Rabbit High Country Review

The rabbit Excessive Nation. All shoe photographs: iRunFar/Bryon Powell

The rabbit Excessive Nation ($180) is the model’s first step into path footwear, and it seems like a pure extension of what they already do greatest: create merchandise that mix consolation, model, and efficiency. Constructed for endurance and flexibility, this debut shoe exceeded my expectations, proving to be as dependable and pleasurable as their attire.

I obtained the Excessive Nation this summer season simply as my coaching for our native 100-mile kicked into gear, giving the shoe no scarcity of miles or circumstances to show itself. From fireplace roads to rocky singletrack, it has been nothing wanting a flexible workhorse. Very like I as soon as educated my canine Diesel, I took the shoe a bit farther with every outing, constructing belief in its means to deal with extra. Over 250 miles later, what has impressed me most is the cushioning. It’s delicate sufficient to remain comfy over lengthy miles, but secure sufficient to encourage confidence on uneven floor.

This extremely cushioned path shoe has 38-millimeter stack top on the heel and 33 millimeters on the forefoot, leading to a 5-millimeter drop. The shoe has an precise weight of 11.7 ounces (331 grams) for a U.S. males’s 9. Should you’re a fellow fan of the Hoka Speedgoat 6, I’m keen to exit on a limb and counsel you might discover related ranges of consolation and safety for lengthy hauls within the rabbit Excessive Nation.

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Rabbit Excessive Nation Higher

A lateral view of the rabbit Excessive Nation.

The rabbit Excessive Nation higher showcases the model’s fame for consolation and elegance. Crafted from 60% recycled engineered mesh, it’s perforated for airflow and breathability. Whereas others have famous that the shoe runs heat, that hasn’t been my expertise. That mentioned, the weave actually isn’t as clear as some, notably in my highway shoe assortment. Regardless of a fairly sturdy mesh, the shoe appears to empty and dry effectively. I didn’t run via a lot rain this summer season; nevertheless, I did handle to fully saturate the shoe a time or two whereas crossing rivers and streams.

The gusseted tongue provides a safe, comfy match with out slicing into the ankle — a welcome distinction to another 2025 path shoe fashions. The padded collar cradles the heel with simply the correct quantity of cushion. In my mineral blue colorway, the liner materials consists of an unusually smooth and glossy ivory materials that maintains its look after many soiled miles.

Regardless of important use, all parts of the higher described stay in near-mint situation with no fraying or breakdown. The higher merely offers reliable construction and assist.

Rabbit Excessive Nation Midsole

A medial view of the rabbit Excessive Nation.

Underfoot, the rabbit Excessive Nation delivers a easy, cushioned experience that feels each protecting and secure. The shoe makes use of rabbit’s Flowstate Foam midsole, which is identical foam expertise as within the rabbit Dream Chaser highway shoe. Additionally just like the Dream Chaser, this shoe has the model’s Carbon Trax plate for elevated vitality return. With stack heights of 38 and 33 millimeters on the heel and forefoot, respectively, the shoe provides a average and accessible 5-millimeter drop, prone to attraction to a variety of runners.

Should you love low-volume sneakers for brief and quick path races, this isn’t the shoe for you. I fell in love with the Excessive Nation this summer season for a similar motive I fell in love with Hoka Speedgoat final summer season: I can reliably run in all of them day, and my ft will come out on the opposite aspect with out aches and blisters.

Rabbit High Country - Annie Behrend in Yosemite - half dome

Annie placing the rabbit Excessive Nation via its paces within the Yosemite Valley. Photograph: iRunFar/Annie Behrend

After ample coaching miles in these sneakers, I confidently toed the road of the Pine to Palm 100 Mile and ran the primary 65 miles in them. My solely remorse isn’t staying in them till the tip, as I feel my toenail retention on the ultimate extended descent would have been superior in comparison with how they ended up within the sneakers I become for the ultimate 35 miles.

The rabbit Excessive Nation comes with two footbed choices: a primary EVA insert and a Blumaka Non-Slip Konnect insole with Zonal Grip. I’ve solely used the Blumaka insoles, just because their springy composition jogs my memory of the Boomerang footbed discovered within the Inov8 Path Talon, which I really like. The Blumaka insole offers extra inner traction than the EVA footbed, which might be particularly useful on steep descents or technical terrain. At one level this summer season, I ran over 50 miles within the Excessive Nation throughout a weekend in Yosemite, the place it looks as if each dome was ascended and descended. I went residence with a whole set of toenails, maybe a testomony to the design of the Blumaka insoles.

Rabbit Excessive Nation Outsole

The outsole of the rabbit Excessive Nation.

The rabbit Excessive Nation outsole combines modern design with sensible path efficiency. Produced from the model’s 360 Grip rubber, the outsole options multidirectional 4-millimeter lugs that preserve traction throughout numerous surfaces. After 250 miles, the outsole rubber and lugs stay crisp and intact.

Sadly, the uncovered orange foam part within the midfoot has taken the brunt of the damage. The lugs there have softened and misplaced some definition, resembling barely squished mini-marshmallows. Regardless of some peeling and squishing of the orange foam, grip and stability haven’t been noticeably compromised.

Rabbit High Country - Annie Behrend in Yosemite - close up

Annie sporting the rabbit Excessive Nation on shoe-eating granite. Photograph: iRunFar/Annie Behrend

Alongside that vein, I’ve observed some beauty put on and tear on the base of the midsole foam as effectively. This superficial peeling started after I went up our yard peak for the primary time this summer season, which simply occurs to be generously endowed with granite and shale. This scuffing, whereas seemingly untimely, didn’t have an effect on the precise efficiency of the shoe.

After I emerged from the shoe-chewing granite slabs and boulders of Yosemite Valley this summer season, one among my buddies particularly requested how my sneakers held up. His recollections of operating in that space have been a bit deadly with regard to his sneakers. With that in thoughts, whereas breakdown past the rubber actually exists, I’ve not spared the Excessive Nation from any and all surfaces, together with a beneficiant dose of granite. In consequence, I can confidently vouch that the shoe has confirmed very versatile and has affordable sturdiness when dealt arduous circumstances.

Rabbit Excessive Nation Total Impressions

A high view of the rabbit Excessive Nation.

The rabbit Excessive Nation greater than earned its place in my summer season path shoe rotation. Whereas I’m already a loyal fan of rabbit attire, I admit I approached their first path shoe with a contact of skepticism. In spite of everything, this was their first foray into rugged terrain. Provided that my solely gear remorse from the Pine to Palm 100 Mile was not staying within the Excessive Nation for your complete race, it’s secure to say any skepticism I had was lengthy passed by summer season’s finish.

The Excessive Nation is comfy, sturdy, and versatile, filling the area of interest of a dependable, long-distance workhorse exceptionally effectively. Whether or not you’re tackling technical singletrack, forest service roads, or granite peaks and valleys, rabbit’s debut path shoe proves they’ll carry their signature efficiency past attire.

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