Upside: Sturdy, yet nimble Downside: Not owning one Rating: ^^^^^ (5 out of 5 peaks) Ideal User: Long haul adventure racing The third race of the TRIOBA 24-hour adventure race series in Snoqualmie Pass, Washington advertised a 10,000-foot elevation gain. I knew what this meant - lots of trail running, but lots more climbing and bushwhacking. For the race, I needed something more than just a light trail running shoe, and I found my answer in Salomon's Raid Race II. Crossed between a lightweight hiking shoe and a sturdy trail runner, this shoe proved to be the perfect choice for the 22 hours I spent fighting thick brush, running down steep mountainsides, and climbing rocky hills. Designed for long haul adventure racing (24-hours or more), the quick drying Raid Race II comes with a triple density mid-sole and a full-length chassis, which provided great stability for the steep uphill trek. What I noticed most was the shoe didn't bend when clamoring over sharp rocks, like a good hiking boot. Yet, it was nimble enough for me lay down some horsepower on the trail running sections. The shoe is also cut higher up than a traditional running shoe to just below the ankle. As someone with not-so-sturdy ankles, this helped me negotiate the rugged terrain throughout the race. Plus, it kept out the pebbles. The toe box is rigid and super tough, and protected my toes from the hundreds of rocks and thick roots I kicked on my way up to 5,000-foot Mt. Catherine. Salomon uses Contragrip3 for the outsole to maximize stickiness, and there's no question this shoes grips. The Raid features Salomon's signature Kevlar quick fit lace system, which allowed for quick adjustments in the forefoot and midfoot to deal with my swelling feet. A great system. Just be sure to tuck the excess laces in the designated pocket located in the tongue or it will get caught when bushwhacking (trust me). When I gear up for my next 24-hour adventure race this fall in Lake Tahoe, the Raid Race II will be on my feet. Visit Salomon at www.salomonoutdoor.com — Reviewed & Written by Natasha Nowakowski, MountainZone.com Staff
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