Our reviews are 100% organic. We do not accept payment for reviews or bundle with advertising budgets. In most cases, the brand is providing the product to our reviewers free of charge. Last fall, Tracksmith expanded their Eliot shoe lineup to include the Eliot Range, specifically designed for off-road use and built with fall cross-country weather in mind. Continuing with that thought, when cross-country season is over and the weather gets harsh and frigid, that’s where the new Eliot NDO comes in. It’s a weatherproof version of the standard Eliot Runner model, which incorporates the rugged outsole and designed layering construction seen on the Eliot Range, and maintains almost the exact same midsole geometry and stack heights of both.
The main innovation here is the upper, which features a tightly woven mesh with a weatherproof membrane to keep moisture at bay. We wore these shoes on some rainy efforts, and the uppers work well to keep moisture off. In a steady downpour, we stayed out for over an hour without feeling water intrusion through the upper. The main tradeoff of a membrane layer is they do not dry quickly when becoming saturated or submerged, so if you have unavoidable stream crossings or standing water on your route, this probably isn’t the shoe for you. Beneath the weatherproof layer, a soft merino wool interior provides improved insulation, soft comfort and natural odor resistance. These shoes are only available in the same single-color option for both men and women – a sharp black colorway with gold accents.
The Eliot NDO is built on the same streamlined last as the Eliot Runner, which is slightly narrower than average through the midfoot and especially the forefoot. It’s not ideal for high mileage running, but good for maintaining agility when you have to be careful about foot placement. Along with the streamlined last, overall fit is secured with laces that hold their grip extremely well, especially when wet.
Midsole construction is almost identical to the Eliot Range, employing a dual-layered system of 100% Pebax that has very high resiliency and energy return. Its overall ride quality is very similar to the Eliot Runner and Eliot Range, with firmness emphasized instead of cushioning, and rebound instead of plushness. The top layer of this system combines the insole with a thick, full-length Pebax drop-in component, and this layer is slightly softer than the more firm layer that makes up the remainder of the midsole. The only difference between the midsole of the Eliot NDO and the Eliot Range is that the NDO does not have the injected nylon plate in between the midsole layers of the Range. Stack heights and the 9mm heel-to-toe drop are the same as those found on the Range and by official specs, only one-half millimeter different than the original Eliot Runner.
The final carryover from the Eliot Range is the Vibram XS Trek Evo outsole compound, with the exact same coverage area and distribution of 3mm lugs. Vibram’s XS Trek compound is exceptional for its durability but has a slightly reduced grippiness compared to their Megagrip compound. Since the Eliot NDO is designed primarily with snowy, icy and rainy days in mind, we would have preferred Megagrip here instead of XS Trek Evo, but we can also say that we did not have any noticeable slipping or compromised traction in the rainy conditions mentioned earlier.
As the Tracksmith shoe lineup expands, the intended uses of each new model become more specific, and this is clearly demonstrated with the Eliot NDO. It’s a rugged, reliable model for harsh weather days when it’s an accomplishment just to get out the door, and when short runs feel like endurance efforts. If you live in a climate where winter is an extended season, it’s an investment that will provide motivation to keep getting out there.
Tracksmith Eliot NDO shoes are available in men’s and women’s versions at www.tracksmith.com.
Features and Specs:
- Weight: 9.5oz
- Stack Height (heel/toe, in mm): 34/25
- Heel-Toe Drop (mm): 9mm
- Upper: engineered woven mesh with weatherproof membrane and merino wool liner
- Midsole: Two-layer Pebax system including drop-in insole
- Outsole: Vibram XS Trek EVO rubber
- One colorway option for men and women
- MSRP: $240