Looking for a shoe with a super low heal

I train in the RC DCs and race in the PRs. The PR is my favorite shoe of all time. The upper is very comfortable, comforms to your feet, and to me they feel like they have more cushioning than the RC DCs, probably because the outsoles are soft and nothing more than blown rubber. Sizing should be same as your Pros.

Sorry i don't have a suggestion on shoes, but how many miles do you expect to get out of a pair of shoes? 400 sounds pretty good to me, and after 500-600 miles shoes should probably be retired anyway.

I have a pair of PR's on my feet right now. They feel like you've got nothing on.

A pretty underrated shoe in my opinion, and second only to Mizuno's by the weight of a baw hair.

On my second pair of PRs and Pros - The PRs, for me, are a flash from the past, cause they're slip-lasted, w/ a curve last, and basically no heel-forefoot difference. Yes, the rather rapid forefoot wear is somewhat of a problem - but my feet do not complain. The Pros have a great fit, but have that Strobel last which is slightly less fexible - most of today's shoes seem to be going w/ it. I use the Pros on longer days, and the PRs for all others. But, the ride on all the adizero line shoes is firm w/ lower heels. An excellent line - now if I can only get rid of this calcaneal bursitis that came out of nowhere...

I have the adizero LT, RC, Pro, and PR. The Pros are pretty similar to the RCs. The PRS, wow, oh wow. They are light. They feel like nothing on your feet. They are the closest to barefoot experience I've had running while, you know, not being barefoot. They are really breathable too. The first time I wore them I could feel the wind on my feet. I have the red ones, so I don't know if the blue's material is any different.

One problem is that I keep getting rocks dirt in the soles and I don't even run trails. The roads here have a lot of rocks/dirt. I couldn't wear them in the winter, either because it was to cold/wet. Maybe next winter I'll try the kilkenny.

For people not used to flats, it might take some time for your feet to adjust to your feet.

Hhaha,

It might take some time for your feet to get used to the Prs.

(it could take some time for your feet to get used to your feet, though, too.)

WHY? Why a low heel trainer?

Lawyer Dude wrote:

WHY? Why a low heel trainer?

Why not? They work for some of us.

FWIW, I had similar luck with the first several pairs of XC's I had. The upper would separate from the sole. Then I bought several pairs 1/2 size up (9 instead of 8-1/2) and found them to last longer. They don't have quite the same 'slippeer-type' fit but I think wearing the larger size takes some stress off the upper/sole interface.

I do all my mileage in the Nike Katana Racer, Mizuno Universe and Vibram Five Fingers. All have low heels. Most of the last two years, I ran in nothing other than the Katana (sometimes the H Street). I easily can get 500+ miles on the Katanas. I'm just getting used to the Vibrams, but really like them so far. I recommend that you try the low-heeled shoes that have been suggested and trust your body to know what it likes. You'll find the one that fits and feels right.

At some point, somebody's going to have to come up with spray-ons...

jaguar1 wrote:

Ok, thanks for the input! Let us know what you think of the PRs when you get them.

Does anyone know if the blue and white Adizero Prs are different than the red ones?

There's a slight change on the outsole with the placement of the air holes - but no plastic. The upper has a few more overlays, but they're insignificant since they're so thin. Essentially, you won't feel any difference. The fit and feel is the same.

Couple questions for you folk:

How do you tell what last a shoe is made from? Is this determined from manufacturer's info or can you tell by just looking at the shoe?

Also, do you guys know of any slightly more substantial shoes (ie. lightweight trainer category rather than racing flat category) that have a heel height not much greater than the forefoot height?

Lawyer Dude wrote:

WHY? Why a low heel trainer?

I think you have that backwards. Why a high-heeled trainer? Why do we have high-heeled shoes period? The main reason for the low heel is to emulate how your feet and legs behave when you run naturally (without any shoes, barefoot). High-heel shoes don't keep your calves, achilles, plantar, etc. stretched like running barefoot does. I actually have more problems after I wear a higher-heeled dress shoe around and then go back to my flats.

Basically, each manufacturer has their own lasts (shapes/molds)- that's why some shoes may fit others better than they do you. NB lasts, for example, don't fit me, but adidas and some nikes do. Manufacturers usually market several shapes - I prefer the more curved. But the way the upper is attached to the midsole is also a factor in flexibility. If the shoe has a removable insert, pull it out. Most of the time you'll see a thin cardboard-like shape stitched around the perimeter to the midsole. But getting more rare is the "slip" lasted shoe - this is where you'll see no board, just the upper stitched right down the middle of the midsole platform. This shoe is usually way more flexible. Hyper-speed, adizero PR, are examples. Actually, the old T-3 was this type, too. You'd probably want to try something along the lines of the adizero RC - although for me it's a bit narrow in the forefoot.

I put almost 2,000 miles on my last pair of New Balance 825s. I see no reason to replace a shoe before it starts falling apart.

It seems like the AdiZero line is a good bet. I have another question though. I have a very wide foot, so how will Adidas fit me? I like New Balance because they sell widths, and Asics tend to have a wider forefoot than Nike (I race in Nike a lot). According to its description, the Hyper Speed is naturally a wide shoe, and given that Asics usually fit me well, I thought it would work out for me.

sodbuster wrote:

I use the Pros on longer days, and the PRs for all others.

Do you think the Pros would make a better marathon shoe? Either would work?

Lawyer Dude wrote:

WHY? Why a low heel trainer?

I've noticed the longer I run, the more I can feel any degree of heel lift in a shoe, and my legs feel noticeably more tired. I don't know if it has to do with some change in mechanics and/or maybe more footstrike hemolysis with greater heel lift (~more even distribution of pressure with lower heels??).