Dirwin Pioneer Fat Tire eBike | 750W Motor, 60+ Miles ($1,799)

Sizes: Regular or Step-thru

Introduction

Dirwin, a relatively new player in the eBike market, is making waves with their focus on rugged, all-terrain machines. The Pioneer is a prime example of their philosophy – it's a powerful, fat-tire beast designed to conquer any terrain. Whether I’m cruising down Boulder's bike paths or tackling the challenging trails in the foothills, the Pioneer feels equally confident. It's clear that Dirwin isn't just building eBikes; they're building machines for adventure.

Mount to Coast P1 ($160)

Introduction

Mount to Coast is a relatively new brand in the very congested running marketplace. What immediately catches the eye in their products is the attention to styling - these shoes look cool, let’s be honest. 

When I first saw them I had a gentle debate with myself if I might not be too old for those bad boys but then my vanity took over and all guilt had evaporated. 

The brand itself is focused on ultra running but I feel that this shoe would function well for road runners like me (and maybe you dear reader). What is more the shoe itself is a very unique take on stability as it focuses on also stabilizing the forefoot rather just the rear of the shoe. Is that the case or maybe the P1 has more to offer - let’s find out in the review.  

New Balance 880V15 (159,95€)

Introductie

Kurt: De New Balance 880 neemt een centrale plek in binnen het assortiment van het merk als een veelzijdige, neutrale dagelijkse trainingsschoen die is ontworpen voor hardlopers die comfort en duurzaamheid zoeken voor dagelijks gebruik. De schoen maakt deel uit van de Fresh Foam-serie en bevindt zich tussen de lichtere, snellere modellen zoals de New Balance Rebel of FuelCell Propel, en de meer dempende, premium langeafstands schoenen zoals de New Balance 1080.

De 880 richt zich op het bieden van een betrouwbare, gebalanceerde loopervaring, waardoor het een uitstekende keuze is voor hardlopers die een schoen willen die goed presteert bij verschillende soorten trainingen – van rustige herstelloopjes tot middelzware lange afstanden. De combinatie van gematigde demping en stabiliteit maakt het een echt werkpaard voor wie consistentie en comfort waardeert in zijn training routine.

New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v15 ($140/159,95€)

Introduction

Kurt: The New Balance 880 occupies a central position in the brand's lineup as a versatile neutral daily trainer designed for runners seeking comfort and durability for everyday use. It’s part of the Fresh Foam family and sits between the lightweight, faster models like the New Balance Rebel or FuelCell Propel, and the more cushioned, premium long-distance shoes like the New Balance 1080.

The 880 focuses on providing a reliable, balanced ride, making it an excellent choice for runners who want a shoe that performs well for a variety of runs—from easy recovery jogs to moderate long distances. Its combination of moderate cushioning and stability makes it a workhorse shoe for those who value consistency and comfort in their training routine.

Sam: The 880 v15 has long been New Balance’s middle of the road all around daily trainer. With the v15, it follows recent trends towards higher stack heights and broader platforms, so more cushioning and more stability. Fresh Foam X, a non supercritical foam continues as the midsole, even as many shoes in its price category have gone with supercritical foams for their lighter weight and more energetic rides. Did New Balance thread the needle and deliver both a more cushioned ride and some of the agile, any pace spunk of prior 880’s. Please read on to find out!

Courtney: New Balance Fresh Foam v15 is a versatile daily trainer that offers you a cushioned, yet firm and responsive ride. Users of Fresh Foam Version 14 will still enjoy the ride of the tried and true trainer, but with some noticeable enhancements. NB added 3mm more foam to the heel and 5mm more foam to the forefoot, lowering the drop 2mm from its predecessor to 6mm. There is a versatility and approachability that sets the 880 apart from other max stack trainers

Under Armour UA x Speedland Infinite Mega ($250)

Introduction

Courtney: Under Armour has partnered with trail world innovator Speedland and BOA Fit System to bring us the highly cushioned yet responsive Infinite Mega. 

This shoe delivers ultimate comfort and a super secure lockdown using its multi directional, micro adjustable BOA dial system. 

The Infinite Mega just might have nailed what many max stack trainers have been trying to accomplish, which is ultimate comfort without that mushy sinking in feeling. Please read on as I join John and Jen in testing and reviewing this innovative and intriguing new trainer.

Hoka Clifton 10 ($150)

Editor’s Note: We are thrilled to welcome Reed Breuer to the RTR team. Reed is a running shore manager in the mountains of California and thus can help provide the perspective of having fitted thousands of runners.. He is a former college runner and is now  an avid trail and road runner: any distance, any terrain He has PR’s of 15:28 5K and 2:28 for the marathon

Introduction

Reed: As a running store manager, popular shoe updates elicit both fear and excitement. Will they ruin one of our best-selling models? Will it be even better? And the answer always lies somewhere between with the Clifton 10. Some will like the improved fit, others will scoff at the new higher stack height and new 8mm drop. Were a change like this to have occurred several years ago, we’d only be complaining about the weight gain. But in today’s era, those looking for a protective lightweight trainer that can handle different paces may have already moved on from the Clifton to other light trainers like the Mach and Novablast or even to plated super-trainers. 

