Run Run Away

Question:

| | I appreciate this posting very much – I’d just been starting to wish I hadn’t | thrown out the shoe review issue of Runners’ World.  I think, however, that | before this goes in the FAQ it should be edited so that those shoes which | come only in men’s models are clearly marked so.  Currently the women-only | shoes are marked off (and rightly so), but the men-only shoes are not | distinguished from those available in both men’s and women’s models.  Women | are not a "special interest" running group any more than men are. | | Sue Sierra — I whole-heartedly agree with you.  I realized part way through doing it that I was leaving out the weight of the women’s version, and that was due to laziness, but that some of the shoes don’t come in women’s models, I overlooked completely.   As I get time, I will add the information (or someone else is welcome to).   3531 Boelter Hall                       day:     310 206-8696 Department of Computer Science   University of California Los Angeles, 90024-1596

Response:

I appreciate this posting very much – I’d just been starting to wish I hadn’t thrown out the shoe review issue of Runners’ World.  I think, however, that before this goes in the FAQ it should be edited so that those shoes which come only in men’s models are clearly marked so.  Currently the women-only shoes are marked off (and rightly so), but the men-only shoes are not distinguished from those available in both men’s and women’s models.  Women are not a "special interest" running group any more than men are. Sue Sierra

Response:

Here is a summary of shoe reviews gleaned from various places including manufacturers’ adds, Road Runner Sports catalog, Runner`s World, Running Times, rec.running postings, and my own experience.  I will post and update occasionally. Guide to Categories Basic: A good quality shoe for a beginning through mid-mileage runner. Lightweight trainer/racer: Typically under 10 ounces.  Very light,         very fast, biomechanically gifted runners can wear these shoes         as daily trainers.  Other runners may get away with using these         as a second pair for racing in or for track workouts.  These         shoes usually have blown rubber soles for light weight so they         wear out too quickly for an everyday training shoe for most of us. MC: (Motion Control) Made for over-pronators and heavier runners. Stability: For neutral runners and mild over-pronators.  Offers some resistance         to pronation and supination. Racing flat: Most people should race in their regular trainers or lightweight         trainers.  For people who can get away with it, racing flats might buy         them a few seconds in a 10k.  If that is the difference between 1st         and 2nd, it is probably worth it.  If it is the difference between         38:04 and 38:14 it is probably not worth the risk of injury.  These         shoes have very little stability, cushioning, or durability, but they         tend to weigh 2-4 oz. less than a lightweight trainer. Construction If you remove the insole, you can tell the type of construction.  Slip Lasted shoes have a sewn seam running the length of the shoe.  Board lasted shoes have a cardboard board running the length of the shoe.  Combination lasted shoes have cardboard in the rear half, and a seam up the front half.  Slip lasted shoes are the most flexible.  Board lasted shoes are the most stable and least flexible.  Combination lasted shoes attempt to compromise giving a flexible forefoot and a stable rear.  Orthotics wearers should stick to board or combination lasted shoes.  True over-supinators (these are rare) should use flexible slip lasted shoes.  Another way to look at it: if you have a rigid foot (tends to be high arched feet), favor flexible (slip laste) shoes.  If you have a floppy foot (tends to have flatter feet and overpronate), favor combination or board construction. Last —- The last is the form the shoe is made on.  Lasts vary from curved, to semi-curved, to straight.  Straight lasts are generally the most stable shoes, while curved lasted shoes tend to be the most flexible.  You just have to see what last from what manufacturer fits your foot. Stores —— A good running shoe store is essential.  The sales people at the sporting goods chain stores and the mall shoe stores just don’t know their products or how to fit runners, despite advertising to the contrary.  A real runner’s store should allow you to run in the shoe on the sidewalk outside the store, or at least on a tread mill in the store and watch you run.  They should be able to tell you if you over-pronate in a particular shoe.  The advice you get in a good store is worth the price (full retail) you pay. Don’t be a jerk and pick the brains of a good running shoe store salesman and then buy at a discount place.   If you value their advice, buy a pair of shoes from the specialty running store so they will still be in business the next time you need them.  Then, if you liked the pair you bought, go ahead and buy it from a discount store or mail order place in the future; you don’t owe the store your business forever.  Remember though, that models change, and you will want to go back to the good store every few years. Notes: —— Weight is typically listed for mens’ size 9 as quoted by manufacturer and found either in Runners World, Running Times, or Road Runner Sports catalog. Different sources differ in the weight they report, often by as much as an ounce.  I have not been consistent about which source I use here so you may find a discrepancy with a source you consult. M.C. stands for Motion Control (i.e. a shoe for over-pronators). ADIDAS —— Torsion Integral        M.C. 12.5oz. Combination, straight $100 ($69sale).         Seriously solid stable shoe for runners with moderate pronation         problems; too cushioned for heavy runners or severe over-pronators. Torsion Advance         Lightweight 10oz. Board, semi-curved $75 ($54).                         