X-Bionic TerraSkin X00/C Review | GearJunkie Tested

The path forward is rocky, steep, and coated with patches of snow and ice. I plunge ahead, dropping from the ridge as dawn crests over the Great Plains beneath. My toes hop from rock to dust, and I put on a foolish grin as I careen down the country path. Yes, these wild-looking sneakers can actually grip. This is one enjoyable descent.

One look and also you’ll acknowledge that the primary path working shoe from Swiss model X-Bionic is a departure from the norm. Called the TerraSkin X00/C, this path working shoe has a distinguished “Speedframe” wrapping the midsole, an aggressive outsole, and a shoe-specific sock. After a few weeks of testing, I agree with the model in that it is a targeted software for aggressive downhill working and exact foot placements on technical trails.

In brief: The X-Bionic TerraSkin X00/C is a exact path working shoe for rocky, technical, and steep terrain. It leverages a carbon plate, in addition to high-rebound EVA midsole cradled in a stiff “Speedframe” to offer a secure, very grippy shoe. While it sits on the heavier finish of the path working shoe spectrum, the TerraSkin X00/C is quick and safe, particularly on technical descents. On the draw back, it isn’t significantly vigorous underfoot.

Compare the X-Bionic TerraSkin X00/C with the greatest path trainers.

X-Bionic TerraSkin X00/C Review

To be fully clear, that is an early overview. I’ve had the X-Bionic TerraSkin X00/C sneakers to overview for about 2 weeks now and have six runs in them. I’ll replace this story as soon as I’ve extra distance in them. But for now, I needed to share my impressions about this shoe because it’s a buzzing matter.

Spoiler — it’s good! But it’s also a specialised software. Let’s leap in.

Putting on the X-Bionic for the primary time, you’ll even be placing on a brand new pair of socks. That’s as a result of X-Bionic — primarily recognized for its working, biking, and winter sports activities attire and socks — constructed the TerraSkin line from the sock out. So, every pair of sneakers ships with an included pair of TerraSkin Socks.

The socks match snugly and are comparatively skinny. The left and proper socks are asymmetrical and have thicker ribbing to help the Achilles tendon and instep. Mine are additionally completely different colours, as are the sneakers of their brilliant pink and white or black. Talk about making a press release!

Ultimately, these socks grip the pores and skin nicely and supply a safe match contained in the sneakers. With an final purpose to offer safe footing on tough trails, the sock is an effective place to start out.

Above the foot is a stretchy but powerful higher. The center of the higher, alongside the laces, combines stretchy cloth with secure TPU on the perimeters, which then hyperlinks to the Speedframe. The result’s a reasonably cosy higher that retains your foot from shifting contained in the shoe. I actually just like the match, which could be very snug but safe.

In my take a look at runs, I attempted fairly arduous to make my foot slop round within the shoe, and it merely didn’t. Even although the shoe isn’t precisely tight becoming, the design hugs my foot nicely, maintaining it engaged and locked throughout the shoe.

I believe that’s good as a result of the midsole’s distinctive design is each responsive and directional. It doesn’t enable the foot to roll sideways a lot, even on sharp rock edges or uneven terrain. So, the foot actually wants to remain snugly inside this higher.

Finally, let’s discuss outsole. These are actually grippy sneakers with comparatively deep lugs. X-Bionic calls this Vibram design “Spinweave.” Basically, rubberized nubs sit on the skin of the Speedframe. The model claims this design will increase floor space by 27% in contrast with different outsoles.

In observe, I discovered the outsole grippy on rock, dust, and frozen floor. It’s even respectable on packed snow. I haven’t examined it on moist surfaces but, however I think it’ll carry out.

So, put all this collectively, and what do you may have? This shoe is a downhill weapon, prepared for some wild descents.

Testing the X-Bionic TerraSkin X00/C

The loop round Matthews/Winters Park and Dakota Ridge exterior Denver is a path runner’s dream. Steep climbs, quick flats, and many technical rock sections problem any path runner to maintain upright. Having run this path perhaps tons of of occasions over the past 10 years, I’ve fairly just a few scars to memorialize some spectacular crashes. So, it appeared an incredible testing floor for the X-Bionic TerraSkin X00/C.

Let’s begin with the wins: The X-Bionic TerraSkin X00/C runs downhill like a well-balanced sports activities automobile. With quick footwork between rocks and dust patches, I discovered myself locked into the bottom.

Change path on a boulder, and the shoe locked on the position, propelling me rapidly with a variety of power return and an excellent floor really feel. My foot stayed locked into the succesful higher. And the outsole gripped nicely on every part from frozen floor to dry rock. The TerraSkin X00/C is fantastic in that sort of tough terrain, particularly on descents.

Where It’s Not So Good

The TerraSkin X00/C is much less thrilling on longer, flat sections of rolling dust trails. There, it’s a wholly succesful path working shoe. The midsole is protecting. But whereas it does give modest rebound, and I moved alongside at an excellent clip sporting them, they’re comparatively muted on the flats. To be clear, the X00/C is just a little clunky when the street will get easy.

I did run these on a few morning metropolis runs, and as anticipated, it’s not nice on pavement. Like a pickup truck with 35-inch tires, this shoe is just not optimized for concrete or easy trails.

This is just not a road-to-trail shoe. Don’t anticipate zippy, low-impact efficiency on tarmac. The X-Bionic TerraSkin X00/C is a targeted software for path and dust working. Sure, you may run it on pavement or easy trails. But it doesn’t excel there.

One extra necessary level on this shoe: It’s costly, retailing at $300. However you narrow it, that’s a heavy hit for a working shoe.

Who Should Run within the X-Bionic TerraSkin X00/C?

After a number of outings, I really feel like I’ve an excellent sense of this very cool path working shoe. I’m glad I’ve a pair and see it as a reasonably specialised software.

Until I take a look at it extra, I’d suggest the X-Bionic TerraSkin X00/C as a path working shoe for individuals who cowl a number of technical terrain and need a exact shoe. It excels at quick descents and ought to be an incredible quick hiker, too, because the grip is completely improbable.

I additionally assume it might be an excellent fell runner, because it has actually aggressive lugs that ought to dig into smooth soil nicely. But if you happen to combine street and path working or need a light-weight shoe that may transition between the 2, look elsewhere. This is a specialised software.

That’s not a foul factor. If you’re on the lookout for a grippy path runner for these spicy sections, test it out. The X-Bionic TerraSkin X00/C is a compelling, enjoyable shoe that may assist flesh out the quiver of the avid path runner.