Tracksmith Eliot Range Multi Tester Review: 4 Comparisons

Introduction

Sam: The Vary is Tracksmith’s first full try at a “path” shoe. I’d argue, their Eliot Runner was actually their first path shoe and was extra a door to path gravel leaning shoe than a street runner. 

There is no such thing as a query the Vary’s construct (higher, midsole, and outsole) is a path shoe design and one which primarily leans gravel, reasonable trails and even pavement for those who like a firmer extra old-fashioned journey.  

The midsole echos the Eliot Racer (if on a barely larger stack top) with a twin supercritical foam construct. We have now a drop in thick and extremely reactive foam (unspecified probably however similar A-TPU because the Racers’) insole nesting into an outer PEBA service with a plate beneath within the insole.  In a wise transfer, the plate is a really versatile nylon materials as on path some give for climbing and agility is crucial.

The higher is a dense however skinny ripstop materials with a really skinny lining of merino wool for temperature regulation (It really works properly).

The outsole is Vibram’s XS Trek EVO rubber, a well-known multi sport alternative.

Execs:

Completely safe, any trails worthy higher that’s really very snug: Sam/Sally

Snappy, reactive journey that continues to be steady and isn’t overly “springy”-PEBAX vs carbon plate: Sam

Rugged construct prime to backside, but decently gentle: Sam

Versatile: first rate cross over journey to street and gravel working, mountaineering, and naturally informal use: Sam/Ben/Sally

Good outsole that gives first rate traction: Ben/Sally

Comparatively gentle at 9.7 oz / 275g US9: Ben/Sam

Cons:

Agency heel on agency surfaces: not the midsole however the intensive unsegmented heel rubber: Sam/Ben/Sally

Excessive pricing: mitigated considerably by versatility and anticipated sturdiness : Sam/Ben/Sally

Stats

Approx. Weight: males’s  9.7 oz / 275g US9                 

Pattern Weights: 

males’s   9.45 oz / 268g US 8.5 pattern (to the gram the identical left and proper shoe,Spectacular)

ladies’s:  8.2 oz / 233 g (US 6.5 / W8) 

Stack Top:  34.5 mm heel /  25.5mm forefoot, 9mm drop

Most comparable footwear (together with your title subsequent to every)

Norda 001A

TNF Vectiv Sky 2

ASICS Fuji Pace

Salomon Pulsar Professional

First Impressions, Match and Higher

Ben: I assume I’ll begin with a preface about Tracksmith. I’m an OG, ride-or-die Tracksmith fan. I’ve dozens (actually dozens) of their objects. I feel that their clothes is well-made, clear and clearly designed with the modern-day runner in thoughts. Whereas not for everybody, their aesthetic is in contrast to different modern manufacturers that search to be loud, vibrant and blaring. 

Tracksmith has resisted this for years, sustaining its identification as a New England model that thrives on simplicity, class and performance. Go to any race today and you will note the Van Cortlandt singlet or one among their stellar racing shorts, such because the Strata Half Tight, in abundance. Their objects are costly however match properly and final endlessly. 

When Tracksmith ventured into the shoe recreation, I used to be skeptical. This isn’t me urging them to ‘keep of their lane’ however questioning whether or not they would ever actually compete with the larger names in a market that’s already fairly crowded. I’m unsure they need to, however runners may be extremely explicit about their footwear.You assume!  Even a Tracksmith fanatic would move over a Tracksmith shoe rapidly within the title of one thing extra well-known, or lighter, sooner and extra practical. 

The Elliot Runner (RTR Assessment) was high-quality (at greatest), however was extra of a way of life shoe in the long run: agency, slender and moderately unforgiving. There are simply a dozen every day trainers which might be extra reasonably priced and extra runnable. It most likely labored higher on the barbecue after the run than on the run itself. 

The Elliot Racer (RTR Assessment)  alternatively, was surprisingly nimble and likable. I nonetheless put on mine commonly. It’s fast and peppy, whereas perhaps only a notch beneath a few of the greatest from Nike and ASICS in every little thing however value. Its drop in thick insole as midsole is similar as we’ve got within the Vary.

