Category Archives: Running Shoe Reviews and Information

(For Men) Altra Instinct 4.5 Review (For Women) Altra Intuition 4.5 Review As you probably know already, Altra’s shoes are Zero Drop to promote a more natural midfoot landing. They also have a wider, rounded toe box that Altra call Foot Shaped,  as feet aren’t pointy like many modern running shoes seem to suggest.  Altra shoes also differ in shape … Continue reading →

On Cloud X Running Shoes Review — It’s obvious when you look at an On shoe that they are a bit different to other brands. They are constructed to work with your feet and not replace them. The cushioning is separated out into ‘clouds’ on the bottom of the shoe to encourage your feet to function inside it! That is … Continue reading →

Altra Duo — High cushioned or maximal cushioned running shoes are usually designed for the long slow ‘plods’. The easy Sunday runs. The cushioning is soft with little energy return and the shoes are all about comfort & protection. Altra’s new maximum cushioning shoe, the Duo, is different. This is a maximum cushioning shoe built for speed. As you would … Continue reading →

Hoka Cavu Review Part 1: A Short Introduction — The Hoka Cavu is part of Hoka’s new Fly Collection or PROFLY cushioning range of shoes. They are neutral, responsive training shoes. Ideal for faster paced runs but with enough cushioning for day to day miles too. At 230 grams for a men’s UK 8.5 they are certainly lightweight road running shoes. … Continue reading →

Topo Fli-Lyte 2 Review — Born from Minimal Material & Maximum Natural Movement For many runners Topo is a new or unheard of brand. Topo was launched in 2013 by Tony Post, who has been in the footwear industry for 40 years. The goal was to not follow the industry gimmicks and trends and instead provide footwear that encourages a … Continue reading →

Inov-8 X-Talon 230 Review — History: The X-talon 212 The first Inov-8 X-Talon to hit the market was the X-Talon 212. This was launched as a cross country racing shoe. It was very flexible, had 8mm long studs on the outsole that were well spaced out, so they wouldn’t fill with mud and it was light and low profile. It … Continue reading →

Irock 2 Review — VJ Sport, the makers of the Irock 2, are a Finish brand that was founded in 1981 to fulfill the need to make durable and grippy shoes for Orienteering. The Irock 2 definitely ticks all those boxes and is a shoe not just for orienteers but, for obstacle course racers, fell runners, cross country runners, trail … Continue reading →

Altra Escalante The Lightweight Road Runner & Racer — Stocked at NorthernRunner.com and Norther Runner Newcastle, introducing the Escalante, the smash hit running shoe from Altra with its distinctive Zero Drop platform and FootShape toe box, that ensures you achieve a winning combination of best running form and maximum comfort. Designed for racing and training, but looking great anywhere, it enhances … Continue reading →

Have Your Shoes Shaped Your Feet? Why Foot Shaped Toe Boxes Are, Rightly, Taking Over — My own feet were always very narrow with squashed up toes from wearing tight fell shoes for 30 years. After 10 years of wearing more foot shaped shoes I now have much broader feet, with gaps between my toes and a lot more movement. Running (and … Continue reading →