Running Shoe Suggestion

salzmadh

To all-

I currently training for a half marathon and I am looking to find a faster pair of running shoes. 

I have been running and training in Saucony ISO shoes which are neutral trainers with moderate cushioning.  They have been my go to shoes for years when they were known as the Triumph line.  



Based on all of the information that I could find, there is 10mm of drop with a weight of around 286 grams.  This summer for triathlons I raced in the Zoot TT 7.0 with a drop of 10mm and 240gram weight.



So for the upcoming fall running season here are potential options:

-Stick with the Zoot TT 7.0 shoes

-Saucony A series - very light weight at 156g, more of a racing shoe with 4mm of drop.

-Saucony Breakthru -looks like this is the new version of the Kinvara, as the Kinvara had 4mm of drop.  These shoes have a weight of 207g and 8mm of drop 



I guess my big question - will I notice the difference in drop down to 4mm?  I have been doing a bit of reading and it looks like those who notice the lack of drop more are heel strikers, which I think I might be based on some race photos that I have found this year.  I suppose alternatively, I could also just race with the Saucony Triumph/ISO but seems like some extra wasted weight.  Last year I raced the same half marathon in 1:36, hoping to go a little faster this year assuming the training over the next 7 weeks continues along target.

Thanks!

 

Tom Glynn

I switched to the 4mm drop Kinvera shoe a couple of years ago from a very high Brooks Adrenaline (10+mm drop I think). No real issues in changing. If I remember correctly, I eased into the new shoes over a short period of time. I may have had tighter calves for a while, but nothing drastic.

I've had many pair of Kinvara shoes and have been very happy with them.

I'm a mild heel striker.

Al Truscott

Another thing to consider is your weight. If you are in the range of 75+ kg, then a truly light weight racer like the A series may not be ideal. But if you are more like my 66kg, then go for it. I've been racing ALL distances 5K >>  Marathon, including IMs, in the Saucony A series for about 3-4 years now, while training in Kinvaras. Anything heavier feels like an anchor on my feet; anything with a larger drop feels like high heels. I do not consider myself a forefoot striker - the heaviest wear I notice is on the outside of the heels.

tim cronk

Interesting comparing drop... About 5 years ago I switched to Newton's from 8-10mm shoes , going down to the gravity 4mm drop for training, distance 2mm drop for racing... There was definitely an adjustment period... Now I can switch back and forth from 2-4mm drop to 8-10mm drop with no issues... However , last winter I ran in Altra's w/ ZERO drop.... coming from a season of racing the 2mm Newton I was totally amazed that I needed to adapt to that final 2mm drop... Bottomline is you will notice a difference dropping 6mm in one fell swoop, how long to adapt will be highly individual... Proceed with caution..

salzmadh

Tom, Al, Tim - thanks for your comments.

Al- Yes I am closer to your 66kg so extra weight is not really an issue. It seems as if you have gotten used to the low drop and the transition of 4mm drop from Kinvara to the same for the A series is a non issue for you, moreso just a difference of amount of shoe beneath your foot.

Tim-I appreciate your final comment about proceeding with caution, this was one of the things I was looking for - real world experience with the transition to lower drops. Definitely trying to avoid injury along the way.

Maybe I'll go with the Breakthru shoes for now which is 8mm drop from the 10 I am used to, with a lighter weight. Then if that transition works maybe over time consider decreasing the drop.

MattAaronson

If you like the Zoots then let me suggest:
- Training in the Solana...a neutral shoe and really comfortable
- Racing your half in the Kiawe

salzmadh

Thanks for all of your suggestions, took Matt's advice and decided to go with the Kiawe's which just arrived. 6mm drop. Trying to figure out how to get used to them. Should I just put them on and run for one of the weekly runs? part of a weekly run? Build up to get used to them? Or am I just over thinking this, and should I just go out and run? Race is in 3 weeks. Thanks!

gurjsd

My 2c - I used to race and regularly run in Asics (GT range, and then moving on to the Kayano range....) , so you're talking about a 8mm-10mm drop.

Being a slightly over-pronater, they were good, but I decided to strengthen my lower limbs by going to a 4mm drop show. I opted for a pair of brook Pure Connects. It took a while for me to get used to them as calves and legs would be sore after a long run. Short runs were fine, but the longer ones would leave me fatigued.

Now (been about 12-18 months) I can switch between the two heel drops, but the bonus being, in my Asics, i feel i can run for miles and miles because they absorb the ground so much better.

So what would I suggest? Perhaps go for a pair of 4mm drops on your 'shorter' runs (perhaps an hour or so). So your legs can become stringer due to the lower drop and the higher impact to ground. Then, on your longer runs, go for your more comfy 8mm-10mm drop shoes so you can reap the rewards.

Also - just an interesting side note. I said i was a slight over-pronater. Just something i've noticed, that going to a 4mm drop for a year or so has slightly changed my gait. I'm in between a neutral and over-p now. Perhaps due to forcing me to land more mid-foot?

And on a second side note - remember that on a lower drop, your foot strike will defiantly change. You will be forced to be more of a mid to fore foot strike. So depending on when your next race is, these are all factors you have to think about.

G

MattAaronson

How long is the race? If a 5k or less, break 'em out on race-day. Seriously. If 8-10k then maybe do a couple of 30' easy runs to give you the confidence they won't run anywhere odd, etc. same for a half marathon. But really, I wouldn't be too concerned.