RW's Fall Shoe Guide
For those of you who think a shoe is a shoe and you are happy to buy whatever is on sale at DSW, I don't believe you fully appreciate what a wrong shoe can do to your body.
Go back in time with me....(cue up the back in time music).....(what exactly is back in time music?)....Ah! 1992. I was younger, faster, and a lot less grey hair, yet I thought I was going to have to stop running. My knees were killing me! I talk to a a boss of mine, a competitive triathlete, and share with him my problem. First question he asked was , "What shoe are you wearing?", and then "Do you have a quality shoe place to buy your shoes?"
What he told me was that I was buying shoes made for a guy 50 pounds lighter than me, and that I should consider shoes from some other manufacturers (he listed three for me), and that advice, coupled with going to a good retailer made all of the difference. No more knee pain.
The retailer in question is RunTex here in Austin. Owned by a runner, staffed by runners. They will check out your shoe wear, the way you run, and typically make some really great recommendations on what to buy. I buy all my running shoes from them and I've never been sorry.
So for those of you without the benefit of a good retailer. Runner's World has some good advice. Here are their recommendations for folks built like us!
Editor's Choice: Asics Gel-Evolution 4
Price: $110
Widths: Standard–4E (M) 2A–D (W)
Weight: 13.4 oz (M) 11.2 oz (W)
Contact: 800-678-9435
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We Say: The latest Evolution is a superb shoe for serious overpronators. Asics extended the shoe's plastic midfoot bridge back to keep the foot from rolling too far inward. This design is enhanced by a new last (the form around which the shoe is constructed) that provides more space in the forefoot while narrowing the circumference of the ankle collar to lock the heel in place. These changes make the shoe more than half an ounce heavier than its predecessor, however. Recommended for bigger runners with flat arches who need plenty of support.
Mizuno Wave Renegade 4
Price: $120
Widths: Standard
Weight: 14.1 oz (M) 11.3 oz (W)
Contact: 800-966-1211
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We Say: Super stable, the Renegade 4 uses three columns of foam to reinforce the substantial plastic Wave plate on the inside of the shoe. This works with the softer exterior plate to direct the foot to the outside so it has less time to overpronate. A strip of stretchy fabric on the shoe's collar helps isolate the ankle's outward motion. A few testers who noticed this feature complained about heel slippage. Recommended for bigger runners with flat feet looking for an everyday trainer.
Mizuno Wave Alchemy 8 WIDE-BODY is wearing these shoes today and really digs them
Price: $100
Widths: Stand.-2E (M) Stand.-D (W)
Weight: 11.6 oz (M) 9 oz (W)
Contact: 800-966-1211
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We Say: The upper is the focus of this update, but the changes are minor. In the heel, Mizuno added a stretchy section of material to the collar, which helps isolate the ankle's outward movement. Testers didn't notice the change, yet they did find the heel to be a bit firm (this was backed up by our lab tests). The upper also features wider bands over the arch for a better midfoot wrap. Recommended for bigger runners with normal to low arches looking for a trainer with a good overall fit.
Reebok Premier Trinity KFS III
Price: $120
Widths: Stand.-2E (M) Stand.-D (W)
Weight: 12 oz (M) 9.7 oz (W)
Contact: 800-843-4444
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We Say: The latest Trinity is more supportive than its predecessor because of a repositioned stability device on the inside of the shoe and a transition bridge that runs higher up onto the midsole. Our lab tests and some testers found this shoe to be firmer than previous versions due to the stiff piece of plastic that wraps the heel to help with stability. Recommended for bigger runners with normal to flat arches looking for a stable everyday trainer.
Asics Gel-Fortitude 3 WIDE-BODY has had great results with Asics
Price: $90
Widths: Stand.-4E (M) Stand.-D (W)
Weight: 12.9 oz (M) 10.4 oz (W)
Contact: 800-678-9435
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We Say: The Fortitude is all about impact protection. Asics added more Gel under the heel to help it withstand even the heaviest footfalls. This cushioning is complemented by a memory-foam sockliner and a midsole that wraps up under the arch to hold it firmly in place. Testers appreciated the shoe's cushioning, and several noticed the extra room in the expanded forefoot. Recommended for Clydesdales with normal to high arches or runners who wear orthotics and need a wide shoe to accommodate them without offering additional support.
Brooks Dyad 5
Price: $95
Widths: Stand.-4E (M) Stand.-2E (W)
Weight: 12.2 oz (M) 9.6 oz (W)
Contact: 800-227-6657
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We Say: Brooks added more rubber to the midsole foam of this big guys' cushioning shoe so it will hold up to more pounding over time. Brooks also removed some overlays and repositioned others for an improved fit. While some testers noticed fewer overlays, only one felt that the way the shoe wrapped the foot had changed for the worse. Another nice update: The Dyad now comes in widths. Recommended for bigger runners with normal to high arches who need a shoe that will hold up to the higher-impact force associated with a greater body weight.
Now, go forth and run like the wind!
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