Invisible Shoes: Almost barefoot and fancy free

Running sandals from Adventure Girl's perspective

Invisible Shoe Huaraches

http://www.invisibleshoe.com/

MSRP $19.95 - $44.95

The Emerging Runner

Earlier this year I was contacted by Invisible Shoe to test their brand of running sandals. These shoes are designed in a similar way to the huaraches that are worn by the Tarahumara people in Mexico's Copper Canyon. Being fans of the book Born to Run by Christopher McDougall, Adventure Girl and I thought it would be interesting to try this ultra-minimal running experience.

Since I already run in Saucony Hattori's, I'd expected that I'd do well with this minimal platform. On the other hand, I thought Adventure Girl might find these thin sandals a little lacking when she negotiated the rough Montana wilds that she currently calls home.

Out of the envelope

I chose the model with a 4mm sole and the DIY (do it yourself) option. Since the Hattori's also have a 4mm outsole, I thought I could adapt to the thinner offering without much problem. The DIY process required that I measure my foot and supply that information to Invisible Shoe. In return I received a pair of black rubber forms that were textured for comfort and stability on the top, with a tire-like tread on the bottom.

I needed to locate a spot at the top of the form, where I would punch a hole and thread the lace between my toes. The form had two pre-punched holes near the ankles that were based on my measurements. I followed the instructional video on the Invisible Shoe website and laced up my sandals. The knot at the bottom, below my big toe, presented a problem with comfort but I thought I'd be okay running on grass. I wasn't.

Doing it yourself

The Experience
For the first time ever, I failed to complete a full test of a supplied product. I just couldn't do it. I'll admit that I really don't like sandals and I can't wear flip-flops, so I probably should have anticipated the problems I had. I wrapped the laces around my feet and ankles, per the website instructions, and went out in the yard to try them out.

Almost immediately I knew this wasn't for me. I got why this could be good for some people, but I found the experience painful. I tried three times to run with the sandals, but the feel of the lace between my toes and the knotted end above my forefoot were too much to bear.

Conclusion
I really like the concept and I think Invisible Shoe offers a very interesting product for people who can handle the feel of a sandal. I can't speak to the value proposition because I cannot use the shoes, but they are priced almost half of what you'd pay for a pair of Vibram Five Fingers. Read on for a real sense of the experience.

Adventure Girl

I read Born to Run a little over a year ago and I enjoyed it immensely. However, I wasn't necessarily motivated to pare down my own footwear in reaction to what I read. Several months ago Invisible Shoe approached Runner’s Tech Review about testing their huaraches designed for running. After some pondering about whether this was a good idea, given that the majority of my running occurs on rough, gravel roads, we gave our consent to Invisible Shoe.

A few days later I felt a bit silly standing barefoot on a sheet of 8 ½ by 11 white paper in the company bathroom tracing my foot with a Sharpie in order to produce a template for the Invisible Shoe folks to use in making my huaraches. There are two methods of sandal preparation offered. You can either have your huaraches custom-made and prepared for you ($39.95 - $44.95 a pair) or you can cut and prepare your own huaraches from a DIY kit ($19.95 - $29.95 a pair). The Emerging Runner opted for the latter option and I chose the former, which was why I ended up barefoot on a piece of a paper in the bathroom.

My custom-sized and prepared huaraches arrived via mail in a Tyvek envelope, not many days after we emailed my foot tracing to Invisible Shoe. I chose black laces (what I thought was a classic and discrete choice). To my surprise the sandals arrived pre-tied in the slip-on/slip-off style. True to the style’s name all I had to do was slip them on, wrap the excess lace ends around my ankles, and tie the loose lace end off. Then it was a matter of seeing how they ran!

The Verdict

My skepticism about the comfort of sandals for running was dispelled almost immediately. Running in the huaraches made me realize how much my feet sweat running in traditional socks and sneakers. Especially in the summer months! Having my feet exposed meant for a cooler, overall less sweaty run. Score one for the huaraches.

I've always been fairly weight sensitive when it comes to footwear. If I wear heavy boots on a long hike I usually end up tripping over roots and rocks towards the end of the day. The lightweight nature of the Invisible Shoe huaraches is practically unbeatable. I opted for the 6mm sole because I do a lot of running on rock surfaces. Though there is a lighter weight version (4mm sole), I still felt liberated and swift with the 6mm thickness.

