THE RISE OF
THE UPPER
Today's emphasis on
comfort puts the top
of the running shoe
center stage.
In the four decades since the invention
of the running shoe, most of the
industry's attention has focused on
the midsole. After all, conventional
wisdom maintained that the sole
determines how the foot interacts
with the ground, cushioning
and controlling as necessary
to p rote c t a n d e n h a n c e
your stride. Differences in
sole density, shape and
materials have defined
the categories we talk
about to differentiate
running shoe models.
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By Jonathan Beverly
HOKA
ONE ONE
EVO MAFATE
The advanced
Matryx weave al-
lows Kevlar strands
to be engineered into
the fabric, providing
structure around the
midfoot that improves
durability and lateral
control on the trail
without adding weight
or reducing flexibility and
breathability in this ultra-
light, single-layer upper.
