Shoe Reviews

Another year, another Hoka Clifton, perhaps Hoka’s most popular shoe. A highly cushioned, neutral high mileage trainer. A workhorse for endless miles.  HOKA called it their ‘Ultra comfortable go to daily runner’ – it’s hard to argue with that Not designed for speed, but for long distances or easy runs. The Clifton 7 is very similar to the Clifton 6 – a nice, soft, lightweight, cushioned ride. The only significant changes are a new upper (mesh) and various minor changes to it’s last/upper/heel counter. The differences between the 6 and 7 are pretty much negligible, some minor tweaks, but hardly noticeable. Runner’s Tribe took these shoes through 110km of mostly road and light trail running, and below is our unpaid for analysis.

Hoka's Bondi 7 encapsulates all that the brand Hoka One One is about, better than perhaps any other shoe.  High stack heights, metarocker midsole geometry and oh so soft midsole foam.  Runner's Tribe took the Bondi 7's through about 150km of road and light trails, below is our unpaid for review.

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).

In 2016, Nike introduced the Nike Vaporfly, a groundbreaking running shoe that combined polyether block amide (PEBA) foam and a full-length carbon fiber plate. This unique design quickly gained attention for its potential to enhance performance. Athletes wearing these shoes shattered world records, including the sub 2-hour marathon. As a result, other major running companies started developing their own versions of these "super shoes" to meet the new rules set by the International Association of Athletics Federation for the 2021 Summer Olympics.

The oldest running shoe company of them all, Saucony, have landed their latest high mileage trainer, and it does not, repeat, does not, disappoint. Saucony states the following about the Triumph 17: ‘First-class long runs are lighter than ever. For those who crave the ultimate in protective cushioning, the Triumph 17 is our most cushioned shoe, giving you everything you need to cruise through the longest of runs. Make running hangovers a thing of the past.’ So, are Saucony’s claims accurate, is this shoe worth the $250 investment? Runner’s Tribe took the Triumph through the paces, and below is our unpaid for review.

The Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Trail is at the centre of the collection, a crossover trainer that offers easy transition from the trail to the road. The duality of the Peg Trail is captured by the two colour schemes, one a classic red, white and blue expression and the other in Takahashi's now familiar mix of earthy tones.

(c) Runner’s Tribe Sick of hearing about “Energy Return”?   Wondering what it is? Read on. Shoe companies are always up to something.  The trends that marketing...

Today, ASICS SportStyle announces the launch of the GEL-LYTE™ III CM 1.95 sneaker – the lightest CO2 emissions sneaker on the market². Inspired by one of the most iconic sneakers from ASICS SportStyle, this version evolves the GEL-LYTE™ III OG silhouette to minimise its impact on the planet without compromising on quality or design. With some of the most creative solutions integrated, the GEL-LYTE™ III CM 1.95 sneaker takes the fusion of sustainability efforts and design aesthetics a step further. 

The brand that backs Australian 1500m gun Olli Hoare is back, another sweet shoe, from the world’s youngest running shoe company. The ON CLOUDULTRA is – you guessed it – a trail shoe. Similar to the CLOUDSTRATUS, but for trails. With chunky lugs and plenty of cushioning, the CLOUDULTRA is built for long miles and provides a firm, grippy ride. Runner’s Tribe were lucky enough to put a pair of CLOUDULTRA’s through their paces. Below is our review.

Welcome to a thrilling exploration of the best running shoes with a wide toe box! This year brings a triumphant lineup of innovative footwear, promising to elevate your running experience to unprecedented heights. Join us as we delve into three exceptional contenders: the Tarkine Trail Devil, Tarkine Goshawk, and the Altra Torin 7. Each shoe boasts unique features and cutting-edge technology, designed to cater to the diverse needs of runners seeking peak performance on various terrains.