Gordon Gianniny 
Hoka’s shoe lineup is now more diverse than ever: they still make plenty of maximal, high-cushion shoes, but they also offer a lot of more minimal options for both roads and trails, as well many casual variations designed to bring the brand’s comfy, plush ride to everyday shoes. Check out our Brand Guide for a rundown on their entire 2020 lineup.
Interested in Altra’s road or trail shoes but not sure where to start? Check out our Brand Guide, where we cover their entire 2020 lineup, highlight what’s changed since last year, and help you differentiate between all of their shoes.
The original La Sportiva Lycan was designed to be a softer, wider, and more cushioned shoe for mellow, smooth trails. But with the new Lycan II, they went in a very different direction, positioning it as a mid-distance shoe for “rocky and highly technical terrain.” So how do the two versions compare, and why should you opt for the Lycan II over Sportiva’s numerous other “mountain running” shoes?
La Sportiva has become known for making rugged, stable shoes for running in mountainous terrain. But with their new Jackal, they’re targeting runners who want all-day comfort for longer outings, and we think they’ve done a good job of accomplishing that goal.
Salomon recently added even more new models to their 2020 running lineup. Check out our Brand Guide to learn more about the new additions and where they slot into the rest of the brand’s collection.
We’ve been running in several of Swiftwick’s socks, including a few new options that they just released today. Check out our roundup to see how the numerous models in their lineup compare.
Most brands now make at least one mud-oriented shoe for very technical terrain, and most of them are very niche. However, Hoka’s aptly named EVO Jawz has proven to be surprisingly versatile, and seems particularly appealing to those looking for maximum grip and stability — even on longer runs.
Altra made several significant updates to their high-cushion Timp and we think that, for many people, the new Timp 2.0 is a better shoe in most regards. Check out our review to see how this versatile, cushioned shoe compares to the previous Timp 1.5 and several other shoes on the market.
The Nathan VaporKrar 2.0 4L Race Vest is a part of a crowded category of running vests targeted at shorter, self-supported runs and we’ve spent 100 miles comparing it to some of its competition. Check out our review to see how it compares.
The Salomon S/Lab Sense 8 is an example of a product that’s designed to do a pretty specific thing, and that does that exceptionally well. But what about using it outside of racing and fast runs? Check out our review.
Every year we get more and more running short options, from those that could replace your hydration vest to ultra minimal pairs. We’ve rounded up 8 men’s & women’s options that we’ve been using and detail what sets each apart from the others.
The Salomon Sense 4 /Pro is basically the less racing-oriented, more cushioned version of their high-end S/Lab Sense 8, and we’ve been running in both to see how they compare, who’d be better off in each particular shoe, and how the Sense 4 /Pro compares to several other moderate-cushion trail shoes.
Sportiva has made some updates to their running shoe lineup for 2020, and you can check out our Brand Guide to see what’s new, what’s gone, and which shoes would make the most sense for you.
If you’re someone who’s strayed away from maximal trail shoes because they’re often too heavy or bulky — or you’re just looking for a lighter, well-cushioned shoe — the Hoka EVO Speedgoat should be on your radar. Check out our full review.
The Terra Kiger is Nike’s take on a low-stack-height, fast trail shoe, and we’ve now put over 200 miles in it. Check out our review to see how it compares to the competition.
The Hoka Rincon packs a lot of cushion into an exceptionally lightweight package, making it an appealing option for long days on the road. But is this some specialty shoe, or does it work well even if you’re not focused on low weight & max cushion? Check out our full review.
Designed with Rob Krar’s input, the Nathan VaporKrar 2.0 12L Race Vest aims to provide enough storage capacity for long runs & races while still being durable, lightweight, & stable. Check out our review to see how well it’s lived up to those claims.
The La Sportiva Bushido II is designed for fast running on the most technical of terrain, but it’s also supposed to be more versatile and comfortable than the previous iteration. So … is it? Check out our full review.
La Sportiva has made a name for themselves by making shoes specifically designed for technical, mountainous terrain. But their Lycan looks to fill a void in their lineup — a softer, wider, and more comfortable option for moderate terrain and longer distances. Check out our full review.
When we reviewed the original Altra Timp, we found it to be a unique shoe in the more heavily cushioned category. With all the updates made to the Timp 1.5, is that still the case? Check out our review.