This overview seems within the 2025 Path Particular Concern of Canadian Working, on newsstands now.
Merrell MTL Adapt Matryx
Males’s 288 g (10.2 oz.)
Ladies’s 231 g (8.2 oz.)
Offset/Drop 6 mm
Stack Top 36 mm/30 mm
Lug Depth 4 mm
$260
This new max-cushioned path shoe from Merrell undoubtedly stands out on the path for its uncommon higher and midsole designs, and firmly establishes the model within the trail-running area. It’s meant for lengthy days (or races) on the path, for runners who desire a high-quality shoe with premium cushioning, a excessive stack and an higher that received’t allow them to down.
The shoe’s breathable Matryx higher incorporates Kevlar, together with 3D-printed and TPU overlays, for top-of-the-line abrasion resistance. The EVA-based FloatPro midsole feels very plush and cozy; the match could be very cosy by way of the midfoot, with a roomy toe field.
Our tester discovered the higher a little bit stiff and felt it didn’t totally come by way of within the promised “floor really feel” (facilitated, in concept, by the grooves within the midsole, meant to lend flexibility); admittedly, it is a powerful line to stroll in a max-cushioned shoe. They praised the Vibram Megagrip outsole’s grippiness and trustworthiness, even on ice. We’re impressed with the shoe’s relative lightness, contemplating all of the protecting parts within the higher, midsole and outsole.
Arc’teryx Vertex Pace
Unisex 240 g (8.5 oz.)
Offset/Drop 7 mm
Stack Top 23 mm/16 mm
Lug Depth 3 mm
$230
The most recent entry in Arc’teryx’s Vertex assortment, the Vertex Pace delivers the perfect options of the unique Vertex, with options particular to climbing on technical mountain terrain. It’s a lot lighter than the unique mannequin, with a gossamer-like, very breathable and extremely abrasion-resistant mesh Matryx higher, and nonetheless a good quantity of rubber defending the toes and on the perimeters and heel. The reshaped excessive, stretchy ankle collar/gaiter is one piece with the built-in tongue, and does a very good job of preserving particles out of the shoe (which can be obtainable in a low-cut model, with out the gaiter). The shoe’s Vibram Litebase outsole additionally contributes to the discount in weight (plus, there isn’t any rock plate on this mannequin), and the lug sample is designed for grip on the entrance for climbing, with good traction below the midfoot and heel. The twin-density midsole, which is softer on the heel and firmer below the forefoot, has been lowered only a contact, as has the drop. As we’ve discovered with different Arc’teryx fashions, the match is lengthy.
Norda 005
Unisex 214 g (7.5 oz.)
Offset/Drop 7 mm
Stack Top 28.5 mm/21.5 mm
Lug Depth 4 mm
$325
We’re enthusiastic about this much-anticipated new race-day shoe from Norda, which has the same form to its extra rugged 001 and 002 fashions. It’s extraordinarily mild, with the brand new Vibram Megagrip Elite sole plate (a mushy, grippy compound co-developed by Vibram and Norda) and T-shaped lugs, and a extremely sturdy, bio-based and recycled Dyneema higher that resembles linen; if it weren’t for the shoe’s chunky midsole, it might look virtually like a summery gown shoe. The toe field, like that of different Norda fashions, is broad and accommodating. Jason Schlarb was sporting the shoe when he completed on the rostrum at Hardrock 100 in 2024, and once more a couple of weeks later, when he completed within the prime 10 at TDS in Chamonix.
The midsole is 100 per cent Arnitel TPEE—a really bouncy, resilient foam; Martire says the stack doesn’t have to be outrageously excessive as a result of the froth is so responsive and resilient. Our tester beloved the bouncy, soft and responsive feeling of the midsole. Norda footwear match small; you’ll must go up at the very least a half measurement. The shoe shouldn’t be low-cost, however it’s constructed to final.
Columbia Konos Featherweight
Males’s 262 g (9.2 oz.)
Ladies’s 220 g (7.8 oz.)