I was initially concerned about the lump that the tied laces present on the underside of the sole between your first and second toes. It was clear that Invisible Shoe took efforts to flatten this knot as much as possible before sending the huaraches my way. When I walked across the linoleum kitchen floor on my way out of the house for the first test run the knot was a noticeable peculiarity. I was pleased then, to find that the knot was not apparent while running, although the Emerging Runner felt it in his pair.

I've been happy enough with the classic tying method that the sandals had in place when delivered to me, so I haven’t tried any of the other tying methods. There are a lot of options, almost all with how-to videos, available on the Invisible Shoe website.

Chafing wasn't a problem for the first half dozen runs. Shortly after that, I did have one lace that rubbed considerably on the top left of my left foot during a short run. This was because I didn't tie the lace securely before beginning my run. On the next run I adjusted the tautness of the lace and the chafing issue disappeared. That said, I wear flip flops a lot in the summer and that may have given me an advantage to adjusting to the huaraches.

Running in the huaraches made me feel light, cool, and unencumbered. I also was surprised at how nice they look. I was tempted to wear them merely walking around town.

The Concerns

As I anticipated, running on gravel in the huaraches can be problematic. The gravel roads I travel have variable size rocks and it’s not uncommon for some of the stones to be greater than an inch in diameter. Stepping on sharp rocks of this size in the huaraches hurts. Knowing this, I have to be diligent in watching my running surface to make sure to avoid the sharp, large rocks. Unfortunately, having to pay this much attention to where I place my feet means that I have less opportunity to look around and appreciate my surroundings. Since taking in the scenery is important to me, this is a drawback that gives me pause. Perhaps my feet will eventually toughen up enough to take on rocks of all sizes, but I have yet to reach that point.

What about winter? Where I live, snow comes early and leaves late. In fact, the high peaks around me were dusted with their first new snow just yesterday (September 16^th). Very soon it’s going to be too cold to run barefoot. So, I anticipate that my Invisible Shoe huaraches will be retired for the cold season along with my tank tops and bathing suits, a duration that is about six months long. [Disclaimer: The flip side of this is that it hardly ever rains in the summer, which means I haven’t had the opportunity to try the sandals in wet conditions. I’m not sure that they would perform especially well.]

I try to run with my lab / chow mix as often as I can. Unfortunately, she occasionally gets distracted looking at a bird, squirrel, or neighbor’s pigs while we run and ends up stepping on my foot. This can be quite painful without the protection of a sneaker’s upper.

I’m having lots of fun with the Invisible Shoe huaraches and I've actually considered buying a pair for several running friends who I think might also enjoy the experience. If you’re a Five Fingers fan, I encourage you to take the next leap and try Invisible Shoe. I think you’ll experience yet another level of freedom and feel. I’m glad that this opportunity came my way because it revitalized my running when I was in a bit of a slump.

Running with the huaraches is fun, liberating, and occasionally, wince inducing (damn gravel!). The price tag is a bit steep if you go the custom-fit route, which I highly recommend over the DIY option, but if you can stomach it, I highly recommend giving them a try.

Here’s hoping next summer I've moved to a place with smooth dirt trails and warm, dry weather. You can guarantee I’ll be wearing the Invisible Shoe huaraches.

This review by Adventure Girl and The Emerging Runner

Coming soon to Runner's Tech Review

A review of the Tarahumara running huaraches from Invisible Shoe.

Saucony Hattori Review: From the streets of NY to the mountains of Alaska

Saucony Hattori's -- Two of many colorful combinations

Saucony Hattori

MSRP $80
Saucony: http://www.saucony.com

After a year of running in lower, flatter shoes (the Saucony Kinvara and then the Mirage) I was ready to go even more minimal. The Hattori is Saucony's most stripped-down shoe, designed for runners who are looking for the least amount of material between their foot and the road (or on the trail). Saucony was good enough to supply pairs of the Hattori to me and my guest reviewer, the Harrier of the Night (HOTN), for testing.

Like most reviews we've done on Runner's Tech Review, both testers conducted independent research and supplied separate viewpoints based on our individual experiences. HOTN and I are different types of runners and our expectations for running shoes also differ.

HOTN is is a college student in Connecticut who was born and raised in Sitka, Alaska. I'm based in New York and do most of my running on the streets and trails of Long Island.  HOTN has just returned to Alaska for the summer and that's where he put his Hattori's to the test.  HOTN competes competitively in marathons, ultramarathons, and mountain running and his preference is to run in the most rustic and nocturnal settings that he can possibly find.

