Helios Running Co.
Industry: Performance Athletic Footwear
Brand Ethos: "Run toward the sun." Helios builds trail shoes for ultramarathon athletes who treat a 50-mile mountain race as a Tuesday. Every component is field-tested at altitude before it ships.
The Apex Trail Runner X
A zero-drop trail running shoe engineered for technical alpine terrain. The Apex forgoes cushion stacks in favor of a carbon-fiber rockered plate and a natural ground-feel outsole that gives elite runners direct feedback on every footstrike.
Key Features
- Outsole: Vibram Megagrip compound with 5mm directional lugs; rated for loose scree, mud, and wet granite.
- Plate Technology: Full-length carbon-fiber rockered plate provides propulsion without sacrificing proprioception.
- Upper: Single-layer Dyneema mesh — 40% stronger than Kevlar at one-quarter the weight; seamless toe box prevents blistering on ultras.
- Stack Height: 18mm heel / 18mm forefoot (true zero-drop). No foam wedge, no heel elevation.
- Weight: 6.8oz (Men's US 9) — lightest carbon-plated trail shoe in its category.
- Lacing: BOA Fit System Li2 dial with two independent lace zones for forefoot and heel lockdown.
- Drop Bag Ready: Magnetic pull-tab at heel for one-hand removal during race transitions.
Price: $229.00
Unique Selling Point: The only zero-drop, carbon-plated trail shoe with a Dyneema upper and dual-zone BOA lacing — engineered exclusively for technical alpine ultramarathon racing.