When discovering the most effective light-weight path trainers, you need one which strikes a steadiness between being nimble, sturdy, and cushioned sufficient to be snug however gentle sufficient to allow you to fly. This information shares the most effective light-weight path footwear with an intention to maintain the burden for a U.S. males’s 9 beneath 9 ounces, though two pairs snuck in simply over that weight. As a result of the footwear listed below are very gentle, usually slender, and with low-volume midsoles, many — however not all(!) — should not nicely suited to ultramarathon distances however are excellent for zooming up, down, and throughout all the things from buttery singletrack to buttressed mountains.
We examined the footwear throughout numerous situations and distances to find out which had been greatest when velocity was of the essence.
You too can be taught extra about discovering the proper light-weight path footwear by leaping to our how-to-choose part.
Take a look at our greatest path trainers information for extra generalist path footwear.
Finest Light-weight Path Working Sneakers
Light-weight footwear could make a giant distinction in brief and steep races. Photograph: Skyrunning/Maurizio Torri
The North Face Summit Vectiv Sky 2.
Precise Weight (U.S. males’s 9): 8.4 oz (238 g) | Stack Peak: 28/22 mm heel/toe | Drop: 6 mm
Execs:
- Mushy however poppy midsole
- “Simply sufficient” lug sample supplies nice floor really feel whereas descending
Cons:
- Midfoot lockdown might be improved
- Ridiculously lengthy laces
Although it launched with much less fanfare than the hyper-stacked, super-shoe counterpart Vectiv Professional 3 ($250), The North Face Vectiv Sky 2 ($200) is arguably the stronger all-around path racing shoe between the model’s two premium choices for the time being. That’s a bit ironic, contemplating the Professional line has traditionally been the extra pleasing choice, whereas the unique Sky fell wanting expectations.
With the Sky 2, The North Face made two main adjustments to the higher. The tongue system has been improved and changed with a thinner, extra conventional gusseted tongue, leading to a safer and cozy match. The midsole additionally feels quicker and extra forgiving, elevating the experience high quality in comparison with the primary model.
The Sky 2’s midsole is constructed solely from Dream foam, a nitrogen-infused TPU that delivers a easy, propulsive sensation underfoot. It softens the experience noticeably whereas additionally lowering weight in comparison with the unique. The shoe additionally incorporates a forked Vectiv 3.0 carbon plate with three prongs that run independently alongside the left, heart, and proper by the forefoot. These prongs merge on the midfoot and lengthen as a single plate by the heel. The left and proper arms even wrap barely upward, forming stabilizing “wings” alongside the medial and lateral sides.
With a 6-millimeter drop (28 millimeter heel/22 millimeter forefoot stack top), the Sky 2 avoids the soundness points that plague higher-stacked fashions just like the Vectiv Professional 3, which sits on a 40 millimeter heel. Regardless of being lighter than the unique, the Sky 2 truly gained traction with deeper outsole lugs — now 5 millimeters, up from 3.5 millimeters — and a redesigned Floor Management rubber compound.
This shoe stands out from the pack for one easy motive — it’s enjoyable, extraordinarily quick, and extremely efficient to run in.
The midsole foam delivers an lively experience, whereas the general weight stays impressively aggressive. Add in a remarkably succesful outsole, and also you’ve bought a mix that makes this mannequin onerous to beat. A U.S. males’s 9 within the The North Face Vectiv Sky 2 has an precise weight of simply 8.4 ounces (238 gram).
Be careful for our forthcoming full assessment of The North Face Vectic Sky 2.
Store the The North Face Vectiv Sky 2 – Unisex
The Brooks Catamount Agil.
Precise Weight (U.S. males’s 9): 8.0 oz (226 g) | Stack Peak: 16/10 mm heel/toe | Drop: 6 mm
Execs:
- Nice close-to-ground feeling whereas descending
- Substantial lugs for a low-profile shoe
Cons:
- Forefoot too slender for some runners
- Midsole unforgiving for distances over a half marathon
In keeping with its maker, the Brooks Catamount Agil is its “quickest path shoe, ever,” and after testing it on quick, technical programs with steep climbs and descents, we couldn’t agree extra. This isn’t a Caldera constructed for 100-mile ultras — it merely doesn’t have the burden or cushioning to guard your legs for that form of pounding. However for shorter, punchy path races the place velocity and agility matter most, it’s among the finest choices on the market.
