How many different types of shoes should be in my rotation?

You should have at least three dozen different shoes. I personally change shoes for uphill/downhill/flat portions of my runs. I also use different shoes for different shoes with tights vs shorts.

I've put some merit in the theory that wearing different shoes on different days could help reduce repetitive strain injuries by loading the body slightly different. Not sure if this is actually true but it at least seems like it might make sense and I don't see the harm.

I have probably 10 pairs. Is this necessary? Of course not, but I enjoy trying different shoes and as long as I'm putting mileage on them and wearing them until they wear out it's not really costing me anything more. I usually go through spurts where I buy 3 or 4 pairs and then I won't buy any for 9 months.

2 if you don’t want to buy expensiveass carbon racers, otherwise:

2 or 3. Unless you run track races, then 3 or 4 because you add track spikes to the mix.

1. Daily trainer - good enough for any run

2. Racing flats - for road races and workouts as desired

3. Carbon plated racers - for long races, if that’s the kind of thing that you think you might be into

Honestly, I have a few daily trainers I. My rotation at any given time. They range in how old they are where I’m usually trying to milk a few more miles out of the oldest pair. I also experiment with shoes of different drop. I can’t run everyday in low drop shoes, but if they’re mixed in, then it doesn’t seem to matter for me.

I use a three-shoe rotation. Pegasus 38, Zoom Tempo Next%, and Kiger 7 trail shoes. I mostly use the trail shoes for the road. I bought them because I wanted a shoe I can use on the trail but I also wanted a lower drop shoe for the roads.

I don't currently have a dedicated race shoe. When races become available again and I decide to race, I'll decide whether to get a race shoe or just wear the Tempos. The latter is more likely.

SeattleSilver wrote:

I use a three-shoe rotation. Pegasus 38, Zoom Tempo Next%, and Kiger 7 trail shoes. I mostly use the trail shoes for the road. I bought them because I wanted a shoe I can use on the trail but I also wanted a lower drop shoe for the roads.

I don't currently have a dedicated race shoe. When races become available again and I decide to race, I'll decide whether to get a race shoe or just wear the Tempos. The latter is more likely.

Do you like to zoom tempo next%?

Do you use it a race shoe?

Thinking about buying a pair, thanks.

Oops, completely disregard my second question.

hobby jogger shoes wrote:

I used to run in one pair of shoes for everything, races included. Then I got a pair of Next% for races and that opened my eyes to the idea of different shoes for different types of runs. I picked a different pair of shoes for intervals. Now I’m wondering how many different types I could benefit from’ I’ll wear them all out, so I’m not worried about the long term cost.

Race shoe

Tempo / interval day shoe

Long run shoe

Daily lower miles easy pace trainer

Trail runner

What else? I was also thinking about having different models of shoes for the same type of workouts to impact my feet and knees differently. Maybe rotate between infinity react and triumph, for example.

Thoughts?

I have basically the same rotation. The only difference is that my race day shoes are my track / interval day shoes. I believe in the principle of specificity so the closest training to a race is track day. Therefore, I wear the same shoes as I'll wear on race day.

My regular mileage shoes often have an older backup pair in case the primary pair is wet or something.

Dildo wrote:

2 if you don’t want to buy expensiveass carbon racers, otherwise:

2 or 3. Unless you run track races, then 3 or 4 because you add track spikes to the mix.

1. Daily trainer - good enough for any run

2. Racing flats - for road races and workouts as desired

3. Carbon plated racers - for long races, if that’s the kind of thing that you think you might be into

Honestly, I have a few daily trainers I. My rotation at any given time. They range in how old they are where I’m usually trying to milk a few more miles out of the oldest pair. I also experiment with shoes of different drop. I can’t run everyday in low drop shoes, but if they’re mixed in, then it doesn’t seem to matter for me.

This is the sensible answer. You don’t need to go crazy. I personally think it also helps to run the same types of runs in different shoes, but if you have good daily mileage shoes you should be as to run most runs in most of your shoes.

