Inov-8 Road-X-Treme 138 and 178 Review: It's X-Treme-ly Something, Alright

The Inov-8 Road-X-Treme 178 and 138 represent the lighter two thirds of Inov-8's all new Road-X-Treme product line. (There are women's-specific Road-X-Tremes, too, by the way) The Road-X-Tremes are fairly spiffy in the looks department, sure. But, I must admit that when I first saw these shoes listed on the SS13 release brochure, I raised an eyebrow. I said to myself, "Well, now, what's so 'X-Treme' about these new shoes? Hmmm?"

No, I wasn't as doubtful as that raised eyebrow might make me appear. I was curious. I really wondered what Inov-8's design team created for their road-running fans that warranted such a noteworthy model name. I decided to find out.

After covering a bit more than a hundred miles in the 178 and 138 together, I'll say that the X-Treme might simply stand for "x-treme-ly" likable. (Yes, I'm going to do that throughout this review. It may be "x-treme-ly" annoying. Apologies in advance)

However, if you want to be more technical about the qualities of this shoe line, I'll point out that the first hint of awesomeness is in the shoe's grip on man-made surfaces. The traction is not just fine or good, it's x-to-the-treme, people! Those spots of hard, sticky rubber on the outsole provide the friction a runner wants on wet or dry, firm surfaces.

Dashing down that paved greenway with an 8% grade? Oh, no worries, the Road-X-Treme won't let you slip.

Freshly saturated pavement with cars hydroplaning at intersections? Pshaw! The Road-X-Tremes laugh at wet pavement! (You can't hear them laughing, though)

Anyway, the outsole is the shiniest feature here. That grip is excellent in conjunction with the fusion/injected EVA midsole (see Bare-X Lite 150). And, Inov-8 manages to provide the grip while keeping the shoes light and fancy.

But, wait, of course, there's more.

The Road-X-Treme shoe range boasts a few other nifty design elements that you've not previously seen on an Inov-8 shoe.

For instance, the mixed-mesh upper is rather interesting. It's composed of large, open mesh on the interior with a tighter weave on the outside. I suspect this satisfies a perceived need to structure the upper while ensuring a suitable level of comfort and breathability.

Also new to the Inov-8 design vocabulary: A single-piece upper, aka the burrito-style upper or no-tongue upper. But, I want to call it a sans-tongue tongue. So, let's call it that!

You've seen this feature before on some New Balance, Brooks, and Skora shoes. Rather than stringing laces across a gap in the upper that's filled with a separate piece of upper, the mesh top of the shoe folds over itself instead. So, here's Inov-8 giving it a go. It's fine—pretty nice actually, because the sans-tongue tongue does not shift around like the traditional shoe tongues often do.

Lacing on the Road-X-Tremes for the first time proved discombobulating at first, because the folding action seems almost too simple. I became used to it very quickly, though. And, I've found that it's easier to manage a secure fit without having to resort to the loop-lock lacing method in the upper-most eyelets.

Okay, I broke out the "f" word. So, let's expand on the subject of fit.

Thanks to the carefully conceived sans-tongue tongue, the Road-X-Treme 178 and 138 seem to fit best with their insoles in place. As usual, the insoles may be removed if you want to be 3mm closer to the ground. And, actually, these two shoes have a more supple inner lining than most of Inov-8's shoes. So, it's clear that the designers gave some consideration for sockless runners.

However, the manner in which the single-piece upper attaches to the sole unit makes the contoured insole more of a necessity if I want to secure a precise fit. Granted, this isn't a big deal to me. The Road-X-Tremes "X-cel" in the cushioning department. So, I'm happy to let them be what they were made to be.

The Road-X-Treme range features Inov-8's Natural Fit last (formerly Anatomical Fit), which has the most spacious toe box of all the Inov-8 lasts.

The trouble with this Natural Fit, though, is that it's not exactly a reliable designation among the product lines, not yet, anyway. Inov-8 seems to change the last but not the name willy-nilly.

For instance, the Bare-X Lite 150 is also built with the Natural(Anatomical) Last. But, it's toe box is noticeably wider than the Road-X-Treme's. Likewise, the Trailroc 235 feels even wider in the toe area than the Bare-X Lite 150.

So, even though the Road-X-Treme is built on the Natural last, it's not necessarily going to feel like other Natural lasted Inov-8s.

