Please help me shoe this horse...

kevhill

Hi all, am looking for some advice on new shoes. Up until March this year had been using the Asics Kayano exclusively (a couple a pairs at a time). Have had a long history of achillies and calf issues. Had more achillies issues earlier this year so tried a different shoe - went with the Nike Free Run as a move away from more stability shoe. Love them - they, and a plan of running more frequently got me through the rest of the season without any injuries.
Used the Nike Free Run+ for mainly speed and shorter work and the Kayano for long runs and also IMRG in August. Have been doing the 30 runs in 30 days right now and love running again - been running almost solely in the Nike Free Run.

Sorry for long background - question is am now looking for a light weight shoe for racing in this season, and also as a back-up to the Nike Frees. Am doing the Nov OS but then Short Course all next year (nothing longer than an OD until an ironman in Jan 2013).

Any super smart running guys got some shoes they would recommend looking at out there? Have always thought about Newtons but with a history of achillies been a little bit worried?

Btw - I am 6ft 3 and race around 188lbs so not a light-weight. Mainly mid-foot strike I think. Got to a VDOT around 50 last year, ran IMRG in 3:53:49 (in my super heavy Kayanos...).

kurshing

Try some K-Swiss K-onas...they are light and don't encourage heel striking,, and they drain great when it is hot as well. And, you can customize them online - kinda cool.

GMAN 19030

Brooks new Pure Project line of shoes look promising:  http://www.brooksrunning.com/mens-pureproject-shoes/mens-runningshoes-pure,default,sc.html

 

My current go to shoe is the Brooks Launch.

Scott Alexander

I'm 6'1" and ~200lbs at present. I use Nike Frees pretty much all the time; just bought a new pair of their "shield" ones that deflect water (but don't have drain holes inside). I'll use these at IMAZ in one month (EEK! One month?!?).

I have used K-Swiss K-onas for a few years, and loved them. I got a pair of the Kwicky Blade lights this year too, but found that the heel area is too narrow for my foot, so blisters for anything longer than 4 miles. No bueno.

ezellrh

-n=1, I run/race in Mizunos. I'm close in size (6'3, 185) and have a wide foot, so Nike's are out for me. I "found" Mizuno's about three years ago and have been happy ever since. I train in Wave Riders and race in Wave Precisions. No injuries throughout.

Beth_S

I also like my Mizunos, but you might want to try on a pair of Ultras. They are my new, favorite lightweight shoe. (Need to be broken into, like Vibrams).

[Deleted User]

I've been using the Brooks Ghost for the past two months. It's a lightweight, neutral shoe that works pretty well in my opinion. I've also heard some pretty good things about the Asics Gel-Nimbus, although I think that one is a tad heavier.

Keith Wick

I'm currently running in the following shoes with the Saucony being my favorite. I alternate them every other run or so:

K-swiss quicky blade lights--good shoe, but feel they are slightly canted for me to wear on the road at times, but love them on the TM

Saucony Kinvara 2--these are awesome, so light weight and with less drop from heal to toe, so they feel more like a racing flat with more cushion

Mizuno Wave Musha 3--these are my racing flats and I find they are good for up to 1.5 hours. After that my feet hurt from the pounding and lack of cushion.

GMAN 19030

Posted By Anson Lam on 20 Oct 2011 02:40 PM

I've been using the Brooks Ghost for the past two months. It's a lightweight, neutral shoe that works pretty well in my opinion. I've also heard some pretty good things about the Asics Gel-Nimbus, although I think that one is a tad heavier.

Anson,

Give the Brooks Launch a try.  They're about 2 ounces per shoe lighter than the Ghost., and in my n=1 feel much better.