What units the Catamount Agil aside straight away is how low it sits to the bottom. With a stack top of simply 16 millimeters within the heel and 10 millimeters within the forefoot — making for a 6 millimeter drop — it provides distinctive path really feel.
As an alternative of the acquainted SkyVault carbon plate discovered within the Catamount 3, Brooks opted for a Pebax SpeedVault Path Plate paired with their nitrogen-infused DNA FLASH v2 foam. This mix delivers a energetic, propulsive experience with a stunning stage of forgiveness for a plated shoe. Pebax, a polymer derived from castor beans, is lighter and extra supportive than carbon, providing a smoother, extra snug expertise with out sacrificing responsiveness.
Brooks additionally made a daring alternative with the outsole. The Catamount Agil options 4.5-millimeter deep lugs — deeper than many light-weight path footwear. When you would possibly really feel a slight rocking sensation standing nonetheless, when you’re shifting downhill, these lugs present distinctive grip and confidence. This outsole design provides it a significant benefit over rivals just like the Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 2, which skimps on traction within the title of weight financial savings.
One more reason the Catamount Agil excels in short-distance racing is its agility. Not like many rigid-plated footwear that really feel locked in a single path, the Agil naturally flexes and bends with fast side-to-side actions, excellent for technical trails with tight switchbacks or root-filled sections.
Match-wise, the Agil strikes an awesome steadiness. The one-piece mesh higher wraps the foot exactly with out being restrictive, and the lacing system locks in securely. For broad ft, the higher accommodates with out feeling tight, although I’d suggest sizing up if you happen to’re between sizes, as the general match leans slender. Sadly, Brooks doesn’t provide this shoe within the half dimension between 12 and 13. Nonetheless, if doubtful, dimension up.
Now we have raced the Catamount Agil in path races as much as 12 kilometers, and it actually shines when the course is shorter however elevation achieve and technical problem are excessive — assume vertical kilometers or quick path half marathons. We regularly joke about low-stack, low-weight path racing footwear which are like observe spikes with lugs (bear in mind the unique Arc’teryx Norvan SL?). Properly, on this information, the Catamount Agil is that shoe. It could take an especially nimble runner to make use of these comfortably on something longer than 20- to 30-kilometer races.
Store Brooks Catamount Agil – Unisex
Most Snug Light-weight Path Working Shoe: Norda 005 ($325)
The Norda 005.
Precise Weight (U.S. males’s 9.5): 8.1 o (230 g) | Stack Peak: 28.5/21.5 mm heel/toe | Drop: 7 mm
Execs:
- Midsole is likely to be essentially the most snug of any present path shoe, light-weight or not!
- Vibram Megagrip Elite, at the moment unique to this shoe, is nice on dust roads
Cons:
- So rattling costly
- Much less nimble descender than another footwear on this information
The Norda 005 ($325) is a standout within the light-weight path racing class as a result of it blends consolation, sturdiness, and velocity like few others. Not like most tremendous footwear, the 005 skips the carbon plate and opts for modern supplies that ship a easy, soft experience with out sacrificing responsiveness.
The important thing to its consolation is the midsole’s Arnitel TPEE foam, which provides nice power return whereas staying softer and extra forgiving than typical path tremendous shoe foams. This creates an opulent but energetic platform that cushions your ft on technical terrain and lengthy efforts with out feeling harsh or lifeless underfoot.
The shoe’s stack top is average — 28 millimeters within the heel and 21 millimeters within the forefoot for a 7-millimeter drop — which strikes the proper steadiness between safety and floor really feel. Not like many cumbersome path tremendous footwear that really feel unstable on descents, the Norda 005 stays nimble and assured on rocky, rooty downhills.
Up prime, the Dyneema bio-based higher is each ultralight and extremely sturdy. It’s breathable, sheds water nicely, and provides a glove-like match that retains your foot safe however snug. This mix of a protecting higher and plush midsole makes the 005 a shoe you may put on all day, whether or not racing or coaching.
