Spectacular new running shoes

My new ASICS sneakers in the front, my older New Balance sneakers behind it, and Sauconies in the back.

It’s always exciting getting a new pair of running shoes, especially after joggling 13.4 miles(21.5 km) to Valhalla. Almost miraculously, even with the cold heavy winds blowing leaves in my face, and mild nausea and stomach pain during the first half of the run, I didn’t drop the balls even once. It took me 2 hours and 7 minutes to complete this. The stomach issues were likely due to eating too many lentils for breakfast. I may need to join Lentil Addicts Anonymous some day.

Anyway, enough bragging. Due to all the running I do(40 – 60 miles a week), I need to get a new pair of sneakers every few months. For a long time I only wore New Balance, then tried out Saucony, and for the first time yesterday bought some ASICS.

I kept getting New Balance sneakers for a long time because my feet are kind of wide and their sneakers are usually wider than Nike or most other brands. Saucony is similar enough, and around here are usually cheaper than New Balance so I tried them for a change early this year.

I went with the ASICS this time because they had the exact size(8 1/2) I needed in wide. Neither Saucony, New Balance or any other brands had what I was looking for. I am not a particularly brand loyal kind of person, so I frequently switch brands when it comes to shoes, clothing, food and many other things. I don’t think there are big differences in quality when it comes to different brands of running shoes, in my experience. Also, a higher price tag doesn’t necessarily mean the sneaker is better.

I used to wear a size 8(the Sauconies in the above photo is an 8), but it kind of felt a little too small for me, so I’ve been wearing 8 1/2 since. There isn’t a whole lot of science when it comes to running shoes, except that you are better off buying sneakers in the evening because your feet tend to be bigger then than in the morning. I went shopping for mine in the afternoon, and so far the ASICS feel okay, but need to be broken in a little more.

I will still use the 8 1/2 New Balance sneakers occasionally(they are my Valhalla sneakers after all), for short runs or walks, but I think it’s about time I got rid of the older Sauconies. I hope I get used to the ASICS within a week.

What kind of running shoes do you wear?

In Valhalla after run. The Kensico Dam is behind me.

Very thoughtful, science-based post about running shoes. All kinds of claims are made about various types of running shoes, but there is so little science to support these claims. We definitely need better research.

Here is an article I wrote for the online magazine Performance. It’s a brief overview of the limited amount of research there actually is linking shoes to (the prevention/recovery of) injuries. Reading the (limited) research really does get you wondering how manufacturers are able to make their billions selling a unsupported story.

Shoes come in all shapes and sizes, designed for many different activities. Design may be led by market preference, fashion and/or ‘science’. Because of the marketing strategies used in sport and sport products, running shoes have attracted ample claims to support their design and effectiveness. But how much data is there…really?

The word on the street

Seemingly scientific claims determine the marketing, sale, and even clinical prescription of trainers. Manufacturers and sales assistants could probably be forgiven; after all, they are working in a commercial environment. However, many podiatrists, osteopaths, and physiotherapists also recommend specific types of…

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