{"id":189385,"date":"2023-06-01T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-01T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=189385"},"modified":"2025-02-05T19:38:03","modified_gmt":"2025-02-06T03:38:03","slug":"first-look-rei-swiftland-mt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/run\/first-look-rei-swiftland-mt","title":{"rendered":"First Look: REI Co-op Swiftland MT Trail-Running Shoes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Head to the shoe department of your local REI Co-op, and you\u2019ll encounter an expansive display. Leather hiking boots with burly lugs are parked near low-top trail runners and performance sandals. Bright cherry red, tangerine and gecko-green hues mingle near subtle charcoals, taupes and chocolate browns. The line-up of brand names\u2014HOKA, Salomon, La Sportiva and Chaco among them\u2014reads like a who\u2019s who of outdoor footwear\u2019s elite.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, until now, one obvious name has been hard to find.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the REI Co-op brand name has graced a variety of gear, from packs and tents to running apparel and bikes, its logo has been limited on the shoe wall. There\u2019s a hiking shoe<\/a> and a walking shoe<\/a>\u2014but nothing for runners. That changed on June 1 with the launch of the Swiftland MT trail running shoes. (\u201cMT\u201d stands for \u201cmulti-terrain.\u201d)  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been building industry-leading outdoor goods for a long time,\u201d says Bennett Grimes, who led the shoe\u2019s design process as senior product manager of innovation and footwear at REI. \u201cWe know the trail better than anyone.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that legacy alone isn\u2019t enough to walk a footwear project forward. Coupling that passion and understanding for what makes a great product with innovations in sustainability and functionality: That is<\/em> a good reason. REI is committed to \u201cbuilding products in a way that tries to limit our environmental impact,\u201d Grimes says. \u201cWe wanted to make a shoe in a way that feels authentic to who we are and not just be another shoe on the wall.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Designed to Be Different<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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There\u2019s no question Grimes and his team have steep competition in the footwear department. Many of the brands REI carries have been making shoes for decades, with award-winning products that have crossed finish lines on the feet of trail legends like Courtney Dauwalter<\/a> and Scott Jurek<\/a>. Some of these brands have also been committing to more sustainable practices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grimes and his team wanted to do more. \u201cThere\u2019s a clear gap in highly functional outdoor footwear when it comes to thinking through our carbon footprint and building a product,\u201d he says. \u201cWe wanted to strike the right balance between comfort, durability and sustainability goals.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only is this the right thing to do; consumers also expect it. Grimes points to data<\/a> showing that shoppers factor sustainability efforts\u2014or the lack thereof\u2014into their decision-making processes generally, including in their footwear purchases, specifically. \u201cIf things are like for like, they\u2019re going to gravitate toward the product that has a more carbon-friendly way of building,\u201d he says, adding that this customer insight allowed his team to focus on sustainability efforts in a fresh and rigorous way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

REI Co-op already has a history of incorporating sustainable facets into all of its products, including its other footwear offerings. The breathable Flash Hiking Boots (available in men\u2019s<\/a> and women\u2019s<\/a>), first released in 2021, feature recycled materials and, according to one hiker from Rochester, New York, are \u201cperfection for my feet.\u201d And the co-op’s user-approved, \u201ccomfortable and stylish\u201d Beyonder Shoes (available in men\u2019s<\/a> and women\u2019s<\/a>), which are designed for walking, have insoles made with 25% USDA-certified bio-based, petroleum-free Susterra\u00ae compound. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, when the Swiftland MT team first began exploring the possibility of a trail-running shoe, there were two goals in mind: Minimized the creation cycle\u2019s environmental impactful and<\/em> still meet outdoorspeople\u2019s rigorous performance standards. \u201cAs I\u2019m sure you can imagine,\u201d Grimes tells me, \u201cthat\u2019s not an easy thing to do.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Below the Surface<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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At first glance, the Swiftland MT looks like its trail-running counterparts from other brands. Its outsole\u2014the bottom-most part of the shoe\u2014features a thoughtfully designed lug pattern that offers solid footing on the trail. Its midsole\u2014the middle, foam part of the shoe\u2014has a squishy feel, but with its standard stack height and 8 mm offset, its profile resembles the average daily-trainer trail-running shoe competitor. Meanwhile, the upper\u2014the portion that encases the foot\u2014is made of a thin fabric layer and features typical shoelaces as opposed to, say, a Boa\u00ae lacing system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below the surface, however, the shoe lives up to the promise of \u201cfootwear with a lighter footprint.