Novablast 6 beats Gel-Nimbus 28, lighter and $15 cheaper

The Run Testers put the two big Asics cushioned dailies head to head and the cheaper one won. The Asics Novablast 6 costs $155 and weighs 9.1oz (258g). The Gel-Nimbus 28 costs $170 and weighs 10.3oz (292g). Same forefoot stack (how much foam is under the foot) at 33.5mm, with the Nimbus sitting 2mm taller in the heel at 43.5mm and running a 10mm drop against the Novablast's 8mm.

The tester logged over 50 miles in the Novablast and roughly 30 to 35 in the Nimbus. Verdict, the Novablast is as comfortable underfoot at easy pace and "markedly more capable than the Nimbus when you move out of the easy gears". The Nimbus keeps one job, plush and cushioned over longer, more relaxed runs.

What it actually means. The price ladder reads backwards here. If you want one shoe to cover easy miles and pickups, the lighter and cheaper one is the pick from this crew, and the Novablast also gets the roomier toe box of the two.

Dirt Division on the Agravic Speed Ultra Evo

Believe in the Run's Dirt Division reckons the Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra Evo works best on moderately technical terrain like Western States rather than the steep mountains the marketing points at. Specs are 39mm heel, 33mm forefoot, 6mm drop, 3.5mm Continental lugs and a horseshoe carbon rim plate with deep foam directly underfoot. That is one crew's take, not a consensus, but it cuts against how the shoe is sold.

Same episode, they flag the Kip Run Summit Max at $150 as a premium ATPU (a light, bouncy foam) midsole at an excellent price. Blandine won UTMB in a modified Kip Summit Race with a custom heel collar. Alex also rates the Norda 0000 for agility and ground feel on technical ground, while the Shurach Trail Peak is called very minimal and flexible with no insole, like a Nike Free with tread and short on protection for technical terrain.

Shokz OpenRun Air 2

The Run Testers call the Shokz OpenRun Air 2 a modest step up on the original OpenRun. It is $129.95, the same launch price as the OpenRun and roughly $50 cheaper than the OpenRun Pro 2, still 26.4g, with battery life up 2 hours to a maximum of 10. Sound gets a little more warmth and bass, but it does not pair bone conduction with air conduction the way the Pro 2 does, so you lose some power. Good pick if you do not want to pay Pro 2 money.