La Sportiva CYKLON CROSS GTX Review

Posted on March 6, 2023 by talkultra

The La Sportiva Cyklon with BOA® Fit System was a revelation on its release and without a doubt, it has been a perfect shoe for mountain adventures in challenging terrain. On first impressions, the Cyklon could almost have been mistaken for a lightweight boot due to the built in sock-liner which comes higher up the leg, to ankle height which has two purposes: 1. It keeps out debris from entering the shoe. 2. It provides additional support.

The CYKLON is a unique shoe in that it almost occupied its own category, a crossover between mountain running shoe and boot. IT excelled in challenging terrain with incredible foot hold, protection and a great outsole. Standout features were the sock-like fit in conjunction with the BOA/ Dynamic Cage which provided me with arguably one of the most secure footholds I have experienced.

Now, La Sportiva have stepped up the game with the recent release of the Cyklon Cross GTX. Living in Norway, this has been one of my ‘go-to’ shoe throughout the winter months when snow and ice have been my ‘normal’ running conditions.

In simple terms and for ease of clarification, imagine a Cyklon shoe wrapped in a water-repellent gaiter designed to keep snow, mud, ice, water, and other unwanted elements away from the foot.

Add an external zip allowing ease of access and a BOA® Fit System to ‘dial’ how tight or loose the fit of the shoe is, and an aggressive grip made from FriXion® White you have arguably, one of ‘the’ ultimate off-road/ mountain shoes when conditions are harsh.

My first impressions were one of disappointment, why were there no metal studs on the outsole as La Sportiva have on the Blizzard GTX (here)? Of course, I understood why, you really limit the market and the use of the shoe with studs, but here in Norway, you ‘always’ need spikes from November through to March and even April.

However, having messaged Jono Wyatt at La Sportiva asking the above question, his reply was as I expected, “We need to appeal to a larger market to make the shoe viable, but this outsole is designed to be used with AT Grip spikes to enhance grip on snowy and icy terrain.”

Problem solved – the AT Grip HERE is a multi-purpose, adjustable spike, it can be added to the sole quickly, guaranteeing maximum safety and grip on any type of terrain and under any conditions.

So, with my personal ‘needs’ covered re the spikes, I decided NOT to add the AT spikes and try the shoes in a multitude of terrain and as and when required, add micro-spikes (Nortec HERE for example) for ice conditions. Micro-spikes do provide more grip than studs, but the running experience is not as good as a specific winter stud shoe.

THE SHOE

If you used the Cyklon, you are going to love the Cyklon Cross GTX. For me, it takes everything I loved about the original Cyklon and adds a level of refinement that makes this incarnation a pleasure to wear.

Notably, the BOA® Fit System is in a different place to the original Cyklon and now it is clear of the ankle – a problem area for some.

Sliding your foot into the boot and it immediately feels like wearing a pair of gloves, without the BOA® Fit System adjusted, they already feel snug. Engage the BOA and twist and the foot is held snug with the option to micro-adjust tighter (or looser) based on personal needs or conditions. Then pull up the zip. The whole foot and well above the ankle is enclosed in a wonderfully snug Gore-Tex protection against the elements. The plus being that shoe adjustment can be done, ‘on-the-go’ with gloves on at any time while out on a run. Perfect!

Comfort level is extremely high. In all honesty, it’s a game changer for winter conditions. I do recommend using a higher sock that extends beyond the top of the shoe, it increases comfort. I also recommend that you use merino.

Many will say that there is no need for Gore-Tex in a running shoe. And usually, I would agree, especially for a shoe when water can enter below the ankle. Here though, the Cyklon Cross GTX comes much higher with a tight enclosure. It really does reduce what ‘can’ enter the shoe, and, in 3-months of winter running not once have my feet been wet. But go in water (deep) that extends beyond the top of the shoe and yes, water will enter, albeit much slower than any other shoe I have used. For clarity, I have run on many frozen ponds and puddles recently, often breaking through the ice to enter the water below, still no wet feet!

The grip is excellent on rock, mud, trees and all trail conditions, especially soft snow. Add micro-spikes for ice and you have a perfect ice shoe, albeit not as comfortable as a specific ice shoe, but on many occasions, I have gladly used this boot as an alternative, especially when encountering fresh snow with ice underneath, the boot offers more warmth and comfort.

