REVIEWER: GILES PENFOLD THE JACK(AL) OF ALL TRADES REMEMBER WHEN MARTY FROM BACK TO THE FUTURE II WAS STOKED AS HIS SELF-TYING SHOES WRAPPED ABOUT HIS FEEL? I felt the same when I first unboxed a pair of the Jackall II BOA’s, twisting my fingers to tighten the dials on their new lacing system. The La Sportiva Jackal II BOA is a new addition to the range, adding panache(!) and exciting new…
REVIEWER: GILES PENFOLD THE ENDURIS 3 ENDURES THE TEST OF TIME IN NEED OF AN EVERYDAY TRAINER THAT GETS THE JOB DONE JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE? Meet the new Vector Enduris 3. Hot off the press, this shoe is part of The North Face’s latest line-up, a star studded bunch that was tested at UTMB by top athletes and amateurs alike. I haven’t experienced their shoes until now, but given the brand is…
REVIEWER: KATE DZIENIS IMAGE: SUZANNE POLI VERDICT ON THE VECTIV DID SOMEONE SAY CARBON PLATES IN A RACING TRAIL SHOE? Well, yes. Road shoes have utilised carbon-fibre plate technology for a while now, and The North Face was one of, if not the first, brand to put the same tech into a trail shoe – the Flight VECTIV. Taking a brand new pair out of their box, the Brilliant Coral/TNF White…
REVIEWER: KATE DZIENIS IMAGE: SUZANNE POLI TO INFINITY…AND BEYOND! INFINITE [in-fuh-nit]: ADJECTIVE, MEANING ‘IMMEASURABLE OR EXCEEDINGLY GREAT: UNLIMITED OR ENDLESS.’ Well known Italian brand Scarpa, infamous for their high quality ski mountaineering, hiking and outdoor equipment, launched just recently its first range of trail running shoe in Australia. With three ‘ranges’ of shoe for trail runners now available (Spin Ultra and Infinity, Ribelle Run and Golden Gate), I was given the…
REVIEWER: ABDUL-RAOUF MOHAMED-ISA IMAGE: SUZANNE POLI Shoe Review: La Sportiva Akasha II CREATED WITH A FOCUS ON ENDURANCE, the La Sportiva Akasha II fits snug, but not too tightly around the forefoot. It’s a high cushioned shoe built specifically for longer runs on technical terrain, with its aggressive tread providing great traction and its ability to work at its best in wet and muddy conditions. In saying that, I found them…
REVIEWER: KATE DZIENIS AS IMPRESSIVE AS MONT BLANC ITSELF PREMIUM PREMIUM PREMIUM. The newest member of the Altra family, the Mont Blanc, has literally sold out everywhere with demand outrunning supply. But don’t worry. Altra has heard the call and is returning this month in August with plenty of new sets available. And just why has it been such a success? Well, I’ll tell you one thing. The Mont Blanc shoe is…
REVIEWER: KATE DZIENIS SO I HEAR FROM HARDCORE ALTRA USERS that once you go Altra, you never ever go back. And quite frankly, after putting on a pair of these babies in the form of Lone Peak 6, I can absolutely understand and attest to the fandom that comes with having them. Firstly, I’m just going to say that the zero drop on these is unbelievable. For someone who usually runs in…
REVIEWER: KATE DZIENIS THE BROOKS CASCADIA SHOE HAS BEEN AROUND FOR SOME TIME NOW, and the newest version, the Cascadia 16, has gone through several changes and updates that make it more durable and stable than its predecessors. Known throughout its lineage for adventure versatility, Brooks have increased the stack height by 2mm in the Cascadia 16 to accommodate the new foamy midsole which features DNA Loft v2 technology for a more plush feel…
REVIEWER: KATE DZIENIS FOR ANYONE WANTING A SUPER CUSHY RIDE along the trails, the VECTIV Enduris by The North Face will be your go-to shoe in amongst your collection of runners piling up in your closet. Personally, my trail shoes were long overdue for replacement, so when I laced up this plush pair of marshmallows to my feet, I felt like I had a spring in my step before I even got out…
REVIEWER: KARL FORCEY Ultra cushioned, ultra comfortable, ultra versatile. So says the marketing tag from Swiss company On Running about their new max-cushioned, long-day-out trail shoe, the Cloudultra. Sounds promising, right? I thought so, too, and was happy to give these a trial. Do they deliver? Let’s find out. All shoes from On Running have one thing in common: the distinctive Cloudtec sole. This gives the shoes not only a unique appearance, but…
