NorthernRunner.com Blog

New Balance Summit Unknown v3 Review

This week a somewhat less discussed style of trail running shoe, the New Balance Summit Unknown v3 gets a review. The New Balance Summit Unknown has changed a lot over the years. The Summit started life as a rival to the nimble fell shoes like the Walsh PB Trainers. This was back in the days when there were very few trail events and off road running in the UK was fell racing in the summer and cross country in the winter. The number of off-road races has increased dramatically and... Read More

newbalance-860v12-review 14/07/2022

New Balance 860v12 Review

Over the last few weeks, I’ve taken the New Balance 860v12 out for review, along with Northern Runner Newcastle staff that require some support. The New Balance 860v12 is the latest everyday training shoe for those who require a bit of overpronation support. When your foot hits the floor, your arch compresses to absorb the shock. It should then reshape, and you push off from the end of your big toe. In some cases, the arch doesn’t reshape fast enough. In this instance the runner pushes off from the inside... Read More

trailtalon-290v2-review 07/07/2022

Inov-8 TrailTalon 290v2 Review

This week it’s one of Inov-8’s latest trail running shoes, the Trail Talon 290 v2 that’s up for review. When running on the trails you must ask yourself a question; do you want to feel what’s under your feet? This decision is key in deciding which trail running shoe is best for you. Recently there is a trend towards highly and softly cushioned running shoes. Thick, soft midsoles take away your awareness of what’s under your feet and therefore your feet don’t know what you are standing on. This reduces... Read More

suacony-peregrine-12-st-review 30/06/2022

Saucony Peregrine 12 ST Review

This week it’s the Saucony Peregrine 12 ST review, from the Saucony Peregrine family of grippy trail shoes. The ST version is designed for softer ground and has the longest and most spaced-out lugs of the three shoes as a result. The other shoes in the range are the Peregrine 12, which still has a well-lugged outsole is designed for firmer tracks and trails and the Peregrine 12 GTX, which is a waterproof version of the Peregrine 12. Whilst more aggressive, the Peregrine ST 12 is not a cross country... Read More

new_balance_1080v12_review 23/06/2022

New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v12 Review

Finally, our New Balance 1080v12 review! The New Balance 1080v12 is a well cushioned everyday road training shoe. They are designed for those easy miles and long runs, with cushioning and comfort in mind. The heel to forefoot drop is 8mm, which would suggest that it is designed for more of a heel striker. However, the gentle curve to the midsole reduces heel strike and makes it easy to land midfoot. The light weight (men’s 292g and women’s 234g) is impressive for the higher level of cushioning, compared with say... Read More

Tecton-X-Review 16/06/2022

Hoka One One Tecton X Review

This week we’ve explored Hoka’s carbon plated trail running shoe and reviewed the Hoka Tecton X. Road shoes that have a carbon plate in the midsole have been the road racing shoe of choice for those that want to go fast since their inception in 2016. The stiff plate, together with a rocker in the midsole increases your cadence, helps you maintain posture and springs you into your next step. This traditional carbon plate technology doesn’t work once you get off the tarmac. This is because you aren’t on a... Read More

Topo Athletic Magnifly 4 Review

This week it’s the Topo Athletic Magnifly 4 review. Topo Athletic make running shoes designed to allow your feet to function. The toe boxes of their shoes are rounded and roomy, to give your feet the space to spread on impact. The heel to forefoot drop varies but remains very low compared with traditional shoes. The highest is 5mm, then 3mm and some shoes are zero drop. The Magnifly 4 is a zero heel to forefoot drop shoe. The Magnifly 4 is designed as an everyday training shoe. It is... Read More

Altra Timp 4 Review

Altra’s Timp 4 is Altra’s road-to-trail type trail shoe and is next up for review. It’s made on Altra’s ‘standard’ last, which like all Altra shoes has a broad rounded toe box and is Zero Drop. Other shoes made on the standard include the Superior, Mont Blanc and Provision. The standard last is a snugger fit through the midfoot, has less volume in the upper and is slightly narrower in the forefoot than Altra’s ‘original’ last which is used for shoes like the Lone Peak 6 and Olympus 4. If... Read More

Saucony Ride 15 Review (Includes Guide 15 Review)

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been running around in my review pair of Saucony Ride 15, their neutral, everyday cushioned road training shoe. It is designed to be soft enough for those slower, comfy everyday runs and yet responsive enough for some fast running too, should it take your fancy. If you need a little pronation support then you could consider the Saucony Guide 15, which has all the same capabilities of the Ride 15 outlined below, but with some anti-pronation support built-in. If you ever need any help,... Read More

Hoka One One Mach Supersonic Review

To kick off the Hoka One One Mach 4 Supersonic review, let’s first consider what the “Mach” line is for. The Hoka Mach 4 and brand-new Mach 4 Supersonic are somewhat designed as the perfect training shoe to partner with the Hoka Carbon X. Running shoes with a carbon plate in are designed to help you go quicker but they do a lot of the work for your feet and ankles, so if you run in them too often your feet get weak and you could get niggles or injuries... Read More