List of Boost-ish TPU midsole running shoes. Whatcha got?

looks like everyone is getting into the TPU game now

New Balance Fuel Cell Rebel $130 - TPU foam, 6mm drop, 8.5 ounces men's 9

oh and Reebok Float Ride Run Fast v2 has removed the extra eva layer so even lighter now

Newton Distance 7. The Newtonium is, in fact, a layer of TPU topsole. Kinda like the Everrun topsole in some Saucony shoes, but sewn in.

Visually verified, and a nice touch to a formerly great brand of shoes making a comeback.

theJeff: 59 y.o. male, 21min -5k. Running 4 days a week, mostly training in Hoka Aharis and NB Vongo. Looking for a well cushioned trainer w the TPU mid-sole. What do you recommend?

Saucony Freedom 1 as a trainer

Skechers Razor 3 as a racer

Lots of folks will suggest an Adidas model - Boston or Tempo, maybe - but they don’t make them in my size, so I cannot comment on them.

Thx. Will look at those.

Really excited abt the Saucony Switchback, aka the Freedom Trail Shoe

https://www.runningwarehouse.com/Saucony_Switchback_ISO/descpage-SSW1MS.html

BOA closure, full Everrun midsole, and still fairly lightweight, for a trail shoe.

Just bought and returned the switchback iso. Saucony wont approve my review on their website as its only 2 stars (lol).

Wanted to like it as I like there freedom ISO's, but...

- Too flexy for a real trail shoe. Has NO rock plate and is just a freedom iso with a more rugged outsole. Flexes all around and you can feel the pointy rocks under your forefoot and heel. Just roll a tennis ball and you feel the curves, whereas my altra superiors (with basic rock plate) or speedgoats are more rigid. Now...this may be good for grass running or mild dirt trails but anything halfway technical...forget about it as you'll end up feeling everything and wishing for at least some protection. To call this a "trail" shoe is a stretch - they should really include a rockplate option.

- They cut off the forefoot cushion early towards the toe on this versus the freedom road shoe. (runs all the way to the toe tip). I like the forefoot stack up to my toes, so if you are prone to blisters in this case, you'll get them.

- Found the upper to be too plastic feeling and it creases. Much prefer an engineered mesh fabric upper. Doesn't have the "ahh this fits niiiiice" feel of the road freedom iso's

PROS

- The boa dials worked pretty well though and I like the idea as they lock down well and tend to distribute the pressure evenly on the top of the foot.

- Outsold had plenty of grip

- Super breathable...you can see the color of your socks in them against the black. Should be good for drainage

- Sizing is spot on and the 11.5 is a tad looser than the road version mainly due to the upper as the toe box has a bit more room (both vertically and in width).

no trail shoe is perfect for every trail. lots of trail shoes aren't rigid and don't have rock plates.

Are all the NB Fresh Foams in this category? Just the Beacon?

Really liking the Beacons, meh to positive on the new Altra Paradigm, been advised to seek a more stability-oriented shoe for muh shin splints of the MTSS subtype (not compartment syndrome), looking at the Vongos. Thoughts?

(Also: history of 1st mtp joint problems, tried Hokas in the past and even in wides they were too narrow)

Thing is the regular freedoms have a dam good outsole as is so why bother with this shoe.

p_pp_ppp_pp_p wrote:

Are all the NB Fresh Foams in this category? Just the Beacon?

Really liking the Beacons, meh to positive on the new Altra Paradigm, been advised to seek a more stability-oriented shoe for muh shin splints of the MTSS subtype (not compartment syndrome), looking at the Vongos. Thoughts?

(Also: history of 1st mtp joint problems, tried Hokas in the past and even in wides they were too narrow)

I am not positive that ANY of the Fresh Foams are TPU based. I am pretty sure they are just a different blend of EVA, and I doubt that they could get so much cushion at so light a weight if they were a TPU blend. Pebax, maybe, but seriously doubt they are pebax.

They just happen to be a really springy EVA that made their way onto this thread because of said springyness... I think :-)

And, to answer your other question, all of the FFs besides the Beacon are incredibly harsh in my book. The Beacon is a stand-alone favorite. ymmv

Potentially great shoe alert:

Reebok Forever Energy.

Lightweight TPU for under $100. Feels great on the run, cushioned enough for long runs; secure enough and plenty of pop for tempo work, at least.

***Order a half size smaller***

Also, the non-removable insole is easily removable (with no mess or scraping), if you are into that sort of thing.

Hoka Project Carbon X:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJPy_4ExvZU

I am a little bummed about the weight and the use of EVA instead of some superfoam, but I am told this is a fantastic marathon shoe. We shall see :-)

Is the Adidas Ultra Boost a different shoe then the Adidas Ultra Parley?

I know the Parley is made from recycled plastic but it feels like a different shoe, narrower and not as flexible.

bump

Saucony is debuting their new lighter version of Everun here soon called PWRRUN+

Runsplit wrote:

Saucony is debuting their new lighter version of Everun here soon called PWRRUN+

This is very exciting news! Can't wait to hear more. Saucony has been my favorite shoe brand since I started running. Right from the start I was impressed with the high quality from their entry level shoes like the Cohesion, but eventually graduated to higher end models as my running improved (a reward to myself for all my hard work!) and am now wearing the Freedom ISO 2. It's an outstanding shoe, and with a full length EVERUN midsole, I get so much energy return that my runs feel effortless. It's amazing to think about the possibilities that will come along with PWRRUN+. Definitely something everyone should keep an eye on!

gsimmons2005 wrote:

reed wrote:

no trail shoe is perfect for every trail. lots of trail shoes aren't rigid and don't have rock plates.

Thing is the regular freedoms have a dam good outsole as is so why bother with this shoe.

Freedom outsole sucks on wet pavement.

Hi,

The fuelcell midsole in the propel and rebel are fantastic - very responsive - better than boost. I am also waiting for the new Skechers go run ride 8.

Cheers

Steve