Hardwear
Product 2019
Man
We must admit, we tested these Raidlight Revolutiv with reluctance, for different reasons. The first is that we tested Raidlight trail shoes for many years and we had, up until now, not yet found something to make us happy. The second reason is that when we opened the box, we discovered a shoe/slipper. It is a recurrent technical solution, which in general isn’t that satisfactory.
However, the Raidlight Revolutiv made us change our minds on both these points!
We discovered a very precise, high-performance product that can compete with the major brands. Just when Benoit Laval, Raidlight’s trail runner founder, leaves the company, it’s a bit of a paradox to see such a quality product emerge. They are a success, with Rossignol’s technical and industrial expertise, since the brand now belongs to this ski manufacturer group.
The Revolutiv is designed in two sections. An integral liner wraps around the foot while a semi rigid structure ensures the support underfoot. You discover a very precise shoe, which molds to the foot. They size quite small and suit narrower feet. The foot strike in these is super-precise and flight-like.
We did look, but, Raidlight Revolutiv don’t have any squishy foam comfort. Even if they are snug to the foot, they don’t feel stiff and aggressive on your feet. We were worried about the heel area, around the malleolus because the structure’s top edges are simply cut and don’t have any padded protection: we only noticed in a couple of really steep slopes, the contact of the edge beneath the ankle on the outside of the foot. Depending on your morphology, you could also feel it on the ankle when you bend your foot, by the last lace eyelet.
The Speed Lace Lock lacing provides quick and very powerful adjustment. Be careful, like all these types of automatic laces, tighten with care. The Revolutiv does not have an extra thick tongue (which actually doesn’t exist because it is a slipper). Overall, we are amazed by the comfort /foothold combination of these shoes that could almost be described as minimalist.
We were worried they’d be hard to get on because it is never easy to put this type of shoe on. Despite the absence of a loops to help you put them on, they are relatively easy to put on. The designers have done a good job.
What are the disadvantages of having a bi-structure? Dust and small pebbles can slip between the shell and the sock. It is uncommon but it can happen depending on the terrain on which you’re running. This will also monitor the strength of the fabric where the shoe bends at the toes, traditionally a fragile area.
Running, the snug fit of the shoes are noticeable and cushioning at the front and back. The sole absorbs, as well as the 6mm crampons! There’s well-proportioned torsional rigidity even if at the arch you could use a little more support, a remark that not all the testers pointed out.
Running on rocky, stony ground is well-filtered and you do not lose much energy in the rebound. The sole never gets clogged with mud and has a good grip. Its light weight of 275g in size 42.5 gives a smile.
The 6mm drop is perfect and corresponds to what you expect from a typical mountain shoe, to traverse technical terrain.
Raidlight with the Revolutiv is in the race with a light, grippy, precise, well-designed shoe that adopts a particular technical choice. A good product, well-conceived, performs well trail running on all technical grounds.
17 mm6 mm 
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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