To me, the Elliot Vary is the Elliot Runner with a distinct outsole. It’s agency and stiff, feels slender and isn’t going to deal with severe trails. The value level is solely outrageous. You would purchase virtually two pairs of La Sportiva’s or Hoka Challenger’s for a similar quantity. By the way, the colorway I used to be despatched – clay / silver grey / pale myrtle – is de facto terrible. I don’t know anybody who would even put on these casually. (The pale myrtle colorway, on the hand, is sort of pretty). I don’t name it ‘terrible’ subjectively however in how far it’s from the Tracsmith so many people know and love: clear, easy, recognizable. I wished to love these and provides them an actual likelihood however my miles in them weren’t a lot enjoyable and I discovered that they supplied little or no assistance on the path. They’ll probably work as a rail-to-trail shoe, however solely on essentially the most modest of trails. Nobody will likely be taking these by means of severe mud or streams or careening off boulders in ultras in these.  

Tracksmith says that the rugged ripstop higher is lined with the identical Merino mix that goes into their Brighton Base layer. That is designed to control temperature and cut back odor. All informed, I discovered the higher to be snug, hugging the foot and offering a reasonably good lockdown. 

My measurement 9 felt true-to-size, although the shoe is slender. 

I discovered the heel notably slender. This has been the case with different Tracksmith footwear as properly. For a shoe that appears suited greatest for door-to-trail and informal put on, the general narrowness and firmness are detractions.

Sam: Ben has an ideal introduction. Sure, the Vary is the Runner however with a distinct outsole lug sample however the identical overal outsolel design  and a path particular higher. 

My Light Myrtle colorway is elegant and says path,  in a brand new Tracksmith approach. I discover the colour very engaging for informal put on with many compliments acquired, and after many journey days within the shoe it’s nice for that too, and as a bonus it is not going to present “path colours” that prominently. 

The merino lined ripstop higher is completely any path worthy for me and in New England summer season warmth and humidity regulated temperatures very properly. I’d name this higher breathable.  The mesh could be very rugged and non-stretch, true “ripstop” within the basic sense of the phrase. 

The match is exact and cozy with the match really surprisingly broad for what seems to be like a slender match. The underlays and delicate fairly minimal toe bumper building gave me to points with my bunion as many related exact dense uppers have, a shock. 

The semi inflexible heel counter is deeply and solidly padded. 

Heel maintain is great and whereas not plush is efficient.

The “partial “knit tongue. NNormal with their Kjerag 2 ought to take a lesson from path beginner Tracksmith. Whereas the Kjerag has a full stretch knit tongue that additionally turns into a gusset, the Vary retains the knit to the basic tongue space counting on midfoot mesh for maintain. The midfoot maintain could be very all of a chunk safe and confidence inspiring. No have to over cinch the laces right here.

The toe field is in look low and slender however works brilliantly for me. 

Extremely distance worthy perhaps not however for my typical runs of up to some hours the stable safe in every single place  maintain and luxury is good. The match is clearly true to measurement in size.

Midsole & Platform

Sam: The midsole is made up of a PEBA outer service with a 5mm forefoot-10mm heel drop in supercritical foam insole as partial midsole (kind of froth unspecified however probably A-TPU as within the Eliot Racer). I favored this building within the considerably larger stack top  and almost equivalent Eliot Racer (RTR Assessment), a carbon plate being the large distinction and a thicker drop in midsole, together with after all the outsole and higher. The nylon plate (and entrance of the shoe) is versatile, one thing I like in a plated path shoe and supplies some propulsion and stability with out being over inflexible on the entrance of the shoe. The Eliot climbs very properly.

At  34.5 mm heel /  25.5mm forefoot, 9mm drop with a weight of  9.7 oz / 275g US9 we’ve got a really cheap weight particularly given the rugged higher and (overdone) outsole.

