Hoka Mach X 2 ($190)

Introduction

Sam: The Mach X  is Hoka’s  lightweight bif cushion uptempo trainer to racer.  Hoka’s marketing headline for the Mach X 2 is “Everyday Miles, Elevated”. I agree, as long as those daily miles are on the faster side. Hoka has plenty of other “daily” max cushion plated that are more mellow riding including Skyflow and Skyward X. See my comparative review which also includes mach X2 and Cielo X 1 here

For the X2 edition, we see an increase of 5 mm in stack height of PEBA top foam (the EVA layer below remains the same)  to a super max level of  44mm at the heel . At the same time, weight drops to race shoe levels to about 8.5 oz / 241g US9. Its plate continues as a plastic PEBAX Renew but it is redesigned with stabilizing winglets and more flex, although it remains a mostly rigid rocker snappy flex type shoe. 

Beta Light 30 Backpack ($369.95)

Introduction

Markus: The Black Diamond Beta Light 30 Backpack is, as far as I know, the first pack from a big brand, which uses a more rare ultralight fabric like Challenge Sailcloth Ultra. It is designed for those who need to cover long distances quickly and with its running style shoulder straps would count it into the fast packing category. I was really excited to test this pack out and compare it to the other packs I reviewed, which mostly come from smaller cottage companies.

Sam: The Beta Light is my first ultralight backpacking pack although I have previously trekked with the Ultimate Direction Fastpack 40. My testing included an 8 day trek in the Queyras region of the French Alps and a 2 day hike the White Mountains of New Hampshire both with moderate loads as we were hut to hut hiking.

Strata Tee (155€) & Strata Half Tights (180€)

Einleitung

Tracksmith Strata wurde ursprünglich im Jahr 2020 für die US-amerikanischen olympischen Marathon-Ausscheidungen entwickelt. Nachdem ich im Frühjahr schon das aus dieser Entwicklung resultierende Wettkampfoutfit, bestehend aus dem Strata Singlet und der Strata Shorts, testen durfte, habe ich nun die Freude das Strata Tee und die passende Strata Half Tights unter die Lupe zu nehmen. Auch diese sind Tracksmith typisch hochpreisig positioniert, wissen jedoch ebenso typisch durch schickes Design, vermeintlich sehr hochwertige Materialien (Made in Italy) und gute Verarbeitung zu überzeugen. Ob auch die Performance die hohen Preise rechtfertigt, versuche ich im folgenden Test zu erörtern.

Merrell Agility Peak 5 X Janji ($150)

Introduction

I received the “Janji” version of the Agility Peak 5 in early August, a limited edition and colorful collaboration between Merrell and Janji highlighting a top seller trail shoe with an artful print from the Mongolian artist, Gawaa.  This was my first introduction to Janji, a running apparel brand based in Boston, whose mission is to design responsibly, inspire people to run, and to support global water access.  This collaborative effort was part of the Janji “artist series” featuring a print designed by an artist from a diverse region with 2% of sales supporting clean water in that place of the world.  

Pros:

Comfortable, well cushioned with great rebound, fit true to size/ Dominique

Does double duty as a comfortable and sturdy hiker in the low top category Dominique

Vibram® Megagrip® 0utsole with great traction Dominique

All day comfort when walking and hiking Dominique

Roomy toebox though not a wide toebox Dominique

Well priced Dominique

“Janji” limited edition is a wonderful collaboration with Merrell Dominique

Special Edition features an original print that  is dirt resistant to boot Dominique

Cons:

Heelhold is not super secure Dominique

Hoka Speedgoat 6 (160,00 €)

Einleitung

Die Hoka Speedgoat-Serie hat sich in der Trailrunning-Community einen Namen gemacht, und die neueste Version, der Speedgoat 6, verspricht, die Messlatte noch höher zu legen. Mit einigen bemerkenswerten Updates und Verbesserungen zielt dieser Schuh darauf ab, sowohl Komfort als auch Leistung auf verschiedenen Terrains zu bieten. 

Der Speedgoat 6 verfügt über ein überarbeitetes Fußbett, das ein reaktionsfähiges Laufgefühl bei geringerem Gewicht bieten soll. Zu den weiteren Updates gehören ein atmungsaktives, gewebtes Obermaterial, eine leichtere und noch reaktionsfähigere Zwischensohle, ein integriertes „Chassis-System“, überarbeiteter Stretch Einsatz im Vorderfuß und eine weichere und an den Seiten vernähte Zunge. In diesem Testbericht teile ich meine persönlichen Eindrücke und Erfahrungen mit dem Hoka Speedgoat 6, basierend auf mehreren Läufen in unterschiedlichen Umgebungen.

Pearlizumi Cycling Clothing

In the article, Jeff and John review an assortment of Pearl Izumi cycling apparel for road, mountain bike and gravel riding.

Hoka Torrent 4 ($130)

Introduction

The Torrent is, or was, Hoka’s non-rockered, lightweight trail shoe with decent ground feel. While the updates from version 2 to version 3 were minor, version 4 is a top to bottom update. 

The updates to the Torrent 4 are a bit of a deviation from previous models. Hoka stated that the Torrent had become a bit lost in their line-up, and in a world of plated shoes and super midsoles, the Torrent might have lacked excitement. In a nutshell, the likeability of the Torrent 4 will depend on if you like a rocker geometry. The shoe feels like a Challenger-Torrent combination. 

Pros:

Light weight: Renee, John 

Good toe flex: Renee, John

Comfortable upper: Renee, John

Protection: John

Cons:

Might be narrow for some runners: Renee

Rocker can be uncomfortable on some terrain: Renee 

Saucony Ride TR2 ($140)

Introduction

Sam: The Ride TR2 is Saucony’s entry in the “door to trail” category of running shoes. It is derived, as road to trail shoes often are, from the road version Ride 17 For 2024 as with the road Ride, the major change to the TR is to midsole foam from PWRRUN EVA blend to PWRRUN+ an expanded TPU beads foam.

The shoes in this category are designed to transition from road to trails. They generally differ from road shoes in construction with more deeply lugged outsoles and a somewhat ruggedized upper. 

Some lean more road in focus and others more trail. The Ride TR2 leans more road with a high stack of 35 mm heel /  27 mm forefoot and the soft and energetic PWRRUN+ foam.  Let's see how it performed.

adidas Ultraboost 5 (180 €)

Einleitung

Nachdem der ikonische adidas Ultraboost im letzten Jahr zum zehnjährigen Jubiläum eine Rundumerneuerung erfahren hat, legt adidas in diesem Jahr noch einen drauf! Headliner ist nach wie vor das neue Lightboost-Dämpfungsmaterial - bzw. vor allem, dass der Ultraboost jetzt über sehr viel mehr davon verfügt. Satte 9mm stehen im neuen Ultraboost 5 zusätzlich zur Verfügung, woraus eine Stapelhöhe von 29mm im Vorfuß und 39mm im Fersenbereich resultieren. Die entsprechenden 10mm Sprengung sind typisch für den Ultraboost und bleiben uns auch in diesem Jahr erhalten.