Merrell Agility Peak 5
Pros
- Easily handles tough trails
- Performs well on both downhills and uphills
- Extremely durable upper with numerous TPU reinforcements
- Suitable for year-round use
- Loads of recycled, eco-friendly stuff
- Wonderful for heel strikers
- Excellent all-terrain shoe
Cons
- Grips worse than expected
- Actual drop deviates significantly from what's stated
- Feels flat underfoot
- Narrow toebox
Key Features
- Upper Material: The sneakers boast a durable textile and synthetic upper that offers breathability and support.
- Comfort: Equipped with a textile lining and a removable textile insole, these shoes ensure your feet stay fresh and comfortable throughout the day.
- Design: The round toe and lace closure provide a secure fit, while the padded collar adds extra comfort.
- Midsole: The FloatPro Foam midsole delivers a lightweight ride that maintains energy return over long distances.
- Traction: Featuring Vibram MegaGrip technology, the outsole provides excellent traction and durability on both wet and dry surfaces.
Specifications
- Origin: Imported
- Sole Material: Rubber
- Outer Material: Synthetic
- Inner Material: Textile
The Merrell Agility Peak 5 is an ideal stability shoe for Spartan races, providing reliable grip and controlled movements through its Vibram outsole and rigid construction. This footwear offers the support and comfort essential for navigating obstacle courses effectively.
Designed for safety, the shoe's strong foothold allows for unrestricted movement. It demonstrates resistance to lateral shifts, maintaining a centered position inside the shoe, as evidenced by its high ratings of 5/5 for torsional rigidity and 4/5 for heel counter stiffness.
The grippy Vibram Megagrip outsole enhances outdoor performance with deep 4.5 mm rubber lugs that provide traction on slick surfaces. This feature enables users to climb walls and traverse muddy terrain with confidence.
Impact protection is offered by the thick 39.2 mm heel, while the moderate 25.8 mm forefoot height ensures adequate ground feel for agility. Testing revealed a high 125 SA rating in shock absorption, indicating effective joint protection during strenuous activities.
However, it is important to note that the Agility Peak 5 received a score of 3/5 for breathability, indicating limited ventilation, which may not be suitable for tropical weather conditions.
ASICS Gel Excite Trail 2
Pros
- Low price
- Ideal for heel strikers
- Generously cushioned midsole
- Versatile choice for hiking and running
- Everyday plush comfort
- Excellent for beginners
- All-season design
- Reasonable weight
Cons
- Not for moderate or technical trails
- Limited outsole coverage
- Durability concerns
- Not the best for forefoot strikers
Key Features
- Durable and breathable no-sew mesh upper: This feature ensures that your feet remain comfortable and well-ventilated during your outdoor activities.
- AMPLIFOAM PLUS cushioning: Enhances durability and provides a flexible feel at footstrike, making each step more comfortable.
- Rearfoot GEL technology: Improves impact absorption, creating a softer feel as your foot strikes the ground.
- OrthoLite sockliner: Offers soft step-in comfort, adding to the overall plushness of the shoe.
- Trail-specific outsole: Features a lugged traction pattern that increases grip on off-road surfaces, essential for stability and safety.
Specifications
- Origin: Imported
- Sole material: Rubber
- Outer material: Polyester
- Closure type: Pull-On
The Gel Excite Trail 2 is a noteworthy option for runners seeking a balance of cushioning, comfort, and affordability. It is best suited for individuals who prioritize budget-friendly choices over extreme durability in their footwear.
Our tests revealed significant drawbacks, including limited durability and inadequate outsole coverage, which may impede performance on demanding trails. While these factors may be substantial for some users, the shoe remains an appealing choice for those with minimal durability concerns.
Salomon Speedcross 6
Pros
- Ideal for heel strikers
- Impressive durability
- Quick mud shedding ability
- Lightest Speedcross yet
- Secure lockdown with QuickLace system
- Enhanced ground feel in the forefoot
- Agile and responsive in fast corners
Cons
- Midsole feels like concrete
- Extremely poor breathability
- Not suitable for midfoot and forefoot strikers
- Low energy return
Key Features
- Unparalleled grip: The outsole is designed for superior traction, making it ideal for slippery or uneven surfaces.
