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A Blog about running and life in general in USA.....
Friday, April 3, 2020
Monday, May 6, 2019
Salming Elements 2 Review
Guest Review by Mark Sharafinski Jr
This review of the Salming Elements 2 is written after approximately 65 miles of rocky and rooty Midwestern trail running, in dry and wet conditions. Comments by "part" of the shoe are below, followed by comments reflecting how this shoe addresses each component of the Salming "Rule of Five."
Upper: You know a Salming when you see it, and the Elements 2 is no exception. The green and blue men’s colorway is bold without being loud. The upper is constructed of a breathable mesh, similar to but softer than that of the OT Comp. It drains just as well, which will suit the obstacle course racers in the crowd. Well positioned Exo-skeleton overlays ensure durability in high-wear areas and provide confident foothold. The Rocshield toe cap is protective, but flexible and allows ample "headroom" in the toe box. I was bothered at times by an intrusive folding of the upper at the forefoot flex point, near the base of my toes; this never caused any blisters or abrasion and was likely exacerbated by my preference for running sockless. The forefoot is fairly roomy, especially for a technical trail
shoe, but could be a bit rounder laterally. The tongue is thin and soft with a welcome pull tab, emblazoned as usual by the Swedish flag. Like the rest of the upper, the tongue is adequately but not overly padded. I was initially concerned that the relatively high and firm heel counter would be uncomfortable, but I have yet to experience any issues. Lock down of my narrow heel is excellent on uphills and off-camber sections.
"emblazoned as usual by the Swedish flag"
Insole: The removable 5mm insole was another source of apprehension before my first run in the shoe. Perhaps it was just my pair, but the insoles were slightly short along the lateral forefoot leaving a small gap between their edge and the upper. In practice, this never became an issue as the insole stayed in place and never rubbed the tips of my sockless toes. I found that running without the insole enhanced the shoe’s character, making it feel even lighter, lower, and more aggressive.
Midsole: Stack heights are listed as 18/14mm on the Salming website, which I personally find to be the sweet spot for a technical trail shoe. The offset feels like a true 4mm, with the slight drop allowing you to dig your heels in on loose, sketchy descents. Salming’s classic RunLite midsole is a perfect choice here, offering superb flexibility and ground feel as in the OT Comp. The lack of a rockplate has not been a problem, as the outsole lugs provide another margin of protection from trail hazards.
Outsole: A proprietary TOC66 outsole lines the under surface of the Elements 2. The rubber is best described as soft, which makes the prominent 8mm lugs very pliable. This gives the sensation of true grip, where the outsole feels like an extension of the foot by molding itself to the terrain. The lugs are not squarely, however, and dig aggressively into soft ground. Traction on mud, wet grass, and snow is excellent. It’s not all positive, however. The aggressive lugs come at a cost, specifically decreased contact surface area on wet hard surfaces. This was very noticeable and, at
times scary, on wet rocks and wood. For an otherwise confidence-inspiring shoe, this was a disappointing discovery.
Salming Rule of Five...
1. LIGHT: Stated weight of the Elements 2 is 9 oz in US size 10. It feels light, even when saturated with mud and water.
2. FLEXIBLE: Highly flexible throughout, naturally more so at the forefoot “Ballet Line.”
3. FLAT: With a 4mm drop and very little arch support (especially sans insole), the Elements 2 has a very natural-feeling platform.
4. THIN: Low stack height and excellent ground feel make for an intimate, yet protected dialogue with the trail.
5. COMFORTABLE ANATOMIC FIT: As noted above, the Elements 2 is fairly roomy up front (for my E/2E width foot) but could use a touch more room laterally. Midfoot width is comfortable and the heel is secure, if a bit too structured.
In conclusion, the Elements 2 is a "nononsense" shoe that is outstanding for fast running or racing on technical trail. It will fit a variety of foot shapes and durability thus far is excellent. If the outsole compound can be adjusted to improve grip on wet surfaces, this will be a brilliant all-surface shoe that truly lives up to its name.
