Has anyone run in these? Thoughts? I've been racing in 4%s and now Next%s would be interested in these for a training shoe.
Has anyone run in these? Thoughts? I've been racing in 4%s and now Next%s would be interested in these for a training shoe.
There are a couple of threads on this already. Here is a summary of the collective wisdom of these boards:
1) People either really hate them, like them but find them so awkward at slow places they don’t know how to fit the shoe into their rotation or really like them.
2) The shoe is indeed heavy and doesn’t really “feel” fast but, at least for me, it makes running fast feel easier if you can understand the distinction. It feels way more like the alphafly than the next%
3) Some speculation that heavier runners are better able to activate the airbag
4) Everyone agrees the shoe feels very awkward at slow paces. It seems to come alive as you make your way below 6 minute mile pace.
5) The stack height is absurd. You can’t really do anything other than run in a straight line in these shoes.
6) Some people report that the shoe is too stiff and makes has that annoying slapping of the ground sensation. I don’t experience this personally but it has come up enough that it is tough to discount.
7) Price point is pretty high. At the same price as the endorphin pro hard to justify the purchase.
All of the above said... I like them. I am going to wear them tomorrow for a 3E+3M+1E+3M+1E+3M+2E long run. That said I can’t really imagine taking them out for a easy to moderate long run.
Big fan of them. Running anything 7 minute mile pace and below, they feel great.
Anything slower, they feel a tad awkward.
Great cushion, nice feel underfoot.
The stack height doesn’t bother me but you’ll see lots of complaints on it, I guess it’s personal preference.