. It doesn’t offer the mega-soft plushness of a high-stack, max-cushioned trainer, and it’s probably not as durable as some more rugged EVA-only midsoles, but the blended midsole does offer a lot in the way of versatility. Why It’s Great: Did I mention this shoe’s versatility? I don’t really abide by the idea of having one shoe in my quiver (it makes sense for new runners or runners on a budget), but this is one I would consider owning if I did. I tested this theory by exclusively running in the FuelCell Rebel v4 every day for 10 straight days recently. During that span, I ran 68 miles in 11 days and covered every pace and distance possible. It felt soft, comfortable and lively on an 11-mile long run, was peppy and responsive during a series of moderately fast 400-meter repeats, and it was good enough for slow, easy recovery runs, too. Not once during those 10 days did I feel disappointed lacing it up, however I did avoid technical trails and only ran hard-packed dirt trails and gravel roads when I left the pavement. (And it was great on those surfaces, too.) I could easily wear this shoe for another 10 days (or 30 for that matter) without any complaints. Specifications: Weights: 5.9 oz. (women’s 8); 7.1  oz. (men’s 9) Heel-Toe Offset: 6mm (30mm in the heel, 24mm in the forefoot) Why You’ll Love It: For a do-everything trainer, it’s smooth, stable, responsive and fast. The new PEBA and FuelCell blended foam midsole has a higher stack and a broader overall platform, which gives the shoe better inherent stability but it’s better suited to long-distance runs as well. (It is a neutral-oriented shoe, so if you run with a severe overpronating gait, a heavy heel-striking stride might wash out without any medial-side support.) If you’re a runner who runs with a neutral gait, though, you’ll love it. And if you liked the previous version of the Rebel or if you appreciate a shoe like the Hoka Mach 5, this is a similar model. The updated midsole is lively and mildly bouncy, which means the Rebel v4 is great for long runs, tempo runs and even long intervals on the track. Pro: It offers great pace variability and will respond to any energy you put into it. I loved it for tempo runs and progressive-paced longer runs which picked up my speed in the final miles. It felt OK at slower paces, although it’s not as plush as a maximally cushioned trainer. Con: The interior volume is pretty roomy, to the point that it might be too wide for some runners. I have narrow feet, and it’s so spacious that I had to double-check to make sure I wasn’t sent the wider width option. Nope, I have the standard/regular width, but the shoe is still quite roomy so I really had to cinch down the laces.

This sturdy, workhorse of a daily trainer could be a useful addition to anyone’s quiver of shoes By Brian Metzler Under Armour is on the rise as a running shoe brand. You might have heard that before—and you might have heard it from me, given that the brand has had numerous encouraging moments over the past 15 years—but this year might be the year that it’s fully true. The brand made a statement with its first carbon-plated marathon racing super shoes last year with the launch of the unique Flow Velociti Elite—and had the added bonus of having Sharon Lokedi winning the 2022 New York City Marathon wearing a pair before it launched. Now, with the launch of the Velociti Elite 2 and several new key models on the way, it will soon have its best and most complete line of running shoes yet. Despite the lofty-sounding name, the Under Armour Infinite Pro is somewhat of an entry-level shoe that sits below the Infinite Elite shoe ($160) in the UA line. It combines modestly springy, near-maximal cushioning, exquisite comfort and a smooth ride for slower to medium paces. While that might not sound like a sexy shoe glowing with superlatives, the Infinite Pro can be a key training shoe for a lot of different kinds of runners—either as a workhorse daily trainer or a midweek easy-day shoe or post-workout recovery running shoe. (I wore it for a 10-miler at 9:00-9:30 pace and had no complaints.) And, as far as modern running shoe prices go, its $130 price tag falls in the bargain zone given how durable it is. What’s New: The Infinite Pro is a brand new shoe that takes some of the technology and design cues from the Infinite Elite in a shoe for the masses. The key features are the dual-density midsole chassis built on a thick layer of durable and shock-absorbing HOVR+ foam and a thin, resilient layer of Pebax foam, as well as the warped knit upper with zonal reinforcements that combines durability, breathability and a tiny bit of stretchiness to provide locked-down fit and top-of-foot comfort. Fit/Feel/Ride: The Under Armour Infinite Pro fits true to size with a medium-width interior volume and a toe box that’s just roomy enough for toes to wiggle, but also one that tapers down tightly over the top of a runner’s big toe. The interior has a plush, comfortable feeling, thanks to a padded and gusseted tongue, a padded heel collar and a premium 3D-molded sockliner that cradles a runner’s feet. Ultimately, it’s the smooth and cushy ride and durability of the Infinite Pro that make it worth buying. With exceptional heel cushioning, a sturdy external heel clip and rigid interior heel counter, it seems to be an extremely effective shock-absorber for a heavy heel-striking gait pattern that rolls through the transition to the toe-off phase. The thin layer of Pebax foam under the footbed gives it a bit of additional cushiness and responsiveness in every stride that creates a well-balanced sensation with the thicker, denser HOVR+ foam in the undercarriage. It doesn’t produce a bouncy ride and it’s not exceptionally propulsive, however it is moderately soft and resilient with a medium flex pattern in the forefoot. It might be best described as a smooth, rolling sensation that straddles the line between semi-firm and semi-soft. (If you want a more energetic ride, definitely spend the extra $30 and opt for the lighter and bouncier UA Infinite Elite.) Why It’s Great: