Wednesday Reviews : My Running Shoes
Happy National Running Day everyone!!
For some CRAZY reason this isn't a nationally recognized holiday and I'm sadly at work, but we can still celebrate! I'll be joining True Runner in Shadyside for Run Club tonight, and decided to dedicate a post to arguably the most important gear we own as runners : SHOES.
These not only carry us for miles, but also bring some style to our running outfits. They bring a smile to our faces when they're taken out of their boxes for the first time. They push us to run just a little faster by springing us forward and cushioning our tired feet. They're our best friends, and sometimes worst enemies (stupid double knot! Why do you untie at the worst time!? And why are blisters a thing? Ouch.)
Throughout the years, I've tried out tons of different brands and models, and today I'll be sharing my current rotation and favorites! Some of these are older models which are hard to find and have sadly worn out, but still hold a very special place in my heart. For those, I've made sure to link to the current model. Make sure you share your favorite shoes and what your plans are for Running Day!
Check out my first review of this shoe here!
I wanted to start out with my favorite shoe of the moment! I absolutely love running in these shoes, and always feel so fast and comfortable in them. I like to wear them for speed workouts and races, because they're so lightweight and make me feel super speedy. These also happen to be the cheapest shoes I've ever bought- since they're an older model I got them for only $65 on the Brooks' website! SCORE! I'm thinking about buying a few backups just because I don't want to be without these (not to mention I think they're really cute!).
Shoe Facts:
-Neutral Shoe
-6.8 oz
-4mm midsole drop
-Launched 1/1/2014
Best for: road races and track workouts
Current version: PureFlow 4
Ravenna 5
Since I've worn Brooks for years (I started out with Adrenaline and tried out pretty much every release) I wanted to try the Ravenna since everyone raves about them. I was never that into these and hardly ever reach for them. I wear these mostly in the winter, since they feel very sturdy and have good traction. These may be the only shoe I own that I've never worn in a race, which goes to show how much I like them!
Shoe Facts:
-Guidance Shoe
-8.5 oz
-10mm midsole drop
-Launched 1/1/2014
Best for: mid-distance training runs
Current version: Ravenna 6
These are one of my all-time favorite shoes! They are extremely comfortable and fit my foot perfectly. Even though these are well past their prime and have hundreds of miles on them, I still like to occasionally wear them for a short mile run. They're just like slipping into a perfectly broken-in pair of jeans- so comfortable but not very supportive.
Shoe Facts:
-Guidance Shoe
-11.3 oz
-10mm midsole drop
-Launched 10/2013
Best for: long distance and races
Gel Kayano 21
These are my current long distance shoe, and I'm indifferent about them. They're a good, reliable shoe, but are a bit clunky and feel heavy, even though they're lighter than the 20s. After falling in love with the 20s, I expected these to be even better but was let down!
The Gel Kayano line in general is extremely expensive (I believe these were around $160..what was I thinking?) so I don't think I'll repurchase from this line again. In general, though, the 20's and 21's have served me well but I know there's better shoes out there!
Shoe Facts:
-Guidance Shoe
-8.9 oz
-13mm midsole drop
-Launched 1/1/2014
Best for: long distance
My most recent pair of shoes, and unfortunately didn't work. The shoes are comfortable and really lightweight, but start to rub my toes after a few miles. These are going back, sadly! I did like them for short runs and a track workout I ran with them, so I may try them again in the future! They're really cute as well:
Shoe Facts:
-Support Shoe
-8.6 oz
-Launched 11/5/2014
Best for: short distances and track workouts
For some CRAZY reason this isn't a nationally recognized holiday and I'm sadly at work, but we can still celebrate! I'll be joining True Runner in Shadyside for Run Club tonight, and decided to dedicate a post to arguably the most important gear we own as runners : SHOES.
These not only carry us for miles, but also bring some style to our running outfits. They bring a smile to our faces when they're taken out of their boxes for the first time. They push us to run just a little faster by springing us forward and cushioning our tired feet. They're our best friends, and sometimes worst enemies (stupid double knot! Why do you untie at the worst time!? And why are blisters a thing? Ouch.)
Throughout the years, I've tried out tons of different brands and models, and today I'll be sharing my current rotation and favorites! Some of these are older models which are hard to find and have sadly worn out, but still hold a very special place in my heart. For those, I've made sure to link to the current model. Make sure you share your favorite shoes and what your plans are for Running Day!
Brooks
PureFlow 3Check out my first review of this shoe here!
I wanted to start out with my favorite shoe of the moment! I absolutely love running in these shoes, and always feel so fast and comfortable in them. I like to wear them for speed workouts and races, because they're so lightweight and make me feel super speedy. These also happen to be the cheapest shoes I've ever bought- since they're an older model I got them for only $65 on the Brooks' website! SCORE! I'm thinking about buying a few backups just because I don't want to be without these (not to mention I think they're really cute!).
