re: tOfficial Running Shoe Thread

Alright, just bought some Adidas Bostons for my interval/tempo/race runs and Brooks Launch for my other daily runs. fricking pumped. Been running in Ghost for probably close to 2 years now and am ready for a change.

Burtimus, bought my first pair of boosts. Solar drive, more of a cushion shoe than a race shoe, but found it for $30 so thought I’d sell out and try Adidas.

Won’t try them for a while as I’m taking off tomorrow to travel to my race this weekend.

Burlington coat factory.

They had Solar Glides, Solar Drives, Alpha Bounces (which look cool but seem heavy AF) and Adizero Tempos. All for less than $45.

Mileage may vary. I had birthday money. If I were just loaded, I would have bought the Tempos, Solar Drives, and Bounces. But that would be stupid.

I’ve settled into Adidas because I always know what I’m getting. Everyone seems to like the Solars from what I’ve heard, but I always thought they were just a touch too heavy for me. Bet it’s a great Sunday shoe though. Hope you enjoy them.

Okay...some of you may have seen me post about some knee/calf pain in the running thread. Was pretty sure it was IT band issues, and it may have been...but I think I found the problem.

Labor Day weekend I went to Fleet Feet and got fit into some Brooks Adrenaline GTS19’s. First run was fine, but pretty much every run thereafter resulted in the same pain in the same area. As a shoe hoarder, I tried to be reasonable and convince myself it was my form (probably still an issue) and not the shoes, so a couple weeks ago I did 3 miles in my Nike Zoom Fly Flyknits and had no pain. I then did 6 miles in the Brooks and had pain. So I said okay I’ll wait and run three and see what happens, then a couple days later I’ll run in the Nikes for another comparison.

Sure enough, 3 miles in the Brooks = pain, 4 miles in the Nikes today = nothing. I also play soccer twice a week and have never been able to reproduce the same knee pain.

I ran in Mizuno Wave Inspire 15’s before, so I don’t think stability is the issue. I have no idea what it is about the Brooks that’s causing knee and calf pain, unless 2mm of drop can really have that big of an effect? What do y’all think? Should I start looking in the 8-10mm drop range? Do I reallllly need a stability shoe? I’ve been fit twice and both times they said I had “slight probation on my left” but they put me in max stability shoes anyway.

Sound like you got poor advice/service from Fleet. That sucks and from what you described, no you didn’t need stability shoes. Also, starting you off in a low drop is a rookie mistake too. I feel really bad for you because it sounds like you got worked over.

If the the shoes hurt, stop running in them. They might still be a good walking shoe for you though which would help you get used to low drop if that’s your goal eventually, plus the different density of the foam in the heel for stability won’t really come into play using them for low impact stuff.

Happens to us all. We’ve all gotten burned by a pair of shoes. Good luck on your next pair and the confirmation that you’re a neutral runner is worth the cost of admission. Cheers!

Edit: The knee pain is probably from the stability and the calf pain is the drop for clarification.

Brooks have a 90 day return policy. If you don’t want to keep them I’d check with Fleet. They should honor the policy. If not contact Brooks directly.

Exactly. Although the weakness in my hips and glutes says I need support, I can’t help but wonder if my 10+ years of playing soccer means I’ve adapted to running in a lower drop. Who knows...can’t wait for my PT consult next week.

Agreed on the money side too...I’ve gone 0/2 on paying full price for shoes. My Mizunos were actually good, just a little firm and more road feel than I like. Meanwhile, my outlet find $45 Zoom Flys are amazing. Thank goodness Brooks has a 90 day return window, otherwise I’d have to swallow $140 and pay for a new pair of trainers.

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I don’t think Fleet screwed me over, they brought out 3 or 4 pairs of shoes and let me try them out and I chose the Brooks bc I liked the cushion they provided. I think now I’m just a little more skeptical of the stability shoe trend. I feel like every new runner that gets fit automatically gets put in stability shoes and I don’t know if that’s always the correct answer.

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i would not go for a stability shoe unless you know you need them explicitly. i'm curious why the FF guy would push them otherwise. if you're neutral and want cushion, they should have recommended the glycerin.

I run with drops from 14mm to 2mm and don't have issues, but i go for neutrals because i have flawless feet in terms of shoe fits.

the only pair of stability i have was bought just to try out some cheap sauconys. they give me a bit rub, but i mainly just use them as shoes i keep in the car for travel. they're fine but i don't use them for dailies.

Anyone else see this write up on Kipchoge’s shoes? Nike AlphaFly. Some wild tech: 3 carbon fiber plates, 4 air pods (2 stacked on top each other), plus the foam. Gonna be like $400 for a pair

LINK