Shoe Reviews

This is our second ever review for Under Armour, not a brand that many runners consider in their daily line-up, but they make legit shoes, and seem to busting some big moves. In the USA recently, they have announced the sponsorship of a new distance training squad, the ‘UA Dark Sky Distance Team’. Let’s hope the same programs roll out across Australia as well. Cash UA, our athletes’ need cash.The UA HOVR Phantom 2 is a high mileage everyday training shoe. Think Pegasus, Nimbus, Clifton, Triumph etc. This shoe feels good, looks good, and rivals all of those.We took our pair through 140km of road and trails.

Selecting the perfect running shoes is crucial for your comfort, enhancing performance, and preventing injuries. The right choice can be influenced by various factors,...

HOKA ONE ONE Announces Project Carbon X: A 100K World Record Attempt in Brand-New Carbon X Shoe The new Carbon X shoe embodies HOKA-signature max-cushion...

HOKA ONE ONE, the brand known for its max cushioned shoes and metarocker midsole geometry, were second to the table. In 2019 they dropped their Carbon X road racing shoe, all reports indicate they sold like hot cakes. Now zoom to the end of 2020, and HOKA have just launched the Rocket X (dropping soon in Australia). It is to be viewed like the Carbon X, but slightly faster, subtly better.  Its stack height is slightly lower, and the shoe is lighter.   Running in the Rocket X feels more like a traditional shoe than a HOKA. The wide base of a Clifton (and most models) is gone, trimmed down to increase performance. The midsole foam used by HOKA is still their proprietary EVA, they haven’t switched to PEBAX foam used in a few other road racing shoes. The midsole foam found in the Rocket X is the lightest foam that HOKA has ever produced.  The EVA foam works for HOKA, and if it ain’t broke…. Runner’s Tribe took the Rockets through three sessions (15km in total).

These trail running shoes have been rigorously tested and chosen as the top picks for their exceptional performance and features. Whether you're an experienced trail runner or just starting, these shoes are sure to enhance your running experience.

For those who are still to learn about Hoka, the Rincon is a sleeker version of the Hoka Clifton (the brand's best selling high mileage neutral trainer). The main differences is the Rincon is slightly cut back making it lighter and faster. The Rincon is more versatile than the Clifton, it can used for long training runs, but is also suitable for speedy thresholds or even a faster session/interval type of a workout. It can be classed as a lightweight neutral everyday trainer.

The Hoka One One Torrent 2 is a neutral, lightweight trail shoe with aggressive outsole lugs. It is designed for trail runners who want to run fast on varied terrain. It’s a shoe with a modest amount of underfoot cushion,  no where near as much as say the Hoka Speedgoat or EVO Mafaete shoes.  The Torrent 2 is much more like a ‘traditional’ shoe that one of the ‘old school’ brands would release, but with the unique Hoka touches like a 5mm drop, soft foam, and a rocker bottom.

Comfort in running shoes is a subjective term that varies among runners. For some, a soft midsole spells comfort, while others prioritize a plush, roomy upper. Additionally, the type of run can influence what feels comfortable—what works for a 5K might not be ideal for a marathon, and vice versa.

When most people think of HOKA they think of a maximalist type running shoe with loads of cushion. This is only partly true, there are many misconceptions. Hoka’s Clifton 6 is a high mileage neutral training shoe with ample soft cushioning. Not designed for speed, but for long distances or easy runs. The Clifton 6 is very reminiscent of the very popular Clifton 1, the midsole foam is very similar with a softness to it rarely seen in a running shoe. It is vastly different to the HOKA 4 and 5 which had harder foams and a narrower mould. With the Clifton 6 you get the feeling that Hoka listened to its customers and brought the Clifton series back to its origins – a nice, soft, lightweight, cushioned ride.

There are various types of rockered soles, but the most prevalent is the forefoot rocker, also known as toe spring. This feature refers to the upward curve of the sole under the forefoot or toes, typically ranging from 10 to 25 degrees. With recent advancements in shoe technology, the use of rockered soles has become more widespread.