Feel for the ground is superb. They are cushioned but not too much. They combine comfort and excellent proprioception so that you feel at one with the terrain and always in control. Propulsive phase is superb and all-around comfort is magnificent. The Cyklon Cross GTX feels so good that I’d love to use them beyond the winter months, they would make excellent mountain shoes for all-year BUT I fear, they will be too warm in late spring and summer.

The toe bumper is robust and amazingly protective.

Despite the obvious appeals for winter and mountain running, the Cyklon Cross GTX is ideally placed for ‘fast-and-light’ alpinism when a normal shoe just wouldn’t cut it, think of Monte Rosa Skymarathon as a prime example.

A neutral fit I suggest you size up. I find that with La Sportiva I always need to do this; I am usually an EU 44 (UK9.5) but with La Sportiva I am in EU 45. Weight of an EU 45 is 382g which is quite incredible for a shoe with such solid build. Drop is 8mm.

Looks are awesome – the classic La Sportiva yellow/ black is stunning.

CONCLUSION

The La Sportiva Cyklon Cross GTX gets a 9.5/10 from me. Why not 10? Well, I’d love to see them ‘with’ a winter spike, but I fully understand why a spike is not standard. At least La Sportiva have thought of this with an appropriate outsole and the option of AT spikes.

Amazing foothold, amazing grip, warm, durable and dare I say, bullet proof. This is a shoe that makes me smile and want to run in harsh, cold, and tough conditions. BOA is the perfect fit system here and arguably it’s a best-case scenario allowing the user to adjust the shoe when running, especially when wearing gloves on.

The ride is predictably stable, firm, protective and suitable for any terrain and they excel in mud and snow. Ground feel is superb with adequate comfort.

They look awesome and surprisingly streamlined. When zipped up, they fit snug, some would even say tight, which only adds to the secure and warm feeling.

They are not cheap at 260 euros, but this is a specific bespoke shoe and if used as intended, they will last year-on-year for many winters.

Quite simply, one of the best, (if not the best) winter shoes I have ever used !

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ASICS Gel Fujisetsu 3 G-TX Winter Shoe with Studs Review

Posted on December 13, 2021 by talkultra

In the last 2-years I have tested many pairs of winter running shoes. By ‘winter’ shoes I mean specific shoes that are designed to handle snow and more particularly, ice. A winter shoe for me must have studs.

Read about Running on Ice Here

Key brands are VJ Sport and Icebug. The duo have very much paved the way for shoes that are designed, not surprisingly, for Scandinavian winter. There are multiple shoe reviews on this website, two stand outs are the VJ Xero and the Icebug Route. Ironically, the Route was a very much entry level shoe (which I believe they do not make anymore) and despite some flaws it was my ‘go-to’ shoe in the winter of 2020 and early 2021 and the VJ Xero my shoe for shorter runs.
I had constantly been enticed by the ASICS Gel Fujisetsu 3 G-TX but a very good friend advised me against using them, they didn’t like them… Turns out they had used a previous version and not the third incarnation of the shoe.

Cut to the chase, they are superb!

Every winter shoe I have used, and in particular the ones I have liked have always been about 80/85% perfect. The VJ Xero not cushioned enough and a touch narrow, the Icebug route great comfort, grip and feel but a cold shoe.

Read How to Find your Running Shoe Size and Fit Here

The ASICS Gel Fujisetsu 3 G-TX has hit my 100% mark. It really has been a revelation and surprisingly, for me, Asics have produced a really incredible winter shoe.

The shoe is cushioned and has great comfort with front and rear cushioning that provides the right amount of ground feel in either soft snow or hard ice. I have struggled to find the exact measurement of front/ rear cushioning but have been informed (tbc) it is 18mm front and 28mm rear. FlyteFoam and layered GEL offer the protection and it works great.

A 10mm drop is high these days and just like the VJ Xante (same drop) I had concerns it was too high. Not so. The drop has not even been a consideration. On a recent 23-mile run in fresh snow and hard ice, the ASICS Gel Fujisetsu 3 G-TX performed perfectly with great comfort.

