Triathlete’s Fall Running Shoe Review
- By Brian Metzler
- Published Nov 20, 2012
- Updated Dec 17, 2012 at 4:08 PM UTC
Karhu Forward3
10.4 oz.; 8.7 oz.
$130, Karhu.com
Fit: The fit is generous to accommodate wider feet and a variety of foot shapes. The wrap-like functionality of the upper helps snug the foot down at the mid-foot, but the toe box is decidedly roomy. (Our testers generally felt the shoes ran a half-size large.)
Feel: Softly cushioned (especially in the heel) but not marshmallow-like, the Forward3 feels fairly light, airy and dramatically forward-leaning. Testers reported they had to “force themselves” to use a mid-foot gait to run comfortably in the Forward3.
Ride: There’s a unique feeling of forward propulsion created by the hard plastic lever structure imbedded in the midsole under the arch. The ride was smooth, natural, responsive, fast and self-perpetuating. On the contrary, wear-testers said heavy heel-striking in this shoe (in other words, landing behind the tipping point of the plastic levering wedge) created an awkward gait without any forward roll.
FILED UNDER: Gear & Tech / Run TAGS: shoe review