The Hoka EVO Mafate is a max cushion trail shoe with 34mm of cushion in the heel and 30mm of cushion in the forefoot. Although the midsole is plush, it maintains impressive stability and responsiveness on tough trails. For the outsole of the EVO Mafate, Hoka combines Vibram MegaGrip with a thoughtful lug pattern that will handle any trail conditions you’re likely to encounter.
The Altra Lone Peak 4.0 is a well cushioned zero-drop trail shoe that’s well suited for long days on the trail. For v4 of the Lone Peak, Altra has really secured the fit of the heel and midfoot. The toebox keeps the wide anatomical fit of all Altra shoes. The Lone Peak 4.0 also has a newly designed outsole with a stickier and more durable MaxTrac compound.
In this gift guide I’ve put together a list of items that every trail runner is sure to enjoy. It doesn’t matter if they’re a beginner or pro, training for a 5k or a 100 miler, some new gear for the holiday season is sure to make those early morning training runs a little more enjoyable.
See the new shoes hitting the market in 2019 from Adidas Outdoor, Merrell, Vasque, Danner, and Five Ten. From technical trail runners to burly hiking shoes, there is a lot to be excited about for next year.
Salomon, La Sportiva, Altra, and Mammut are all releasing exciting new trail shoes for 2019. The well known and loved Speedcross, Bushido, and Superior are getting updates, and a few brand new models will be making their debut.
Hoka One One is probably the fastest growing company in the light hiking and trail running world at the moment. Hoka started a few years ago with max cushioned shoes and took the industry by storm. For those already familiar with Hoka’s trail lineup, you’ll be excited to see refinements to the Speedgoat, Mafate Evo, and Challenger lineup. New for 2019, will be the burly and rugged Arkali.
Today I’m reviewing the Horizon BPF, the newest trail shoe from Under Armour. The BPF is a sub 12oz shoe with a 7mm drop that has a much more comfortable fit than it’s cage looking upper would suggest. ‘BPF’ stands for Bullet Proof Feather, which seems like a very fitting name after putting this shoe to the test over the past few months. I’ve taken the BPF on trails all over California, and will share my experience in this review.
The Arc’teryx Norvan LD is a ‘long distance’ trail shoe built for all day comfort while still providing top-notch technical performance. I’ve been wearing the Norvan LD for hiking, backpacking, and trail running over the past few months and will share my experience in this review.
The Scarpa Spin is a lightweight, low-profile trail shoe with a sock-like fit and an aggressive Vibram Megagrip outsole. The responsive midsole is built on a nimble 4mm drop platform that keeps the feet protected with a high density EVA rock shield. I’ve been wearing the Scarpa Spin for the past few months, and will share my experience in this review.
The Adidas Terrex Two Boa is a nimble 13.3oz (size 12US) trail running shoe with a plush midsole and grippy outsole. The uppers breathe well, and utilize a Boa lacing system that allows for quick and precise adjustments on the fly. The Terrex Two Boa rides like a road shoe, but still has the trail-ready chops for most of my adventures in the mountains.