NorthernRunner.com Blog

VJ XTRM Fell Shoe Review — I was extremely happy to arrive home to a shoe box parcel 9 days prior to the Pirin Ultra 67km 4000m sky race. The last race in the skyrunning extra category and the first time a World Series race was in the Bulgarian mountains. In the box were a pair of VJ Extrem shoes. I was excited to give these shoes a trial because the VJ Irocks2 have become a favourite of mine for running and racing short races in the UK and were... Read More

Inov-8 Terraultra 260 Review — The Terraultra is a brand new shoe in Inov-8’s range. It is available in two versions; the G260 and the 260. The number refers to the weight in grams of the shoes in a sample size UK8 and the G refers to a Graphene edition, which has had the special material added to the outsole of the G260 to make the sticky rubber last longer. This review is about the Terraultra 260 with no G. The Inov8 Terraultra is a zero drop trail running shoe.... Read More

Introduction to the Inov-8 TerraUltra 260 — The New Inov-8 TerraUltra 260 is a Zero Drop trail running shoe designed to be well cushioned but still give good ground feel.  The fit is similar to Inov-8’s standard width but with a more rounded toe box to allow the foot to spread better when it touches the floor. This gives the runner better stability, shock absorption and spring from the feet. The outsole has 4mm lugs made from Inov-8’s Endurance Rubber, which is designed to offer both durability and a good... Read More

Altra Lone Peak 4 Trail Running Shoes | REVIEW Having worn my first pair of Altras for just over a month, the Timp, I had such a good response to these shoes I was pleased to try my second pair, the Lone Peak 4.  I had around 5 weeks to prepare for the C2C from Whitehaven to Tynemouth, 140 miles non-stop ultra.  My goal for these shoes was a good cushioned pair of shoes that would give me a soft ride for the many miles of tarmac, but equally cope... Read More

Altra Torin 3.5 Review — Altra’s Torin road running shoe is their most popular road shoe to date. Lots of runners who love the Torin, in its various iterations, will be a bit worried that it might have changed considerably from the shoe they are enjoying running in. The Torin 3.5 is still Zero Drop like all Altra shoes, which promotes a more natural mid-foot landing. The stack height (mid sole thickness) is still 28mm so there is still plenty of cushioning. The trademarked Foot Shape Toe Box is also... Read More

An Introduction to the Altra Lone Peak 4 — The Altra Lone Peak is Altra’s most popular trail shoe. Not just for runners, but long-distance walkers too, who appreciate the extra space in the toe box as much as runners, from newcomers to ultra-marathon-regulars! The Lone Peak 4 features many changes designed to improve on the flagship shoe and is due to arrive in the UK in early September. Like all Altra running shoes, the Lone Peak 4 is Zero Drop and has a roomy, rounded, Foot Shape Toe Box.... Read More

Altra Timp Zero Drop Running Shoes Review — Having worn Hoka One One for several years I visited Northern Runner for a pair of Altra shoes. My goal for these shoes was a good cushioned pair of trail shoes I could use for some ultradistance races. I settled on the Altra Timp, having been told these are one of the most cushioned shoes in the range. I was aware of the Zero Drop and I was given a few words of advice to alternate shoes while adapting to these. A... Read More

How Does the Altra Escalante Compare with the Escalante Racer? — The Altra Escalante has become one of Altra’s most popular Zero Drop road running shoes. It’s a running shoe designed to look fashionable (it does look great) yet also perform when you hit the tarmac for a road run. Although the Escalante has a relatively low level of cushioning, it has a softer ride to it, which is not typically ideal for faster running and racing. To retain the aesthetic style, yet provide something for the experienced, faster runners,... Read More