Outsole traction is one other spotlight. Vibram’s Megagrip Elite rubber, with a Tetris-like lug sample, supplies sticky, dependable grip throughout assorted terrain, from quick fireplace roads to technical singletrack. The lugs are deep sufficient to chunk however not so aggressive that they punish your calves on longer runs.
For runners who prioritize consolation with out sacrificing weight or efficiency, the Norda 005 is an distinctive alternative. It’s sturdy, supportive, and cushioned sufficient to sort out powerful terrain with confidence, all whereas weighing lower than many conventional path footwear. The step-in really feel is not like any shoe on this information, the proper plushness with effectivity.
Watch or learn our full Norda 005 assessment.
Store the Males’s Norda 005Store the Girls’s Norda 005
Finest Light-weight Path Working Shoe for Technical Terrain: VJ Lightspeed ($200)
The VJ Lightspeed.
Precise Weight (U.S. males’s 9): 8.4 oz (238 g) | Stack Peak: 29/23 mm heel/toe | Drop: 6 mm
Execs:
- Good midsole combine of froth and plate makes for a really propulsive experience
- Wonderful lockdown
Cons:
- Requires extra talent to descend confidently (even with nice grip)
- Slim higher for some runners
The VJ Lightspeed ($200) is among the lightest path footwear obtainable for runners who like very technical terrain. The underfoot sensations are gentle, bouncy, and quick — and at simply 8.4 ounces (238 grams) for a U.S. males’s dimension 9, the burden backs up that feeling. However like many of the footwear on this information, the Lightspeed calls for eager proprioceptive consciousness and robust ankle and foot management to maximise the expertise. It’s a very slender shoe designed for mid-to-forefoot runners who intention for fast and minimal floor contact time.
What actually units the Lightspeed aside on technical trails is its distinctive outsole traction. VJ’s proprietary butyl-rubber outsole delivers a number of the stickiest grip you’ll discover on any path shoe, holding agency on moist rocks, free gravel, and roots. The three.5-millimeter sq. lugs are a wise steadiness — not overly aggressive however sufficient to chunk into free and uneven surfaces with out packing mud. Slim outsole slits present pure flexibility, permitting the shoe to adapt to fast directional adjustments and keep contact with the path.
Underfoot, the shoe combines a nitrogen-infused SuperFOAMance midsole with a Y-shaped Pebax propulsion plate. This setup provides a springy experience with the correct mix of cushioning and stability. The plate provides torsional assist, serving to your foot keep regular and responsive. Collectively, they promote the quick and agile footwork wanted for quick working on technical terrain.
The match is one other essential issue. The comfortable higher is product of a thick Kevlar-based materials that wraps the foot very securely. The FitLock midsole wrap enhances midfoot lockdown, stopping undesirable foot motion throughout sharp turns or sudden steadiness shifts.
In races, we’ve seen the shoe’s superior grip and responsive assist let you assault technical descents confidently. For skilled path runners in search of a light-weight, exact racer that thrives on technical terrain, the VJ Lightspeed is difficult to beat. Total, the Lightspeed provides an distinctive mix of velocity and management for runners with the foot energy and talent to maximise its technical working potential.
Learn our full VJ Lightspeed assessment.
The La Sportiva Prodigio Professional.
Precise Weight (U.S. males’s 9.5): 9.4 oz (267 g) | Stack Peak: 34/28 mm heel/toe | Drop: 6 mm
Execs:
- Comparable however extra steady experience than carbon-plated footwear
- Nice rockered design
Cons:
- Bulkier and heavier than different footwear on this information
Longtime La Sportiva acolytes had been caught off guard with the launch of the unique Prodigio and much more so by the La Sportiva Prodigio Professional. By no means earlier than has La Sportiva provided such a delicate midsole foam, an exaggerated rocker, and its signature sticky rubber in the identical bundle. And on prime of all that, the match was even a bit forgiving, providing non-narrow-footed of us an opportunity to slide into its glove-like higher with out consternation.
This shoe actually hits a candy spot between cushioning, responsiveness, and sturdiness — whereas nonetheless feeling gentle sufficient to maintain you fast and agile on technical terrain.
