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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Saucony Virrata 2 Review}}The [http://www.zappos.com/saucony-virrata Virrata] is a light weight, minimal drop shoe with a nicely flexible sole at a reasonable cost. I've been impressed with the level of comfort the Virrata provides, and I highly recommend it. It is similar to the slightly better but more expensive [[Altra One2| Altra One<sup>2</sup>]] , the discontinued [[Mizuno Cursoris]] and the more expensive [[Altra Torin]]. (Note the Virrata 2 is virtually identical to the original Virrata.){{H:WhatToLookForInShoes}}{| class="wikitable"
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|[[File:VirrataSliceSaucony-Virrata-top.JPGjpg|none|thumb|150px|Saucony Virratatop]]|[[File:Saucony-Virrata-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|The Saucony Virrata bottom]]|[[httpFile://wwwSaucony-Virrata-inside.roadrunnersportsjpg|none|thumb|150px|Saucony Virrata inside]]|[[File:Saucony-Virrata-outside.com/rrs/products/SCN1038/ jpg|none|thumb|150px|Saucony Virrataoutside]]|- valign="top"|[[File:Saucony-Virrata-2-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Saucony Virrata 2 top]] |[[File:Saucony-Virrata-2-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Saucony Virrata 2 bottom]]|[[File:Saucony-Virrata-2-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Saucony Virrata 2 inside]]|[[File:Saucony-Virrata-2-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Saucony Virrata 2 outside]]
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=Characteristics=
* '''Why you'd buy it'''. The Virrata is a nicely cushioned, lightweight shoe. Overall, I prefer the [[Mizuno Cursoris]] and the [[Altra One2| Altra One<sup>2</sup>]], but the Virrata is easier to get hold of and quite a bit cheaper.* '''Cushioning'''. The Virrata is moderately soft; not as soft a Minimax Maximalist shoe, but it's quite comfortable for long distances.* '''Drop'''. The drop Virrata is only 4mm, which is close enough to a zero -drop that it makes little differenceshoe. The Virrata tapers gently from the ball of the foot to the front and the rear of the midsole is very slightly cut away. There is a rise under the arch and the ball of the foot is cupped.
* '''Structure'''. This shoe uses single density of foam.
* '''Flexibility'''. The Virrata is a nicely flexible due to the grooves in the bottom of the midsole.
* '''Outsole'''. There is almost no outsole, just some small patches under the big toe and rear of the shoe. Most of the bottom of the shoe is exposed foam, which reduces weight at the expense of longevity.
* '''Shape'''. The Virrata is the classic shape that does not match the human foot, and narrows excessively in the toe box. I found that I had to [[Shoe Modifications| cut the toe box open]] to prevent toe problems.{{H:TryCuttingShoes}}
* '''Upper'''. The upper is reasonably thin, and while it's not flexible, it's quite comfortable and hard wearing. The upper has excellent padding around the ankle opening.
* '''Tongue'''. The Virrata is a hybrid between a classic tongue and a "sock style" tongue. I found that it behaves like a normal tongue other than staying in place much better, which is excellent. The tongue has good padding.
* '''Lacing'''. The flat laces work well and remained tied.
* '''Heel counter'''. The heel counter is quite strong, and comes as far up the back of the heel as is normal for running shoe.
=Comparisons=
Here are some direct comparisons with its potential competition.
* [[Mizuno Cursoris]] is similar, but the Cursoris foam is a lot softer, and the Cursoris has one of the best toe boxes of any shoe I've tried.
* [[Altra One2| Altra One<sup>2</sup>]] is also softer than the Virrata, but it's also not as hard wearing. The Altra is a better shape than the Virrata.
* [[Adidas Energy Boost]] is another light weight, softly cushioned shoe, though not as light weight as the Virrata. The Boost has a much higher heel which I believe can increase the risk of excessive heel strike, but it has impressive longevity.
* [[Altra Torin]] is so similar that when I wore a Virrata on one foot and a Torin on the other I found I could feel only minor differences in the sole. However, as the two shoes age the Virrata becomes a little softer, but the Torin does not.
=A Comparison with other Recommended Shoes=
{{:Shoes-include}}