And, that's why we have shoe reviewers like me, right? I'm supposed to tell you that the fit is not as predictable as you might think. Moreover, you need to know what to expect now that I've told not to expect what you might have thought you'd expect.

For comparison, I'd say that the toe box feels pretty traditional in shape and girth, like a somewhat wider f-lite 230, maybe. The midfoot is a good width for my foot and adjusts well for secure fitting without pinching. The heel is roomy, but not overly so.

The cozier toe box and soft EVA midsole make the Road-X-Treme 178 and 138 feel more like racing flats, to me, than the Bare-X Lite 150 or Bare-X 180. I kind of prefer to have my toes snug and secure in a toe box while running my fastest, I guess. So, the Road-X-Tremes have actually become part of my go-to pile of shoes for any sort of speedier running.

Admittedly, I would be happier if the toe box of the Road-X-tremes was exactly like the toe box of the Bare-X Lite 150. Combining that fit with the sole and upper of the Road-X-tremes would be fantastic for all road running applications, I think. I'll just wear something with a wider toe box when I want more mileage in a run, though.

So far so good?

Assuming you don't care what your running shoes look like, being the prudent student of functionality that you are, I'm going to suppose that you wonder whether you should try the 178 or the 138. Don't know what those numbers mean, because you've never really cared to decipher Inov-8's method of product naming? That's cool. The numbers represent the weight of the shoe (size 9, maybe?) in grams.

So, with that information, you know that the 138 is lighter than the 178. In fact, you might be interested to know that the 138 is Inov-8's lightest road shoe to date (for men). (For those who don't use the metric system, 138 grams is equal to just under five ounces.)

Both shoes are more than flexible enough for flat-surface running. And, that makes me happy, for sure.

The drop? Yes, well, the 138 is a zero-drop shoe. And, the 178 has a 3mm drop. You can tell by the arrow or "ZERO" molded onto the sole's heel. This is all part of Inov-8's transition journey, which provides a system and range of products to facilitate the journey to running your best in minimalist shoes.

The 3mm differential between the heel and toe of the 178 is not as conspicuous to me as I would have expected. Mostly, the 178 feels like a more cushioned version of the 138. So, if you want my opinion on the drop issue with regard to these two shoes, I'd say you don't need to worry about it. Instead, consider how much cushioning you want.

If you want just a thin layer of soft cushioning to buffer your steps over rough pavement, the 138 (11mm + 3mm insole in the heel) would be your best bet. More cushioning than that, but not too much, would warrant trying on the 178s (14mm + 3mm insole in the heel). And, if you want even more cushioning, there's the Road-X-Treme 208, which I haven't tried.

Be cautious if you are not used to running on lightweight, minimal-style shoes like this. That's the whole point of Inov-8's Transition Journey thing. The "x-treme-ly" soft EVA cushioning can be deceitful. And, you might end up running with heavier steps than your legs can handle. So, practice careful, patient running.

The Road-X-Treme 178 and 138 are nice shoes. I like them quite a bit and will continue to use them weekly. They strike me as very well constructed shoes with laminated TPU on the upper that doesn't seem to put much strain on any of the connecting points to the sole. In fact, now that I think about it, this mixed mesh upper may be an attempt at using something more durable than Inov-8's traditional mesh material.

As I've stated, the Road-X-Treme 178 and 138 do not feature a substantially wide toe box. So, if you have wider-than-average feet, you will probably not be comfortable in these shoes. But, don't let this narrow-ish version of a wide toe box disuade you from trying other Inov-8 shoes.

I can't wait to try one of these Road-X-Tremes in a race. That grip on pavement is superb for moving fast. And, being that the X-Treme outsole is something of an upgraded Bare-X outsole, I imagine that I'll get between 400 and 500 miles out of these shoes before they need replacing. Of course, the EVA midsole is softer than that of the Bare-X midsole. So, we'll see how that goes.

The Road-X-Treme range is available at numerous retail establishments. And, being that I am participating in an affiliate program with OptimalRun.com, I'll first recommend that you consider making your 178 or 138 purchase from those fine folks!

Thanks for reading!

Product provided by Inov-8.

Merrell Road Glove 2 Review: Things You Should Know

It is challenging to review the Road Glove 2, part of Merrell's all-new M-Connect series, without comparing it to its predecessor, the original Road Glove.