The upper is Gore-Tex and yes, I am am well aware of the downsides of Gore-Tex in a run shoe. But 6-hours of running in -10 in thick snow and I had warm feet all-day. Just make sure you use excellent socks such as Merino. In addition, I also use a barrier sock such as SealSkinz. Getting socks right is personal, the above works for me.

The outsole is the star of the shoe with 14 studs placed strategically from front to rear. There is no missing grip despite run style. I have had top-notch grip on every run and complete confidence the shoe will do its job. In snow and ice, there is definitely a gait change when running and most certainly, the flatter you can place your foot, the more grip you will have as you will engage more studs. But, running uphill, when just the forefoot is engaged, and the 8/9 front studs really provide incredible traction.

The 5 rear studs work exceptionally well for heal strikers with an emphasis on the outer of the shoe, 3 studs on the edge, 1 in the middle and the other to the inside middle.

The tongue has a sock-like fit and and is well padded adding the overall comfort of the shoe. It also has a lace garage at the top to stowaway the lace after fastening. Five sets of eyelets and good laces allow the shoes to be pulled tight with really excellent foot-hold, added to with a plush and comfortable heal area that gave me no slipping. There is no option to lock-lace or similar.
The toe box is wider, definitely a 3 and edging to a 4 on a 1-5 scale, 5 being wide. Importantly there are no seams or stitching in this area so comfort is top-notch, especially in the propulsive phase. A good toe bumper adds to the protection.

Weight is on the heavier side, this is typical on a winter shoe as they need to be more robust, plus you have the addition of the studs and a more substantial outsole to hold them, my EU45 were 338g. A note on sizing, I am always EU44 but for the Asics I chose EU45. The shoe does size a little smaller BUT I also knew I would be using Merino and SealSkin socks. The EU45 is perfect.

The shoe is neutral.

Colour-way is black and red which works really well, it’s a nice looking shoe.

Conclusion

Designed to enjoy running in the dead of winter, the ASICS Gel Fujisetsu 3 G-TX is equipped with several technical components that enhance the running experience in complex and demanding terrains. I have waited sometime to find a shoe that ticks all my winter boxes and this pair of Asics does that. There are no more excuses, it may have taken 3 versions to get it right but the features all combine to make this a stunning shoe: outsole studs, optimal grip, protection, comfort and great feel for the ground. Highly recommended.

Read about Winter Running Here

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DIY Winter Run Shoes – Spikes for Snow and Ice

Posted on December 9, 2021 by talkultra

Hoka One One Torrent 2 with 10 Best Grip studs

Winter running can be challenging for many reasons, but for most, conditions underfoot are a deciding factor if running outdoors is viable.

In all honesty, running outdoors is always viable, you just need the correct equipment.

For me, winter is arguable one of my favourite running seasons. I like the cold, brisk and dry air, I love running in the snow and YES, I love running on ice.

First and foremost, a specific winter run shoe with studs is always the best option. You can read an article, Running on Ice for more specifics.

However, for many, spending money on a winter run shoe can be prohibitively expensive. Don’t worry, a solution is at hand.

You can DIY your own winter run shoe.

TOP TIPS

Pick a shoe that is coming towards the end of its normal day-to-day run life.
Ideally, a shoe with a little more cushioning is a good idea as you will be screwing winter studs through the outsole and in to the cushioning of the shoe.
Check wear marks on the outsole. This will provide you invaluable information about you and your run style, importantly, it will tell you where you strike the ground. The is the place for the studs to go.
Plan on the outsole where you will add the studs in advance.
Take your time.

HOW TO?

I use a specific winter stud from Best Grip (code BG3040) which comes with 20 studs and the tool for easy and convenient placement. The tool is made of two parts, the handle BG5000 and the BG4000 attachment which holds the stud when applying.

If you already have the tool, you can purchase just the studs, the BG1000 has a thickness of 6mm and 6.2mm mounting depth which is ideal for most shoes.

20 studs provide 10 per shoe. I consider 10 to be a minimum and personally, I often prefer 14 or 16 depending on the shoe. My current specific shoe of choice for winter is the Asics GEL-FujiSetsu 3 G-TX (review to follow) which has 14 studs in a specific winter shoe with Gore-Tex upper.

