Last updated: 20-Aug-18
Designed for medium and long-distance runs on trail that is hard and compact, the Dynafit Feline Ultra promises “reliable support and shock absorption”.
Features
- Form Fitted upper with Sensitive Fit+ to hug the midfoot
- Adaptive Grid: For comfortable fit and ventilation plus the ability to adapt to the foot’s movement
- Duo Motion: Midsole made of two EVA units with different thicknesses for optimal motion control
- Ballistic bumper: Rubber toe and heel bumpers diminish the effects of impacts
- Quick, one-handed lacing system
- Ortholite footbed that is breathable, lightweight and shock absorbing and adapts to the shape of the foot
- Ultra outsole by Vibram for durability and lateral stability on compact terrains, combined with outstanding grip even hard surfaces
- Vibram Mapping Compound on sole to employ Megagrip rubber in the mid foot zone
- Male and female fit
- Gore-Tex version
- Weight: women’s 298g per shoe; men’s 340g.
- See Dynafit
- RRP around £110.
Pros: What’s good about Dynafit Feline Ultra trail shoes?
The shoes are fairly stiff, but not overly so, in the sole and nicely supportive so they are ideal for longer distances. They feel like a solid shoe that will keep on going through the miles.
The shoes look well-made and durable. The bumper protection is a great idea and is incorporated into the forefoot of the upper as well as the heel area. There’s an extra toe bumper too.
Despite being a more robust and supportive shoes, and also weighing a bit more than others I’ve tested, the feet do not overheat because there is a lot of ventilation built in.
The lacing system is based on a toggle fastener and it’s possible to get a good fit along the length, width and mid-foot area of the shoe. You can undo it with one hand but I have no idea how you would be able to fasten it with one-hand, as suggested.
I like the finger loop at the heel of the shoe for helping you to pull on the shoe. It would be good if more brands added this simple but very useful loop.
I would rate the cushioning as “medium”. It would be more than sufficient for long distance running on harder packed surfaces. The cushioning is actually a lot better than I thought it would be on first look at these shoes.
The sole is best suited to hard-packed forest trail, paths and some tarmac. On these surfaces, the sole works well to prevent you feeling too much in the way of stones, debris etc. It is not highly lugged so it would not be ideal for muddy routes and grassy slopes.
For a robust and supportive shoe, they do not feel overly heavy. This is a bonus.
For a little more money you can buy a Gore-Tex version of this shoe.
Although looks and colours should not matter, it’s a bonus that the Dynafit designers have come up with some bright and beautiful colour schemes, especially in the women’s shoes.
Cons: What’s not so good about Dynafit Feline Ultra trail shoes?
The lacing system is useful but if you have a narrower foot like me you are left with a long excess of lace. In other shoes, this can be tucked neatly away into a pocket at the top of the tongue.
However, the Dynafit shoes simply have a small elastic loop lower down the lacing system under which you are meant to tuck the loose lace. I found I still had a lot of lace leftover and this is annoying. Not only does this extra bit of lace flap while running but it is also prone to catching on things on the trail. In the end I tucked the lace around the loop a couple of times.
The shoes are a wider fit than I would like. This is good for people with wider feet but not for narrow feet.
I recommend going up a half size, too, because the shoes feel slightly short.
I would have liked a bit more cushioning in the soles of the shoes. They are meant for harder terrain and I found I needed more shock absorption.
I also found the shoes did not flex enough for me when running uphill. I would keep these shoes for undulating terrain rather than steeper hills.
Photo credit: Dynafit.com
Conclusion
This is a shoe for people who looking for more support as well as cushioning over longer distances. The Dynafit Feline Ultra is best suited to hard-packed trails. The lacing system offers a good fit although I think they need to think of a better way to deal with excess lacing. The price is reasonable, too, for a shoe that looks robust and long-lasting.
| Score | |
| Design | 9/10 |
| Features | 8.5/10 |
| Performance | 8/10 |
| Value | 8.5/10 |
| Total | 8.5/10 |
Other running shoes you may want to consider:
Inov-8 Roclite 305
Brooks Cascadia 11
La Sportiva Mutant
About the writer: Fiona is a keen runner, preferring off-road and hilly to flat and road. She lives in Scotland where the weather is fickle so needs to be prepared for all conditions.
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All images Fiona Outdoors except when stated.
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