The Emerging Runner

FIRST IMPRESSIONS
I had some idea what to expect from this shoe based on the marketing buzz and some early reviews. When the Hattori's arrived I opened the box and observed (on the Emerging Runner) that: "The Hattori does not look like a running shoe and, if not for its sturdy mid-sole/out-sole, I would take it for a slipper with a very over-the-top design. The shoe fit me snugly and was extremely comfortable on my foot. I then tried it without a sock and it felt great."

I have gotten used to lightweight shoes having run the Kinvaras for a year, but these shoes, even at my size, still weigh in under 5 ounces.

Pool shoes (left), the original minimalist footwear

The thing that I didn't expect from the Hattori was that its simple construction would seem so similar my pool shoes. The uppers fit snugly but they stretched much like the material in a SPIbelt. If I'd had the opportunity to try on these shoes before requesting a size, I would have gone up from my usual 10.5's  to a size 11. I was concerned at first that the tight toe box would constrict my foot movement and cause my toes to blister or my toenails to blacken. Happily, this has never been the case.

To minimize the tight fit, I ended up buying a couple of pairs of Wigwam Ironman Pro socks that are thin and don't have any cushioning in the heel or toe areas. Even with more voluminous running socks, the experience has been reasonably comfortable and blister free. The fit without socks was better but I didn't like the scratchy feel of the counter along my upper Achilles tendon. Thin socks seem to be the best compromise.

FIRST RUN
The Hattori is indeed slipper-like with a narrow collar. It was a slight challenge to get them on my foot the first few times I tried. Once on, the shoes felt like a part of my foot with a zero drop and the low platform that seemed very natural. However, compared with both the Mirage and Kinvara, the Hattori lacked "spring." I think this is because the Hattori activates off the mid-foot and the spring comes from the arch and fore-foot as a kinetic response to toe-off.

Out-soles: after one use (top), after 50 miles (bottom)

The Hattori's provided plenty of proprioception, or road feel, with a thin EVA mid/out-sole that has patches of silicone-like material placed on the the heel and the (medial side) forefoot. Besides my cheapo pool shoes, I'd never run in anything that promoted a mid/front foot landing as well.

Out-sole mostly EVA with three silicone patches

It's a simple thing but my stride naturally adapted to this strike and prevented me from landing on my heel. The downside was the unexpected jolt that comes from landing on a stray piece of gravel.

Unused heel plate

No surface wear after a month's use

Running in the Hattori's felt truly natural from the start and I quickly covered five miles without any calf soreness. After 50 miles in the Hattori's the heel area remains pristine. I'm sure the time I've spent in the Kinvaras has helped strengthen my feet, ankles and lower legs. For those who are still running in higher platformed shoes, I'd recommend trying a shoe like the Kinvara, the Brooks Green Silence or the NB Minimus before moving directly to this model.

The shoes performed well during the NHP 8K

RACING
I knew I could run in the Hattori's for at least five miles without an issue so I elected to wear them during an 8K race. I scored a PR for that distance and found the shoes to be highly responsive. In fact, I ran this race at a pace almost a full minute faster than normal. I'll give the bulk of the credit for my PR to my training but the light weight of the Hattori's definitely provided an advantage in the final minutes as I battled fatigue.

OTHER  OBSERVATIONS
Style is definitely a factor in many people's purchasing decisions but for me it is the least important thing. That's a good thing because the first (of two pairs) that I received from Saucony are kind of garish, with their bright red uppers highlighted with black trim, a white mid-sole and some green elements.

Saucony supplied a second pair that are a more conservative combination of black and green.  I regret requesting the Hattori's in my normal running size because they are very snug. A half size bigger would have fit better with socks. The shoes do seem to be loosening up a little and perhaps that's intentional.

I pulled out my pool shoes to compare to the Hattori's and found many similarities. The pool shoes, with their hard rubber out-soles and waterproof insoles, weigh almost twice as much as the Hattori's. But unlike the Hattori's, the pool shoes lack any engineering to facilitate running motion. Still, with socks to protect my feet from blisters, my $15 pool shoes would be a preferable choice for me over expensive, highly constructed, running shoes with built-up heels.

BOTTOM LINE
The primary question I've asked myself for the last year is "Can I use an ultra-minimal running shoe as a daily trainer?" With the Hattori's, the answer is clearly yes. HOTN's experiences below and the light construction of the Hattori's make me a little concerned about the durability of these shoes. I'll find out over the next 12 months how they hold together and will update that experience on the Emerging Runner. In the meantime, I don't want to run in anything else.

