Mizuno Wave Kazan Trail Running Shoe Reivew

I got these shoes for a whopping $40 - deals are my kind of thing. They retail for $120.

They are sold as a trail running shoe. But for me and my part, they are not good trail running shoes. The only instance that I can think of where these would be good on the trials is where the surface is not more than flat grass or hard dirt. Throw any rocks or roots in to the mix and what you have is a not fun shoe.

So I took them out on the road this morning and they were just fine. I don't have a big problem with the shoes on anything except technical terrain. They are light and do feel like they are well built. But on the few trails that I have taken them on any rocks are very noticeable as there does not seem to be any sort of method to stiffen the sole.

So that's the bottom line.  I still expect them to last a while and be a decent shoe. Good construction and all that, but I did buy them to race in and I can't think of one race where I would want every rock translated through to my foot.

Notice the unique star pattern on the sole.

Hoka One One Challenge ATR Review

After a few runs on the treadmill with these, I finally got these puppies out on the trail. Did about 10 miles of relatively flat trail at a relatively easy pace.

My current assessment is that these are pretty good shoes. And seeing as how I got them for less than 50 bucks when they retail for over $130, it's hard for me to really complain.

My previous pair of trail running shoes have been worn out and getting these things is like going from broken struts on a cheap old car to a new Rolls Royce.

These shoes have much more cushioning than shoes normally have so they soak up bumps like nothing and even after several miles they don't feel like the ground is connected to the skin of your feet.

While the color isn't my first choice, the other more objective things about the shoe make it worth it. They weigh very little even with the extra cushioning and the materials are top notch.