Nike Ultrafly
Pros
- Optimized for trail races
- Accommodates wide feet with ease
- Full-length, responsive Pebax midsole
- Equipped with a Vibram Megagrip outsole
- Ideal for heel strikers
- Offers outstanding comfort
- Remarkably stable
- Suitable for 100-mile races
Cons
- The Vaporweave upper could be more durable and breathable
- Heavier than expected even for a trail racing shoe
- The $260 price tag might be steep for some
- Limited toebox height
Key Features
- Men to Women Sizing: The sizing is well thought out, with Men Size 8 equating to 9.5 for women, making it versatile for different users.
- Durable Construction: Made with high-quality Nike materials ensuring longevity even in challenging outdoor conditions.
- Rubber Sole: Provides excellent grip and traction, essential for trail running across various surfaces.
- Lace-Up Closure: Allows for a customizable fit to ensure comfort during long runs or hikes.
Specifications
- Origin: Imported
- Sole Material: Rubber
- Outer Material: Nike Materials
- Closure Type: Lace-Up
After extensive testing both in the lab and on the trails, we have determined that Nike’s Ultrafly is best suited for serious trail runners seeking speed and stability. This shoe delivers a cushioned ride while providing a Vaporfly-like experience tailored for off-road conditions. Its notable energy return and supportive platform ensure comfort throughout any distance.
The performance of Ultrafly is driven by its significant stiffness, featuring a full-length carbon plate that is 38.7% stiffer than average according to our bend test. This design facilitates energetic toe-offs and responsive movements. The shoe's impressive 36.6 mm heel height, combined with a plush feel, enhances overall comfort during long runs.
Our durometer testing of the Pebax foam shows an exceptionally low reading of 9.8 HA, indicating it is 62.7% softer than average. Despite its substantial stack height, Ultrafly maintains a stable ride through its rigidity and wide base, which provides solid traction for navigating easy to moderate trails. The sticky lugs measure 3.0 mm deep, ensuring safety and control across various terrains.
However, the steep price of $260 may deter some buyers, especially considering the average trail runner costs around $137.
Saucony Xodus Ultra 4
Pros
- Amazing bounce from PWRRUN PB foam
- First Xodus Ultra with a Vibram outsole
- Stable platform underfoot
- Premium PWRRUN+ insole
- Works well for hiking too
- Full-length outsole coverage
- Excellent for ultras
- Fantastic traction on easy terrain
Cons
- Weight is becoming a real problem
- Tapered toebox fit
- Small price increase
- Weak heel padding durability
Key Features
- Max Cushioning: Features PWRRUN PB foam, providing a soft and bouncy feel underfoot for enhanced comfort.
- Durability: The chassis made from responsive PWRRUN ensures long-lasting performance and protection.
- Traction: Equipped with a full coverage Vibram Mega-Grip outsole, this shoe offers reliable traction on various surfaces.
- Protection: The high-strength engineered mesh protects against dirt and debris while remaining lightweight in high-abrasion areas.
- Gaiter Compatibility: Includes a D-Ring that allows for easy attachment of gaiters, enhancing your running experience in challenging environments.
Specifications
- Origin: Imported
- Sole Material: Rubber
- Outer Material: Mesh
- Closure Type: Lace-Up
The Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 is designed for trail runners seeking a reliable and cushioned experience during off-road adventures. It offers significant ground-muting cushioning combined with an energy boost, making long distances feel less strenuous. With a wide base and the dependable Vibram Megagrip rubber outsole, it provides enhanced control and stability on various terrains.
The midsole of the Xodus Ultra 4 measures 37.6/31.1 mm, making it suitable for endurance runs. It features plush PWRRUN PB foam, which contributes to excellent shock absorption, with both the heel and forefoot scoring 127 SA. The shoe also exhibits impressive energy return, achieving a rebound of 64.9% in the heel and 72.4% in the forefoot.
To ensure stability, the midsole width is 116.7/97.3 mm, facilitating secure strides. The Vibram Megagrip rubber provides solid traction, evidenced by a score of 0.72 in wet conditions, signifying a grip that is 20.0% stronger than average. However, it is advisable to wear reflective elements when running in low-light situations, as the Xodus Ultra 4 lacks built-in reflective features.
Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra
Pros
- Premium Continental rubber
- Explosive energy return
- Breathable race-ready upper
- Propulsive EnergyRods and rocker combo
- Perfect for midfoot strikers
- Explosive toe-off with extreme rocker
- Built to conquer ultra distances
- Excellent implementation of Lightstrike Pro
- Durable materials
- Excellent laces
Cons
- Unstable on technical terrain
- Heel collar design needs improvements
- Not a good pick for rearfoot strikers
- Not for wide feet
Key Features
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Speed and Sustainability: Made with a minimum of 20% recycled and renewable content.
Exceptional Traction: Equipped with Continental rubber outsoles for superior grip.
Comfortable Fit: Designed with a gusseted tongue to enhance the snug fit and prevent debris from entering the shoe.
Cushioned Support: Lightstrike Pro midsoles with Energy Rods for added responsiveness during runs.
Specifications
-
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
Sole material: Rubber
Outer material: Rubber
Closure type: Lace-Up
The Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra is designed for runners seeking speed and long-distance comfort, particularly among zero-drop running shoes. Its lightweight construction and Lightstrike Pro midsole provide a cushioned and energetic running experience.