I mean, that is the curse or blessing of every sophomore effort in most any industry, right? How many awesome new bands live up to the expectations of their fans with the release of their second album? Exactly. (Right, you can answer that two ways)

Well, let's go ahead and clarify the one thing you need to know right away about the Road Glove 2: It is not the same shoe as the original Road Glove. Whether that is good or bad depends entirely on you, of course. And, I suggest this comparison of the original Road Glove to the Road Glove 2 for a pointed perspective, against which I am hard-pressed to argue.

What it Was

Since the Road Glove came on the scene in early 2012, Merrell has been taking lots of notes from the feedback they've received. Merrell listens to their customers. And, Merrell customers are a varied bunch. So, the designers clearly had to glean just as much helpful info from the superlative reviews as they did from the critical comments.

But, does that devotion to customer feedback lead to creating an even better shoe? In fact, Merrell's conscientious attention to customers led to the design of two exceptional shoes! We now have the Vapor Glove!

(We'll get into details about the Vapor Glove in another review)

It would be fair to say that everything the Road Glove 2 isn't for those runners who wanted the original to be more minimal, the Vapor Glove is in spades. Thus, the Road Glove 2 gets to be what the original wasn't for people who wanted a little more cushioning and shoe when they tried the first Road Glove rendition. (Read that a couple times if it doesn't make sense)

So, boo hoo: Road Glove 2 is more shoe than before. But, yay: Vapor Glove!

Or, yessss: Road Glove 2 is more shoe than before. And, oh, a Vapor Glove.

What it Is

In my opinion, the Road Glove 2 is a good looking shoe. I've already discussed at length the design and aesthetic appeal of the M-Connect series. So, let's move on.

The Road Glove 2 is lighter than it looks. Merrell is fairly good at making this a given in the makeup of most any of the Barefoot-inspired shoes. But, I had my doubts, since the more linear profile of the Road Glove 2 gives it a bulkier appearance. However, I picked it up and—boom—lightweight!

(The men's US size 9 weighs 7.0 oz*. So, that means my size 12 weighs approximately whatever-it's-light-enough ounces.)

Time to try it on. So, I slide my foot into the left shoe easily. There was no struggling or extreme loosening of the laces. The foot goes into the shoe as quickly as it took for you to finish this sentence. Cool, right?

Tying the laces and noticing that my lateral pinky toe is not bothered at all, I'm amazed by the roominess in the forefoot. And, I don't mean there's a lot of room for four of my toes. No, all the toes have room! Narrowness is not even in this shoe's vocabulary (assuming that it could talk).

Basically, I'm telling you that the Road Glove 2 is a wide shoe, people. I'd say it rivals other wide, foot-shaped shoes in the width department. And, it accomplishes this kickass girth in style.

You don't look at it and, say, "Ah, look how wide that Road Glove 2 is! It must be the widest running shoe in the world!" No, you don't say that at all, even if you see it next to the Road Glove [1]. This is because the design of the Road Glove 2 is, shall we say, slimming? Yes, we'll say that.

And, since we're talking about room for my toes, lets talk about the room offered to my heel. There's a lot of that, too. And, well, personally, I'd prefer a little less room in the heel.

Sometimes I get too much of a thing that's, in most cases, always good. And, I just can't dig all the goodness that's being offered. So, in this case, I have to get particular about my lacing architecture in order to handle all the roominess the Road Glove 2 affords my ankle and heel. This isn't a problem. But, it's not a sign of perfection either. It might be perfect for other feet though.

Now, I stand up, and I almost gasp. What the... What is that under my midfoot? Is it? Is it a supportive arch bump? NO! Noooo!

[pause]

Keep in mind that my feet were using the original Road Glove as a frame of reference for this new version of the shoe. So, when I stood up and felt the pressure under my arches, I was dismayed to realize that the bump was not the same grippy component that I accepted in the original Road Glove. It would seem that the wider last made the inclusion of a grippier, arch-hugging midsole rather prohibitive. So, if the shoe is not truly glove-like on your foot, you're going to feel this arch "support".

However! The midsole arch is less conspicuous when you're running. It even dissipates a bit after a couple of runs in the shoes. So, don't let that mention of the arch bump scare you if you are adverse to arch bumps. This is a fairly unique characteristic of the Road Glove 2. And, you really only know how you'll like it if you try it on yourself.

