Is the Dynafit Ultra 100 v3 its Most Flexible Trail Racer Yet?

Introduction to the Dynafit Ultra 100 v3

TAYLOR: This winter has felt like a long, slow bridge from fall to spring, completely bypassing the true winter I expected. Trails have been open in the Northern Rockies all season, leaving us all in suspense for the summer’s fire season ahead.

If I’m being completely honest, I’ve relished in the lack of powder because I have been able to get on so many trails in a season that I typically write off.

For example, one of my weekly rambles is fairly short, but it covers a range of terrain. There’s a bit of gravel, some smooth single track, and then steep rocky terrain to gain the ridge where I get a beautiful view of the Continental Divide.

Finding a shoe that can run well on a wide range of surfaces has been quite the challenge. To my surprise, the Dynafit Ultra 100 v3 showed more versatility than ever before. As with many third children, the approach changed quite a bit for this one. Dynafit figured a few things out and really put these principles forth while letting go of some others. At the end of the day, they are better for it. Here’s why…

What we like about the Dynafit Ultra 100 v3

TAYLOR: Dynafit is a mountain brand to the core. All-terrain characteristics are its bread and butter, and it’s adjusted a few of them on the Dynafit Ultra 100 v3 to allow for a more well-rounded running experience.

The most noticeable is, obviously, the foam underfoot. It’s a supercritical blended midsole that finally has some character, yet retains its ability to shuffle in the alpine.

I really appreciated that Dynafit was able to incorporate modern trail-running characteristics, like a bit of energy return, true cushioning, improved flexibility, and weight savings, without going overboard. It added a more noticeable forefoot rocker, too. These subtle adjustments make for a much more fun experience, comfortable, and versatile experience on the trail.

The footprint of the Dynafit Ultra 100v3 is a bit broader than its predecessor, too. Even though it ran neutral, it provided stability when I needed it most. I never felt at risk of rolling my ankle, nor did I feel that the shoe mechanically overturned my natural movement. It was a fairly nimble ride, but one that kept me confident from start to finish.

Dynafit’s supercritical Speedfoam has a fairly medium-soft, airy density that leans toward medium rather than soft. I know, it sounds like I should just say medium, but it’s not quite that. As I broke in the shoe, the foam tenderized only slightly. For a shoe that’s meant to handle everything from light trail to technical terrain, the stack (34/28mm) and foam density were darn near perfect for me.

We’ve enjoyed many shoes this year that fall into this moderate stack category. They tend to hit a sweet spot of gaining true benefits from the foam while maintaining a connection with the ground. I’m thinking of shoes like the La Sportiva Prodigio 2, Keen Seek Trail, Scott Kinabalu Trail, The North Face Vectiv Infinite 3, and the Hoka Speedgoat 7, each with its own benefits and characteristics.

The upper is the other major difference between the first two versions and the third. You get a durable yet soft engineered-mesh upper that wraps the foot, while the heel counter/collar is a bit stockier. That’s not exactly the difference, but comfort and lockdown were on point here.

The main change comes in the overall volume. This is a truly accommodating shoe from the forefoot through the midfoot. Like with the La Sportiva Prodigo 2, I was actually surprised at how secure the shoe felt, even with the roominess. If you have a higher volume or wider foot, the Dynafit Ultra 100v3 is worth considering.

One thing you can always count on with a Dynafit shoe is full rubber coverage. Thankfully, that also ensures the peace of mind that comes with Vibram Megagrip and 4mm traction lugs. Again, this outsole plays a well-rounded game, offering grip and durability for the lifetime of the shoe.

And, when it’s all said and done, the Dynafit Ultra 100 v3 comes in at a very satisfactory weight. At 10.5 oz. for a US M10.5, it’s quite respectable considering many shoes in this category sit closer to 11 oz.

What we don’t like about the Dynafit Ultra 100 v3

TAYLOR: I’ve gotta admit that the Dynafit Ultra 100 v3 gave me almost nothing to gripe about. It’s a simple shoe with a simple purpose. Most of my criticism centers on potential pitfalls more than concrete ones. Also, I wish this shoe had come out a year or two ago. Now, it finds itself in a sea of other very solid, similar options.

My first foreseeable issue is that the roominess may not be for everyone. This is an all-trails shoe that’s skewed toward longer distances, so the extra upper volume makes sense. The downside is that folks with a slim foot will experience some foot slippage, especially on technical terrain. I’m not taking back that the Dynafit Ultra 100 v3 holds securely, but runners with a slim foot will likely find too much real estate when lacing up. I have a fairly average/borderline wide foot, and I still cinched these up quite a bit to get a satisfactory fit.

Another area with potential friction is the heel collar. I’ve never had an issue personally; however, the counter’s construction is unique. The firmer lower part of the collar abruptly ends and gives way to the softer heel tab, which continues upward. As mentioned, this formation was comfortable and locked my foot in nicely. Typically, that juncture isn’t perceived, but it’s noticeable here. I would only anticipate this being an issue for those with sensitive Achilles after the Dynafit Ultra 100 v3 has accumulated a solid number of miles.

Since many who will don the Dynafit Ultra 100 v3 have historically loved mountainous terrain, know that the 4mm lugs performed well but certainly reached their limits in the high country, with scree and sand over wet rocks. There’s nothing to be overly concerned about, though.

Final thoughts on the Dynafit Ultra 100 v3

TAYLOR: Even though the Dynafit Ultra 100v3 is a fairly simple take on the modern trail shoe, this thing performs! It’s not going to be wowing in really any sense, but it will allow you to hit virtually any trail from rollers to peaks with a sense of confidence (i.e., fit, moderate cushion, grip) and with a more modern comfort-oriented design than ever.

The Dynafit Ultra 100v3 will be an easy pick for long days in the mountains or when the trails demand wide-reaching performance from your trail shoe.

You can pick up the Dynafit Ultra 100 v3 for $180 from Dynafit using the buttons below.