Category: Gear

Venturing into the zero drop shoe world with Xero HFS II

Are zero drop shoes for you?

Trying out Xero’s HFS II shoe was my first foray into the barefoot shoe movement. Barefoot shoes are characterized by minimalist design and a zero heel drop. This means there’s no difference in the sole height between the heel and forefoot, which simulates running barefoot.

The average heel drop for a running shoe is 10mm, with the heel being higher than the forefoot. These may sound like running nerd details, but if you try zero heel drop shoes, you will immediately become more aware of the ground beneath your feet.

Xero has patented a sole called FeelTrue, which “lets you safely Feel The World, protecting your foot while giving your brain the feedback and stimulation your brain wants,” according to its website. The idea is that you’ll have a more natural running gait and strengthen your feet, which makes you less prone to running injuries.

A black zero drop running shoe, the Xero HFS II.
Photo courtesy of Xero

Xero materials and fit

The first thing I noticed about the Xero HFS II was its cuteness. I tried the ombre green and blue Reflecting Pool color. I like the shoe’s flat silhouette, without a big cushy wedge.

Next, I noticed it was the lightest weight running shoe I’ve ever tried. Without that padding, it weighs almost nothing. The sole is also extremely flexible. A wide toe box lets your toes splay out naturally — like running barefoot. The grippy soles are based on tire treads. And many of Xero’s running shoes are made from vegan materials.

The HFS II were comfortable as soon as I put them on. My first time out in the HFS II, I ran three miles. Yes, I could really feel the ground. Maybe more than I wanted.

A blue and green zero drop running shoe, the Xero HFS II.
Photo courtesy of Xero

Transition period

After my first run in the HFS II, I researched zero drop shoes and learned that running experts advise a transition period. People are split on the pros and cons of zero drop shoes. Depending on who you ask, this type of shoe can be life-changing. Read more about the pros and cons here.

If you decide to try zero drop shoes, experts say you should start with a very short run (about half a mile) and slowly work up. Since I am training for longer runs, I wasn’t willing to do this right now. Apparently, this is a common problem with changing over to zero drop.

According to fitness trainer Eric Plevin of Fulcrum Fitness in Portland, Oregon, “Given the need for a phased adaptation period, individuals unwilling to patiently revise their training regimen may encounter discomfort or injury risks.” So you’ll have the most success if you patiently increase your distance little by little.

A person wearing Xero zero drop shoes while jumping in the air above grass.
Photo courtesy of Xero

Other uses of Xero HFS II

Despite my unwillingness to commit to being a zero drop runner, at least for now, I’ve been wearing the HFS II a lot for other activities. They’ve become my favorite shoes for the gym. Without all the padding, they make me feel nimbler for doing lateral moves, agility ladders, and box jumps. I also liked them for my first try at pickleball.

Overall, the Xero HFS II is a very attractive and comfortable shoe. If you’re ready to venture into the zero drop world, these are a good place to start. And they come with a 5,000-mile sole warranty!

A black and gray zero drop running shoe, the Xero HFS II.
Photo courtesy of Xero

Writer received a free sample from Xero for review.

Get your athleisure on with these eco-sneakers from Kokolu

Be colorful and comfortable.

What can you expect from Kokolu’s new athleisure wear sneakers? If you’re a color freak like me, you’ll find the bright designs so dang cheerful. The yellow Comfort Knit Sneakers I tried featured shiny knit uppers, purple laces, and bright green soles. Even better? They’re made from recycled and natural materials. Here’s what runners, walkers, hikers, and style-conscious athleisure fans should know about this eco-conscious shoe.

Let’s explore the materials that go into these stylish sneakers. The uppers are made out of 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, and we all know the world needs a good use for those. Each pair of laces takes care of another recycled plastic bottle. The outsoles are crafted from recycled rubber, and the insoles are made from corn starch and recycled foam. Kokolu also employs a process called dope-dying, which uses less water than other methods.

When you’ve worn out these shoes, they’re 100% recyclable. And so is the cardboard packaging they come in.