Offset/Drop 10 mm
Stack Top 27.5 mm/17.5 mm
$130
Columbia has entered the operating shoe area, with a novel assertion: that “each floor is a path.” Right here’s the rationale, as we interpret it: most highway footwear carry out finest on easy, dry pavement, and are subsequently optimized for sturdiness (reasonably than grip). In path footwear, the traction comes from lugs, which have to be comprised of rubber that’s exhausting sufficient to not put on off simply, however mushy sufficient that it doesn’t really feel such as you’re operating on a brick. Columbia’s reply to this dilemma is to provide footwear with mushy, contoured and textured outsoles (however no lugs) that work nicely on any floor, rain or shine. (We examined the Konos Featherweight on a number of kilometres of highway that was a mixture of moist, dry, rutted and crunchy with snow and ice, and have been impressed. And if it finally ends up sporting out shortly, it’s nonetheless the least costly shoe in our lineup to exchange.)
The Featherweight lives as much as its identify, is well-cushioned and versatile, with a breathable, supportive higher. The trip is plush and fairly responsive (and the drop feels decrease than 10 mm). Whereas very comfy, the match is massive—take into account happening a half (or full) measurement. Our tester significantly favored the seven-hole lacing system and the engaging styling, which can be applicable for informal put on.
Salomon S/Lab Extremely Glide
Unisex 280 g (9.9 oz.)
Offset/Drop 6 mm
Stack Top 41 mm/35 mm
Lug Depth 4 mm
$300
This new high-stack, high-performance long-distance racer from Salomon, launched at UTMB final yr, seems unbelievable, and our enthusiasm has (principally) continued after taking the shoe to the paths.
The shoe combines excessive cushioning with premium sturdy supplies in an environment friendly and reliable ultra-trail racing shoe. It has a two-piece EnergyFOAM midsole that strikes a very good stability between cush and responsiveness (however tending to the firmer facet), and the shoe feels very secure, regardless of the peak of the stack. It performs simply as nicely for climbing because it does over rolling terrain—a giant ask. The shoe has excessive, protecting sidewalls, which lend stability, and a sturdy toe bumper. The stretchy mesh higher has the model’s much-loved Quicklace system and could be very breathable, with some skinny padding across the collar and many protecting overlays. The higher is designed to develop to accommodate swelling throughout lengthy races, however our tester discovered the toe field a little bit cramped.
The match of the heel is unusually cosy, and our tester had no points with slippage, even climbing steep, slippery rock. They have been impressed with the grip and general sturdiness of the ContaGRIP outsole.
The revolutionary new contoured midsole and outsole are not like something you’ve ever seen, and are designed to alleviate strain and redistribute repetitive stress on the foot.
NNormal Kjerag Brut
Unisex 230 g (8.1 oz.)
Offset/Drop 6 mm
Stack Top 28.5 mm/22.5 mm
Lug Depth: 6.5 mm
$280
A extra rugged model of the model’s Kjerag shoe (there can be an replace to the common Kjerag this summer time), with outsole lugs which are virtually twice as deep, the Brut is actually designed for mushy, unstable terrain and poor situations (i.e., deep mud, water, snow or scree). It underwent in depth testing in Europe, and can be welcomed as eagerly by path runners within the Pacific Northwest as in Britain, the place runners usually discover themselves ankle-deep in boggy marsh whereas approaching or departing from the fells.
The Brut has a Vibram Litebase outsole, and (did we point out this?) very aggressive, deep lugs. The breathable, woven Matryx Micro higher has an built-in neoprene tongue and drainage holes to shed water; there may be additionally much less padding across the collar, so much less materials to change into saturated with moisture in sloppy situations—an recognized weak spot of the unique Kjerag. The shoe’s supercritical EVA Eexpure midsole is unchanged, and performs nicely. The shoe has an exterior moulded heel counter to maintain you locked and loaded.
La Sportiva Prodigio Professional
Males’s 255 g (8.9 oz.)
Ladies’s 225 g (7.9 oz.)