Disclaimer: Elements 2 shoes were bought for Marks own money. Review was written after 65 miles and reflects Marks thoughts of the shoe.
This review of the Salming Elements 2 is written after approximately 65 miles of rocky and rooty Midwestern trail running, in dry and wet conditions. Comments by "part" of the shoe are below, followed by comments reflecting how this shoe addresses each component of the Salming "Rule of Five."
Upper: You know a Salming when you see it, and the Elements 2 is no exception. The green and blue men’s colorway is bold without being loud. The upper is constructed of a breathable mesh, similar to but softer than that of the OT Comp. It drains just as well, which will suit the obstacle course racers in the crowd. Well positioned Exo-skeleton overlays ensure durability in high-wear areas and provide confident foothold. The Rocshield toe cap is protective, but flexible and allows ample "headroom" in the toe box. I was bothered at times by an intrusive folding of the upper at the forefoot flex point, near the base of my toes; this never caused any blisters or abrasion and was likely exacerbated by my preference for running sockless. The forefoot is fairly roomy, especially for a technical trail
shoe, but could be a bit rounder laterally. The tongue is thin and soft with a welcome pull tab, emblazoned as usual by the Swedish flag. Like the rest of the upper, the tongue is adequately but not overly padded. I was initially concerned that the relatively high and firm heel counter would be uncomfortable, but I have yet to experience any issues. Lock down of my narrow heel is excellent on uphills and off-camber sections.
"emblazoned as usual by the Swedish flag"
Insole: The removable 5mm insole was another source of apprehension before my first run in the shoe. Perhaps it was just my pair, but the insoles were slightly short along the lateral forefoot leaving a small gap between their edge and the upper. In practice, this never became an issue as the insole stayed in place and never rubbed the tips of my sockless toes. I found that running without the insole enhanced the shoe’s character, making it feel even lighter, lower, and more aggressive.
Outsole: A proprietary TOC66 outsole lines the under surface of the Elements 2. The rubber is best described as soft, which makes the prominent 8mm lugs very pliable. This gives the sensation of true grip, where the outsole feels like an extension of the foot by molding itself to the terrain. The lugs are not squarely, however, and dig aggressively into soft ground. Traction on mud, wet grass, and snow is excellent. It’s not all positive, however. The aggressive lugs come at a cost, specifically decreased contact surface area on wet hard surfaces. This was very noticeable and, at
Salming Rule of Five...
2. FLEXIBLE: Highly flexible throughout, naturally more so at the forefoot “Ballet Line.”
3. FLAT: With a 4mm drop and very little arch support (especially sans insole), the Elements 2 has a very natural-feeling platform.
4. THIN: Low stack height and excellent ground feel make for an intimate, yet protected dialogue with the trail.
5. COMFORTABLE ANATOMIC FIT: As noted above, the Elements 2 is fairly roomy up front (for my E/2E width foot) but could use a touch more room laterally. Midfoot width is comfortable and the heel is secure, if a bit too structured.
In conclusion, the Elements 2 is a "nononsense" shoe that is outstanding for fast running or racing on technical trail. It will fit a variety of foot shapes and durability thus far is excellent. If the outsole compound can be adjusted to improve grip on wet surfaces, this will be a brilliant all-surface shoe that truly lives up to its name.
Disclaimer: Elements 2 shoes were bought for Marks own money. Review was written after 65 miles and reflects Marks thoughts of the shoe.
Monday, February 18, 2019
Salming Ispike Review
Guest Review by Mark Sharafinski Jr
I will begin this review of the iSpike by saying that it is a visually striking shoe, with a vibrant
color scheme and bold branding - very Salming. The materials are first rate and befitting of a
shoe in this price range. The following thoughts are the result of approximately 100 miles spent
running in the iSpike over six runs, on a mix of snowy/icy roads and trails in the upper Midwest
of the USA. Comments by "part" of the shoe are below, followed by comments reflecting how
this shoe addresses each component of the Salming "Rule of Five."
