Mizuno Neo Zen  ($150)

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Light and max cushioned: very strong weight (8.3 oz US9)  to cushion stack (39.5 / 33.5) ratio: Sam/Sally/Ben/Peter

• Very energetic bouncy and  fun ride: Nitrogen TPU foam and broad on the ground platform with excellent easy to transition geometry for a big plateless shoe: Sam/Sally/Peter

• Secure performance-oriented upper fit: not the usual for a knit and a knit that will actually work well for lower volume narrower feet locking the foot well to the soft and high platform: Sam/Sally/Peter

Cons:

• Could use more heel counter structure given soft foam: There is no real heel collar structure so those seeking more heel area counter for pronation control or slower paces heel landings may find this area lacking: Sam

• Excessive midsole plush factor of the shoe might feel mushy to some: Ben

X-Bionic TerraSkin X00/C ($300)

Introduction

X-BIONIC, a Swiss brand renowned for its high-quality, technical sportswear, particularly compression wear for athletes, has launched the TerraSkin X00/C shoe. This marks the company's first foray into the footwear market, leveraging its expertise in technical sportswear and socks. X-BIONIC views the TerraSkin not merely as a shoe, but as an integrated system, signifying a significant step for the brand.

Craft Pure Trail X ($170/ 160 €)

Introduction

A revised version of the popular Pure Trail (RTR Review), the Pure Trail X is described as a premium trail running shoe for experienced runners. According to Craft, the shoe offers cushioning, stability and explosive energy return with reduced weight thanks to the CR Foam midsole. Read more in the review translated from my original German.

Brooks Launch 11 ($120)

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• enjoyable ride (Michael); 

• punches well above its price point (Michael); 

• aesthetically fun shoe (Michael); 

• $120 bargain (Michael)

Cons: 

• Stiff heel and somewhat long toebox create an odd fit (Michael)

Stats

Approx. Weight: men's  8 oz / 227g US9

Prior Version Weight:  men’s 8.2 oz /  232g 

Sample Weight: men’s  7.8 oz / 221 g US8.5

Stack Height: men’s  35.5 mm heel / 27.5mm forefoot (8mm  drop spec) 

Prior Stack Height: 34mm heel / 24mm forefoot (10mm drop spec) 

ASICS GT-2000 13 (£139.99, 159,99 €, $140)

Introduction

If you have beena regular reader of RTR you might have noticed that I am one of the few reviewers who prefer, above all else, shoes which could be classified as stable neutral, inherently stable or sometimes outright stability shoes. 

Last year I had the pleasure to review many shoes and pieces of gear for RTR but hands down the best stability shoe I’ve reviewed was the Asics GT 2000-12 (RTR Review). It was one of those magic stability shoes that does not feel like one, provides huge amounts of fun on the run yet remaining stable enough for the vast majority of runners who need their pronation “controlled”. Let’s have a close look at what has changed and what has remained as before.

Article by Mike Postaski, Renee Krusemark, and Jeff Valliere

Brooks Catamount 4 ($170)

Introduction

Mike P: One of my favorite trail shoes of all time returns with a big update, potentially changing the entire character of the shoe. The headline here is that the Catamount 4 receives a stiffer, more sculpted and speed oriented SkyVault plate, looking to offer a speedier and more dynamic ride in runnable terrain while also adding 2mm of Brooks newest and highest performance supercritical Flash v2 foam. I loved the version 2 & 3 iterations, racing V2 several times, and logging many miles in both versions across a wide variety of terrain. Will V4 keep the Catamount on my “all-time” list? What will be gained, or potentially lost with this update?

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Overall comfort: Renee, Mike P,Jeff V

Noticeable cushion/protection increase under forefoot Mike P, Jeff V

A true budget super shoe Mike P, Jeff V

Cons:

Weight gain: Renee, Mike P, Jeff V

Small lugs not ideal for overly loose ground: Renee

Extra 2mm + newer Flash foam doesn’t add softness Mike P, Renee

Feels like weight could be stripped out somewhere Mike P, Renee

Hoka has been on a roll the last several years with tremendous growth across road and trail running as well as hiking and lifestyle shoes. Here we will focus on the major updates to their OG road shoes the Clifton and Bondi while also comparing them to their newer unplated most recent road trainers the Mach 6 and Skyflow. The Clifton 10 and Bondi 9 see big changes that better position them competitively and in the Hoka line up.

Garmin Fenix 8 - 47mm, AMOLED 

Slate Gray with Black Silicone Band

($999.99 as tested, versions range from $999.99 - $1,199.99 depending on size/base/sapphire -ti) Official Specs and Features HERE 

Introduction:  Garmin has revamped the Fenix line, doing away with the Epix series and adding AMOLED to the mix, while still offering transflective display models with solar.  Basically the Epix and Fenix previously shared the same software, with the only difference the display and battery life.  I think consolidating the Fenix and Epix makes sense and helps to lessen confusion.  

The Fenix 8 has some nice upgrades over the Fenix 7 and Epix Pro, such as a speaker and microphone for phone calls and voice commands, a revamped user interface, a depth gauge and new diving features, increased screen size on the smaller models and improved solar on the transflective models.  With that comes an increase in price as well.

I have been testing the Fenix 8 - 47mm side by side with the Epix Gen 2 Pro 51mm over the past 3 months and it is certainly has lived up to expectations!

Pros and Cons

Pros: 

• Accuracy (GPS/altimeter/OHR), 
• Vivid AMOLED screen and larger screen for 43 and 47mm AMOLED versions
• Battery life, fast charging,
• Speaker/voice features, 
• Improved interface, 
• Maps/navigational features, 
• Robust training/health tracking features, configurability and deep range of features.

Cons: 

• Price increase, 
• New buttons to accommodate increased dive capability are not as responsive.

Veloci Ascent ($169)

Introduction

The Veloci Ascent marks the debut of a brand-new running shoe company, Veloci Running, with their first model set to launch in January 2025. For a first-ever shoe from a brand-new created by a current student-athlete (Tyler Strothman of Rice University), the Ascent feels impressively premium, showcasing thoughtful design and functionality. 

While running startups often face challenges in delivering a polished product on their first try, the Ascent stands out as a testament to Veloci’s meticulous approach and, frankly, is a shoe that I think a lot of runners could find a use for, whether it’s as their only trainer, or part of a curated rotation.

Saucony Ride 18 ($140)  

Introduction

Sam: The Ride has traditionally been Saucony’s workhorse, neutral, daily all around road trainer and remains so here with its18th edition. 

• moderately stacked, at 35mm heel / 27mm forefoot, at least compared to the current “max” trends 

• powered by Saucony’s classic TPU based PWRRUN+, a soft and energetic foam,

• under 10 oz at 9.7 oz / 275g in a US9, a small weight drop 

• Fairly priced at $140 

 It checks many boxes for me but how does it run? Please read on for Sally and my take.