Review: Dynafit Ultra 100 trail running shoe

Dynafit alone has a huge range of trail running shoes. That’s why we tested a strong representative of Dynafit last year. Our running expert at the Wielenbach store, Mirko Schohn, was out and about with the Dynafit Ultra 100.

Watch out! Dynafit has made some changes to the popular Ultra model since our last test. Here is an overview of the changes for summer 2024:

Lacing no longer covered
New, wider sole construction with Vibram instead of POMOCA & 4mm stud
More breathable mesh upper
Lighter: 289/299 grams (women’s/men’s version)

Mirko’s review of the previous model

The first thing I noticed when unpacking the shoe was the thick sole construction, which promised a lot of cushioning. Just like the name of the new offspring from South Tyrol: Dynafit Ultra 100.

CAN I RUN MY FIRST K 100 WITH IT? WE’LL SEE.

Visually, the shoe fits in with Dynafit’s bold and eye-catching colour scheme. I also noticed that the trail running shoe is very well made and has no glue residue or similar defects. I consider the high-quality Pomoca outsole to be the heart of the shoe. It has a fine but well defined tread. Dynafit describes the Ultra 100 as a product for long edges.

FIRST TRy on

The Ultra 100 offers plenty of room for the foot. However, this is put into perspective when you consider how tight and sock-like the other Dynafit models are. So toe freedom, check. Adjusting the shoe in the forefoot area is a bit tricky. The covering of the laces, which makes sense but makes access difficult, prevents the shoe from being easily adjusted. Thanks to the excellent fit, this is rarely necessary. Still, I wondered why the South Tyroleans didn’t use the tried and tested Quick-Lace system. But in their defence, I have to say: The laces are designed to stay put, nothing slips or comes loose, and you have to tighten them all the time. After lacing, the laces can be safely stored in the case until the end of the race.

FIRST RUN

The Dynafit Ultra 100 feels softer on the trail than Salomon’s Fast Red, but more direct than Hoka’s Speed Goat. The outsole feels very grippy, in my opinion more forgiving than Vibram’s Megagrip sole. I also noticed the rocked sole in combination with the 6mm drop. As a result, the shoe rolls very well. This is essential for a long distance running shoe. I tested this on a very long loop where it really mattered in the last 20 kilometres.

more RUNS

Now it’s off to the mountains. If there’s one thing the Ultra 100 does really well, it’s climbing. Roots, steps or forest floor, it doesn’t matter, the Ultra 100 had a lot of fun climbing. On the other hand, and the South Tyrolean engineers must have thought this too, if you can go uphill well, you must also be able to go downhill well. The Ultra 100 always gives the runner a secure feeling and good control. The lateral support of the shoe is particularly noteworthy. The thick midsole makes the shoe look unstable, but I can’t confirm that. I was always in control of my run.

CONCLUSION:

For me, the Ultra 100 is the all-rounder among Dynafit’s trail running shoes.

Its range of use is not limited to 100km ultra distances. The thick midsole makes it a somewhat limited shoe, but it is always fun and fast. It’s also fun to jog through the forest on the short home course. The Pomoca outsole provides excellent grip on almost any surface. Where it shows a slight weakness is on loose gravel on solid ground and on wet roots.

The shoe’s generous cushioning is good enough for its purpose, balancing comfort and control. Over long distances, the shoe just rolls and rolls and rolls.