Although Under Armour calls this shoe a neutral model, the Infinite Pro is very stable and secure. It doesn’t have any anti-pronation controlling devices built into it, but it does have a very secure heel to keep a runner’s rearfoot from moving and a wide, semi-firm dual-density midsole chassis that’s rock solid from a lateral and medial point of view. In other words, it’s a hard shoe to roll inward or outward. For that reason, I think it would be good for taller/bigger runners who demand more stability and durability from the midsole cushioning of their everyday training shoes. Specifications Weights: 10.4 oz. (women’s 8); 11.5 oz. (men’s 9) Heel-Toe Offset: 8mm (32mm at the heel, 24mm at the forefoot) Why You’ll Love It: You’ll love it because it’s a shoe you can buy in the spring and wear all summer long without burning through it. While there is no way to accurately tie a specific mileage lifespan to any pair of running shoes,  I’ve found it to be extremely durable after having it in my regular rotation for the past two months. It’s a shoe I will expect to get 500 to 600 miles out of without having much (or maybe any) significant breakdown. Pro: The outsole has two segments of rubber that are both durable and tacky enough to provide traction on wet and dry pavement and concrete, and the exposed HOVR+ midsole foam in between those rubber segments is durable enough that it hasn’t shown any wear and tear after 70+ miles of running. Con: OK, I have to be honest, the Infinite Pro isn’t light. At 11.5 ounces for a men’s size 9.0, it’s a bit too weighty to run faster paces. I revved it up to tempo pace for a 4-mile spurt and it felt OK, but it felt much better running Zone 1 and Zone 2 paces. That said, if you’re a runner who’s bread and butter is running 4 to 7 miles at a medium pace, this shoe will be a good tool in your quiver or maybe the only shoe in your quiver.

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We preach that reaching your best version requires taking a personal approach and that's exactly what Gainful provides. After a few weeks of training alongside Gainful products and guidance here are our thoughts: The first step of the Gainful process is being sent their questionnaire. It's mostly standard info like weight, height, sleep, and all that but then they get into the goals you would like to achieve. Your goals can be anything like weight management, muscle growth, sustained energy, or crushing a big race. You can get your personalized plan by taking the Gainful Quiz here. I was looking to have a bit more energy for afternoon workouts as well as build some more upper-body strength. With running being my sport of choice, keeping muscles in the arms as strong as our legs can be a challenge. That's why in addition to mixing in some Gainful protein I added an extra cross-training session per week at the gym. Pre-workout: It had been a while since I tried a pre-workout mix but with the backing of the Gainful team I felt confident giving it another go. I started with a small half scoop of their Strawberry Lemonade Pre-Workout with a dash of their fiber and collagen powder and gradually would take a bit more than that depending on how I was feeling that day. It tastes like a saltier tangier version of lemonade but you can feel the energy-boosting effects on your run. It's perfect if you are an evening runner who has to conjure the energy for a trot after a long work day. This Pre Workout also comes in a non-caffeinated option for those who may get a jittery feeling. Learn More About Gainful Preworkout Here Learn More About Gainful Fiber Here Learn More About Gainful Collagen Here Learn More About Gainful Creatine Here During workout: There are tons of amazing options out there for staying hydrated during your workout. If it's a long run, it's not a bad idea to pack away one or two forms of supplemental hydration in addition to water. Hydration Packs from Gainful are a total game changer for enhancing performance during your workout. A single pack only has two grams of sugar and comes in either a caffeinated or non-caffeinated option. It's proven that electrolytes help athletes hydrate better than just water alone and this formula contains loads of them. Even on an off day, it's good to mix in one or two of these packs to recover faster and add flavor to your water goal jug. Learn More About Gainful Hydration Packs Here Post-workout: What I was most excited to try from Gainful was the Protein Powder recovery shake. What's cool about this product is each bag of protein is specially formulated for your athletic goals. It's common for some people to be bothered by whey-based proteins so they offer four blends based on your dietary needs. Probably my favorite part about this Protein Powder is that it comes with 8 different kinds of flavor boosts packs so you can shake up the taste every day of the week. The go-to has been the cinnamon toast but I have enjoyed them all! It goes down smoothly and is not much fuss to make thanks to the shaker they sent over too. If you are on the go all day it's easy just to load a couple of scoops into your shaker and bring it with you to the gym or office. Staying locked in after your workout is just as important as the run or lift itself. Protein Powder from Gainful makes recovery simple. Adding weight training to my running regimen helped tack on some muscle to my biceps and triceps. It's something I notice on runs when pumping my arms trying to catch that perfect stride. In all, I felt that the protein shake aided with some of the muscle soreness everyone feels after being out of the gym for a while. I started mixing these shakes in after my runs not just a lift. If it helps with the upper body soreness then it's certainly aiding the lower body muscles used on runs like the calves and quads. Learn More About Gainful Protein Powder Here Ready to see what all the hype is about? Take the Gainful Quiz here and get your personalized supplement plan now. Gainful is offering new purchasers 20% off their first order by using code "GAINFUL20" at checkout.