\u201d Every component of the shoe is built with either recycled or bio-based materials, and<\/em> it <\/em>wowed more than 85 testers who wore the Swiftland MT through 2,500 miles of mud, sand and rocks in product trials.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also tried out the shoe and found it ticked the boxes for solid footing and comfort on an array of terrain. On a 6-mile, leisure-paced outing on my favorite gravel path, I felt stable and confident\u2013and notably, no pebbles snuck inside past the shoe\u2019s sock-like opening. On rockier trails, the grip held firm, while on pavement, the Swiftland MTs hit the sweet spot for knee-approved cushioning: the midsole offers some give, but not too much. And they did all that in addition to turning heads and prompting impressed, “REI is making [running] shoes now?\u201d queries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Swiftland MT weighs in at 10 ounces for a men\u2019s size 9 (what Grimes calls the \u201csweet spot for lightweight without being a racing shoe\u201d), and its dual performance and sustainability attributes start from the ground up. Underfoot, the proprietary TerraGripTM<\/sup> Run outsole offers confidence-inspiring grip and is made with 20% recycled rubber. \u201cAcross all rounds of of the trials, product testers felt that the shoe provided impressive traction and security against a wide variety of trail conditions,\u201d says REI product researcher Bryan Jackler, who led the field-testing process. The outsole also stood up to industry durability ratings, which required testing for 300+ miles of wear. [Editor\u2019s note: The field-testing process conducted by the co-op\u2019s research and testing team for product development is separate from the field-testing process conducted by the co-op\u2019s editorial team for <\/em>tested gear guides in Expert Advice<\/em>.<\/a>] <\/p>\n\n\n\n

TerraLoftTM<\/sup> Run takes center stage in the midsole. \u201cThis sounds kind of cheesy,\u201d Grimes laughs, \u201cbut the goal was to create smile-inducing cushioning.\u201d After multiple prototypes, they did. The foam layer is designed to help the user feel light and agile but not overly springy and out of control when progressing through their stride. Likewise, the proprietary foam feels comfortable underfoot but doesn\u2019t cross over into momentum-zapping \u201cpillowy\u201d territory. During the testing phases, users reported the team nailed this sensitive formula: \u201cVery responsive and cushioned enough for my taste,\u201d says one.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But those aren\u2019t the only attributes of TerraLoftTM<\/sup> Run worth smiling about. The foam also features 10% BLOOM\u2122 Algae, a technology that turns waterway-clogging algae into a performance-level, EVA-algae-based hybrid foam. In effect, the Swiftland MT transforms plant matter into an ingredient for runner comfort. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In the shoe\u2019s upper, FirmaKnitTM<\/sup> Run, a proprietary knit design that cradles the foot in a supportive sock fit, has multiple benefits. Its integrated tongue and foot-hugging collar prevent dirt and small rocks from sneaking into the shoe. In my own experience, the fit feels pliable yet secure thanks to content backers under the laces that create what Grimes calls a \u201cmidfoot lock-down.\u201d (In other words, the foot stays put and the ankle remains supported.) Knitting the upper instead of using the industry-standard cut-and-sew technique reduces the amount of manufacturing waste. And, the FirmaKnitTM<\/sup> yarn is made from 90% recycled PET plastic that\u2019s been purposely engineered to dry quickly, and I noticed it did dry faster than some of my other shoes from well-known trail brands. I was pleased to find in my own testing that the landfill-avoiding knit technique didn\u2019t result in sacrifices in comfort or performance: A win-win. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A \u201cmulti-terrain\u201d shoe has to perform well on many surfaces. Product testers reported that the Swiftland MT exceeded their expectations on moderately technical trails and dirt and gravel paths. They also ranked it higher than competitors in a blinded head-to-head trail run test during which they ran three loops using different shoes (the Swiftland MT and two others\u2014all with their branding hidden) for each loop. The Swiftland MT was most frequently chosen as the favorite. \u201cWe wanted to build a shoe that was comfortable and easy to take on and off, but still offered enough technicality that you feel supported and protected, that would have really great grip under your feet so that you feel confident no matter what terrain you\u2019re on,\u201d Grimes says. \u201cThe Swiftland MT was us creating and innovating our own materials, pushing the industry forward, and testing and testing and testing and testing until we got it right.