Leveling Up
Innovative designs take these standout styles from New Balance, Altra, Vasque and Adidas Terrex to new heights.
Leveling Up
Innovative designs take these standout styles from New Balance, Altra, Vasque and Adidas Terrex to new heights.
New Balance: The latest iteration in the brand’s Fresh Foam X family of performance running shoes, the Fresh Foam X 1080v13 ($165) ups the ante with a focus on super-soft cushioning, elevated comfort, and an improved fit. A new outsole design is built to increase forefoot stiffness, while an enhanced rocker is designed to improve transitions between strides. The upper utilizes a new engineered mesh with reflective details and a structured fit, making it a good choice for performance or all-day wear.
Adidas Terrex: Coming to retail in Spring 2024, the Agravic Speed Ultra is a trail shoe with dynamic rocker geometry designed for forefoot running. The $200+ shoe, made for and with elite trail runners, is built to provide runners with speed across ultra-distance races. It has a LIGHTSTRIKE PRO midsole for cushioning, plus energy return. Integrated Energy Rods provide lightweight stiffness for a dynamic stride designed for ultra-distances. A gusseted tongue provides mid-foot support and seamless over-lays provide abrasion resistance and protection. A Continental Rubber outsole offers traction in wet and dry conditions.
Altra: The new AltraFWD Experience road shoe is Altra’s first low-drop style, offering a new running experience and category for the brand known for its zero-drop designs. The $140 style launches as a continuation of the brand’s “natural motion” mission, while expanding its line to create shoes “that work for more and more runners,” according to Altra co-founder Brian Beckstead. It has a 4mm low drop (difference in height between the heel and forefoot) — the neutral stack heights are 32-28mm men’s and 30-26mm women’s. The design focuses on offering a run with “effortless feel and natural propulsion.”
Vasque: With the launch of the Re:connect Collection, Vasque focuses on lightweight, versatile styles that blur the line between outdoor performance and outdoor lifestyle. The debut product in the line is called the Here — made with lightweight, sustainable materials and designed to maximize comfort. Featuring a recycled polyester upper mesh and built on an anatomical last, the Here is available in low ($130) and mid ($150) silhouettes and has aggressive Xlite outsole lugs for multi-directional traction and has an athletic vibe with a “town to trail” aesthetic.
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