By Brian Metzler In case you missed it, Puma made a big splash in the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon two weeks ago. Their shoe that got most of the attention – and rightfully so – was the yet-to-be-released Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3, which was on the feet of winner Fiona O’Keeffe and third-place finisher Dakotah Windwurm. But the other new Puma shoe worn by a few athletes – and what I suspect will be one of the best marathon supershoes released this year – is the soon-to-be-released Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 2, an updated version of last year’s high-tech, avant garde maximally-cushioned racing shoe. That Nitro Elite version was well received and had some good marathon results, including three top-12 finishes in last fall’s New York City Marathon. But as with all shoes – especially for a marathon racing shoe with such a bold design – the original Nitro Elite wasn’t perfect, so Puma made some tweaks to it and it came back much better. (It will hit stores on Feb. 22.) While it might have temporarily fallen into the shadow of the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3 (which is a very good shoe with a more traditional design), the Fast-R Nitro Elite 2 feels like what I imagine it feels like to drive a Porsche 911 GT3 or some other high-end race car on curvy open road. I’ve never driven a Porsche, but I have run in just about every marathon racing shoe that’s been released in the past few years, and the Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 2 has as much of a hi-rev, energetic vibe as any pair I’ve tested. With a lean, very snug fit and enormous energy return, it feels ready to race the moment you lace it up – even if you’re not. Among the high-stack racing shoes you’ll find at running stores this year, the Fast-R Nitro Elite 2 feels like one of the most stable and lively models. Despite having a 40mm stack height in the heel, the rocker geometry of the bottom of the chassis produces a streamlined ride that makes the heel-to-toe transition feel simple and seamless as if it’s one quick motion. What’s New: The Fast-R Nitro Elite 2 retains the unique decoupled construction – essentially two NitroFoam Elite midsole segments united by a partially exposed carbon-fiber plate and the engineered mesh upper – but the NitroFoam compound is now made from a hyper-responsive material known as Aliphatic ETPU (an engineered thermoplastic urethane-derivative compound) in both the rearfoot and forefoot midsole units. The carbon-fiber PWRPlate is thicker and larger than the previous version, and has been lengthened to extend through the forefoot midsole unit and past the tip of the toes for increased surface contact and greater forward-levering action. There’s also a new, lighter Ultraweave engineered mesh upper and a similar version of PumaGrip rubber on the outsole. Fit/Feel/Ride: The Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 2 fits snug and secure, like a very tight but functional pair of compression socks. It has a low-volume interior with an elastic bootie construction that serves up a very secure heel and a narrow toe box that doesn’t give too much room for toes to wiggle or splay. It definitely feels more compact than the fit of most marathon racing shoes, but it’s a comfortable, foot-wrapping sensation. While I was a bit caught off guard by how tight they felt when I initially put them on, I appreciated the snug fit more while running because it seemed to provide a touch of added stability that contributed to the propulsive feel and proprioceptive feel for the ground. The moment I laced them up, they felt like bouncy pogo sticks for my feet. The springy, propulsive sensation was undeniable, even running at slower paces. But once I ramped up to 7-minute pace or faster, it felt near-effortless, like the shoe was doing the work for me. Why It’s Great: Although the shoe retains its unique construction and aesthetics, it runs a lot smoother than the first version. The new Aliphatic ETPU midsole compound is a lightweight, high-rebound polymer that feels as bouncy and responsive as any midsole material I’ve ever run in. (Puma says it consistently graded out to a 