Once I made my peace with the Road Glove 2's interior topography, I started running down the road and noticed that the "ride" felt smooth and just slightly on the soft side. With a stack height of 9.5 mm*, I was surprised by how Merrell's designers balanced the soft with the firm in this shoe's sole. (Road Glove 1 wearers, the 2 is softer than what you're used to)

As I am writing this review, this is how the RG2 outsole looks on the Merrell site. It is not correct. You can see how they were first planning to fuse the new outsole onto the narrower middle portion of the original Road Glove. So, it's interesting.

This is how the RG2 outsole actually looks in real life. (colorways vary)

The flexible tread pattern is nifty, because it seems to connect better with the road than the almost trail-like outsole on the preceding Road Glove. There's greater surface area covered by the revised Vibram outsole on this shoe. And, that seems to provide a stable footfall on flat surfaces.

The grid pattern coupled with special flex points in the outsole make the shoe fairly flexible for a solid run on pavement. You can bend the forefoot in places where it should be bent. And, again, that's good enough for road running.

What it Shall Be

I'd say the Road Glove 2 is more of a shoe-wearer's shoe rather than a barefooter's shoe. And, that's a nice thing for the runner who wants to step further down in drop and stack height while maintaining a degree of comfort and, yes, support.

Essentially, the Road Glove 2 is a great shoe. Merrell seems to have created this update with a great deal of thought and purpose, designing a shoe that will fulfill the needs of a lot of runners who want to run lots of miles on lots of pavement.

Try it on. See how it feels.

Thanks for reading!

*Specifications obtained from OptimalRun.com.

Product provided by Merrell.

Merrell M-Connect: New Running Shoes for You, You, and You

If you haven't yet heard or read anything about Merrell's new M-Connect series of running shoes, etc., then I'd first like to thank you for choosing my blog as your only source for running-related information. :p

(L to R) Merrell Bare Access 2, Merrell Road Glove 2, Merrell Mix Master Move

Seriously, though, the M-Connect product line is especially bloggy this week, and rightly so! Merrell's designers took the basic family-of-shoes concept and ran with it when they decided to revamp the popular Barefoot shoes. There are new materials, wider lasts, and a clearer sense of purpose for each product in the collection.

I'll expand on that last point first.

With the release of the 2013 M-Connect series, we can look to the core members of the group and identify a shoe for most every kind of runner out there:

• A shoe for the hardcore barefoot/minimalist = Merrell Vapor Glove (haven't tried yet)
• A shoe for the minimal aficionado = Merrell Road Glove 2
• One for the zero-drop advocate who wants a more standard level of cushioning = Merrell Bare Access 2
• The reduced-shoe novice or anyone who wants something beefier than the previous options = Mix Master Move
• Even a minimally inclined-hiker or protective trail runner = Merrell Proterra

There are, and will be, more shoes in the series. This is Merrell, after all. But, essentially, the evolution of what Merrell offers the naturally inspired athlete—from the original Barefoot collection to the new M-Connect product line I've partially described above—demonstrates how invested the company is in the Bareform philosophy. And, these new and updated shoes manage to include even more prospective Merrell wearers than ever. Are you one of them?

Family Traits

I want to save my observations about specific elements of each shoe for forthcoming specific-shoe reviews. But, let's take a look at some of the more holistic elements of the M-Connect line. (Also, please keep in mind that I've only run in the three shoes pictured in this review. So, additional M-Connect products may not apply to what I have to say below)

Perhaps the most apparent similarity among these shoes is their overall design theme. Each shoe boasts attractive colorways, overlays, and fluid linearity. This is especially conspicuous if you are familiar with the Original Barefoot collection that launched with the Trail Glove.

If I had to sum up this differing design theme with one or two words, I'd say "lines" or "lightness". Each M-Connect shoe in this overview shares a four-curving-line motif on the lateral and medial sides. (You can see this in the pictures.) The lines have a momentum to them, evoking a sense of forward propulsion. The lines do not always end in the same manner on every shoe. But, the essence of their existence and implied velocity is still there.

