Whether you’re conquering a peak, running along the local levee, or simply out to prove a point to your run partner on the trail, the new TrekSta Sync Trail Running Shoes are ready for the ride. Offering the comfort and protection you need along with a smooth and responsive ride, these shoes are about to crush any excuses you had in mind for not hitting the trail.
There’s a reason the Sync made the list of our favorite new trail shoes for Spring 2013, and it’s not just because “TrekSta” is a blast to say. The men and women’s Sync offers an array of innovations and trail specific features that ensure this trail runner performs like a dream. That performance all stems from a design that intentionally provides a near custom fit, and pure connection between the runner and the trail.
Fit and Performance….
All shoes start from the same premise – the human foot. The conventional shoe last has always been made for a generalized foot shape. However, TrekSta is changing that traditional fit paradigm. To create a better all around fit, TrekSta measured some 20,000 individual feet. It was from these measurements the nestFIT last was born. Studying and applying the natural flow of 20,000 feet served this shoe (and our field testers) well. In other words: research pays!
TrekSta’s nestFit system ensures that you have a trail shoe that follows the natural flow and design of the foot, right down to a slightly elevated vertical space just above the big toe. By eliminating unnecessary gaps and pressure points, the Sync not only offers a more comfortable fit, but some trail junkies will find that it has the effect of helping increase stride efficiency and reducing fatigue from those long runs chasing the sunset at the end of dirt roads.
Intuitively designed with a low profile (4mm heel-to-toe ratio) for a more natural, close-to-ground feel, the Sync also features anatomical sensor zones in the Independent Suspension Technology (IST) sole. Simply put, the IST sole complements the low profile and nestFit system by allowing the Sync to respond to the ground underfoot rather than fight against it as some more aggressive outsoles can do.
The Sync carried our trail guru’s across countless miles of rocky coastline, technical trails, paved roads, and abandoned fire trails and the result? Our run team has yet to encounter any significant breakdown of the shoe. The laces stayed put, Hypergrip sole gripped loose and solid surfaces with ease, all while the highly breathable mesh upper helped regulate temperature.
The entire review can likely be summed up in the words of our ultra-trail runner who noted the following, “The integrity of the shoe felt solid: great craftsmanship that has taken the abuse of a girl who loves to release her frustrations on long runs and gnarly terrain. I felt confident in its ability to grip when it was essential, provide quick turnover when necessary, and was not disappointed.”
The Critique…
When this review goes live, our male and female trail runners might still be engaged in a life or death battle of rock, paper, scissors to determine who gets final say on the styling of the shoe. While our male trail junkie liked the fresh look of the Sync, our female runner wasn’t as impressed with the stylistic lines and overall aesthetic design. That being said, although the physical appearance may be up for debate, the performance of the TrekSta Sync was never in question.
Bottom Line…
Whether you’re looking for a new trail running shoe, or simply a light and fast shoe to conquer day hikes, the TrekSta Sync for men and women warrants your attention. Based on TrekSta’s single-minded mission to craft a trail running shoe with unrivaled support and comfort, the Sync is ready to get you out enjoying the endorphin releasing pleasures that only time in the great outdoors can provide. Gumption tested, gumption approved.
*Gumption Gear Review received the product samples featured in this review from Treksta USA. The item featured was provided solely in exchange for testing the product and providing our honest views and opinions. We received no other form of compensation for this or any related review.