A person from the calves down wearing a pair of yellow athleisure wear sneakers with purple laces.
Photo courtesy of Kokolu

Testing out Kokolu’s athleisure wear sneakers

Styling these shoes was a bit of a challenge with their unusual color scheme. Even so, I was determined to make these Kokolu athleisure wear sneakers the only pair I wore on a recent trip to San Diego (except for my running shoes). So, I packed an all purple, black, yellow, and green wardrobe and spent three days walking around San Diego in these sneakers. My feet stayed comfortable the whole time. And I got lots of compliments on my shiny yellow shoes.

At first, I had trouble getting them on and off. I thought the gold zipper was just for decoration. Turns out the zipper is practical, and the purple laces are for show. Once I figured that out, things got easier.

Two models standing on the street wearing Kokolu's athleisure wear sneakers.
Photo courtesy of Kokolu

Kokolu’s impact

Founded in 2018, Kokolu is a certified B Corporation, which means it meets high social and environmental performance standards. Kokolu’s 2022 Green Report documented recycling 227,014 plastic bottles and 13,345 kilograms of rubber. The company also planted 1,100 trees in British Columbia and reduced water waste by 75%.

These shoes feel good, and you can feel good about buying them. I just wish they’d bring back the sustainable purple velvet sneakers I had my eye on before they took them off the market. The world needs this mix of eco-consciousness and fun style.

A yellow athleisure wear sneaker in yellow with purple laces.
Photo courtesy of Kokolu

Writer received a free sample from Kokolu for review.

Let’s test out NORTIV 8’s Cloud Harmony Athleisure Sneakers

See how they run.

The Cloud Harmony Women’s Athleisure sneakers have a sleeker profile than the other NORTIV 8 shoe I tried out, the Cloud Walk. NORTIV 8 describes the Cloud Harmony as “tennis sneakers” and recommends them for walking, commuting, light workouts, running, and going to the gym. So, I treated the Cloud Harmony as more of an all-around shoe rather than a serious running shoe. Here’s how they held up.

I first tried out the Cloud Harmony at the gym. Less bulky than many running shoes, these sneakers were good for boot camp classes and activities like box jumps and agility ladders. For workouts like these, bigger shoes can become a tripping hazard. Thankfully, the Cloud Harmony sneakers keep you nimble while still providing enough cushioning for jumps.

A black and white sneaker.
Photo courtesy of NORTIV 8

How do they handle a run? For me, the shoes performed well on a four-mile park excursion, even with some wet pavement and a little mud. Still, the treads are a bit shallow, so these probably won’t be 400-mile shoes. On longer runs, I’d opt for something more substantial.

A pair of purple and pink sneakers.
Photo by Teresa Bergen

As for aesthetics, the Cloud Harmony comes in four colors: black, white, mint green, and purple. The latter two are good choices if you like a sneaker rainbow in your closet. The mint design has a purple heel and white sole. I have the purple design, which features a hot pink sole. Perfect for spring, as I feel like an Easter egg when I wear them.

Side and back views on a pair of mint, white, and purple sneakers.
Photo courtesy of NORTIV 8

Animal lovers will appreciate that this sneaker is made from all vegan materials. It uses an EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) midsole, a common midsole material. Mesh uppers let your feet breathe, and the rubber outsole helps these shoes grip the pavement. The Cloud Harmony also boasts a supportive insole and a reinforced heel for added protection and stability.

A purple and pink NORTIV 8 Cloud Harmony Athleisure Sneaker.
Photo by Teresa Bergen

NORTIV 8 is based in New Jersey and prides itself on making quality gear at reasonable prices. At $59.99, these sneakers aren’t super cheap, but they are less costly than many running brands.

Writer received a free sample from NORTIV 8 for review.

Reviewing Diadora’s new comfy, vegan running shoe

Here’s the rundown.

The new Mythos Blushield Volo 4 W 2030 is currently my favorite running shoe. When I first put them on, they felt cushier than my regular shoes and a bit too big. They also featured a wider toe box. For a minute, I was worried I might trip. But I didn’t. Instead, the shoes felt broken in immediately. No sore soles with these comfy shoes. 

Diadora describes the Mythos Blushield Volo 4 W 2030 as “the ideal choice for quick sprints over short distances or extended low-intensity workouts.” See what goes into making these running shoes in the breakdown below, and research other shoe options in this gear guide.