The Harrier of the Night

I'm from Alaska, a fact of which I'm quite proud. It is a state of superlatives: the mountains are big, the trails wild, and the running is rugged. In the two weeks after I received the Saucony Hattoris, I introduced the shoes to Alaska – to the superlative – as best I could. It was a largely amicable encounter, but one from which these shoes may never recover.

FIRST IMPRESSION
When I took the Hattori's out of the box, it was further confirmation that the minimalist-running-shoe craze has metastasized to multiple shoe companies, at least for the immediate future. The Hattoris look sharp with their bright colors. Their non-traditional design seems to really strive for "innovation" – whatever that might mean in shoe world.

When I went online to check the Hattori's sticker price ($80), I was surprised because, to my mind, the material and design of these shoes did not seem to be worth $80. However, I wasn't fully surprised since the diminishing size and complexity of faddish minimalist shoes seems to produce a correspondingly large increase in price. This is akin to how the registration cost of marathons, contrary to all logic, seems to increase with the number of participants and ostensible economy of scale.

HOW THE HATTORI'S PERFORMED
While my parsimonious gripes are just that, I was pleased with how the shoes felt while running. First off, they're comfortable. Really comfortable! As I said, I introduced these shoes to Alaska the best way I could. I went running with them on road and track (of course) but also on both technical and non-technical trails and up and down mountains. I launched kayaks in them and played pick-up basketball. I wore them with socks and without. My feet were happy through it all, with few exceptions.

The Hattori's sole is thin. That's the trade-off with minimalist shoes. With thin soles, come more vulnerable feet. I thought the shoes handled flat technical trail well. If you're placing your feet intelligently, they would never suffer from contusion. When you run down a mountain, there's just too much velocity for these little shoes to handle all the impact that is transmitted to your feet. You have to slow down. But as I understand it, mountain running is a sport largely restricted to Alaska and the Intermountain West, so this is probably a non-issue for most prospective Hattori customers.

HOTN's Hattori's after use

Emerging Runner's Hattori's after the same period

HOW THEY HELD UP
The short answer is not well. After I had taken the Hattori's out five times, the webbing that constitutes the top of the shoes was giving way at the toes. The location of my big toe corresponded to the biggest hole and the holes got smaller correspondent to the size of each smaller toe.

I can't say that this is unexpected. I have a pair of mountain running race shoes (that is, shoes I only wear during races). They're 8 oz. These shoes take a beating during each race and are already falling apart after only five different races over two years. But these Hattori's (4 oz.) are not rigorous mountain or technical-trail shoes. They strike me as road running shoes and their competitor is, without a doubt, Vibram's Five Fingers. Five Fingers don't fall apart after five different outings, and that's a comparative disadvantage for the Hattoris.

Saucony seemed to anticipate the weakness of the webbing. There is a shiny stripe of lamination that strengthens the webbing along its perimeter. There are also some lateral stripes of webbing across the top of the shoe that seem to be there more for design than for function. This webbing is located precisely along the top of the shoe, a region that experiences minimal stress. Interestingly, the higher stress areas, where the toes rub up, into, and through the webbing, are free of lamination and thus, full of holes.

DESIGN
Lamination aside, the design is so-so. I'm a size 9, and shoes fit like a glove...or a good-fitting shoe. This is great for trails because a snug fit commands a podalic dexterity that allows precise foot placement as well as the ability to push off roots, boardwalk, and angled rocks.

As the Emerging Runner notes above, the Hattori's are tricky to get on your foot. You have to finaggle and wiggle them a bit. The shoes lack a tab to allow you to hold fast with your index finger while you slip your heel inside of the webbing. This is a seemingly easy-to-fix shortcoming and I'm surprised Saucony shoe engineers didn't account for it.

The color of the shoes that Saucony supplied is striking. I received a red-themed pair, and when running downhill or in a sprint, I felt like Sonic the Hedgehog with my little red shoes darting in and out of my peripheral vision beneath me.

BOTTOM LINE
I'm a pecuniary shoe cynic. Hattoris aside, most shoes probably cost just a couple dollars to make (in terms of labor and materials).  Yet, with precious few exceptions, these shoes sell at an absurd MSRP. How has this come to be? I have no idea. And so a shoe like Hattori, while great for running, is so simple you may as well just buy generic water shoes for a third of the price. You'll probably reach the same end result (just as you might as well buy wetsuit booties instead of Vibram's Five Fingers).

