ATOM Terra

I have just done a new test for the RUNNEA team. I have tested some trail running shoes from Atom, a Spanish brand located in La Rioja.

In many of my training plans I have to do short trail runs of between 2 and 3 hours duration and with an elevation gain of between 800 and 1,200 meters. It is in this type of outings that I have tested the trail running shoes Atom Terra AT 117 High-tex Volcano.

I'm going to start with a small constructive criticism that has nothing to do with the technical characteristics of the AT 117 Terra Atom It is true that even the most famous shoes manufacturers manage to come up with complicated model names, so this criticism of Atom applies to many other manufacturers. A little more affection, a little more emotion, in the name of the shoes, would make the range easier to read and thus offer the public better visibility.

In the Atom range, if we master the names of the models, the range is very well structured. I will allow myself a didactic parenthesis so that RUNNEA readers have this visibility of the Atom range and know how to locate the model I tested.

In the trail running segment, the Spanish running Atom brand offers 2 models of shoes:

• The Terra AT121 technology: This model is available in 3 colors: lake, volcano and dark.
• The Terra AT117 high-tex: This model is also available in 3 colors: army, volcano, dark.

So seen in this way it is simpler. I have tested the AT117 in volcano color. Here is the result of my test.

For what type of runner are the Terra AT117 high-tex Atom recommended?

With their rugged design and mountain running specific features, these shoes are perfect for those looking to challenge themselves on steep, technical trails. Especially on days with adverse conditions.

You can run safely and comfortably on muddy trails on rainy days.

The upper of the AT117 Terra is waterproof and is attached to the sole of the shoe with a heat weld and high-strength TPU reinforcements. Nothing gets in here and nothing moves. This allows for waterproofing, but also provides exceptional grip and very good stability on the most difficult terrain. As for mud, the depth and shape of the lugs on the outsole have allowed me to move in muddy areas without slipping. It is a light, agile shoe, I find it very interesting for short trail rides of 1 to 4 hours. Therefore, it is a model that could fit perfectly for runners who are new to trail running, but also for more advanced runners who wish to have a pair of shoes for training or to participate in a short distance trail.

What did I like most about the Terra AT117 high-tex Atom?

What I liked the most is, without a doubt, the relationship to the outdoors. That is to say, the wear sole, the midsole, the upper and the TPU protections make these shoes an armored all-terrain shoe. But an armored shoe with a light weight is surprising in this aspect.

It should be noted that the upper is waterproof, but it is very breathable, which means that the feet always stay dry. It gives a very high sense of security, you could put your foot anywhere and it is protected. The grip sole offers excellent performance. 

The EVA foam midsole provides superb cushioning. It comes in very handy at times when the trails flatten out and you can start a steady running phase at a steady pace. At those times very technical shoes leave a little to be desired, but the more hybrid shoes give the runner the possibility to have similar sensations to those experienced when running on asphalt.

Opportunities for improvement in Terra AT117 high-tex Atom

The relationship of the shoes to the exterior is remarkable as I discussed in the previous paragraph, but in the relationship of the shoe to the interior I think there is room for improvement.

First of all the heel cushions are not very bulky, they give a modern look, but I think that a little more comfort in this area would not be bad. I understand that it is difficult to have a light shoe and at the same time very comfortable. That's why I recommend it for short trails. Its weight is a great advantage, but the comfort in the heel area could be improved.

Another element that could be improved is the laces, the laces do not slide well in the holes, and there are 8 holes. This means that to put them on, you have to adjust each of the lace sections, and to take them off you have to do the opposite. On a trail you usually need to take off your shoes if you get a rock or a piece of wood. On a long trail you even change socks and shoes. Therefore, taking shoes on and off is a feature that has to be optimized for any model for running in a natural environment.

With which models can we compare these Atom Terra AT117 high-tex?

Nike Pegasus Trail 4 GTX

HOKA Challenger 7

Merrell Moab Flight

New Balance Nitrel v5

The North Face Vectiv Eminus

Saucony Ride 15 TR

Final thoughts on the Terra AT117 high-tex Atom shoes

I feel that they are very sturdy shoes and that they will last a long time. I have tested them for a month, a total of 113 km. So far they have not suffered a single scratch. The ratio between the hours run and the price of the shoes is going to make these trail shoes one of the most economical on the market. All this offering a set of features that make them a very good shoes for short running on trails, forests and alpine terrain.

Finally, national brand shoes in general have a more rudimentary design than the design of American or Japanese shoes. This is not the case with the Terra AT117 high-tex Atom. They have a design that is very successful, they are very well finished and I dare say that they have personality. That is, they are not a copy / paste of the design of the latest successful model.

I encourage all runners with personality, to get off the beaten path, dare to wear the Terra AT117 high-tex Atom and go to discover distant horizons wearing shoes designed in La Rioja. More specifically in Arnedo, one of the national epicenters of footwear, and with the endorsement of the renowned company Fluchos behind it.

RUNNEA tester's rating

• Lightweight: 9.
• Response: 7.
• Cushioning: 8.
• Stability: 8.
• Flexibility: 8.
• Grip: 8.