Upper: I always run sockless, so a comfortable upper is essential to me. The iSpike upper feels
like a slipper on the skin, but has been protective and water resistant. My feet have remained
warm in temperatures down to -30oF, with wind chills near -50oF during the Midwest Polar
Vortex. The toe box is roomy in all dimensions, more so than the Trail 5 and great for my 2E
wide forefoot. The iceShield toe cap has saved my toenails on multiple occasions, but is
flexible enough to be unnoticeable. The ExoSkeleton lacing system initially put pressure on the
lateral aspect of my fifth metatarsal, but has broken in nicely and provides a secure mid foot fit.
Pull tabs on the tongue and heel are helpful for getting the shoe on/off quickly and should be
standard on every non-racing shoe. The tongue is nicely padded to prevent pressure from the
laces, which stay tied reliably. One potential opportunity for improvement is the ankle/heel
collar, which feels overly padded similar to the Trail 5. Despite this, I have noticed almost no
heel slip on uphills or off-camber.
"I always run sockless"
Midsole: I typically run in minimalist shoes with low stack height and little or no offset. The
iSpike has stack heights of ~25/20mm, which is near the upper limit of "thickness" for me. On
my foot, the shoe actually feels lower to the ground and very connected to the surface. Offset
feels like a true 5mm, or less. This combination of RECOIL+softFOAM feels firmer and more
responsive than in the Trail 5, especially in the forefoot. I predict this midsole will be resilient
and will not flatten out prematurely.
Outsole: The 13 tungsten carbide studs are thoughtfully placed and provide ferocious grip on
packed snow or ice. Even with significant mileage on roads, the studs show little wear and
there is no evidence of loosening. The studs cannot be felt through the midsole, unlike
commercially available traction devices. Vibram Megagrip Litebase is outstanding. In fact, it
feels like an overindulgence on a shoe that has metal studs for grip. On ice and snow, however,
I distinctly feel the rubber engaging the surface and contributing to grip. The Litebase version
of this outsole is clearly lighter than the standard version, saving weight and keeping the iSpike
very balanced.
"Vibram Megagrip Litebase is outstanding."
Salming Rule of Five...
1. LIGHT: Stated weight of the iSpike is 9g in a US Men’s size 10. It feels very light and
balanced on foot, especially for the traction and protection it provides.
2. FLEXIBLE: iSpike is reasonably flexible in the forefoot, but the mid/hind foot is stiff. This is
noticeable in hand, but not as much on foot.
3. FLAT: The stated heel to toe drop of 5mm feels true, although this is slightly more offset than
I prefer. The arch is also more pronounced than I like, but this is because I prefer zero arch
support.
4. THIN: As noted above, the iSpike feels lower to the ground than its stack heights of
25/20mm. I prefer thinner, but in a shoe used for icy/frozen rutted surfaces the protection is
appreciated.
5. COMFORTABLE ANATOMIC FIT: As noted above, the iSpike is roomy in the forefoot.
Midfoot fit can be dialed in nicely with the ExoSkeleton lacing, but the heel is a bit too wide for
my narrow hindfoot. Overall, the proportions are reasonably anatomic.
In conclusion, the iSpike is an exhibit of Salming's "No Nonsense" philosophy - a true runner’s
shoe with premium materials and no gimmicks. It follows the Rule of Five to the greatest extent
possible for a snow/ice shoe. This shoe has allowed me to run safely and confidently outdoors
on days where others are stuck inside. Salming have a winner with the iSpike, and it has a sure
place in my winter kit going forward.
Disclaimer: Ispike shoes were bought for Marks own money. Review was written after 100 miles and reflects Marks thoughts of the shoe.