However, if huge profit margins and the incongruity between price and product doesn't bother you, and you don't mind buying another pair in the somewhat near future, the Hattoris are probably for you. If that were the case for me, I'd count myself as sold, so to speak, on the Hattoris. And that hypothetical aside, I know I'll be happily wearing my current pair until they fall apart entirely.

Summary

What's good:

- Ultra light weight
- Facilitates mid-foot landing
- Comfortable fit and natural feel

What could be improved:

- Durability
- More guidance on fit
- Price
- Collar design to allow easier placement on the foot

This review by the Emerging Runner and the Harrier of the Night

Coming Soon

We'll soon be posting our Saucony Hattori review by The Emerging Runner and the Harrier of the Night where we cover our experiences on both the road and the trails.

Saucony Mirage: A minimalist shoe for everyday running



The Saucony Progrid Mirage (men's)

MSRP $100
Saucony
http://www.saucony.com/

HIGH EXPECTATIONS
I've tried a lot of running shoes and now know instantly if a shoe is good or bad for me. Once a shoe is judged to be good, the challenge is to discover just how good it really is. When everything comes together perfectly, the runner finds their perfect shoe. In my case it's the Saucony Kinvara, a lightly constructed minimalist trainer. I was curious to see how Saucony's newest minimalist shoe stacked up to the Kinvara and to the other shoes I've tested.

THE SAUCONY PROGRID MIRAGE
When Saucony offered to send their new Mirage, a minimal shoe that's a close cousin to the Kinvara, I jumped at the chance. Unlike the Kinvara, the Mirage includes a medial stability post. However, this shoe is not simply a more stable version of the Kinvara, it's an entirely different running shoe. I realized this the moment I took it the out of the box.

My initial comments on the Emerging Runner: "The shoes, in jet black with bright red mid-soles, were far different from the Kinvara in look and feel. While the Kinvara is a super light shoe with a very minimal upper, the Mirage feels beefier with a more conventional upper and more structure on the medial side for stability. This combination adds weight to the shoe (7.7 oz for Kinvara vs 9.6 oz for the Mirage)."

FIRST IMPRESSIONS
When I removed the Mirage from its box I could tell right away that it was a well designed shoe. My first impression, once I'd laced up both shoes, was how different it felt from the Kinvara. The Kinvara is neutral in feel, flat, but not without cushioning. The Mirage felt similarly balanced but the mid-sole on the forefoot seemed thicker, as if to facilitate landing towards the front. The wrap was good, but compared to the Kinvara, the Mirage's toe box was a bit narrow. This has not been a problem and I have not suffered any discomfort from that. I just prefer a wider toe box. I thought I would also have an issue with the collar rubbing the side of my ankle but that problem went away after a few weeks.

FIRST EXPERIENCE
My first experience with the Mirage was a few minutes running on the treadmill following a similar run with the Karhu Fast 2's. I wanted to compare these two lightweight shoes under the same conditions. The Karhu's ran adequately (if a bit sloppily) at training pace while the Mirages felt much more dynamic. As I increased the speed of the tread the Mirage stayed with me and the forward balanced forefoot helped me greatly.

I liked the feel of the Mirages so much I broke one of the cardinal rules of running:

"Don't race in new shoes, especially those you haven't yet tried on pavement."

FIRST RACE WITH MIRAGES

Nearing the 5K finish

This race was only a 5K distance so I figured I could endure any issues with break-in. Besides some slight rubbing on one ankle, the Mirages felt stable and familiar. The shoes performed well throughout the race and I didn't give them much thought as I ran. At times I missed the flexibility and super light feel of the Kinvaras, especially near the finish. After the race I trained exclusively with the Mirages for my half marathon training and by race day they had loosened up a little more.

RUNNING THE HALF MARATHON

13.1 miles, no problem

The Mirages had their biggest test the day I ran the LI Half Marathon. I was dealing with a knee issue and debated whether I should run in my Brooks GTS 10's for the additional cushioning. I ultimately decided that the Mirages had proven to be a solid shoe and that I needed to stick with my original plan. I had a tough time over those 13.1 miles, especially on the last 3, but I got through the race. The Mirages handled the 2+ hours of pounding, causing neither a blister nor any type of foot pain. The relatively light weight and well designed forefoot provided an energetic response, even when I had little energy left to expend.

LIFE WITH THE MIRAGE
The Mirages have proven to be a worthy addition to my collection and I would probably appreciate their minimal features more had I tried them before the Kinvaras. Going from the Kinvaras to the Mirages is a bit like trading up from a simple sports car to a luxury GT. This shoe feels good on pavement and it also performed well on the the bridal path in Central Park. It's a well balanced design, feels competent and lands you on your mid-foot. I toggle between the Mirage and Kinvara and the experience is interesting. When I run in the Mirages I miss the barely-there feel of the Kinvaras. When I run in the Kinvaras I miss the Mirage's cozy wrap and its energized response. They are both great shoes.

