ASICS GEL-Nimbus 27 Review ($165)

Introduction

Courtney: The popular Asics Gel-Nimbus daily trainer gets some solid updates in version 27. The Nimbus 27 promises more cushioning and ventilation in the upper changing from a knit to an engineered Jacquard. 

The FF Blast Plus ECO foam remains the same but Asics added more, increasing the stack height by 2mm while simultaneously lowering the shoe’s weight 5g. Asics pledge to sustainability remains as the upper is constructed of 50%-75% recycled polyester with the midsole 20% bio based material.

Sam: Starting the Nimbus 25 the model saw radical change, dramatically increasing in stack height and platform width while losing its plastic midfoot stability shank and increasing in overall purposeful plushness top to bottom.

While visually very different than the 24 and a big risk, the Nimbus 25 and 26 were successful updates delivering in different form the same neutral ride with inherent stability of prior versions. 

I did not personally test the Nimbus 26 (RTR Review), a relatively minor update focused on a knit upper and a new flavor of FF Blast Plus ECO. Here we get 2mm more stack height, aJacquard upper and some geometry tuning. I was eager to see how it ran, and if it now came off the heel more easily than the lumpy blocky 25’s rear platform, and especially at slower paces a key focus for the shoe's uses.

Best Trail Running Shoes of 2024

Our annual survey of the year’s best road and trail running shoes, apparel and gear is compiled via survey of our contributors. 10 contributors participated in this year's trail running shoes survey. They covered thousands of miles/kilometers on all sorts of terrain in the US, Germany, and France to bring you their top picks.

Multiple categories were surveyed:  

• Daily All Around, 

• Technical Big Mountain, 

• Short and Fast Speed\

• Door to Trail, 

• Carbon/Plastic Plated,  

• Easy Cruising, 

• Absolute Favorite Shoe of the Year

The categories were scored on the basis of 3 points for a #1 pick, 2 points for a #2 pick and 1 point for a #3 pick.

At the end of the article we also tabulate: 

• Most first places for across all categories

• Most mentions across all categories

The results clearly indicate that as in road shoes that supercritical foams are sweeping higher performance trail shoes for their lighter (than EVA) weights and more energetic rides. 

All of our top picks across multiple categories have supercritical foam midsoles of some kind

And as in road running,  carbon (and plastic) plating has evolved to become more forgiving and terrain adaptable, essential in trail running with its varying terrain. 

Not all contributors received every product and for each shoe tested differing quantities were provided by brands. 

Most shoes discussed here were no charge review samples although a considerable number of personal purchases are included.RoadTrailRun contributors and RoadTrailRun were not compensated by brands beyond free samples. RoadTrailRun does not engage in sponsored content articles, brand compensated activations or other such events, nor did we engage in any paid consulting with brands.

Pull up a chair, beer or coffee and dig in to what the team enjoyed running  in 2024.

Best Road Running Shoes of 2024

Our annual survey of the year’s best road and trail running shoes, apparel and gear is compiled via survey of our contributors.12 contributors participated in this year's road running shoes survey. Over 50 models were scored either first, second or third in their respective categories 

Multiple categories were surveyed,  including: Daily Trainer, Workouts/Short Races, “Fun Runner”, Max Cushion Plated and Max Cushion Unplated, Easy Days, Half and Full Marathon Racer, Biggest Surprises: Good and Bad, Overall Shoe of the Year, and Brand of the Year. 

Some clear trends emerged:

• The overall shoe of the year and brand of the year were essentially won with 2 uptempo trainer to racer shoes from the same brand.

• With very few exceptions all midsoles were either entirely or mostly supercritical foams. EVA is gone!

• Stack heights increased due to lighter weight and more energetic supercritical foams as super max cushion trainers increasingly were favored for non speed days

• Nike’s dominance in the super marathon/ half marathon racer category came to an end.

  
  

Pull up a chair, beer or coffee and dig in to what the team enjoyed running  in 2024.

Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 ($275)

Introduction

Sam: The Endorphin Elite 2 is unlike any of Saucony’s previous supershoes, or for that matter any of the many carbon supershoes we have tested. 

Why? It features the softest foam we have ever experienced in a racer or for that matter any run shoe with incredibly quick rebound. Saucony calls this TPEE foam IncrediRun and while the naming is a bit “goofy” it is, I think, perfectly named. Its carbon plate plays well with the foam delivering enough stability and notably smooth propulsion without ever over prescribing a particular strike type. 

It remains to be seen if “elites” will like it, and I bet they will, but for me, a slower and older road racer  the shoe delivers a uniquely exciting, fun, effective and very fast experience.

This is not an “overweight” marathon shoe as some of the more forgiving shoes targeted at runners with less than elites times ar It weighs 7.16 oz / 203g in my US8.5 sample. It has the full maximum heel stack height of 39.5 mm with an 8mm drop to 31.5mm up front. Please read on as Sally, 3x 2nd in her age group at the NYC Marathon in recent years and I put it through its paces.

Smith Shift MAG, Smith Arvo, and Smith Seeker Sport Sunglasses Reviews

Gorewear Windstopper Hybrid Lightweight Puffy  ($230) & Berber Windstopper Fleece ($170)

Introduction

Gorewear has traditionally been associated with sleek design highly functional cycling and running apparel within outwear shells and pants of course using waterproof breathable Gore-Tex, more breathable yet still very water resistant Gore-Tex Active, and more wind stopping and yet less but still adequately water resistant Windstopper fabrics.

In recent years Gore has gone yet lighter, far less membrane plasticky in feel yet still using Gore. Here we have two highly insulated jackets with Windstopper by Gore-Labs technology incorporated with their key characteristic their total wind proofing.

I tested both jackets this late fall and early winter in conditions ranging from the mid 40’s to below freezing for runs and walks about town. In almost all situations there was strong wind blowing at least part of the time.