I will begin this review of the iSpike by saying that it is a visually striking shoe, with a vibrant
color scheme and bold branding - very Salming. The materials are first rate and befitting of a
shoe in this price range. The following thoughts are the result of approximately 100 miles spent
running in the iSpike over six runs, on a mix of snowy/icy roads and trails in the upper Midwest
of the USA. Comments by "part" of the shoe are below, followed by comments reflecting how
this shoe addresses each component of the Salming "Rule of Five."
Upper: I always run sockless, so a comfortable upper is essential to me. The iSpike upper feels
like a slipper on the skin, but has been protective and water resistant. My feet have remained
warm in temperatures down to -30oF, with wind chills near -50oF during the Midwest Polar
Vortex. The toe box is roomy in all dimensions, more so than the Trail 5 and great for my 2E
wide forefoot. The iceShield toe cap has saved my toenails on multiple occasions, but is
flexible enough to be unnoticeable. The ExoSkeleton lacing system initially put pressure on the
lateral aspect of my fifth metatarsal, but has broken in nicely and provides a secure mid foot fit.
Pull tabs on the tongue and heel are helpful for getting the shoe on/off quickly and should be
standard on every non-racing shoe. The tongue is nicely padded to prevent pressure from the
laces, which stay tied reliably. One potential opportunity for improvement is the ankle/heel
collar, which feels overly padded similar to the Trail 5. Despite this, I have noticed almost no
heel slip on uphills or off-camber.
"I always run sockless"
Midsole: I typically run in minimalist shoes with low stack height and little or no offset. The
iSpike has stack heights of ~25/20mm, which is near the upper limit of "thickness" for me. On
my foot, the shoe actually feels lower to the ground and very connected to the surface. Offset
feels like a true 5mm, or less. This combination of RECOIL+softFOAM feels firmer and more
responsive than in the Trail 5, especially in the forefoot. I predict this midsole will be resilient
and will not flatten out prematurely.
Outsole: The 13 tungsten carbide studs are thoughtfully placed and provide ferocious grip on
packed snow or ice. Even with significant mileage on roads, the studs show little wear and
there is no evidence of loosening. The studs cannot be felt through the midsole, unlike
commercially available traction devices. Vibram Megagrip Litebase is outstanding. In fact, it
feels like an overindulgence on a shoe that has metal studs for grip. On ice and snow, however,
I distinctly feel the rubber engaging the surface and contributing to grip. The Litebase version
of this outsole is clearly lighter than the standard version, saving weight and keeping the iSpike
very balanced.
"Vibram Megagrip Litebase is outstanding."
Salming Rule of Five...
1. LIGHT: Stated weight of the iSpike is 9g in a US Men’s size 10. It feels very light and
balanced on foot, especially for the traction and protection it provides.
2. FLEXIBLE: iSpike is reasonably flexible in the forefoot, but the mid/hind foot is stiff. This is
noticeable in hand, but not as much on foot.
3. FLAT: The stated heel to toe drop of 5mm feels true, although this is slightly more offset than
I prefer. The arch is also more pronounced than I like, but this is because I prefer zero arch
support.
4. THIN: As noted above, the iSpike feels lower to the ground than its stack heights of
25/20mm. I prefer thinner, but in a shoe used for icy/frozen rutted surfaces the protection is
appreciated.
5. COMFORTABLE ANATOMIC FIT: As noted above, the iSpike is roomy in the forefoot.
Midfoot fit can be dialed in nicely with the ExoSkeleton lacing, but the heel is a bit too wide for
my narrow hindfoot. Overall, the proportions are reasonably anatomic.
In conclusion, the iSpike is an exhibit of Salming's "No Nonsense" philosophy - a true runner’s
shoe with premium materials and no gimmicks. It follows the Rule of Five to the greatest extent
possible for a snow/ice shoe. This shoe has allowed me to run safely and confidently outdoors
on days where others are stuck inside. Salming have a winner with the iSpike, and it has a sure
place in my winter kit going forward.
