Running Reviews

Blister Brand Guide: Merrell Running Shoe Lineup, 2022

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Over their 40-year history making hiking boots, Merrell has learned a thing or two about crafting footwear for trails, much to the benefit of their running shoe line. Sturdy, hard wearing, and protective, many of Merrell’s models fall back on the design principles that brought the brand so much early success, and continue to do so today. Check out our Brand Guide to get the rundown on all of their 2022 trail running shoes.

Petzl Iko Core

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Trail running can be a turbulent sport, and traditional headlamps that rely on elastic bands often fail to provide a secure enough fit to stay in place over the course of an outing. With the Iko Core, a reimagined headlamp that uses rubberized plastic to form a semi-rigid frame designed to rest comfortably on top of the head, Petzl offers a versatile, ergonomic, and powerful lighting option specifically for runners.

Blister Brand Guide: Scott Running Shoe Lineup, 2022

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Scott has quietly been making a wide range of performance footwear for both roads and trails since 2006, when they contracted a research and development lab in Portland, Oregon to help them design a lineup of shoes to meet the diverse demands of their athletes. Now over 15 years old, Scott’s trail and road running lines continue to offer innovative options for all sorts of runners. Check out our Brand Guide to learn more.

Blister Brand Guide: Craft Running Shoe Lineup, 2022

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Craft is perhaps better known for making moisture-wicking technical layers than shoes, but since breaking into the footwear space a few years ago, they’ve already turned out an impressive lineup of innovative shoes for roads, trails, and everything in between. Check out our 2022 Brand Guide to see what’s new from Craft this year and which of their models might make the most sense for you.

Altra Vanish Carbon

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It was only a matter of time until Altra made the jump into the ever-competitive “super shoe” category. With the Vanish Carbon, their first road model to feature a performance plate, the brand attempts to marry new technology with their signature “FootShape Fit” and “ZeroDrop” geometry to produce a stable, race-ready shoe for the marathon. Check out our full review to see whether or not we think Altra succeeded.

Blister Brand Guide: Altra Running Shoe Lineup, 2022

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While all Altra shoes share their signature zero-drop platform and "FootShape" fit, there’s still a ton of variation within both their road and trail lineups, including several new models for 2022. Check out our Brand Guide for a full breakdown of what sets each shoe apart from the others, and which ones best match your running style.

Blister Brand Guide: Scarpa Trail Running Shoe Lineup, 2022

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Scarpa, often known for their mountaineering and skiing equipment, has turned out numerous trail running shoes over the past few years. In 2022, they’ve expanded their tidy lineup to include niche options for technical terrain, racing, road-to-trail, and more. Check out our Brand Guide to get the rundown on all of the different models from Scarpa this year.

Inov-8 Parkclaw G 280

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Road-to-trail shoes are becoming an increasingly popular option for runners who might not have immediate access to trails from their front door. Asking a shoe to feel smooth on pavement and grip on dirt is a tall order, but after testing Inov-8’s Parkclaw G 280, we think it’s up to the task. Check out our full review for the whole story.

Blister Brand Guide: The North Face Trail Running Shoe Lineup, 2022

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While trail running shoes are not new to The North Face, the brand recently gave their lineup a complete overhaul to showcase “VECTIV,” the patented technology system driving their footwear design process. Check out our Brand Guide to learn more about VECTIV, how it’s expressed in each of The North Face’s shoes, and which one might make the most sense for how and where you run.

La Sportiva Karacal

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La Sportiva is synonymous with hardwearing shoes for running in difficult, mountainous terrain. However, the brand has lately focused on making more accessible models for runners who prioritize comfort over technical performance. With the Karacal, we think they’ve mostly succeeded in meeting that demand.

Under Armour Charged Bandit Trail 2

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Most people don’t associate Under Armour with trail running — but the brand’s new do-everything shoe, the Charged Bandit Trail 2, just might change that. The latest model from UA was designed with accessibility for novice runners in mind, and to that effect, we think the Charged Bandit Trail 2 could be a pretty competent option for a lot of people — not just those venturing off-road for the first time.

Altra Timp 4

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Altra could have easily gotten away with making a few minor tweaks when updating their high-cushioned Timp; instead, the brand completely reengineered the Timp 4 from the ground up. Check out our review to see what we think of all the new changes.
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