Back when I started running seriously twelve years ago, I used to run in cross training shoes. They were fine, but once I switched to proper running shoes, I realized what I had been missing all along.
TYR has been making waves in the cross-training scene for a while, and I’d seen their logo in the swimming world. But in 2022, they really caught our attention when six of the top 10 CrossFit finishers sported their footwear – quite an achievement! TYR has started venturing into the running world, and we recently got a chance to try out their new Maverick.
See all our posts on TYR here!
Looks:
I really like the look of the version we received. There are four colorways available, and I think the Turq Multi stands out as the best of the bunch—even if it’s the boldest. The others are totally fine (the all-white version looks especially sharp, in my opinion). Overall, the winged logo is just okay—nothing groundbreaking, but not a dealbreaker either.
Construction & Fit:
As you can see in the specs section below, this is a dang light shoe. I mean, right around 8 ounces for a men’s 12 is nothing to sneeze at. Cutting weight isn’t easy—even some of the big-time running shoe companies don’t always get it right when trying to go featherlight.
What’s cool here is that the Maverick also has a fairly wide base and a roomy toe box for how light it is. I’ll touch more on that below.
Specs:
- Weight: 8.1 oz (Men’s size 12) / 6.7 oz (Women’s size 7.5)
- Stack Height: 43mm heel / 35mm forefoot
- Drop: 8mm
Like I mentioned above, the Maverick’s light weight clearly comes in part from the upper. TYR (and other brands making shoes in this weight class) really commit to trimming every ounce they can. The risk there is that some uppers end up collapsing or losing shape, which makes for a sloppy feel.
On the first wear, my immediate reaction was that the shoes felt a bit big—there was noticeably more space between my feet and the upper than I prefer. I also had extra room between my toes and the front of the shoe. All of this ultimately led to some folding in the upper.
It didn’t necessarily impact performance, but it was noticeable on foot. I am wondering if a smaller size would have minimized that issue.
Midsole:
From when we reviewed our first TYR running shoes to now, one of the biggest improvements has been the midsole foam. Not that the old stuff was bad (it wasn’t), but this new FlightTime foam feels like a real upgrade—easily in line with other modern foams in the running world.
The name fits, too. TYR says FlightTime was designed to help runners spend more time in the air, which theoretically means longer, more efficient strides. Pair that with a super-light build, and it makes sense.
Out on the run, you can definitely feel how light this shoe is. It’s easy to turn over and almost disappears on your foot. I expected the foam to maybe feel too bouncy or unstable, but it actually lands in a nice middle ground—it’s got some pop without being marshmallow soft. There’s enough firmness to feel responsive off the ground without being harsh. I don’t know if “bouncy” is quite the right word, but it’s a fun, smooth ride—especially impressive for a shoe with no plate.
Outsole:
The outsole is pretty straightforward. There’s enough rubber in the right spots to keep it grippy, but it’s still minimal enough (with some exposed midsole) to keep the weight down. I didn’t have any traction issues—simple and effective.
Overall:
For a shoe that launched at $150, but can now be found closer to $120, this feels like a solid deal. It’s light, quick, and versatile enough to hang with some of the bigger brands’ offerings—at a fraction of the cost.
The Maverick doesn’t try too hard, and that’s what I like about it. It’s just a clean, superlight trainer that delivers way more than I expected.
