X-BIONIC TerraSkin X00/C Introduction
I have been aware of X-BIONIC for a while now through their clothing for running on both road and trail. Overall, I have been very impressed with the quality of their products. For this reason, when I discovered that they were releasing a shoe line, I had high expectations. In a word, the unboxing was impressive.
Whilst I am not the biggest fan of flashy colour, I loved the crazy look of the X-BIONIC TerraSkin X00/C. However, it will definitely be a polarising shoe due to its aesthetics. On the other hand, we all know that the look doesn’t make a shoe. Let’s find out if this debut model passes the trail test.
The X-BIONIC TerraSkin X00/C Upper Is Wonderful
Firstly, the X-BIOIC TerraSkin X00/C fits like a glove. The seamless, booty construction of the upper perfectly hugs the contours of your foot. On the other hand, the sock system which is provided with the shoe makes not a great deal of difference to comfort or fit. For example, when I wore my Compressport socks, I didn’t notice much difference.
Overall, the mesh upper is a very snug fit. If you have a larger volume foot, you may, in fact, find the fit a little narrow. However, I enjoyed this feeling for the trails. It gave me confidence in the lockdown on technical terrain. Added to this, we find a large amount of padding around the upper which just adds to the comfort and lockdown.
Finally, the upper of the X-BIONIC TerraSkin X00/C offers some of the best toe protection I have ever seen in a trail shoe. I would say that your toes are guaranteed total security in the shoe. Another key point of the upper is that the mesh is designed to resist all abrasions and tearing from trail nastiness.
In conclusion, the upper, in my opinion, is a total success. Breathable, ultra resistant to tearing and providing great lockdown for technical trails. It really feels like running in a comfortable cocoon.
X-BIONIC TerraSkin X00/C Midsole is a Disappointment
Although the upper is a wonderful piece of engineering, I feel that the midsole is the weak point of the shoe. On their website, X-BIONIC claim that the TerraSkin X00/C is cushioned and dynamic. For me, this is not the case in the real world. For example, if I hadn’t read that there was a carbon plate, I wouldn’t believe that there was one.
Whilst we can all agree that this is not a shoe for short, fast trail races, I also found it lacking in other areas. Whenever I tried to push on uphills or flats, it felt unresponsive. What’s more, the promised cushioning wasn’t present for me. Quite the contrary, they felt firm and stiff underfoot.
Furthermore, the weight of the midsole is another negative. There is quite literally too much material attached to it. Whilst it does offer protection, it has negative consequences on the ride due to the weight. The bottom heavy feel of the shoe coupled with the lack of responsiveness make for a boring trail shoe. In my mind, this is more of a fast hiking shoe than a running shoe. That said, I have a feeling that due to the weight and material present, the midsole will last almost forever.
The Outsole is a Shining Star
Whilst the midsole was a little lacking for me, the outsole is a shining star. The grip is outstanding. When on technical terrain, I was blown away by the grip I had. Mud, rocks and water were no match for the X-BIONIC TerraSkin X00/C outsole.
That said, there is a split between the feel of the outsole in the uphill and downhill. When going uphill, I didn’t feel like the outsole helped me that much. On the other hand, when I was going downhill, I had no fear of slipping. Technical Alpine trails are their bread and butter. Although, if your trails are more towards the hard packed and gravel end of the spectrum, I probably wouldn’t recommend this shoe.
In conclusion, the shape of the lugs which was a concern at first, proved to be amazing on every run I took. The Vibram collaboration gives both excellent grip and durability. Meanwhile the relative narrowness of the outsole helps to make it a precise shoe on technical terrain.
X-BIONIC’s Debut Fits a Specific Purpose
For a debut trail shoe model, X-BIONIC have created a shoe with some really strong points. The X-BIONIC TerraSkin X00/C is durable, resistant to trail abrasions and gives an outstanding level of grip. However, I do not see myself using them as a trail running shoe. For me, they will be used more for fast hiking in the Alps.
If Alpine terrain is your locality, these are an ideal companion for your adventures. While the price may be high, their durability will ensure their value. Although, if you are looking for a fast, responsive racing shoe, these are not the shoe for you.
My wish for X-BIONIC is a second version of these with about 50g less weight and a load more cushion. If you can do that, I will be a very happy man!