NorthernRunner.com Blog

The VJ Fuzion Aerofly is a road-to-trail running shoe with a difference. Most road-to-trail shoes are, in effect, road running shoes in disguise. They often feature stiff midsoles that reduce ground feel and limit flexibility, making them less effective once you leave the road behind. VJ’s heritage lies in orienteering, where adaptability and traction on broken ground are essential. As a result, the Fuzion Aerofly has been developed to offer enough cushioning for comfort on tarmac, while remaining flexible and nimble enough to perform well on proper single track trails—not... Read More

The Altra Experience Wild 3+ is a versatile trail running shoe designed to work with the body. It features a broad, rounded toe box, like all Altra shoes, allowing the feet room to spread and function naturally within the shoe. This not only aids shock absorption and propulsion but also allows the feet to respond to the terrain. The result is a more nimble and stable ride, particularly on rough or uneven ground. The main difference between the Experience Wild 3+ and the previous version is the midsole, which is... Read More

The 361 Meraki 7 is a well-cushioned neutral road running shoe designed for everyday running. The focus of the Meraki 7 is to provide a comfortable fit and a cushioned ride for your easy-paced and longer runs. The fit feels snugger and more wrapped around the foot than the previous version. The material is still soft and pliable, and the initial feel is one of comfort. The heel tab is no longer swallow-tailed and doesn’t come up as high. The heel cup is firm and well padded, yet still pliable,... Read More

The Inov-8 TrailFly v2 is a lightweight, nimble and flexible trail running shoe designed for hard-packed tracks and trails. It is also versatile enough to handle stretches of tarmac and sections of softer, muddier terrain. All new shoes from Inov-8 have been developed to encourage foot function. This allows your feet to move naturally inside the shoe and become stronger over time. Enabling this natural movement also allows the foot to adapt to the contours of the ground more effectively. Inov-8 achieve this through a broad, rounded toe box, giving... Read More

The Mount to Coast T1 is a trail running shoe designed to be durable enough for ultra distances. However, it isn’t exclusively built for long-distance efforts, so don’t be put off if ultra running isn’t your focus. Many of the features found in the T1, and Mount to Coast shoes in general, simply make it a very capable and versatile running shoe. Although the T1 is described as a genuine off-road shoe, it’s important to consider how trail conditions vary depending on where you run. In the US, where Mount... Read More

The Mount to Coast R1 is a neutral road running shoe designed for ultra-distance road racing or training. That said, you don’t need to be heading out beyond the marathon distance to use them. Many of the R1’s attributes simply make it a very good all-round road running shoe. It is light, stable, and features a durable, resilient midsole that doesn’t lose its rebound over long periods on your feet or after high mileage. I haven’t had my pair long enough to fully test this, but there are reports of... Read More

The New Balance 1080v15 is a highly cushioned neutral running shoe designed to offer maximum protection on easy runs and long road runs. Version 15 of this popular daily running shoe uses a new foam in the midsole to deliver improved cushioning, along with a new mesh upper designed to provide a more glove-like fit. The first thing that you notice when picking up a pair of 1080v15s is the weight, or lack of it. A men’s UK 8 weighs 261 grams, and a women’s UK 5 weighs 208 grams.... Read More

The OMM Trail Shoe is designed, just as the name suggests, for trail running. There are broadly two types of trail running shoes on the market: the oversized, soft midsole designed to compress and absorb roots and rocks for a smooth, cushioned ride, and the firmer, more flexible and highly responsive shoe that allows for greater ground feel. The latter helps the runner to move nimbly over obstacles and adapt to the contours of the terrain. The right approach depends on the terrain you run on most often and the... Read More

The Brooks Glycerin GTS 23 is a well-cushioned running shoe designed for daily miles and long runs, with the addition of mild support for runners who overpronate. It offers a high level of underfoot protection with a plush, bouncy ride and a luxurious-feeling upper. There is also a neutral version, the Brooks Glycerin 23, for runners who do not require support. Support in running shoes is designed to help guide the foot when it rolls inward excessively during the running gait. This movement is known as overpronation. Pronation itself is... Read More

The Ronhill Reverence 2 is a trail running shoe designed to be used on soft ground. They are grippy enough and flexible enough to be used on the fells or mountains, but also offer enough underfoot protection for more mixed terrain such as farmers’ fields or riverside footpaths. A lot of trail running shoes sold in the UK market are designed for use on American trails. These are a lot harder packed than the average public footpath in the UK. In the UK we are blessed with a network of... Read More