Karhu Ikoni 2022 Review: The Finnish Trainer
By Senior Contributor David Salas and Contributor Andrea Myers
The Karhu Ikoni is a neutral daily training shoe that utilizes a 1/2 length fulcrum through the midfoot to help give some guidance and responsiveness to the ride of the shoe. The Ikoni in the past has traditionally had a slightly firmer profile with a slightly beveled geometry throughout. Much of the same formula is seen in the 2022 veresion though, with some small adjustments that enhance the ride of the midsole and fit of the upper throughout. The Ikoni also comes in a HiVo option for those that may require a little more volume through the upper or space for wider foot accommodation.
Price: $140
Weight: 9.6 oz, 272g (men's size 10), 8.0 oz, 226 g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 26mm heel/ 18mm forefoot
Drop: 8 mm
Classification: Neutral Daily Training Shoe
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
David: The
shoe falls in what we say is a "stable neutral" shoe for many. The
Ikoni provides a gently beveled ride, good ground feel throughout, as
well as a fulcrum through the rearfoot and midfoot to help with some
guidance and mild stability needs. The shoe utilizes the new AeroFoam
that makes the ride a little softer than the previous iteration. The
result is a protective yet still relatively firm riding shoe that has a
nice blend of a rocker geometry and traditional training shoe. Though
not overly responsive, the shoe provides a consistent and pleasant ride
for those that like a slightly firmer platform.
Andrea: Karhu is a Finnish running company that has been making shoes since the
early 1900s. Emil Zatopek won 3 gold medals in the 1952 Olympics in
Karhu shoes. Shortly after the Olympics, Karhu sold their original 3
stripes trademark to another athletic shoe company, which still uses it
today. In 2018, Karhu developed Ortix Fit with data from over 2 million
foot scans in partnership with Fleet Feet using their FitID technology.
Ortix Fit specifically refers to Karhu’s unique midsole geometry, upper
volume, and last. Karhu claims that Ortix Fit gives their shoes a near
custom fit right out of the box. I had never heard of the Karhu brand
before the shoes showed up at my door. The rocker design and wide
forefoot intrigued me and I was excited to give the Ikoni a try.
The
Karhu Ikoni is a neutral trainer with a half-length rocker that Karhu
calls Fulcrum. The Fulcrum promotes a very smooth ride and the wider
forefoot allows for comfortable toe splay. I found the AeroFoam
cushioning on the firmer side, but it has softened a little with every
run. The Ortix Fit is near perfect for me and the upper is incredibly
comfortable. I have thoroughly enjoyed testing this shoe and expect to
put many more miles on it.
FIT
David: Full
disclaimer: I received the HiVo version. The HiVo version is normally
for someone who requires a little more room for foot accommodation
whether it be actual volume vertically or through the width of the shoe.
Despite being in the HiVo version I did not have any problems with fit
as long as I tightened the laces down accordingly. The materials of the
upper are still done really well with a nice sock like mesh that wraps
around the foot. The tongue is a little more padded in the second
version and allows for you to lace the shoe down tightly without any
irritation. The width through the heel and midfoot is normal and the
upper does a good job of locking down through that region. The forefoot
is slightly wide and does good with toe splay and swelling
accommodation. A lot of the pieces of the upper feel like a premium shoe
upper but still doesn't quite hold all of the weight that comes with
one. There is a moderately rigid heal counter that wraps around the rear
foot that is padded very well. The lacing system is also slightly
asymmetrical and does seem to help with locking the shoe down a little
better, at least in my HiVo option. Overall I am very pleased with the
upper of the Karhu Ikoni.