A white running shoe.
Photo by Teresa Bergen

Materials

Mythos Blushield Volo 4 W 2030 is part of the Diadora 2030 project, a series of goals the company is working toward for a greener future. The shoe uses only vegan materials. The upper is made from recycled polyester mesh and virgin polyester. The midsole is 40% EVA, partially biosynthesized from by-products of sugar cane processing. The laces are 100% recycled polyester.

While I like to buy used clothing, I avoid used running shoes because of the worn-down treads. You can feel good about buying new shoes from a manufacturer working so hard to protect the environment.

A pair of white running shoes.
Photo by Teresa Bergen

Aesthetics and design

The women’s Mythos Blushield Volo 2030 comes in white with purple trim. The men’s is white with black and cayenne accents. I’m not a fan of white shoes, so I wish this design came in more colors. But aside from that, it’s a cute design. I especially like the diagonal stripe of cork inset and the angular purple zigzags around the laces.

You can tell the design team took their time plotting out every detail. The loop on the heel is handy for pulling the shoes on. The tongue is also noticeably thin.

White running shoes in a brown box.
Photo by Teresa Bergen

About Diadora

An Italian brand, Diadora was founded in 1948 with global headquarters in Caerano di San Marco in northern Italy. Diadora’s North American headquarters is in Philadelphia. While the company started as an artisan hiking boot brand, it now manufactures clothing, running shoes, accessories like visors, and even specialized pickleball shoes.

Bryan Poerner, CEO of Diadora USA, is a long-time vegan. But he doesn’t take credit for the brand using many sustainable and vegan materials. “In general, all companies are always going to look for sustainable alternatives when they make sense,” he said. “And we’re no different. The company is led by people who believe in that sort of thing. But I don’t think it’s an anomaly. I think it’s the way of the future.”

Writer received a free sample from Diadora for review.

Here’s how Injinji changed my mind about toe socks

Are they right for you?

One of my friends swears by Injinji toe socks. She touts the lack of rubbing that leaves her toes blister-free, even on long runs. I was skeptical, having not worn toe socks since childhood. My main memory is that it was a pain to get each toe in its individual compartment. In the wide world of modern running socks, could toe socks really offer something that other designs don’t?

To find out, I decided to give toe socks another try and ordered a pair from premium toe sock brand Injinji. Here’s what I found.

Related: Should you try Jogology’s running socks?

A pair of black Injinji toe socks.
Photo by Teresa Bergen

Injinji sock family

Injinji has built a toe sock empire. Its website offers socks for running or hiking in hidden, no-show, mini-crew, crew, and over-the-calf lengths. There are even limited-edition socks.

I focused on the mini-crew to keep my shoes from rubbing on the backs of my ankles without adding too much sock height. Within the mini-crew division, there are original weight, lightweight, midweight, and trail varieties. Some categories offer separate socks for men and women. There are even artist-designed socks and a toeless option for extra grip.

After buying and liking an initial pair, it took several days of pondering and revisiting the website to ultimately choose four more pairs of socks. Yes, that was a little extreme at prices of $14 and up. But I’d caught toe sock fever. And I was going for free shipping. I wound up with three pairs of women’s ultra-run mini-crews, a unisex ultra, and one pair of midweight mini-crews. Am I an ultra runner? Heck no. But they sounded nice and cushy.

Trying out the socks

Sure enough, putting on toe socks takes longer than putting on regular socks. But not that much longer. After wearing them a few times, I timed myself. Eighteen seconds per sock to manually get each toe in its rightful place.

Depending on the person, separately encasing each toe may feel luxurious or like a strange amount of extra fabric. I enjoyed the cushy feeling, and my toes enjoyed the luxury experience.

When running, I felt like the Injinji socks protected my toes. If you’re not always on top of your pedicures, these socks may save you from toe-on-toe aggression. Say goodbye to indentations from a next-door neighbor’s sharp toenail. Instead, your toes will live harmonious lives inside their separate compartments. It’s like that old saying: fences make good neighbors.

A single foot in orange and yellow toe socks.
Photo by Teresa Bergen

Aesthetics

There are a few other companies making toe socks, but Injinji has the cutest selection. Of course, you can choose something neutral and practical like black or grey. Even these options have some subtle design features, like shadow stripes or a slightly contrasting cuff. But if you like fun, colorful socks, Injinji has you covered.

