Pick for Best Trail Runner in 2003

Vasque Velocity $80
Like high-tops with wings, these runners fly over any off-road playing surface. Why It's Cool: Yippee! Vasque's new shoes are the complete package. They fuse all of the best elements of a road runner with the necessary components of a trail shoe in a smartly designed kicker to carry you over just about anything. >> Although they resemble approach shoes, they have the grip of a honed crampon. >> The slightly taller-than-average upper adds protection and beefs up an already stable frame of dual-density EVA. A flexible polyurethane plate keeps sharp trail debris from pushing through to the bottom of your foot while perfectly complementing a reliable and effective (but not too aggressive) outsole. >> There's adequate cushioning in the midsole, as well as a firmer wedge to combat pronation. Most importantly, the curve-lasted Velocitys are flexible, agile, and fast—an uncommon combination for such a protective shoe. Hmmm... The shoes aren't as light as some of their minimalist contemporaries. At 28 ounces per pair, they're chunkier than average.

Pick for Best Road Runner "Killer Deal" in 2003

Reebok Premier Road $80

Like your grandfather's wool cardigan, the Premier Roads aren't flashy, but they're comfortable and get the job done when you're running long, slow miles. Why It's Cool: This pair is really pretty basic, and that's their best feature. The Premier Roads are highly cushioned and very comfy road trainers, thanks to an extra-thick slice of DMX foam (paired with Reebok's own spin on EVA) running from heel to toe. >> A firmer medial posting provides reliable motion control, while the four sections of the multimaterial outsole independently address shock absorption, traction, durability, and flexibility for each part of the foot during the heel-strike-toe cycle >> But I didn't think about any of that when running from my feet. And, really, there is no higher compliment that can be bestowed upon a running shoe. Hmmm...They're not tortoises, but "race pace" definitely isn't in their vocabulary. At best, you might crank these up to about 60 percent of top speed.