Andrea: The Ikoni fit
perfectly in my usual women’s 9.5. The fit of the shoe is very secure
thanks to the mesh upper and a fairly rigid external heel counter that
has just the right amount of internal padding. This is the type of shoe
that I could tell fit well before I tied the laces. The forefoot is wide
enough for comfortable toe splay without allowing foot translation
inside the shoe. I found the M-lock lacing system very comfortable and
did not require any special lacing techniques to achieve proper
lockdown. The upper fits so well that the laces do not need to be
excessively tightened to achieve proper lockdown. The M logos on either
side of the midfoot provide some structure to the mesh upper and likely
contribute to the security of the upper. The lightly padded and gusseted
tongue is very comfortable and secure. This is one of the best fitting
shoes I have tested.
PERFORMANCE
David: When
I run in the Karhu Ikoni, it is like running with an old friend. The
ride is smooth and pleasant and not much has really changed. The shoe
doesn't feel like it is out to do more than what it was designed for.
The shoe is supposed to balance right in the middle with cushioning,
responsiveness, and guidance and it feels like it checks all of those
boxes. Similar to the previous Iknoi the ride does lean on the firmer
end, but does ride slightly softer now. The shoe is gently beveled
through the heel and forefoot creating a small rocker that is efficient
enough to work but not necessarily feel like you are constantly rolling
forward. The overall design is slightly rigid through the heel and
midfoot, with moderate flexibility through the forefoot thanks to some
flex grooves. The shoe does have a crash pad in the heel and a midline
groove showing the fulcrum underfoot. The fulcrum certainly helps
maintain the geometry and ride of the shoe while giving slight linear
guidance forward from the heel through the midfoot. The foam still leans
relatively firm but is cushioned enough for all daily training needs.
The ride also feels pretty grounded as the heel stack is only 26mm.
Overall, the shoe does feel like it leans right in the middle with
cushion, guidance, and propulsion. There isn't anything overly flashy
with the ride of the Ikoni but it gets the job done and it is reliably
consistent in maintaining its ride mile after mile. For those that like a
slightly rockered ride but still want to feel grounded and have some
traditional training shoe elements the Ikoni does a pretty good job with
that.
Andrea: The Fulcrum technology and firm cushioning
of the Ikoni make it a comfortable, reliable daily trainer. For
recovery runs, the Fulcrum and responsive cushioning help with turnover
and ease the load on tired legs and feet. The AeroFoam cushioning is
definitely on the firmer side, but the midsole has softened some with
every run. It is not as soft as the Saucony Endorphin Shift or even the
Hoka Rincon, so some runners may find the Ikoni too firm for daily
miles. Softer foam would definitely improve the ride of the Ikoni. The
shoe did well with short strides, but it is too stiff and heavy for
intervals. The rockered sole makes the 8mm drop feel more like 4-6mm,
and the transition from initial contact to push off is incredibly smooth
and stable due to the wider midfoot and rocker. The outsole shows
minimal wear after 40 miles and I would expect to get greater than
average mileage out of this shoe.
STABILITY
David: The
Ikoni certainly falls in the "stable neutral" category we at DOR talk
about frequently. The shoe does not use any posting or dual density
midsoles, but does utilize a plastic fulcrum through the midsole in the
rearfoot and midfoot. The fulcrum creates some inherent rigidity and
helps maintain the slight rocker geometry and provides a guiderail like
sensation throughout the shoe. The shoe also has a relatively wide
platform underfoot through the forefoot with some sole flaring and the
increased cross sectional area feels good and trustworthy when landing
on it. The ride through the Ikoni feels very balanced and stable
without using a full length fulcrum or any posting and a lot of that is
thanks to the geometrical configuration and midsole composition. The
stack is also relatively low and the outsole traction is pretty decent
as well. This gives the shoe a good sense of ground feel in combination
with the things noted above. Overall, the ride of the shoe of the Ikoni
is very stable underfoot for a shoe that is not classified as a
stability shoe.
Andrea: The Ikoni is a neutral shoe, but
the rockered sole and wider midfoot and forefoot provide some nice
guidance and mild stability. The Ikoni provides an excellent example of
how a shoe may be dynamically stable without having any traditional
stability features. The significant heel bevel promotes a quick
transition from initial contact to midstance for heel strikers, and the
early toe spring and lateral sole flare at the midfoot promote a similar
quick transition for midfoot strikers. The wider midfoot and forefoot
also provide some stability during midstance and push off. I was not
specifically aware of the Fulcrum providing any stability to the shoe;
rather, I perceive the rocker and sole flare as providing most of the
shoe’s stability and guidance.