The first pair I bought were bright yellow mini-crews with orange toes and heels. I followed that purchase with a few more pairs, including a royal blue design with yellow toes and heels.

If you really want to make your sock wardrobe special, check out the artist-designed series. Injinji partners with outdoorsy artists like Sandro Young and Kika MacFarlane to produce limited-edition socks.

A pair of feet in black toe socks against a black and yellow rug.
Photo by Teresa Bergen

Toe sock benefits

Okay, they’re cute and colorful. But do toe socks have any real benefits? According to Injinji, the top three reasons for wearing toe socks are blister prevention, total foot utilization, and moisture management.

I experienced the blister protection aspect, as separating each toe eliminated skin-on-skin friction. Injinji also claims that toe socks allow you to engage your entire foot in ways that regular socks don’t, and I could feel this, too.

Like most products in running and in life, you have to try it out for yourself and see if it works for you. I’ve converted to toe socks for running — at least for a while. While I’m still new to the world of toe socks, it seems like a better world so far.

Let’s put GORUCK’s Rough Runners to the test

Time for a test run.

When GORUCK began in 2008, Jason McCarthy was in the Special Forces and Emily McCarthy was in the CIA. The two co-founders started their gear company out of Emily’s house in West Africa. Their goal was to build an indestructible rucksack. Now, GORUCK offers several types of bags, plus shoes and apparel. All are backed by the Scars Lifetime Guarantee. If there’s a defect or if you manage to wear something out, GORUCK will fix or replace it. This is a hardcore brand for hardcore people.

GORUCK sent me a pair of its Rough Runner shoes to try out. Out of the box, they felt stiffer and tighter than other shoes I’ve reviewed recently. The last few pairs of running shoes I’ve reviewed have been wider and maybe even a little longer in the toe box, making me wonder if my feet are shrinking with age. Not these. I could feel the fronts and tops of my toes and heel as they made contact with the outside of the shoe. Here’s how they held up on a test run.

Two people rucking through a suburban neighborhood.
Photo courtesy of GORUCK

Testing the Rough Runners

As I set off for a three-mile run, I had my doubts. I wondered if I’d get blisters on my toes and heels and have to pack it in after a few blocks. I was more conscious of my feet than usual for the first mile or so. After a while, my feet and the Rough Runners got used to each other, and I stopped thinking about it. I ran farther than I planned and went faster than usual. Was it because of the shoes? Or maybe because it was one of my first sunny, pleasant runs of the year? Either way, everything was working fine.

Then, when I walked for my cooldown, I became more conscious of the shoes feeling tight again. These were more comfortable for me to run in than to walk. After trying out these shoes for three runs and a trip to the gym, I looked up some other reviews. There weren’t many mentions of the Rough Runners run small. Still, if you have a wider foot, I recommend ordering the wide shoe to avoid smooshing your toes into the regular.

GORUCK tried to solve two problems with these shoes. First, they built them for lateral stability. They are designed for weight training and rucking, as well as running. Second, the company claims to include “0% marshmallow foam for better support.” That’s why the Rough Runners feel built up through the midsole without being cushy. The GORUCK website describes typical running shoe foam as “squishy and soft. Like a waterbed, it might feel good for a bit, but it’s terrible for your body.”

A person from the knees down running on pavement.
Photo courtesy of GORUCK

Rough Runner aesthetics

As for the aesthetics, the Rough Runners come mostly in serious colors like black, olive, gray, and white, sometimes with more colorful trim. I requested the flashiest pair, an electric blue with white trim and a bright orange sole. They have clean, unfussy lines. The most fun thing about them is the placement of the brand’s horizontal spearhead logo. It’s a Special Forces symbol inspired by Native American spearheads. A spearhead decorates the side of the shoe towards the heel. If you look closely, you can also find spearheads on the tongue, in the footbed, and, my favorite, a little one hidden in the tread of the sole.

A pair of GORUCK Rough Runner rucking and running shoes in blue and orange.
Rough Runners in electric blue. / Photo by Teresa Bergen

Giving back

In line with the McCarthys’ Special Forces past, GORUCK donates 1% of its gross sales to non-profit partners that support the military. From 2015 to 2020, GORUCK donated almost a million dollars to organizations serving veterans, first responders, military spouses, and other related communities.

