Cimalp X-Race

We were looking forward to wear CIMALP shoes because we had not had the opportunity to try any shoe of the French brand that, in recent years, is betting very strongly on trail running, in fact, is the first brand to develop shoes with different drop depending on the insole used.

The Cimalp X-Race is a trail running shoes for long distances according to the brand and a very versatile shoe due to the quality of the materials, the Vibram Megagrip sole and a great lightness that will delight the fastest and most technical runners.

First impressions and features of the Cimalp X-Race

The first impressions we had when we put on the new Cimalp X-Race is that they have a fairly snug fit, in which the foot is perfectly adjusted inside the shoe, personally I like shoes with more structure and protection for running in the mountains and, during the first tests, we had the feeling of running in a shoes with a size less than those we usually run.

Best trail running shoes from Cimalp 2023

We gradually got used to that tighter fit of the shoe but we still recommend buying one size up from what we are used to in order to be really comfortable if we want to run longer distances in the shoe.

In addition, the Cimalp X-Race has straps on the sides, which form the Cimalp logo, that help and improve the fit and, the truth is that they perform that function with flying colors as they provide extra support and fit.

"If we have to define the Cimalp X-Race with one word it would undoubtedly be versatility, they are lightweight shoes with a good sole for fast mountain running."

The sole of the Cimalp X-Race is one of the aspects we liked the most. We all know how well the Vibram soles work, which in this model has an exclusive design for the French brand, and that gives us a great grip in any type of terrain.

Due to weather issues, we have not been able to test the shoes on wet or muddy terrain where we believe they may not adapt very well, we will continue testing them and if we have the opportunity to test this aspect, we will update it.

The terrain in which the shoes behave best, are the less technically difficult terrain, where we can run at fast paces, for other types of more mountainous and technical terrain we will not have problems of grip and adherence but we have missed something more rubber to provide extra protection.

In terms of cushioning, we have a shoe with medium cushioning, the shoe does not have large profiles or excessive cushioning, so it will be a shoe that if you want to use over long distances must be by runners with good technique.

What type of runners are the Cimalp X-Race for?

The shoes are intended for light weight runners without a doubt, runners of average weight can also squeeze the shoes to the maximum, but perhaps they lack a little more structure and cushioning.

The shoes have a lowdrop, 4mm, so if you are not used to these drops and lower profiles you will notice it in the first outings, then you get used to it without problems, anyway, runners with good running technique will be able to get more performance out of the shoes.

For what distances do we recommend the Cimalp X-Race?

According to the French brand, these are shoes for ultra distance, obviously we can use them for long distances without problems, but we believe that for distances of more than 75 kilometers (the minimum for ultra distance) we might find them a little bit too tight, due to the low drop that we have mentioned and that they do not have the necessary protections to run long distances over more technical and mountainous terrain.

What we liked most about the Cimalp X-Race

The sole, without a doubt, the Cimalp X-Race have an extraordinary sole that will provide us with the necessary grip on a wide range of surfaces, we can run long distances without worrying about the durability and grip of the sole.

We also highlight the fit, although at first it was a little difficult to adapt, with the passage of training has not given us any problems, on the contrary, we have felt comfortable at all times.

Opportunities for improvement in the Cimalp X-Race

The laces are one of the great opportunities for improvement that we have seen in the Cimalp X-Race, they are excessively long and do not have any system to store or adjust them. We can use the double eyelet system to reduce the length of the laces, but they are still quite long as you can see in the picture.

We have been surprised by the breathability issue, we have tested with relatively high temperatures, but without reaching the summer heat and, in the longest and most intense workouts, we have finished with the upper part of the shoe with sweat as seen in the photo, so we believe that in future versions the issue of breathability (largely due to a fairly padded tongue) is an aspect to be improved.

With significantly higher profiles I think they would adapt to a wider profile of runners who need a little more height to have that extra comfort when running in the mountains. Low profiles. We would like to see Cimalp shoes with slightly higher profiles and a much nicer feel in the midsole.

With which models can we compare the Cimalp X-Race?

Merrell Moab Flight

Scarpa Spin Ultra

ASICS Fuji Lite 3

Final conclusions of the Cimalp X-Race

Despite not being used to running with this type of shoes, it has been one of the shoes of this style (low profile, light and versatile) that we have been most comfortable and best trained with.

Lighter and faster runners have in the Cimalp X-Race a very good option to run comfortably in the mountains as it is a lightweight shoe that helps you run fast, of course, provided that we have a good running technique because having low profiles we are more in contact with the ground and it will be more than necessary.

RUNNEA tester's rating

• Lightness: 9
• Responsiveness: 8
• Cushioning: 8
• Stability: 8
• Flexibility: 9
• Grip: 8