tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168160086976012326.post9016919834205529542..comments2023-04-29T09:59:28.365-04:00Comments on Biker Nate: Hoka Rapa Nui 2 (Trail and Tarmac) Shoe ReviewUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168160086976012326.post-18226074127692631952014-12-06T08:36:04.080-05:002014-12-06T08:36:04.080-05:00The trail feels equally as good on the roads as th...The trail feels equally as good on the roads as the road version. If I am going for a run and there is even the possibility of going off road, I wear the trail version. The road version has almost no traction. If you are only running on gentle trails (bike paths, well worn trails, no mud, etc..) then you'll be fine with the road version. If you want to do any type of actual trail running, I'd recommend going with the trails. Nathan Sanelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12065432792246483354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168160086976012326.post-64646740136410950342014-12-05T17:53:21.708-05:002014-12-05T17:53:21.708-05:00hi nate--great review (but no more coming, right?)...hi nate--great review (but no more coming, right?). for someone who would hope to use them for road and easier trails, would you recommend the trail or the tarmac? does the trail feel as good on the road as the tarmac does? or is each clearly better in its own domain?<br /><br />thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168160086976012326.post-68482798117378755132014-04-07T19:17:32.542-04:002014-04-07T19:17:32.542-04:00The heel counter is fairly stiff, but not super th...The heel counter is fairly stiff, but not super thick. For some reason it doesn't bother me at all.Nathan Sanelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12065432792246483354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168160086976012326.post-87135969263189897512014-04-06T21:01:21.958-04:002014-04-06T21:01:21.958-04:00How is the heel counter in these Rapa Nui 2s? Lik...How is the heel counter in these Rapa Nui 2s? Like you I prefer a soft or non-existent heel counter. This is a deal breaker for me when it comes to running shoes. So any help you can provide would be much appreciated.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168160086976012326.post-11869975924675605932014-04-05T16:50:11.346-04:002014-04-05T16:50:11.346-04:00Biker Nate; I'm 2 for 2 on following your reco...Biker Nate; I'm 2 for 2 on following your recommendations on shoes for me. The Hoka Bondi S and the Rapu Nui have been perfect for me. Been wearing the Bondi S for a while now for all runs (rotating 2 pair) and had my 1st run in the Rapa Nui Tarmac; great fit and felt like i was flying. Did have to down-size by a half on the Rap Nui, but really pleased with the shoe and can't wait for my next run in them. Thanks for the great reviews!Robbie Tnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168160086976012326.post-82491108110285481782014-02-25T19:31:19.604-05:002014-02-25T19:31:19.604-05:00Hi Steve,
My foot is doing much better, thanks! I...Hi Steve,<br />My foot is doing much better, thanks! I just received my Altra Olympus' and have only done minimal miles in them. They are more of a competitor for the fully cushioned Hokas (but they are a bit less mushy). The Rapa Nui is a bit more responsive and less cushioned. The Altra has that awesome fit and nice toe box. I need to put a bunch of miles on the Olympus, but plan on doing a review within the next few weeks. Stay tuned!Nathan Sanelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12065432792246483354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168160086976012326.post-82556308620548031542014-02-25T13:54:22.364-05:002014-02-25T13:54:22.364-05:00Nate, I hope you are doing better and are out now ...Nate, I hope you are doing better and are out now testing the Altra Olympus shoes! Curious how they rate to the Rapa Nui 2 -- both seem like excellent plush choices.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10684810250466954108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168160086976012326.post-44744144759773181822014-02-14T03:51:05.557-05:002014-02-14T03:51:05.557-05:00I've been using the Rapa Nui Trails since mid ...I've been using the Rapa Nui Trails since mid 2013 and absolutely love them - moved on like you from the Stinsons (Road and Trail models) which were good but I did find a bit too squishy and bulky for quicker running. Used the Rapa Nuis straight out of the box for a 100km race back in July and they were brilliant, bought a second pair near the end of the year that have just come out to play. <br /><br />Raced the Centurion Winter 100 in them back in November, and even though I took spare shoes for my drop bag I never felt the need to change and ran a strong race to finish 9th in 18:36. I've also been using the road model (Kailua) and they are great too - comfortable, protective but still QUICK like the Rapa Nui Trail. <br /><br />The only problem I've had here in the UK is actually getting hold of them - they sell out right away in all suppliers online and I have to be on the ball for new stock as soon as it arrives in store. I need a new pair of the road model as I have the GUCR 145 miler in May and Spartathlon 153 miler in September.Russ Bestleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168160086976012326.post-39544211097060087222014-01-21T19:16:37.214-05:002014-01-21T19:16:37.214-05:00Corey,
