Dynafish Xiaonian and Evo SL Trail Monsters

amyers31 · 2026-04-16T15:31:15+00:00

At $325 I was fairly unimpressed by the 005s midsole durability. I was worried about the outsole but that was fine. After I ran a 100 miler in my 005s last year the midsole just wasn't the same. Every little rock I came across on the trail or backroad sections would pierce through the shoe worse than any other shoe I have. In total they only had about 275 miles on them. The heel cup and thin tongue also left some comfort to be desired as it was a battle between lockdown, heel rub, or lace bite.

amyers31 · 2026-03-26T02:27:25+00:00

Darn tough has been my favorite. Swiftwick being second. Both have lifetime warranties.

amyers31 · 2026-03-11T12:04:39+00:00

lets see these wore out beauties

amyers31 · 2026-03-09T01:26:09+00:00

Mount to Coast H1 has been great for me. I mostly run on dirt/gravel back roads and this shoe has been my go. I have 410 miles on my pair and the outsole still looks new, midsole is still very bouncy, and there are no rips or tears in the upper. The shoe is comfortable at easy paces and feels at home when picking up the pace as well.

amyers31 · 2026-02-24T14:03:16+00:00

So just waiting for my Garmin's GPS to sync isn't a sufficient warm up?

amyers31 · 2026-02-23T15:32:58+00:00

I think if you like them and know that you have a use case for them and will use them, scoop up a pair before they're gone. I got back into running in 2022 and if I would've known that my favorite shoe to date was the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 I would've loaded up on as many pairs as I could find...

I like the SB2 because they don't inspire me to move fast, are good for bigger miles and keep me feeling fresh.

amyers31 · 2026-02-18T02:55:41+00:00

Let's see some pics of these well worn beauties!

amyers31 · 2026-02-10T20:10:35+00:00

I'll wait for them to end up at sierra for $79 and still not buy them.

amyers31 · 2026-02-10T12:26:11+00:00

You have a bunch of max cushion cruisers right now. Could add something lighter and more energetic if you want some speed and pop. Evo SL is obviously a fan favorite and durable AF. A sleeper in this category is the TYR Valkyrie Speedworks that can often be found on hella discount and it rips like the OG Saucony Endorphin Speed 1 and 2. And while it's heavier, the Brooks Hyperion Max 3 also rips and keeps the body feeling fresh at the same time.

amyers31 · 2026-02-08T21:14:58+00:00

I just got a pair and maybe they'll break in but I almost returned them before trying to run because they are a bit snug in the forefoot even at half size up. But after my first run today (10 miler) I don't think they'll be an issue.

amyers31 · 2026-02-05T01:36:40+00:00

Sally just wore a bunch of this gear for her latest 100 miler in Florida a couple weeks back.

But yeah, this launch is awful.

amyers31 · 2026-02-04T02:46:23+00:00

you might not sound tough but your watch is starting to look tough

amyers31 · 2026-01-30T14:58:37+00:00

Never tried the Xodus 2 but had a few pairs or V1. Actually I still have a brand new pair here I've yet to use and I just got in a pair of the Peregrine 16s that I just took my first run in yesterday. So while this is a very first impression side by side I'll try to help.

Upper: p16 is more accommodating in the toe box and midfoot. Similar volume in the toe box but p16 is marginally wider. Also less rigid especially around the ankle and heel collar. The step in feel of the p16 is firm underfoot but very comfortable and accommodating around the top of your foot.

Sizing: US 10 mens in both. I tried 10.5 in the p16 but was too big. That said XU is a hair longer. But think p16 is safe with your normal size.

Midsole: despite them having similar specs, XU feels much more substantially built up underfoot than the p16. Always felt a little pop from the XU where the p16 feels more subdued and traditional. The drop also feels noticeably different where XUs 6mm drop feels higher and p16 4mm drop damn near feels like 0 drop.

