NorthernRunner.com Blog

The Karhu Ikoni 3 is an everyday road running shoe suitable for both neutral runners and those needing some pronation support. Karhu has been making running shoes for over 100 years, and the Ikoni has been part of their lineup for six years. This shoe is part of a new range of running footwear that uses data from runners’ feet, collected by scanning them during a shoe fitting, to create the best possible fit. The Ikoni 3 has several significant updates compared to the Ikoni 2.5, but it still offers... Read More

The Hoka Tecton X 3 is a carbon-plated trail running shoe designed to offer sufficient underfoot protection for ultra-trail races. The cushioning is soft and responsive, and the carbon plates provide the Tecton X 3 with some propulsion. The Hoka Tecton X 3 is significantly different from its previous versions. While it remains designed for use in ultra-trail races on hard-packed trails, the fit and feel of the Tecton X 3 are notably distinct from its predecessors. The first noticeable change is the integrated booty in the upper, designed to... Read More

The New Balance More v5 is a highly cushioned road running shoe designed for easy recovery runs and longer distances. Despite its high level of soft cushioning, it helps the runner maintain good posture while running slowly, thanks to the curve or rocker in the midsole. Calling it a “plodding shoe” doesn’t quite capture its essence, as the midsole’s shape prevents the runner from sloppily plodding along. The first impression of a max-cushion shoe is often dominated by its size. These shoes appear bulky due to their thick midsoles, with... Read More

The Hoka Mach X 2 is a performance road running shoe, often described as a racer-trainer. It has been significantly updated and is now more of a speed-oriented shoe compared to the original Mach X. The Mach X 2 weighs 227 grams for a women’s UK 5 and 260 grams for a men’s UK 8. To achieve these weights, the upper has been stripped down to resemble a racing shoe. The Jacquard mesh and overlays used in the original Mach X have been replaced by a very airy woven mesh.... Read More

The Brooks Ghost Max 2 is a neutral, everyday running shoe designed to excel in both easy and long runs, which account for the majority of a runner’s mileage. It distinguishes itself from other Brooks running shoes with its low heel-to-forefoot drop and a curved midsole that creates a rocker effect, enhancing the running experience. The original Ghost Max was introduced last year and quickly garnered positive feedback from customers at Northern Runner, who appreciated its comfort and often returned for additional pairs. Because of this success, the Ghost Max... Read More

The Topo Athletic Ultrafly 5 is an everyday training shoe for runners who need some anti-pronation support. The Ultrafly 5 features significant changes in both the level of anti-pronation support and the amount of cushioning. Pronation describes the motion of the foot as it strikes the ground. When the foot touches the floor, the arch compresses to absorb the shock and then reshapes, springing you off the end of your big toe. Over-pronation occurs when the arch doesn’t reshape quickly enough, causing the runner to push off from the inside... Read More

The Brooks Hyperion Max 2 is a running shoe designed for everyday running but also offers some propulsion to make it easier to run quickly. This makes it ideal for steady long runs, marathon pace long runs, or long runs with pickups. The Brooks Hyperion Max 2 is designed as the training version of the Brooks Hyperion Elite v4, which is Brooks’ carbon-plated road racing shoe (review here). The midsole uses the same foam, DNA Flash v2, although it is 2mm thicker (36mm/30mm). The heel-to-forefoot drop remains at 6mm, but... Read More

The 361 Kairos 2 is an everyday training shoe designed for runners who need some anti-pronation support. It is well-cushioned, durable, and comfortable, as expected from a shoe intended for daily use on most runs. The 361 Kairos 2 has been selling so well in our Newcastle-upon-Tyne shop that we’ve struggled to keep it in stock. When runners visit, we assess their foot shape and determine whether they need anti-pronation support. We then present a selection of suitable shoes, allowing the customer to test them in the concrete service corridor... Read More

The Hoka Skyflow is a highly cushioned, neutral, everyday road running shoe designed for easy, steady, and long runs, providing a comfortable, smooth ride. The Hoka Skyflow uses the same supercritical foam as the Hoka Mach 6. What’s different is the geometry or curve of the midsole. The curve or rocker on the Skyflow midsole is designed to help the runner cruise along at a nice, easy pace, whereas the curve of the Hoka Mach 6 midsole is designed to help increase the runner’s speed. Another difference between the Mach... Read More

The Hoka Gaviota 5 is a max-cushioned road running shoe designed for runners needing some pronation support. Pronation is the natural motion your foot makes when it hits the ground. When your foot touches the floor, your arch compresses to absorb the shock. The arch should then reshape, allowing you to push off from the end of your big toe. If the arch doesn’t reshape quickly enough, you will push off from the inside of your big toe or foot. This means that at the point of push-off, your ankle,... Read More