I used a Hoka One One Torrent 2 for the purposes of this demo. This is a shoe that has served me well recently with 600km of use. It’s about ready to be shelved BUT it does have life left in it for winter.

The Hoka Torrent 2 is one of Hoka’s least cushioned shoes (why I like it) but it still has plenty of cushion to take studs.

You can see on the outsole how I am very much a forefoot runner with some supination. This makes it easy for me to decide where to place the studs. Of course, run style and technique does change in snow and ice, so, always make sure you have good distribution for added comfort and security.

Apply the screws one at a time. Ideally choose larger lugs that can host the screw better. Some outsoles will just not work, so think ahead.

Place the studs with at least 6 at the front and 4 at the rear. Typically, 3 rows of 2 works at the front and 2 rows of 2 at the rear, but one advantage of applying the studs yourself is that you can be specific to run style as tho where to place the stud of optimum grip.

ON THE CHEAP

If purchasing a specific winter stud such as the Best Grip is still a little more than you want to pay, you can purchase self drilling Hex Head screws (ideally slotted) ⅜ inch size #8 or #10 usually works.

I recommend pre-drilling pilot holes with a drill bit, maybe 1/16^th in size. Make sure the shoe is held secure either by another person or ideally in a workmate or similar.

Drill the pilot hole slowly and obviously, make sure you go straight.

Once you have made pilot holes, you can then add the screws.

SUMMARY

A specific winter run shoe is the best option, without doubt. They are specific for the job and provide a great run feel and experience. However, spending upwards of £120 for another pair of shoes with a very specific use, is just too much for many. Therefore, adapting a used shoe for winter makes sense. It puts additional life in to a shoe and provides an option for winter running that would not have existed before.

Using a specific stud like the Best Grip (or similar) provides the next best thing to a specific winter shoe, with the added advantage that you ca actually apply the studs where you want them.

If spending money on a specific stud is still too much, Hex Head screws have been used for adapting shoes for a considerable time, they are tried and tested and while not as good as studs, they can do the job.

Of course, the final option is to use any run shoe and add a micro spike such as Nortec. A micro crampon has uses but they provide a less than desirable running experience.

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Icebug Route Winter Studded Shoe Review

Posted on January 17, 2021 by talkultra

Icebug are specialists at studded shoes, be that for orienteering, trail running or winter running. The ICEBUG ROUTE is considered an entry level shoe with a combination of features designed to appeal to experienced or novice runners. I have been using the Icebug Route in rotation with several winter shoes: VJ Sport Xante, inov-8 Arctic Talon, inov-8 OROC and notably, the Icebug Pytho 5.

Read articles on winter:

Winter Running HERE

Embrace Winter HERE

Fastpacking and Camping in Winter HERE

Clothing Layers HERE

The Icebug Pytho 5 is solid shoe, I wrote, “works exceptionally well as an ‘all-rounder’ and is sold as such, recommended for trail running, forest running, orienteering and winter ice running.” The Pytho uses BUGrip and so does the Route.

BUGrip is the secret weapon of Icebug winter shoes and it this technology that provides grip in the most demanding and slippery conditions. The outsole is made from a special rubber compound, there would be typically 15-19 studs inserted. The Pytho 5 has 17 and the Route a maximum 19. The studs work independently from each other and are not completely fixed. When weight is applied, the studs push in toward the surface of the sole. How far they are pushed in depends on the pressure exerted by the user and the resistance from the ground. Quite simply, the secret of running in studded shoes is ‘trusting’ the outsole to do its job. The more confident you are, the harder you place your foot and the more you believe in the outsole, the better the grip will be.

The Icebug Route has been somewhat of a revelation. And I say this as many of the selling points are not what I would typically look for in a shoe, notably, 12mm drop. I am a neutral runner and typically run in anything from 0 to 8mm drop.

Designed for winter road conditions, I have been using the Route on trails with rocks, tree routes covered in snow and ice, frozen lakes, iced pavements and iced single-track, so in summary, pretty much everything… I have not used them on mountain terrain.

The Route is light, for example, in comparison to the Pytho 5 they are 30g lighter and they feel it. There is a life in the Route that I did not expect and comparison to the Pytho 5, the feel is considerably more preferable.

