TYR Valkyrie Elite Carbon | Full Review

Summary

In this engaging review, Thomas and Robbie from 'Believe in the Run' discuss Tier's unexpected entry into the running shoe market with the Valkyrie Elite Carbon. They explore the shoe's lightweight Hyperweave upper, anatomical toe box, and sawtooth laces, highlighting its comfortable fit and responsive midsole made from a registered trademark PEBA foam called Launch PX. The duo shares their experiences running in the shoes, including an epic fall that wasn't the shoe's fault. They compare the Valkyrie to other racing shoes and give it a green light, noting its stable feel and suitability for various paces, without any significant advantage or disadvantage over its competitors.

Takeaways

• 👟 The video discusses the Tier Valkyrie Elite carbon running shoe, which is a new entry in the running shoe market for a company previously known for swimming gear.
• 🏊‍♂️ The hosts, Thomas and Robbie, are familiar with the brand from the swimming world, with Thomas mentioning seeing their goggles during the Olympics.
• 👟 The Tier shoe features a lightweight hyperweave upper and an anatomical toe box, which is described as being similar to a regular running shoe.
• 🌟 The shoe has a unique 'Launch PX' midsole made from a registered trademark PEBA formulation, which is compared to the 'popcorn' style of foam seen in other high-performance running shoes.
• 🏃‍♂️ Robbie shares his experience running in the shoes, including an 8-mile run with pickups and strides, and a hilly 20-mile run, noting the shoe's responsiveness and good fit.
• 👀 There is a humorous moment where Robbie recounts an epic fall during a run, which was not blamed on the shoes but rather a geographical fault line in the road.
• 💰 The shoe is priced at $250, which puts it in the same price range as other high-end racing shoes with similar features.
• 🔍 The hosts compare the shoe to other popular racing shoes like the Nike Vaporfly, Saucony Endorphin Pro, and New Balance FuelCell, noting similarities in feel and performance.
• 👍 Both hosts give the shoe a positive review, with Thomas even giving it a 'green light' recommendation.
• 🤔 The discussion touches on the idea that there might not be a specific 'stability' category in racing shoes, as they are generally designed for a forward-leaning, lightweight profile.
• 📣 The video ends with a teaser for another upcoming Tier shoe release, a speed shoe with a nylon plate, which will be reviewed in the future.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the discussion in the video script?

The main topic of the discussion is the Tier Valkyrie Elite carbon running shoe, a new product from a company not traditionally known for running shoes.

What is the initial skepticism about the Tier running shoe based on?

The initial skepticism is based on the fact that the company is from a different sector and there is doubt about whether they can successfully produce a quality running shoe.

What does the term 'sus' mean in the context of the script?

In the context of the script, 'sus' is slang for 'suspicious' or 'unsure,' referring to doubts about the quality of the new shoe brand.

What was the initial reaction of the reviewers Matt and Caleb to the Tier running shoe?

Matt and Caleb, the field reviewers, had a positive reaction, stating that the shoes were 'really good,' which prompted the main reviewers to request a pair for testing.

What is the significance of the misspelling on the side of the shoe?

The misspelling on the side of the shoe was seen as a bad sign initially, but the reviewers guarantee that the shoe's performance is so good that it won't matter to the users.

What is unique about the upper of the Tier Valkyrie Elite carbon shoe?

The upper of the shoe features a lightweight hyperweave material that is super breathable, an anatomical toe box, and a reinforced upper with a gusseted tongue.

What type of laces are used in the Tier running shoe and where else might they be found?

The shoe uses 'saw tooth' or 'teeth style race laces,' which can also be found in other racing shoes like the Alpha Fly and the Vaporfly.

How does Robbie describe the sensation of running in the Tier shoe compared to other racing shoes?

Robbie describes the sensation as similar to other racing shoes like the Nike Vaporfly and the Saucony Endorphin Pro, noting fine-tuning adjustments between them.

What incident occurred during Robbie's run that was mentioned in the script?

During Robbie's run, he experienced an epic fall caused by catching his toe on a wavy cement surface, which almost ended the run.

What is the weight of the Tier Valkyrie Elite carbon shoe in size 10.5?

The weight of the shoe in size 10.5 is 8.4 ounces or 238 grams, which is comparable to other racing shoes in the market.

What is the price of the Tier Valkyrie Elite carbon shoe and how does it compare to other racing shoes?

The price of the shoe is $250, which puts it in the same price range as other high-end racing shoes, suggesting it offers similar value and performance.

What upcoming product from Tier is mentioned in the script?

An upcoming product mentioned is another speed shoe from Tier, which is more of a tempo range shoe and will be reviewed in the future.

What humorous incident involving Robbie was shared at the end of the script?

The humorous incident was Robbie getting spices from a spicy shrimp in his eye, which felt like being pepper sprayed, almost causing a delay in the video shoot.