- Comfortable fit: The Speedcross 6 provides a precise fit that adapts well to your foot shape, enhancing stability.
- Lightweight construction: This model is designed to be lighter than previous versions, allowing for greater agility during your runs.
- Revamped upper: The new upper design not only looks striking but also adds to the shoe's functionality.
- Fast mud evacuation: Enhanced drainage capabilities ensure that water and mud do not weigh you down.
Specifications
- Origin: Imported
- Sole material: Polyurethane
- Outer material: Polyester
- Closure type: Bungee
The Speedcross 6 is a suitable choice for hikers seeking a lightweight and agile shoe. It demonstrates significant performance in handling muddy tracks and dirt trails, thanks to its flexible yet stable platform and robust lugs.
Weighing only 10.4 oz (296g), it is 22.1% below the average weight of hiking shoes, making it light enough for running as well. Laboratory tests indicate that it is 13.0% more flexible than average, enhancing comfort on longer excursions and allowing for quick adaptations to unpredictable trails.
Equipped with the reliable Contagrip outsole, which we measured at 93.9 HC on the durometer, it provides exceptional grip on slick and soft surfaces. The 5.8 mm deep, aggressively spaced lugs ensure notable traction and control across various terrains.
The firm midsole contributes to stability and ground sensitivity, evidenced by its low shock absorption rating of 96 SA. Additionally, the curved insole design offers support by allowing the foot to sit inside rather than balance on top.
However, these shoes may not be ideal for summer use due to limited breathability, making them more comfortable in cooler weather conditions.
Altra Lone Peak 9
Pros
- True zero-drop geometry
- Extra-roomy, foot-shaped toebox
- Vibram option finally available
- Improved forefoot stability
- Flat-profile, natural ride
- Secure lacing system
- Still a low-stack shoe!
- Standard and wide versions
- Good durability
Cons
- Feels really heavy for its size
- Stiffer than previous versions
- Lacks airflow
- Having two outsole versions adds confusion
Key Features
- Comfortable Fit: Signature Altra Balanced Cushioning and FootShape toe boxes allow your toes to spread naturally, promoting a more comfortable run.
- Low-Impact Landings: The balanced cushioning platform places your heel and forefoot at the same distance from the ground, encouraging a low-impact landing that can help prevent injuries.
- Weather Resistance: Equipped with a weather-resistant eVent bootie, the Lone Peak 9 keeps your feet dry even in wet conditions, making it ideal for unpredictable trails.
Specifications
- Origin: Imported
- Sole Material: Rubber
- Outer Material: Mesh
- Inner Material: Mesh
The Altra Lone Peak 9 is designed for athletes seeking a reliable zero-drop experience during Spartan races. It offers a grounded and stable sensation, enabling intuitive maneuvering for various exercises, including obstacle climbing and burpees. With ample room for toe splay, it supports natural movement.
This model features a low and firm cushioning system that enhances surface sensitivity, resulting in secure and stable strides. Lab measurements confirm a true zero heel drop, significantly lower than the average of 7.5 mm, along with a balanced 23.6 HA foam measurement, which improves control during multi-directional movements by minimizing uneven compression.
With its wide toebox, the Lone Peak 9 allows freedom of movement, making it suitable for a variety of activities such as lunges and weightlifting. Its square-shaped silhouette provides additional comfort, supported by lab tests showing the big toe area measures an impressive 85.3 mm. This design accommodates natural foot dynamics well.
Users can expect reliable traction from the LP9+ version on both dry and wet surfaces. During testing, we experienced increased confidence while navigating arenas and climbing walls, aided by sticky lugs measuring 3.8 mm deep, strategically positioned to enhance grip.
However, it is important to note that this version is stiffer compared to previous iterations, which may detract from the barefoot feel some users prefer. Athletes who prioritize flexible midsoles might want to consider other options.