Running Shoe Guide

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Asics GEL-Lyte33

I've already had two customers overcome with excitement when I mentioned the Gel-Lyte from Asics.  The were a bit disappointed when I informed them that this newest installment to Asics' running shoe line is not the GEL-Lyte of the 1980s, but is a new, lower-profile, stripped down running shoe, baring little to no resemblance of it's original.

The thing that instantly sticks out to me in the Gel-Lyte is that it's soft.  Unlike it's mates in the 33 series, it actually feels squishy and soft.  The gel stays in the rear foot, none in the forefoot.  I'd say it's closest comp is the Saucony Kinvara.  The midsole and snug upper both resemble the Kinvara.  The fit is pretty snug, like a racing flat.  In fact, I imagine I'll sell it as a racing flat the majority of the time.  

Asics got away from their typical 10mm heel to toe drop on this guy too; it now sits at 6mm.  So while the shoe doesn't have the zero drop or minimalist feel, it certainly will function as the super lightweight shoe that those of you with few mobility issues should get some use out of.  Their is no heel counter that holds the heel into place and the flex grooves are cut deep offering as much flexibility as you could hope for.  The carbon rubber is set on the lateral hill and medial forefoot - really the only places you might need it.  They skimp covering the whole outsole with carbon rubber to reduce weight (and money).  It also has Asics F.A.S.T. (I can't find anyone who knows what the flip that is though).  The shoe is very simple.

The one fit thing I noticed is that the upper in the forefoot creases when transferring from heel to forefoot.  It's not a mobility issue for me either.  A few guys that tried it on at the shop noticed the issue.

I am going to go on a tangent about this 33 series:

I do like them.  They function well and from a retail standpoint, they sale well.  My biggest complaint is that the 33 series has led to the demise of two of my favorite shoes.  The GEL DS Sky Speed and GEL Speedstar have both been canned by Asics in favor of the 33 line. I had a lot of good memories in the DS Sky Speed.  They guided me to PRs at both the Philadelphia Marathon and the Eugene Marathon.  Sure, I wound up with a staph infection, but the race at the Tulsa Run was worth it.  I'll miss those shoes.

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Nike Lunarglide+ 4

I'm liking this new Lunarglide 4.

Like I said on the Nike Air Pegasus 29 review, Nike is all about taking weight off their running shoes by removing overlays from the upper.  Everything I mentioned from that same Pegasus review about bunions...all true with this shoe.  The lack of overlays shouldn't rub anywhere on the foot and though they don't make widths in this shoe, I think the upper allows a wider foot to fit nicely in the shoe.

Nike's lunar midsole is always a bit complicated to explain.  Even though the lunar foam isn't super durable, I really like the midsole.  I'll give it a whirl:

In Nike's lunar products, they use two different density's of foam (this is the first shoe they are actually showing us by differentiating the foams by color). The outside foam is a firmer foam with a softer foam (lunarlon) placed in between that.  The hope is that the harder foam allows the runner to be supported but that they feel the cushy, softness of the lunarlon returning energy to them.  Didn't understand a word?  Great, I'll let this guy explain:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnqAmQhGpz8

That's from the Lunarglide+ 3 but the concept is the same.

All that being said, I'd say the part of the foot this shoe supports well is the navicular to medial malleolus region of the foot.  You may not feel overly supported in what you would traditionally think of as the arch - we need to get better to think in broader terms than just "arch support".  When most people put this guy on, they say they feel the support too far back.  Really, they may just not know where they actually need to fill the support.  Because this is the place I actually like a bit of support, I'm growing quite fond of the shoe and it is going over well with customers.  

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Asics Gel-Neo33

As a guy who sells shoes all day long, I love the Neo33.  I love the Neo33 because it looks like a minimal shoe and is part of a minimal line that is highly advertised and yet, is not minimal.  Multiple times a week, myself and other shoe guys in RSG stores play the game of trying to get someone the support and cushion they need while trying to balance a minimal consumer's desire for low-profile, flashy minimal shoe.

This shoe is the answer.  It is essentially a stripped down version the Asics GT-2170.  The best part is that it really isn't that stripped down.  The men's still weighs in at 10.2 oz; the women's at 8.5oz.  Like the 2170, the Neo33 has a slight medial post under the mid-talar joint in the foot.  Although the Neo33 has rearfoot and forefoot cusioning like most of Asics' other trainers, it's not particularly soft.  Actually, I'd say it's rather rigid.  Usually I'm a huge fan of Asics' SoLyte midsole foams - it's among the cushiest and softest around, but the Neo33 has very little squish or sink to it.  

Because it is a bit more rigid, I urge most people to use it as a tempo shoe.  Go for the 2170 or something softer for the maintenance run.  The transition of the shoe is good and when you are going at a quick enough pace, the shoe seems to function well.  

