From the roads to the fells, there’s a great range of new and exciting shoes coming to the market this month
The trend for high-performance cushioning continues and we see highly responsive midsole foams appearing in all categories of shoes.
HOKA – Cielo X1 – £250.00
The latest racing shoe from HOKA takes things to the next level for the brand. The visually striking shoe oozes speed from the moment you pull it on!
The 40mm stack of cushioning combines twin layers of PEBA foam sandwiching a uniquely shaped carbon plate for a positively springy ride.
A softer layer of foam sits directly beneath the foot with the shaped plate providing both a stable and highly propulsive feel. A slightly firmer PEBA foam sits below the plate and creates a steeply angled geometry and forefoot rocker that when on the move provides one of the most propulsive rides we’ve ever experienced.
It’s the best road racing shoe to date from the brand and feels unlike anything they’ve ever produced before.
The Cielo is a little heavier than some of its competitors, but there’s a lot of cushioning here, making it a great marathon distance option. It also feels incredibly stable for such a soft yet responsive shoe meaning we’ve been logging lots of miles in it already. It’s a shoe you’ll want to wear all the time, such is the level of ‘energy-return’ it provides!
HOKA Cielo x 1
ALTRA – Via Olympus 2 – £145.00
There was a time when zero-drop shoes came with a more minimalist level of cushioning and Altra was one of the first brands to dispel this notion. Here, the Via Olympus 2 kicks those ideas into touch with a shoe packed with soft, plush cushioning and a 33mm stack height!
The EGO MAX foam midsole offers a luxurious level of cushioning and with a rocker-shaped geometry, it encourages a smooth transition from foot-strike through to toe-off. While a neutral model, the structure of the midsole and the manner in which it ‘cups’ the foot provide a very good level of support for a stable ride.
The Altra natural fit shape is present and allows plenty of room in the toe box for the feet to naturally splay.
All of this happens while the foot is cosseted in a plush fitting upper that’s probably the nicest we’ve experienced in an Altra to date.
For fans of the brand or those who have been waiting to try it, this model welcomes your feet beautifully.
Altra Via Olympus 2
INOV-8 – Mudtalon Speed – £130.00
A new model…
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