You'll see this four-lines design element in the original Trail Glove. But, it's not so visible in the original Road Glove or Bare Access [Arc]. Thus, these lines help to visually unify the updated product line, which is important for a lot of reasons. But, those are not necessarily running-related reasons. So, I'm guessing that I might be boring you with this diatribe.

But, keep in mind that the attention to lines and color combinations exemplified by this revised design is a testament to how much thought the designers put into these shoes. They're not just changing the colors here!

No, really, they haven't just changed colors and patterns. There is a new, lightweight mesh composition in the upper. You can see that the Mix Master Move differs from the Road Glove 2 and the Bare Access 2 in this regard. But, all three of the shoes featured here have a wonderfully comfortable upper that seems to allow substantial airflow.

In fact, I had some doubts about how much I would like the new mesh on the Bare Access 2 and Road Glove 2. The pictures made it seem plastic-like, or something. But, that isn't the case at all.

You'll also see that these three shoes have key flexing points in the outsole, which contributes to the natural stride you'll find while running in these on pavement.

The Vibram outsole on the Road Glove 2 and Bare Access 2 is, as you probably know, more expansive than it was in the previous versions of those shoes. It is flatter and garners more surface area with which to run on predictable terrain. Needless to say, these road-specific outsoles seem quite durable.

Once More with Feeling

Lacing the Road Glove 2 onto my left foot for the first time surprised me with unanticipated roominess. I was expecting to struggle with pulling the shoes around my heel as I often did with the original Road Glove, which features a secure heel cup, to say the least. But, that's not the case with the M-Connect generation of the Road Glove and Bare Access. They're both wonderfully spacious.

I don't have specific measurements. But, the lasts on these two revised shoes are surely wider than their original renditions. The toe space rivals other "foot-shaped" shoe brands. I'm just sayin'.

Being that it does not stem from the original Barefoot product line, the Mix Master Move does not share the same last on which the other two shoes are built. It is still, what I would call, a roomy shoe. But, it's an average roomy, whereas the Road Glove 2 and Bare Access 2 are really roomy.

Of course, with extra room comes extra responsibility. If you don't have wide ankles, you're going to practice some creative lacing in order to attain an optimal fit. It's not too big of a deal, though.

As I mentioned a few sentences ago, the material comprising the upper is definitely comfortable. I haven't run in the shoes sans socks yet (it's winter). But, the interiors are fairly seamless and appear to be designed with sockless runners in mind.

Again, the Mix Master Move requires me to type out a caveat: It has a removeable insole, which translates to more potential aggravation on bare feet. But, hey, everyone's feet are different.

A Merrelly Month

Hopefully, this introductory review of the burgeoning M-Connect series of running shoes gives you a sense of how diverse the products are. There's basically a shoe for everyone to try. And, as usual, the fit on your foot will be the ultimate factor in deciding how these shoes satisfy your running requirements.

If you're in a hurry to try one or two of these shoes for yourself, just click the links littered throughout this review for ordering access. Otherwise, you can be sure that I will post additional in-depth reviews of the new Merrell offerings very soon. It's going to be a Merrelly Month.

Thanks for reading!

Product provided by Merrell.

SKORA BASE Real Review

The clever people at SKORA appear to have a penchant for using all caps in their brand and product names. This is difficult for me to ignore and somewhat of a dilemma.

I'm of the mindset that the use of all caps is for logos, advertisements, and expressing anger in text across the internet. Every other example just demonstrates bad etiquette. So, one side of my pedantic brain wants to type the company name as a proper noun — Skora.

On the other hand, the empathetic side of my mind feels compelled to honor the branding desires of the company, thereby following their lead in always using capital letters for SKORA and their products, in this case the BASE.

Many of you will agree, I think, that using all caps in online discourse is tantamount to shouting. So, every time I see SKORA in the middle of a perfectly normal sentence, like this one; I imagine that the company's name is being emphasized rather frantically. Recall, if you can, those Sega game commercials in which the speaker grinds out the word "Sega" as if he'd just downed two cups of coffee, a Red Bull, and several sticks of beef jerky.

Also, given the hard "r" sound and dual-syllabic structure, the word SKORA is quite similar in vocal action to, oh, say, Sparta. Thus, I imagine Gerard Butler fiercely shouting the word in that famous scene from 300 just before kicking that dude into a giant hole.