I had/have the same problem with the Evo...Corey,<br />I had/have the same problem with the Evo's. I find the Rapa Nui to be a better fit. By comparison, the Go Run Ultra has a much softer and flexible upper. The toebox is wider too. But..if you have to cinch your Evos tight then you will most likely have to on the GRU's as well. The foam is softer on them too. Hope that helps!Nathan Sanelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12065432792246483354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168160086976012326.post-73922127533631090422014-01-21T13:22:17.197-05:002014-01-21T13:22:17.197-05:00Nate, how would you compare the Rapa Nui to the S...Nate, how would you compare the Rapa Nui to the Skechers GoRun Ultra? I grabbed a pair of Stinson Evo Road late last year and after spending a few miles bopping around the HURT 100 course this weekend, I've been convinced of the utility of maximally cushioned shoes as I was able to bomb over terrain that has historically slowed me to a crawl in the NB MT110, my 50k race shoe of choice to date. I did however find the fit of the Stinson in the midfoot and heel to be a bit sloppy though. At the size that gives me enough room in the front of my toes, I have to cinch the laces all the way to the max in order to prevent sliding around in the shoes? How does the midfoot and heel fit compare between the Stinson, Rapa Nui, and GoRun Ultra?Corey Singletaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00525064840750908010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168160086976012326.post-22854215398304334062014-01-20T10:03:43.568-05:002014-01-20T10:03:43.568-05:00Matt,
The only changes I know from the first versi...Matt,<br />The only changes I know from the first version to the second is the upper. The majority of the changes are in the toe box design. The new version also has a roomier toe box from what people who have run in both have reported.Nathan Sanelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12065432792246483354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168160086976012326.post-46862465625070370242014-01-20T03:48:17.473-05:002014-01-20T03:48:17.473-05:00Are the Rapa Nui 2 (trail) any different to the fi...Are the Rapa Nui 2 (trail) any different to the first version?<br /><br />I've a pair of the latter, which helped me get through my first ultra despite getting PF during training. The cushioning and 'rocker' sole were a great relief but the toe-box was WAY too narrow, I had to tape and lubricate my toes to avoid blisters. Also, the lacing system didn't help - the leverage of my foot further tightened the shoe at the front, especially on descents.<br />Removing the existing lace from the bottom two holes, and replacing it with X-Tenex elastic laces, helped stop the toe-box from tightening up whilst keeping the forefoot in place.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168160086976012326.post-78722409858905405442014-01-18T19:20:37.647-05:002014-01-18T19:20:37.647-05:00Nate great review I found the new Rapa Nui Tarmac ...Nate great review I found the new Rapa Nui Tarmac a bit firmer than the original but still has that Hoka feel. I will be trying out the new Conquest on Monday it should be an interesting ride.harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12744366490754491869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168160086976012326.post-70563769190014543622014-01-18T18:35:10.657-05:002014-01-18T18:35:10.657-05:00I love the road version but they are terrible on t...I love the road version but they are terrible on trails. The Bondi 2 has much better traction than the Tarmac. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168160086976012326.post-25759610186240173232014-01-18T17:11:51.480-05:002014-01-18T17:11:51.480-05:00What are the changes from the original Rapa Nui to...What are the changes from the original Rapa Nui to the Rapa Nui 2? I've read something about a seamless upper, but that's all I've been able to find out.Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17917372610088053853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168160086976012326.post-51056318713170880882014-01-18T16:49:07.658-05:002014-01-18T16:49:07.658-05:00Rod,
I think that the uppers will hold up just fin...Rod,<br />I think that the uppers will hold up just fine, as they are exactly the same as the off road version as far as I know. The only issue might be with traction. But if you didn't have any trouble with the Bondi then you should be fine.Nathan Sanelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12065432792246483354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168160086976012326.post-11080551279155665022014-01-18T10:04:46.655-05:002014-01-18T10:04:46.655-05:00Nate - totally agree. I used the Rapa Nui's a...Nate - totally agree. I used the Rapa Nui's all last summer in my NE trail races - they are a huge improvement over my Bondi B's, which I loved on the downhills, but always felt 'too squishy'/energy robbing on the uphills and flats. The Nui's seem to 'give back energy' but still provide cushion - my new favorite too -- thanks. PatrickPatrickCThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18392409194307718940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168160086976012326.post-77513643201590914882014-01-17T22:57:31.652-05:002014-01-17T22:57:31.652-05:00How do you think the road version would hold up on...How do you think the road version would hold up on trails? I run more roads in the winter. On the weekends I do a long trail run. I wear the Bondi B now but would like something less squishy. I have had some pirifomis issues lately. Never connected it to the HOKAS but now I'm curious. Thanks for the review.Rodnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168160086976012326.post-23428473736759363262014-01-17T21:21:00.180-05:002014-01-17T21:21:00.180-05:00I have been wearing the Stinsons exclusively since...I have been wearing the Stinsons exclusively since they came out but the new trail shoes look awesome! I hope I can grab a pair soon. Andyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07654448234395611422noreply@blogger.com