Recommend New Running Shoes Plz!

[cbrunny]

Clif: Recommend high-end running shoes for long distance road training/racing for neutral pronation heel-striker that has used exclusively 8mm drop shoes for years and is considering maybe going to 4mm, and has custom orthotics.
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My existing Saucony Triumph ISO shoes are just about toast. I'm thinking of making a switch. The Triumph ISO is a great shoe. Built for neutral pronation, fits well, good shock absorption, and has 8mm drop. I've used Triumph line for my last several pairs of shoes. I'm thinking of making a switch to a Kinvara or the new Freedom ISO. The Freedom looks to be about halfway between the Triumph and the Kinvara - Freedom has lots of shock absorption apparently, and a 4 mm drop. Kinvara has less absorption for a more responsive feel and a 4 mm drop. I'm open to other brands. I've just run in Saucony's for a long time.

I'm thinking a 4mm drop might be right for me, to try to help me get on the balls of my feet a bit more than I am. Might help my form a bit. When I run barefoot, I'm up on the balls of my feet and in a running assessment by a PT it was recommended that I try to get up on the balls of my feet more. But I've also had some success with the 8mm drop in the Triumph. I could easily just get another pair of those, but I keep hearing the Kinvara's are just an excellent shoe. And 4mm seems to be the new "standard" for "real" runners shoes. Am I wrong on that?

I am currently running just 40 km a week, but will be upping that over the next several weeks to plateau around 60-70, most likely. Currently I train for half-marathon distances as part of triathlon. Considering going up to full-marathon distances but no plans to yet. I have a history of shin splints but since I've lost a ton of weight they haven't creeped up at all, even in my longest/most intense weeks. Haven't had symptoms in years. I have a more recent history of knee issues (PFPS), which I suspect is related to my treadmill in part and I've written about in another thread.

Thanks!

 

[cbrunny]

Got some Saucony Kinvara 8s. Wish me luck!

 

[TRCDROM]

I apologize for replying to a very old posting. I just saw this while looking for something else. Order from Roadrunnersports.com . They also have several stores depending on where you are. Their prices are good and they are always running specials. Join their VIP club. It is not expensive and they give you an additional savings on shoes. The MAIN REASON I recommend them is that they have a 90 day trial period on all of their shoes. They want you to try out the sneakers and return them if they do not work. They do not care if they are like new or beaten up when you return them. I not only order my "standard shoes" from them but I also order from them when I want to try out a pair of shoes. Since every shoe fits different I always order my size, half size larger and half size smaller (three pairs) for each shoe I have never worn before. When they arrive I try them on and figure out which one fits and use it for a few weeks. After two weeks I return the other two paid AND the one I was running in if they are not right. If they are right then I return only the two that did not fit. You want to return them all together since they supply free shipping labels and charge a nominal fee (I think $7) for returning a package (it does not matter how many pairs or sneakers are in the package).

 

[Scarpozzi]

I started running in New Balance and quickly realized they weren't be best shoes to be training in. I go for a high cushion, lightweight shoe because of all the mileage I rack up when I'm training.

I have a handful of shoes I run in, but I'm true to Altra. Altra has a wider footbox, zero drop, and most have decent wear. Altra has a model and version number on their shoes and colors have been known in the past to be hideous, so read reviews and choose wisely.

I started running in the Altra Torin 2.0 and have run 2 marathons in this model/version. I did a lot of trail running in the Altra Olympus 1.5 before they wore out around 300 miles....they wore out because the cushion was getting flat and I didn't notice, except for how my legs felt, so I scrapped them.

I also used to have a pair of The One 2.5. It's a lightweight shoe with less cushion....but it's more responsive as a result.

I bought some Altra Torin 2.5's that I've been running in lately. I've retired all my other Altras, except for a sized-up pair of Torin 2.0's that I bought for one specific race. (only 36 miles on those shoes) I like the 2.5's but the treadwear on the bottom isn't going as good as the 2.0. It may be worth looking at the Altra 3.0 or newer....or the Escalante.

 

[mike8675309]

I run in these Vibram KSO's. and KMD Sport. If I was going to buy today it would be the v-run. Takes a little time to get your calves used to the flat soles, but the extra stability from the wide foot bed add for a secure feeling when running. I just ran in a 5k Terrain race on the side of small sky slope and through some woods in some and they worked great. For that I used the Spyridon Elite trail running shoe with built in support for downhills so your toes don't get crushed.
https://www.amazon.com/Vibram-Spyridon-Elite-Trail-Running/dp/B01AT3FA7K

 

[Scarpozzi]

I run in these Vibram KSO's. and KMD Sport. If I was going to buy today it would be the v-run. Takes a little time to get your calves used to the flat soles, but the extra stability from the wide foot bed add for a secure feeling when running. I just ran in a 5k Terrain race on the side of small sky slope and through some woods in some and they worked great. For that I used the Spyridon Elite trail running shoe with built in support for downhills so your toes don't get crushed.
https://www.amazon.com/Vibram-Spyridon-Elite-Trail-Running/dp/B01AT3FA7K

OP was asking for a long distance road shoe. Those look more like a minimalist trail shoe...I wouldn't do road running in Vibrams for more than a few miles.

