Hannes Namberger is a German ultra-runner who most recently placed 4th at the world’s most prestigious 100-mile trail running race, the Ultra Trail de Mont Blanc. He did this less than 1 year after becoming a father, and you have never heard of the shoes he was wearing.
Dynafit is an Austrian outdoor brand that specialises in what is best described as “mountain athletics.” They make gear for trail running, mountain biking, ski mountaineering and almost any other mountain sport that is done at speed. How do race day shoes that are made for the Alps work in Ireland does Dynafit make the best trail running shoes you have never heard of? Let’s get into it.
Background
Dynafit says that the focus for the Ultra DNA was not only to provide protection from technical trials but also speed. The shoe combines lightness, stability, and comfort with the best possible protection to reduce the stress of running downhill and to regenerate the muscles for the next climb. The VIBRAM Megagrip outsole with shallow 3.5mm is designed to chew up trail miles providing the perfect balance of efficiency, grip and speed.
Specs and technology
Vibram Outsole
Unparalleled Energy Return
We received this shoe in the middle of the summer in Ireland and thoroughly enjoyed taking it out on the dry trails in the Wicklow Mountains. The shoe feels adventurous, fast, responsive and precise. After the initial excitement of the new shoes wore off, we started wearing other shoes to preserve their lifespan. We didn’t want to wear out the new shoes before having the opportunity to race in them. Seeing Dynafit athlete Hannes Namberger achieve an impressive 4th place at UTMB in the shoes motivated us to wear them more often and look for a race to test them in.
Ecotrail Wicklow is an annual trail race that takes place in Wicklow. Outsider editor and International trail runner Matthew McConnell put his name down.
I decided somewhat spontaneously to sign up for the 19km race just two weeks before the event. This race would be the perfect test for the Dynafit Ultra DNA. The course is both fast and smooth, but also rough in some places. After a season of European trail races, I was excited to participate in a similar race close to home.
The race started fast and intense, with a steep climb up Bray Head. The shoes provided great traction on the steep slopes, giving me the support I needed. On the fast descents, the shoes cushioned my stride, helping to save my legs for the final climb. The last kilometre along Bray Promenade was challenging, but I could feel the shoes pushing me towards the finish line.
– Matthew McConnell: Winner of Ecotrail Wicklow, 19.6k, 750m, 1:26:15, 4:24/km
Is it the best shoe you have never heard of?
If you’re a diehard trail runner who is in the market for a long-distance shoe that deserves to be raced in we would strongly recommend looking into the Dynafit Ultra DNA. Its eye-catching design, European style and incredible comfort deserve to be experienced.
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