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. Probably more than any other brand, Tracksmith has a clearly defined sense of identity, combining premier material construction with old school aesthetics that pay homage to the rich running heritage of New England. Part of that heritage includes high school and collegiate cross-country running, and the brand’s new Overland collection features shoes and apparel designed specifically for the trails.
The brand has dabbled in trail running apparel in the past, but the Eliot Range is their first dedicated shoe for that purpose. It borrows design and craftsmanship from the Eliot Runner everyday trainer and Eliot Racer speed trainer/road racer, as well as from the company’s apparel line, before adding trail-specific elements, primarily a rugged outsole for sturdy protection and grip. (In case you’re wondering, the “Eliot” name comes from a Boston bar that was legendary among the New England running community and is further indicative of Tracksmith’s intentionally nostalgic vibes.)
Construction of the uppers is inspired by Tracksmith apparel, utilizing a soft merino wool liner—the same material used in the company’s Brighton base layer—against the skin for a soft feel that is also odor resistant and responds well to temperature changes. The exterior surface is a thin ripstop shell that has nice flexibility, breathes well and provides some weather resistance. An embroidered shadow sash not only brings Tracksmith’s signature styling to the upper but also serves as a connection between the upper and midsole layer, similar to TPU overlays. Its lacing system locks the foot down well and provides an additional loop that is relatively far back on the ankle compared to many other trail shoes we’ve used, to help with rearfoot lockdown if needed.
The Eliot Range is built on the same last as the Eliot Runner, which we find to be slightly narrow through the midfoot and especially the forefoot, where we definitely felt some restriction with longer mileage runs. Tracksmith refers to this as a streamlined silhouette, and it’s true to the aesthetic of old school running shoes, but it is better suited for medium-to-narrow-footed runners for anything beyond a half-marathon distance.
Midsole construction is dual layered in similar fashion as the Eliot Racer, and features a thick, full-length insole drop-in constructed from a responsive Pebax compound that claims greater than 70% resiliency and energy return. Below this is a full-length injected nylon plate that provides an additional layer of protection from roots and rocks, as well as enhanced forward propulsion. A 9mm drop from heel to toe is steeper than most trail shoes on the market and favors midfoot to rearfoot strikers. Like other Pebax compounds, the ride quality is generally firm and responsive but lacks some softness if you’re just looking for cruising some comfortable miles. 
Underfoot, the Eliot Range features a Vibram XS Trek Evo outsole compound, which is highly durable but less grippy than Vibram’s more prominent Megagrip. The 3mm lugs are relatively narrow but positioned across most of the surface area of the foot aside from a small cutout at midfoot. Its intended use is gravel roads—where rubber durability is a premium—or mild to moderate trails, but will lack some traction in technical or sloppy conditions.
Given that we’ve tested this shoe on the precipice of autumn, the Eliot Range strikes us as an exceptional shoe for cross-country season. It’s designed to move fast over relatively mellow ground surfaces, with a lightweight build and sleek construction that lends itself toward racing. We wouldn’t choose it for long-distance efforts or technical terrain, but for its intended purpose, this trail model performs quite well and earns its place in the Tracksmith lineage.
Tracksmith Eliot Range shoes are available in men’s and women’s versions (separate product pages, with sizes adjusted accordingly) at www.tracksmith.com.
Features and Specs:
- Weight: 9.9oz (men’s size 9, unisex sizing)
- Stack Height (heel/toe, in mm): 34/25
- Heel-Toe Drop (mm): 9mm
- Upper: engineered woven mesh with merino wool liner
- Midsole: Pebax chassis with full length injected nylon plate
- Outsole: Vibram XS Trek EVO rubber
- Two colorway options
- MSRP: $240