the bold shoe "spira challenge" ??

I got a pair years ago. The shoe itself is really low quality, like something you would get from Walmart. Didn't really think the springs did anything.

I have been wearing Spira shoes for years. Like any new company, the first couple of tries were less than optimal, and they new that. If you haven't tried them in the past few years, you will be surprised. I believe the quality is as good or better than any running shoe I ever worn. I wear them all weekend as well as in the cath lab, as I am a pediatric cardiologist. The shoes are great, and clearly I feel fresher after long runs than I have in any other shoe. Spira's are great!!

I bought my first pair of Spira's this summer and to be candid, I won't buy another brand again. Besides being incredibly comfortable, the colors of the shoes allow them to pop in a way that no other brand has manufactured yet.

Would highly recommend these shoes not just to runners, but to those who want a comfortable sneaker to just hack around in.

J2scoop -

I have to say, I was a skeptical person as well from the get-go. I ended up getting my hands on a pair of the newly-designed Stinger 2's back in December however, and I have to say; it's a well-crafted shoe.

I was skeptic for two reasons at first;

Reason 1: Spira - who are they? Let's be honest, Spira isn't some massive-sized New Balance, Saucony, etc. Having said that, I hadn't heard of them before December. People are almost always skeptic of shoe companies they haven't seen in a plethora of stores, etc.

Reason 2: Mechanical insole. "Say what?" was the first thing that came to my mind. The overwhelming majority of folks who run, do so in a solid, spenco-foam padded shoe, with the boldest of runners trying out most some sort of a spring-like foam or plastic-assisted technology built in (enter the Mizuno Wave plate (plastic) technology, Newton's forefoot Pod (rubber / plastic) technology, and On Running's CloutTek (Rubber) technology).

And then I ran in the shoes...........

These aren't shoes where you literally feel the springs as you go along. You're not going to feel like you're on some sort of a moon jump, or a takeoff launchpad. What I personally felt, however, was this:

- My legs feel as if I just went on a 6 or 7-mile run after I did 10. Reason being (at least in my belief) that the WaveSpring technology Spira uses aids in foot landing (by softening the landing) and helps push you off (although you don't directly feel it, it IS pushing your heel and forefoot off the ground a small fraction of a second quicker per step).

- You'll feel as if you can run slightly faster, especially if you're used to using a slightly heavier shoe (I'm talking about Mizuno Wave Rider, Nike Pegasus, Asics Noosa, etc. folks here). Reason being that these shoes are padded, although they're lighter than the overwhelming majority of shoes with the same build, due to the fact that you're pressing down on a single lightweight spring in the heel rather than a massive chunk of foam.

- The shoes feel great on the mid-foot and fore-foot. I haven't seen or noticed any area of the shoe which felt odd / rubbed my feet the wrong way / was too tight. The fit on these are ideal.

- I've tested roughly 20 shoes for Runner's World now as a part of their wear testing program, and the Stinger 2 comes in as my 3rd or 4th favorite that I've tested in roughly 2.5 years.

All in all -

Spira Stinger 2's - these are great for any runners less than 160 lbs in my opinion. The heavier you are however, the quicker these will wear out. I'd rate this shoe for 250-300 miles of great / heavy usage, before the sole wears down a bit too much. You're buying an extremely lightweight trainer, or a better-cusioned / supported raceday shoe if you buy these. This is my personal favorite model that Spira makes

XLT's - these are great for the every-man runner. I'm talking runners between 100lbs - 225lbs (in my opinion, once again). Why? Because they seem to have a bit stronger spring in the sole, and they're built up slightly more. They're heavier than the Stinger 2's, yet will last you longer (say, 300-400 miles?). These are great trainer shoes and raceday shoes. They're also lighter than the overwhelming majority of shoes that have a similar build as they do.

Scorpius - I don't have any personal experience with this model, although from my understanding, this is moreso for the Clydesdale runner. If you want the maximum-support, heaviest-"padded" shoe possible, this would be their "Brooks" version of that model.

In summation - don't let the brand name scare you off. Spira has come nothing short of an entire makeover, and I feel like this might be the beginning of an all new shoe company for that matter. They're making a great shoe these days, and I think it will show. Runner's World is testing both the XLT and the Stinger 2 for their upcoming September, 2013 issue shoe guide. If you want additional proof of their quality, keep an eye peeled for this issue in stores (or in your mail if you're a subscriber). If either the XLT or the Stinger 2 really holds their weight (at least in the shoe tester feedback), you may see one of these show up in the issue.

I've completed 124 marathons in 49 States and all seven continents, since 1982. I've run about 40 marathons in Spiras, since 2007. I've had several top three finishes in 5K's with the shoes. Needless to say, I love them and encourage my friends to wear them. I'm also a RRCA certified running coach.

I am guessing most of these testimonials are fake and from the company itself.

Anyone who has followed their marketing efforts over the years knows they are shady at best. They like to push that their shoes are banned, but this is an outright lie:

http://www.letsrun.com/2007/sprianotban4187.php

Despite this, Spira keeps perpetuating the myth because it's attention grabbing. The fact that this ESPN article references this once again is just a shame.

