me running…
So running shoes, the never ending topic. A river of options… there is something for
everyone out there you just need what is it that you want, your goals,
preferences,etc.
When it was time for my first ever pair few years back I had an experienced runner to
guide me. He recommended a specialist store and they got me sorted. And that was
it. That simple.
Last week my Wife went to ‘Amphibian King’ to buy running shoes. She loved hers New Balances 1080 (she bought those about 7 years ago – version 4) and guess what she bought another pair of NW 1080, just version 11 this time. I was with her in the shop and I was remembering times when I was going to similar shops to look for shoes or any other running gear…
When comes to running shoes brand I’m very much in love with New Balance. Have tried many different shoe brands – Asics, Iv8, Mizuno, Saucony but still for me NB are the best. Keeping my foot where it suppose to stay, very light shoes as well. Only other brand regularly used by me is Hoka One shoes. Reason is very simple. Great shoes for ultra runs and recovery…
So, what you can get when you will combine love with practicality… You will get NB Fresh Foam Bracadale – 980. Have run just a short run in these yet but looks like it could be a contender for a Hoka substitution. Very light, cushioning big. Haven’t felt any pounding on my legs when run. But that just first impressions. Will see later…
For now as it stands:
NB running shoes + Hoka cushioning = NB Fresh Foam Bracadale
As I was blogging before https://maditrunner.com/running-shoes/ it seems that my favourite brand of running shoes is New Balance. So decided to check my NB’s before Cork Marathon and … maybe even before Sunday Samsung Night Run. Went to Amphibian King to see some new models. I have brought my old NB (white one) to show how I wear off shoes and straight away after showing these to advisor he told me that I need new ones and I need them now. OK, wasn’t expecting that. Just wanted to buy new ones but still use the old model for training. According to advisor he wouldn’t even wear old ones on the treadmill.
Some might say that he just wanted to sell shoes but I think he was actually quite helpful when choosing new shoes. I just told him that I planning to run Cork Marathon and have been drawn for Paris one (he run it 6 times) and I like minimalist shoes he knew that I’m looking now for something with better cushioning. Bang on… have tried 7 pairs of shoes (Mizuno, Saucony, Inov, New Balance) and guess what… NB all the way! Best cushioning and best fit. Really, it is different experience comparing to NB Minimus. I think these should be good for longer runs. Bring it on Cork…
To be fair there was another pair of shoes which could work for me. Nice fit, little bit less cushioning but still would recommend – Saucony Fastwitch 6.
As on the attached pictures you can see two pairs of ‘New Balance’. And must tell you for person who usually cut the heels from every pair of shoes (faster or slower but always – even hiking Salomon’s lasted just over 6 months). The white ones (sorry, don’t remember the model name) I have bought last September to replace Everlast’s (which last just 3 months) and running on average 125 – 140 km a week these NB still are in operation. Heels not cut as much after 8 months (of course I was using two pairs of shoes for last 6 months) but you can see that these are wearing off on the membrane material. They don’t have any gel or any other gimmicks in them but cushioning is really great in them. Despite membrane wearing off I would highly recommend these at least for runners who starting. Price was about 50€, so not so expensive.
Little bit different price range is for the green ones. NB Minimus were 90€ (I think I got 5€ discount ;-)). This model of shoes is minimalistic. I didn’t know if such a model will work for me cause it is different type of shoes, different way of running. I have decided for that model cause these came with Vibram sole which should make shoe more resistant to ‘cut’. And it works. Lasts since November last year and are still good to run. If you will decide for that model remember that it is minimalist shoe so there is no cushion so you will feel the ground under your feet. It is said that running in minimalist shoes should bring you back to natural way of running like running bare foot. Don’t know about that… but they are great.