Shoes

It's almost new shoe time, which means it's research time... weight, drop, price, expected mileage, use, etc. I go through this every year (or more), and usually just end up picking the same thing. But, they've changed the shoes that I like (well, some of them), and I've changed my racing/training goals. Plus, two of my shoes are up for retirement soon, so I have some inter-related decisions to make (oh fun, decision trees!).

Until college, I only ran in Saucony shoes because there was an outlet store like twenty minutes from where I lived. In college, we got a pair of Adidas training shoes or spikes each year (although I have no idea what model). Since college, I've mostly run in these two brands (despite trying others), and I've actually really logged most of my miles in the past three years in three models: the Adidas Adios (track/racing), the Adidas Bostons (tempo/some training/marathon), and the Saucony Rides (training). I love all of these shoes. 

The Adidas Adios have been my favorite racing shoe (and maybe my favorite shoe) of all time. I have been mostly racing longer stuff (i.e., half marathon and above) for the past two-ish years that I've been wearing them, but they also work great for 5k's for me. All told, they're on the heavier side for shorter distance racing flats... but when the weight of my shoe is what's holding me back, I'll be happy. However, Adidas has "boosted" the Adios. I have been resisting change. I have some miles left to run on my current pair, but this plays into my decision making.  

The Adidas Bostons have been my favorite anything shoe. I've done speed work in them, as well as long runs. When I go on vacation, this is the shoe I bring. It works well for anything, although it might not be the "best" for everything. Regardless, I think it's a great shoe. However, it is also being "boosted". Having said that, I think it's actually "lightening" up a bit. It's not too much heavier than the Adios Boost, and it's $20 less and should last longer. But, I'll save the analysis for later.

The Saucony Rides have been my "go to" training shoe for like the last 5 years. I've run in every version except the 5's (because I was nervous about the whole 8mm thing at first despite the most ingenious advertising campaign ever), and usually multiple of each version. I've tried other training shoes, and always gravitate back to the Rides. I have just one complaint though, the tread wears out faster than my Adidas shoes. Now, I get 350+ miles out of it (which is what I should), but I stretch my shoes a bit. The Continental rubber on the Adidas shoes does not wear out... ever. I have the same amount of miles on my current pair of Adidas Bostons and Saucony Rides, and the Bostons barely look run in. I know this has nothing to do with the structural integrity of the shoe (which holds up fine), but yeah.

So, that's the story. I really don't need three pairs of shoes either. It's just sort of developed into that. I used to just have a training shoe and a racing/tempo shoe, and before that, just a shoe. I wouldn't mind going back to the two shoe scheme if I can get this all to work. So, here's what's in the mix:

Racing: New Balance 1400, Saucony Type A6

Longer Distance Racing / Tempo Runs: Adidas Adios Boost, Adidas Boston Boost, Mizuno Sayonara

Training: Adidas Glide Boost, Saucony Ride

Having broken them up that way (and starting with the racing flats), I've tried on the A6's and liked them. However, they are a 4mm drop shoe, which I have a fear of (not unfounded... I've tried low-drop shoes before and my calf hurts after a couple of months... although I acknowledge that this might have nothing to do with the shoe). I think I could run up to a 10k in the A6's, but I'm not sure about a half. I know people do, but they seem a little too minimal. I've never run in a New Balance shoe because I've always found them to fit weird. However, I've heard good things about the 1400's, and it seems like they have a bit more to them than the A6's, so I probably could get through a half in them. Both are the same price, with the price/mile leaning to the 1400's, as long as I like how they fit.

Now, the Adios vs. Boston Boost... price and price/mile are definitely in favor of the Boston's. I'm not sure that 0.7oz in weight savings is worth $20 either. So, provided the Boston's fit well, they're the clear winner. The water is a little murkier when it comes to the Boston vs. Sayonara debate. I've run 5-miles in the Sayonaras and liked them. They're an ounce lighter and the same price. With regard to holding up, I'm still tipping the hat in favor of the Bostons though. I need to think about it some more, and I need to see how the 1400's feel because I may be able to do away with a shoe!

Training shoes are the last variable. As I said before, I love the Rides. However, I've heard good things about the Glide Boost and would expect that they would hold up a little better. I've run in a pair for 5-miles, and I did like them. There is just one weird thing about this shoe for me. I wear a 7-1/2 in Adidas shoes, and ab 8 in every other brand. The 7-1/2's in the Glide Boost fit kind of big for me. I mean, I have a generous thumb-width in the front of both feet. I got a half size up in a shoe one time and tripped/stubbed my toe a lot. It didn't work out that well. When I did wear those Glide Boost's for those 5-miles, I wore a size 7 because that's what they had. They felt fine. I just can't wrap my head around it. 7 is my dress shoe size. That's just crazy talk.

So, in conclusion...

Most Cost-Effective: New Balance 1400 / Adidas Glide Boost
Least Overlap in Purpose 1: Saucony Type A6 / Adidas Adios Boost / Adidas Glide Boost
Least Overlap in Purpose 2: Saucony Type A6 / Mizuno Sayonara / Adidas Glide Boost

Time to figure out when everything is being released, try on some shoes, and see what they have in my size... that's the last variable!

Be happy that I spared you the "complete analysis" which includes the Tempo, Launch, Wave Rider, Kinvara, and Mirage...