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Speedland has made an outstanding trail shoe in the SL:PDX. Between the secure fit, responsive midsole and strong traction, there’s virtually nothing holding you back from running fast on all kinds of terrain, and there are enough comfort elements to keep you rolling during ultra-distance outings. If you have enough disposable income and share the company’s “no compromises” approach to your training and racing, this shoe is certainly capable of helping you accomplish those objectives.
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New to the La Sportiva lineup this year, the Cyklon is a dedicated mountain running shoe that represents years of collaboration between La Sportiva and the BOA company. The Cyklon is an excellent choice for traversing steep terrain, and the BOA lacing system provides a secure fit on technical surfaces.
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The primary change to the Mafate Speed 3 is the upper, which replaces the previous monomesh material with a recycled polyester mesh. This is in line with HOKA’s ongoing sustainability initiatives and thus far, we have been pleasantly surprised at how well the uppers have held up after about 300 miles of testing, including some thick bushwhacking adventures.
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UltrAspire is a pioneer in waist-mounted lighting systems, which are becoming more ubiquitous during 100-mile and multi-day events. We’ve been impressed with the Lumen 800 Ultra 2.0 in our testing. The bright lumen output and wide angle lens illuminates the trail clearly with minimal bouncing, and the 3D lighting technology creates shadows behind objects and provides a depth to your surroundings.
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A longstanding name in footwear, Saucony also has an apparel line with new options for summer running. A key component across Saucony’s entire apparel line is the predominant use of sustainable materials. All of the pieces we tested feature a high percentage of recycled materials in their construction.
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The Pace 2 from USWE has a lightweight, minimalist design that allows runners access to their essentials while maintaining a low-profile, bounce-free experience. With thoughtful design for access, the Pace 2 puts almost everything up front. The Pace 2 is a solid choice for training days where less gear is needed, and for those looking for a lightweight, minimalist option come race day.