Replacement shoe for the Asics Speedstar II

I like the Pearl Izumi Streak. It makes a good marathon racing shoe as well if a flat isn't quite enough shoe for you.

Brooks Launch

Holy cow, what a shoe. Just got it.

Not sure what you heard about the speedstar III's - I have a pair and I like them. I'd be curious to know why people don't like them.

Too heavy compared to the old version.

I've been a long-time Speedstar runner, and I'm still finishing off my last pair of Asics Gel-Speedstar II's. But I have come to love the Adidas Adizero CS, and I'm on my third and fourth pair of those. The CS has now also been discontinued, but the Adidas Adizero Ace is essentially the same shoe with a lighter upper.

Ignore the retail websites that say that the more expensive Adidas Adizero Adios is the continuation of the CS. It's not. The Adios is probably a fine shoe, but I like the Ace well enough.

I like both the Speedstar II and III and use them interchangably during most weeks. The III has a little more room in the toebox, but the insoles are identical. I like the way the II feels on the track, but the III is more comfortable on the road. Both are far superior to anything else I have worn in the last three years.

who hah wrote:

Not sure what you heard about the speedstar III's - I have a pair and I like them. I'd be curious to know why people don't like them.

Races Like a Girl wrote:

I like the Pearl Izumi Streak. It makes a good marathon racing shoe as well if a flat isn't quite enough shoe for you.

I'll second the recommendation of the Streak. It's amazingly durable and well cushioned for its weight (8.8 ounces in a size 9) and still pretty low to the ground. The upper is very soft and comfortable, and the seamless one piece upper has parts that are heat melded together over the stitches. I work at a running store, so I get to try on a lot of shoes, and I REALLY like the Streak.

Did a year in II's and am on my second year in III's. I found the blown rubber outsole to my liking, with the little bit of additional width something I only noticed for a few runs. Otherwise, they're very similar - both outstanding.

Am about to try the Brooks Launch, as a good friend runs for Brooks and I'd like to support his sponsor. I think the Launch will be good, it looks like it's design is aimed right at the Speedstar. IMO, Speedstars are the light trainer to beat.

thanks everyone.

the stuff about speedstar IIIs can be found by searching the boards here. but i'm sure the negative comments are mostly just from negative people.

Maybe I'll try one pair of those along with one of the other suggestions here. I really loved the IIs, and found it strange that they were better for my achilles than other more cushioned trainers from asics.

there is some truth to the minimalists' rants about the dangers of big expensive trainers i think.

Convert wrote:

I've been a long-time Speedstar runner, and I'm still finishing off my last pair of Asics Gel-Speedstar II's. But I have come to love the Adidas Adizero CS, and I'm on my third and fourth pair of those. The CS has now also been discontinued, but the Adidas Adizero Ace is essentially the same shoe with a lighter upper.

I did the exact same.(Went through several pairs of speedstar I and IIs and moved on to the Adizero CS.) I find the CS to be a better shoe, especially compared to the speedstar III. I wouldn't necessarily place it in the same category as the speedstar. I think the CS (and now Ace) is lighter in weight with a little less cushion, and made for a narrower foot, but it works great for me.

The speedstar III isn't necessarily a bad shoe, I just don't think the shoe feels like a lightweight trainer now. I think the shoe is heavier and wider than past models.

For those who use the Pearl Izumis:

How does the sizing compare with Asics?

If I wear a 10 in Asics Speedstar IIs, would I wear a 10 in the Pearl Izumi Streaks?

light trainers and stuff wrote:

For those who use the Pearl Izumis:

How does the sizing compare with Asics?

If I wear a 10 in Asics Speedstar IIs, would I wear a 10 in the Pearl Izumi Streaks?

Yes, The Streaks run basically the same as the old Speedstar.

I went from the speedstar ii to the hyperspeed 3. They're a pretty cushioned racer. speedstars 7.3oz, hyperspeeds 6.9. I liked them.

Bump!

Speedstar 3 does feel heavier, stiffer and wider. I loved the 1 and 2. Got plantar problems in the 3.

Like to know what other trainers and racers etc. ex-speedstar 1 and 2 users like to use now.