On Thursday, we invited This Woman Runs down to Kinisi Run Hub for a Karhu shoe demo followed by an open panel discussion! It was great to welcome so many woman to our shop to test out the latest Karhu shoes and have such an open and informative discussion. A big thank you to Michael and Zoe from Karhu for bringing along the shoes and to everyone from the This Woman Runs organisation for all their input!
We met at the shop at 6pm, where we were joined by members of the This Women Runs Community, and runners from the Kinisi Run Hub community. There were three groups, a walking group, a walk-run group and a running group. This allowed everyone to get out into the fresh air for 30 minutes, which was welcomed on the sunny evening.
Everyone trialled either the Karhu Mestari 2.0 or Ikoni ATR shoes on either the walk or the run, and following this, we returned to the shop, where there was a panel led by the inspiring women of the This Women Runs community. The women shared their stories and shined the spotlight on the great community and how it had helped them share their love for running with eachother in a safe space.
Founded in Finland in 1916, Karhu has a rich heritage rooted in over a century of craftsmanship, innovation and a deep love for running.
The brand is able to blend tradition and innovation through honouring its history while pushing the boundaries of design and technology. Karhu translates to “bear” in Finnish which symbolises the brand’s strength, resilience and enduring commitment to quality and performance.
Karhu established themselves as a trusted brand and pioneer in the running industry through groundbreaking innovations like the air-cushioned midsole and “bear claw” outsole. More recent signature features include the Fulcrum technology and Synchron lacing system which are engineered to enhance natural movement and promote a more efficient, enjoyable running experience.
At Kinisi Run Hub, we stock various models of shoes from Karhu including the two trialled on Thursday.
The Mestari 2.0 is a max cushion, smooth and stable everyday trainer which has been re-energised with ample cushioning, encapsulating support and a controlled roll-through. Reformulated AeroFoam NITRO in the midsole delivers better rebound and a more cushioned experience. This combined with the iconic Karhu Fulcrum provides midfoot support for a more balanced ride. The light rocker shape with amplified toe spring leads to smoother transitions whatever the distance. Add in a stretchy IdealKnit mesh upper and anatomic lacing for even more midfoot structure and a truly personalised fit.
The Ikoni ATR is Karhu's versatile all-terrain trainer is built on the platform of the Ikoni 3.5 to deliver the same smooth ride and guided support but is more rugged by blending soft cushioning with a balanced roll to make it suitable for both road and light trail environments. The AeroFoam cushioning in the midsole offers a soft and luxurious ride regardless of terrain. A brindle patterned IdealKnit mesh upper is reinforced with a 360-degree mud guard for improved durability and protection. And an outsole that utilises strategic rubber coverage, 2.5mm lugs and deflation channel provides stability and traction.
Once again thank you very much to both Karhu and This Woman Runs for collaborating with us for a special demo run trialling some unique and innovative shoes. Kinisi Run Hub are proud to work with such great brands and support so many amazing local running clubs!