rabbit Excessive Nation Overview | Grippy, Protecting, and Constructed for Large Path Days

rabbit is finest recognized for its operating attire, the place small however considerate particulars, like watch home windows and ponytail openings, present a transparent understanding of how runners truly transfer. That very same consideration to element carries over into their footwear, and the Excessive Nation path shoe seems like a pure extension of the model.

rabbit’s Excessive Nation shoe seems to be prepared for something, with a rugged outsole, substantial cushioning, and a silhouette that means all-day consolation.

Designed as a max-cushioned path shoe for lengthy runs, technical terrain, and variable circumstances, it blends safety and responsiveness with a locked-in really feel that retains me assured on steep, free, and moist trails.

I examined the Excessive Nation on rocky terrain, lengthy climbs, and quick descents. Though the match wasn’t good for my foot, the shoe proved itself to be a steady, extremely succesful choice for runners who need each cushion and management over lengthy miles.

rabbit Excessive Nation Overview

The Excessive Nation is constructed round a cushion that doesn’t really feel overly cumbersome or too delicate; it feels lots like a Hoka Speedgoat. And with a 38mm heel and 33mm forefoot stack, there’s loads of safety for long term days, but it surely doesn’t really feel like overkill on shorter runs.

The midsole makes use of rabbit’s Flowstate Foam, the identical foam discovered within the Dream Chaser street shoe, and I believed it translated rather well to the path. It feels light-weight and energetic with out being too delicate, absorbing influence on my lengthy descents whereas nonetheless giving me just a little assist after I wish to transfer sooner.

So as to add stability, rabbit contains two small Carbon Trax plates tucked between the Flowstate foam and a secondary EVA layer. They’re separated, so the shoe doesn’t really feel too stiff.

I used to be impressed by the way it all works collectively to create a easy, snug experience that’s responsive after I decide up the tempo.

Traction comes from the rabbit’s proprietary 360 GRIP outsole, which makes use of strategically positioned lugs to offer grip in nearly each path. Whether or not I used to be operating via dry grime, free gravel, moist rock, or combined terrain, the outsole felt dependable, and I actually seen the soundness on my technical downhill sections.

rabbit Excessive Nation Match

Regardless of its look, the Excessive Nation isn’t as huge because it seems to be. I discovered the higher slender, significantly via the laces. There was sufficient room within the toe field, however I might by no means fairly get the higher as free as I wished.

Sadly, the general match felt too tight for my foot form. Nevertheless, that’s excellent news for these with a narrower midfoot. This is likely to be their ultimate match.

After evaluating notes with different runners, and primarily based alone expertise, it could be value making an attempt on a 1/2 or full measurement as much as see if that helps.

I’ve by no means had a pair of footwear that got here with two insoles, and that was actually intriguing to me. I’ve had my toes slide round in footwear on hefty downshills, however by no means thought-about needing a extra grippy insole. Rabbit appears to suppose it could possibly assist, and after making an attempt their Zonal Grip insole, I do too.

The Blumaka Non-Slip Konnect insole with Zonal Grip expertise does what it says: it saved my foot planted with zero slippage throughout my climbs and descents. Rabbit additionally contains a typical EVA insole, so should you don’t want or just like the Zonal Grip, you may simply swap it out.

The higher is quick-drying and breathable, made with 60% recycled mesh and perforations that assist with airflow. I didn’t run via any creek crossings, however I did run via loads of snow, and I used to be impressed with how properly my toes stayed dry even with the perforations.

And when my toes have been lastly soaked from the snow (slush), the higher dried rapidly, so I’ve excessive hopes for summer season after I encounter water crossings.

The laser-cut gusseted tongue is padded, and I didn’t expertise any digging in regardless of it being tight on my foot. The heel’s cushioned collar was additionally snug.

Though I did expertise some heel motion, the laces weren’t lengthy sufficient to make use of a correct heel-lock lacing method, which probably might have mounted the problem.

rabbit Excessive Nation Really feel

I actually preferred how all of the shoe’s layers work collectively. The mix of Flowstate foam, adaptive Carbon Trax plates, and the steady platform creates a experience that feels easy and cohesive slightly than overbuilt.

Trying on the photos on rabbit’s web site, it looks as if lots is going on contained in the shoe, and truthfully, there’s, however on the run, all the pieces feels properly built-in.

The cushioning stays snug over lengthy miles with out dropping stability or safety. Throughout each distance and terrain I ran, the Excessive Nation remained each protecting and responsive, which actually is all I can need in an all-in-one path shoe. Effectively, that and perhaps just a little extra room within the laces.

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