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Saucony Stabil CS 2

With Saucony dropping the heels on most of their running line, the Stabil CS 2 remains the most viable option for anyone needing dramatic support.  The Omni 10 used to be one of my go to shoes for hyper mobile customers, but even though I like the newer Omni, it's a different shoe and lost some support.  The Stabil CS 2 is a straight lasted shoe, meaning that when you flip that shoe over, you will see a a fairly straight line through the middle of it, almost making the lateral and medial sides symmetrical.  The straight last works well for a mobile arch.

The shoe also boasts a full-length medial post (Dual Density SSL EVA).  On top of that post is a soft layer of midsole foam.  For such a supportive shoe, the flexibility is amazing.  I don't think their is another shoe with its support that offers such great forefoot flexibility.

The heel stayed the same on this guy.  It sits about 12 inches higher than the two, which for those of us having plantar fasciitis issues, should be important (cue minimal evangelists scoffing).  Their is nothing to say on the fit; it fits well, not wide and not narrow.  I'm not sure if the Arch-Lock feature that Saucony puts on some of their shoes is worth anything, but the fit on this guy is great regardless!

The shoe retails for $120.

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Brooks Ghost 5

The newest version of the Ghost is pretty comparable to its predecessor.  They have really changed the shoe quite a bit over the past three models but the changes were minimal this year.

The Ghost is the fastest growing shoe in the specialty running scene (so says our Brooks rep. If it's not, it's certainly the quickest growing shoe for Brooks).

This neutral shoe fits pretty roomy throughout, especially in the forefoot.  Also, the overlays on the upper haven't seem to be rubbing any feet the wrong way (a problem I've had with shoes similar in structure and shape, i.e. Asics Cumulus 14, Nike's Max Moto 9). It's also incredibly plush under the heel.  The midsole foam, BioMoGo, is soft even to the touch.  Next time you're at your local running store, feel the difference between the durometers in the Ghost and something like the Adrenaline or Defyance.  If you tend to have a broader foot, the fit will be ideal for you. You'll sink into the heel as the lateral crash pad extends into the midfoot which helps transition.

Obviously most neutral feet will do fine in this shoe.  I've even found a niche for some who could use a bit of stability though.  Sometimes in wider shoes like the Ghost 5, the larger platform decreases some mobility.  

The shoe goes for $110.

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Brooks Ravenna 3

The Ravenna 3 has been a nice surprise for Brooks.  The update makes the shoe a bit more stable while also becoming quite a bit softer.  A lot of times, shoe companies will credit an improvement in the cushion to their cushioning system (for Brooks, it's their DNA gel), but I think the credit should go to the durometer of the midsole foam.  

The durometer is a scale of density of polyurethanes.  Most shoes will fall somewhere in the 50s.  For some context, a rubber band is close to a 30; an automotive tire will be around a 70.  I don't know the exact number, but speculation around the shop is that the durometer is 51 - which is super soft for a running shoe.  

Often times when a shoe gets softer, it loses support.  Brooks has increased the medial post under the mid-talar joint to keep the shoe stable.  The only problem I've had with this shoe is width.  The shoe runs narrow, particularly in the forefoot.  My fifth toe has calloused up pretty well.  It's nothing that would keep me from running in the shoe, or even buying it again, but it's noteworthy.  

The shoe is classified as Brooks lightweight guidance shoe.  The men's comes in at 10.9oz. and the women's is at 9.1oz., with a heel to toe drop close to 10.  So though it's not overly light, it does have a light feel to it.  

The shoe retails for $100.  Go try it out at your local running specialty shop!

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Nike Air Pegasus+ 29

The updated Pegasus is lighter.  Nike is currently big on making their shoes as light as possible by taking as much off the upper as possible.  So rather than overlays that strap the foot down, the upper is an open mesh across the toe box.  I've found that it makes the shoe work well for those with bunions where an overlay can sometimes rub.

The down side of ditching the overlays is if you do need something to hold your foot down, it may not function as well for you as previous models of the Pegasus. 

The shoe is still as soft as ever.  Though Nike stuck with the same soft cushlon foam, they did change the midsole a bit.  It looks a bit narrower at mid foot but still has plenty of room in the forefoot.  The Zoom Air pouch sits in the heel.  I can't say a precise weight on the shoe; Nike's site has it at 10.5oz, the catalogue gives 10.0.  Either way, it's over an ounce lighter than last year's model.

I've been able to put a lot of runners like myself in it.  My medial malleolus typically shifts in a bit where a bit of support is often helpful.  However, I've been able to put quite a bit of mileage on this guy.  It's soft enough that you sink in a bit and it stops your foot's inward movement.  Though those of us that need a bit of support may mash the shoe out a bit quicker, it will be fine if you are moving at a decent pace.