Tarkine Athletics, the world’s fastest growing, and most eco-friendly running shoe brand, is back at it with the launch of the Tarkine Autopilot.

A shoe built for heavenly mile after mile of plushness, the Autopilot is Tarkine’s first ever high-stack road shoe. It is in direct competition with giants such as the ASICS Novablast, Nike Invincible, HOKA Clifton/Bondi and New Balance More.

Below is our review, after 400km of road running bliss.

 Specs

• Type: Maximalist road shoe.
• Cushioning: Maximal, the midsole foam is plush and bouncy.
• Upper:  High quality mesh.  Reinforced with overlays over the ends of the toes, and a well structured heel counter.
• Midsole: ‘Plush Foam Tech’ – which feels like a next generation EVA type formula.
• Midsole density:  A soft yet responsive ride.
• Flexibility: Moderate.
• Outsole: Strategically placed rubber under high tractions areas.

• Stack heights: 40mm heel, 34mm forefoot.
• Drop: 6mm.
• Weight: 319 grams for men’s size 11 US, 260 grams for women’s size 8US, 303 grams for men’s size US 10. See comparison table below.
• Heel width: Standard.
• Heel counter: Structured 3/4 height heel counter.

• Sizing: We feel they are true to size, but if you are for example, sometimes a 10 and sometimes a 10.5, buy the 10.  As if anything, they size a few mm large.
• Toe Box width: Slightly wider than average, without being over the top.
• Toe box height: Slightly more roomy than average. The men’s are D widths and women’s are B shoe. They do not come in E widths.
• Cost: $230 AUD at Tarkine Australia’s website.

Against some rivals

• Note: We class high stack as having a heel stack of 35mm or higher.

Autopilot Vs. Nike Invincible: Both are every day road running shoes and both are classed as maximalist. The invincible has a huge following, mainly due to being a Nike shoe. The Invincible has incredibly soft foam that is borderline too soft, it is a hard shoe to run fast in, it feels sloppy and is very heavy.  The Autopilot is a bit lighter, and likewise has soft foam. The foam on the Autopilot is more responsive however.

• • Winner = Autopilot

Autopilot Vs Asics Novablast:  The Novablast is an incredibly popular running shoe.  It is lighter than the Autopilot and therefore a bit faster. The trade-off is that the foam on the Novablast tends to go flat after 200km or so, while the foam on the Autopilot lasts for well over 700km.  The Autopilot feels more supportive and absorbs the load better. But the Novablast feels so light.

• • Winner:
    • For those who want a fast tempo shoe: Novablast
    • For those who want better cushioning and support, while still being able to cruise a decent tempo: Autopilot

Autopilot Vs HOKA Bondi:  The Bondi is one of the most famous high-stack road shoes in the world.  Both the Bondi and Autopilot have a a metarocker, but the Autopilot’s rocker is slightly more aggressive. The Autopilot has 1mm of extra foam in the heel and the forefoot. The Bondi is heavier with a more built up tongue and upper.  Both have similar heel counters. The Bondi comes is a lot more colour ranges.

• • Winner:
    • Autopilot, unless their current colourways do not work for you, we see no other reason to buy the Bondi over the Autopilot.

Cool things about the Autopilot

Plush Foam Tech: This little Australian company has created an amazing midsole foam that rivals, and in many cases exceeds, foams used by many of their billion dollar competitors. It’s soft, responsive and light. We can’t fault it.

Eco-Friendly:  Recycled upper and a committment to recycle the shoes post-use.  Tarkine are stepping up on environmental matters, it clearly sets them apart from all the other brands.

Running on Autopilot:  The rockered geometry combined with the plush foam, results in a very efficient ride.  You can truly just check out and run on Autopilot.

To buy or not to buy:

HOKA charge close to $290 for their shoes now, at $230 the Autopilot offers much better value.  The Autopilot is $30 cheaper than the Nike Invincible ($260 AUD) and the same price as the Asics Novablast ($230).

Value for money is spot on, the ride has nailed it.  Perhaps it is time to move from the legacy old school brands to Tarkine.