It is with increasing frequency (and threats to my finances) that New Shoe Day has come again. Barely nine months since I purchased my OnClouds but I've worn through them already. I had thought that for a time my maturing Rock-Grabber 2000's might look 'worn in' but as I fingered the holes appearing in the ankle-fabric last night, I realised they were simply over the hill.
With determination not to let these suffer the same fate as their ASIC ancestors, I steeled myself to go in to town and deal with it before I wore through the rubber to the foam beneath. Shoe Day is fine, but it can be a bit of a chore - size 41 Mens are rare, and while I prefer Women's colourways; the slightly narrower profile doesn't agree with my hobbit-wide feet. I've also moved city, so my usual Shoe Agent is nowhere in reach.
First store only sold Trail Runners, I tried a few on but they were too heavy. Second store didn't have anything in my size (at all, despite being a large chain). Third store, third store was nicer. On the edge of town, compact and clean. Treadmill in the front window, shoes to the left - very tidy.
I tried on Nike's, Brooks', Altra's, ASIC's and more. They had my size! I prefer a neutral shoe, with minimal support. In the end the Altra's were winning, then I asked for a lighter shoe. The salesperson brought out a pair of Vaporfly NEXT%'s and that got me excited. I had heard of them, I'm by no means a gear-head but I loved the drama of the 'cheater' shoe. "They'll feel weird at first," said the salesperson motioning with a shoe in each hand "they won't feel right till you're running."
Lacing them up I could tell she was right, these *were* odd. The heel was like a marshmallow. Standing still you sunk backwards into the ground. I felt I was doing a poor imitation of a frail senior citizen from a Hollywood Theatrical. They felt light, but my Mission-Slip can't-grip-in-the-drip-Cloud's were already pretty light, so it didn't stick out to me. Motioning to the treadmill, the salesperson invited me to test them out. "Go fast" was all they said.
After a quick rundown of the treadmill controls I was off, press these buttons to select a speed in km/h, these to go higher. I hit go and stabbed the a reasonable preset, 6km/h (brisk walk), it felt fine... less unstable but the marshmallow was still there, quite comfortable in its own way. I started giggling because it felt so strange and I wanted to run. I punched the highest preset, 12km/h (Moderate Running), and it felt much better - they tightened up and pushed me on to my forefoot, but it still felt slow. At this point I was just laughing, I bumped up the treadmill to its top speed, 18km/h and it was still far too slow. Running at that pace felt almost effortless, the shoe felt like it was starting to work with me and push me forward. It was like the minute my foot struck the ground it was forced back up again. I nearly hopped off the treadmill at that point and ran out the front of the store, after all - I doubt anyone could've caught me.
After I'd had my fun I slowed down the treadmill and hopped off. I grinned and asked if I could try the other shoes I'd liked (the Altra's) and the assistant said sure. I was on the treadmill for about 10 seconds, 16km/h felt like I was running through molasses compared to the NEXT%'s. It was not nearly as fun. I was addicted. I knew which shoes I was getting.
Well, I **did**, until I got my card out and asked the price. "How much?", "$310", "How long do they last?", "Not long". Oof. I ended up going the Altra's. As much as I loved the experience, I go through shoes quick enough as it is, I don't need an F1 car to do my pre-pizza 15km.
Anyone else tried them? Admittedly I'm still not sure if I just got caught up in the allure of using the 'forbidden' shoe.