Purchasing the right running shoes for you is very 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.
But there are certain shoes that I think have broad appeal and the Nike Zoom Streak XC is one of those shoes. I’ve been wearing the Streak XC for about three months and have run everything from a 5k race, duathlon, and track intervals ranging from 200m reps in 32 seconds to miles in 5:20. For any speed faster than a tempo effort, these racing shoes are perfect. With just the right blend of cushioning and responsiveness, I can run short intervals all the way to 10 mile races in comfort. Because of my over-pronation and tendency to get sore arches, I wouldn’t wear them for the half or marathon distance. Shorter races are a perfect candidate for this racer though.
Nike’s Pegasus line of shoes has long been a go-to option for runners seeking a versatile option for training and racing, and in 2018 the line saw the release of the best Pegasus yet: the Turbo. This shoe has a midsole made from a mix of two of Nike’s proprietary foams. One is the magically bouncy and lightweight ZoomX foam used in the world-record-setting Vaporfly 4% shoe, and the other is Nike’s durable React foam. The latter is pretty springy itself and ensures the Pegasus Turbo lasts a lot longer than the Vaporfly, a shoe best saved for races only (if you are lucky enough to have a pair). The result is a shoe that’s lightweight and fast enough to race in, but still comfortable and long-lasting so you can tackle all your training in it. Aside from the stripe down its middle, which is a bit much, the Zoom Pegasus Turbo is a nigh-on perfect all-rounder running shoe.
HOKA ONE ONEs are made with ultra-marathoners in mind, but they are great for the full range of running – even just a jog around the neighborhood. The Elevons are suited to the lower range, especially on hard surfaces. They have a poppy, responsive landing rather than a plush, cushy landing that might be more welcome at the longer distances with lower speeds. They also have great internal stability structures to keep the stride straight and balanced. What they lack in visual appeal, they make up for in landing and upper comfort. As with other shoes, there are some considerations to weigh against the awesomeness. Their bulky maximalist midsole comes in at 23 ounces in a men’s 11, making them one of the heaviest in the lineup. They could also wear down sooner than is ideal for a shoe meant for ultra-marathoners.
Designed to make long-distance running easier, the MetaRide is structured to reduce movement in the ankle joint, where most of your running energy is expended. It does so with Asics’ new sole design, called GuideSole, which is a rocker-shaped sole that helps you roll forward smoothly through your stride. Layers of FlyteFoam Lyte and FlyteFoam Propel support your feet and provide good energy return, but the jury’s still out on how much these shoes can improve your distance running. See more details on https://info4runners.com/.