The midsole taken “in isolation” from the outsole is nice with a handy guide a rough flex and good rebound really feel, loads of dynamic cushion and stability.  That stated,  a lot of the goodness appears to be masked by the outsole resulting in a agency and inflexible rear of the shoe journey, and particularly on the heel on account of all of the intensive rubber protection there. 

The entrance of the shoe has a pleasant snappy and never overly springy flex from the nylon plate however will not be precisely “bouncy” massive smiles as a result of outsole.  I feel the Vary would profit from a thicker drop in midsole, because the considerably larger stack Racer has, to offer the shoe extra pleasing rebound and perceived power return.

The result’s a fairly agency journey that’s old-fashioned fast and sharply responsive however not bouncy/rebounding in really feel with the twin supercritical foams taking some however not the entire hardish edge off 

Ben – The twin supercritical foam of the Vary affords a little bit of spring. As a result of the stack is so reasonable at 34.5mm, nevertheless, that spring and safety can also be fairly reasonable and thus not overly noticeable (or overbearing), which can be a plus for some. We have now a versatile nylon plate that provides to the shoe’s pep, although this too is pretty understated.

Outsole

Sam: Vibram XS Trek EVO is a stable rubber with good traction and particularly sturdiness. Zero put on thus far. Mixed with the higher and the potential to exchange the thick insole as midsole, long run sturdiness needs to be wonderful serving to with worth.

Outsole design can have an effect on journey. The design of this explicit outsole and the rubber protection is overdone in “density” of lugs on the heel including to weight and resulting in agency landings on firmer surfaces. The heel is steady for positive but additionally not notably agile feeling and fairly inflexible. 

I feel a extra dispersed lug like association is so as on the heel, for instance as within the Salomon Pulsar proven beneath would assist with not solely traction however firmer terrain and street really feel.

Ben – This can be a good outsole finally. It probably is not going to compete with main path manufacturers, but it surely supplies adequate grip on reasonable trails. The Vibram XS Trek EVO ‘is designed for multisurface grip, sturdiness and responsiveness.’ The lugs are modest sufficient that the shoe appears to work on roads in addition to trails. I discovered the traction to be pretty good and had no issues round corners or on partially moist surfaces. 

Trip, Conclusions and Suggestions

Ben – Forme, the Tracksmith Elliot Vary is a little bit of a miss. At a hefty value, it doesn’t supply what a dedicated path runner would want, nor does it compete with different well-established door-to-trail footwear in the marketplace. I like Tracksmith for making an attempt one thing new and trying to achieve a broader viewers, however I believe this shoe will satirically enchantment solely to essentially the most religious Tracksmith adherents. Just like the Elliot Runner, the Vary will probably work greatest as a way of life shoe, however actually an costly life-style shoe at that. I’ll wait to see if there’s a model two and – if that’s the case – if it could possibly enhance on this primary try. 

Ben’s Rating: 8.0/10

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Sam: The Vary scores strongly for me in seems to be, its rugged almost flawless higher and anticipated throughout sturdiness. 

Its journey whereas geared up with a cutting-edge midsole and versatile plate is in my opinion held again by its outsole design. For positive, the outsole will likely be very sturdy and its traction simply high-quality on most surfaces however the protection, particularly on the heel, makes for a firmer inflexible touchdown on tougher surfaces and doesn’t match the superior agility of the entrance of the shoe. I’m considerably puzzled. Tracksmith went with basically the identical outsole design as their Eliot Runner the place I additionally discovered the rear of the shoe equally inflexible and agency “on the floor”. I say on the floor because the midsole itself is lots cushioned and dynamic in really feel.

At $240, we for positive get a high quality, very properly constructed, rugged shoe which is cheap in weight that ought to final an extended very long time however a shoe however one which on the run lacks some pleasure and pizazz and is simply too conservative, agency and stiff in journey really feel. 

In case you are searching for a flexible shoe to do many issues decently: path, gravel, street, informal put on, journey, and if anticipated sturdiness is a excessive precedence, it finally ends up a good worth however as a path working or gravel working shoe there are higher choices.