 

[mike8675309]

OP was asking for a long distance road shoe. Those look more like a minimalist trail shoe...I wouldn't do road running in Vibrams for more than a few miles.

People run marathons in bare feet, I'm not sure why vibram shoes wouldn't work as well.

 

[Scarpozzi]

People run marathons in bare feet, I'm not sure why vibram shoes wouldn't work as well.

That's great if you're only running 26.2 miles. If you're training multiple days a week, you're going to hurt yourself. If you're racking up 100-160 miles a month, you're going to want a shoe that gives your foot both cushion and support. To each his own...everyone wants something different in a running shoe these days, but just be aware that when you run in shoes that don't provide enough cushion over long mileage, you can do serious damage to your muscles...then ligaments....then bones. (usually in that order, but occasionally stress fractures can happen before the ligaments go) Plantar Fasciitis, shin splints, and stress fractures in the feet are all typically caused by muscle overuse and potentially bad equipment. Read up on it before you start doing higher mileage weeks and always increment your mileage slowly for your body to properly adjust.

 

[spacejamz]

Best bet is to go to a running store where they observe how you run barefoot (i.e., to see how your foot hits the ground - heel first, toe first, proneate (does your foot roll side to side)) so they can recommend the shoe that suits your style...they should do it for free.....

 

[mike8675309]

That's great if you're only running 26.2 miles. If you're training multiple days a week, you're going to hurt yourself. If you're racking up 100-160 miles a month, you're going to want a shoe that gives your foot both cushion and support. To each his own...everyone wants something different in a running shoe these days, but just be aware that when you run in shoes that don't provide enough cushion over long mileage, you can do serious damage to your muscles...then ligaments....then bones. (usually in that order, but occasionally stress fractures can happen before the ligaments go) Plantar Fasciitis, shin splints, and stress fractures in the feet are all typically caused by muscle overuse and potentially bad equipment. Read up on it before you start doing higher mileage weeks and always increment your mileage slowly for your body to properly adjust.

Which is exactly what the original poster was asking about. Work yourself up slowly to allow your body to adapt to the new movements and history has shown barefoot / unsupported running long distances is possible without injury.

 

[amyklai]

I've been running regularly for almost 30 years now, typically around 50-70km/week & also swim and bike a bit (but don't do triathlons). I always used to buy "good shoes" for about 100-200€, because that was supposed to be the only way to properly protect my precious knees. Then, 7 or 8 years ago, my shoes fell apart while on holiday on Corsica, and because I had just a few days left and had a few other pairs of running shoes at home, I bought the cheapest running shoes I could find at Decathlon (big French sports chain) for about 20 or 25€. And, to my surprise, I absolutely loved those shoes and kept on using and buying them and their successors.

So my recommendation is: find your version of Decathlon Kalenji Run Active for 29€, or some other simple shoe that fits your foot and that you're comfortable with.

Don't fall for the shoe marketing hype and all those running shoe fashion trends. I'm old enough to have seen a lot of those come and go, cushioned shoes back in the 80s, then the over pronation hype in the late 90s/ early 00s, then the "born to run" natural running hype and then the "energy boost" shoes in the last few years. I remember going into a running shoe store looking for a successor to my worn out NB 858 and being told that these shoes are now the devil's creation because protection against over pronation is evil and I need to buy natural running shoes. I had been recommended these shoes in the same store about 5 or 6 years before, and had kept buying the successor models.

In my personal experience with runner's knee (I had some trouble with it in my mid to late 20s), I'd rather look at my training. Be diligent with your strength, balance and stretching exercises, focus on hip and core strength. Work on running technique. Check your training load, scale it back a bit and then increase it *slowly*. Replace a few training units with biking / swimming. Don't scale up your training load until your knee / technique issues are sorted out, it's better to err on the side of caution there.

In my experience, shoes are a rather small part of the puzzle, and they get too much attention.

 

[Achilles97]

I recently switched from Triumphs to Freedoms and they were great! However, I made the switch too quickly and ended up with a fractured heel. Make sure you make a prolonged transition between the thicker 8mm Triumphs and the lighter 4mm Freedom. Good luck