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Question:

Hi.  I’ve been wearing Nike Air Max Triaxes for a year or two now, and although I love them for pretty much ending my knee problems (with the help of arch support inserts) I find I have to replace them way too often, due to a breakdown of the cushioning and holes in the toes, etc.  Granted, I do wear them every day in addition to running, but I still feel they should be a little more durable. Does anyone know of a non-nike shoe that is somewhat equivalent, in terms of the high-arch and cushioning? Thanks!

        The Brooks Radius SC is a good cushion trainer, but if you are using the shoe as an every day shoe as well, you will probably find that it will also wear out fast. You may want to consider trying the Etonic Stable Air Pro III. Like the Triax, the Etonic shoe has a polyurethane rubber mid-sole, so the two shoes have a similar feel. Most running shoe mid-soles (like the Brooks shoe) are made from EVA foam (Ethyl Vinyl Acetate). This foam is a bit lighter than polyurethane, but not nearly as durable. Also, the Etonic Stable Air Pro III uses an air bag cushioning system under the heel, giving the two shoes a similar feel. You may be wondering at this point why the Etonic shoe is better than the Triax if the two shoes are so similar? Well, the two shoes are constructed from the same materials and with the same type of cushioning system, but there are some marked differences between the design of the two products that gives the Etonic model a hands down support advantage. The polyurethane rubber used in the Etonic Stable Air Pro III has a higher density than that used in the Air Max Triax, so the shoe is inherently more rigid. Also, the Etonic has a straighter last than the Triax (it’s shaped less like a figure eight and more like a straight line). These two aspects give the Etonic shoe a lot more support and a higher mileage rating. The amount of support a shoe gives determines the number of miles one can run in it until it breaks down and stops feeling good. So purchasing a shoe with more support means getting more life out of your shoe. There is also a major difference in the size and placement of the air bag unit in both shoes. In the Triax the air bag accounts for most of the material under the heel, and the bubble protrudes on both sides of the shoe. This makes for a much less stable running platform as a person’s foot tends to wobble back and forth over the unconstrained air bubble. The Etonic shoe has its air bubble set into the mid sole under the area of heel strike. This gives good cushioning upon landing while maintaining a more stable and supportive running platform.   As far as your toes tearing through the mesh, there are two possibilities: one is that you’re simply wearing your shoes a half size too small and you should try a bigger shoe. The other is that the way the seams of the shoe line up with your toes just happens to push against a weak spot in the mesh. The design of the Air Max Triax has not changed much over the years even though the colors have, so if you have been using the same Air Max model, it could easily be that your toes keep hitting the same weak spot. Simply changing to another style shoe with a different stitching pattern could solve that problem.   Another thing worth noting is the fact that you are wearing arch supports and that they have helped you. This indicates that you definitely benefit from having more support. Whichever shoe model you end up getting, try to make sure that it is more rigid than the Air Max Triax (even a brand new pair). The Triax is a particularly low support running shoe and many people have the same experience with it as yourself. Also, be aware that many people who get used to running in Nike shoes tend to find that other brands’ shoes feel unusual at first. This is mainly due to the fact that Nike shoes are very soft and don’t include the bits of plastic and cardboard that most other shoe companies use to give their shoes support. Why Nike does this is anyone’s guess.      Finally, not to sound like I’m bashing Nike, or promoting Etonic as a company, but I have worked in a running shoe store in San Francisco for many years and have had to explain the preceding to many runners. My experience is that people who have used the Air Max Triax and want to switch to a new product tend to find comfort and greater performance in the Etonic Stable Air Pro III. Good luck. David Fisher Sales Associate www.feetrelief.com

Response:

I also switched from Nike Air Max Triax to the Brooks Radius SC.  I think it rides better than the Nike.  Best yet, Brooks just replaced the Radius SC with the OC, so you can find the Radius SC at clearance prices.  I got a pair for $40 here in Atlanta at a chain called "Sports Shoe".  Brooks are good shoes… Joe D. Joe’s Running Links http://joedom.home.mindspring.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone know of a non-nike shoe that is somewhat equivalent, in terms of the high-arch and cushioning? Have you tried the Brooks Radius SC? It’s similar to the Air Max Triax in that it is a cushioned trainer for a neutral runner.   -Phil

Response:

Does anyone know of a non-nike shoe that is somewhat equivalent, in terms of the high-arch and cushioning?

Have you tried the Brooks Radius SC? It’s similar to the Air Max Triax in that it is a cushioned trainer for a neutral runner.    -Phil

Response:

I use them too but don’t have to replace them that often. The only ‘arch-supporting-shoes’ I know are Nike’s… Bye Fabien Joel Korb heeft geschreven in bericht – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi.  I’ve been wearing Nike Air Max Triaxes for a year or two now, and although I love them for pretty much ending my knee problems (with the help of arch support inserts) I find I have to replace them way too often, due to a breakdown of the cushioning and holes in the toes, etc.  Granted, I do wear them every day in addition to running, but I still feel they should be a little more durable. Does anyone know of a non-nike shoe that is somewhat equivalent, in terms of the high-arch and cushioning? Thanks!

Response:

Hi.  I’ve been wearing Nike Air Max Triaxes for a year or two now, and although I love them for pretty much ending my knee problems (with the help of arch support inserts) I find I have to replace them way too often, due to a breakdown of the cushioning and holes in the toes, etc.  Granted, I do wear them every day in addition to running, but I still feel they should be a little more durable. Does anyone know of a non-nike shoe that is somewhat equivalent, in terms of the high-arch and cushioning? Thanks!

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