NorthernRunner.com Blog

The Scott Kinabalu Trail is a trail running shoe designed for use across a wide variety of off-road terrain and is versatile enough for road-to-trail running. It is a lightweight trail shoe intended for daily use, suitable for everything from short runs to longer efforts, and is light and responsive enough for some faster running. The previous version of the Scott Kinabalu is a complete contrast to the new Kinabalu Trail. That earlier model had a very high stack height for a trail running shoe and a firm, durable midsole... Read More

The OMM Fell Shoe is a running shoe designed for mountain terrain and soft, muddy trails. Up to now, OMM have been known primarily for clothing and accessories for mountain runners. Their kit is well thought out and uniquely designed for use in their flagship event, making it suitable for all types of mountain running. The OMM event has had several names since its inception in 1968, originally the Karrimor Mountain Marathon, then the KIMM (Karrimor International Mountain Marathon), and now the OMM (Original Mountain Marathon). The event is designed... Read More

The Altra Forward Via 2 is a neutral road running shoe designed for the bulk of your training mileage. Like all Altra shoes, the Forward Via 2 is built to give your feet the space to function properly, allowing them to load correctly and spread on impact. In effect, Altra shoes are designed to work with your feet so they get stronger and promote a more natural posture, rather than replacing foot function as many traditional running shoes do. The Via 2 is built on Altra’s Original last. This is... Read More

The Brooks Glycerin 23 is a well-cushioned running shoe designed for daily miles and long runs. It offers a high level of underfoot protection with a plush, bouncy ride and a luxurious-feeling upper. There is a neutral version called the Brooks Glycerin 23 and a mild-support version for runners who over-pronate slightly, known as the Brooks Glycerin GTS 23. Within Brooks’ range of running shoes, there are models that offer varying levels of cushioning and propulsion. Generally, the thicker the midsole, the less the feet are activated to function inside... Read More

Now the weather has turned considerably wetter and the ground is saturated, having a grippy running shoe is essential if you want to continue running on the trails. The Inov-8 Mudtalon v2 has one of the grippiest outsoles available, designed to keep you upright in the sloppiest mud. The 8 mm pointed lugs are shaped to bite into soft surfaces such as muddy fields or snow. The outsole uses a sticky rubber compound that offers reliable traction on wet rock and other slippery hard surfaces. This rubber is 36% stickier... Read More

The Karhu Ikoni ATR WR is a versatile road-to-trail running shoe. It’s grippy enough for hard-packed trails in wet UK conditions while also riding smoothly on tarmac. The water-resistant upper adds an element of protection from the elements without making the shoes too warm and therefore unsuitable for use in the warmer summer months. The shoe is based on the Karhu Ikoni, as the name suggests. This is a popular Karhu road running shoe that offers a mild level of pronation support, but in a way that a neutral runner... Read More

The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 is a cushioned running shoe designed to offer support to runners who mildly over-pronate. It is built as an everyday training shoe suitable for easy runs and long runs at a variety of paces. The focus is on cushioning and protection rather than propelling the runner along quicker. When a runner’s foot hits the ground, the arch should compress to absorb the shock, then reshape as the runner pushes off from the end of their big toe. If the foot isn’t strong enough, the arch... Read More

The Inov-8 Mudtalon Speed v2 is the latest evolution of Inov-8’s lightest trail running shoe designed for soft and muddy ground. Essentially, the Mudtalon Speed v2 is a fell-racing or cross-country racing shoe. Like all of Inov-8’s current range of running shoes, the Mudtalon Speed v2 has a rounded toe box to give the runner’s feet room to spread and function naturally. This helps utilise the 26 bones in the human foot to mould to the contours of the terrain, allowing fast forward progress even on the most broken or... Read More

The Inov-8 Roadfly Max is Inov-8’s most cushioned road running shoe. It is suitable for everyday use on easy runs, steady runs and long runs. In the world of Inov-8, Max doesn’t mean quite the same thing as it does for a lot of other running shoe brands. As other brands race to make shoes so tall you need to remember to duck under a door frame while wearing them, Inov-8 are more focused on allowing the runner’s feet to function naturally inside the shoe. Where Hoka say their shoes... Read More

The Brooks Glycerin Max 2 is the brand’s highest-cushioned road running shoe, offering the greatest level of protection and propulsion in their lineup. Brooks’ road range provides varying levels of cushioning and support: the Ghost 17 delivers a well-cushioned but responsive ride; the Ghost Max 3 retains that responsiveness but adds a rocker-shaped midsole that promotes smoother transitions, improved posture, and a hint of propulsion. The Glycerin line, by contrast, is known for its softer, more luxurious cushioning. The Glycerin 22 provides plush comfort but relies more on the runner’s... Read More