Offset/Drop 6 mm
Stack Top 34 mm/28 mm
Lug Depth 4 mm
$235
The Prodigio Professional is a brand new racing shoe primarily based on the design of the Prodigio, which was launched final yr. With important enhancements to the higher and the midsole cushioning, an elevated rocker profile and better sidewalls for stability, this is a wonderful shoe for path racing.
The XFlow Pace cushioning (supercritical nitrogen-infused TPU and EVA) is mushy, mild and really responsive, permitting the model to trim the burden barely; it feels plush and responsive on the path. The hanging TPU and nylon-reinforced mesh higher is very sturdy and wraps the midfoot snugly. The well-padded tongue is built-in right into a knit collar that does a good job of preserving particles out of the shoe. The rocker is sort of noticeable; landings really feel secure and transitions easy. The match is cosy throughout the midfoot, however with loads of width within the toe field for splay on the downhills. This is likely one of the most comfy and well-fitting footwear we examined.
The shoe has the model’s softer, tackier rubber compound on the outsole, and offers the shoe glorious traction and grip, however it is going to be attention-grabbing to see the way it holds up with repeated use; most likely finest to maintain it for race-day put on solely. Additionally, it saved our tester’s toes comfortably heat in snow, which can not bode nicely for operating in heat climate.
Lowa Madrix
Males’s 290 g (10.2 oz.)
Ladies’s 250 g (8.8 oz.)
Offset/Drop 6 mm
Stack Top 30.5 mm/24.5 mm
Lug Depth 4 mm
$240
This can be a rugged, moderately-stacked and plated path shoe from the favored European model, Lowa, that’s designed for each coaching and racing over lengthy distances. It shines on technical terrain, and has power return to burn. The carbon-reinforced, forked plate (which is 80 per cent nylon) is much less stiff and extra forgiving than the carbon-fibre plates in highway racing fashions, however works in live performance with the comparatively agency, nitrogen-infused TPEE midsole and the pronounced toe rocker to offer you loads of oomph to beat the paths. (It could additionally present some rock safety.)
The shoe’s sturdy strengthened higher and TPU toe cap present loads of safety from path particles. The thoughtfully designed, asymmetrical tongue follows the anatomy of the ankle, decreasing friction and chafing, and the toe field is appropriately roomy, permitting loads of area for toe splay on descents.
The shoe has a sturdy Vibram outsole, and the lugs are configured in a forward-facing arrow orientation on the entrance (for grip whereas ascending) and rear-facing on the again (for descending).
Hoka Tecton X 3
Males’s 286 g (10.0 oz.)
Ladies’s 223 g (7.9 oz.)
Offset/Drop 5 mm
Stack Top 40 mm/35 mm (males’s), 39 mm/34 mm (girls’s)
Lug Depth 4 mm
$300
X marks the spot—and for Hoka, X denotes “it is a carbon supershoe.” It’s a major replace to the Tecton X 2 and the unique Tecton X, which appeared in 2022; Jim Walmsley wore a prototype of an earlier model when he received UTMB in 2023, and he and Vincent Couillard wore up to date prototypes after they received Western States and UTMB in 2024, respectively. No expense has been spared to make this one of many quickest, highest-quality and most sturdy path racers we’ve seen shortly—and also you don’t have to be a professional to reap the advantages (although professionals get it totally free—fortunate them).
The shoe is max-stack, with a carbon-fibre plate that’s cut up down the center, permitting both sides to maneuver independently (it’s usually agreed that this works higher on trails than a single plate), with facet panels which are designed to enhance stability—and it’s a very secure shoe, due additionally to its broad, forgiving platform, which extends past the heel for stability on descents. The midsole is brand-new, very responsive double-density peba foam that feels comfortably cushioned with out being overly mushy. The shoe has a water resistant Matryx higher with a bootie building, that includes an built-in tongue and knitted, sock-like gaiter that matches tightly (however feels very comfy as soon as it’s on). The Vibram Megagrip/Litebase outsole has tiny prongs on the facet of the lugs for traction and grip. The shoe is greater than an oz heavier than the two, however nonetheless comparatively mild.
