First Look: Responsiv XP and Revolutiv Trail Shoes by Raidlight

Raidlight Responsiv XP
Weight: 280 grams (9.9 ounces)
Drop: 4mm
Stack Height: 19mm heel // 15mm forefoot
Sizing Accuracy: Fit is true to size
Price: $150
Best Features: Perfect fit, fast 
Room for Improvement: Nothing

Raidlight has made an impressive debut into the trail-shoe sphere. With four new models, we’ve so far been impressed with them all. Scoring highest points with us are the Responsiv XP and the Revolutiv.

Built for racing and precise footwork on any type of terrain, the Raidlight Responsiv XP will compete with and likely win against any other trail shoe in your closet. Don’t let the 280 grams of weight scare you away. This shoe is fast! The interwoven upper and lace system wraps the foot for a perfect, snug fit and the rounded toe box provides enough room to relieve any swelling or pressure during long runs and races.

The mesh upper will drain moisture that creeps in during stream crossings, but don’t expect it to keep all the dirt and dust out. A forefoot rock plate and stiff sole protects from gnarly rocks during a fast run. Grippy lugs on the sole compare similarly to shoes in the Salomon S/Lab series or Salomon XA Elevate. The soles performed well on dry rock scrambling, in thick mud, and on singletrack.

Last, but certainly not least, the Responsiv XP is a sleek, fast looking shoe with a well-placed logo and great metallic accents. If nothing else, they will make you look race-ready.

—Katie Stookesberry, a road runner in winter, budding skimo athlete, and trail runner by summer, resides in Colorado’s Elk Mountains.

Revolutiv
Weight:290 grams (10.22 ounces)
Drop: 6mm
Stack Height: 23mm heel // 17mm forefoot
Sizing Accuracy: Fit is true to size
Price: $165
Best Features: Comfort, fit, response
Room for Improvement: Quick-lace system came loose a couple of times over the course of several runs.

The Revolutiv (women’s version here) is Raidlight’s alpine model. It wears much like a Salomon mountain runner with a narrow-ish fit, hugging your foot and making you feel snug and super secure. The steep drop and hardly-noticeable upper work together for a sleek and fast shoe, even in challenging trail conditions. 

While typically not a fan of liners, the neoprene liner was quite comfortable after the shoe was on and while running and racing. As with many liners, it can make putting the shoe on arduous. However, it proved to be helpful on a recent wet and very muddy run. My foot was protected from much of the unwanted elements. 

The outsole on the Revolutiv features a proprietary outsole, the Dynamic Sensor Sole, with widely-spaced 6mm lugs that performed well on a variety of terrain, including slurping, shoe-stealing Pacific Northwest mud. 

—Megan Janssen is the Associate Editor at Trail Runner magazine.