With so many new sneaker companies showing up, many of the companies are known for one specific thing. For instance, when you think sport, you think Nike or adidas. Those names are synonymous with performance footwear and in particular running shoes. Certain brands have long histories of building footwear for various distances and for runners at different levels. Trainers aren’t taken lightly. Those who put in the miles are very critical of companies entering the space. YouTubers like Jamison Michael have built strong followings because of the content he creates telling people how these high priced tools of the trade function. This post highlights some of the companies you may have heard of, but you don’t really associate with running. This is not a post saying these are great shoes. It’s a post that shows your favorite company might have a shoe you possibly want to check out.
Allbirds Wool Dasher Mizzle Mid in Mist – Your favorite sustainable sneaker brand is known for their wool shoes. A favorite of the tech heads in Silicon Valley, Allbirds doesn’t create technical shoes. While their shoes are called Runners, that’s now really what they are made for, until recently. The brand took their Sweet Foam Tech and built a performance ready midsole. They coated their merino wool upper with fluorine free water repellent and voila, Allbirds is in the running game.
Source: Men’s Wool Dasher Mizzles – Mid – Mist (White Sole)
SRP: $145
Columbia Wildone Anthem in Antique Mauve/River Blue – If you’re into hiking in the cold you probably own a Columbia jacket or some cold weather gear, but I’m almost positive people who have heard of Columbia aren’t aware that the company is making one of the dopest sneakers of the year. They also made an incredible model last year, but it was overlooked so you can get the Facet 45 for over half off on the site right now. This new Wildone features a water and stain resistant treatment, but it’s the suede overlays in just the right places that makes this a standout. It’s also the price.
Source: Men’s Wildone Anthem
SRP: $100
Cole Haan ZERØGRAND Outpace 2 in Nimbus Cloud/Safety Yellow – I had a runner definitively state that Cole Haan can’t make a serious running shoe when they first dropped their foray into the market. Neither of us had tested it, but he stated with certainty that it was just for show. I haven’t run in this one either, but as the second serious delivery Cole Haan has taken what they learned as a company previously owned by Nike and improved upon their entry. This shoe certainly looks the part and the brand understands it can’t compete with the big boys. On the site it states the shoes are built for light jogs and moderate workouts.
Source: Men’s ZEROGRAND Outpace 2 Nimbus Safety Yellow
SRP: $120
Merrell Moab Flight Low in Tangerine– Like Columbia, Merrell is an outdoor company known for their emphasis on hiking boots, apparel and gear. Also like Columbia and the next brand on this list, their running shoes are for the trail primarily, but you can see clearly that this was designed for runners with an added touch of the outdoor in the upper. Somewhere, a person reading this is looking in the closet at their flannel for the upcoming fall weather and saying, “I know I have a shirt that matches those shoes.” I’m looking at it and saying, those look equally rugged and stylish. With a Vibram outsole and layers of cushioning, you know it has to feel like a cloud and when you add that the model is made with eco-friendly materials and is a Vegan option, Merrell continues to sneak a few pair of fashionable options between the Mocs and Hikers. Now if I can get them to come up with cool names like Tangerine/Leaf Green-Autumn Plaid it might be a bit more fun to read the description.
Source: Moab Flight Low Tangerine
SRP: $110
The North Face Vectiv Escape FUTURELIGHT in Tin Grey/Monterey Blue– When Vectiv launched I called it a game changer… I haven’t seen a single pair of Vectiv runners anywhere. I don’t even have a pair. When I go biking, I don’t see them running. I haven’t gone hiking, so maybe that’s where they are. I’m sure the issue is a lack of locations carrying the model and the advertising doesn’t show up in my YouTube NBA, Sneaker and motivational speaking feed. I bought the Under Armour Fat Tire last as a performance trail option (for hikes I never took), but I’m looking at these and it’s taking everything in my power to not click the button and get either this pair or the Taraval Street. This shoe features a Waterproof upper, 3D Printed TPU underfoot and a similar rocker design (like my BrandBlack Auras with a Vibram outsole).
Source: Vectiv Escape FUTURELIGHT Tin Grey Monterey Blue
SRP: $149