THOUGHTS AS A DPT / FOOTWEAR SCIENCE
Unique Neutral Stability, by David Salas
Stability
can be created in many different ways. One thing that Karhu has been
doing in their footwear is taking a look at guidance and the integration
of the midsole as it creates a pathway for the foot to take in stride
rather than static rigidity or posting. A lot of other companies are
beginning to look into this method as well. With the Ikoni specifically,
the shoe is meant to be a balanced shoe that can do a little bit of
everything (as well as guidance). The shoe uses a plastic fulcrum
through the rearfoot and midfoot that looks a little bit like an H with
the upper half of the letter filled in slightly. The shoe provides a
crash pad like design in the rearfoot and then gives some rigidity and
guidance along the medial and lateral aspect of the heel and midfoot.
Assuming our foot takes the path of least resistance, the foot will
follow that midline pattern where the fulcrum is not filled in. In the
Ikoni this feeling is noticeable and the crash pad design in the
heel/midsole is also done well to ease that transition onto the rigid
structure. The forefoot is mild to moderately flexible upon load as
well. The result is a nice stable ride through the heel and midfoot with
a forefoot that lets you do what you want with the shoe. This combined
with a gently rockered sole creates a geometry that gives you some new
age elements as well as a traditional feeling daily trainer especially
through the forefoot. This is something I feel Karhu did very well in
the Ikoni with midsole configuration. This is what we call a "stable
neutral" training shoe.
The Benefits of Forefoot Width, by Andrea Myers
One
of my favorite features of the Karhu Ikoni is the wider toe box. I
consistently find that shoes that are too narrow across the ball of my
foot cause plantar fasciitis-type pain. In a previous review of Topo,
I wrote about a possible link between shoes that are too narrow across
the forefoot and plantar fasciitis (due to the abductor hallucis muscle
being placed on stretch, resulting in decreased blood flow through the
lateral plantar artery, which supplies the plantar fascia). Today, I
would like to discuss a potential link between hallux valgus (a
condition in which the big toe points towards the second toe, which
often results in a bunion) and patellofemoral pain.
It is
well-established that people who regularly wear shoes that are too
narrow across the forefoot are at increased risk of developing hallux
valgus (Ray et al 2019). Researchers at Northumbria University examined
the relationship between hallux valgus and knee and foot motion during
running (Stoneham et al 2020). They specifically looked at whether
runners with an increased hallux valgus angle (big toe angled towards
the second toe) demonstrated increased pronation and/or knee frontal
plane motion (which is side to side motion of the knee, also known as
varus or valgus). They assessed 15 runners (10 male, 5 female) as they
ran barefoot over a 20 meter runway for gait analysis using 14
optoelectronic cameras. The authors stated they used barefoot running to
allow proper visualization of the great toe during the running trial.
Prior to the run trial, the subjects underwent full static
anthropometric analysis, including lower limb structure and alignment.
To habituate the subjects to barefoot running, each subject completed a
30 minute warmup run prior to the 20 meter runway trial.
The
researchers found a strong association between hallux valgus angle and
knee frontal plane motion during running. For every 1° increase in
hallux valgus angle, there was a 0.24° increase in knee frontal plane
motion. There was also a strong association between an increased hallux
valgus angle and increased pronation. Research is mixed regarding the
relationship between increased pronation during running and
patellofemoral pain. Additionally, motion control shoes have not been
found to reduce patellofemoral pain in runners (Cheung et al 2006).
Previous studies have found a relationship between increased knee
frontal plane motion and patellofemoral pain (Nakagawa et al 2012,
Dierks et al 2008).
From a biomechanical perspective, hallux
valgus reduces the amount of available extension at the 1st MTP joint.