Alongside the Hoka Tecton X 3, the Prodigio Professional is about as “maximal” as issues get on this information. With a 34-millimeter stack top beneath the heel and 28 millimeters on the toe for a 6-millimeter drop, it’s bought extra stack and a burlier construct than many of the svelte racers on the market, which makes it all of the extra stunning that it ideas the scales at simply 9.4 ounces precise weight for a U.S. males’s 9.5 (equal in dimension to our normal U.S. males’s 9). You wouldn’t instantly peg it as a light-weight choice, but it surely completely belongs in that dialog. Whereas it could actually dangle on steep, technical programs, the Prodigio Professional actually comes alive on easy, rolling trails the place the rocker geometry permits you to stream. And because of the FriXion XF 2.0 outsole, you continue to get that signature La Sportiva chunk over just about any floor.
The midsole is the place issues get actually attention-grabbing. On the coronary heart of the Prodigio Professional is La Sportiva’s XFlow Pace, which ditches the standard carbon plate in favor of a nitrogen-infused TPU core wrapped in an EVA+NITRO cage. The result’s a experience that feels springy and propulsive however with out the stiffness or instability you typically get in plated footwear. It’s responsive sufficient to race quick, but forgiving sufficient to maintain your legs intact deep right into a 50k.
Up prime, the Energy Wire knit-looking higher locks your foot down securely, whereas the knit collar provides each ankle consolation and particles safety. The match stays comfortable and supportive, however — uncommon for La Sportiva — the toebox provides you room to splay out and swell a bit on longer days.
The Prodigio Professional has been described as feeling like a “tremendous shoe” with out the plate. It delivers actual power return and safety with out beating you up. True to La Sportiva kind, sturdiness is a energy: It is a shoe constructed to final by many racing seasons.
Learn our full La Sportiva Prodigio Professional assessment.
Store the Males’s La Sportiva Prodigio ProfessionalStore the Girls’s La Sportiva Prodigio Professional
Finest Light-weight Path Working Shoe for Easy Singletrack: Hoka Tecton X 3 ($275)
The Hoka Tecton X 3.
Precise Weight (U.S. males’s 9): 9.3 oz (265 g) | Stack Peak: 40/35 mm heel/toe | Drop: 5 mm
Execs:
- Gratifying midsole bounce at velocity
- Deep Vibram lugs present nice grip over many situations
Cons:
- Constructed-in gaiter generally is a deal breaker for a lot of runners
- Midsole supplies the tippiest experience of any shoe within the information
The Hoka Tecton X 3 is constructed for velocity on easy, flowing singletrack, providing the uncommon mixture of sunshine weight, plush cushioning, and dependable safety. Now in its third model, the shoe advantages from refinements formed by elite athlete suggestions, and it feels extra polished and versatile than ever.
With an precise weight of 9.3 ounces for a U.S. males’s 9, the Tecton X 3 balances a 5-millimeter drop and beneficiant 40-millimeter heel stack top and 35-millimeter forefoot stack with stunning agility. The PEBA midsole layers present a cushioned, energetic really feel, whereas two parallel carbon plates add a handy guide a rough, propulsive response. Not like many plated footwear that may really feel overly stiff or unstable, the plates right here flex independently, giving the shoe each drive and stability when the paths get uneven. It feels highly effective with out being demanding, and easy with out being boring — a uncommon steadiness within the plated path class.
The largest replace is the Matryx higher, which now features a knit gaiter that wraps across the ankle and tongue. This element retains grit and pebbles out, a small however significant enchancment for anybody who’s needed to cease mid-run to shake out particles, though any built-in gaiter is a disadvantage for some customers. The higher provides a cosy and safe match by the midfoot whereas leaving sufficient room for consolation on longer days. Some testers discovered it a contact much less exact on extremely technical terrain, however on its supposed floor — easy, rolling singletrack — it hits the mark.
Traction comes from a Vibram Megagrip Litebase outsole with redesigned 4-millimeter lugs. The sample supplies assured grip on each moist and dry trails, with higher braking on descents in comparison with earlier variations, but by no means feels overly aggressive on agency floor.
