My Running Shoes
I love running shoes. Correction. I am obsessed with running shoes. I am also extremely picky when it comes to which shoes I wear. Currently I am using 8 different shoes, each with their own specific workouts and terrain. I tend to replace my running shoes approximately every 4 months.
When it comes to selecting a running shoe for yourself there are a variety of questions you first have to answer. What is their purpose going to be? What type of terrain will they be used on? How long are you planning on running for? Are you running steady or doing speed work? And most importantly - what are your running biomechanics? This last question can be simplified to whether or not you pronate - aka whether or not your foot/ankle rolls inward. This can cause a variety of problems including foot and knee pain. Pronation can be corrected by a stability shoe - one that has built in support on the medial portion of the shoe to counteract your foot’s tendency to roll inward. If you have a neutral running gait (no pronation) then a neutral shoe is the way to go.
Personally, I prefer a lightweight neutral shoe. I also find I am able to comfortably wear a stability shoe as long as they are lightweight and the added support is extremely minimal. I have extremely flat feet with virtually no visible arch. Typically, a flattened arch results in pronation. Thanks to a lot of strength training my legs are strong enough to counteract this and I have a neutral gait. When buying a running shoe it is crucial you select the one that feels the best, not the one that is “the prettiest.” Just because someone likes one specific shoe it does not mean this shoe will work for you. After many years of running I have come to love a few specific brands. Here are the current running shoes I am using:
New Balance 1500
I bought this shoe because I was unable to find the New Balance 1400 - my previous favorite interval shoe. The 1400 and 1500 are both classified as racing shoes, with the 1400 being neutral and the 1500 being stability. The 6mm drop and cushioning in the 1500 is light enough that I can feel the ground. It is extremely light and responsive. I use this shoe for all of my longer interval workouts.
New Balance Vazee
This shoe is lightweight and neutral with a 6mm drop. I like to use this shoe for my easy recovery runs in the 30-45min range. It has just enough cushion for days when my legs are tired but is light enough that I still feel fast. This shoe was also my go to for all of my pre race warmups this summer.
New Balance Minimus Trail Zero
This is an extremely lightweight zero drop shoe. It is extremely flexible and has virtually zero support, making it an extremely aggressive shoe for running. The upper is extremely thin and fits like a sock. The vibram sole allows for protection against sharp rocks and tree roots. I love using this shoe for trails that are mostly soft dirt. It is perfect for running through the forests behind Valley Ridge.
Solomon SpeedCross
Last spring I decided it was time to finally purchase a trail specific running shoe. I had always been hesitant as most trail runners are bulky and heavy. I wanted a shoe that I could use when running on steep, rocky terrain and not worry about losing my footing when Miss Sadie pulls me after squirrels and bunnies. I was recommended the speedcross and could not be happier. It is extremely light with a 11mm drop, has quicklace technology, a lace pocket, mud guard, wet traction contagrip, and is water resistant. This shoe is a game changer.
ON Cloud
This shoe was my choice for all of my triathlon races (10km run). It put me on the podium at every single race I competed in this summer. It is a neutral racing shoe with a 6mm drop. It is a minimal running shoe that has maximum cushioning. I love this shoe. I also use it for my short interval workouts.
ON Cloudflyer
I just recently added this shoe to my collection. It is a light stability shoe with a 7mm drop. This shoe does an excellent job of combining cushioning and support without being too soft. It is light and responsive. I use this shoe for my longer steady runs.
Newton Fate
This is a lightweight neutral shoe with beveled lugs that allow for a smoother ride. It has ample cushioning in the forefoot and a heel with a 4.5mm drop. I love using this shoe for longer runs and longer tempo runs. When I run I tend to strike the ground with the ball of my foot. Newton’s technology puts the majority of the cushioning on the forefront of the shoe, making it extremely comfortable for long runs.
Altra Escalante
I recently purchased this shoe with the main reason being that I was able to get it at 50% off. I was slightly sceptical at how it would hold up during a run but was pleasantly surprised. This shoe has a knit upper that gives it a sock like fit and the midsole has tons of cushioning. For being zero drop, it is extremely soft. Typically I don’t enjoy soft shoes but the Escalante manages to still have a good spring. I plan on using this shoe for short runs in the 30-40min range.
