Article by Michael Ellenberger
Hylo Influence ($165, £150, €170)
Introduction
The Hylo Influence is Hylo’s newest entry into the sustainable efficiency coach class, and whereas it isn’t model new, I (lastly!) acquired round to testing a shoe that’s caught my eye for months . Designed as a each day street operating shoe with a critical give attention to eco-conscious supplies and manufacturing, the Influence doesn’t scream “inexperienced shoe” (or have the usually larger weights of such footwear( if you’re out operating, and that’s a part of its power. As a substitute, it matches proper in with the on a regular basis coach crowd – assume Brooks Ghost, Nike Pegasus, or Saucony Journey – however provides a singular worth proposition in its supplies story and clear, street-ready design.
In fact, as a coach, the Influence checks quite a lot of containers: sub-10 oz weight in US9, a 33/25 mm stack of nitrogen-infused bio-EVA, and a knit higher constructed from castor beans. Forty % bio-based content material by weight, together with a pure rubber outsole and recyclable development, rounds out the mission. Even so, in my books the Influence’s largest win is that it doesn’t really feel like a sustainability experiment – it simply seems like a strong operating shoe.
Execs
• Easy, comfortable experience with a steady toe-off platform
• Exceptionally comfy knit higher constructed from 100% bio-based materials
• Aesthetically one of many best-looking trainers on the market
• Severe sustainability credentials with 40% bio content material by weight
• Recyclable design with built-in NFC chip
Cons
• Lacks some pop or snap on toe-off, particularly within the forefoot
• Heel may benefit from firmer rubber or barely extra structured geometry
Stats
• Weight: Males’s 9.65 oz / 273g (US9)
• Stack Top: 33 mm heel / 25 mm forefoot (8 mm drop)
• Platform Width: 90 mm heel / 70 mm midfoot / 115 mm forefoot (US9)
• Out there: Since March 2024
First Impressions, Match & Higher
Let’s begin right here, as a result of it’s arduous to not. My “Sand” (beige? off-white?) colorway is simple and modern, with delicate two-tone hues that one way or the other stand out greater than a lot of the louder palettes we’re seeing these days. The Influence can be out there in Undyed White, all Black, and Black/White for many who need one thing… effectively, equally un-flashy.
The higher is made totally from a castor bean-based knit (“Rilsan”), and it feels premium: comfortable, stretchy, and surprisingly safe. There’s an prolonged toe bumper that provides simply sufficient construction to the forefoot, and whereas the match is accommodating by means of the toe field, the midfoot is decrease quantity, so very high-volume toes might have to check match.
The gusseted tongue is dialed in excellent; reasonably padded and paired with a lace system that holds while not having fixed readjustment. In an odd “contact of innovation,” there’s an NFC chip embedded within the lace keeper that gives recycling information, and is built-in subtly sufficient that it doesn’t have an effect on lockdown. A pleasant little bit of perform meets kind, and positively one thing I’ve by no means seen. Is it crucial? No – I think most people, whether or not they recycle or not, will simply…. Google it. However! Cool to have, I feel.
For these with Achilles soreness, the heel counter itself has form of a progressive firmness – there’s no inflexible cup, however nonetheless provides the rearfoot some wanted stability. It labored effectively sufficient for me, definitely on the gentler finish (however not super-soft).
Match is true to measurement for me in each skinny and barely thicker socks.
Midsole & Platform
The midsole makes use of Hylo’s proprietary HyperBolt foam, a supercritical nitrogen-infused EVA with bio-based inputs, together with sugarcane. The texture is on the softer facet – Sam likened it to the unique ZoomX (assume Invincible 1 or 2) – however with extra composure. I’m undecided I’m studying it as fairly that comfortable, nevertheless it’s positively a clean experience; I’d analogize it to one thing like ReactX? It doesn’t really feel squishy or marshmallowy, and it has a clear, constant rebound that doesn’t ask a lot from the runner.
The geometry right here is attention-grabbing; in 2025, the Influence is taken into account a comparatively low stack (33 mm heel / 25 mm forefoot) on a broad platform, which offers loads of stability.
There’s additionally a delicate medial sidewall pod and forefoot flare that provide a contact of steerage – extra like a large base than any true posting or correction. Impartial runners will really feel at house, however the additional construction makes it surprisingly accommodating for mild pronators too.
Outsole
The outsole is 60% pure rubber and follows a race-tire impressed striping structure. It’s quiet on pavement, grips effectively on dry roads, and has a little bit of give that enhances the softness of the midsole.
I just like the aesthetics of the outsole, too, to the extent that issues in any respect! I didn’t have any points on the treadmill or outside, nevertheless it’s solely been dry.
Flexibility is great, which makes for a straightforward, flowing transition and helps the Influence really feel extra pure on foot than another max-stack contemporaries.
Journey, Conclusions & Suggestions
The Hylo Influence delivers a nice, simple experience with simply sufficient vitality return to maintain issues attention-grabbing. It doesn’t push you ahead with aggressive rocker or plate dynamics, however permits you to transfer by means of your gait with out getting in the way in which. For those who’re in search of fireworks underfoot, this received’t be it.
However in order for you a clean, pleasant, and comfy each day experience that does quite a lot of issues effectively – and genuinely seems good doing it – then the Influence could be the proper match. Finally it sits in an analogous experience class to a Pegasus or Ghost: constant, predictable, mildly energetic. However it outpaces each in seems, sustainability story, and supplies innovation.
As a fan of latest manufacturers and up-and-comers, although, Hylo deserves actual credit score right here – not only for pushing the sustainable shoe dialog ahead, however for doing it in a approach that doesn’t really feel like compromise. The Influence is a contemporary, clear, succesful street coach with a powerful id. It’s one of many best-looking trainers in the marketplace, and likewise one of many extra thoughtfully constructed. I’d even advocate it as a hybrid shoe for many who need one pair for operating, strolling, and every thing in between.
Additionally please take a look at RTR Sam’s 2024 overview of the Influence HERE
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Michael is a patent lawyer and graduate of Northwestern College Legislation Faculty. Previous to regulation faculty, he competed collegiately at Washington College in St. Louis (10,000m PR of 30:21). Michael’s PRs embody a 67:43 half-marathon (Chicago Half-Marathon) and a 2:20:41 marathon PR on the 2025 Houston Marathon. Michael continues to race on the roads, and is chasing a sub-2:20 marathon and potential OTQ sooner or later.
Samples had been offered at no cost for overview functions. RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and should earn fee on merchandise bought by way of purchasing hyperlinks on this article. These partnerships don’t affect our editorial content material. The opinions herein are totally the authors’.
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