TYR Valkyrie Speedworks Runner a Plated Trainer for Daily Miles

Our review of the TYR Speedworks Runner from someone who puts in big miles and fast paces.

I first ran in the TYR Valkyrie Speedworks Runner on a cool early morning on one of my usual loops through Golden Gate Park.

My legs were heavy from the last few weeks of training and I didn’t know what to expect from TYR, known more for their swimming gear than running shoes.

This review isn’t based on one or two test runs. I put over 100mi into this shoe through varied days and fatigued states.

Some days my legs felt decent. Some days they felt cooked. The shoe felt consistent across all of it and that’s what stood out most. I wasn’t sure it was doing anything special and then I realized that was the point.

The Valkyrie uses a Pebax midsole, a full-length nylon plate and a modern high stack. On paper, that’s a familiar recipe.

What I wanted to know was whether those pieces would actually work together in a way that made sense for daily training and long efforts?

This shoe makes the most sense for runners who train a lot and want one plated trainer that can handle daily miles and structured workouts without feeling extreme in either direction.

TYR Valkyrie Speedworks Runner Overview

TYR is better known for swim gear and gym equipment, so jumping straight into the plated trainer category seemed like a big move. But this doesn’t come across like a first attempt in the running space. Their ingredient choices feel deliberate, not experimental.

And if you were paying attention last year, you know that the TYR Maverick caused a stir. It was called a EVO SL knock off, which is a big compliment.

Every run in the Valkyrie felt similar in a good way. On midweek longer efforts especially, the weight and consistency of the ride made for easy, enjoyable sessions.

I didn’t feel like I had to change my stride or fight the geometry. It rolled forward naturally, even when my form was a little sloppy from fatigue. I kept waiting for something to feel off, like loss of stability on uneven pavement in the dark or a wobble on a tight corner.

Within the first few miles, I forgot about the shoes. That’s usually a good sign. The ride felt smooth and predictable where I expected things to be too bouncy or stiff considering the nylon plate.

The shoe doesn’t try to impress with oversized bounce or aggressive snap. It just does its job and stays out of the way.

The Pebax midsole has rebound that is controlled. The plate feels integrated into the ride instead of bolted on.

What makes the shoe good is how the ingredients blend together. It’s a shoe that disappears once you settle into the run and pace. After a few miles, I wasn’t thinking about the plate or the foam anymore. Each foot strike had a small, consistent pop that helped keep my stride from feeling heavy.

Late into long runs, when my stride usually starts to fall apart a little, the transitions still felt reliable. Picking things up for negative splits or navigating sidewalk unevenness never felt wobbly or awkward.

What mattered most to me was that it didn’t fall apart when the miles added up. And it didn’t.

The design is understated and athletic. I especially like the simple black colorway with white midsole. The upper is clean with logos that aren’t in your face. The geometry isn’t flashy, nothing over sized or dramatic.

TYR Valkyrie Speedworks Runner Fit

The upper uses a soft engineered mesh that feels light but secure across the top and side of the foot. It breaths well without losing structure or feeling flimsy.

Whether I ran in cool morning air or warmer afternoon temps in the upper 60s, it felt the same on foot. The upper stayed dry and didn’t hold moisture, even on harder long runs.

The midfoot feels secure without squeezing and stayed stable through turns and pace changes. The toe box gives enough room to move naturally without feeling loose. I never had to adjust the laces mid-run, which is something that usually bugs me with stiffer uppers.

The tongue stayed put once I laced up and never got in the way. The heel felt secure without being tight and I didn’t have any heel slip, even on cold, damp mornings (I always use a runner’s knot).

Comfort has been consistent from the first run through longer efforts. Break-in for me was just a few runs and nothing ever created hotspots or pressure points. I expect the fit to hold up until the Pebax foam or outsole finally starts to wear down in a few hundred more miles.

Coach Amanda: I would say consistently we’ve needed to go up 1/2 size in the women’s. For some reason the Unisex sizing seems to run too small on the women’s side.

TYR Valkyrie Speedworks Runner Feel

The Pebax supercritical midsole was the first thing I noticed and foam is always the most important part of a shoe for me. It lands soft without feeling mushy and gives a controlled bounce back, exactly what I expect from Pebax.

At easy paces it stays smooth and when I picked things up, it became more responsive without changing the overall feel of the ride. It feels like the right choice for what this shoe is trying to be and glad they didn’t go with a Pebax blend on the Valkyrie.

The nylon plate gives the shoe a bit of structure and helps it roll forward without feeling stiff or forced. At easy paces, I barely noticed it. When I picked up the pace, it added a bit of pop and helped keep my stride going instead of feeling flat.

The Valkyrie has a calm, balanced feel that stays consistent across different paces and surfaces. Transitions felt smooth even on uneven pavement and the rocker never felt forced or awkward. On back-to-back runs and longer efforts, the ride held its shape without flattening out, which is exactly what I look for in a high-volume trainer.

Similar Shoes to the TYR Valkyrie Speedworks Runner

We’ve tested a few plated trainers that feel similar, but different based on the brand fit. 

All right that’s our breakdown of the TYR Speedworks. Have you tried anything from the brand yet? What are your thoughts?

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