CONCLUSION
The Mirage is a shoe you can wear for long distance, take to the track for fast intervals, or run on non-technical trails. It treats you well and it feels better with each use. The Mirage's stability control helps maintain efficiency, especially during longer runs. The low profile and small drop between heel and toe help support a mid-foot running style and the cushioning is firm but comfortable. This is a great shoe, another winner from Saucony's growing line of minimalist running shoes.

SUMMARY

What's good:

• Solid platform but still a lightweight
• Small drop enables mid-foot striking
• Stability control for those who need it
• Wraps the foot well

 What can be improved:

• Toebox could be wider
• Collar rubbing on ankle
• Rides a little high for a minimalist shoe

This review by The Emerging Runner

Karhu Fast 2 Fulcrum: Two firm opinions

Men's Karhu Fast 2 Fulcrum_Ride

Karhu Fast 2 Fulcrum Ride 
MSRP: $130.00  http://www.karhu.com/

4/18/2011 UPDATE: http://www.emergingrunner.com/2011/04/karhu-fast-2s-live-up-to-their-name.html

The Emerging Runner and Adventure Girl have been independently testing the Karhu Fast 2 Fulcrum, the Finnish shoe company's newest neutral performance shoe. We did not compare notes until the end but we found ourselves primarily agreeing on how we view these shoes. What follows are our individual impressions along with our collective assessment.

The Emerging Runner's take on the Fast 2 Fulcrum

When it comes to running gear I'm definitely a shoe person. When assessing a running shoe I tend to start with high hopes. I figure that when a company puts serious research into its product their shoe is likely to have some upside. Sometimes this proves out and sometimes I end up disappointed. I've become increasingly interested in minimalism and that has changed my expectation for running shoes. I now look for a shoe that provides: 1) reasonable protection from the ground, 2) a minimal drop between the heel and front and, 3) a relatively low profile. My experience running in the Saucony Kinvaras supports this view. However, every runner is different and every shoe has its fans.

When Karhu sent me a pair of Fast 2 Fulcrums I was excited to try them out. According to Karhu this shoe is targeted to the "race training focused runner seeking a highly responsive running experience." That sounded promising. I watched this video on the Karhu site and was further intrigued.

Karhu is known for its high performance shoes that use "Fulcrum" technology to help move the runner along. The negatives I'd heard about the brand were that the mid-foot fit on some models tended toward the narrow. I asked for a pair of Fast 2 Fulcrums a half size up from normal and that was a good call.

First impressions (before running)

Out of the box these shoes, in iridescent chartreuse with yellow highlights, are both garish and beautiful. They look fast and weigh less than I thought they might (10.1 oz.) based on my first view. No matter how you feel about the fit and performance of the Fast 2 Fulcrums, you cannot argue that the quality of the materials and construction are superb. With running shoes you get two first impressions. The first is when you take them out of the box and put them on for the first time. The second and more relevant measure is when you take them out for a run. More on that later.

The Fast 2 Fulcrums fit me well enough, snug but not tight in the midfoot and toebox, with very slight slippage around the heel. This may be because I'd ordered size 11's vs. my normal 10.5's. Tighter lacing near the top took care of that. Standing in the Fast 2 Fulcrums for the first time was interesting. I'm used to the Kinvara that stands 21 mm at the heel with about a 5 mm ramp angle to the toe height. The Fast 2 Fulcrums stand a towering 36.7 mm with almost 12 mm of drop. Karhu builds a "fulcrum" wedge into the mid-sole in front of the arch that supposedly promotes forward motion. I thought that the fulcrum felt a little unnatural as I walked across the floor for the first time. Still, the shoe was perfectly comfortable and I reserved judgment until I ran.

Putting the Fast 2 Fulcrums to the test
My first report on Emerging Runner stated: "While the Kinvaras are light and very flexible on toe-off, the Fast 2's are very stiff at the front. Far stiffer than any other shoe I own." The Fast 2 Fulcrums seemed to loosen up after repeated runs but I still consider it a stiff shoe. I had hoped for a zippy feel when I hit the street but neither the fulcrum nor the rigid forefoot returned energy like other shoes I've tried. I began to question whether this shoe was a good match for me when I crested a hill and on the way back down felt my stride disrupted. It was as if the shoe and my foot were trying to travel on slightly different vectors. My mental picture at that moment was of a grocery cart with a misaligned wheel. Subsequent runs on the treadmill were better but my satisfaction when running in the Fast 2 Fulcrums never quite matched how I feel when running in the Kinvaras, Grid Tangents or Brooks Adrenalins.

