Comparative review: Training shoes that allow beginners and veterans to run in the summer mountains [Short (20-50km)]
written by Outdoor Gearzine Editorial Department
The long rainy season has ended and the summer is in full swing. Cool alpine mountains at an altitude of over 2000m are nice, but personally, low mountains in the summer are greener and require less clothing, so I don't hate running while sweating even in the summer (beer after the hot springs is the best).
I would recommend a field with a large number of mountain huts (in the Kanto region, Tanzawa, Jinbayama, Hakone, etc.) that can be enjoyed by beginners and veterans, and is easy to rest in, with easy access to mountain huts. The oyster ice eaten in the mountain hut is especially exceptional. Take good care of water and replenish your body and be careful of heat stroke. This time, I chose the training shoes that I have compared to are 20-50km (so-called short courses), and I chose the training shoes that are a little more talked about. Of course, there are differences in leg strength and experience, and there are individual differences, so I hope you will understand this as a review by a typical train run enthusiast.
table of contents
table of contents
- About the items we compared and tested this time
- Test results and spec comparison table
- Impressions of each model
- summary
About the short distance trail running shoes we have compared to this time
I chose these four pairs
- La Sportiva BUSHIDO2
- HokaONEONE STINSON ATR 5
- inov-8 TERRAULTRA G 260 UNI
- The North Face Ampezzo
Test environment
The rainy season ends in early August. In common, we tested it with regular round socks. The test field is in Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture. I researched whether there were any fields in the city center of Chiba that could run trails or dirt runs, and it was a hit. The sports park was the starting point, and the course layout was studded with elements of dirt and trail running, including green spaces, farm roads, and roads.
Reference site: Route Lab https://latlonglab.yahoo.co.jp/route/watch?id=ab0ae329c14b9b161ae6e4eb7c34cbe6
Rating points
- Comfort: We decide whether it will not only respond to comfort and fit, but also to the user's performance.
- Durability: Durable and wear-resistant to obstacles such as scuffs and tree roots. It also judges the durability of long-term use.
- Cushioning: Mainly determines shock absorption.
- Grip: From landing to kicking, including braking, you can decide whether the grip is flexible or not.
- Weight: It goes without saying that lightness is necessary for speed.
Test results and spec comparison table
If you find it difficult to see the table because it is lightweight for smartphones, click here
| comprehensive evaluation | AAAA | AAAA | AAA | AAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| item |  The North Face Ampezzo |  La Sportiva BUSHIDO2 |  inov-8 TERRAULTRA G 260 UNI |  HokaONEONE STINSON ATR 5 |
| This is ◎ |
|
|
|
|
| This is △ |
|
|
|
|
| Comfort | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Durability | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Cushioning | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| grip | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| weight | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Specs | ||||
| Actual weight (g/one foot) | 309 (27cm) | 320 (27.3cm) | 273 (27cm) | 350 (27cm) |
| Drop (mm) | 6 | 6 | 0 | 5 |
| Midsole | XTRAFOAM™ & EVA 2-layer compression molded midsole | Standard compression model (EVA midsole) | EXTEROFLOW | Maximum cushion |
| Outsole | EXTS™ outsole | FriXion Red+ Impact Brake System | GRAPHENE GRIP | all-terrain (for all road surfaces) |
Impressions of each model
The North Face Ampezzo
This is ◎
- Holds the entire foot
- Smooth response and grip to foot movement
This is △
- Lighter weight
Starting in North America, THE NORTH FACE the latest model of this season, Ampezzo .
The actual measured weight is 309g (27cm/one foot), which can be said to be just normal weight. When I put my feet in... yeah! I noticed the gentle bite of the thick tongue. The heel cup fits perfectly and is comfortable.
The upper is wide and looks great. According to the manufacturer's website, it uses a "highly breathable double russell mesh upper" with a seamless finish that is light, highly breathable and durable. What's more, what I would like to evaluate is the seamless finish. When flexed, it moves quite smoothly without stress.
