SPEEDY BUT GRIPPY
Fact: The Italians make great shoes. Lesser known fact: They dominate competitive mountain running. That combined mastery is evident in the Crosslite, which is all about getting through the rough stuff as quickly as possible. A race-ready shoe with a minimalist design, the knobby-lugged Crosslite combines the flex of a track flat, the deep tread of a European fell-racing shoe, and a dual-density rubber outsole—stiffer at the heel, softer at the ball of the foot for traction through fast turns. It’s low to the ground, which saves weight and affords great trail feel, but it lacks cushioning for high-mileage runs or packed terrain. 11.5 oz; sportiva.com