Over the long run, the Tecton X 3 feels quick, springy, and steady — a great mixture for runners who need to push the tempo with out sacrificing consolation over lengthy distances. It’s equally at dwelling in race eventualities and lengthy coaching runs, providing the sturdiness to deal with heavy mileage whereas nonetheless feeling like a real efficiency shoe. For easy singletrack the place velocity is the objective, that is Hoka at its greatest.
Our full assessment of the Hoka Tecton X 3 is on its method.
Store the Males’s Hoka Tecton X 3Store the Girls’s Hoka Tecton X 3
Evaluating the Finest Light-weight Path Working Sneakers
Ragna Debats racing the Transvulcania Ultramarathon. Photograph: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
Why and The best way to Select a Light-weight Path Racing Shoe
The footwear on this information are greatest for shorter path runs and races, resembling vertical kilometers, half marathons, marathons, 50-kilometer races, and most skyrunning-style races the place velocity is extra essential than consolation. Stack top and heel-to-toe drop in light-weight footwear are typically decrease since floor really feel is essential for shifting quick over technical trails. The improvements which have poured over into path trainers from its cousins on the highway — like tremendous foams and carbon plates — can work in light-weight path racing footwear, however there are pretty restricted standouts to this point.
For a few of these footwear, their relative lack of consolation and cushion limits them to explicit course lengths and forms of terrain. Know your shoe’s traits and the race course terrain, and select accordingly. A shoe just like the Brooks Catamount Agil would offer fairly a beating if worn for distances longer than a marathon or 50k.
Additionally, do not forget that these light-weight path footwear aren’t only for races! For these of us whose day by day run doesn’t usually exceed 10 miles, you may log many and even most of your runs in these footwear. Even if you’re not on the lookout for the most effective path racing footwear, take into account the footwear on this information excellent for day by day coaching runs if you want faster-feeling footwear with a extra streamlined design. For instance, you’ll be onerous pressed to discover a extra enjoyable and quicker shoe for nearly any run than the Norda 005, although its extraordinarily excessive value could have you ever from saving it only for race day. Testers discovered the Hoka Tecton X 3 snug sufficient for day-to-day working.
When you’re on the lookout for extra info on path trainers that present extra consolation and are higher suited to on a regular basis working, try our Finest Path Working Sneakers information. When you’re on the lookout for much more consolation, check out our Finest Cushioned Path Working Sneakers information for footwear that can put loads of bounce in your step.
Weight
How low must you go when selecting the most effective light-weight path trainers in your ft? All of the footwear on this information are 9.5 ounces or much less, however their levels of lightness differ vastly. If the common ultrarunning shoe is round 10 ounces, then the eight-ounce Brooks Catamount Agil will really feel like a completely completely different shoe class.
Whereas all of the footwear on this information are very gentle, they’ve completely different sufficient traits to make them really feel considerably completely different. You would possibly go for a barely heavier shoe, such because the La Sportiva Prodigio Professional, due to preferences for the midsole or the extra aggressive outsole, otherwise you would possibly go for the very lightest choice as a result of that’s what’s essential to you.
A weight restrict is an efficient benchmark when deciding on a light-weight path racing shoe, however there are lots of extra parts to think about, and we selected a very good cross-section of footwear with a number of options in addition to being gentle.
A few of the footwear on this information are virtually 50% lighter than regular path trainers. Does that make the most effective light-weight path footwear minimalist? In no way. These light-weight path trainers are certainly gentle, however that’s the place the minimalist comparisons finish. Many of those footwear are cushioned, grippy, sturdy, and strong. In truth, the Hoka Tecton X 3 and La Sportiva Prodigio Professional are totally maximal footwear at pretty minimal weights.
Consolation
Are any of those footwear truly snug? Sadly, a lot of this information’s greatest light-weight path trainers won’t win a “most snug” competitors if you happen to examine them to footwear made for going tremendous lengthy, whether or not in ultramarathons or all-day journey runs.