Good option if you are a mild overpronator, but                         want a lightweight second shoe. Torsion Cross           12.5oz. Combination last, semicurved. Oregon Ultra Tech       Lightweight $75 ($49sale). Similar to Advance but less                         stable. Marathon Training II    Off road $75($49 sale) Oregon Classic          Lightweight, 9.0oz Board last, semicurved.         $56 ($42 sale).  The old classic Addidas running shoe that has been         around for 20 years. Response Class          Stability, 11.2oz.slip lasted, slightly curved,         $80 ($65), Not for extreme overpronators. Equipment Cushion       Stability 12.9oz.(RW says 10.6oz.) Slip lasted,         semi-curved.  $100($80sale (though also seen for $39)). Stable durable         shoe for high mileage and big runners.  Not for severe overpronators. Equipment Guidance      Stability 11.4oz. Combination lasted, curved.         $100($80sale).  For forefoot runners and underpronators. Equipment Support       M.C. 11.9oz. Combination, slightly curved. $110.                         This shoe is for overpronators who want a lighter                         shoe with softer (EVA midsole) cushioning.  Good                         for all but severe over pronators.  Note: the previous                         Support model had a polyurathane midsole and was a                         heavier shoe for bigger runners. ASICS —– GT II   Compromise lightweight/stability/MC. 11.5oz. Combination, semicurved         $100/$89.  Good basic middle of the road shoe. GT Cool X       M.C. 11.5oz Combination, semicurved. $125($100).  Not for                 under-pronators or heavy runners.  Cool-max liner. GT-Express      Stability, 12.0 Combination, semicurved.$135/$89. For mild                 over pronators. Gel MC  M.C. 13.0 Combination, semicurved. Heavy duty motion control for         heavier runners. Gel-Lyte III    Lightweight 10.3oz. Combination, semicurved $65/$49. Runs                 half size small.  Flexible and soft cushioning for over                 supinators. Gel-Lyte Speed  Lightweight. 9.6oz. Combination, semicurved. Runs half size                 small. Gel-Lyte Ultra  Lightweight 9.0oz. Combination, semicurved. Runs small. Not                 for over-pronators. Mono-tongue. Gel-120 Basic/stability 11.5oz. Slip last, semi curved. $70.  Fine basic         trainer.  Replacement to the popular Gel 111. Gel-Exult       Lightweight trainer, mild motion control, 10.2oz. Combination         last, semicurved. $100 ($75sale).  Runs 1/2 size small.  Fairly soft         cushioning.  Good compromise for people who need a little more         motion control than the other lightweights provide.  Mono-tongue. Gel Elite Racer Racing flat. 8.0oz. Combination, curved.  $80. Fast flexible         racer for those who can get away with it.  More stable and cushioned         than most racers, but then heavier too. AVIA —- 3000    Lightweight trainer, 9.8oz. Slip-lasted, curved.  $100. Quite flexible,         not for over-pronators.  Stretch fit upper similar to Nike Huarache. 2080    M.C. 12.6-13.2oz. Combination, semicurved,  $105. Very well cushioned. 2070    Stability/MC, 12.0oz.  Combination, semicurved,$90.  Major control         and durability shoe for heavy runners. 2045    Stability, 10.8oz. Combination, semicurved, $79($59). Flexible for         fast runners and over supinators.  Not for severe over-pronators.         Pretty light for a stability shoe. 2030    Basic/Stability, 11.5oz. Combination, semicurved. $60($45).         Stable and firmly cushioned.  Good for mild overpronators and heavy         runners. NEW BALANCE 1500    MC and Stability, 12.3oz. Slip lasted, semi-curved.  $169         Just about the most expensive running shoe made.  It fits and         feels great but I would never spend this much for a running shoe. 998 (women’s)   M.C. 9.5oz. Slip-lasted, straight. $105  Major motion control. 997     MC and stability, 12.5oz. Slip lasted, semi-curved, $100+ ($79sale)         The 99x series has been one of the most popular enduring lines for         years.  Very stable, very well cushioned.  Great for heavier runners. 900     Lightweight trainer, 9.9oz. Combination last, semi-curved $100($69sale)         Discontinued (replaced by 860) but still available and on sale.  Better         durability, stability and motion control than most light weight         trainers.  Some people could wear this as a daily trainer. 860     Lightweight trainer, 9.8oz. Slip last, slightly curved. $80. Replacement         for 850 and 900, it is lighter, more durable and more stable.  A good         good choice in light weight shoe for those who need a more stable shoe. 850     Lightweight trainer, 9.8oz. Slip last, semi-curved.  Discontinued         $90($59 sale).  Typical lightweight trainer.  More flexible than 900. 680 (women’s)   MC, 10.6oz Combination, slightly curved. $85. Major motion         control and durability.  Firmer midsole than 998. 678     MC, 11.9oz.  Combination last, straight.  $85.  Most recent entry in         New Balance’s most popular line of shoes (676,677,678).  Very durable,         well cushioned, and stable.  Great for high mileage and heavier runners.         Wider toe-box than almost any other shoe reduces blisters and other         problems for some. 677     see 678.  Discontinued and so on sale ($49). 580     MC 12.9-13.7oz. Combination last, straight $96.  Very tough shoe         for heavy runners.  Firmer cushioning resists breakdown by those         who are very hard on midsoles.  Good trail shoe too. 520     Stability, 11.5oz. Combination, semi-curved $78. Not for severe         overpronators. Good basic shoe. 480     Stability, 11.1oz. Board last, semi-curved $66.  Fine basic shoe. BROOKS —— Beast   M.C. 13.5oz. Slip last, semicurved. $115. Tough, durable shoe for         heavier runners. All of Brooks’ high technology is in this shoe:         Propulsion Plate System, HyrdroFlow in heel, diagonal rollbar for         stability. Fusion  M.C. 11.5oz. Slip last, curved $130($89). Carbon fiber "propulsion         plate". Mojo    Stability. 11.8. Combination, semicurved (RW says straight) $75($58).

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