X-Bionic TerraSkin X00/C Evaluate | GearJunkie Examined

The path forward is rocky, steep, and coated with patches of snow and ice. I plunge ahead, dropping from the ridge as dawn crests over the Nice Plains beneath. My ft hop from rock to dust, and I put on a foolish grin as I careen down the country path. Sure, these wild-looking footwear can actually grip. That is one enjoyable descent.

One look and also you’ll acknowledge that the primary path operating shoe from Swiss model X-Bionic is a departure from the norm. Known as the TerraSkin X00/C, this path operating shoe has a distinguished “Speedframe” wrapping the midsole, an aggressive outsole, and a shoe-specific sock. After a few weeks of testing, I agree with the model in that it is a targeted instrument for aggressive downhill operating and exact foot placements on technical trails.

Briefly: The X-Bionic TerraSkin X00/C is a exact path operating shoe for rocky, technical, and steep terrain. It leverages a carbon plate, in addition to high-rebound EVA midsole cradled in a stiff “Speedframe” to supply a secure, very grippy shoe. Whereas it sits on the heavier finish of the path operating shoe spectrum, the TerraSkin X00/C is quick and safe, particularly on technical descents. On the draw back, it isn’t notably energetic underfoot.

Evaluate the X-Bionic TerraSkin X00/C with the greatest path trainers.

X-Bionic TerraSkin X00/C Evaluate

To be fully clear, that is an early evaluate. I’ve had the X-Bionic TerraSkin X00/C footwear to evaluate for about 2 weeks now and have six runs in them. I’ll replace this story as soon as I’ve extra distance in them. However for now, I wished to share my impressions about this shoe because it’s a buzzing subject.

Spoiler — it’s good! However additionally it is a specialised instrument. Let’s bounce in.

Placing on the X-Bionic for the primary time, you’ll even be placing on a brand new pair of socks. That’s as a result of X-Bionic — primarily recognized for its operating, biking, and winter sports activities attire and socks — constructed the TerraSkin line from the sock out. So, every pair of footwear ships with an included pair of TerraSkin Socks.

The socks match snugly and are comparatively skinny. The left and proper socks are asymmetrical and have thicker ribbing to assist the Achilles tendon and instep. Mine are additionally completely different colours, as are the footwear of their shiny pink and white or black. Speak about making a press release!

In the end, these socks grip the pores and skin properly and supply a safe match contained in the footwear. With an final purpose to supply safe footing on tough trails, the sock is an effective place to start out.

Above the foot is a stretchy but robust higher. The center of the higher, alongside the laces, combines stretchy cloth with secure TPU on the perimeters, which then hyperlinks to the Speedframe. The result’s a reasonably comfortable higher that retains your foot from shifting contained in the shoe. I actually just like the match, which may be very snug but safe.

In my check runs, I attempted fairly arduous to make my foot slop round within the shoe, and it merely didn’t. Regardless that the shoe isn’t precisely tight becoming, the design hugs my foot properly, holding it engaged and locked throughout the shoe.

I feel that’s good as a result of the midsole’s distinctive design is each responsive and directional. It doesn’t enable the foot to roll sideways a lot, even on sharp rock edges or uneven terrain. So, the foot actually wants to remain snugly inside this higher.

Lastly, let’s discuss outsole. These are actually grippy footwear with comparatively deep lugs. X-Bionic calls this Vibram design “Spinweave.” Mainly, rubberized nubs sit on the skin of the Speedframe. The model claims this design will increase floor space by 27% in contrast with different outsoles.

In apply, I discovered the outsole grippy on rock, dust, and frozen floor. It’s even respectable on packed snow. I haven’t examined it on moist surfaces but, however I think it’ll carry out.

So, put all this collectively, and what do you may have? This shoe is a downhill weapon, prepared for some wild descents.

Testing the X-Bionic TerraSkin X00/C

The loop round Matthews/Winters Park and Dakota Ridge outdoors Denver is a path runner’s dream. Steep climbs, quick flats, and many technical rock sections problem any path runner to maintain upright. Having run this path perhaps tons of of instances during the last 10 years, I’ve fairly a couple of scars to memorialize some spectacular crashes. So, it appeared an excellent testing floor for the X-Bionic TerraSkin X00/C.

Let’s begin with the wins: The X-Bionic TerraSkin X00/C runs downhill like a well-balanced sports activities automotive. With quick footwork between rocks and dust patches, I discovered myself locked into the bottom.

Change path on a boulder, and the shoe locked on the position, propelling me shortly with a whole lot of power return and an excellent floor really feel. My foot stayed locked into the succesful higher. And the outsole gripped properly on every little thing from frozen floor to dry rock. The TerraSkin X00/C is fantastic in that type of tough terrain, particularly on descents.

The place It’s Not So Good

The TerraSkin X00/C is much less thrilling on longer, flat sections of rolling dust trails. There, it’s a wholly succesful path operating shoe. The midsole is protecting. However whereas it does give modest rebound, and I moved alongside at an excellent clip sporting them, they’re comparatively muted on the flats. To be clear, the X00/C is a bit of clunky when the street will get easy.

I did run these on a few morning metropolis runs, and as anticipated, it’s not nice on pavement. Like a pickup truck with 35-inch tires, this shoe isn’t optimized for concrete or easy trails.

This isn’t a road-to-trail shoe. Don’t count on zippy, low-impact efficiency on tarmac. The X-Bionic TerraSkin X00/C is a targeted instrument for path and dust operating. Certain, you’ll be able to run it on pavement or easy trails. But it surely doesn’t excel there.

Yet another vital level on this shoe: It’s costly, retailing at $300. Nevertheless you narrow it, that’s a heavy hit for a operating shoe.

Who Ought to Run within the X-Bionic TerraSkin X00/C?

After a number of outings, I really feel like I’ve an excellent sense of this very cool path operating shoe. I’m glad I’ve a pair and see it as a reasonably specialised instrument.

Till I check it extra, I’d suggest the X-Bionic TerraSkin X00/C as a path operating shoe for many who cowl numerous technical terrain and need a exact shoe. It excels at quick descents and needs to be an excellent quick hiker, too, because the grip is totally implausible.

I additionally assume it might be an excellent fell runner, because it has actually aggressive lugs that ought to dig into gentle soil properly. However if you happen to combine street and path operating or need a light-weight shoe that may transition between the 2, look elsewhere. It is a specialised instrument.

That’s not a foul factor. Should you’re on the lookout for a grippy path runner for these spicy sections, test it out. The X-Bionic TerraSkin X00/C is a compelling, enjoyable shoe that can assist flesh out the quiver of the avid path runner.