Rucking for tough people

GORUCK leads the rucking trend. If you’re not familiar with rucking, it means walking (or running) with weight on your back. The more, the better. GORUCK leads regular challenges in different cities to give average people the experience of a day in the life of Special Forces training. What started as a quality control program to test out gear has developed into a way for people with relatively cushy lives to test their mettle.

After watching GORUCK videos of people running on the crowded streets of New York, crawling through mud, and dipping into frigid water — all while wearing brick-filled backpacks, I felt a little inspired. I wasn’t ready for that much weight, so instead I ran to Doe Donuts, Portland’s finest vegan donut shop. I rucked my way home in my Rough Runners (also made of vegan materials) with a box of donuts beneath one arm. This might not win me praise from CrossFit (a GORUCK partner), but the shoes worked pretty well for me. I’m not sure if I’m ready to give up my life of marshmallow foam and donuts, but I’ll keep alternating between Rough Runners and other running shoes while I think it over.

A person rucking on the beach.
Photo courtesy of GORUCK

Writer received a free sample from GORUCK for review.

Should you try Jogology’s running socks?

A good run starts with socks.

The Jogology brand began with three runner friends: Luke Rowe and Bert and Tanya Pictor. “Our hope is that Jogology will help all runners, no matter their level, reach their destination in ultimate comfort,” the trio says on the Jogology website. Always searching for better running socks, I decided to give Jogology a try.

The brand’s offerings are simple so far. Jogology makes no-show socks in high, medium, or low-cushion. They come in sizes S, M, L, and XL and have “anatomical shaping.” If you look closely, you’ll see a little L or R on each sock.

Each cushioning level comes in your standard black, white, and gray, with a few fun colors thrown in. Being a color person, I liked the lilac high-cushion sock, which is a pink-lavender color on top with aqua piping and hot pink around the toes and heel. The medium-cushion in sky is also attractive, a combo of sky blue and light pink, with gray toes and neon yellow accents. It may sound silly to more stoic runners, but having fun workout clothes helps rev me up enough to get out of the office chair and into the park.

A pair of feet in gray Jogology running socks.
Photo courtesy of Jogology

I prefer a well-cushioned sock. I was partial to my high-cushion lilac Jogology pair until the evil sock fairy stole one way too soon. Since then, I’ve relied on the medium-cushion, which, fortunately, are cushy enough. The first four times I wore the socks, I didn’t realize there was a left and right sock, yet I noticed nothing amiss. So either it’s not essential to wear these socks on the intended feet, or the styling details subliminally make you put them on the correct feet.

The low-cushion socks are designed to fit like a second skin for people who don’t like much sock inside their shoes. Jogology boasts that “unique arch support massage bands eliminate excess fabric.” They seem to have nailed this. After wearing Jogology, some of my old running socks feel bulky. The brand has also worked to develop extra protection around the big toe and a soft knit rib band around the ankle area to eliminate pressure marks.

A teal background behind a blue sock with details about Jogology's design.
Photo courtesy of Jogology

Jogology is dedicated to sustainability and giving back. Its packaging is made from post-consumer waste recycled paper. The socks use recycled yarn blended with sustainably harvested wood pulp. Jogology also follows an ecologically conscious manufacturing process and supports Leader Dogs for the Blind.

My only gripe is that it’s hard to figure out how to buy Jogology socks. I fooled around on the website for ages and couldn’t find any purchase buttons. I finally emailed their PR person, who told me the socks are for sale through Fleet Feet. Peruse Jogology’s options there, and check out some other top running socks here.

Writer received free samples from Jogology for review.

The 14 best trail running shoes recommended by pros

Find your new faves.

If you’re new to trail running, you might wonder why you can’t just wear your regular running shoes. You can — they just won’t work as well. Trail running shoes are designed to handle wilder conditions than asphalt, such as steep inclines, patches of mud and snow, and areas full of roots and rocks.

Great as trail running shoes are, you’ll still want to wear your regular running shoes on roads. Abrasive pavement can wear down rubber lugs on trail running shoes.

Which shoes are the best for trails? “There is no one-size-fits-all trail shoe,” said Steve Moore, owner of Run Moore, a specialty shoe store in Maryland. “The best trail shoe for you depends on factors such as foot shape, injury history, and the types of trails you run on.”

