Weight 349g
Evaluation The Raid Sport is the little brother of the
Raid Race, and for most runners, it’s a better shoe. That’s because while it’s less protective, stable and durable than the Raid Race, it’s lighter, more flexible and more nimble. It has an EVA midsole, rather than the tougher polyurethane of the Raid Race, and instead of a plastic chassis to provide stability and underfoot protection, it simply uses an underfoot mesh to protect against stone bruising.
Still, while the Raid Sport is fairly light and smooth (and it has a nice roomy toe-box), it’s not a head-to-head alternative to a good normal trail shoe. That’s for two reasons: it’s bulkier than normal under the rearfoot, and its grip is moderate in mud.
In short If you want a fairly protective shoe for gravel roads and rocky ground, but not for slippery mud, the Raid Sport is a well-thought-out, midweight option. It’s good for continental-style trail races, but it’s not a fast running shoe.
Try it if you liked Salomon Raid Race (£80); Montrail Leona Divide (£60); New Balance 804 (£60)