Listed as a cushioned shoe with a comfortable feel, I can confirm the ride is very plush with great flex, bounce and still with a feel for the ground. The propulsive phase is very good with great flex around the metatarsals. The midsole is Bloom Foam, EVA with ESS stabilizer. I have not been able to find any measurements for front and rear cushioning, but based on other test shoes and experience, I would estimate 8mm front and 20mm rear – this is a guess though!

The upper is not insulated and this is a notable point, the shoes in sub-zero winter runs of snow and ice are noticeably colder than some of the competition. Top tip – I use neoprene socks as standard with temperatures below zero and this makes a huge difference, especially with the Route. Breathable is not a good selling point for a winter shoe. Made from 100% recycled polyester textile, the upper is very durable to winter conditions. Toe box protection is minimal. There are no reinforced panels on the upper and the shoe does not suffer from it.

The toe box is wide and spacious, ideal for a winter shoe allowing the toes to splay and move. You don’t want your toes squeezed in a shoe in cold weather, some space allows for blood flow.

The lacing is simple with 5 eyelets on either side and an optional lock-lacing eyelet at the top. Importantly, the laces really pull and hold the foot providing reassurance on any terrain.

The heel box is comfortable, holds firm, caused no abrasion and importantly, when going uphill, causes no slipping. It’s well-padded and very comfortable.

The insole is Ortholite Hybrid designed to create a cooler, drier environment inside the footwear.

The outsole is the star of the shoe and the 19 dynamic steel studs perform superbly adjusting to the terrain and conditions providing supreme confidence. Notably, when running on road sections lacking snow or ice, the Route is still comfortable and unlike other studded shoes, I don’t feel the studs coming through to the insole. It goes without saying, that running on roads or pavements without ice or snow should be kept to a minimum. It is easy to lose studs and the BUGrip outsole is designed to work effectively with 2 or 3 studs missing. It is possible to replace studs, you just need to contact Icebug for spares. Notably with studded shoes, they work remarkable well on trail providing exceptional grip on tree roots, rocks and other obstacle; they are not just for snow and ice.

Finally, the Route has a good look with a blue fade and yellow patterned overlay including the Icebug logo.

IN USE

True to size, the Route is immediately comfortable when you slide your foot in. There is little to distract in this shoe, quite simply, lace up and off you go.

The width in the toe box is notable but not so wide that you lose feel or precision when running on more technical terrain.

Comfort is immediately noticeable from the cushioning and not at the expense of feel for the ground or flex in the propulsive phase.

Considering the shoe has a 12mm drop, I have to say, the Route did not feel out of place and at all times, on every run, has felt comfortable. This has made me very curious and I still do not have an answer? Maybe the soft snow, ice and the mixture of conditions masks the higher drop? Ultimately, the only consideration is comfort, and the Route is extremely comfortable.

The studs have been superb at providing the required grip as and when required, noticeably, in comparison to some other studded shoes, I like the way the studs adapt to the terrain and pressure from the runner to provide the grip required only when needed. Don’t get me wrong, the studs don’t disappear when there is no snow or ice, they are just not as noticeable.

The upper is surprisingly not ideal for a winter studded shoe. It’s durable, however, it lacks warmth and insulation. So, make sure you use appropriate socks for conditions. I recommend Merino socks as a base layer with a warmer sock over the top. I personally use neoprene socks as I know they work and keep my feet warm. Other options would be Merino socks with a Gore-Tex sock. Top tip – Ideally take appropriate socks when trying for size. It’s not unusual with winter shoes taking a half-size larger to compensate.

CONCLUSION

Before I used the Icebug Route I had wrongly anticipated I would not like the shoe. After all, who uses 12mm drop shoes these days? I was completely wrong. Light, cushioned, great comfort, amazing outsole and room in the toe box all combined together to make the Route one of the best winter shoes I have used. Alongside the VJ Sport Xante, they are now one of my preferred shoes. I even prefer them to arguably, in Icebug terms, the better shoe Pytho 5 which in comparison feels a little over engineered and heavy. I must clarify here, the Pytho 5 is a really great shoe. One thing the Route has taught me, is not to let shoe specs and details get in the way of how a shoe feels and runs. The Icebug Route is a really excellent winter shoe that excels on hard iced trails. The downside of the shoe is the lack of warmth in the upper which can be compensated for with good socks.