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If you happen to’re in search of path sneakers which might be light-weight, flashy, and enjoyable, look no extra as a result of the Arc’teryx Vertex Velocity checks all of these containers.
Upon receiving the Arc’Teryx Vertex Velocity within the mail, I actually wasn’t positive what to anticipate since I’ve by no means run on this model of path shoe earlier than.
This well-known Canadian firm has an awesome repute for outside and climbing gear, however is considerably newer to the path and operating shoe group, so I used to be able to put them to the check!
Did they go the check of this extremely runner? Maintain studying to search out out.
Who’s it good for?
Who’s the Arc’Teryx Vertex Velocity a superb match for? Let’s break it down with some widespread classes:
- Broad Ft: This shoe has a roomy toe field however is probably not your best option for large toes
- Technical Trails: The design was made for technical trails and has glorious grip and suppleness to maneuver over powerful terrain with pace.
- Lengthy Runs: Undoubtedly made to go the space over rugged trails.
- Entrance of the Pack: Such a lightweight shoe and designed for pace and agility.
Arc’teryx Vertex Velocity Overview
I knew precisely the kinds of trails I needed to place these sneakers to the check on to get a way for the match, sturdiness, floor really feel, and grip over free rocks and dust whereas tackling some severe vert!
They’re flashy, enjoyable, and really feel quick because of how mild they’re in your toes! If you happen to like tremendous cushioned sneakers, these is probably not your first selection although.
The Arc’teryx Vertex Velocity has simply sufficient cushion to guard from sharp rocks whereas giving the runner nice floor really feel.
I ran 18 miles with 6,000’ of vert within the first week with these and cherished the fee- glorious grip and no sliding on the free rocks.
In comparison with different path sneakers, these felt reasonably responsive on the path. The lightness of the shoe will enable you a faster turnover and you’ll undoubtedly really feel such as you’re shifting sooner!
The second week I ran one other 15 miles or so over rolling hills and a few sections that had been extra like hilly dust roads.
Once more, the Arc’teryx Vertex Velocity felt mild and quick and I actually didn’t have to consider them a lot. They only appeared to maneuver with me as I traversed by way of the foothills and mountains!
I ran little or no on asphalt and was pleasantly shocked how good they felt on that transition from dust to asphalt. They didn’t have that typical stiff feeling of a path shoe hitting the street.
My solely problem was that my heels didn’t all the time really feel safe, and I needed to strive lacing them up a couple of occasions to really feel like I used to be getting them to remain in place with out making them too tight on the forefoot.
It lacks a real heel cup with some padding like in a extra conventional operating shoe. I did ultimately make my very own heel lock by re-lacing the highest laces and it did assist.
Nonetheless, I need to make it clear that I had zero points with my heels rubbing in order that was a very nice shock!
The inbuilt gaiter is probably not for everybody due to it’s small opening and since it takes slightly effort to place the shoe on, however it’s nicely price it for the consolation and comfort.
There’s additionally a properly positioned little pocket fo the laces to tuck up into to maintain them from getting caught on vegetation or from untying.
I’ll say that if you don’t actually stuff them up inside that pocket they may work their means out and begin flopping round. Not an enormous problem however there are occasions it’s possible you’ll not need to must cease, like in a race or group run.
Additionally, you need to think about the kinds of socks you’ll pair with these sneakers. Crew size or longer work nice!
Arc’teryx Vertex Velocity Specs:
- Weight: 8.5 oz Males’s, 7 oz Ladies’s
- Heel drop: 7 mm
- Stack Top: 23 mm heel, 16 mm toe
- Utilization: path operating
- 2 colours obtainable
- Not obtainable in large
- Accessible from Arcteryx.com for $190
It is a nice wanting shoe and undoubtedly grabbed the eye of different path runners and hikers out on the paths! If you happen to would like this shoe with out the gaiter there’s additionally a low prime model!
Arc’teryx Vertex Velocity Match
I used to be greatly surprised once I noticed that the shoebox listed a full dimension smaller than what I usually run in! Nonetheless, the shoe match simply nice! So purchaser beware…order one dimension smaller than what you usually run in!
The inbuilt gaiter is a pleasant characteristic for each hikers and runners. It’s nice to maintain out particles and it is rather comfortable and sock-like which some could choose over a stiffer climbing boot model.
Nonetheless, it’s a very slim opening which might make the shoe troublesome to placed on and take off…which means you really must untie the sneakers and never slip them off after a future. In reality, you may even have to sit!
Because the Vertex Velocity has the inbuilt gaiter it doesn’t have a tongue. The gaiter does have slightly pocket to tuck the laces into which is a pleasant characteristic!
If you happen to don’t tuck the laces up in there, they may work their means out and begin flying round. A straightforward repair however slightly inconvenient throughout a race or while you really feel such as you’re flying on the paths.
The toe field was completely roomy however undoubtedly not as large as another manufacturers, like Altra.
I felt just like the heel was not probably the most safe match, but I had no points with my heels rubbing or getting any sizzling spots. This sort of baffled me, however I used to be happy total with the match.
If you happen to like the texture of the bottom when operating on trails, you’ll like the texture of the Arc’teryx Vertex Velocity!
Arc’teryx Vertex Velocity Really feel
Once I opened the field I used to be impressed by the colourful yellow on black colorway and the inbuilt gaiter on the shoe. Taking it out of the field I instantly seen how mild the sneakers had been!
As I turned them over in my fingers to have a look at the outsole and lugs I seen that the forefoot had bigger lugs for grip and extra open lugs within the midfoot for higher traction. What a intelligent design!
The sneakers felt versatile as I folded them to check out the stiffness in my fingers. The higher is manufactured from Matryx material which is thought for being light-weight and sturdy. There’s additionally a TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) over sure zones of the shoe which boosts the sturdiness and construction of the shoe.
These sneakers felt comfortable underfoot, not overly cushioned however sufficient to have safety from sharp rocks because of a hybrid dual-density midsole.
The forefoot is firmer and extra supportive in comparison with the heel that has extra rebound and a cushiony really feel.
They’re removed from cumbersome feeling and fairly sturdy. I used to be pleasantly shocked by how a shoe so mild may really feel so supportive on my toes. That kind of confidence upon touchdown actually means that you can choose up the tempo and go for some pace!
Comparable Footwear to Arc’teryx Vertex Velocity
Able to run? Go test it out at arcteryx.com for $190
Who Tried It?
Coach Laura right here from RTTF who’s happiest out on the paths operating free or coaching for some loopy extremely race! I often run 35 miles or extra per week on each roads and trails in and across the Sonoran Desert in Southern Arizona. I’ve run distances from 5K to 48 hour races and virtually all of the distances in between whereas loving each step! I like sharing my data of operating and racing with all of my athletes and get such pleasure seeing them succeed whereas discovering slightly enjoyable and journey alongside their journey!