Weighing just 9.2 oz (259g), this shoe feels almost weightless while running. Its responsive midsole achieved remarkable energy return scores of 66.8% (heel) and 70.5% (forefoot) in our tests.
With a minimal 0.3 mm drop, the Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra offers a true zero-drop experience. It features a stack height of 30.6/30.3 mm, making it suitable for multi-hour runs, especially with a midfoot height of 38.0 mm due to its rocker design. Additionally, the forefoot recorded a shock absorption score of 127 SA, which translates to a landing impact reduction of 30.9% compared to average performance.
This shoe provides a forgiving ride that flexes easily with the foot, requiring only 15.3N to achieve 30 degrees, which is significantly lower than other models.
However, those needing additional space for toe splaying may find the toebox narrower than preferred, measuring 5.6% less than average.
Topo Ultraventure 4
Pros
- Extra-roomy toebox
- Hardwearing Vibram outsole
- More flexible and comfortable than version 3
- Ideal for midfoot strikers
- Can handle ultra races
- Plush tongue improves comfort
- Excellent stability in the forefoot area
- Good lockdown with no tongue movement
Cons
- Not for narrow-footed runners
- Midsole lacks energy return
- No reflective elements
- Unstable heel
Key Features
- Optimal Cushioning and Comfort: Designed with a 35 x 30 mm platform, featuring a ZipFoam midsole for a responsive ride.
- Enhanced Durability: Features a recycled mesh upper combined with strategically placed PU prints for added structure and protection.
- Superior Traction: Equipped with the Vibram XS Trek EVO outsole that provides exceptional multi-surface traction.
- Lightweight Yet Robust: Weighs just 10.4 oz (295 g for M9), ensuring ease of movement without sacrificing durability.
- Thoughtful Specifications: A total stack height of 35 mm x 30 mm and a 5 mm drop promote natural foot movement and stability.
Specifications
- Origin: Imported
- Sole Material: Rubber
- Outer Material: Polyester
- Inner Material: Polyester
The Topo Ultraventure 4 is designed for runners seeking lasting comfort, particularly those with broader or swollen feet. In our lab tests, we observed that its high shock-absorbing stack, flexible midsole, and foot-shaped design provide significant comfort. This model features a notably wide toebox, measuring 80.0 mm in width and 29.7 mm in height, making it ideal for preventing cramped toes and blisters over long distances.
We recorded a stack height of 35.1/28.5 mm, which exceeds lab averages, contributing to an exceptionally cushioned experience. The shoe's high shock absorption scores—129 SA at the heel and 107 SA at the forefoot—ensure a protective ride crucial for ultra-running. This level of cushioning is highly valued by athletes during extended runs.
The midsole exhibits flexibility, moving comfortably with the foot while offering minimal resistance, achieving a verified 7.1% increase in adaptability compared to similar models. However, the shoe has a moderate drop of 6.6 mm, which may not be suitable for heel strikers; they might prefer shoes with a steeper drop that better accommodates their biomechanics. Additionally, the narrow 87.8 mm heel indicates this shoe is not intended for rear strikers.
ASICS Trabuco Max 4
Pros
- Huge forefoot cushioning
- Full-length ASICSGRIP rubber
- Extremely stable despite its height
- Can handle any distance
- Handy tongue loop keeps laces quiet
- Well-padded, comfortable tongue
- Rockered shape for easy transitions
- Ideal for flat, easy trails
Cons
- Not ideal for heel strikers
- Questionable outsole durability
- Heavy build
- Tapered toebox
Key Features
- Engineered mesh upper: Provides breathability and comfort during long runs.
- FF BLAST PLUS ECO cushioning: Made with approximately 24% bio-based content, offering cloud-like comfort underfoot.
- GUIDESOLE technology: Facilitates an easy forward roll, enabling energy savings while running.
- ASICSGRIP outsole rubber: Enhances grip on off-road surfaces for improved stability and safety.
Specifications
- Origin: Imported
- Sole material: Rubber
- Outer material: Synthetic Fiber
- Inner material: Polyester
The ASICS Trabuco Max 4 is designed for ultra runners seeking plush comfort and controlled footing. This shoe offers notable cushioning, stability, and a reliable outsole suitable for various terrains. Lab results confirm its exceptional traction, making it a standout option in the ultra-running category.
In our traction test, the ASICSGRIP rubber achieved an impressive score of 0.81, which is 35.0% grippier than the average. The shoe features 3.1 mm lugs, ideal for smoother trails and ultra settings, while the M-shaped and chevron-shaped lugs provide effective grip on more technical sections.
The Trabuco Max 4 utilizes FF Blast+ foam, offering significant cushioning and protection. With a stack height of 39.3/33.2 mm, it provides minimal ground feel, complemented by strong shock absorption scores of 125/127 SA that reduce landing impact.
To enhance balance between height and softness, the shoe incorporates tall sidewalls and a structured midsole. Its torsional rigidity score of 5/5 ensures excellent stability, making ankle twists virtually impossible.
However, the emphasis on cushioning and support may reduce agility. Weighing in at 11.0 oz (312g), the Trabuco Max 4 can feel bulky during faster efforts, impacting overall speed.