RAIDLIGHT RESPONSIV ULTRA 2.0: LONG DISTANCE EVOLUTION (140€/6DROP/280GR).

Posted by Héctor Rubio on October 22, 2021 in trail running, trail running review, trail running shoes, trail running spain | 1 Comment

RAIDLIGHT RESPONSIV ULTRA 2.0: LONG DISTANCE EVOLUTION (140€/6DROP/280GR). Our TRAIL SHOES section brings you today the launch of the RAIDLIGHT RESPONSIV ULTRA 2.0. Few changes but in constant evolution.

Since 2019 Raidlight had not released an update of its star shoe for ultras. Today we get version two of the Responsiv Ultra and bring you the technical analysis of this new version by Abel de Frutos.

RAIDLIGHT RESPONSIV ULTRA 2.0 REVIEW

(140€/6DROP/280GR)

Already available on the Raidlight website in pre-sale for delivery this October, we can find the new Raidlight Responsiv Ultra 2. The second version of Raidlight’s long-distance ultrera shoe. Our colleague Abel de Frutos was able to see its comfort in 2019 when he participated in several races around the world with them, so we hope that this new version has evolved and improved with respect to its first version.

Let’s go first with the technical sheet of the shoe.

RAIDLIGHT RESPONSIV ULTRA 2.0: DATA SHEET.

• Price: 140 euros.
• Weight: 280 gr, increasing by 10 grams the previous version.
• Drop: 6 mm, retains drop.
• Upper: new lighter and more breathable polyester cover with new longer tongue.
• Cushioning: Height in front part 19mm and in part of heel 25mm, keeping drop but closer to the ground.
• Sole: D Grip Ultra with 4mmlugs, we remember that in its previous version we were surprised by its grip, we will have to see if it maintains it or improves it.

RAIDLIGHT RESPONSIV ULTRA 2.0: HIGHLIGHTS

We can say that we liked the first version of the Responsiv Ultra very much. One of the reasons was the spaciousness of the forefoot area, which for people with wide feet is great. In this second version, the brand maintains that “RL Relax” that gives us comfort, especially over long distances. With a wide last that offers enough space on the part of the fingers, it is a shoe that is very comfortable.

Since during ultras, in the end we tend to pronate, Raidlight has designed the Responsiv Ultra 2.0 with a reinforced asymmetrical heel, an adaptable midsole and a tongue and string that aims to help relax feet and joints.

UPPER

As we have already mentioned, the last is wide and wide, due to the RL Relax technology. With a cover made of polyester, which is helped by TPU reinforcements to give greater support and fixation. It is a cover a priori quite breathable.

The design of the tongue (with M-Lock Band technology) has been considerably modified, making it longer and thinner. In this way, the brand seeks to better adapt to the area of the instep and avoid inncesary pressures in that area. I want to try it, because it is an area in which most of the shoes press on me and makes me have to let go of my laces a little.

MIDSOLE

It comes with an EVA midsole, with injected ethylvinylacetate, which seeks to achieve greater durablity, more compression and greater adaptation to the terrain. We can appreciate a design to which more and more brands are adhering with a somewhat warped shape to help the tread. Medium cushioning and 6mm drop, with 19mm in its front and 25mm in its rear.

We appreciate that the midsole integrates perfectly with the heel, coated with TPU, asymmetrically (Asymmetric Heel Support) that offers us greater support and stability. Very padded to avoid chafing and pressure in the Achilles heel area over long distances.

SOLE

D Grip Ultra sole (4 mm taqueado) that gives us good grip in all types of terrain. A sole that in its previous version surprised us a lot, because a priori it did not give the feeling of much grip. However, we could see the opposite, and it was a shoe that defended itself in all terrains (except in mud). The studs are broken to improve flexibility but also to reduce weight, as can be seen in areas of less impact where rubber gives way to EVA.

RAIDLIGHT RESPONSIV ULTRA 2.0: CONCLUSION

As soon as these changes have improved the shoe somewhat, we believe that it will be a very interesting shoe for long distances. Maybe not for very technical terrain, but ideal for lighter terrain and long races. We really liked the previous version and hopefully these new changes will make this shoe a new Bestseller of Raidlight.

Desire to test it thoroughly and tell you everything in our channels.

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