When I first got the text that a Tracksmith shipment was on the way, I was stoked. The apparel is some of — if not the best — for a demographic of runner who wants a meeting of high quality and price. Then I realized shoes were part of the package and my excitement went through the roof because I remembered that the company also makes footwear. Fast forward to a week or so later, a big navy box came to my door with a signature hare on the side.
The packaging was sophisticated, yet simple, for a shoe box: matte navy with a gold Hare. Once I finally saw the shoe, it gave the same feeling: a solid off white shoe with a green strip echoed a vintage physical education class uniform feel with a modern sleek twist. This, mixed with the gum sole, left me ready to wear these as a casual shoe for outings. The running part initially seemed secondary.
Besides its looks, the most captivating feature of the Eliot Runner is the Pebax insole, giving the shoe some extra height on the inside and definitely contributing to the $198 price point. But is it worth it? If you’re a person who values high-end quality materials and a sleek design in your trainer, then it might be. If you’re just looking to click off miles, there are plenty of superior options at cheaper price points.
Changes and Notable Features
There is no predecessor to the Eliot Runner, which debuted in late 2022, so there are no changes outside of the new colorways that now give runners seven options before adding a pair to the cart.
But there are some cool features. First most obvious is the removable Pebax insole, which is around 10mm thick, and contrasts the Pebax foam in the midsole by giving you a softer cushioned ride. Meanwhile, the the firmer and snappier ride is relegated to the midsole. This combination allows for a soft feeling directly on the foot while also being able to pick it up and push the faster paces. Adding to the comfort is the mesh upper with a padded tongue and a great ankle lock. These features, in a package riding on a 33.5mm stack midsole, make the shoe shine in easy miles and walking. But it’s also where it begins to fall through in other areas.
The padding throughout the upper and midsole not only causes hotspots in some cases but adds additional weight to the shoe. This limits versatility and range for tempo and threshold work. While this may not be an issue for someone who has a good shoe rotation — or is willing to pay top dollar for a trainer — I personally expected more for a shoe in that price range. While I did not experience this issue, some people I’ve chatted with who have wider feet said the shoe is a bit snug.
While there is room for improvement, the Eliot Runner is a solid daily trainer contender. One category where its price point shines is its durability. Tracksmith went for the best materials and it clearly shows. I’ve run on almost all terrain in these shoes, from pavement and gravel to trails, snow and of course on the track. And besides a bit of dirt, the shoe has stayed in great condition. This, with the structured upper, not only protects the foot from any rain or puddles, unlike some ultra-thin shoes, but adds an additional aspect of stability to the shoe, which is a plus in my book.
Personal Opinions
The Tracksmith Eliot Runner is one of my favorite shoes this year aesthetically and I often found myself wearing them to practice. But I’ve kept its roles limited to warmup, cooldown or occasional easy run duties. The Pebax insole and padding around your ankle make the shoe super comfortable for walking and shorter runs but the longer you run, the more you notice the weight and the shoe warming up. Tracksmith did a terrific job for their first footwear effort. I’m curious if 2025 will bring some minor tweaks like weight and responsiveness to the setup since this shoe hasn’t received yearly updates like other brands.
And if the show did deviate from the original formula, would these be under the hood to make sure that early adopters continue grabbing a shoe that stays consistently subdued on looks alone. We’ll never know what the process is like during the years it takes to build a shoe that turns heads, performs and is a darling in sales but the Eliot Runner could simply exist as is like an unchanged Nike Pegasus 35 Turbo. Tracksmith’s built in user base already knows what they are getting when it comes to the apparel and accessories and the Eliot Runner seems primed to be the footwear equivalent — especially as the company pivots to expanding its shoe lineup.
Overall Thoughts
There is a niche group for the Eliot Runner and it clearly shines within that group. But amongst its competitors the stack daily trainer offerings from nearly every other brand certainly means that being in this category comes with expectations. The $198 price might turn someone’s head a second time after they carefully examine the visual cues of the shoe, but the Eliot Runner has used its first generation of existence to blur performance and lifestyle. However, what comes next will likely have to be a lower cost companion shoe to compete with other brands along with adjustments to the Eliot Runner as foam technology evolves.
THE BREAKDOWN
Specs for the Tracksmith Eliot Runner
· Weight: (10oz / 283g) and (8.3oz / 235g)
· Stack height and drop: 33.5mm and 9mm
· Important features: Engineered mesh upper, synthetic suede collar and eyestay, Pebax insole, supercritical foam midsole
· Price: $198
· Release date: September 2022
How We Tested This Shoe
· Men: Size 11.5 (10oz / 283g)
· Women: Size 8 (8.3oz / 235g)
· Running conditions: Easy runs, daily training, some speedwork, tempo runs on asphalt and gravel/dirt paths
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Tracksmith Eliot Runner – Men
Tracksmith Eliot Runner – Women