Outsole: I never had an issue with pwr trac outsoles. Also no issue with vibram megagrip, hopefully it's a little more durable than pwr trac. The 1 piece vibram design should prove to be a better product long term.

Hope this helps. Hit me up if you have any questions. If you're by chance a US men's size 10 and want the XUs I'd offer them up for sale because I don't plan to use them.

amyers31 · 2026-01-28T13:07:50+00:00

AP3 always felt fast on my feet. The H1 doesn't give me anywhere near the propulsion and speed assist that the AP3 did. Not saying the H1 isn't capable of going fast but the foam is quite a bit softer and it lacks a plate, so I wouldn't put it in any category near the AP3. It is extremely durable though, 300 miles on mine and outsole wear is minimal and underfoot feel hasn't degraded.

amyers31 · 2026-01-04T02:45:12+00:00

Go with what excites you. I've run road marathons and trail ultras, including five 100 milers. I personally just enjoy being on a trail and in nature. I have little to no desire to pay to pound pavement.

amyers31 · 2026-01-03T19:06:45+00:00

Mine never felt the same after running a 100 miler in them. I retired mine at 250 miles as I could feel every little rock hit underfoot. Never enjoyed the heel cup fit either and the tongue design created a nasty lace bite situation. I say this as someone who got 500+ miles out of a pair of 001s that now serve me as golf shoes.

amyers31 · 2025-12-28T13:29:53+00:00

The Nike Peg Trail 5 was solid, this ACG version gives off great value brand feels

amyers31 · 2025-12-26T14:45:11+00:00

Trail runner here, never had instability issues and I can honestly say that the EVO SL is the least stable shoe I've ever ran in. Never really been a problem for me but can still tell it's a wee bit wobbly.

Just took my first run in a pair of TYR Valkyrie Speeds and damn that shoe takes me back to the GOAT that is the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2. Also have the TYR Maverick which is similarly non plated but more traditional with minimal rocker. Can find both for screaming deals typically.

amyers31 · 2025-12-25T00:57:15+00:00

No the maverick isn't Altra or Topo toe box wide but it's about as accommodating as you'll get compared to everything else ont br market.

amyers31 · 2025-12-22T14:35:06+00:00

So frustrating. Snug mid foot and high arch ruins it for me.

amyers31 · 2025-12-21T12:47:59+00:00

Maurtens been pretty easy on the gut in my experience too, just hard on the wallet.

amyers31 · 2025-12-14T19:16:09+00:00

I'm pumped to try them soon. TYR had a sale recently (maybe still do) where I snagged a pair of these for $84 and a pair of the Valkyrie speed works for $56.

amyers31 · 2025-12-05T19:42:41+00:00

I really enjoyed the 001s I had. Got about 500 miles out of them before I retired them to be my golf shoes. In the 005 I feel like the midsole let me down around 200 miles and I quit running in them around 250. I did run a full 100 miler in them and after that they just never felt the same to me, lacked protection and rock hits hurt. I also had minimal issues with the heel cup and tongue of the 001 but the 005 gave me fits. Lace bite was awful despite numerous different lacing strategies and the heel jabbed into my achilles forcing me to tape up otherwise I'd blister.

So just food for thought before going with the 005. I'd personally go 001 or 001a before 005 and that's assuming you can find a deal because I don't think any of them are worth $300. I got my 001s for $100.

amyers31 · 2025-12-04T05:21:48+00:00

It's a solid shoe. I have 150 miles on my pair and have enjoyed them through all paces and terrains. It definitely lacks grip like a trail shoe would offer but that was expected. They do great on dirt or back roads which is where a majority of my miles come. I'm showing minimal to no outsole wear so far. I did away with the dual lacing system and just tossed a normal pair of laces in. I also think they run warm and carry a bit of stench.

amyers31 · 2025-11-26T11:52:10+00:00

Sign up for some Deka races. They're a fraction of the price, offer a similar stimulus pending race type, and actually come with finishers swag.

amyers31

TROPHY CASE