MOTION STABILIZING Under Armour Charged Bandit
100
$
The Charged Bandit is a bit of a hybrid in the Under Armour running line, with a more mainline approach than its siblings. Using a traditional construction approach, the upper is engineered mesh called Armour-Vent, with no-sew welded overlays lending structure and support (as well as prominently displaying the UA logo). The midsole is a multidensity EVA, with an insert of UA’s Charged foam under the forefoot. A thermoplastic medial support lends a touch of stability to the ride, effective for minimal wobble (though for many that’s enough), especially when it’s coupled with full-contact geometry as it is here. If you’re flat on the ground, it’s hard to wobble. Add another layer of Charged foam in the insole that rides on top of an EVA Strobel board, and the package is complete. The full-contact outersole has been pared back, both saving weight and improving flexibility. The rubber compound is pretty sturdy—all the better to pile on the miles. Overall, the Charged Bandit is quite a good buy, delivering cushioning and durability.
“Fit was pretty good, room for the toes, and flexed well. Good cushion and pretty stable. They even look pretty decent.”
What do you do when you’re named after the world’s most iconic marathon? If you’re the Boston Boost, you wear it with pride. In this round (the second to be “Boosted”), the focus is on lightening things up. The upper features two kinds of forefoot mesh that are layered with a small mesh near the foot, a more open mesh on the outside, with a traditional overlay at the toe of microsuede and a saddle of the same, incorporating the logo stripes. The rearfoot uses a thin, minimesh and a stitched heel counter to provide support. Breathability is maximized: The linings are kept to a minimum, but are sufficient for comfort. The midsole is still Boost foam supported by a frame of EVA, though the percentage of the heavier Boost is increased for better rebound. Even so, the overall weight is reduced a bit, and the improved cushioning adds to the bargain. The outersole is the same proven Continental rubber, which continues to be effective for adidas users. The Boston Boost is a great choice for faster running, long races, and even a share of your daily training.
“Close-fitting, stripped-down upper, but not uncomfortable. The ride is totally the ‘thing.’ They have great cushioning and they’re fast.”
Altra is known for zero-drop running shoes that match the shape of your foot. The Torin was the first of the Altra shoes to dip a toe into the mainstream running shoe scene. Round 1.0 employed a traditional approach with materials, but used a flat last with an oversized toebox and, like many of the brand’s shoes, has gained a growing following of runners. Version 2.0 steps things up a notch. The upper is a closed minimesh with no-sew overlays, minimal heel and toe structure (though enough to do the job), and a smooth, roomy interior, especially up front. Taking a page from almost every brand on the market, they have a proprietary midsole foam—called A-bound—and it’s nicely resilient with good cushioning underfoot and, of course, zero-drop geometry. The outersole is carbon rubber, used sparingly in strips on the lateral side, at the heel, under the metatarsals, and at the big toe. The remainder of the sole is toughened A-bound, and it does the trick well. With attributes like these, the Torin is definitely a shoe worth considering.
“Very comfortable. The fit has ample room for the toes and is secure enough in the heel. Plenty of bounce and pretty stable. I liked the feel.”
The Clifton was a surprise when it came out last year: It was crazy light and cushioned to the max. Round 2 shares the ride and feel more broadly, thanks to some minor tailoring changes, but it really ups the performance level for more runners. Round 1 had few options to secure the shoe. Now an extra eyelet on either side allows the shoe to fit better, and the addition of foam in the tongue and ankle collar and a beefier insole improve comfort. More runners can experience the Clifton’s ride with these changes, but runners who found the forefoot snug before will probably have to size up. The midsole and outersole are unchanged: Again, don’t fix what ain’t broke. The shoe remains about as light as you get and with as much cushion as you need (or even a bit more). So recover to your heart’s content—or rock some big miles if that’s your thing. The Clifton 2 won’t care; but it’ll take care of you. No surprise that the Clifton 2 earned our award for Best Renovation.
“The upper fits snugly, securely, and [is] pretty smooth. Light[weight] and well-cushioned. They are really cushy.”
The range of New Balance performance shoes has expanded over the past several seasons. The Vazee Pace replaces the 890, though it has a different fit, ride, and function. Its name is a play on French slang meaning “let’s go,” because it can really go. The upper is mostly minimesh with traditional overlays over most of its surface. The heel employs a bellows-like construction that flexes as the foot moves, and allows the shoe to fit and adapt to the foot’s motion through the gait. The midfoot fit wraps the arch more effectively than previous New Balance shoes have—particularly for those runners with higher arches. The midsole is Revlite foam that’s lightweight, resilient, and nicely cushioned. The outersole is carbon rubber at the heel and toe and is segmented to better cover forefoot, midfoot, and rearfoot. Blown rubber provides durability in the midfoot section. The combination of fit, ride, and value earned the Vazee Pace our award for Best Performance shoe.
“Perfect fit—and moves with the foot—with really great cushioning. Great for tempo runs, intervals, going for an iced beverage … you get the idea.”
New Shoe Sizes: Men 7–12,13,14,15; Women 5–11,12 Weight: Men 11.3 oz. (size 11); Women 9.2 oz. (size 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobel board Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics to mild overpronation
PERFORMANCE adidas Boston Boost
120
$
Altra Torin 2.0
125
$
HOKA ONE ONE Clifton 2
RENOVATION Fall 2015
130
$
New Balance Vazee Pace
Performance Fall 2015
110
$
2015 Fall Shoe Review — 4 — FORTIUS Media Group, LLC
Updates the Boston Boost Sizes: Men 6.5–13; Women 5–12 Weight: Men 9.4 oz. (size 11); Women 7.7 oz. (size 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics
Updates the Torin 1.5 Sizes: Men 7–13,14,15; Women 6–11 Weight: Men 9.8 oz. (size 11); Women 7.6 oz. (size 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobel board Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics to very mild overpronation
Updates the Clifton Sizes: Men 7.5–14; Women 6–11 Weight: Men 9.5 oz. (size 11); Women 7.6 oz. (size 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, perforated EVA Strobel board Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics
New Shoe Sizes: Men 7–13,14 D,2E; Women 6–11 B,D Weight: Men 8.9 oz. (size 11); Women 6.6 oz. (size 8) Shape: semicurved Construction: Strobel slip-lasted Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics to very mild overpronation