The midsole is equipped with "Extra Foam" which has excellent shock absorption when landing. In fact, when you strike your heel (landing your heel), you will feel its elasticity. This also seems to greatly reduce the strain on your feet. It can also be appreciated that the midfoot structure is finished in a trapezoidal shape to reduce horizontal blur when landing and provide stability.
The outsole is designed with the EXTS (Exploration Trax System) system (individually developed) that improves acceleration, deceleration and flexibility performance based on biomechanics. It uses two types of rubber, with a balanced layout of rubber that improves grip and rubber that improves durability. Perhaps because of this, I think the performance when landing and kicking is pretty good regardless of the trail's ups and downs or conditions. So far, these shoes look good, from short to long laces. Honestly, I was surprised.
Seamless upper. Durability, breathability, and flexibility are all at a high level. The tongue hold is also perfect.
Extra foam with a midsole that is highly shock absorbing and elastic. I was surprised at how much more than it looks.
An outsole that combines rubber with increased grip and rubber with increased durability.
La Sportiva BUSHIDO2
This is ◎
- Relaxing arch support
- Grip power that responds to movement
This is △
- Shock absorption power of thrust
BUSHIDO2 is a major update from BUSHIDO which was highly rated by speed-focused trail runners . The forefoot of the shoes is normally wide and the instep is low. For some people, it may be a tight upper. It would be better to adjust the thickness of the socks. The tongue is thin, but even when tightened in a tight fit, it still gives a soft hold. The heel cup holds the heel firmly, making it highly stable. The upper is made of highly breathable braless mesh and a thermoplastic film specializing in wear resistance, and has a form that is sure to be durable even in parts with obstacles such as scuffs and tree roots.
When the shoelaces are tightened, the upper is also moderately tensioned, giving it a perfect fit. The arch is equipped with a thermoplastic frame, and the support that comes from the arch of the plantar is comfortable. The outsole is an all-round type that can be used in a variety of conditions, including roads, scuffs, and trails, and the rubber uses Sportiva's unique "Duum Alcohol Compound" that has excellent shock absorption and grip. The grip is a complete finish that is undeniable, and it feels like it will respond well to the user's driving performance.
The actual measured weight is 320g (27.3cm/one foot), but when worn, it doesn't feel that heavy. However, although the impact absorption when landing on the heel is quite excellent, I think the user's leg strength will be tested when thrusts up (impact from the ground) such as a running down festival.
The upper and midsole are made from highly durable thermoplastic material.
A heel cup with a better hold than "BUSHIDO".
A compound outsole that boasts long-term durability and grip.
inov-8 TERRAULTRA G 260 UNI
This is ◎
- Flexible grip that can be reliably on rough roads
- Lightweight for both trail and road runs
This is △
- Durability and flexibility of upper part
The TERRAULTRA G 260 UNI has been entered from the inov-8 which is well-known for its strong grip The outsole rubber is a popular pair of shoes, featuring graphene (a material that won the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics), a lightweight and thin material that is 200 times stronger than iron, and a high-strength Kevlar material that is also used for bulletproof vests on the heel. Furthermore, these zero-drop shoes have a 0mm difference in height between the heel and toe, which realize the Inovate's concept of "natural running (running from the midfoot to the forefoot)." What surprised me when I picked it up was how light it was. The actual measured weight is 273g (27cm/one foot).
When I put my feet in, the towbox is spacious and the heel cup is shallow, but it has a perfect hold. The upper is made of mesh material that emphasizes breathability. Although it has increased its strength, it seems that the durability of the forefoot is not very high. The outsole is provided with the rubber containing the aforementioned graphene. Honestly, the grip works well. You might think it's hard, but it has a sticky, soft grip. It can be said to have reliable grip even in scuffs or rainy weather. Of course, it's good enough to load on asphalt.