-Neutral Shoe
-6.8 oz
-4mm midsole drop
-Launched 1/1/2014
Best for: road races and track workouts
Current version: PureFlow 4
Ravenna 5
Since I've worn Brooks for years (I started out with Adrenaline and tried out pretty much every release) I wanted to try the Ravenna since everyone raves about them. I was never that into these and hardly ever reach for them. I wear these mostly in the winter, since they feel very sturdy and have good traction. These may be the only shoe I own that I've never worn in a race, which goes to show how much I like them!
Shoe Facts:
-Guidance Shoe
-8.5 oz
-10mm midsole drop
-Launched 1/1/2014
Best for: mid-distance training runs
Current version: Ravenna 6
ASICS
Gel Kayano 20These are one of my all-time favorite shoes! They are extremely comfortable and fit my foot perfectly. Even though these are well past their prime and have hundreds of miles on them, I still like to occasionally wear them for a short mile run. They're just like slipping into a perfectly broken-in pair of jeans- so comfortable but not very supportive.
Shoe Facts:-Guidance Shoe
-11.3 oz
-10mm midsole drop
-Launched 10/2013
Best for: long distance and races
Gel Kayano 21
These are my current long distance shoe, and I'm indifferent about them. They're a good, reliable shoe, but are a bit clunky and feel heavy, even though they're lighter than the 20s. After falling in love with the 20s, I expected these to be even better but was let down!
The Gel Kayano line in general is extremely expensive (I believe these were around $160..what was I thinking?) so I don't think I'll repurchase from this line again. In general, though, the 20's and 21's have served me well but I know there's better shoes out there!
-Guidance Shoe
-8.9 oz
-13mm midsole drop
-Launched 1/1/2014
Best for: long distance
Mizuno
Wave Inspire 11My most recent pair of shoes, and unfortunately didn't work. The shoes are comfortable and really lightweight, but start to rub my toes after a few miles. These are going back, sadly! I did like them for short runs and a track workout I ran with them, so I may try them again in the future! They're really cute as well:
-Support Shoe
-8.6 oz
-Launched 11/5/2014
Best for: short distances and track workouts
What shoe should I try next?
Do you have any favorites that have been discontinued?
How are you celebrating National Running Day?
Finish this sentence: I Run...
My PureFlow's are my favorite shoes as well, even though I only use them on short distances and speed workouts. Like you I found the wave inspires to be a let down. Currently I am wearing asic gt-2000 and I really like them.
ReplyDeletePure Flows are the best! Glad you like them too :)
DeleteI am a diehard Nike Pegasus runner. It's a super neutral shoe, but extremely supportive. I find the cushioning to be pretty evenly distributed, and they are super long lasting - I usually get around 500 miles out of each pair comfortably. I was a little over 600 miles on my last pair and I just started getting slight aches and pains. I celebrated national running day with an extremely peaceful and relaxing morning run. I run to satisfy the crazy! Haha I kid I kid... but seriously. I always feel that when I get a good run in in the morning, no matter what else happens the rest of the day I can feel accomplished and less stressed. Happy Wednesday!!
ReplyDeleteI haven't worn Nike running shoes in so long but I'll have to check those out! And I completely understand satisfying the crazy...running 10 miles in 80 degrees at 8AM on a Sunday definitely is crazy but we love it :)
DeleteI went away from Asics when I hated their GT 2000 shoe, and was with Brooks, but then I didn't completely love the Adrenaline 15s. I'm giving the GT 2000 3 a try since the reviews were good, and I did 3.1 miles yesterday. Tuesdays are my running days during the week and I felt pretty good yesterday.
ReplyDeleteThat's great! I'll have to try those on soon :) Have a great day Lesley!
DeleteI've always loved Brooks. I ran in the Brooks Ghost for years and then switched to the Brooks Glycerin a few month ago. I really love them but they are a heavier shoe so not great for racing. I've been wanting to try the Pure Flows so I think I'm going to get them next!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check out the Ghost. There's so many shoes I have to try out haha! I hope you like the pure flow if you get them!
DeleteI love my adidas energy boosts. Best running shoes ever! I must be on my seventh pair by now!
ReplyDeleteThat's amazing! I hardly ever buy the same shoe twice..I always want to try something new! If it works, why change though :)
DeleteThis was very informative! As you know, I am in the process of trying new shoes! I have some Mizuno wave riders (18) that I enjoy and want to get another pair of Mizunos so was trying to figure out what type of shoe the wave Inspire was. Sounds like you didn't like it though. What is a guidance shoe?
ReplyDeleteI think mizunos just don't work for my feet. I tried another type and they also weren't comfortable!
DeleteGuidance provides some stability but less than stability shoes and are best for mild over pronators. So basically a midrange shoe!
It's so true about our shoes! I have only tried two brands and just stayed with the ones that worked best for me (Asics GT 2000). I am always tempted to branch out and try other brands, but I'm also a little scared too since I've never had any problems with my Asics. Happy Running Day!
ReplyDeleteIf you buy from true runner you can test them out for 30 days and just exchange if they don't work out! I just returned the mizunos today after running in them twice and had no problem :)
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