Canadian Running – September-October 2019

The name says it all with the

Torin 4 Plush, Altra’s top-of-the-

line distance shoe that strives

to provide a more comfortable

offering for training and race day.

The first thing you need to

know, though, is that the shoe

comes with a zero drop ratio. Altra

believes this allows you to run more

naturally and efficiently, aided by

an integrated cushioned midsole

and decoupled, broad outsole for

smoother transitions. However,

you’ll want to break the Plush 4’s

in gradually over a few short, slow

runs to allow your ankle and calf

muscles to strengthen and adjust

to the shoe’s minimal support.

The Torin 4 Plush also comes

with a breathable knit upper for

added comfort and a more contoured

fit, especially in the toe box.

A highly versatile distance shoe trainer, this 9th
edition of the NB 880 offers a compelling combina-
tion of cushioning, durability and support with
decent responsiveness.
New Balance has modernized the 880s upper,
with a flexible seamless material that gives the shoe
a more current look (including a new triple black
colourway), accommodates a variety of foot widths
and provides enough ventilation for your feet to
breathe adequately. The V9 also features a deep
heel-cup for solid support at the back.
As advertised the V9 also comes with enough
cushioning through the midsole to guide you comfort-
ably through that Sunday morning long run. Our shoe
tester noted the V9 can feel a bit stiffer out of the
box than other shoes she tested and fit on the small
side, so you may want to go up half a size.

Under Armour

Hovr Velociti 2

Men’s: 255 g (9 oz.)

Women’s: 213 g (7.5 oz.)

Drop ratio: 8 mm

$150

Altra

Torin 4 Plush

Men’s: 286 g (10.1 oz.)

Women’s: 241 g (8.5 oz.)

Drop ratio: 0 mm

$190

Don’t let the number at the end of its name fool

you, The Hovr Velociti 2 is, in fact, the first of its

kind from UA as of 2019, and strikes a balance

between speed and cushioning in a neutral shoe.

The Velociti 2 has more foam under the

heel than many ‘fast’ shoes, yet still provides

more energy return than its plush cousin, the

Hovr Infinite. The 2 is constructed with several

dense, lightweight midsole materials and

3.5 mm of blown rubber under the forefoot.

The 2’s 3D-moulded sockliner hugs the foot

securely and can be removed if you want a

little more wiggle room during a long run.

The Velociti 2’s engineered mesh

breathes well, while the outsole contains an

embedded sensor that allows you to track

and analyze your personal running metrics

via the MapMyRun app.

EDITOR’S PICK

Most Versatile Shoe

ALTRA Torin 4 Plush

UNDER ARMOUR Velociti 2

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os

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ersatile (^) s
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e
FALL 2019
New Balance
880 v9
Men’s: 303 g (10.7 oz.)
Women’s: 252 g (8.9 oz.)
Drop ratio: 10 mm
$165
runningmagazine.ca Canadian Running 63
gear
fall shoe guide