The midsole uses EXTEROFLOW, which has strong shock absorption and rebound properties, and Dynamic Fascia Band Technology (patented) which is designed to match the structure of the plantar fascia, making it easy to kick out at the sole part. However, at the same time, I feel like the bent upper part lacks smoothness (even though it is mesh, it is stiff and clogged). I would like it to be flexible and flexible in responding to movements. It also has a gaiter pocket that allows you to attach the ALL TERRAIN GAITER sold separately. (It depends on your compatibility, but) I think I can run very hard even on rough roads.
An outsole made of graphene, which is 200 times stronger than iron. It is highly durable and has a grip that can hold the ground.
It's hard to say that the movement of the forefoot is smooth.
HOKA ONE ONE STINSON ATR 5
This is ◎
- Outsole with excellent shock absorption
- Stability to land firmly
This is △
- The weight and size of the shoes themselves
- Outsole durability
HOKA ONE ONE sings about running marshmallows the STINSON ATR 5 , the fifth upgrade, with entitled Legacy Shoes . First, it feels like the foot is inserted, and the toes are slightly wider, making it suitable for general Japanese people.
The heel cups are deep and hold the heel firmly, giving it a sense of stability. The upper is also quite strong. Although there is little arch support, the entire sole of the foot is comfortable because it incorporates the lightweight maximum cushion, which has excellent shock absorption capabilities unique to HOKA ONE ONE. Even on the descent, the pick-up when landing gives a soft impression.
The drop is 5mm, making it easy to walk from landing to kicking off, and the propulsion force moves forward is quite strong. The actual measured weight is 350 g (27cm/one foot), which is slightly heavy. About the outsole. The blue part that serves as the base is thick and quite soft. In comparison, the red part centered around the forefoot is a rather hard material. The grooves on the outsole are deep and allow you to firmly grasp the trail when you land. However, I'm concerned about the feeling of sinking slightly when I land (but not so much that it's unstable). Especially the blue part. When I actually press it with my thumb, it felt quite soft and sinking. Is the road just fine for a rough rocky scree field, is it okay to have durability? I have no choice but to wonder (the manufacturer's website states that they are all road-friendly shoes with cushioning and durability...). However, it is perfect for anyone, from beginners to veterans, who want to enjoy training runs by reducing the strain on their legs and lowering.
A lightweight maximum cushion that looks like recovery sandals. The key point is its highly stable shock absorption.
Outsole with two types of rubber. The blue part is so soft that it sinks when you press it with your finger. I'm trying to hold the ground firmly, but it doesn't seem to be durable.
summary
I think choosing trail running shoes can be difficult because each person has different experience and leg strength. What's more, he has a habit of running, and what kind of field he has to go on and how much he runs... Runners who are not confident in their leg strength would be happy if they specialize in shock absorbing. Also, unlike road runs, trail runs have a grip performance of the outsole, which responds to movement and not only braking. However, there are some points where it is difficult to understand the wooden mold and width of the foot unless you actually put your feet in. First, try putting your feet in and will the towbox, arch support, and heel cups be more comfortable? Is it right for my feet? Then there's cushioning and grip on the sole. Furthermore, it may be good to focus on durability.
This time I tried it, and I was one of the best things about it was The North Face Ampezzo (I've been wearing The North Face since I wore the SINGLE TRACK trail running shoes colored in white and black). Seamless and comfortable upper, highly shock absorbing cushioning, and grip that responds to movement. It was hard to describe, and I was surprised at how well it was perfect. The La Sportiva BUSHIDO2 and the inov-8 TERRAULTRA G 260 UNI are for runners who are confident in their leg strength even on road runs, but they are models that can be worn as fast as they are on short course trail runs. the HOKA ONE ONE STINSON ATR 5 is highly praised for its cushioning comfort, the neck is still heavy. It seems to be structured to make it easy to kick out, but there are some things that are quite difficult.