1st MTP extension is essential for normal push off during running, and
if it is not available, the body will steal motion from somewhere else
(such as the increased knee frontal plane motion and increased foot
pronation seen in the Stoneham study). While the results from the
Stoneham paper are from barefoot runners, the results could logically be
applied to shod runners as well. If a runner has hallux valgus, they
will steal motion from another joint, regardless of whether they are
barefoot or shod. A shod runner may be more likely to compensate at the
knee, particularly if a shoe has a high amount of toe spring that
exceeds that person’s available 1st MTP extension range of motion. The
simplest thing a runner can do to reduce their risk of developing hallux
valgus is to ensure they are wearing shoes (both running and casual)
that are wide enough for their forefoot.
References
Ray,
J. J., Friedmann, A. J., Hanselman, A. E., Vaida, J., Dayton, P. D.,
Hatch, D. J., Smith, B., & Santrock, R. D. (2019). Hallux Valgus.
Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics. https://doi.org/10.1177/2473011419838500
Stoneham, R., Gillian, B., Saxby, L., & Wilkinson, M. The
influence of great toe valgus on pronation and frontal plane knee motion
during running. The Foot and Ankle Online Journal. 2020; 13(1):7
doi:10.3827/faoj.2020.1301.0007.
Nakagawa TH, Moriya ÉT, Maciel
CD, Serrão AF. Frontal plane biomechanics in males and females with and
without patellofemoral pain. Med Sci Sports Exerc.
2012;44(9):1747-1755. doi:10.1249/MSS.0b013e318256903a
Dierks
TA, Manal KT, Hamill J, Davis IS. Proximal and distal influences on hip
and knee kinematics in runners with patellofemoral pain during a
prolonged run. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2008;38(8):448-456.
doi:10.2519/jospt.2008.2490
Cheung RT, Ng GY, Chen BF.
Association of footwear with patellofemoral pain syndrome in runners.
Sports Med. 2006;36(3):199-205. doi:10.2165/00007256-200636030-00002
RECOMMENDATIONS
David: I
have always enjoyed the Karhu Ikoni as a training shoe. The ride has
always been consistent and reliable, though not always the most fun. In
todays market the shoe does seem to underperform with some comparisons
in responsiveness. I think the improved lockdown and midsole are in the
right direction, but I would like to see just a tad more responsiveness
out of the Ikoni in the future. Perhaps this could be done utilizing
another updated midsole or a spooned out fulcrum and slightly higher
drop to give some plate characteristics without changing the shoe too
much. Overall though, for logging daily mileage it is still a really nice
shoe.
Andrea: The biggest area of improvement for me
would be the foam. The firm midsole kept me from testing this shoe on
runs longer than an hour. It would be an incredible long run shoe if the
foam was softer. Otherwise, the fit of the Ikoni is near perfect for me
and I hope that Karhu will maintain the same spacious toe box and
secure heel for future versions of the shoe.
WHO THIS SHOE IS FOR
David: The
Karhu Ikoni is a "stable neutral" daily training shoe for those that
want a grounded ride and a slightly rockered ride. The shoe leans on the
firmer end but provides plenty of protection for daily training. Those
that have mild stability needs may also have some appeal with the Ikoni
as the fulcrum does help with providing some guidance through the
rearfoot and midfoot without being overly involved through the forefoot.
The foam itself is not life-changing, but the ride the shoe gives is
consistent and smooth with each mile. It is a little bit of a "boring"
shoe midsole wise, but it honestly rides really nicely and is worth a
look if you don't mind not having a newer generation feeling shoe.
Andrea:
The Karhu Ikoni is a neutral daily trainer that is best at easier
paces. Those who shy away from 8+mm drop shoes may want to give the
Ikoni a try, because the rocker sole makes this shoe perform like a
lower drop shoe. Runners who prefer a softer midsole may find the Ikoni
too harsh, but those who prefer more responsive cushioning may find a
winner here.