93% energy return score, which is higher than most Pebax foams, and the brand is confident it will be durable enough for several hundred miles of wear.) Not only does it feel more resilient, but it also provides more of a consistent ride without any of the lateral wobbling that some mushier foams produce. (Also, the previous version – which had a modified EVA compound in the heel and a standard Pebax in the forefoot – felt awkward and slightly unbalanced, even though it was responsive.) Specifications: Weights: 7.4 oz. (women’s 8); 8.5 oz. (men’s 9) Heel-Toe Offset: 8mm (40mm at the heel/32mm at the forefoot) Why You’ll Love It: The new plate certainly looks unique the way it extends past the toe box, but Puma says it will also extend a runner’s stride length enough that it can save about 40 to 60 steps in a marathon. That might not seem significant until you think about the metabolic cost savings. In other words, that’s potentially less energy expenditure during a race, which could mean a runner might have fresher legs over the final miles – something we can all appreciate. I haven’t raced in the Fast-R Nitro Elite 2 yet, but I have done two longer tempo runs and I definitely felt like it was as energetic and poppy in the final miles as it was when I started. Pro: Puma says the new midsole and plate allows for up to 22% more energy storage and up to 46% more raw energy return compared to the original version, resulting in a lighter, more efficient and economical ride. That, the brand says, could translate to an average time savings of 2 minutes, 28 seconds for a 3:30 marathoner and 1 minute, 23 seconds for a 2:30 marathoner. Con: The biggest drawback to this shoe that I found is that it’s very hard to get into it. The snug, elastic bootie construction is excessively constrictive as you try to slide your foot into it. It takes both hands stretching the opening and a nimble foot movement to get it on without having the heel collar get snarled under your foot. It’s not a huge problem – and not an issue at all once you get it on and lace it up – but it does take some additional effort to put it on, and that can be momentarily frustrating.

Sponsored Post* By Sheima Marand As an endurance athlete - who trains for marathons and triathlons – I am switching through a few pairs of socks a day! I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to test out Bombas Reflec-Tec All-Purpose Calf Socks! Overall I find Bombas sock line to be durable, soft, and thick but not too thick (we marathoners tend to have swollen feet so I hate when my socks end up too thick and my sneakers feel tight! Anyone else??) Find more details of my experience below: Fit/Functionality: The Reflec-Tec All Purpose Calf Socks socks are a go-to for any type of runner. Personally, the calf-high cut from Bombas is my favorite fit and feel. They look cool with shorts year-round, and they are great in the winter months to keep my skin covered and ankles warm. The Bombas Reflec-Tec is fused with reflective gear which makes them perfect for Boston winters when the days are so short and the sun might be setting before 4 pm. The sweat-wicking fabric kept my feet dry and warm throughout my training runs. Style: Bombas come in a color for everyone but I’m the type of runner who is dressed in either all black or in neon bright colors, there is no in-between for me! Bombas met my requirement with the pop of pink as well as the black and white sock options! The socks provided comfort and warmth, while still allowing me to feel like I looked good giving me confidence! Quality: These socks are durable! As an athlete who works out and adds a lot of wear and tear to their athletic attire, this is important to me. I can see these socks lasting me for many years to come. Price: These socks go for $20 and $16 dollars a pair. For performance line socks, you can’t beat that! You can order in packs of three for a discount as well. The best part about Bombas is that for each pair you purchase, they donate a pair to help someone facing homelessness. It is nice to support a company that gives back to the community! Ready to see what all the hype is about? New purchasers get 20% off your first Bombas order here, with code SMM20.