So, to find some of the best trail running shoes, we surveyed avid trail runners to get their opinions. Here’s what they had to say.

What to expect from an active recovery shoe like the Kane Revive

Let’s give them a try.

The Kane Revive is a fabulous concept: a shoe designed for active recovery, made from planet-friendly materials, and created by a Certified B Corporation. The shoes look a bit like Crocs, with a closed back rather than a clog style, and come in at least 20 colors.

Kane Footwear CEO John Gagliardi started dreaming up his company a few years back. “I walked past a pile of EVA [ethylene-vinyl acetate] shoes on a beach and wondered why there isn’t a better looking slip-on shoe made out of planet-friendly materials,” he said in a statement. “That experience led me to start Kane. From the beginning, our mission has been to create a well-designed, bio-based EVA shoe that supports and stimulates recovery.”

Kane Footwear shoes in the Kane Revive design, in black and white.
Photo by Teresa Bergen

Gagliardi has the perfect pedigree for a shoe baron. He grew up working in his dad’s sneaker store in Queens, New York. Later, he was a professional athlete. “I began to understand that footwear can have a profound influence on recovery,” he said. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished with the launch of the Kane Revive. And it’s only the beginning.”

So, how does this shoe help recovery? Kane worked with board-certified foot and ankle surgeon Dr. Daniel Geller on the design. These shoes are riddled with holes that promote air circulation. Raised nodes in the footbed help activate blood flow in key pressure points. Ample cushioning supports the wearer’s heel, arch, and instep. The soles are flexible and provide good traction.

While these shoes look like regular plastic, they’re actually made of a trademarked material called RestoreFoam™, created from Brazilian sugarcane. Sugarcane is a renewable resource and captures carbon as it grows. So these shoes help your feet as they help the planet. Plus, the Kane Revive is made from all vegan materials.

A pair of feet in gray socks and blue Kane Revive shoes.
Photo by Teresa Bergen

Kane sent me two review pairs to try out. They are totally comfortable. I like the support and the space for toes to spread out and relax. The shoes also grip well when I walk down my slippery back steps to take the trash out. The lace loops on the back help you pull them on. And Kane sends two pairs of spare loops in contrasting colors in case you want to jazz up your look.

Is the Kane Revive for you? A lot depends on your aesthetic sense. While the Revive is more attractive than Crocs, the resemblance is unmistakable. And debate has raged for 20+ years about this controversial yet popular design. I’ve always striven for a Croc-free household. Now, I’m faced with two pairs of comfortable and apparently good-for-my-feet Kane Revives. So far, I haven’t ventured off my property in them. But they are starting to grow on me. We’ll see if I can overcome my aesthetic hangups to reap the full benefit of these innovative new shoes.

Kane Footwear provided Outdoors Wire with a product sample for review.

The top 3 best treadmills for marathon training

Optimize your training routine.

Whether you love running inside while watching your favorite TV show or refer to your exercise equipment as the “dreadmill,” treadmills are a fact of life for many runners. Maybe you live somewhere with treacherous ice, or you work on a ship, or your schedule allows no daylight hours for running. These are all cases where a treadmill can make the difference between training for your next racing event or skipping so many sessions that race day is disappointing. 

If you’re looking for the best treadmill for marathon training, look no further. We asked a few experts for their treadmill training tips and to get their top picks in treadmills.

Treadmill training tips

One of the biggest drawbacks to treadmill training is monotony. “To avoid treadmill burnout, I’m diligent about programming speed intervals, hill repeats, tempo runs – anything to mix it up,” says Alanna Kate Derrick, running coach and personal trainer. “Upbeat playlists and streaming races help pass the time, too.”

Remember, running on a treadmill in your basement is only sort of like running a marathon. Derrick tries to make the conditions as similar as possible. 

“On long run days, I’ll gear up with the same shoes, socks, fuel belt, and hydration pack I plan to use come race day,” she said. “The more I can replicate race conditions, the less anxiety I feel. At the end of the day, pounding pavement still brings me the most joy. But the convenience of a treadmill can’t be overstated. Having the ability to fit in miles regardless of my schedule or thunderstorms gives me confidence I’ll make it to the start line healthy and prepared.”