Most of those footwear are slender and wide-footed runners, or these with bunions, could query which is least uncomfortable slightly than selecting one thing notably pleasing to put on. The footwear right here aren’t minimalist within the vein of barefoot path trainers, and plenty of are literally very impartial in gait, however all are usually slender and difficult on runners with broad ft and ft susceptible to swelling throughout a long term. That is extra of a difficulty relating to the higher and form of those footwear slightly than the midsole really feel, the latter of which is pretty excellent in all of the footwear on this information.
All that being stated, The North Face Vectiv Sky 2 is a fairly snug shoe, particularly for a light-weight one, and the La Sportiva Prodigio Professional has a wider and extra snug match than many different footwear from the model.
Sturdiness
Whereas sturdiness for brief path races and fast coaching isn’t as essential as for a 100-mile race, it’s nonetheless one thing to think about. All of the footwear examined proved almost as sturdy as their heavier counterparts.
The true innovation right here is that so many manufacturers can merge soft midsoles into light-weight footwear. To our delight, the footwear on this information maintained the midsole experience as a lot as heavier footwear we’ve examined.
Normally, higher sturdiness is just not as essential because the midsole and outsole when selecting the most effective light-weight path trainers, however it’s nonetheless an element. The uppers of those footwear are wonderful, and we didn’t discover any to put on excessively rapidly. Nonetheless, as a result of they’re light-weight footwear, many of the uppers will put on out extra rapidly than your regular trainers, save for the Dyneema higher on the Norda 005, as Dyneema is purportedly one of the crucial sturdy trendy textiles for the burden. The up to date higher of the Hoka Tecton X 3 is product of Matryx mesh and held up nicely on trails, and the VJ Lightspeed, even with its propensity for technical path working and the inevitable harm that brings, has confirmed to be extremely abrasion-resistant in tough terrain.
Andreu Blanes wears light-weight footwear through the 2022 World Mountain Working Championships Up and Down race. Photograph: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
Outsole and Midsole Traits
The kind of path race you’re working or the terrain you practice on will doubtless affect the kind of outsole and midsole you need.
The outsole on the Hoka Tecton X 3 is pretty low profile, however the midsole stack top is simply too excessive to maneuver with dependable stability over technical terrain. The North Face Vectiv Sky 2 has an aggressive lug sample and is great for descending on all terrain, however the low stack and midsole could depart you hurting after a 1,000-foot descent.
The answer is to decide on a shoe with outsole and midsole traits that match the course you’re working. When deciding on a shoe, take note of the midsole density, midsole stack top, lug sample, and the kind of outsole rubber compound.
Why You Ought to Belief Us
Don’t fear; regardless of creating this information for the most effective light-weight path trainers which are extra applicable for sub-ultramarathon-distance racing, we haven’t modified our title to iRunShort! Even when we’re named iRunFar, we now have years of expertise on trails and in races of each distance.
Many runners can and can push these footwear past a marathon or 50-kilometer distance, however we needed to check footwear that may be most inviting for brief and steep path working and mountain working. That is like sporting a pair of highway footwear versus spikes at a observe exercise — completely different instruments for various working.
We zeroed in on light-weight footwear which are extra well-rounded for all types of path working, as an alternative of some footwear made historically only for working in mud or fell working. We left these out primarily as a result of they’re a class unto themselves.
To create this information, we researched a whole lot of footwear within the path working area, narrowed our potential footwear to these weighing 9.5 ounces or much less, and took a few dozen footwear into the sphere. We examined these footwear throughout the U.S.’s mountain west, primarily in Boulder and Silverton, Colorado, and Bend, Oregon.
Please notice that product fashions are routinely discontinued within the working world, whereas new ones incessantly come to market. On the identical time, we right here at iRunFar usually hold utilizing our prime picks in our day by day working… they’re our prime picks, in any case! Generally, that continued use leads to uncovering product failures. With all this — product discontinuations, product introductions, and product failures — in thoughts, we routinely replace our purchaser’s guides based mostly on previous and ongoing testing and analysis by our authors and editorial workforce. Whereas these updates can look like us pushing the latest product, it’s something however that. Most merchandise will doubtless stay the identical once we replace any purchaser’s information. That matches our objective: to get you in the most effective gear you’ll use for a very long time.
Craig Randall testing path trainers outdoors Boulder, Colorado. Photograph: Christin Randall
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