By Rebecca Trachsel Back again with the SMM crew as I continue my quest to find the perfect pair of Bluetooth headphones for being active or, as in my case specifically, for running. This is my third review in the series and for this one I tested the Jaybird Sports True Wireless In-Ear Vista 2 Bluetooth Headphones. Jaybirds were my first foray into the Bluetooth world back in 2017. After using various types of headphones with cords, mainly purchased from airports and CVS, the wireless concept blew my mind. Not having to wind a chord beneath my shirt and between the straps of my sports bra up to my ears was pure bliss. Over time, the Jaybird product improved and eventually they landed where they are now with the Vista 1 and Vista 2 models. The Vista 2 is what I’ll be discussing today. I have a soft spot for these headphones given how much they rocked my world when they first came out. But over time, some things began to pop up that made me realize they were not, in fact, the perfect option. Good, perhaps, but not great. At least compared to what’s out on the market now. Quick reminder that I have worn every pair of headphones that I test for a minimum of 50 hours and in all types of weather conditions. Given how many pairs of Jaybirds I have gone through (minimum of 6), I’ve more than likely logged thousands of miles in these -- for racing, workouts, hiking, shopping, flying. All of it. And I’ve worn them in everything that Mother Nature has to offer including blizzards, hurricanes (that was dumb), heat, humidity, hail, sleet.  Again, all of it.  Let’s break it down, shall we? QUALITY: These are a seemingly good quality product that look, for lack of a better word, very sporty. Mind you, they are good quality when they work.  And this isn’t always the case. But more on that in a bit. They come in a sturdy case that has a short, vinyl loop which you can easily attach to your keys. I often did this to avoid losing them when I was out and about. A simple but appreciated feature. They are easy to start up and they connect to Bluetooth pretty much straight out the box. They claim to be totally waterproof which is more than most of their competitors can say. I’ve gone so far as to drop one of the earbuds in a puddle, mid-run and pick it up and put it back in without any issues. So, this feature is a big plus for Jaybird. They have an 8-hour battery life and then 24 additional hours when the case is fully charged. That said, I have run marathons in very cold temps (teens and twenties) and the battery life gave out notably quicker than usual; about 3 hours of music versus the typical 8. Losing your music mid-marathon is a major buzzkill and this was a definite strike against them when it happened. I’ve also had situations when one of the two earbuds would just stop working randomly; I’m guessing because of too much sweat or because I threw water down my back but I honestly don’t know.  It shouldn’t be water-related if they are waterproof, but it’s the only thing I could come up with. I can tell you that when this happens it is rare for that one earbud to come back to life. Jaybird will replace one for you if it breaks but you still have to cover the cost if it’s out of warranty. Of the many pairs I went through, this situation almost always happened and was ultimately the reason I finally switched. So, the net-net?  When they work, they’re great.  They just don’t always work.  And that sucks. SOUND: The sound is rock solid. As I mentioned in the beginning of this project, sound and sound features aren’t that important to me. If the music plays and I can hear it, I’m good. They do have what they call SurroundSense technology which allows you to either tune into your surroundings if you’re running outside and need to hear traffic or to use the ANC feature which blocks out background noise when you want to focus.  Definitely important to have both of these options. I have tried other headphones that sound more intense or where the bass is deeper and while those features are noticeable, they aren’t a must-have in my mind.  But if sound and sound functionality is an important factor for you, then these are probably not what you should pick.  On the other hand, if you download the app, you can do a lot of sound-related stuff, so I should be honest and say I never played with that myself. CONNECTION: The Bluetooth connection is absolutely fine.  I never had an issue with this in any that I used. As I said, it was easy to pair them up.  And I could take a call mid run and hear it perfectly.  I could also be on the third floor of my house with my phone in the kitchen and still get a connection which is pretty impressive. FIT: These earbuds fit my small ears perfectly. They sit snugly inside my ears, feel totally comfortable and I really don't even notice them when I get going. Their biggest plus is that they never fall out of my ears. Ever. For me, this is everything. And to date, Jaybird is the only brand I can say this for. Which is why I continued to purchase them over and over even when I knew they would likely die. I wanted them to work for me so badly. And having them fit was so nice. But, in the end, not enough. PRICE: These are usually $149.99 but as of today, they are on sale for $79.99 which is a great deal.  I’m almost tempted to try them again.  Almost. OVERALL RATING: C+

By Brian Metzler When it comes to the evolution of supershoes over the past four years, New Balance hasn’t yet been a leader of the pack. But not many other brands have, as Nike and Adidas have dominated marathon podiums over the past few years. New Balance has been a constant innovator, but it’s probably gotten more buzz for its maximally cushioned training shoes in recent years. Its recently-dropped FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 might not surge to the front of the lead pack, but it’s the best supershoe New Balance has ever made. It could become a favorite among the middle of the pack – specifically runners in the 3-hour to 5-hour marathon range – heading into the 2024 marathon season. New Balance overhauled the shoe, improving the fit, performance and aesthetics with a much more simple and bold “N” logo. How a shoe looks has nothing to do with how it performs on race day, but it does have a lot to do with how well it sells. The bottom line is that the new FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 