When it comes to choosing a trail running shoe, the market seems to be flooded with options to choose from. Over the next few weeks we’ll be featuring reviews of some of the newer models on the market today, for both men and women. One of the first pairs I tried was the Comp from GoLite. I was really intrigued by the Comp, because it feels like a really solid shoe, but has the benefit of being a lightweight (11 oz) trail runner.
On the trail, the Comp took a few minutes to get used to, as it performs a bit differently than other trail running shoes. The sole uses GoLite’s Paw Paw technology: the shoe is built on a firm platform, and soft rubber is against the ground. This combination provides stability in your form from your ankles up to your hips, and the soft sole grips itself around the terrain. (Most shoes are designed in the opposite fashion—soft against the foot and hard against the ground). GoLite claims this solution reduces side-to-side motion by 33%, and I could definitely tell a difference between the Comp and other trail runners I have tried in the past.
The whole shoe is very solid, and one of the features I really liked was the TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) surround, which protected my toes from any errant missteps I took. While I thought that it might affect flexibility in the toebox, it did not. Unlike other trail runners, the upper has a high profile, coming right up to my ankles. A few other features that contribute to the performance of the shoe are the NEOform seamless upper, an antimicrobial PreciseFit™ footbed, interlock lacing system, and extra sticky Gripstick rubber sole (very helpful on damp, slick surfaces).
Overall, the GoLite Comp was a great high performance trail runner that also has the benefit of being lightweight. In the same class with comparable features, you can usually expect shoes to weigh a few ounces more. While that may seem miniscule to some, for longer trail runs when you are carrying extra water, energy gels and bars, every ounce counts. An extra benefit? The shoe transfers well to more urban running, whether on the trail around your local park or on the treadmill in the gym without being overkill.
The Women’s Comp retails for $124.
