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. Known for their high-end craftsmanship and commitment to using quality fabrics and materials, Tracksmith’s latest road shoe proves that they are equally committed to the performance of their products. The Eliot Racer, which launched in March, is a road shoe that has been engineered to enhance performance on race day, and with a robust midsole that maintains comfort while promoting speed, it’s no secret they’re competing for a top position in the world of super shoes.
The star feature of the Eliot Racer is the midsole. A full-length, sculpted carbon plate along with rocker geometry, the drop-in midsole includes a soft, yet supportive foam that offers a springy return for the amount of cushion it provides. Our testers have put in almost 100 miles on the model over the last month and once the shoes loosened up, the return from the combined carbon plate and super critical foam provided our testers with a comfortable and springy ride. The midsole is comprised of four parts: drop-in midsole, carbon plate, midsole chassis and outsole. Due to the drop-in design, Tracksmith has eliminated the excess glue and extra layers which makes the shoe lighter and allows the midsole to conform to the user’s foot and form over time. This also ensures direct foot-to-foam contact and enhances energy return. The stack height is 38mm/30.5mm, with a Pebax midsole chassis and ATPU sockliner that all provide a cushioned ride on both roads and hard surfaces, while simultaneously propelling the runner forward with the rocker geometry.
The upper includes a last with a snug heel that is lined with a micro suede collar and tongue to provide a soft, padded ride that keeps the foot locked in for optimal performance. A breathable woven mesh upper covers a majority of the foam (drop-in midsole), which means the silhouette of the shoe is sleek and understated. As with most of Tracksmith’s apparel design, the Racer has a simple, classic look and doesn’t appear (from the outside) to be an overly “super” shoe, even though it’s built like one on the inside.
Because the Racer is a road shoe, the rubber outsole offers sustainable traction on flat, hard surfaces—even when wet. We found that those were the optimal conditions for this shoe, as terrain such as rocky dirt or gravel didn’t provide as easy of an experience when pushing the pace.
Other features our testers appreciated on this shoe were the silicone-lined shoe laces (for added resilience when tied), along with the breathability of the upper during longer runs. As we mentioned before, this shoe did take some miles to fully break in, but once we loosened it up, the speed and energy return were readily apparent. The fit on this shoe is well-suited for those who find confidence in a form-fitting last that locks in the foot during faster miles.
The Eliot Racer is a simple shoe on the outside, but goes full throttle when it comes to performance. Those looking for a race day shoe that optimizes comfort and energy return will appreciate the construction and streamlined fit of this model from Tracksmith. Find the Eliot Racer at tracksmith.com.
Features & Specs:
- Weight: 7.7 oz (men’s size 9)
- Stack Heights (heel/toe): 38mm/30.5mm
- Toe Drop: 7.5mm
- Upper: Engineered Woven Mesh / Micro Suede Collar
- Midsole: Pebax Chassis, ATPU sockliner, Carbon Plate
- Outsole: Rubber
- MSRP: $280