My comments on one such run: "That [doesn't] mean the shoes failed to perform, in fact they took everything I threw at them. It was really about the feel compared to my Kinvaras and GTS-10's that move more naturally with my foot." My last street run with the Fast 2 Fulcrums confirmed that while the Karhu is a good shoe it doesn't really work for my style of running: "I decided to try some quick acceleration to see if the shoe transformed to a quasi-racer when run at higher cadences...The Fast 2's didn't give me the feeling of speed. In fact, during "speed play", they felt less stable than when I ran at my normal pace."

Conclusion
I'll admit that I'm biased against the high ride and the firm forefoot of the Fast 2 Fulcrums. Both attributes run counter to what I look for in a running shoe. The shoe is substantial and its build quality and materials are top notch. The Fast 2 Fulcrum's cushioning is very good considering its relatively light weight. However, though I had hopes of using it as a racing shoe, I found the lack of response from the Fast 2 Fulcrums disappointing. As a general athletic shoe I think they're fine. I've had more than one satisfactory run with the Karhu's on the treadmill and I like wearing them on the elliptical machine. I may even take these shoes out on the road on occasion for a change of pace. However, in the end, the Fast 2 Fulcrums felt neither fast nor agile. Other reviewers may disagree with me (I've seen a couple that do). Fast 2 Fulcrum may provide the desired characteristics that a different runner values. If you are a runner who prefers a low flexible racer trainer you may find this too much shoe for you.

Adventure Girl's take on the Fast 2 Fulcrum

Karhu's marketing of their neutral Fast 2 Fulcrum is honest without embellishment. Their website states that the Fast 2 Fulcrum is for the runner desiring a "firm and responsive ride". True to its name, Karhu has moved the fulcrum of this shoe forward in order to encourage quick stride turnover. The first time I put these shoes on I was tempted to rock back and forth from my midfoot to my toes because the fulcrum point makes a natural rocking motion. And that's exactly what this fulcrum position is encouraging you to do while running--roll forward onto your toes while striding.  This is done to quicken your stride rate and shift you towards forefoot striking.

Woman's Karhu Fast 2 Fulcrum

I haven't yet attempted to transition to a forefoot style of running but every run I've taken with the Karhus has made me conscious of my midfoot landing in a way that seemed to sometimes gently (and sometimes not so gently) nudge me towards a forefoot strike. If I were to exaggerate the sensation of the fulcrum transition I would describe it akin to the sensation of falling forward. The nudging made it feel very much like the Fast 2 Fulcrum's were actively training me. This training was appreciated when I went out for a run with fresh legs, but on the few runs where my legs were less responsive the fulcrum rocking and forefoot encouragement seemed more than I could handle.

Karhu also bills this shoe as firm, which is immediately apparent. Most of my runs have both a sidewalk and a trail component. On the sidewalk I was stuck by the cushioning presence of firm foam between my foot and the concrete. Since I normally run in the minimal Saucony Kinvara this additional protection was surprising. The Karhu foam, however, doesn't provide a sense of springy-ness, but instead dampens the feel of the running surface. For all its cushioning, the Fast 2 Fulcrum weighs in as mid-weight at 9.1oz (for a point of comparison the Kinvara is 6.7oz).

On the trail portion of my runs I found the Fast 2 Fulcrums to perform moderately well on flat, well-packed trails, but it didn't prove to be rugged enough for rocky, slippery, or steep trails. The tread on the Fast 2 Fulcrum isn't very pronounced and the model isn't billed as a trail runner, so the lack of performance on difficult terrain was not unexpected or disappointing.

The woman's Fast 2 Fulcrum is an arresting shade of orange, with yellow accents and sole. I felt conspicuous on the streets while wearing these shoes. At midday this made me self-conscious, even to the point of once deterring me from wearing the Fast 2's when I was meeting a fellow runner I didn't know well. However, at both dusk and dawn, it made me feel more visible to traffic (i.e. safer).

Conclusion
The Karhu Fast 2 Fulcrums will not become my go-to daily trainer, because the fulcrum rocking added unnecessary work to my run and it wasn't a natural fit with my strike and stride. If I decide to make a concerted effort to move toward forefoot striking I think the Fast 2 Fulcrums will be an excellent training shoe to encourage and speed that transition.

