Humble Running Newsletter #8
The "in for test" edition
Beaverhead 100K is in the books.. let’s just say - I got it done!
In combination with the River of No Return 108K last month - I received a special “208K” Finisher award at the finish line.
I released a couple of The North Face Vectiv Pro 3 videos - both before and after the race.
I was pretty much feeling them out for racing at Beaverhead. They worked out ok, but I do have some more in-depth thoughts which I'll share in an upcoming Q&A. I did run into a brown bear during the second video (he didn’t bother me, unlike the dogs from some of my earlier videos).
Post-race, I was able to to put together my Mount to Coast T1 vs La Sportiva Prodigio Pro video which I filmed up in Sandpoint. It’s a long one, but I think full of useful details (you can skip around).
Yet another wildlife encounter during this one - stung be a bee this time!
So.. two weeks on the road.. and I came home to a pile of shoes and gear to test! I’m just going to share everything here, so you have an idea of what’s in the pipeline. In no particular order..
On Cloudsurfer Max! This is just a short First Impressions video, but I’m running every day this week in On road shoes, so a more detailed video and comp will likely go up next week.
I’m also running in the On Cloudsurfer 2 (road). This is not a new shoe, but along with the Max, these are the first On road shoes that I’ve run in. So fun to check them out and also get a feel for them in anticipation of trying out the Cloudsurfer 2 Trail.
Perhaps a brand you’ve never heard of, or heard very little about - Kailas. I’ve honestly been blown away by the quality of these two shoes. Lots of great features and very smooth and comfortable on the run. That EX PRO.. if I had it before Beaverhead.. I would have given it serious race consideration. More to come with these..
Also from Kailas - FUGA Air 8 IV vest. Yet again, so surprised by how GOOD this vest is, with many small and thoughtful design features.
I’m just about ready to release a video review of this one, so check the channel after you read this!
MAAP x HOKA Tecton X 2. I posted a quick article on this collab here. Another one I wish I would have had before Beaverhead. Tecton X 2 is such a great shoe, almost forgot about it, and how it served me well over several 100 milers.
A highly anticipated shoe - the Hoka Mafate 5. I just did 2 hours, 14 miles in them over the weekend. Mafate Speed 4 x Mafate X ???
Unfortunately I can’t give any details until the release (August 1). Stay tuned for the Full Review video!
A new entry into the trail running shoe scene - Rabbit High Country. They’re skipping the formalities and going straight into carbon plates! This is a beast for sure, kind of a cruiser, still feeling it out.
Interesting collab with Blumaka - to give you some insole options. Also some other Rabbit apparel in for test -
I also have some shorts options from Rabbit in the testing queue.
On the fueling and hydration front - Tailwind High Carb Fuel and Endurance Fuel. I also have Recovery Mix and Rapid Hydration mix to test out.. the ultra pantry is getting restocked after back to back 100Ks !
Lastly (well, not lastly), but just for now - Salomon S/LAB Pulsar 4! It’s crazy how much this shoe has changed (evolved?) from the OG V1. I can think of a few good A/B comps for this one, what do you think?
Thank you once again for reading and subscribing! Your support and engagement is surely making it possible for me to test and review so many cool running shoes and great gear - and bring the content to you!
A LOT of testing to come over the next weeks and months.. I have even more shoes in for test btw, the schedule is just too stacked at the moment and I haven’t gotten to them.
-Mike
AFFILIATE LINKS & PROMOS
Use code “HumbleRunning” for 10% of the Mount to Coast T1
La Sportiva Prodigio Pro - REI ($225)
TNF Vectiv Pro 3 - REI ($250)
On Cloudsurfer Max - REI ($180)
On Cloudsurfer 2 - REI ($160)
S/LAB Pulsar 4 - salomon.com ($220)
Tailwind High Carb (tailwind.com)
Tailwind Endurance Fuel (tailwind.com)