The old axiom of not buying a debut product is rooted in sound logic: When a brand builds something for the first time, it’s bound to have minor kinks that subsequent iterations will work out. And while I’m sure rabbit will find ways to shave weight and add speed to future additions to its nascent running shoe line, its debut offerings in road, trail, and race shoes are pretty solid first steps into the category.
I received pairs of both its daily runner, EZ Chaser, and high-performance race-day Pace Chaser shoe, and have put just a handful of miles on them to garner some first impressions. Only time will attest to the shoes’ overall durability, but my early testing was highly positive. And it gives reason to look forward to seeing what niche the longtime apparel maker will carve out in the already overcrowded running shoe market.
In short: Rabbit hits the ground running with a focus on maximum, sock-like comfort in a minimum-weight package. They feel great, right out of the box, and offer no shortage of plush bounce. With a competitive price to established brands, rabbit deserves to be on runners’ radar.
Rabbit EZ Chaser: First Look
I focused most testing time on the EZ Chaser. As the name implies, this is the daily-pace fitness offering. The first thing I noticed when unboxing was the knit upper with perforations dotting the sides and forefoot. This shoe is committed to breathability.
Sliding into the EZ Chaser was easy as it sounds; the knit upper and lycra tongue are plenty forgiving, and I didn’t have to unlace the shoe to get it on. What’s more, the break-in period was virtually zero — the EZ Chaser fits like a sock and was neither overly tight nor prone to loosening over the course of a 6- to 8-mile run.
My run took me up some steep hills and eventually to my goal: A tall staircase for some conditioning. The shoe offered fantastic bounce, thanks to an ETPU midsole foam. This is highly regarded for its energy return, and it’s easy to see why. The shoe combines a very soft landing with enough rebound to notice the shoes are participating.
Temperatures outside hovered around 80 degrees, so I can’t confirm how breathable the EZ Chaser will be in especially hot or muggy weather. But it proved plenty breathable for a warm fall day.
Soft, Not Spry
As a recovery and daily running shoe, the EZ Chaser is not designed for agility. The same magic that makes the midsole cushion so pleasantly plush in stride also makes quick cutbacks sluggish and imprecise. But that’s okay, this is a shoe built for comfort and the simple joy of going for a run.
Interestingly, rabbit claims this ETPU midsole is guaranteed to last 1,000 miles, which is surprising given just how much cushion is packed into the 37-32mm stack. I’ll be eager to test this longevity further.
Finally, the outsole is nothing spectacular, but it’s plenty grippy on tarmac and concrete.
Rabbit Pace Chaser: First Look
I haven’t put enough hard runs on the faster, race-ready Pace Chaser shoe to weigh in on its overall performance. But it is unquestionably a faster, lighter shoe with a slightly less cushy, more energetic supercritical foam.
Its mesh upper is also significantly more breathable and hugs the arch a bit more snugly than the EZ Chaser. It’s nearly two ounces lighter than the EZ (9.2 oz on a size 13, versus 11.1 for the EZ). The heel cup is more pliant, and the shoe fits with more security. And the drop is noticeably more aggressive, sloping 8mm in a 40/32mm heel-toe stack.
Most noteworthy are the dual full-length carbon plates. These add rigidity and structure to the otherwise lightweight, minimal-material shoe.
Price, Availability
Much like its running apparel, rabbit’s shoes are a premium offering, although neither the EZ Chaser nor Pace Chaser are at the very high end of the price spectrum. The EZ Chaser is a comparably inexpensive $160, while the Pace Chaser commands a $200 price tag — by no means cheap, but more than $100 less expensive than the marquee offerings currently taking podiums in major races. Both of these shoes are unisex.
Rabbit also launched men’s and women’s versions of a trail shoe, the High Country. I have not tried this shoe just yet, but if rabbit’s paved offerings are any indication, I expect they’ll provide a surprisingly fleet, comfy ride.
