northernrunner

The Brooks Cascadia 20 GTX is a waterproof trail running shoe designed to be versatile enough to be used to run to your trail or for running routes that have a mix of road and trail. The cushioning level and length of the lugs make it more suited to hard-packed trails. It does offer some traction on softer ground, but the Brooks Cascadia 20 GTX wouldn’t be considered a good choice for cross-country running or routes with very soft, deep mud. Brooks makes their most popular trail running shoe in... Read More

The New Balance SC Rebel is a neutral, carbon-plated road running shoe designed to provide some propulsion, making it easier to run fast with good form. For some runners, the SC Rebel will be their race-day and faster training-session shoe. For others, it will be used for steady runs, tempos and threshold workouts, with the lighter and more responsive New Balance SC Elite v6 being used on race day. The New Balance Rebel v5 has established itself as a road running shoe that can be used for everything from easy... Read More

The Specter 3 is the latest fast racing trainer to come from Topo, following on from the success of the Specter 2. It is part of the plateless racing trainer category of shoes available today, and its aim is to provide a shoe that offers superb lightweight performance for interval training, tempo and threshold running, and is even suitable for racing. For runners who don’t want to use a carbon-plated shoe for every faster session, these plateless shoes are the perfect substitute when you want to go faster. The first... Read More

The NNormal Cadi is the trail running shoe with the most underfoot protection and cushioning in the NNormal range of trail running shoes. Designed for use on hard-packed trails, it is cushioned and comfortable enough for road-to-trail use and versatile enough for some more broken terrain. The midsole is softer than other NNormal trail shoes, as is the upper. The Cadi is designed to offer comfort from the moment you put your foot in them, yet still be a durable and serviceable trail running shoe that can be used for... Read More

The OMM Ultra is a trail running shoe designed for use over longer distances. It is what could be described as a proper trail running shoe, not just a road shoe in disguise. It has a good level of underfoot protection but has managed to maintain a good level of ground feel, giving it the feeling of a nimble trail running shoe despite the added cushioning. The fit and feel of the OMM Ultra Shoe is very similar to both the OMM Fell Shoe and OMM Trail Shoe. The heel cup... Read More

The Mount to Coast H1 is a versatile road-to-trail running shoe. Softly cushioned and smooth on the tarmac, yet flexible enough to cope with some uneven ground on the trail, it offers an equally comfortable and smooth ride on hard-packed trails. A structured heel cup holds the runner’s heel firmly inside the upper. The foot sits slightly inside the midsole, as is the case with most modern running shoes that have a curved or rocker-shaped midsole. The inside of the heel cup has a nice level of soft padding, which... Read More

The Inov-8 Trailfly range is built for hard-packed trails — that mix of road and trail you get on a lot of routes. The Pro sits at the top of the range as the lightweight, racy option, and it’s really at its best over shorter ultra distances. The first thing that hits you is how light it is. A UK 8 comes in at 228 grams, and on your foot it feels even lighter than that number suggests, because the shoe just moves with you. There’s no rigid frame telling... Read More

The Brooks Launch 12 is a lightweight road running shoe that is versatile enough for fast running and slower, easy runs. The Launch 12 has a nimble, light and energetic feel that is ideal for the road runner who likes to run quickly on most of their runs. Alternatively, the Brooks Launch 12 will fit nicely into a runner’s shoe rotation as their steady run or threshold shoe when you want a bit more of an authentic feel, allowing the feet and ankles to function more than they do in... Read More

The Altra Escalante 5 is the latest version of Altra’s popular lightweight everyday road running shoe. In old money, the Altra Escalante 5 would be classed as a racer trainer as it is responsive enough to run fast in while still offering enough softness in the midsole foam for some easier miles too. It is a shoe that keeps it real. The 24mm stack height does not take away from the ground feel, so your feet can function and you can adjust your form and posture to improve your running.... Read More