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Getting More People Outside<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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All that technology (and testing; did Grimes mention testing?) ladders up to a performance-oriented trail shoe designed to help entry- and intermediate-level runners get out there. \u201cHow do we build a product that invites more people to be exploring unpaved paths and experience the spontaneity and excitement and freedom that that can bring? That [was] the ethos of what created this product,\u201d Grimes says. \u201cWe just want to get more people out exploring the wilderness.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not just the shoe\u2019s technical attributes that are intended to inspire users; the aesthetics are meant to do so as well. Rather than select glaringly bright colorways, the design team stuck with grounding hues like Pink Earth and Deep Orange that are both \u201coutdoor-inspired and energetic,\u201d says REI senior color designer Angela Patruno. She adds that the shoe\u2019s body is eye-catching enough so that when looking down at your feet it\u2019s like \u201cfollowing your friend,\u201d while also being muted enough that they blend in with and belong in a natural setting. \u201cWhen you\u2019re running, you don\u2019t want something that is distracting you or taking you out of the moment,\u201d Patruno explains. \u201cWhat we really wanted to maintain here was that you are in the outdoors, and the [Swiftland MT] is part of the experience.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Making the outdoors accessible to more people has always been the drive behind the REI Swiftland trail running collection<\/a>, which launched in 2021. The line includes running socks<\/a>, insulated running jackets<\/a> and member-favorite trail bottoms<\/a>. (Customer reviewers have called the Swiftland 7\u201d Running Shorts the \u201cbest running shorts ever.\u201d) The Swiftland 5 Hydration Vest\u2014designed specifically for male<\/a> and female<\/a> anatomy\u2014is available in sizes up to 2X\/3X. All these products hit mid-market price points to ensure they\u2019re approachable cost-wise.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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REI designers believe that adding the Swiftland MT, which falls on the less expensive end of the trail-shoe spectrum at $130 per pair, is a natural progression in the Swiftland line. If feedback from early testers is any indication, consumers will agree as they try the shoes for themselves. \u201cThere\u2019s a ton of customer love,\u201d Grimes says. \u201cThere\u2019s excitement for what the Swiftland MT is, what it does and for having the brand name of REI on their feet.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hope is that once runners learn about the sustainability features behind the Swiftland MT, the shoe will impress them further, standing apart from its brethren on the footwear wall. As Grimes says, that was the \u201cwhy\u201d behind the project. It\u2019s not, however, the finish line.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen you\u2019re a retailer like us, there\u2019s an opportunity to really push the industry forward with something that we care about,\u201d Grimes says about the REI commitment to increased sustainability. \u201cI hope every brand tries to get as close as we did or surpasses where we\u2019re going. \u2026 We need to start prioritizing every<\/em> component if we want to protect the outdoors.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Swiftland MT seeks to do that, making an impactful step toward a footwear industry with a lighter impact. <\/p>\n<\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Head to the shoe department of your local REI Co-op, and you\u2019ll encounter an expansive display. Leather hiking boots with burly lugs are parked near low-top trail runners and performance sandals. Bright cherry red, tangerine and gecko-green hues mingle near subtle charcoals, taupes and chocolate browns. The line-up of brand names\u2014HOKA, Salomon, La Sportiva and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30729,"featured_media":189395,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[1812,2120,724,614,1538,591,2174,2177],"internal-tag":[2155],"class_list":["post-189385","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-run","tag-co-op-brands","tag-first-look","tag-gear","tag-impact","tag-new-products","tag-sustainability","tag-trail-running-2","tag-trail-running-shoes-2","internal-tag-no-ads"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/rei.com\/blog\/run\/first-look-rei-swiftland-mt","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"First Look: REI Co-op Swiftland MT Trail-Running Shoes","url":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/run\/first-look-rei-swiftland-mt","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/run\/first-look-rei-swiftland-mt"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/05\/Vagnini_030823_3451-2-1.jpg?resize=150%2C150","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/05\/Vagnini_030823_3451-2-1.jpg?fit=1992%2C994"},"articleSection":"Run","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Cassie da Costa"}],"creator":["Cassie da Costa"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Uncommon Path \u2013 An REI Co-op Publication","logo":""},"keywords":["co-op brands","first look","gear","impact","new products","sustainability","trail running","trail running shoes"],"dateCreated":"2023-06-01T08:00:00Z","datePublished":"2023-06-01T08:00:00Z","dateModified":"2025-02-06T03:38:03Z"},"rendered":"