Sam’s Rating: 8.89 /10 

Trip (30%): 8.4 Match (30%): 9.4 Worth (10%): 8.2 Type (5%): 9.3 

Traction (15%): 8.8 Rock Safety (10%): 9

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4 Comparisons

Norda 001A (RTR Assessment)

Sure, but costlier at $295, the Norda has a far easier midsole building of a single slab of very dynamic Arnitel foam, a deeper and more practical MegaGrip outsole and much livelier and pleasing journey on any and all surfaces, together with street.  Its higher doesn’t fairly have the whole maintain of the Vary however has a roomier toe field. Appears are as much as preferences however each are gorgeous in my opinion.  The sooner 001 with its EVA midsole has a really feel much like the Eliot. 

Craft Xplor Hybrid (RTR Assessment)

The Craft focuses on the identical gravel straightforward trails market because the Eliot. It has a softer single density slab of supercritical expanded TPE beads midsole. Its higher will not be almost as locked down and path prepared because the Vary’s however will likely be extra accommodating for wider, larger quantity toes. Its Vittoria outsole, impressed by biking tire design, has a extra aggressive grip and is much less harsh driving on laborious surfaces. Total, the Craft is a friendlier, roomier, much less aggressive driving shoe with the Vary extra locked down, steady, and sooner for those who favor a responsive firmer journey.

Mount to Coast H1 (RTR Assessment quickly)

Far lighter at barely 8 oz in a US9, and $80 much less, the upcoming H1 has about the identical heel top and 4.5mm extra forefoot stack and no plate. Its “mysterious” sustainable midsole could be very steady and whereas dense, very energetic and even with no plate supplies nice rock safety. Its higher is extra “relaxed” and lightweight in really feel however finally ends up with related safety due partially to the incorporation of aramid fibers. I sized down a half measurement from my regular within the H1 however am true to measurement within the Tracksmith. The H1 2mm lug outsole is grippy sufficient for gravel working and I even wore them 2 days on rocky terrain with a heavy pack throughout a trek. Then I wound them up for a brilliant quick and energetic 7 mile street run, with a journey really feel about pretty much as good as any street shoe I examined this 12 months. No actual contest between these two, H1  though the Tracksmith wins for its seems to be and doubtlessly higher sturdiness long run. 

La Sportiva Prodigo Max (RTR Assessment)

The Max has a twin supercritical foam midsole with a glued in internal core of softer foam, one distinction being the Vary additionally a glued in plate making it firmer and extra inflexible total if a bit snappier in flex. The Max has extra cushion stack at 37/31 with enjoyable energetic easy journey on easy agency terrain but can even deal with essentially the most technical terrain.

The Max has a equally tremendous safe higher. I’m a half measurement up (true to measurement in Vary) and nonetheless a bit constrained over the toes on account of its overdone, extra intensive and stiff toe bumper and inflexible mesh. The Max’s outsole is deeper, grippier and stickier but performs significantly higher on agency surfaces than the Vary’s. For journey and worth at $165 clearly the Max. For match, basic fashion, and higher slight benefit to the Vary.

Index to all RTR critiques: HERE

The Eliot Vary for women and men is obtainable now

Tracksmith

SHOP HERE

Tester Profile

Ben is the Senior Rabbi of Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel of Elkins Park, PA. A most cancers survivor, he has run 23 marathons. He holds PRs of three:15 for the marathon and 1:30 for the half. At 46, he nonetheless enjoys pushing himself and mixing his working with supporting quite a lot of causes. Comply with him on Instagram: @RabbiBPD or Twitter: @BDinPA 

Sam is the Editor and Founding father of Highway Path Run. He’s in his 60’s with 2025 Sam’s 54th 12 months of working roads and trails. He has a many years previous 2:28 marathon PR. Lately he runs halves within the simply sub 1:43 vary if he will get very, very fortunate. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week principally at reasonable paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, mountaineering or on nordic skis. He’s 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he isn’t having fun with too many high-quality New England IPA’s.

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