is considerably better than the previous edition, so much so that it looks, feels and rides like an entirely different shoe. It’s not as light or blatantly energetic as some this year’s other supershoes. For example, it’s not as light or hyper-energetic as the Nike Alphafly 3 or the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 or some of the new releases from  Asics or Puma. However, it is a really good shoe and might be more appropriate for runners seeking a shoe with a blend of energetic propulsion, stability and a reliably smooth ride. New Balance said elite-level pro Emily Sisson (the American record-holder in the marathon) provided a lot of input in the development of this shoe, but it’s perhaps interesting to note that she wore a pair of lighter and lower-to-the-ground carbon-plated New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer shoes when she finished second in the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon last Saturday in Orlando. That’s the same sub-maximal shoe she wore when she lowered the American record to 2:18:29 at the 2022 Chicago Marathon, but it’s really just tied to her own personal preference to having more proprioceptive feel for the ground when she’s running at race pace. That said, New Balance has definitely leveled up and made this a true race-day option – a vast improvement over the FuelCell SuperComp Elite v3. That was the first version with the FuelCell SuperComp Elite naming convention and it felt a lot more cushy than energetic. This model (which also includes a leveled-up price of $250 ($25 more than the previous version) provides noticeable pop at race-pace efforts, but without the bouncy and sometimes unstable vibe of some of its contemporaries in the supershoe category. Perhaps without intending to do so, New Balance has democratized high-energy, max-cushioned shoe technology for the masses. What’s New: The FuelCell SuperComp Elite has gone through some key changes after last year’s somewhat lackluster third incarnation, and they’ve all been for the better. The new version has an updated carbon-fiber plate (slightly narrower, lighter and more rigid through the forefoot) embedded in a softer and more energetic full-length peba FuelCell midsole. The upper is lighter, more breathable and less stretchy, but slightly more structured (featuring New Balance’s Fantomfit technology). Other key changes include a revised tongue (it’s no longer fully gusseted, which means the locked-down feeling of last year’s edition has been reduced a bit), a slightly updated outsole (there’s no longer an awkwardly placed rubber pad on the exposed plate under the metatarsal heads) and a new lacing system. Fit/Feel/Ride: The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 fits true to size with a medium interior volume and a modestly spacious but somewhat short toe box that gives room for toes to splay. (I wear a size 10.5 in every model, and my first two toes felt like they were just a few millimeters from the end of the toe box.) The engineered mesh upper, lacing system and heel counter provide a very secure fit, even though the tongue just seems to be free-floating without the special wrap-like fit of the gusseted tongue on the previous version. The step-in feel is moderately soft and simple, with a sparse interior similar to most high-performance racing shoes. (The tongue has a sleek, semi-stiff suede-like feel, and there is very little padding around the heel collar.) Overall, the fit and feel are good enough to keep the foot secure as it rolls through the stride cycle from heel to toe-off. Ultimately, the most important aspect of this shoe is the improved ride, which although is very soft in the rearfoot, it’s much more energetic than any of previous marathon supershoes New Balance has produced. It’s not really a bouncy ride, but instead it’s more of a stable and lively controlled forward flow. Why It’s Great: It’s great because it feels like a cross between a max-cushioned trainer with the energy of a contemporary max-energy race-day model. It has a wider footprint than most marathon supershoes, which makes it smooth, balanced and very stable. The rocker geometry helps make for seamless and simple transitions from heel to toe without a bouncy or sharp feeling that some shoes have. For those reasons, it’s one of the few race-day supershoes that I will actually choose for long training runs on a regular basis. Specifications: Weights: 7.1 oz. (women’s 8); 8.3 oz. (men’s 9) Heel-Toe Offset: 4mm (40mm in the heel, 36mm in the forefoot) Why You’ll Love It: Despite the added stability and slightly heavier construction, the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 feels effortless and is easy to maintain at race pace. On my race-paced runs and vibrant tempo runs, it provided terrific rearfoot cushioning that seemed to retain a lot of energy as my foot rolled through the stride cycle. As soon as my stride entered the mid-stance phase, I could feel the propulsion of the Energy Arc carbon composite plate kick in with a very noticeable energetic pop through the toe-off phase. I’m a middle-of-the-pack marathoner who’s hoping to run in the 3:15-3:20 range this year, and this shoe is one I’ll highly consider as my race-day weapon of choice specifically because I think it will provide excellent late-race stability when my legs fatigue and my form begins to break down. Pro: I see this shoe is an ideal choice for a novice or mid-pack runner interested in investing in a marathon supershoe for the first time. While there’s a notion in the running shoe world that makes everyone gravitate to wanting the best, high-end gear, runners who run at slightly slower paces won’t necessarily get the benefits out of top-tier shoes. If you’re a new runner who’s aiming for a 3:30 to 4:30 marathon, you’ll really appreciate the combination of consistent energetic pop and the smooth stability the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 offers. Con: While it’s hard to judge a shoe on its weight alone, this isn’t a hyper-light racing shoe, especially when compared to its contemporaries. It’s an ounce to an ounce-and-a-half heavier than some of the lightest and fastest shoes on the market. That might be a real detractor to elite and sub-elite marathoners, but it might not be a negative factor at all for 3- to 5-hour marathoners. Available for purchase here.

