The 3D Techlite heel gives Columbia’s Ravenous trail running shoe the stability runners like.
While many other trail running shoes improve stability with a wider foot print, Columbia’s Ravenous shoe goes a step further. The company created a 3D Techlite heel capture system that not only strengthens the outer heel area of the shoe to minimize movement, but it also cradles the heel for improved stability and fit that gives the runner a secure feeling.
The Techlite heel on the Ravenous shoe absorbs the shock of each stride and its multi-directional lugs on the Omni-Grip outsole provides plenty of traction over rock, scree, sand and loose dirt. The outsole also extends to the shoe’s front rands to provide some protection to the toes. The uppers feature a lightweight mesh that allows your feet to dry quickly and an AgION treated Contoured Comfort foot-bed that is made from Columbia’s 1D EVA foam provides yet another layer of cushioning and odor control.
The Columbia Ravenous trail running shoe was one of the most comfortable we’ve tried this year. On a variety of trails we ran on, the shoe felt light, nimble and had plenty of stability. We liked the gusseted tongue that keeps the shoe securely in place and although the Ravenous is very flexible, the mesh uppers manage to keep their shape over time. Because the outsole extends slightly over the toe, you can also gain some extra grip to climb over boulders if your trail calls for any scrambling.
We also liked that Columbia’s Ravenous trail running shoe is easy on the pocket book. With an MSRP of $90 the shoe provides high-performance at an affordable cost. The Ravenous comes in three color combinations, (light gray, wham), (black, cyber yellow) and (cool gray, intense red) and is available in men’s and women’s sizes. For more information, visit www.columbia.com
By Dan Sanchez