Is this good marketing? Clearly. SKORA's use of all caps inspired me to contemplate the brand name far more than necessary. And, the fact that the word's mere appearance conjures up aural and visual memories in my mind is definitely a good way to make an impression with minimal effort. That's real branding, folks! (Not that I know anything about branding)

I'm harping on the SKORA brand presentation, because the company's attention to detail should not go unnoticed. Their two shoe models, the leather FORM and mesh BASE are fairly unique. And, the company shares a lot of specifics about the manufacturing and design processes that mirror their Real Running philosophy.

Now, you've likely read a review of one of the SKORA shoes already, most likely the rather costly FORM. If not, it would be worthwhile to acquaint yourself with this perspective on both the FORM and the BASE. You'll get a good sense of the back story and see some interesting remarks in the comments section.

Back to BASE(ics)

Cool Fact: SKORA is Polish for skin. Thus, the Polish founder and CEO David Sypniewski took inspiration from the word to define the idea that the shoes are meant to fit like a second skin.

A 9mm stack height (13mm with the removable sockliner) and zero differential between the heel and forefoot certainly places this shoe on the minimal side of the marketing spectrum.

The midsole (black portion of sole you see pictured) is a rather dense foamy stuff. I guess it's EVA. But, it's not as soft and squishy as the usual EVA midsole material.

The outsole (red and blue pieces pictured here) are made of a dense, high-abrasion rubber that seems to be highly durable.

The rounded heel is a nice touch. Although, it can feel a little unstable while walking around in the shoe at first (good thing it's made for running!). This is probably why SKORA added more of that red outsole material to the heel of the shoe. It looks like extra weight to me. And, I'd be curious to know what the BASE would be like with some of that shaved off.

The removable OrthoLite® sockliner has little bubble things to "increase biofeedback". It is not too thick, as far as sockliners go. In fact, it's kind of dense for a sockliner. So, wearing the BASE with the sockliner inside is a very different experience compared to wearing the shoes without the liner. The shoe is very comfortable either way. And, if you prefer to run without socks, I don't think you'd be disappointed here.

Personally, I like the BASE without the sockliner inserted. It's even more flexible and relays a much higher degree of ground feel. It's fantastic, really!

Unfortunately, removing the sockliner means there's more space within the shoe. And, for me, that extra space is difficult to eliminate with the strapping system that secures the shoe to my foot. So, I'm left with a somewhat sloppy-floppy feeling when I take out the sockliner. If only there were a securing mechanism that allowed for a more precise shoe fit.

So, I wear the BASE with the sockliners. And, the dense sole in conjunction with the stack height makes the BASE's proprioceptive potential similar to that of the Merrell Road Glove. That's a really good thing, in my opinion. I get a sense of exceptional protection while detecting a decent amount of ground feel.

Mind you, the BASE definitely does not fit like the Road Glove. The latter offers a slightly wider toe box while the midfoot and heel are more fitted. Also, the BASE fits on the large side of standard. So, while I wear a size 12 Road Glove, I have plenty of room in a size 11.5 BASE.

Speaking of Fit

The REALFIT™ last on which the BASE and FORM are built is SKORA's version of an anatomical design. And, I'd say it passes for that. The toe box is wide-ish and probably allows for sufficient toe splay for people with a medium to narrow forefoot. Runners with exceptionally wide feet might find the toe box to be a bit pinchy, though.

The last curves somewhat dramatically on the lateral side, which gives the shoe something of an odd, banana-like profile from above. This profile is due, in part, to the extra body afforded by the upper. The actual last has a more foot-shaped appearance when you look at it from below.

Despite the seemingly obtuse profile curve to the last, I find that it works quite well for my foot shape. Unlike some shoe lasts that pinch the smallest toes, the SKORA BASE allows for plenty of room without having too much room there.

There is a slight curve under the arch area, especially with the sockliner in place. But, this is a very minimal structural element. And, I don't think it's worth noticing, really.

A pronounced toe spring is perceivable by most in the BASE's construction. But, I didn't find it to be conspicuous while running.

The counterless heel cup is pretty generous. There is a velcro strap at the back of the heel to enable a custom fit in this area. So, if the heel cup girth is too generous for you, the nifty strap may be helpful.

The x-strap system in lieu of shoe laces undoubtedly offers many runners relief when they do not feel like tying laces. I'm sure this innovative use of straps is awesome for triathletes when changing shoes during a race.

