Hi,
I decided to get back to running as I haven’t done it for quite while. I needed a new pair of shoes for running and power walking. I get sore heals easily, fairly flat footed and have bulging disc issues and so limited my running the last few years. Decided to get back into it and it quite a journey trying to find the right cushioned shoe to run in that wouldn’t make the feet and back issues worse.
The journey - Shoes I tried:
Nike Pegasus 32: After a few runs I ended up with sore feet, back and shins – it felt hard on my feet.
Nike Pegasus 33, felt zoom air units especially in the forefoot, Nike Lunarguide – didn’t feel supportive enough. Asics nimbus and GT 2000– felt uncomfortable. Hoka one, felt too bulky.
I decided to up the budget a look for more comfortable runners:
I narrowed my search to Brooks Glycerin 14, that was the best shoe so far but a little hard on the front of my feet when I ran and it didn’t feel that responsive.
I then tried the Adidas ultraboost – so soft but felt ankles felt unsupported so tried the st version, it was nice and bouncy when I ran (very responsive) but the right heal kept slipping out and medial post pushed under the heal and my heal ached. I tried briefly Adidas energy boost 3 nice but hard on the forefront and felt too tight around the mid foot – but very responsive. Briefly tried the new Adidas supernova 9, nice but lacked a little response when compared to the other Adidas shoes and heal felt a bit bulky/stiff.
I narrowed it down to the Saucony triumph iso 2 and iso 3 and the new Nike Vomero 12. I did want to try an Asics Dynaflyte but not many shops stock it where I live.
The Saucony iso 2 were a little too firm. The Saucony iso 3 straight away felt comfortable and had a nice responsive heal, I am a heal striker and no heal or arch pain . The Nike Vomero 12 were also very comfortable and soft but under the arch it felt a little hard.
Nike Vomero 12 vs Saucony triumph iso 3
I went on a run to compare both. Going up hills with the vomero 12 I felt I ran out of steam quickly and felt the heal was too soft for a responsive ride. In the saucony the same run, it was 25 – 30 seconds quicker. The saucony was more responsive and I felt I used less energy for the same run, more comfortable upper too. It was slightly roomier, cooler to run in and more responsive – has a nice bounce in the heal and I felt it propelled me along. Nike was still nice and soft, smooth and comfortable to run in. Purchased the Saucony triumph iso 3.
Conclusion/Summary:
Saucony weaknesses: Forefoot is not as responsive as the heal (but still feels springy), for some maybe a little bulky (for me it feels stable and secure).It can be a touch firm if you stand still for awhile (I am use to soft shoes, hard or to firm shoes gives me a sore heal and tired feet). Not the fastest shoe.
Strengths: It can be a touch firm if you stand still for awhile but once you walk and run you feel that nice soft bouncy everun foam propel you along. It’s good at damping shock so I have no back or shin pain after a run. Its big enough to put your own shoe inserts in. It has a everun top sole to that give soft feeling underfoot. You remove the other top sole and put your own in. Very responsive heal (large chunk of everun in heal), roomy, plush comfort upper and lower, stable, durable good grip on all services and supportive. Quite cool in hot weather. Fairly lightwieight for a plush shoe. Great for short and long runs – for me a shoe that covers it all. Very comfortable and smooth to run in. Overall responsive and fast when needed. The best thing barely any soreness in back or heal after a run.
Back up shoes: Adidas Response Boost 3
I did buy a Adidas response boost 3 as a back up running shoes, (sale 40% off), it has most of the softness of the ultraboost but with some added support as well. Not as cushioned as the saucony (especially in the forefoot) and not quite as good at long distance. 50 or 55% of the midsole is boost material - you feel that its propels you along as well (responsive). It is slightly softer than the saucony and is very comfortable to walk and run in.
I hope this helps anyone who may have similar back issues or just want a very comfortable running shoe for both short and long runs and maybe the Saucony triumph iso 3 will fit your needs.
Cheers
Steve