As a relative newbie to ultra running I was keen to try out a trail shoe suitable for long-distance runs. At first glance the Aura TR from Saucony seems like a great option for intermediate ultra running footwear at a great price point. So how does it stack up.
Well, Saucony has been one of the top running shoe brands in the U.S. since 1898. In 1958, Saucony unveiled one of the world’s first high-performance running shoes and they haven’t looked back since. Their shoes are loved by dedicated runners of all levels.
Immediately the Aura TR impresses with its grey and purple colour combination, and the XT-600 lugs look like they’ll have good grip on the trails. There’s plenty of width but my size 8 feet did touch the top of the Aura shoe which was slightly uncomfortable when walking but not as noticeable when running. I would definitely test them around the house first to check that you don’t need to size up (you can order half sizes on their website).
The Aura TR has thick VERSARUN cushioning for added comfort and I felt during running that it gave an extra layer of cushion to lessen the impact on my feet. Whether this would be good enough for long-distances I was unsure of. So 13 miles into a run I was pleasantly happy to still feel comfortable running in them, though I have experienced more cushioning in other running shoes.
Designed by Saucony to be durable and adaptable. The multi-directional, widely spaced 4mm lugs meant I had good traction on part-rocky and drying up muddy trails, though I would avoid any major muddy and/or wet areas as I found it a bit slippy. They also worked well on uneven, country road lanes with patchy surfaces and I easily skipped over the pot holes.
It has a streamlined upper with a durable and breathable two-layer mesh so they felt light (8.8oz) and airy – perfect for warmer days. It’s traditional laces were tight and hugged my feet well. No stones or dirt were getting into them. I found the shoes were great in late Summer being light and breathable, though moving into Autumn the mix of rain and mud meant my socks would get damp pretty quickly. On a longer run I needed to change my socks mid-way as the Aura’s couldn’t withstand the wet conditions. Not being waterproof is a bit of a letdown as I can’t wear them really unless it’s dry or semi-dry on the trails.
They do have a GTX version which has the much-needed GORE-TEX waterproofing… if you can get it! Looks like it’s available in USA only right now.
There are loops on both the tongue and the heel for easy fitting. The heel is hard and reinforced, while the purple rubber outsole curves up to the top of the Aura providing extra protection there.
The Aura TR is a great introductory trail shoe. At £95 it’s really good value for such a durable, lightweight running shoe with carbon rubber grip – good on most outdoor running surfaces.
The special VERSARUN cushioning keeps you comfortable and it’s wide lugs perform on the trails. They seem to work well on both short and long runs, and I’ll be interested to see how they last over the 200-mile mark with it’s vegan sustainability and mix of recycled materials. They still look and feel good after many runs and I’ll be glad to try them out again on a drier day.
Saucony
Aura TR
Fossil/Grape
£95
Any outdoor enthusiast can benefit from the Aura TR. An adaptable trail shoe, it masters fit, comfort, and performance.