The highest quality running shoes
Picking the right running shoes for you is extremely important for obtaining the best results. This was the first shoe to feature Nike’s new midsole technology, React foam. This Adidas-Boost-bothering foam features a synthetic rubber compound that’s created by Nike’s clever chemical engineers to be light, responsive, durable and cushioned. What this means in practice is 20 per cent more mileage (that’s 600 miles instead of 500 if you were wondering) before your shoes need replacing, 13 per cent more energy return than any other Nike shoe and a midsole foam that’s 30 per cent lighter than Boost foam.
At 8 ounces with a 4mm heel-toe drop, the Minimus sits close to the ground but isn’t super light like other minimalist alternatives. This works great for me because I can’t run significant mileage in a shoe much less than about 8 ounces anyway. Take for example the Merrell Trail Gloves – I ran 4 minutes in them and called it a day. Even though the shoe isn’t feather-light, the feel of it on your foot is very glove-like. With a soft, plush upper that’s designed to be worn without socks, it’s incredibly comfortable. There’s also a collar around the heel which prevents irritation around the Achilles tendon. I was dealing with some of this from my ASICS Speedstars so the padding was a welcome relief.
What is gait analysis and is it worth doing? Basic gait analysis involves a few minutes of jogging on a treadmill at your natural pace, while an expert casts his eye over your running style. This will be done for free at many specialised running shops such as Sweatshop and Run and Become. The aim of these brief consultations is to ascertain your running style, most importantly how your foot lands in terms of pronation, which will inform your choice of shoes. It’s free, usually only takes around half an hour, and could make a huge difference to your choice of shoe, so gait analysis is certainly worth trying – especially when you’re spending big money on a pair of running shoes.
Altra has been coming out with some really great models in recent years and the Altra Solstice is an excellent example of the direction they’ve been pushing their models. They use a top-level design that hits the sweet spot across all our measures and do it at a comparatively low price-point. For its price, it delivers the most value for performance out of our lineup, which is why we were happy to give them the Best Bang for the Buck Award. Aside from price, one of the most outstanding attributes of the Solstices is the weight. A pair of men’s 11 come in at just 17.2 ounces – that’s approaching track shoe weight. Perhaps the clincher here, is the comfort of the cushy high Abrasion EVA midsole. It’s a nice middle ground. It’s enough to let you put out some serious force (meaning tempo to sprint) without killing your feet, but not so much that it saps away momentum and gives you the mud-run feel.
The Gel-Kayano has been on runners’ feet for over 25 years, and it remains Asics’ top-selling shoe. It’s a great everyday trainer, especially if you’re an overpronator. The stretchy woven mesh upper provides a close fit, while a medial plate and sturdy heel counter keep you from rolling onto your inner foot as you run. It’s a hefty shoe packed with the company’s latest proprietary tech, including FlyteFoam Propel and FlyteFoam Lyte, as well as Gel cushioning in the forefoot and heel. Read more info on https://info4runners.com/.
