tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137426372151737908.post9155587909445807987..comments2023-10-24T08:04:42.222-07:00Comments on Biochemical Ultrarunner: Review of the La Sportiva HeliosEveryone calls me Toehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10769317308401701408noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137426372151737908.post-55131523216447021212014-11-08T16:05:05.212-08:002014-11-08T16:05:05.212-08:00Thanks, nice review. I really like the Helios too....Thanks, nice review. I really like the Helios too. Here are my thoughts about the difference between the Helios and the Salomon S-Lab Sense Ultra which is in many ways a similar shoe, and yet not. http://blog.arcticrunning.is/?p=98iðAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06068909382785590480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137426372151737908.post-79280346487406322842013-04-01T17:55:44.088-07:002013-04-01T17:55:44.088-07:00Thanks for all your input. I think the Helios is ...Thanks for all your input. I think the Helios is a great all around trail shoe, but I haven't done runs as long as you have in them. Im in the Smoky Mtns right now with my friend (the guy who reviewed the Stinson) and he is running the Bondi 2. He straight up loves them, and after 50 miles on nasty trail they are still in great shape.Everyone calls me Toehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10769317308401701408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137426372151737908.post-80743321227306550732013-04-01T09:55:08.259-07:002013-04-01T09:55:08.259-07:00A last update here. I did 40+ miles a couple week...A last update here. I did 40+ miles a couple weeks ago on fairly soft trails wearing the Helios, followed with a recovery 13+ on the wonderful Sand Canyon Pueblo trail outside Cortez. My only complaint is there is enough flexibility in the forefoot that my toes were feeling a bit more tired from rubbing and moving around than I would like in a long ultra.<br /><br />That's a very minor complaint though. Plantar concerns and the slight tearing noted earlier have not resurfaced. These are good trail shoes. I'm now trying on Hoka Bondi B2, which I'm amazed at, but am thinking I should have chosen the Stinson for more outsole durability on trails? <br /><br />rmshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10388816006350828762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137426372151737908.post-16909822307370183072013-03-28T04:09:07.728-07:002013-03-28T04:09:07.728-07:00I'd say they are on the low end of structure f...I'd say they are on the low end of structure for a regular shoe, or the higher end of structure for a true minimal shoe. I didn't find them to have too much arch support.Everyone calls me Toehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10769317308401701408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137426372151737908.post-80206245029750555112013-03-28T04:08:27.643-07:002013-03-28T04:08:27.643-07:00I haven't experienced this problem yet, but I ...I haven't experienced this problem yet, but I have been running fairly tame trails in the them. I would contact La Sportiva if I were you.Everyone calls me Toehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10769317308401701408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137426372151737908.post-30042852578825085442013-03-24T16:57:36.173-07:002013-03-24T16:57:36.173-07:00Do the Helios have much structure? I prefer minima...Do the Helios have much structure? I prefer minimal shoes with no arch support, but find I need a little cushioning late in the ultras.Jeff Lissonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01039414729455193537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137426372151737908.post-23373277669251340042013-03-16T13:31:36.814-07:002013-03-16T13:31:36.814-07:00Also, after about 75miles, I'm seeing some tea...Also, after about 75miles, I'm seeing some tearing near the upper lace holes & overlays on the inboard side of the shoe. Anyone else having this issue? I've checked all my other shoes, none have this. I slathered shoegoo on it for now.rmshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10388816006350828762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137426372151737908.post-55724234069023371362013-02-27T18:45:40.618-08:002013-02-27T18:45:40.618-08:00No one to read this I imagine, but anyway: Well I...No one to read this I imagine, but anyway: Well I ordered a pair and have worn them the last couple days. A few impressions: One, they are *much* roomier than the VKs. A 47.5 in VKs had my bigtoe nearly hitting the front of the shoe, while there's a good thumb's width of clearance in the Helios, and I can splay my toes freely. So much room I briefly considered going a size down, but with thick socks - drymax maxprot - it's fine.<br /><br />Two, the rockplate's presence is evident in the forefoot, yay. No more wincing with the VK.<br /><br />Three, I'd been wearing superfeet black insoles in the VK pretty much since day one, as they were so flexible I immediately noticed plantar twinges. Putting this same insole in the Helios resulted in ITB pain, an indicator to me of too much pronation/arch support. Replacing with the stock insole has eliminated the ITB issue, but my plantars are definitely working more now. No plantar twinges as yet, and I'm not sure what to do if they reappear in this shoe, but we'll see.<br /><br />I'm giving the Helios a big thumbs up right now. The design of the upper looks of high quality to me, the rockplate works, and out of the box it weighs the same as the VK with added insole. Though still unsure about longer runs given my somewhat weak plantars, I'm looking forward to wearing them in the spring races.rmshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10388816006350828762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137426372151737908.post-38411278924752004602013-01-30T08:15:18.484-08:002013-01-30T08:15:18.484-08:00Personally, I think they are a pretty top notch al...Personally, I think they are a pretty top notch all terrain shoe. The grooves handle mud well, the sticky rubber is legit on rocks, the rockplate has adequate protection, they're a little firm so you want to run fast.Everyone calls me Toehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10769317308401701408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137426372151737908.post-40415044141175853482013-01-29T09:26:57.140-08:002013-01-29T09:26:57.140-08:00Definitely intrigued by these. In what kind of ter...Definitely intrigued by these. In what kind of terrain and/or conditions do you think these would outperform other shoes?Ryan Casehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04264292362594749025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137426372151737908.post-32457545306685314772013-01-24T11:38:54.823-08:002013-01-24T11:38:54.823-08:00I haven't worn the Helios in an ultra yet, but...I haven't worn the Helios in an ultra yet, but I am planning on it. So yeah, I think so. They're a beefed up, more roomy version of the Vert K, I'm digging them so far.Everyone calls me Toehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10769317308401701408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1137426372151737908.post-82552198283923482642013-01-24T10:44:21.781-08:002013-01-24T10:44:21.781-08:00Finally a review of these! I love my VKs, which I...Finally a review of these! I love my VKs, which I wear with Superfeet Black insoles, which act as a rockplate and arch support. My main complaint with them is the forefoot is so flexible and narrow that toes rub together and take a beating on rocky terrain, especially steep descents, and that the laces can bite into the foot over time. So directly comparing the two shoe's forefeet, would you say the helios provides more stiffness and protection and less toe-rubbing in the forefoot? I've worn the VKs for up to a 50M on less technical terrain, and would want the Helios for 50M and beyond, again with insoles. Do you think this is a reasonable expectation? Is the helios an ultramarathon shoe?rmshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10388816006350828762noreply@blogger.com