'Owdo John, have you got these Karhu bad boys yet?
'Owdo John, have you got these Karhu bad boys yet?
Well they arrived the other day. First impressions: a bit brighter than most of my shoes: “Micro Gray & Poison Apple”: grey and bright green to you and me.
You can see them at http://karhu.com/runningshoes/produc...crum-ride.html
They look substantial but feel quite light on my feet, lighter than they look. Designed mainly for the roads, there is some tread and I’ll be using them mostly on
decent paths in the local country park. Thankfully they fit; I’ve never ordered shoes without trying them on before. I’ll be out in them after the weekend.
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Model: Steady Fulcrum Ride
http://karhu.com/runningshoes/
If you want to test Karhus apply at http://www.facebook.com.likekarhu
First try out: an easy recovery run; my legs were tired from orienteering (badly) yesterday. The shoes felt good. Very comfortable, they are not “clumpy” at all. The grip was fine, no problems on the pavement which was greasy from the recent rain and leaf fall. Stony paths, muddy in places; cobbles; grassy slopes: the shoes coped with all of these. A hairy moment on some block-paving, but that particular spot is treacherous whatever you are wearing. They felt quite bouncy but that could be just in comparison to the well-worn shoes that are being replaced. As has been pointed out, the proof of the pudding will be how they fare over a couple of months, but so far so good.
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Model: Steady Fulcrum Ride
http://karhu.com/runningshoes/
If you want to test Karhus apply at http://www.facebook.com.likekarhu
A couple more runs. First a road run with some “lamp-post intervals” to see how the shoes felt running a bit quicker than steady and landing on the balls of my feet rather thanheel first. They felt fine, though it took a bit of getting used to how quickly my heels hit the floor, I think that this is due to the depth of the midsole. Hopefully this will be
beneficial as I have problems with my calves if I’m not careful when I pick the pace up. Next was a bit of a multi-terrain test, a bit like the Meanwood Trail route, paths
through woods with plenty of roots and mud, over a golf course. Pleasantly surprised at how sure footed I felt and the “bouncy” feel was still evident. To see if that is these
shoes or the newness I’m going to try some other new shoes that I had in the cupboard. One small quibble, the laces seem to slip a bit unless done up really tight.
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Model: Steady Fulcrum Ride
http://karhu.com/runningshoes/
If you want to test Karhus apply at http://www.facebook.com.likekarhu
Last edited by johnmc; 19-10-2011 at 08:05 PM. Reason: spelling
Another road run, this time in torrential rain on a hilly route in south Devon (I had planned to run along the coastal path but with the wind predicted to gust up to 45 mph that didn’t seem like a good idea!). I’m still impressed, despite a thorough soaking they didn’t seem to absorb the water like some road shoes (remember Brooks Chariots?) and on steep descents I felt safe and secure as I splashed along through the running water. I had to stop to tighten the laces; maybe I should try some others.
Another quibble: like most shoes the vamp (the bit of the upper that surrounds the toebox http://www.runnersworld.com/article/...2437-0,00.html ) doesn’t extend very far and I expect to put my big toe through – I usually do. Is this a style feature to save money on materials or is there a technical reason for it?
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Model: Steady Fulcrum Ride
http://karhu.com/runningshoes/
If you want to test Karhus apply at http://www.facebook.com.likekarhu
Well this week I’ve given the new shoes some stick and to be honest I’m feeling a bit disappointed. As a long term cynic I was hoping to be able to slag them off, (it’s what I do best) but so far I’m continuing to be impressed. They have coped with mud and water; they are comfortable on and off road, up and down hill; the grip is good; they dry out overnight. So they are proving to be far more versatile than I originally expected and they are going to get used more than anticipated over the next few months.
They have been out and about in Devon this week:Attachment 5313Attachment 5312Attachment 5311
Following this gushing report it is definitely time to try out some other new shoes for a comparison.
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Model: Steady Fulcrum Ride
http://karhu.com/runningshoes/
If you want to test Karhus apply at http://www.facebook.com.likekarhu
Fab pic - nice dangly bits on the jackets, were they really made (in China / Thailand maybe?) from dog though? Maybe that accounts for the price. Must get on to PETA.Originally Posted by dominion
Last edited by OB1; 29-10-2011 at 07:52 PM.
As promised, I’ve had a couple of runs in a different pair of new shoes so I can do a comparison. I got them at the Keswick New Balance shop, cheap! It says NB680 on the tongue, but a quick look at their website shows that the 680 is a fashion shoe; the running shoe that looks most like mine is the NB663. Maybe the mislabelling lead to the shoes being in the factory shop. Anyway, the NB shoes are fine, comfortable, good grip etc. The laces don’t slip. But they aren’t as comfortable as the Karhu pair under review. The NB land with quite a noisy slap, and generally feel harder. The Karhu definitely have an extra bouncy feel to them and my legs don’t feel as tired after wearing them, and I’ve felt that I’m running a bit faster for no more effort.
…………………………………………� �…………………………………………� ��………………………………………… ……………………….
Model: Steady Fulcrum Ride
http://karhu.com/runningshoes/
If you want to test Karhus apply at http://www.facebook.com.likekarhu
Another couple of runs in the Karhu shoes. They are still feeling really comfortable, as you’d hope after only 3 weeks! Both runs were mainly off road and I’m continuing to be pleased with the grip they provide. Yesterday enjoyed the autumn sunshine out at Rivington, running around the permanent orienteering course (an easy way to do a fartlek session) then a steady run round the terraced gardens. The flagstones in the terraced gardens were a bit dodgy, but nothing that wearing Wave Harriers hadn’t prepared me for. I’ve noticed the first bit of wear and tear, some trim near the instep seems to be lifting; whether this is just cosmetic or part of the shoe’s structure I’m not sure. You can be sure though that I’ll be keeping an eye on it.
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Model: Steady Fulcrum Ride
http://karhu.com/runningshoes/
If you want to test Karhus apply at http://www.facebook.com.likekarhu
Three more runs since the last update, including a 5k race at Cowm Reservoir. 30 seconds faster than last time, though still not fast. It was one of Andy O’Sullivan’s events, always good fun and in aid of a good cause. The trim hasn’t moved anymore, it looks as though it wasn’t stuck down along its edge. However a new issue has arisen: these shoes are not good company in the car, at least if you’ve got a hatch back. They have an unpleasant smell and between runs are now banished to the garage; it wouldn’t be fair on unsuspecting visitors to keep them in the porch. Now, you might simply blame me and my feet but my other shoes are not as offensive! Honest.
Running in them continues to be a pleasure, I’m definitely recovering more quickly and my legs are not feeling as tired. Yesterday I set of to do an hour and ended up doing 85 minutes, as my legs felt better than expected.
…………………………………………� �…………………………………………� ��………………………………………… ……………………….
Model: Steady Fulcrum Ride
http://karhu.com/runningshoes/
If you want to test Karhus apply at http://www.facebook.com.likekarhu
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