Asics GEL-FujiRunnegade Trail-Running Shoe (Spring 2015)
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9.2 oz | 6mm drop | $100
The Dirt: From road-running giant Asics comes a shoe at home on the marshiest off-road conditions; it even has what one tester called an “amphibian look.” The monster 10mm lugs grip well on mud, snow and wet grass, as well as loose dirt and steep climbs. The closed-mesh upper, along with the stretchy, sock-like liner that wraps around the ankle like a miniature gaiter, keeps out debris, mud and to some extent water.
Though they appreciated the light weight of the shoe, some testers wished for more cushion and protection in the forefoot for longer, rockier runs. Lack of breathability was also an issue; one tester complained that a four-miler left her socks “quite damp.”
Best For: Mud runs or sloppy conditions; loose or steep terrain; runs up to 10 miles.
Fit: True to size and a little narrow. The inner liner helps lock in the fit around the ankle. Some may find that the upper, which creases just below the laces while running, pinches the midfoot.
>More spring 2015 trail-running shoes
Tester Raves
“The Runnegade should not be the only shoe in your arsenal, but will make a great addition for those wet and muddy days when you just can’t wait to get out and play.”
—Justin Lottig, Honolulu, HI
“I immediately liked the look of these shoes. The bold neon colors [on the women’s model, pictured above]—pink, purple, fluorescent yellow—are attractive, and the shoes have kind of an amphibian look because of the neoprene liner.”
—Kimberly Lottig, Honolulu, HI
“They are super easy to get on and off, but fit snug and don’t let rocks and mud into the shoe. There is a fitted ‘sock’ that protects you from all of that.”
—Sarah von Harz, North Liberty, IA
“I love that the shoes are lightweight and flexible, yet have enough beef in the tread to move confidently and quickly.”
—Dana Edsall, Fairfax, CA
Testers on Fit
“They felt a bit tight; the sole, particularly, felt narrow under the balls of my feet. The toebox fit fine, and did not seem unusually narrow.”
—Kimberly Lottig, Honolulu, HI
“In the midfoot, the fabric creases and creates a very uncomfortable pinch in the forefoot, especially on steeper hills and with more angle in the foot.”
—Sarah von Harz, North Liberty, IA
Testers on Tread
“This shoe does great out on slick trails. It grabs with the best of them. It can handle wet, mud, ice, snow, rocks and anything else you can throw at it, including steep hills.”
—Sarah von Harz, North Liberty, IA
“The ‘toothy,’ aggressive soles are exactly what I need for steep terrain and slippery pine needles and oak leaves.”
—Dana Edsall, Fairfax, CA
Testers on Downsides
“The shoes do not have a lot of cushioning, so I don’t think I would choose these shoes for a longer run. The lack of cushioning didn’t cause pain, but some minor discomfort on the rockier sections.”
—Kimberly Lottig, Honolulu, HI
“The breathability of this shoe is not very good. My socks felt quite damp after a run, whether it was a four-mile run or an eight-mile run.”
—Dana Edsall, Fairfax, CA
>More spring 2015 trail-running shoes
