It’s always fun to come across a new running shoe company. Recently, we have been blessed with a couple of newer brands that are putting out quality footwear right out of the box. That’s not always the norm, as there are usually some growing pains when it comes to developing a solid running shoe lineup.
That’s why we were pleasantly surprised with the launch of the Ascent from new running shoe company Veloci. And here’s the crazy thing — not only is it a brand-new running shoe company, but it was launched and founded by a current college student! When I was his age, I was actively looking for ways to get out of running during baseball season at university.
So it’s pretty impressive that what we got in the Ascent is a really solid pair of shoes with tons of potential. There might be a few tweaks over time (as there always are), but this inaugural launch is seriously impressive. Read on for more.
Looks
The Ascent has a minimalist class to it. It comes in two colorways: a standard black and a cool sky blue, both of which feature a creamy beige outer midsole. It’s not too flashy, but it has just enough pop. There also isn’t a ton of branding across the upper. You get a super feather visual that stands out without screaming for attention. I love the look of this shoe — it says enough without saying too much.
Construction and Fit
I’ll get into the specifics in the following sections, but the first and most visible fit component of the shoe is clearly the wider toe box. Generally speaking, I haven’t needed wider toe boxes in the past. But as I get older, I’m finding that my feet prefer a little more room than I used to give them.
There’s no denying this is a wider box (it’s a called-out feature on their website, so they’re not hiding it). But I feel like it’s a more streamlined version than some other wide-fit options out there. For those who truly need wide shoes, this will be a welcome addition. For those who just prefer a little extra space, this is an option that doesn’t look bulky or clownish. As a test, I wore these around for a day in front of my wife, and no such comments were made. So, while they are wider, they don’t visually project that as much as other wide shoes do. Does that matter? Maybe, maybe not. But I figured it was worth mentioning.
Specs
- Stack Height: 39mm/29mm
- Drop: 10mm
- Weight: 9.5 oz
Upper
The upper is made from a breathable woven upper that provides a comfortable and secure fit. There isn’t much unnecessary bulk, and it allows for a snug, foot-hugging feel without being restrictive. The upper isn’t the most breathable on the market, but it has proven to be very admirable thus far. Obviously, our testing hasn’t taken us into the heat of the summer, but it seems like it will be up to the challenge.
The tongue is gusseted and fits nicely over the top of the foot for secure lockdown and comfort while avoiding pressure points. There also aren’t many overlays, giving it a clean and modern aesthetic.
Midsole
The midsole is made from an EVA/OBC combo. This does have a larger stack, but the construction of the midsole definitely falls on the firmer side. That’s not to say it isn’t cushioned (I mean, it is 39mm in the heel), but the feel underfoot is definitely not one of those “running on clouds” experiences. Depending on your preference, you can probably go either way on that. Personally, I didn’t mind the ride.
And it’s definitely geared towards a daily trainer feel, but I found it to have a little giddy-up if you let it. My first few runs were on a treadmill, and I ended up pushing the pace and feeling like it could keep up. I attribute that to the rocker geometry. It’s not a speed trainer or something I would continually use for fast days, but it’s got more in it than meets the eye — even with a firmer feel.
I was initially challenged a little bit by the geometry of the outer midsole. The walls felt like they tipped up a little due to the designed arch support, and it initially felt a bit odd underfoot. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get past it, but it seemed to break in during my first run, and I quickly forgot about it. Others may experience the same feeling — and I wonder how those with flat feet will perceive it. I’d say give it a chance, as it broke in quite nicely for me.
Outsole
The outsole is a well-covered rubber design that delivers solid durability and traction. There is a channel (akin to the Colorado River that runs through the designer’s hometown of Austin perhaps?) of exposed midsole, but there’s more than enough coverage. It’s designed to handle mostly standard paved conditions (though it could probably do some casual trails in a pinch), and it holds up well even in slightly wet conditions.
The rubber isn’t overly aggressive, so it doesn’t feel clunky, but it provides enough grip to feel confident on the run. I loved the little feather design on the bottom – it’s just a creative way to tie the shoe together. Considering this is a brand-new brand and their first shoe, the durability of the outsole is impressive. It seems built to last, and I wouldn’t be surprised if these hold up for a good amount of mileage.
Conclusion
We went into this review not really knowing what to expect, but the Veloci Ascent totally caught us off guard in the best way possible. For a brand-new shoe company, the quality and thoughtfulness put into this first model are seriously impressive. And what’s even crazier? Some of the specs—like the wider toe box and 10mm drop—aren’t typically my go-to, yet the shoe still worked really well for me.
It’s a great first step for Veloci, and if this is just the beginning, we’re definitely excited to see what they come up with next.
