Review: Dynafit Ultra 50 GTX

Dynafit, the mountain endurance specialist, is launched the Dynafit Ultra 50 GTX for fw 22/23 season. According to the manufacturer, this is the perfect running shoe for long distances on demanding alpine trails. The new model offers the necessary safety and protection. The flexible construction of the GORE-TEX Invisible Fit technology guarantees waterproofness and an optimised fit.

I, Benedikt, an employee of Sport Conrad, had the opportunity to test the new Dynafit Ultra 50 GTX extensively over several weeks in different areas around Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Read on to find out what I found and what my conclusion is!

 

First Impression

The Ultra 50 GTX presents itself in line with the Dynafit marketing slogan #speedup and Dynafit’s racing DNA with its sporty, aggressive design and makes an extremely technical and robust impression. This impression continues when you hold the shoe in your hand: the sole is relatively torsion-resistant, the heel cup is stable and numerous TPU protective elements, which are intended to protect the foot from sticks and stones when running, give the Ultra 50 GTX a robust feel. The weight of 320 grams in size UK 8 or EU 42, is still within limits. As usual from Dynafit, the model convinces with a good processing quality. At first inspection I could not find any glue residue or similar defects.

 

On the technological side, many tried-and-tested technologies are used in the new offspring: the Heel Preloader is also on board, which offers good heel support as well as guidance and stability, as with every Dynafit trail running shoe. The outsole is made by the Swiss climbing skins and sole specialist Pomoca. The Alpine Rocker shape of the sole ensures good rolling characteristics, which is particularly noticeable in technically demanding terrain. Finally, we also find the Dynafit Invisible Lacing System on the Ultra 50 GTX, which, among other things, also gives the Ultra 100 its distinctive look. However, the system is used in a revised form in the new model Ultra 50 GTX: The stretch gaiter is now noticeably smaller, so that the front laces can be reached more easily. In addition, the new system encloses the foot inside the shoe and thus improves the fit.

 

 

 

 

Fit

I was a bit surprised when I tried it on. The Ultra 50 GTX feels really comfortable and spacious. Dynafit’s statement that this is the maximum volume is not exaggerated — in recent years, we were used to Dynafit shoes with a rather sporty cut. Also, in comparison to the Dynafit Ultra 100, which we tested last year, the Ultra 50 GTX is a bit more spacious. The large volume is intended to support blood circulation and thus counteract fatigue over (ultra) long distances. A coherent concept, because the cushioning of the Ultra 50 GTX is also quite comfortable, albeit firm, so that sufficient stability is guaranteed at all times on technical terrain. The “seamless tongue”, i.e. the tongue that is seamless and sewn on both sides, also underlines the very comfortable fit. The heel, which is held in place by the Dynafit Heel Preloader, sits compactly and feels well enclosed.
 
I would therefore classify the fit as comfortable and suited my normal to slightly wider feet perfectly.
Enough theory: time to put the Ultra 50 GTX to the test in its natural habitat!

 

 

 

On the trail and on the mountain

Dynafit promises us a “shoe for long runs without limits” — the snow leopard delivers on this promise without compromise!
The impression from the fitting and the first assessment is also confirmed when running: especially over longer distances and on slightly more demanding terrain the Dynafit Ultra 50 GTX is a lot of fun. The cushioning is perfectly matched to the area of ​​use and strikes a very good compromise between cushioning and stability. The shoe rolls very confidently over pretty much everything you put in its way during your runs. Not least because of the “Alpine Rocker” shape of the midsole, with its 8 mm drop, a consistently dynamic running feeling is supported. The shoe works particularly well off-road. The more difficult and uneven the terrain, the better the Ultra 50 GTX feels. On the other hand, the trail running shoe has slight weaknesses on flat terrain and on rather hard surfaces such as forest roads and hard gravel paths. Here you notice that the shoe doesn’t feel quite at home: Due to the less flexible sole designed for mountain use, the many robust protective elements and the resulting higher weight, the shoe conveys less dynamism and running pleasure than I would have liked from time to time.

 

On the other hand, I find the proven outsole from Pomoca and its new profile design to be well done. Especially in dry, rocky terrain, the grip is at a very high level and the open, aggressive structure of the sole grips confidently in every situation. The lug design also allows a wide range of uses, because the sole works just as well on the mountain under difficult conditions as it does on easier terrain on the way there. Furthermore, I noticed the low wear of the sole positively. However, the sole shows slight weaknesses when it is very wet. Primarily on wet rock and roots, the sole grips a little less and behaves less predictably overall. Nevertheless, Pomoca managed to build an excellent sole. Compared to the top dog Vibram, the last bit of performance in the wet is still missing.

 
 


 

Personal conclusion

With the Dynafit Ultra 50 GTX, the Italians launch a solid, technical trail running shoe onto the market and thus manage to close the gap in the range between the more short-distance-oriented Dynafit Alpine and the long-distance model Ultra 100. With the Ultra 50 GTX, Dynafit provides us with a comfortable trail shoe that will find many friends due to its broad target group. The brand deviates a little from its “Racing DNA”. But is that bad? In my opinion, no. The shoe is one of the most accessible representatives of the brand and will be a crowd favorite for that reason alone. The well-balanced “all-round properties” and the comfortable and waterproof GORE-TEX Invisible-Fit membrane will make it my training partner in the winter months.

 
 

PROS AND CONS

PROS

  • Comfortable, compact fit with plenty of forefoot room
  • GORE-TEX Invisible-Fit membrane keeps warm and dry
  • High stability and good protection

CONS

  • On the heavier side
  • Grip level in wet conditions
  • Running characteristics on hard surfaces

 
 

MORE FROM DYNAFIT

Dynafit Winter Running
Gear review: Dynafit Ultra 100
Gear Review: Dynafit Alpine DNA