However, the x-strap system causes a conundrum for me. Due to the straps' limited cinching capacity, my low-volume feet are not substantial enough to enjoy a snug fit with the sockliners removed. This is disappointing, because I definitely prefer the BASE without sockliners.

Even with the sockliners in place, I must secure the straps as tightly as possible in order to obtain a secure fit. Obviously, this problem is not necessarily a fault of the shoe, but just a peculiarity of my foot.

Personally, I've decided that I just don't appreciate straps in place of laces on my running shoes. The BASE has helped me finalize this opinion. The Altra Adam's straps demonstrate the same shortcomings I've described here. So, running shoe designers, please, give up on the straps. They suck (for people with feet like mine, anyway).

Getting Real

Let's remind ourselves that SKORA's Run Real slogan is meant to describe the company's focus on creating shoes that "allow the human body to function as naturally and efficiently as possible". I'm usually skeptical of marketing verbiage like that. So, I've paid close attention to how well the BASE facilitates a midfoot strike.

After a few months with the BASE, I can honestly say that SKORA's shoe design makes learning and practicing a midfoot or forefoot strike simple. That combination of a zero-drop sole with the unique design of the outsole helps make it obvious to your body when your form gets sloppy. Again, I'll liken the BASE to the Merrell Road Glove here.

So, running in the BASE is essentially a pleasure. If my feet fit into the straps better, or if there were laces, I could wear this shoe for every run over appropriate terrain. But, as it fits me now, I'll probably just wear it for runs up to an hour or so. I have other road shoes that fit snugly enough to take on longer runs.

As for performance, the BASE serves well for all sorts of training activity. It feels fast enough for speedwork and comfortable enough for standard training runs.

The outsole works really well on pavement and gravel trails, of course. It could serve you well enough on technical trails if the BASE is all you have. (Plenty of accomplished runners have proven the BASE's potential over all sorts of trails) But, I'd pick a more trail-specific shoe over the BASE if I had a choice.

Should You Try It?

If I haven't totally put you off with any of the characteristics described above, then of course you should try the BASE. It's a great shoe overall.

And, at $110 with free shipping from the SKORA store, the BASE is as easy to virtually try as anything you'd find at RunningWarehouse or Zappos. It might just be your perfect shoe. I'll be anxious to see what SKORA has lined up for next season.

Thanks for reading!

Product provided by SKORA.

Inov-8 Bare-X Lite 150 Update Review: Durability and Colors, Too

Now that the Inov-8 Bare-X Lite 150 is showing up in a variety of colorways across the shoe retailer webosphere, you may be curious about the shoe's level of awesomeness. Lucky for you, I'm in a position to provide a 100-plus-mile update review.

In my initial review of the Bare-X Lite 150, I wrote pretty positively about the shoe. (And, why wouldn't I? I mean, it's not like I'm going to waste much time reviewing a shoe that I'm sure I won't like as soon as I see it.)

It turns out that the Bare-X Lite 150 remains fantastic for pavement running well after 100 miles. And, I'd even venture to say that it's more awesome after 100 miles than it was when brand new. I'll explain.

Smarter Than the Average Sole

The majority of shoe retail websites, as well as the Inov-8 site itself, describe the Bare-X Lite outsole and midsole in vague terms—rubber, compound, fusion—without betraying enough detail for us to really know how the shoe's going to endure several hundred miles on pavement.

And, as is often the case with many shoes touting lightweight awesomeness, durability comes into question.

The Natural Running Store's Patton Gleason does a really nice job of explaining just how durable the Bare-X Lite 150 is after a bunch of miles. And, I'll agree with him. The outsoles of my 150s could easily last a few hundred more miles.

'Course, it's important to note that we're not expecting these shoes to take us over special terrain. They're made for pavement. And, that doesn't require much in the way of tread. So, as long as these don't wear down to smooth, slippery plastic, the cleverly compounded outsole material should remain sufficient for pavement running.

A unique aspect of this EVA-rubber-fusion-compound midsole/outsole is that it's a bit more rigid at first than one might expect. I based my expectations for this shoe on the f-lite line, which has a great degree of flexibility right out of the box. But, the Bare-X Lite's rather uniformly compounded, flat sole makes the shoe a smidgen more resistant to folding in half than the f-lites.

