April Round Up - Latest Reviews, Videos, and My Essentials #2

Welcome back runners! We're zooming through 2021 and already on the verge of summer running.

We had a super exciting start to April with the release of Asics new marathon shoe release, the Metaspeed Sky, and the announcement of it's partner the Metaspeed Edge. We also continued our expansion of On reviews, checking out the Cloudflow and Cloudultra. Lots of exciting things going on in the shoe world that we're about to land on as well as we started getting our early summer shoes. There are some amazing releases ahead we're really excited to talk about soon. But first, let's go through everything April had to offer.

Skechers GOrun Razor TRL Multiple Tester Review

Skechers GORun Razor TRL Multi-Tester Review

After the huge success of the Skechers GOrun Razor 3 HYPER and Razor +, Skechers is expanding the Razor line to the trails. The Skechers GOrun Razor TRL features a full length GOODYEAR outsole with a traditional lug design and a newly designed upper for the trails. The upper is more reinforced with a lot more structure to take sharp turns or potential blow outs. The shoe still comes in a lightweight package that is cushioned and responsive because of Hyperburst. 

Saucony Axon Multiple Tester Review

Saucony Axon Multiple Tester Review

Saucony is continuing to make some waves in the footwear industry for 2021 with the release of the Saucony Axon. The shoe retails for $100 US and features a high stack and rocker platform seen in many higher ticketed shoes. The upper is a little bit stripped down to keep materials down and the midsole is a large rockered piece of PWRRUN. The shoe is far from a budget shoe and one that may shake up the industry in the training category. 

Brooks Launch 8 GTS Review

Brooks Launch 8 GTS Review
Review by Matt Klein

Running for 11 years, the Brooks Ravenna somewhat merges with the Launch to become the Brooks Launch 8 GTS. The GTS, long standing with the Brooks Adrenaline series, stands for "Go To Shoe."  Which we think should stand for "Go To Stability" but we are not in charge of naming or marketing for Brooks. The Launch 8 GTS is the go to shoe for light stability in a lightweight trainer package. A smallish category that includes the New Balance Fuelcell Prism (REVIEW), Asics DS Trainer, Skechers Forza 4 (REVIEW), On Cloudflyer (REVIEW) and the Newton Kismet 6 (REVIEW), the Brooks Launch 8 GTS remains a strong member here at a very affordable, albeit with a different name.

HOKA ONE ONE Torrent 2 Review

HOKA ONE ONE Torrent 2 Review
Written by David Salas

The HOKA ONE ONE Torrent is a favorite trail running shoe for many. The Torrent 2 delivers in continuing the strong trail running tradition set up from HOKA ONE ONE. The Torrent 2 is a lightweight and nimble trail racing/training shoe that can take a large variety of conditions, paces, and distances. 

On Cloudultra Trail Review (2021 Release)

ON Running Cloudultra Review
Written by Chief Editor Matt Klein

It is no surprise that On Running, hailing from Switzerland, would come out with a efficient, high quality ultramarathon shoe. Tested in the Swiss alps, the On Cloudultra is designed to handle any surface over any distance. True to the company, the On Cloudultra features a very high level of attention to detail with some features done a little differently. In typical On fashion, this shoe is unique and will match a distinct set of needs. 

Skechers GOrun Ride 9 Multiple Tester Review

Skechers GOrun Ride 9 Multiple Tester Review

     The Skechers GOrun Ride 9 continues upon the highly successful neutral daily training model that Skechers received a lot of praise for in the last few years. The shoe is a genuine update with a new upper, midsole durometer, and outsole coverage. The shoe still rides very similar to the Ride 8 in many ways but is noticeably softer with more bounce through the forefoot. It is also noted that this continues to be the official training shoe of Edward Cheserek. 

ASICS Metaspeed Sky Multiple Tester Review

ASICS Metaspeed Sky Multiple Tester Review
Review by Chief Editor Matt Klein and Contributor David Salas

ASICS has been hitting the change button really hard. After years of very similar products, 2020 and 2021 have been a huge time of change for this staple running company. We at Doctors of Running have been very impressed with recent products, including the Kayano Lite (REVIEW), Nimbus Lite 2 (REVIEW), Noosa Tri 13 (REVIEW), and the Evo Ride 2 (REVIEW). ASICS has been using some new age research and thinking into efficiency, biomechanics and more. These designs have seen interesting rocker designs, more anatomic uppers, new age thoughts on stability and more. Racing shoe wise however things have been a bit consistent. The Metaracer (REVIEW) added a carbon plate, a unique rocker and a wonderfully airy upper. While a great shoe, it fell a bit short of the other major racing shoes coming out in the industry. ASICS returned to the lab and has now debuted the first of two shoes backed by some interesting new concepts that really puts some pressure on the rest of the industry. With several research studies on the way to being published, the METASPEED Sky is the first of the two, designed specifically for "stride" runners. The METASPEED Edge is designed for "cadence" runners. For now, let's get our stride going and talk about the ASICS METASPEED Sky.

HOKA ONE ONE Speed Evo R - Track Spike Review

HOKA ONE ONE Speed Evo R - Review 
Written by David Salas

This review is 4 years late... but we're doing it. HOKA ONE ONE is consistently showing that they are competitive at the professional level with their footwear and athletes at all levels on all surfaces. They traditionally have done well in the trail, ultra, and marathon communities with some difficulty on the track. That has changed in recent times and part of that is the hard work going into performance footwear and investing into some track PB's. The HOKA ONE ONE Speed Evo R was seen on the feet of Leo Manzano and has aims of making the turns more efficient and smooth. Especially indoors, but outdoors on some tracks as well, the majority of time spent on the track is actually turning. The Speed Evo R wanted to maximize that efficiently and therefore has a different spike plate compared left to right on the shoe geared to steering you left slightly. The result is a highly cushioned distance spike with good responsiveness and turning ability.