Disclaimer: Ispike shoes were bought for Marks own money. Review was written after 100 miles and reflects Marks thoughts of the shoe.
Monday, June 18, 2018
Salming Ambassador Profile: Louie Cicchino
LOUIE CICCHINO IS AT THE MOMENT PEAKING FOR ITU CROSS WORLDS CHAMPIONSHIP IN DENMARK. HERE LOUIE TELLS US ABOUT HIS , SALMING AND HIS COACHING SERVICE ACCELERO ENDURANCE!
WHEN AND HOW DID YOU START WITH TRIATHLON?
I remember being a kid and watching the Ironman World Championships at a friends house. We made a pact to do one when we grew up. Fast forward 12 years after I was a semi-pro snowboarder, I’m in school commuting by bike, swimming/running to stay in shape. I thought to myself “what better time than NOW to do one?” I completed my first 2 races on a fixed gear bike and where I made the podium in each so naturally my competitive nature became hooked.
WHAT'S YOU FAVORITE DISTANCE AND WHY?
I love the challenge of all distances but my favorite is the short distance Xterra races. They equate to an on-road olympic effort but you’re redlined while screaming through the trails, and the placing comes down to who can suffer more.
YOU RECENTLY RACED USAT OFF-ROAD CHAMPIONSHIP, TELL US ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE AND WHAT YOU LEARNED FROM IT?
Ohh man, that was really disappointing. We’ll start with the lesson of this race, off-road racing is a battle of attrition. I went into that race with my fitness and bike handling skills dialed in. I failed to check my bike the morning of when I set up transition and was having shifting issues the whole bike. Through the first 9 miles of the bike I only had my 4 highest gears, by the last 4 miles I was only left with my highest gear. This forced me to grind my pedals the whole ride, and run a large portion of the uphills, this combined to really take a toll on my legs and I felt it on the run. Through the bike I was going back and forth in 4th, 3rd, 2nd and refused to give up or DNF. I forced myself through the run on fatigued legs, and it took me to the second lap to finally find my running legs for a negative split. I came across the line in 3rd and although I’m happy to take a podium spot at the National Championship, although I’m disappointed to not be wearing the champions jersey but the lesson learned be instilled in my racing for the rest of my career.
YOU'RE GETTING CLOSER TO ITU CROSS WORLDS, WHAT'S YOUR GOAL AND EXPECTATIONS?
My goal in every race is to leave everything on the course and I’ve invested the past 9 months of training to be prepared to race in Denmark. It’s difficult to have expectations for a race but I expect myself to be at the peak of my fitness and to bury myself deep into a hole by the time I cross that finish line. The 2 weeks after the race my wife, her family and I will be exploring parts of Europe. I really want to be happy with my effort so I can ease my mind and enjoy the trip.
ANY OTHER GOAL RACES DID YEAR?
The past few years I’ve learned it’s difficult to invest time/resources into your own races when you coach and want to see your athletes be successful. After Denmark, I’ll race some local races and maybe head to Xterra Ogden but my main focus is to for my athletes to have successful seasons.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW A TRAINING SCHEDULE LOOKS LIKE? WHAT ARE THE KEY COMPONENTS? HOW MANY MILES DO YOU RUN/SWIM/BIKE A WEEK?
This is a great question, my first consideration in planning an athletes program is what works for them and their schedule. I could write an exceptional program consisting of 12 hours/week but if an athlete only has time to train for 8 hours or the physical capacity to train 8 hours that 12 hour program will wreak havoc on their body, social and psychological well being. It’s imperative as a coach to understand an athletes life/work/training balance.
I program everything off of time, as distance can vary with training on trails. My training weeks looks about 4-5 hours of swimming a week, 9 hours of cycling a week, and running I’m about 10 hours. I like to pile up my runs because it translates over to cycling but it doesn’t work vice-versa.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE WORKOUT?
