K-Swiss Run One miSOUL Shoe

By STEPHEN REGENOLD

Touted to be “the most versatile running shoe on the market today,” the K-Swiss Run One miSOUL shoes come with interchangeable insoles made alternatively for comfort and speed.

In seconds, a runner can switch between the company’s included insoles to alter the shoe’s performance on the road. You might train in the stiffer Cushion 1.0 insoles, which are made to offer support and comfort. And then you can race or do sprint workouts in the more minimal Light 1.0 insoles, which weigh less and bank on foot speed and flex over support.

In my multi-week test, which included about 100 total miles of running on pavement and trails, the miSOUL system (www.kswiss.com) had hits and misses. The shoe is of high quality and will be comfortable for most runners. There are technical touches like a direct-injected urethane support cage and a blown-rubber forefoot area with “multi-directional flex-grooves.”

I ran mostly with the Light 1.0 insole, which proved comfortable and fast for pounding out my regular eight-mile training loop. Indeed, I preferred the K-Swiss insole made for speed over the Cushion 1.0 insole, which is made for comfort and stability.

The underfoot arch area in the Cushion 1.0 insoles was not compatible with my foot. It rubbed and gave me a blister in the same place on both feet.

Though I don’t suffer from arch-fit issues with most shoes, my trouble with the Cushion 1.0 insoles may be a personal matter. (Another Gear Junkie tester noticed no problem with the arch.)

The Light 1.0 insoles — my preferred K-Swiss insert — have more flex and less support. But they are not significantly lighter in weight. On my scale the difference was less than half an ounce.

K-Swiss markets the shoes as lightweight runners. But they felt average in weight while training. For my test pair of size 13s, each shoe weighed 14.5 ounces with the Cushion insole. That’s average for a running shoe — I would not consider it to be lightweight.

The company employs a mesh upper on the miSOUL shoes. It’s great for breathability on hot days. But large vent pores allow sand and grit to get inside during long runs where you mix pavement and trails.

A final point: While the insoles are easy to switch in and out, I had some issue with the sidewalls bunching. The thin material that cradles the heel tended to fold over when I put the shoe on, which was a small annoyance I had to correct each time I laced up.

Overall, the K-Swiss Run One miSOUL is an interesting concept, though with a few potential hiccups. For a runner looking for versatility in a shoe, K-Swiss offers a unique option.

—Stephen Regenold writes about outdoors gear at www.gearjunkie.com.