Nike Zoom Fly 6 (170€)

Einleitung

Vor mittlerweile fast 5 Jahren hat Nike mit dem Tempo Next% einen der ersten Supertrainer im heutigen Sinne veröffentlicht und war damit seiner Zeit weit voraus. Der Next% war als Trainingspartner zum damals ebenfalls neu erschienenen Alphafly gedacht und teilte sich mit ihm die AirZoom Einheiten unterm Vorfuß und in der Folge das typische, fast schon mechanische Laufgefühl. Der Alphafly hat sich unterdessen weiterentwickelt und die aktuelle, dritte Generation ist schnell zum Publikumsliebling geworden und auch für mich derzeit der Marathonracer der Wahl. Doch der Tempo Next% wurde nie fortgeführt. Stattdessen hat Nike versucht den Zoom Fly als Trainingsschuh mit Karbonfaserplatte entsprechend zu platzieren und von Generation zu Generation mit teils drastischen Änderungen experimentiert. Bis dato war dies nicht von Erfolg gekrönt, die letzten Zoom Fly Generationen haben sich keiner großen Beliebtheit erfreut. Doch mit dem nun erschienenen Zoom Fly 6 soll sich dies ändern. Erneut hat der Zoom Fly eine komplette Überarbeitung erfahren. Eine Durchgängige ZoomX Mittelsohle wird von einer Karbonfaserplatte unterstützt und durch eine Schicht EVA-Schaum stabilisiert und geschützt. Die Stapelhöhe hat sich leicht erhöht und die Silhouette des Zoom Fly hat sich komplett geändert. Nun ist eindeutig eine Ähnlichkeit zum aktuellen Alphafly 3 zu erkennen. Ob damit auch ein ähnlich phänomenales Laufgefühl einhergeht, bleibt abzuwarten und wird mein Test hoffentlich zeigen. Ich freue mich jedenfalls drauf den Zoom Fly 6 auf Herz und Nieren zu testen!

Hoka Bondi 9 ($170)

Introduction

The Bondi was the OG max cushion road trainer, sporting for years a big stable stack height of cushion few other trainers matched or even got close to. Over time, it got bigger yet.  As running shoe foams evolved it became relatively heavy, lumbering and best used for walking, and innumerable pairs have been sold for that as it is a superb walking and standing on your feet all day shoe. Yes, many trained in it as well but other max cushion options emerged in the last few years and started to eat into its franchise as the big shoe.

The Bondi 9 totally revives the model into a truly fine max cushion daily to recovery run trainer with a weight below several of its direct competitors such as the Brooks Glycerin Max and Ghost Max 2, and Hoka's plated Skyward X. 

Most significantly, it is now 0.9 oz / 26g  lighter as  it swaps old school compression molded EVA for modern supercritical EVA. This new foam is more energetic and lighter than the prior foam.

Even while losing weight it goes up 2mm in stack height to about 43 heel / 38 forefoot so is now is in the emerging super max category, 

Promising stats and tech aside it is a super fun big shoe to run, and yes still use for walking. Please read on for all the details my test results.

Article by Jeff Valliere, Allison Valliere and Mike Postaski

Brooks Caldera 8 ($150)

Introduction:

Jeff V:  The Caldera 8 is Brooks’s most highly cushioned, long distance shoe, made for full days on your feet, be it racking up the training miles, or for all but the front of the pack for ultra distance races.  

The Caldera 8 runs lighter than its weight might imply, has a lively feel and a quick, smooth transition.  

The only change to the Caldera 8 over the previous version is the upper which has been slightly retooled, while the DNA Loft v3 midsole and TrailTack Green outsole remain the same.

Mike P: I’ll just be chiming in here with comps for now, but please check out my early video review HERE where I talk quite a bit about the ride while out on the run and also discuss some more specifics about the fit. I also have an extended cut video HERE with some longer clips from one of my test runs.

Icebug Arcus 2 GTX ($220)

Introduction

Need a winter shoe? The Arcus 2 features a GORE-TEX ePE (PFAS free ) Invisible fit upper with 14 carbide steel studs, meant for long runs on gravel and road during winter conditions. The need for a waterproof upper and a studded outsole is very specific, making the Arcus 2 a very niche shoe. Of course, for runners who loath the treadmill, the Arcus 2 is an option to keep logging miles during winter months. 

adidas Adistar BYD (£164.99, 204,59 €, $226.04)

Introduction

I don’t get to test Adidas shoes very often so when our friends at Sportsshoes.com offered a chance to test a brand new Adidas model the Adistar BYD I got pretty excited. Most plated shoes these days cost an arm and a leg. It's good to see that big brands like Adidas are introducing models which are slightly more budget (and legs) friendly. Does that mean that with the lower price we are to expect an inferior product? Or maybe simply something less aggressive with slightly less quality materials? Let’s dive into the review to see what we are dealing with!

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Very stable 

• Fun and bouncy

• Introductory shoe if you never tried plated shoes before

• Should last above average 

• Feel faster than the weight would suggest

Cons:

• Tongue too short and too thin

• Lacing system needs re-design (too many holes)

• Heavy for a racing shoe (not too heavy for a daily trainer)

• Midfoot upper a little too constrictive (can be a pro if you have low volume feet, I don’t)