Jump Ahead: Minute 1: What triathletes can teach us about training variety Minute 2: This Boston Marathon winner thinks running should be for life Minute 3: Start your morning right with sun salutations and core work Minute 4: Top shoes at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials Minute 5: Quick Intervals Minute 6: Daily Inspiration Minute 1: What triathletes can teach us about training variety In the endurance sports world, triathletes are the jack of all trades and masters of the sum. But how do they really stack up as pure runners? It’s reasonable to expect that since triathletes are stretched across three training and racing routines, they can’t expect a PR in any one leg of the race. Not so fast, sport specialization savants, as this new analysis says that: “We Often Run Faster Off Tri Training.” Dan Empfield notes that a lot of triathletes are physically larger than the average elite distance runner, and that makes running large volumes difficult. The bigger your frame, the more stress running will put on your joints. Luckily, swimming and cycling offer a low-impact alternative to racking up “junk miles,” and for bigger distance athletes, that could be the difference between a season filled with injury and one filled with victory. The author concludes that these triathletes succeed at pure running not in spite of their swimming and cycling, but because of it, and we can all copy their approach in our own training. By identifying your weaknesses and working around them with cross-training, you can minimize your risk of injury. If you want to stay active without excessive burnout, try: “Cross-Training for Runners: Benefits, Workouts & Exercises.” While we’re on the topic of triathlons and running, we should mention the interesting phenomenon of the mid-triathlon running PR. We know many triathletes in shorter races who have notched their fastest 5K or 10K running time after already going full blast on their swim and cycling legs. That makes us wonder if we’re warming up enough for our running-only competitions. If you’re unsure how long your warmup should be, you can consult: “How to warm up for each distance race you’re competing in.” #TrashTheJunkMiles Share this Minute Facebook LinkedIn Forward to A Friend Minute 2: This Boston Marathon winner thinks running should be for life Running legend Amby Burfoot says good runners can win a race, but great runners are the ones who come back to compete year after year. Beyond just possessing one of the best running names in history, Burfoot is a past winner of the Boston Marathon. But believe it or not, he’s more proud of his 61-year participation streak in the Manchester (Conn.) Road Race. Consistency, above all else, is what he strives for, and that’s why he wants to share: “The Six Keys To Lifetime Running.” As we mentioned in Minute 2 of our last issue, mantras are a mental hack to keep you focused and motivated. Amby agrees, and he says he finds the most inspiring lines in great works of literature like the Bible or Shakespeare. He also says the older you get, the more important it is to listen to your body. You’ve got to be wary of signs of injury, and since your risk goes up as you age, you might want to adopt a more thorough warm-up and cooldown routine. That’s one of many tips found in “Running after 40, 50, & Beyond: Masters Running Tips.” Amby isn’t the only legendary runner continuing to pursue the dream, and we found these “Lessons From Five World Class Masters Mountain Runners” to expand on his advice for not just trail runners, but road runners as well. Lots of veterans report taking a more relaxed attitude toward competition as they age. Rather than trying to set a faster PR, see how many days in a row you can run uninterrupted. You can also turn your focus toward the running community. If you’ve gained wisdom in your training, find a partner or group to run with and share what you’ve learned. #AmbyDexterous Minute 3: Start your morning right with sun salutations and core work Happy Groundhog Day to our readers – especially those of you who rely on Punxsutawney Phil’s weather report. We’re glad to inform you that he didn’t see his shadow this week which is good news if you are tired of these cold, dark winter days. It’s got us feeling grateful for every bit of sunshine we can get, and that’s why we’re learning: “Everything You Need to Know About Sun Salutations.” Sun salutations are yoga routines designed to be done at sunrise. Getting sunlight exposure after waking signals your body to stop producing sleep hormones, and by pairing that with the gradual activity of yoga, sun salutations can be a powerful energy-boosting tool to start your day. Follow along with the routine and the guide, but avoid making common mistakes by learning: “How To Do A Sun Salutation The Right Way.” Yoga can be an excellent primer for additional exercises, and pairing it with a core workout is a popular choice. If you want to mix things up beyond the standard sit-up and plank routines, then read this new analysis: “These Are the Most Effective Ab Exercises.” Deadbugs can engage your core without allowing you to compromise form, unlike sit-ups that can often put people in compromising positions and cause back pain. #FortunateSun Minute 4: Top shoes at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials Many of our friends consider the real game played at the Super Bowl to be the battle of the TV ads. Long after casual viewers forget whether SF or KC won the big game, they will remember their favorite ads, like the ones featured in this video compilation of the “10 Best Super Bowls Commercials