Atreyu Base Model. 1000kms review and A Farewell to My Favourite Trainers

This week, a piece of shocking news hit my inbox.

Atreyu, the brand that built its reputation on simplicity and transparency, is discontinuing its solid foundation shoe, the Base Model (if you want to read my initial review of it, it's here).

This came as a huge surprise. Atreyu’s motto—Keep it simple—was embodied perfectly in this shoe.

My Personal Journey with the Atreyu Base Model

I’ve had a soft spot for this model. It became my go-to companion as I relearned with it how to run properly after the pandemic. Its unique road feel and feedback were unlike anything I’d experienced before. For my base runs, it was the perfect partner. I owned three pairs, pushing one of them to its absolute limit.

My approach was simple: stretch the lifespan of each pair as much as possible while maintaining a quality running experience and avoiding injuries. I paid close attention to how the outsole wore down over time.

Atreyu initially designed this shoe with a 150-mile lifespan in mind and that was the main story about discontinuing it. To my delight, I found that even after surpassing that benchmark, the shoes felt surprisingly good—not brand new, of course, but still reliable.

The True Test: Extending the Life of My Favorite Shoe

Around the 300-mile mark, the upper mesh began to show signs of fatigue. It started with a small hole near the big toe, which grew larger over time. When it became obvious the damage was worsening, I reached out to Atreyu’s support team for advice.

Their response was nothing short of impressive. Instead of offering me a discount on my next pair (the usual approach for most brands), they provided a creative trick to extend the life of my beloved Base Model.

I was thrilled—stoked, even—and decided to give it a shot. I had nothing to lose and everything to gain if it meant reaching my goal.

The Final Stretch

With patches and glue holding it together, the shoe managed to carry me for a few hundred more miles (or kilometers, depending on how you count). Eventually, after hitting an incredible 1,000 km milestone, the shoe finally gave out.

The upper mesh around the midfoot, where the most tension occurs during propulsion, was the final breaking point.

Totaled!

What This Experience Taught Me

This story shows just how unique Atreyu’s mindset is as a brand. Their emphasis on practicality and resourcefulness sets them apart in a market saturated with disposable gear.

It also reinforced something I’ve believed for a long time: if you’re a casual runner, you probably don’t need to replace your shoes every year, especially not for base training. 

Farewell and Thank You

The Atreyu Base Model will always hold a special place in my running journey. It’s not just a shoe—it’s a reminder that simplicity and durability can coexist in a world of over-engineered gear.

Thanks for reading, and here’s to a fantastic end of the year. See you in 2025, folks!

When it was still new..

Goodbye old friend.