Three award winning shoes among 12 distinguished pairs
NEW YORK - (August 8, 2008) - Runner's World magazine, the worldwide authority on running information, highlights and reviews nine of the best new trail running shoes on the market in its annual Fall Trail Running Shoe Guide special, on sale Tuesday, September 9, 2008.
Of the nine shoes featured - all of which were put through rigorous testing by Runner's World editors, 200 wear-testers and the one-of-a-kind Runner's World Shoe Lab - three were cited as the best in class in the following categories: Editor's Choice, Best Debut and Best Buy. Criteria guidelines for each category, and winners in those categories for the 2008 Trail Running Shoe Guide are as follows:
* Editor's Choice: Saucony Xodus, $100 - represents an outstanding shoe that successfully combines the highest-quality design and technology. The Saucony Xodus received the highest marks from the Runner's World Shoe Lab, the wear-testers and the editors. Noted for its surprisingly soft and lightweight feel, cushioned ride and sturdy outsole, the Xodus is recommended for runners looking for excellent support across tricky terrain.
* Best Debut: Vasque Aether Tech SS, $120 - recognizes a new release that receives high marks from the Runner's World Shoe Lab, from wear-testers and from Runner's World editors. While as-yet unproven over the long haul, the Vasque Aether Tech SS represents a promising new addition to its category. Noted for the innovative dial mounted to the shoe's tongue to control the lacing system, the Aether Tech is recommended for runners looking for a snug fit and good traction on sloppy trails.
* Best Buy: LaSportiva Crosslite, $90 - acknowledges a shoe that offers the best fit and function for its price. Testers say they enjoyed the lightweight feel and sturdy outsole of the LaSportiva Crosslite. Recommended for runners who like to feel the trail underfoot and want a minimal shoe with great traction.
Testing at the Runner's World Shoe Lab is coordinated by Sport Biomechanics, Inc., and supervised by the Department of Sports Medicine at Michigan State University. Trail shoes are tested for cushioning (how soft / firm the midsole is), flexibility (how much energy it takes to flex the shoe at toe-off) and responsiveness (how smoothly a shoe moves from heel-strike to toe-off).
Testers, who must log a minimum of 25 miles per week, run in the shoes for about a month before submitting their evaluations, noting their total mileage run in each shoe and rating it for qualities including weight, traction, cushioning, support, lacing system and upper material comfort, among other categories.
Runner's World is the only magazine in the world to independently test running shoes in this way, in order to give its editors the most objective means necessary to determine which shoes are most deserving of award status. Because Runner's World only tests and reviews the best products available, shoes that have been tested may use the "Tested by the Runner's World Shoe Lab" label.
To read the entire Fall 2008 Trail Running Shoe Guide, check out the October 2008 issue of Runner's World, or visit to read in depth reviews of all the featured shoes.
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.RunningUSA.org.
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