Bare-X Lite 150 outsole
when it was brand new

This doesn't impede running form at all. It's still delightfully more flexible than some other minimal-ish shoes. It's just not the most flexible shoe out there. And, some people looking for a barefoot replacement shoe might be disappointed by this one's somewhat rigid platform. (see instead the Bare-X 200 or Bare-X 180 [review forthcoming])

However, I should add that the subtle rigidity goes away after 50-or-so miles of running. And, I find that I enjoy the "ride" in the Bare-X 150 more now than several miles ago, especially while running up hills.

I'll point out that my right heel feels some special sensitivity to the ground when I'm walking in these shoes. I don't know why that is the case. It's as if I feel the outline of the curved margin that you see in the photo, the line delineating the shape of the heel in the tread. I don't have this sensation when running. Although, I might if I landed squarely on my heels. And, that's not the way to run in zero-drop shoes, now is it?

Bare-X Lite 150 outsole after about 100 miles
of running on asphalt and concrete

The Things You Think You Will Like Will Be the Things You Like

That "quick lace system" I pointed out in the initial review is better than I expected. My concerns about the securing tab working itself loose during a long run have not come to fruition. And, there's something so satisfying about simply slipping on the shoes and not tying the laces. (Does that make me lazy?)

I imagine that this quick-pull-tab lacing system will be especially useful to triathletes who have to change from biking shoes to running shoes as efficiently as possible. (If I have the order of that shoe change wrong, it's because I know practically nothing about triathlons)

When you see a tying system that involves this sort of pull-tab-noose thing, the laces are usually elastic. But, that's not the case with the Bare-X Lite 150. These laces are made of the stuff that most laces are made of. So, you don't have to worry about elastic material becoming overly stretched and useless after a while.

Likewise, the tongueless, one-piece upper is a dream! Without a tongue shifting to the side during your run, you'll wonder why other shoes don't employ this sort of design.

Another Bare-X Lite 150 feature that exceeds my expectations is the Anatomic Fit (or last). This is Inov-8's answer to popular demand for wider toe boxes on minimalish shoes. And, they've responded in spades, I say. The last is not so wide as to be sloppy and loose, but not too narrow as to be just another toe-scrunching shoe.

Moreover, the TPU lacing support works especially well in conjunction with the Anatomic Fit, because your midfoot remains secure in the shoe without feeling especially compressed.

I can't wait to try a trail shoe with the Anatomic fit.

Colors for the Rest of You

I remember my first visit to a specialty running shoe retailer several years ago. A home-made sign on the wall of this store proclaimed that "You can't choose a running shoe based on color!" The notion, of course, was that running was about exercise and health in lieu of fashion and aesthetics. So, a sensible person would wear whatever the salesperson handed him.

In a way, we're still at the mercy of fit preferences over color options. And, that's why I was willing to try the Bare-X Lite 150 in spite of the fact that Inov-8 released it first in bright white (not just white, bright white).

There are two kinds of runners: Those who like white shoes and those who don't. If you're of the latter persuasion, be advised that it takes more than 100 miles to get used to the bright whiteness. You'll accept the fact that you're wearing super white shoes. But, you won't be a bright-white-shoe convert.

Fortunately, the Bare-X Lite 150 is now available in three other brilliant colorways. So, those of you who are adverse to white shoes have a reason to try out the 150 without having to worry about people staring at your shoes as you run by them on the greenway. (And, you'll swear they're staring at your shoes).

In Short

The Bare-X Lite 150 is a great road running shoe after more than 100 miles of use. It fits comfortably and with versatility. And, it serves its purpose very well as a zero-drop training and racing shoe for paved terrain.

I think the hardened barefoot runner, or someone who prefers an especially minimal shoe with the flexibility of a moccasin, will want to look at other options. (Again, I'll suggest the Bare-X 180 or 200). I say this because the outsole and midsole composite on the 150 is more rigid than ultra-flexible shoe lovers would prefer.

But, what the Bare-X sole lacks in flexibility is more than compensated for in durability. Inov-8 managed to create a very lightweight racing shoe that lasts for (at least) hundreds of miles. That's pretty significant. And, I wouldn't be surprised if the Bare-X Lite 150 becomes almost as cultishly popular as the f-lite 195s and 230s.