I know a national-class runner that has run some of his best races in Spiras. I asked him why he likes them. His response was essentially that he gets them for free, and otherwise would run in something else.

I recently started running again. I tried a # of shoes hoping to find something that combined comfort and durability. I came across the Spira Stinger 2's, thought that the idea "made sense" and ordered a pair. I will now and forever only wear Spira's. I did a review prior to buying them and saw that there were some issues in past years. One call to the company convinced me to give them a shot. Best thing I ever did. You are making a huge mistake if you don't give Spira a chance. I run without pain, improved my time dramatically 1st time out, and have ordered two more pairs. If you have not tried Spira in the last year, then you do not have any credibility to speak about them.

I'm pretty sure I'm the only person that has posted in this thread that:

A) Has worn Spiras and

B) Does not work for Spira

I had chronic running injuries and had tried many different running shoes. I was introduced to Spira shoes about 4 years ago and the change was amazing. Since I started wearing Spira shoes, I have competed in several triathlons, including the World Championship Ironman. I will not wear any other shoe. I say, give it a try. You won't be disappointed.

J2,

At the begining I had the same doubts you had, and that every person has before trying something new. I think that's what is awesome about this marketing campaign: if it doesn't work you'll get your money back.

About the stinger and XLT models, these are the only models I've used and use, they are great for faster times, and most importantly a comfortable run. I mean you got to enjoy your runs/races, at any level.

I've been racing in them from 2009 and my only complain is that I didn't have this campaing to try them for the first time.

To confirm:

At best, Spira is pushing a bunch of people who wear their shoes to this thread to leave only positive reviews.

At worst, they're paying people to do it or just making them up.

I'd bet on the latter.

I got a pair for free about a year ago. It was the Stinger model whichwas supposed to be lightweight.

I wore it one time, and I did not like the shoe at all. Way heavier than what I was used to, and I didn't like the cushion at all.

On the bright side, I sold it for $8 at a garage sale about a month later. Haggled down from 10

After suffering with injuries for many years due to high milage weeks, I tried spira shoes. I wlll never, ever wear anything but spira. I have worn them 3 years and no injury since. I would recommend spira to any runner who wants to better their times and stay injury free.

I first learned about Spira sneakers from Dr. Daneil Kanell, orthopedic surgeon for the Miami Dolphins for the past 34 years. Specifically, he's the guy that handles meniscus injuries. I spent a day with him in his office as we evaluated patients. On patients that he had scheduled meniscus surgery, he had all of them go out and purchase spira sneakers as part of their post surgical recovery. Why I asked him? He related that they reduced the shock to the knee so much, he found it made a noticeable difference in their post surgical recovery.

That being said, for those naysayers, who think these are all fake reviews, I invite you to go to my blog and see my review of the Spira Stinger-2. You'll see a photo of myself and another chiropractor friend of mine after a recent triathlon, both wearing our stinger-2 sneakers.

http://naturalsportsmedicine.blogspot.com/2013/04/spiras-stinger-2-running-shoe-review.html

I was originally a nike guy, then New Balance. Now, I wear Spira's for my triathlon training and I wear them when seeing patients in my office? Why? because they make significant difference in reducing the shock.

Because my practice is taking care of athletes and people with back pain, I've seen time and time again where Spira's made a difference in reducing shock and getting people back to training.

For me, there's no challenge.

I'm a big fan of Spira.

Dr. Narson

Miami Beach, FL

I love walking-out in my Stinger 2 by Spira. The best running and walking-out shoe by far. Don't take my words for it, get one at www.spira.com You will be amazed.

LOVE SPIRA! Seriously, when I run in them they give me such LIFT that I can't run in any other shoes. Highly recommend them, and I suggest to at least give them a try.

Kevin McIntyre

Just wanted to thank everyone for weighing in. I appreciate it.

I was skeptical, thinking, why would I ever need a shoe with a spring, well let me tell you what I found.

This shoe is world changing. I was vacationing in Jamaica last year with the shoes on, out in the clubs as I just finished a 60 mile tempo run, before the shoes I could only do 3 miles tops. Anyways, when I got done I didn't have time to shower or anything as it took about 3 hours, a bit longer than normal as I did a longer run of 300 the day before with my awesome shoes. Back to the story, I was pretty sweaty but wanted to go to the club anyways. Well the girls were ALL over me because of my sweet shoes. I say that is pretty impressive with my 6'4" 110lb frame and acne. So Usain Bolt was getting jealous because he was there too and wasn't getting any love. He was bold enough to challenge me to a race. I was reluctant at first as I just finished my tempo and was slightly tired but thought, how many times do I get to race Bolt in my life. He chose the distance, 100 meters of course. We went out on the street, Bolt actually had someone get him blocks, I had none. Because of my SPIRA shoes I ACTUALLY BEAT USAIN, the girls went CRAZY for me. I ran about a 7.4 but that is non FAT timed plus there was a 18mph tailwind so it wouldn't be a record or anything.

So in conclusion, with my short experience with these shoes, they are pretty great, I recommend everyone gets at least 12 pairs.

Hahaha wtf is going on here? I swear ever single response has come from no more than 2-3 individuals.