It’s kind of a bummer because I have yet to do this workout because it doesn’t benefit my prep for Denmark. My favorite workout is a terror of a brick that I call the Zorro’s Brick and consists of 2 mountain bike loops around Green Mountain which is a 9 mile loop and just under 1200 ft of elevation gain per lap. Then from the GM parking lot I run across the street to a 1 mile zig zagging switchback trail straight up a hogback, it consists of 400 ft of elevation in that mile. I’ll repeat that trail a few times to get ready for course with a ton of climbing (Beaver Creek, Ogden).
WHAT’S YOUR GOAL FOR THE SEASON?
My goal is to not only prepare myself physically for worlds but to prepare myself psychologically for this event. I’ve been reading up and using meditation practices during training to prepare myself for this.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS AN THE ATHLETE?
I’m secretly my own worst athlete, I hardly record workouts and or analyze my own data. Instead I keep a log in my head of my splits during quality workouts so I can tell if I’m progressing or regressing. I consult with a close friend of mine who was in my program (Exercise Science) in college. We chat about once a week about what I did that week and what I’m expecting for the next couple of weeks. It’s worked great for me the past 2 years.
CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR COACHING SERVICE ACCELERO ENDURANCE?
I’ve been coaching endurance athletics for more than 4 years and before thats I was a sports performance specialist working with rehabbing athletes. About a year ago I launched my own business called Accelero Endurance. I primarily work with pretty seasoned athletes who are ready to take their training/racing to the next level. A large majority of them are off-road triathletes but I also have on-road athletes looking to make the jump from shorter distance races to the longer races. I offer online coaching for athletes and I have a group of local Denver athletes who I meet with 3-4x a week to coach workouts.
WHAT'S YOUR COACHING PHILOSOPHY?
Accelero’s mission is to accelerate you to your goals by using science proven methodology. My coaching philosophy is to always explain the “why” to athletes, I find educating athletes encourages them to trust the program and every coach wishes their athletes will “trust the process.” We are curious creatures and when we understand better we buy in more.
WHEN DID YOU FIRST HEAR ABOUT SALMING AND SALMING RUNNING? WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SALMING SHOE AND EQUIPMENT?
I was fortunate and heard about them before they became available in the U.S. I’m a huge advocate for allowing the body to run naturally but most importantly using strength to help running. I found the Salming brand because of the running lab, they used it to identify muscular imbalances not to “prescribe” shoes. My time spent as a Sports Performance Specialist was working with running mechanics of athletes from U.S. Soccer players to NBA players and to amateurs young and old. Running is necessary for all sports and it should be natural but our daily lives can inhibit that. My favorite shoes right now are the OT Comp’s, I just wore them for the second time for my race in Waco. The upper is so comfortable without socks and the bottom is super grippy allowing me to rip the trails without the fear of losing traction.
DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER SPONSORSHIPS?
I’m rocking Xterra Wetsuits during my swims, and Goodr Glasses have been kind enough to give myself and the athletes I coach some sweet eyewear. I have a few brands I swear by but no endorsements from them yet so until then it’ll be a secret.
WHAT DOES #NONONSENSE MEAN TO YOU?
To me this means gimmick free running. In my years of competing and running I’ve seen gimmicky brands rise and fall (injury related), but the ones who stay true to running stick around. I see Salming as a brand that educates it’s consumers and keeps their shoes #NoNonsense.
HOW DOES SALMING RUNNING FIT IN TODAY’S OCR INDUSTRY
I think OCR and off-road racers have exceptional kinesthetic awareness, you need this to be able to perform and train properly without injury. Salming educates their consumers how to run to mitigate injuries and what running should feel like. Naturally these two are a partnership primed to build exceptional athletes.
HOW DO YOU PROMOTE SALMING AS AN AMBASSADOR?
I educate my athletes and those I train the importance of running properly. Part of this equation is the selection of footwear, if your footwear prevents your foot and leg from performing in the manner it was designed this could cause injury. I explain what Salming does and how their shoes fall into a well designed program.
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