Summary

What's Good:

• Quality of materials and construction
• Well ventilated upper
• Light weight
• Fulcrum technology enables mid-foot landing
• Highly visible

What could be improved:

• Forefoot responsiveness
• Lateral stability
• Bulk

This review by the Emerging Runner and Adventure Girl

Running shoe review: Skecher's Resistor Run SRR

Nothing minimal about Skechers' SRR's

Skechers Resistance Runner- Resistor Run SRR

MSRP: $130
Company: http://www.skechers.com/

If someone had told me a few months ago that I would soon be the happy owner of a pair of Skechers running shoes I might have called them crazy. Skechers was not a brand I'd ever associated with athletic shoes, let alone running shoes. I actually found the concept laughable. When Skechers announced the Resistance Runners (part of their Shape Ups line) I had some fun with the idea, mocking the look and the efficacy of the unstable design. The Resistance Runner was not my only target in that post but I did specifically say I'd only run with them in the dark. Soon after my post, Skecher's offered to send me a pair to review. I asked for my size (10.5) in D width and got a call later that day from the company saying they didn't make their shoes in wide sizes. I told woman that if Skechers is going to be in the running shoe business they better learn that D is not a wide size.

My Resistance Runners arrived in a big fancy box with the shoes tucked into foam cutouts and lots of marketing copy. The shoes don't look like any running shoes that I own but they're attractive in their own way. The black and silver motif is a bit over the top but many running shoes, even the top performing models, sometimes suffer from gaudy design. What struck me first was the weight of the shoes. I couldn't find an official weight on any website but I'd guess that these shoes weigh between 14 and 16 ounces. Compare that to the 7.7 oz. Saucony Kinvaras and right away you know it will be a different running experience.

When I first put on the shoes I found that they were tight compared to other size 10.5 shoes I own, especially in the toe box. I like a more open fit at the front and I was concerned that I'd develop blisters from having my toes restricted. Standing in the shoes was interesting and novel. The asymmetrical mid-sole creates an unstable rocking experience when standing still. Unlike my minimal Kinvaras, the shoe is highly engineered. The mid-sole and out-sole are constructed like a counter-lever and the ride is high. I didn't know what to expect before taking off on my first run but I knew the experience would be different.

My first run with the SRR's actually surprised me. I was prepared to dislike them but instead I found them...interesting. The following is from an EmergingRunner.com post in mid October:

"The SRRs are beefy and you notice them when you run. It reminds me of the articles I've read about soldiers who run marathons with a field pack and combat boots. The shoes are clunky and the stride is a little awkward, yet I found myself appreciating them for this purpose. I could feel the shifting pressure on my legs and calves and I noted that my right upper hamstring did not feel as sore as it has of late. That may not be related to the shoes but it's clear that the SRRs do distribute force differently than a standard shoe.

Between the rain and the heavy running shoes I might have expected to dislike this morning's run. Instead, I found the cool temperatures and light rain refreshing, as well as the feeling that I was gaining some additional training benefits from the more challenging footwear. I guess "not unpleasant" is a pretty good way of putting it."

I've now run with the SRR's half a dozen times and I even wore them during the Nissequogue Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving day.  I purposely wore the SRR's to help me mitigate my pace while I ran with my wife and kids. The shoes performed well that day although I had a scare when I landed on the sloped edge of a blacktop path that twisted my foot and ankle sharply. The high ride of the shoes invite these opportunities for unstable misseps. Needless to say, I won't be running with the SRR's on the trails.

While the unstable platform can lead to stumbles I've come to see that the SRR's, with their constantly shifting center of gravity and soft cushioning underfoot, remind me of the trail running experience. I was originally concerned that the unstable SRR's would affect my running form, hurt my knees or aggravate my leg muscles. So far the experience has been the opposite and my legs usually feel energized after a run. I'll continue to run (and occasionally walk) with the SRR's, using them as a tool to cultivate leg strength and flexibility. I wouldn't recommend these shoes as a replacement for a daily trainer and I doubt I'll ever use them for runs longer than four miles but I do think they add value to a runner's routine.

Skechers Resistance Runner - Resistor Run SRR

What's good:
Unstable mid-sole facilitates variable leg and ankle workout
Weight of shoes contributes to strength training
Running experience is fun and unusual


What could be improved:
Narrow fit in toe box
Less bulk and more minimal construction
Price point


This review by the Emerging Runner