Runningshoes.com has just posted a bunch of videos from the 2014 Winter Outdoor Retailer Show. Thought I’d share a few that I’m most interested in.
Saucony Kinvara 5
Really hoping v5 returns the Kinvara to its pre-v4 glory…
Merrell Bare Access Ultra
Zero drop but with 12mm of softer midsole cushion. This one sounds appealing to me as I’ve always found the Bare Access a bit firm for running (love it for causal wear).
Merrell AllOut Flash
Sub 5 oz, 6mm drop cushioned road shoe on what looks like the Merrell Barefoot last. Kind of a Merrell racing flat? Intrigued…
Brooks PureGrit 3
A bit beefier, outsole a bit luggier, good looking shoe.
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About Peter Larson
@Brooke a “propulsion plate”? LOL
Leave it to Brooks to come up with a stupid techie name for a rock plate…
I actually find the marketing-speak from the company reps in all of these videos to be wickedly annoying. Talk like a runner please.
Merrells look interesting!
When do they come out?
No sure, don’t know much more than was in the videos.
Hi, Steven! I’m the girl in the videos. The Kinvara is available 5/1. The Ultra, Flash and PureGrit are all available 6/1.
The winter OR show usually targets 2nd half of the year releases… which is far enough out that companies aren’t willing to get more specific, should they take longer than planned in final design/production phases.
The Bare Access Ultra looks awesome. I like a firm feel, but a bit softer, more cushioned version of the Bare Access is definitely something I’m interested in. Any word when these go on sale?
Don’t know yet.
I tweeted Merrell – they’re Summer/Fall 2014 releases.
Thanks!!!!
Hey, Dan! I’m the girl in the videos. The Ultra should be available June 1. There’s another version of the Ultra coming this summer too—the Bare Access Ultra FX—that we didn’t get on video. It still has the extra cushion like the Ultra but uses a different mesh on the upper.
Rachel, thanks for providing so much additional info! And thanks for providing videos for us all to drool over for the next few months…
Rachel can you provide more info about the differences in the mesh between the Ultra and Ultra FX?
I have a such a hard time liking marketing reps. They insist on making up names for commonly known shoe tech.
Newsflash! Runners who watch this type of content are not stupid.
Bummed about the Saucony Kinvara 5. I’m not thrilled about the swing towards more cushioning amongst manufacturers, especially this one. I liked the Kinvara because it’s stack height was in the middle and it was a minimal shoe I felt comfortable in. Now it looks like the Saucony Mirage. Why make such a drastic change? I won’t be replacing my Kinvara’s with the Kinvara 5.
Saucony claims to have maintained the weight while increasing durability. The heel to toe drop is still 4mm while the stack height seem to be maintained as well. As for the upper, it looks like the same material used on the Saucony A6, which is technically even more “minimalist” than the Kinvara, for the A6 is a “racing flat”.
Awesome review! I’m actually using Merrell Bare Access Ultra which is great. It’s very comfortable and when you’re running you can feel the show “pushing you up” :) so overall great recommendation you have here. (p.s. Put that shoe on your first list of review! :p)