of 2023.” In a similar vein, our favorite shoe reviewer, Brian Metzler, will watch tomorrow’s US Olympic Marathon Qualifier with one eye on the athletes’ finish times and one eye on their feet. Shoe brand execs will be biting their nails and crossing their fingers, hoping that an athlete wearing their shoes will wind up on the podium. Brian penned a very thoughtful analysis of the favorites among the humans and the favorites among the shoes at tomorrow’s races. A few highlights of his take are below, but for his full list of featured shoes, check it out on our website. The women’s and men’s 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon are taking place tomorrow (Saturday, Feb. 3) in Orlando, Florida. Those are the races that will determine which runners qualify for Team USA and get to run the marathon in the Paris Olympics in early August. Based on their qualifying times, there are three key favorites for the three Olympic qualifying spots in the women’s race – Emily Sisson (32, Phoenix, Ariz., 2:18;29), Keira D’Amato (39, Richmond, Va., 2:19:12) and Betsy Saina (35, Colorado Springs/Iten, Kenya, 2:21:40). The men’s race is a little bit more complicated, in part because the U.S. has only two guaranteed spots, although it could get a third spot if the race is faster than the 2:08:10 Olympic-qualifying standard. That would be ahead of the 2:09:02 Olympic Trials record, which means that it might be a matter of which three runners can survive the best. But the real question is: Which marathon racing supershoes will be the most prevalent in the races and which ones will make it to the podium? Brian answers this question with a list of more than a dozen white hot shoes that goes well beyond just the famous Nike Alphafly 3 and the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3. Brands as diverse as Brooks, Tracksmith, Hoka and Cloudboom have cutting-edge supershoes on the feet of their athletes. Brian goes deep into the race behind the race in his full story. You can check it out on our website here. #EliteQualifications Minute 5: Quick Intervals To go on an adventure, you don’t need to buy expensive gear or book a long flight. There is plenty of exploration to be done locally that can enrich your life and keep you active. Things like biking on a new trail, stargazing, or geocaching are just a few of the ideas you can try in: “A Microadventure Could Be Your Key To A More Adventurous Life.” Nutritionists often advise against “stress eating,” claiming it’s an unhealthy coping mechanism. Well, what if there’s scientific research that suggests food can literally lower your stress levels? If your food is high in beta-sitosterol, it might do exactly that, and that’s just one more reason to love peanut butter: “Can eating peanut butter reduce stress? The answer might surprise you.” If that article has you convinced to pick up a jar, consider this list: “6 of the Healthiest Peanut Butters: Taste-Tested by Healthline Editors and Dietitians.” Ultrarunning can take a lot out of you, but in the long term, it usually pays off. That was the takeaway from “This Is Your Brain on Ultrarunning,” which details the immediate and long-term effects of running ultra distances. In the short term, many runners experience some brain fog, but that’s more than offset by the long term benefits. What’s a few hours of lost sleep when it can improve your mindset and neuroplasticity? Our fast friend and running music aficionado, Rebecca Trachsel, weighs in this week with another good suggestion for your playlist. (And remember, you can always find descriptions of the Friday songs compiled by Coach Trax along with a ready-built running playlist here.) Today's song is “Last Time” by Lovpune. Based in LA, Lovpune is an independent artist who started making music at the age of 15. She experimented with a few different bands before stepping out on her own into the ethereal world of alternative synth-pop. This song doesn't come out swinging; you have to be patient and let it build. Her voice is smooth and dreamy and she hooks you in with that alone, but when the synth is added and the song's rhythm picks up it's like....whoa, now we're rollin'. That's when you turn the volume up and let it sink in for the rest of the song. The legs are almost moving on their own by the end. It's the perfect song for a warm-up, perhaps, when you want to ease in slowly for a beat or two and then switch gears and take it to the next level. Lovpune's first album, “By Design” is set to be released this March. I'm definitely fired up for more from this artist. You can find it on Apple Music here and on Spotify here. #TurnItUp Minute 6: Daily Inspiration As referenced in Minute 4, the Olympic marathon trials are underway, and we can hardly contain our excitement. So far, hundreds of U.S athletes have already qualified, and the state of Colorado is leading the pack, according to this post from @nbcsports. Well, there’s one very important runner who hasn’t secured his position yet, but if Galen Rupp’s resume is any indication, it’s a good bet he’ll be joining the American Olympians for the fifth time in his career. He’s battled several injuries over the last two years, but it looks like he’s back on track after refining his form and mechanics. That’s what he said in “U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials: Galen Rupp vies for historic fifth Olympics.” If he’s able to succeed in the upcoming trial, he’ll join a list of only 88 other Olympians who’ve made it to the games five times. The video below is an inspirational look at Rupp’s 2020 Olympic qualifying success. Click here to watch.