I have two general purpose shoes (Altra Rivera & NB Rebel), the Torin Plush, and the RC Elite. Works great. Honestly the Torin plush is a bit redundant and I don’t plan on replacing it, the Rivera is a great shoe and more versatile.

streak 7 for sprint to tempo

peg for everyday trainer

react infinity for recovery/easy

I also have a pair of spikes ill throw on for track work and time trials when I have more time in the summer

Your daily mileage shoes

Workout shoes

Racing shoes

Walk-about shoes

Lawn mowing shoes

House slippers

Sandals

MariaB wrote:

SeattleSilver wrote:

I use a three-shoe rotation. Pegasus 38, Zoom Tempo Next%, and Kiger 7 trail shoes. I mostly use the trail shoes for the road. I bought them because I wanted a shoe I can use on the trail but I also wanted a lower drop shoe for the roads.

I don't currently have a dedicated race shoe. When races become available again and I decide to race, I'll decide whether to get a race shoe or just wear the Tempos. The latter is more likely.

Do you like to zoom tempo next%?

Do you use it a race shoe?

Thinking about buying a pair, thanks.

I like the Tempos very much.. Many who don't like them feel that they are disjointed or awkward to run in. I have not had that experience. Perhaps the transition is rough for heel strikers, but I land midfoot and find the transition to be smooth and the pop at toe off to be very good.

2-3 pairs of shoes for your weekly rotation.

For trails an extra trail shoe if you are running roads for the most part. Or the other way around.

And one pair of race shoe if you think you are fast enough for that.

I don't think that it is a good idea to hoard too many shoes. The foam gets old even if you are not using them.

I basically just rotate between a pair of Nimbus Lite 2s and Endorphin Pro’s. I’ve got a couple other pairs that I’ve picked up over time, but realistically this is all I really wear. Think I’ll replace the Nimbus Lites with a pair of Pegasus next up.

ummmmmmmm wrote:

I've put some merit in the theory that wearing different shoes on different days could help reduce repetitive strain injuries by loading the body slightly different. Not sure if this is actually true but it at least seems like it might make sense and I don't see the harm.

I have probably 10 pairs. Is this necessary? Of course not, but I enjoy trying different shoes and as long as I'm putting mileage on them and wearing them until they wear out it's not really costing me anything more. I usually go through spurts where I buy 3 or 4 pairs and then I won't buy any for 9 months.

Totally with you here. I'd say 2-3 different shoes on your weekly rotation feels like it should reduce injury. I have 6-7, along with flats and spikes. Do I need that many? Of course not. But it lets me indulge a bit and long-term doesn't cost me a penny more. I actually seem to get more miles out of shoes when I use them 1-2 times per week.

dingleberry eater wrote:

You should have at least three dozen different shoes. I personally change shoes for uphill/downhill/flat portions of my runs. I also use different shoes for different shoes with tights vs shorts.

loled at this

You need:

-cushioned trainer for your am mileage

-stability trainer for pm mileage

-a lightweight trainer(latest model) for tempo runs

-last years model racing flat for long intervals on road

-XC flats for fartleks on grass and trails

-last years model spikes(low end) for track work

-off brand pair for track warm up/cool

-latest high end spikes for main track event

-low end spikes for over distance races on track

-sprint spikes for 800 on down

-latest road flat for road races

-super shoes for full thon

The great news is you don’t need to buy them all at once.

Occasionally eastbay or your local running store will sell dead stock at a fraction of cost. You can buy older models for dirt cheap prices... Imagine showing up to Tempo Tuesday in a pair of 2002 Cubatos or Interval Wednesday in 1999 Eldorets or Harabees... You’ll be the talk of the cool down. Maybe even racing your Summer Twilight All Comers series in Jasari’s or Kennedy’s... That Sub 10 3k is going to look great!

All the others at your local Turkey Trot must be really impressed.

I like to run in pretty light weight trainer so most of my shoes are good for recovery, long run and speed sessions. Generally I have 2 pair on the go, generally one newish pair and one pair on their way out. Also have racing shoes (4%) but haven't worn them in 2 years now.