Cushioned trainers (Running Shoes) - What to buy?
For years I've been a fan of the Hoka Bondi's. I bought into the Nike Zoom Flyknit (not the 4%) for training purposes. This is still a "racing" shoe, I've also gotten a pair of Zoom Pegasus and of course some new pairs of the hoka Bondi 5.
I am finding that i find the Bondi 5 to be "dead" feeling when I run in it. Yet, online review after review speaks to it's cushioning..
so, endurance nation members.. help me out with some ideas for new shooz!
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@scott dinhofer - I'm still running in the Clifton 1. Hoka brought it back online this year and I picked up a couple of pair. I'm also using the Clayton 2 which is lighter and firmer than the Cliftons.
Kinvara for me. 225 gms weight plus 4 mm offset.
@Peter Greagg and @Paul Hough - love the recommendations, I'd love to her what about these shoes makes em work for you? what kind of shoe they are supposed to be, how they live up to that, or not.. thanks!
for instance, Paul - I've always gravitated towards the Bondi over the Clifton, why? marketing likely - "the softest." Trying to figure out how the Clifton IS different and it is..
@scott dinhofer - I think my first Hokas long ago were Bondi Bs but I thought the shoe was too big. When the Clifton's came out - ostensibly with the same cushioning but much lighter, it was like WOW! Then they started messing up a good thing. The Clifton 2 wasn't as good. The Clifton 3 was pretty good but not as good as the original. Then they hosed it up completely with the Clifton 4 - terrible reviews all around and they quickly went to the Clifton 5 which you can find in stores now. I stopped at the Clifton 3 when everyone was trashing the 4th version. Then I heard they were selling the Clifton 1 online only and here I am -- super cushioned and super light for it's size...the best shoe they ever made IMHO! I will be using a fresh pair of Clifton 1s for Ironman Ireland in June.
The Clayton was Hoka's first attempt at a performance shoe but they hosed up the Clayton 1 and numerous people - including me - blistered in it. I think it was the worst running shoe I ever bought and after cutting the toe box to widen it, I ended up throwing it out with less than 2 months use. All reviews say the Clayton 2 fixed that problem and I now have a pair. They definitely fixed the blistering problem and the ride is more responsive and firmer than the Clifton. I need more miles in it. Here's a solid review from "Run Repeat": https://runrepeat.com/hoka-one-one-clayton-2
@scott dinhofer The Kinvara is a race/trainer shoe. It is heavier than a racing flat (225 gms vs 185 gms) but not that much heavier.
I transitioned from a heavy 'motion control' shoe (Brookes Beasts) to the Kinvara. It has enough support/cushion to allow 140.6 run training, and yet can still race in them. I reduced my drop from 12 ml to 4 ml, in the expectation/hope(?) that a smaller drop forces improved running 'form'.
So the drop of 4 ml, the light weight, and the comfort/support, and the reasonably often sales is the reason I keep going back to Kinvaras.
@scott dinhofer Fellrnr's reviews might be helpful for finding high-cushion shoes to try. What surprised me the first time I looked at the list was how some shoes have managed to have a lot of cushioning without adding a lot of weight.
The Saucony Kinvara that @Peter Greagg mentioned is one of the "Best of the Best" picks. Other high-cushion shoes in that category are the Vaporfly 4%, Altra Escalante, and Hoka Mafete Speed (trail shoe).
@scott dinhofer @Mike Westover The Kinvara also rates highly even compared to Vapourfly type efficiency.
@scott dinhofer I love the Kinvara, but couldn't be further from a Hoka.
I think if you went to a Freedom ISO or Liberty ISO you will have the plush cushion that you are looking for (I think), with the 4mm drop (NOT ML) that will promote proper form.
For my road shoes those are the ones I use. Kinvara for slightly speedier work and the Liberty for my longer (or tired) runs.
@Mike Westover gotta remember the VF4% is really a racing shoe only good for 100 miles. I have 2 pairs ready to go. That got me into buying some nikes and I have been buying the flyknit which is a detuned racing shoe. Not sure it's really right either, but they are what lead me to feeling the dead feeling in the Bondi 5.
I've played around with another Nike. The epic React. Seems a bit like the Hokas. Seems like giving the Kinvara might be worth checking out and for that matter the ones @Patrick Large mentions.. will have to do some research..
thanks all.