- A 6-10 mile threshold workout
- A long run lasting 90-120 minutes
- A short recovery run
- 3k-5K paced work
- Mile paced strides, 2-3 sets
While some aspects of our testing metrics are subjective, we strive to provide a fair assessment of the different models by testing them multiple times under many conditions. Every pair of shoes was given adequate time underfoot, and most went through significantly more miles than required. To complement our in-use testing and confirm our findings, we also send a second pair of each model to our testing warehouse, where we collect hard measurements such as heel-toe-drop, dimensions, and toe box volume.
Cushioning and Landing Comfort
We created our standardized test loop, which features various terrains and gradients, to better compare cushioning and landing comfort. We took each model on a run around the loop and noted what we liked and didn't like about the cushioning. We then took each model out on a long run to see how well the cushioning reduced fatigue. Similarly, each shoe was assessed over a shorter recovery run to see how the cushioning felt at slower paces. During our faster threshold and interval sessions, we noted how the cushioning felt at pace. Taking notes on fatigue, discomfort, and perceived impact helped us narrow down which cushioning we liked the best. Back in the lab, we took stack height measurements in the heel and the toe of each shoe so we could report on the amount of underfoot cushioning present and provide an additional way to gauge how much landing comfort each shoe provides.
Responsiveness
Our assessment of responsiveness took place over a variety of runs. We performed a threshold session of 6-10 miles for each model and noted how we liked the responsiveness. Similarly, we assessed the ability to hit faster paces during sessions at 3k-5k pace, strides at mile pace or faster, and alactic sprints. We considered objective measures of pace and subjective measures of feel and completed side-by-side testing to see which had the fastest feel and produced the most rebound for our energy input.
Also included in our assessment of responsiveness are our in-house measurements of the rocker angle and the rocker apex location, features that contribute to that “rolling” feeling some shoes have that seem to push you forward. We locate the precise position where the toe of a shoe begins to turn upward off the ground and use a ruler and weight to find the angle at which the shoe begins to lift. We also note the plate material, if there is one, and the foam type used in the midsole.
Lateral Stability and Support
One of the main reasons we wanted to make sure our test loop had different surfaces was to check for lateral stability and support. This allowed us to analyze how the different heel drops and stack heights impacted this performance metric. We took careful note of how the stability transferred into our ankles and knees. In-house, we measured the width of the models to see if there was a correlation between width and stability. Models that were more stable and supportive received the highest scores. We also considered models that were designed to be stability shoes and whether their approach was effective.
Upper Comfort
Upper comfort was evaluated by wearing each shoe in a wide range of workouts, comparing all of the run types, and noting which upper worked best with our foot. We wore socks of different thicknesses and ran in varying weather conditions to experience the fullest range possible. We analyzed the roominess of the toe box and the snug fit of the heel cup, looking for hot spots or blisters. When looking at the upper, we evaluate the fabric's breathability and pay close attention to pressure points that could cause blisters later on.
Weight
All weight comparisons were completed during our in-house testing. We weighed each shoe right out of the box on the same scale. The weight score is based strictly on the data collected in-house and provides an objective measurement for you to compare. However, when running in each of these models, we notice that some of them just feel lighter underfoot, potentially due to fit and other design choices. When this is the case, we add commentary in the individual review for the shoe.
