Run Oregon has been testing out Craft running shoes for a bit now and we are excited to talk about their new Craft Pacer.
See all our reviews from Craft
I had no idea Craft made running shoes – until I was asked to test a pair for this review. The company is not entirely new to it, however. The Swedish brand that’s better known for its technical apparel for cycling, cross-country skiing and running has, in fact, been making shoes since 2019.
Craft designed their new Pacer to be a lightweight, comfortable daily trainer with both stability and speed aspirations and high-rebound energy return. Does it deliver? Let’s find out.
Looks
My first impression on pulling the Pacer out of the box was that they are…well, big. There’s a lot of stack and the outward flare of the sole makes them look even wider than they are. I actually checked the box to see if I had received the right size (I had), or if I had maybe been sent a men’s shoe instead of women’s (I hadn’t). Having said all that, they were surprisingly light when I picked them up.
There’s a Nordic simplicity to the design, which I really like. The Granite/Concrete colorway, in a beautiful shade of charcoal gray, is understated enough for casual wear, with just a little pop of bright color on the sole. These could easily go from a run to running errands.
Function
Fortunately, the Pacer feels much lighter than it looks – both in your hands and on your feet. There’s a nice bounce and springiness to the soft midsole and a rocker that rolls you onto your forefoot and into the next stride very smoothly. This was a pleasant surprise – the Pacer feels quite light and energetic underfoot. It’s well cushioned and soft, especially under the heel.
Craft intended the Pacer to be a shoe that can pick up the pace too, though for me, it’s squarely in the daily trainer category. I didn’t take them out on and super long runs, but they should be very comfortable at any distance.
Even though this is a neutral shoe, its wide base also makes it very stable, so this is potentially a good option for those who need a touch more support from their running shoes. It’s a little Hoka-esque in how it provides stability without really being a stability shoe – through just a wide, solid platform with no weird cutouts or bevels. Traction is good too, with low hexagonal lugs and a good amount of rubber coverage on the outsole.
Construction & Fit
The Pacer uses Craft’s latest Px Foam in the midsole for energy return and a smooth ride. The upper is light and breathable, and this all combines into one comfortable shoe.
I referred to the sizing earlier, and the Pacer definitely runs big. It’s long and it’s wide and the upper is not sung. I am typically a 9.5 in running shoes and sometimes have to go up to a 10 (e.g. in the Saucony Endorphin or Puma Nitro lines), but this 9.5 felt like a rain boot. So. Much. Space. I feel a 9 would have been a better length for me, but most likely still too wide for my narrow feet.
The Pacer is wide and the upper is very roomy. I tightened the laces as tight as they would go, to try and get some kind of a lockdown – alas, what I ended up with was a numb foot that was still somehow moving inside the shoe. For my foot shape, the fit was impossible. However, this may actually be a good thing if you are someone with wider feet, looking for a stable and light daily trainer that offers your toes and midfoot some extra room. (I would still advise sizing down ½ size from your typical running shoe size.)
Overall
At $135, the Craft Pacer is pretty good value. You don’t get any kind of a plate or supershoe credentials, but it’s not what this shoe is about. As a comfortable, energetic yet stable daily trainer it works very well. It’s simple with a subtly stylish design and a lively midsole foam.
I would recommend it as an option for runners with wide or high-volume feet, or for anyone who spends a lot of time on their feet and needs a comfortable run/walk shoe. It could be a great shoe for a novice runner who wants one shoe to do all the things: short runs, longer distances, and maybe a little bit of tempo. The wide fit won’t work for everyone, but its overall comfort and midsole bounce are good.
