Super shoes for runners with history of Achilles injury

If anything I’d think the Vaporflys would be better since they have a larger heel-to-toe drop. I can’t speak for the Carbons but have used the Next%s and found them extremely comfortable.

owjdnevskbwvd wrote:

If anything I’d think the Vaporflys would be better since they have a larger heel-to-toe drop. I can’t speak for the Carbons but have used the Next%s and found them extremely comfortable.

Higher heel drop puts more strain on the Achilles

ummmmmnm wrote:

owjdnevskbwvd wrote:

If anything I’d think the Vaporflys would be better since they have a larger heel-to-toe drop. I can’t speak for the Carbons but have used the Next%s and found them extremely comfortable.

Higher heel drop puts more strain on the Achilles

Incorrect, it props up the Achilles and causes less flexion and therefore less strain. It’s why you put a heel lift in if you have an Achilles injury, and why your calves are sore after spiking up for the first time after summer training.

Personally I’d try the Mach 4 as an alternative to the carbon super shoes first. It’s definitely soft and fast enough to race in although best as a daily trainer. If you wanna try a similar drop super shoe the ASICS metaspeed sky may be ok for you. As much as I like hoka I wouldn’t say their carbon shoes work as super shoes yet.

pavement88 wrote:

Looking to see if anyone has any experience/input on this:

I have a history of Achilles pain/Haglund's deformity -- luckily I have been relatively pain free over the last 24 months but I have worn nothing but Hoka Clifton's for the last 24 months as well.

I am looking to buy a pair of carbon plated racers for fall racing schedule that includes a half and full marathon. My biggest fear is that I will spend the money on these super shoes just to have them aggravate my old issues.

I would probably try the Hoka Carbons before the Nike shoes.

Any advice? Input? My goal is to run a 2:50 marathon so is it even worth it?

Sorry that I can't advise you, but I was hoping you might advise me. I'm going through bursitis/haglunds/achilles travails myself and I wondered if the Hoka Cliftons were part of the reason you've been relatively pain free? I'm finally figuring out how to "manage" stuff and I'd appreciate the input. Thanks

pavement88 wrote:

Looking to see if anyone has any experience/input on this:

I have a history of Achilles pain/Haglund's deformity -- luckily I have been relatively pain free over the last 24 months but I have worn nothing but Hoka Clifton's for the last 24 months as well.

I am looking to buy a pair of carbon plated racers for fall racing schedule that includes a half and full marathon. My biggest fear is that I will spend the money on these super shoes just to have them aggravate my old issues.

I would probably try the Hoka Carbons before the Nike shoes.

Any advice? Input? My goal is to run a 2:50 marathon so is it even worth it?

Before getting any shoes, I would recommend you do eccentric heel drops. I also have Haglund’s deformity, but I don’t think it has made me more prone to achilles issues—which I still experience occasionally, especially when I start spiking up in the spring. Buy some elastic bands and strengthen your ankles too while you’re at it, as the stiffness of plated shoes at high speeds can place a lot of strain on them (my experience).

With that said, I recommend the Vaporfly Next%, the fastest shoe I’ve ever worn. I’ve worn the Hoka Carbon X and it actually worked against me, as I found it incredibly stiff and very firm. Some may recommend other shoes like the adidas Adios Pro or the Saucony Endorphin Pro/Speed. It’s a matter of preference. Good luck finding the right shoe for you, and with hitting your goal marathon time!

Firstly for trying to run a sub 2:50 it is almost 95% worth it to run faster unless you are one of the few that don't benefit.

That said as someone who also suffered with Achilles problems (although not Haglund) the super shoes (though any racer with low heel drop does) did make me struggle for a day or two after the race again. So if you do down that route then would recommend using it for 1 tune up run and then the race only for first time to see the effect because the risk is there after Clifton's for so long

ummmmmnm wrote:

owjdnevskbwvd wrote:

If anything I’d think the Vaporflys would be better since they have a larger heel-to-toe drop. I can’t speak for the Carbons but have used the Next%s and found them extremely comfortable.

Higher heel drop puts more strain on the Achilles

Your comment is not correct. It literally defies common sense. As someone who has had lots of problems with Achilles/calf stuff high drop shoes + lots of heel drops is about the only thing that has worked for me.

I suffer intermittently with achilles issues.

Next% wil do you no harm. In my experience it's actually favourable for the achilles due to the super soft heel reducing any harshness upon landing. Hoka Carbon X's were the opposite for me. No "super" foam, and each (heel) landing resulted in a massive corrective wobble caused by the firm cushioning & wide footprint. My achilles did not like this! You get a similarly soft heel on the NB Rebel 2s if you didn't want to go full super-shoe, they could do a marathon no problem.

I'm also leery of plated shoes (and low-drop shoes) because of Achilles issues. What I may do eventually is race in a companion trainer to a supershoe, one that has the foam but not the plate. Thinking about the Brooks Hyperion Tempo, but I gather there are others.

FYI: The Hoka carbons weigh as much as a training shoe.

For me Mizuno wave rider 24 is a really good option for neutral foot. Other really great option is the NIKE AIR ZOOM PEGASUS 37

Hope this helps

All the best

Thanks, everyone, for the replies. I have tried eccentric heel drops and continue to do them in a preventative way. Like I said, my heel pain is almost entirely under control, except for the occasional flare up due to too many track repeats, hard hills, a misplaced step, etc. My bump is still there but only painful if I really hit it hard.

Cliftons have definitely helped me run pain free. Before switching to Cliftons, I was trying a new brand/model every few months and even with the rehab/prehab i was doing, the pain was still there. The maintenance work coupled with the Cliftons allowed me to stay pain free. My Haglunds bump still tears up the back of the shoes but I get about 400 - 500 miles before I need to replace them.

I've had similar issues in the past- still have my bump, and tear through the back of my shoes but wore the NB Fuel Cell RCs and TCs without issue.

Much appreciated. Hope you destroy your 2:50!

Coach Jeff ROC wrote:

Much appreciated. Hope you destroy your 2:50!

Thanks! Hope you find a solution to your heel pain!

Hi Pavement,
I am in the same posiiton you were!
Achilles issues and halgunds deformity, largely under control.
I use the glideride as my daily shoe and it has been fantastic!
Just wondering if you have had any success in choosing a super shoe? I am torn betwee nthe alphafly and the endorphin pro? Both have that 8mm drop so thinking it should be helpful?

I had the same problem and firstly the switch from 0mm drop lightweights to CFP helped a lot

My last marathon was run in the Saucony Pro 2 and finished the race and the days thereafter with no pain. Never used the Alphafly though so can't relate