Ultra-running junkies (and anyone inspired by Scott Jurek) will want to lace up these shoes, which contain actual rubber from shoes worn during his 2015 Appalachian Trail record run.
Last summer, ultra-athlete Scott Jurek set a record on the Appalachian Trail, running and fast-hiking the 2,189-mile trail in 46 days.
To commemorate the feat, Brooks Running pulverized some soles from shoes Jurek wore on the AT and added the recycled rubber to the tread on a special-edition line, reviewed here.
From Springer Mountain in Georgia north to Katahdin in Maine, the multi-week feat on the Appalachian Trail required 50-mile day stacked upon 50-mile day.
Jurek went through a few pairs of shoes along the way, and Brooks collected the worn-out soles for something it dubs a “run-incarnation” project.
Scott Jurek Signature Shoe
A publicity stunt for sure, but we’re on board. The company’s Cascadia trail-running shoe serves as the base for the special Jurek shoe.
Each set is hand-numbered, and the company made only 2,189 pairs — one for each mile Jurek ran — to be given away and sold starting later this month.
In addition to the recycled rubber, the shoes have Scott Jurek and Appalachian Trail details throughout. On the side of the shoe, for example, a profile line represents the north-south route of the trail. Jurek’s golden autograph is printed near the heal.
They will be available on 7/29/2016. You can enter to win a pair here, or Brooks will soon put the shoe on sale for $160. For each pair sold, $5 is donated to the National Parks Foundation.
Review: Brooks Cascadia (Scott Jurek Edition)
I ran a few miles in the shoes for a test. In addition to channeling some Scott Jurek out there, the Cascadia shoes gave a good ride on rough terrain.
These are not ultralight shoes — my size 12.5s weigh about 14 ounces per foot.
But Brooks sells the Cascadia as “SUVs for your feet.” They are supportive trail shoes with lots of cushion, a rock plate, and a complex, stick-to-anything outsole.
Don’t sprint with the Cascadias on your feet. Jurek would frown anyway. These are distance kicks, capable of endless miles, rugged terrain, mud, rocks, and anything else you’ll find out there.
