What do you get when you take something familiar and tested, pair it with successful materials and send it into the wild? The Air Tupu is a new trail shoe from Nike, and the familiar and tested is the venerable waffle sole. Incorporating the latest swooshy technology the designers could dream up and execute, what Nike calls its “Franchise” trail shoe. The upper is a closed mesh designed to keep the elements out, the foot supported, and the fit dialed in; with multiple lacing options, well placed overlays, and interior foam in just the right places for comfort. The midsole is a full length single density Phylon layer, crossing over from the natural trails and the manmade with equal effectiveness. The most unique aspect of the midsole is the lateral heel’s setup, which features a softer density foam which helps to level the foot in rocky terrain, and to position it towards toe-off. The bulletproof feel of the Tupu can fuel the urge to get out on the trails, and features the tools to get through the day effectively.
Testers: Great traction, wet or dry. Supportive upper, slop and weather shedding, and the traction…the Tupu is a keeper.
Price: $80
Sizes: Men 7–13; Women 5–11
Weight: 12 oz. (men’s size 11); 9.3 oz. (women’s size 8)
Shape: semi-curved
Construction: Strobel slip-lasted
Recommended for: medium to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics