5 min readWhen you’re on the hunt for a new pair of running shoes, it can be difficult to tell how all the technical write-ups, new features, and spec sheets will translate to your on-feet experience. And at the end of the day, it’s really about how the shoe feels. That’s why we have real runners take new shoe releases on Demo Runs to give first-person accounts of their unique experiences.
But when it came to the Columbia Konos Featherweight, a versatile, lightweight shoe designed for both road and trail terrains, how could one such account cover all the different ways it can be used? We knew we’d need multiple voices. Accordingly, we tapped three runners—each with their own style, pace, and environment—to take the Konos Featherweight on a series of runs and report back. Here’s what they said.
Tester #1: Jocelyn Rivas
Age: 28
Shoe Size: Women’s 9
Arch Height: Medium
Foot Strike: Midfoot/Heel
Weekly Mileage: 40–60 miles
Typical Training Pace: 9:00–11:00
How She Tested the Shoe: On road and trail runs, mostly short training runs leading up to a marathon.
The Review
What She Liked Most: “The traction of the shoe was the star: It felt amazing on roads and trails. I loved that even on trails, the shoes didn’t get any pebbles or rocks stuck in the bottom. I also appreciated the breathability of the shoe and the toe box. My toes were never squished, which I sometimes experience in narrower shoes.”
Fit and Comfort: “The fit was great. The only thing I’d note is that typically I’m a 9.5, but a 9 fit me better with this shoe, so I would suggest that others go down half a size from their usual. The width of the shoe was nice; my toes didn’t feel cramped, and I did not experience any hot spots. My feet were kept dry and cool. The tongue of the shoe was the right length and didn’t get dislodged or bother me.”
Cushioning: “I loved the cushioning—it felt great for short runs, speed training, or a 5k/10k. However, I did not get the chance to take it on longer runs since I was in the immediate lead-up to a marathon, so I cannot say how it would hold up on greater distances.”
Stability and Support: “I felt secure in the shoe. My feet never slipped when rounding corners. A feature that I particularly enjoyed was the lace style: long and thin laces, which I prefer to bulkier varieties. I tend to double-tie my shoelaces, and I liked that I was able to do this with the Konos.”
Traction and Durability: “The shoe felt great both on the trail and the road. It didn’t feel like some road shoes where you’re concerned about your safety on harsher terrain. I especially liked the bottom of the shoe. Most road shoes have big gaps in the sole where rocks can get stuck. But the Konos has a tight pattern that doesn’t allow debris to get stuck.”
Overall: “This shoe is great for both road and trail running. It’s a very versatile shoe. I ran mostly short distances, and the shoes performed well on each of my runs.”
Tester #2: Chris Chung
Age: 37
Shoe Size: Men’s 9
Arch Height: Flat
Foot Strike: Midfoot
Weekly Mileage: 35 miles
Typical Training Pace: 8:00–8:30
How He Tested the Shoe: Mostly on road runs, with a few trail runs mixed in.
The Review
What He Liked Most: “The upper was very breathable and comfortable. Usually on a first run a shoe takes some getting used to, but with the Konos, I put them on and didn’t have to think twice.”
Fit and Comfort: “The shoe fit true to size for me, with plenty of room in the toe box. No hot spots or issues with fit. The upper was my favorite thing about the shoe!”
Cushioning: “There was a good amount throughout the shoe, and it gave me a very stable feeling after wearing them in. It felt like it was created to be a stability shoe.”
Stability and Support: “The upper and lacing of the shoe were very secure. I was able to pick up the pace whenever I wanted and make quick turns during my test runs, and I had no issues with heel slippage.”
Traction and Durability: “The traction felt great. There was no visible wear and tear on the outsole after a few runs, and with full rubber outsole coverage, I don’t see durability being an issue.”
Overall: “The ride of the shoe felt very neutral, with a responsive feel in the heel. The midsole provided good stability. At cruising paces, the running experience was very smooth.”
Tester #3: Ashleigh Thompson
Age: 34
Shoe Size: Women’s 9
Foot Strike: Heel
Weekly Mileage: 30–50 miles
Typical Training Pace: Recovery runs: 9:30–10:00; tempo workouts: 7:00–7:30
How She Tested the Shoe: Multiple runs covering both trails and roads, through both pavement and trail in Sabino Canyon outside of Tucson, Arizona, where the trails were slightly damp, as well as along the Arizona Trail, which included technical rocky sections and a sandy wash but was mostly smooth singletrack.
The Review
What She Liked Most: “Comfort, cushioning, and traction were the best things about the shoes. They helped me feel confident and comfortable during my runs. You don’t want to be worried about your gear while running; you just want it to work well. These shoes did this for me.”
Fit and Comfort: “The length and width worked well for my feet. There were no hot spots, and my toes never felt crammed. The tongue and collar of the shoe are well designed—I didn’t notice them, which is how it should be.”
Cushioning: “The foam is cushioned enough that the shoes are comfortable on relatively rocky terrain. My joints were happy after my runs, which is an indicator that the shoes are sufficiently cushioned.”
Stability and Support: “I wasn’t slipping in the shoes while running switchbacks, accelerating, or climbing and descending trails. I felt stable on the mixed terrain I ran on. They felt supportive of my ankles and Achilles tendons, which have been problem areas in the past.”
Traction and Durability: “The shoes did well on the semi-wet surfaces I ran. We’d had some light rain, which made the rocks slicker than usual. The traction was good in these conditions, keeping me from slipping or sliding.”
Overall: “The Konos shoes were comfortable right out of the box and on all surfaces. They struck a great balance with their cushioning and support—enough to be comfortable but not overly thick, allowing me to stay connected to the trail. Traction-wise, I never felt unstable, even on Arizona’s notoriously rocky trails. The shoe’s specs also met my needs. I prefer a 5-to-10 mm heel drop for trail running, and these shoes have a 10 mm drop—ideal for both my past Achilles injury and the steep climbs I encounter. They also had a great weight: light enough to feel fast, but substantial enough to be durable.”
