Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra 2

This is a shoe that rewards pace. Reviewers describe a snappy, propulsive ride with the kind of rebound you normally get from a road racer, and the rocker rolls you forward once you are moving quickly. Drop to an easy jog, though, and it changes character: one UK reviewer found it firm and a bit unforgiving at relaxed paces. It also expects a midfoot or forefoot landing. Two of the reviews said so directly, and lab testing backs them up with a narrow heel and a steep heel bevel.

The midsole is Lightstrike Pro, retuned to be a little softer than in the first version. It still reads as protective and efficient rather than plush. Lab testing measured it on the soft side, yet the UK review called it firm, and that gap mostly comes down to pace: at speed the foam feels lively, while at a walk-jog on a long climb you notice there isn't much give. It suits runners who want to cover ultra distances quickly more than those planning to hike half the course.

Stability depends on where you land. The forefoot is broad and planted, and the UK reviewer found it steady over uneven ground. The heel is narrow with very little counter support, which lab testing flagged as unstable for heel strikers. One US review added that the bouncy ride can be hard to control on technical descents, with less margin for error than calmer shoes. It is a neutral shoe with no stability features, so overpronators and tired heel strikers late in an ultra are the runners it suits least.