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Inov-8 TerraClaw 250, $130
Brooks Adrenaline ASR 12 GTX, $150
Weights: 8.8 oz. (men’s); 7.2 oz. (women’s) Heel-Toe Offset: 8mm; 24mm (heel), 16mm (forefoot)
Weights: 11.8 oz. (men’s); 9.9 oz. (women’s) Heel-Toe Offset: 12mm; 32mm (heel), 20mm (forefoot)
The shoe is for you if … you like a flexible and minimal shoe with traction underfoot. Fit-feel-ride: The lightweight upper of this shoe offers a snug and secure fit around even the narrowest feet, wrapping highto low-arched runners in comfortable support. While this shoe was built for higher-mileage running more than other Inov-8 Terraclaw shoes—with extra protection and more cushioning—make no mistake: the 250 still feels minimalistic on foot. It’s a firm ride in comparison to other shoes in this roundup, providing major ground feel and connection to the trail for agile, nimble running. Most testers wished this shoe had more lateral stability, as many found that their feet slipped side-to-side on off-camber trails and scrambles. Plus: It feels both lightweight and race-ready, with a touch of cushion and protection. Minus: The minimalism means there’s not a lot of structure keeping feet in place in the upper.
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This shoe is for you if … you need stability in a versatile shoe that’s treated for winter weather. Fit-feel-ride: This foul-weather-ready shoe has a road-shoe feel. Its mid-foot stability, ample cushioning and smooth ride make it a pleasure to run in on smooth dirt and less-than-technical terrain. Updated from the previous version of this popular shoe is a segmented crash pad (all that toothy rubber near the back of the shoe), which allows a more fluid ride than in past iterations of the Adrenaline ASR. The outsole has also been updated to better handle sloppy trails. Testers didn’t find it the most dynamic or agile shoe on technical trails, likely due to its road-shoe profile and plentiful cushioning. The Gore-Tex weather-proofing adds to the versatility of this winter shoe—wear it on sloppy road runs as well as off-road. Plus: This shoe is cut low around the ankle collar, which means zero irritation. Minus: The stability for pronators will be overkill for some (but a plus to those who need it).
BEST CUSHIONING New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro, $115
Weights: 11.4 oz. (men’s); 8.7 oz. (women’s) Heel-Toe Offset: 4mm; 21.5mm (heel), 17.5mm (forefoot) This shoe is for you if … you need a versatile shoe for mild to moderately rugged terrain that’s still fairly smooth on road. Fit-feel-ride: Chalk it up to the Fresh Foam midsole (constructed out of a single piece of foam), the Ortholite insert (more cush) and the Ortholite insole (even more cush): For a trail running shoe, the Hierro serves up a superbly posh ride. It’s not plush in a maximally cushioned sort of way; the Hierro doesn’t ride like a fat ski or 29er bike. It’s more like a pleasant spring in your step on the paved sections leading to the trail, and on hard dirt, and gravelly paths. Once on gnarlier terrain, the multidirectional lugs on the outsole kick in to grab the ground and keep you surefooted. It’s a comfortable shoe, with soft materials on the upper and nice padding around the heel and tongue— one you could wear all day. However, although the fit is a bit snug in the heel and slightly wider in the forefoot, some felt was too snug all over for running on technical trails. (Our wear-testers who were able to run in the Hierro a half size larger than their normal size reported an improved experience.) Plus: Thanks to the cushioning and flexibility, this is a smooth-running shoe. Minus: Due to the softness of the mesh on the upper, some testers noted their feet felt “exposed” to lateral jabs from roots and rocks.
9/14/15 2:35 PM