FURTHER THOUGHTS
"Karhu Ikoni is a neutral daily trainer that serves as a great option for short, easy runs with it’s subtle stability features, cushioning, and mild responsiveness. The mesh upper is lightweight, adaptable, and well-ventilated with a padded and gusseted tongue that further increases the comfort by contouring to the foot. The midsole is made up of Karhu’s new AeroFoam which is a softer foam that what was used in previous models. The midsole includes a half-length midfoot rocker, called the Fulcrum, which is not only responsive but it also offers a level of guidance from the rearfoot to the midfoot. The responsiveness of the midfoot fulcrum is very subtle, however is enough to provide a minor push to propel you forward. The outsole offers decent traction and has only just began to show some wear after ~85 miles of testing. Upon putting these shoes on for the first time, I was impressed with the comfort and fit of the shoe. The upper allows for adequate movement of the foot and increased width in the forefoot, while the midfoot provides a firm lockdown. The gusseted tongue adds to the comfort making the upper feel sock-like in nature. On my first run, the ride was a lot stiffer and more firm than I anticipated and I did not notice the rocker. However, after a few runs (~15 miles or so) to break in the shoe, the ride felt more cushioned and the mild responsiveness from the rocker began to emerge. At this point, the Karhu Ikoni’s began to grow on me and I started using them more regularly on shorter, easy runs up to 70 minutes at most. While I did use them for strides at the end of my easier runs, I would not recommend them for any type of speed or tempo work as the responsiveness is very minimal and not conducive to trying to go fast. I would recommend these shoes to a runner looking for a trainer to transition from a stability shoe to a neutral shoe, because the midfoot Fulcrum and firm cushioning offer mild stability without the use of posting or dual-density foam. One thing that I would change about this shoe going forward is to do away with the “X” cutout in the outsole. As someone who runs on roads and gravel paths, I had a few instances in which a rock or pebble got stuck and I had to stop on a run to remove it. Another recommendation for future models is to improve the responsiveness and cushioning of the shoe which would make it more of a possible option for longer runs." - Contributor Megan Flynn
GRADING
David
Fit: A (Great
job on upper comfort and lockdown throughout the shoe, even in HiVo
option I could still lock this shoe down and length and dimensions were
still very good)
Performance: B- (Take
this with a grain of salt. The ride is really smooth and consistent.
The transitions throughout are balanced and nice, though the shoe just
isn't very lively. It gets the job done in every category but doesn't
feel life changing under foot in any way.)
Stability: A (Great
stability integration throughout. The fulcrum is integrated very well
and gives a guidance feel, the wide base and sole flaring feel good
underfoot, the ground feel is good, and the upper lockdown is good.)
DPT/Footwear Science: B (Great
job on stability elements and upper lockdown, now I think the company
just needs to take some strides with midsole innovation as the shoe does
feel a little unlively especially when running fast. But the ride is
still balanced and the shoe has some appeal.)
Personal: B (A
shoe for my easy days. I consistent and trustworthy ride that does lack
some pizzazz. Gently rockered sole with good stability and moderately
flexible forefoot.)
Overall: B+ (A
"stable neutral" training shoe with a great upper and great stability
elements, though lacks a lively and responsive midsole. Ride throughout
is smooth with gently rockered design and moderately flexible forefoot.)
Andrea
Fit: A (One of the best fitting shoes I’ve tested: wide forefoot, secure heel, comfortable upper)
Performance: A- (Great for easy miles, but too stiff and firm for intervals)
Stability: B+ (A neutral shoe that is dynamically stable)
DPT/Footwear Science: A (Wide toe box allows for toe splay, which could reduce risk of plantar fasciitis and patellofemoral pain)
Personal: A- (Great fit and a comfortable shoe for easy miles. Improvement could come from softer foam.)
Overall: A- (Great fitting shoe with smooth transitions and a midsole that improves with every run)
SHOP | SUPPORT DOR
Price: $140
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Date of Review: 3/27/2022
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