Runner\'s World USA - 09.2019 - 10.2019

A running shoe is
just a tool, so tweak
it to make it work for
you—don’t be afraid
to punch an extra
eyelet in the upper to
change how you lace
the shoe, or even take
a knife to the mesh to
relieve pressure. Sau-
cony has taken that
concept and calls
out places where you

might customize this

shoe. Do you run a

course with lots of

stream crossings?

Break out the power

drill and poke holes

in the outsole—obvi-

ously do so when

the shoe is off your

foot. Labels on the

rubber even tell you

what size drill bit to

use. Or maybe you

want to wear the

shoe in the winter on

slippery roads? More

markings show you

where to place the

screws and which

size to use. On the

run, we found that

the mix of EVA mid-

sole and thin Everun

topsole delivers a

protective ride on

rugged ground.—J.D.

When you think of all

the trail conditions

the MTN Racer can

conquer, the song

“A i n’t No Mou nt a i n

High Enough” comes

to mind. The toothy

Vibram Megagrip

outsole—which our

wear-testers found

comfortable for short

stretches of road to

the trailhead—has

excellent traction

over all manner of

dicey and groomed

terrain. We found the

shoe to excel on run-

nable f lats, wicked

climbs, technical

descents, muddy

spots, and more.

The MTN Racer has

Topo’s sig nature

roomy toebox, which

reduces the chances

of crammed pinky

toes and black toe-

nails on long runs,

and a slightly stiff

upper. Drainage

ports, gaiter attach-

ments, and a thin

tongue, which repels

dirt and pebbles from

invading the inside of

your shoe, help make

the MTN Racer a

trail master.—A.F.

PRICE: $110 | TYPE: Trail | WEIGHT: 10.4 oz (M), 9.1 oz (W) | DROP: 4 mm PRICE: $140 | TYPE: Trail | WEIGHT: 9.9 oz (M), 7.7 oz (W) | DROP: 5 mm

DR AINAGE

PORTS ON

BOTH SIDES

OF THE SHOE

HELP KEEP

YOU DRY AFTER

STREAM

CROSSINGS.

56 RUNNERSWORLD.COM