While searching for the “best” of men’s running shoes, only colorful shoes were noticeable. After reading a blog post about low-cost trailers that are attracting attention for their style, I realized again that their appearance ≠ performance.
What I’m concerned about:
Fit first: heel stability, midfoot fixation, forefoot space (thumb width). Wide size if necessary.
Use: Everyday trainer vs tempo vs race vs trail. It is difficult to cover all uses in one pair.
Geometry: stack and drop to fit the calf/achilles tendon. Having a lot of cushions is not always good.
Stability if it collapses inward, otherwise neutral. Choose based on posture and comfort.
Outsole: Excellent rubber with 4~5mm lugs for trails; Grip strength + durability for rods.
Lifespan: Replace it by 300 to 500 miles (about 480~800km), but consider leg condition first.
Brooks Daily Trainer, Nikina Soconi Tempo Option, Cushion Hoka, Zero Drop We’re considering Altra with curiosity. Has anyone ever traveled long distances on a New Balance wide fit? It’s less than 100 euros, but is there a surprisingly strong cost-effective product?
What are the main shoes you wear now and why? Also, did the low drop help the calf muscles or was it rather bad?
I’m sorry about the lengthy writing.
“Best” running shoes don’t exist.
Currently, all running shoe brands are making great shoes, and each has a variety of options. For example, Hokkaman isn’t the only brand that makes cushioning shoes, and Brooks isn’t the only brand that has a daily trainer.
The important thing is shoes that fit your feet, body shape, and goals.
I found out that saunconi consistently fits my feet well. We use Triumph 21 for daily trainers, Endorphin Speed 3 and Kinbara 13 for speed training, and Hurricane 24 for recovery. We have Asix Superblast 2 for long-distance running and Salomon Genesis for trail running.
I use UltraBoost 5, Evo SL, Boston 13, Takumi Sen 10, Adios Pro 3, Adios Pro 4, Prime X 2 strings. Simply because it fits a variety of running types and the geometry of Adidas fits perfectly with my biomechanics.
Low-drop causes “pain” only when the calf muscles are weak and the Achilles tendon is weak.
When it comes to shoes (and most things related to running), it’s important to keep in mind that everything is right for someone, but not for anyone. There is no “best”, and the factors you need to prioritize may be different from those that others need to prioritize. Similarly, some people are very sensitive to shoe choices, while others may seem to be good at wearing any shoe. There are so many different kinds of shoes.
What are the combinations of shoes that are mainly used now and why?
Adidas Evo SL for speed/tempo training for road running, and Mount to Coast R1 for all other uses. Evo SL is flexible, fast and fun, perfect for speed training. The R1 is comfortable at almost any distance thanks to its soft but resilient foam and spacious toe space. R1 is definitely durable, so I’m looking forward to how long it will last.
The trail mainly uses Nike Zegama 2 for long-distance running and racing. Because they are excellent in every way and very durable (the current shoes are still in good condition even though they run more than 700 miles). Other than that, choose Merrell Affinity Peak 5 or Mount to Coast T1 depending on your mood and running location. The Affinity Peak feels harder and agile, and T1 is a stable and comfortable shoe. Honestly, both of my two favorite shoes are so great that there is no problem using only my bag or T1. Agility Peak is not suitable for an ultra race because of its solid feel, but it’s really the best for a short distance run.
Daily Trainer - Hoka Clifton. It doesn’t last longer than other shoes (it’s worse because it’s 185cm tall and weighs 90kg). Before switching, I had a constant pain in my foot/ankle, but since I started wearing Clifton about 7-8 years ago, I haven’t had any problems.
Speedwalk - I love Puma Diviate Nitro 3. A few months ago, I had a chance to land at a local running shop, and the fit was really good. The heel-toe drop was bigger than other shoes I wore, so I needed to adapt, but I use it only once a week. I recently used it for a 10-mile training run, and I think that’s the limit. These days, my limit is that much.
I wear an Altron peak for trail running. Despite the low stack height, the protection from rocks and roots is excellent, giving you a sense of stability even on technical trails, and the grip on the mud road is excellent.
These three shoes are completely different shoes that are used for different purposes in my training, so what’s important in shoes really depends on what you expect from those shoes. I prefer rotation, but there was a time when I used to use only one pair of the same shoes for all running. Over the years, I’ve found a lot of shoes that I don’t like. Luckily, the local running store regularly invites shoe managers to hold trial events, so I’m always looking for new products (e.g., Puma).
The €48 trail running shoes you recommended are a bit suspicious. I think it’s just for marketing. The review also said not to use it for full-fledged exercise such as hiking. It’s just casual sneakers, so I’ll never wear this and run in earnest.
There are no ‘best’ running shoes. It’s all about what suits you. The $40-50 casual sneakers sold on Amazon won’t meet that standard. I personally have been using the ASICS GT series for 15 to 17 years. Before that, I went through several brands. But ASICS fits me well, so I don’t wander around looking for the latest products.
I have ghost max 2 and they are fantastic.