I do almost all my running on concrete (80-95mpw) and am looking for a lightweight but very cushioned shoe to give my knees a break on some of the easier runs that I do. I've managed to stay injury free so far but notice knee pain beginning to creep up during the end of the week. No doubt from running on concrete I'm sure. I currently use the Brooks Ghosts for longer runs and Brooks Launch for faster runs. Any suggestions??
Saucony Kinvara, Adidas Aegis 2
oh lalala wrote:
I do almost all my running on concrete (80-95mpw) and am looking for a lightweight but very cushioned shoe to give my knees a break on some of the easier runs that I do. I've managed to stay injury free so far but notice knee pain beginning to creep up during the end of the week. No doubt from running on concrete I'm sure. I currently use the Brooks Ghosts for longer runs and Brooks Launch for faster runs. Any suggestions??
Nike LunarRacer, the original.
Brooks Pure Project released on 10/1.
Thanks for the quick replies. I was looking for something along the lines of Asics Kayano as far as the cushioning aspect but without the extra weight from the upper material. I have some kinvaras but not enough cushion for me. I would think the brooks pure project would be the same since its marketing as a minimalist shoe.
the pair of brooks launch i had were very cushioned (read: mushy)
Like I said, Pure Project all the way. It's a combination cushioning between their gel-type cushion and regular foam. One of my running buddies is a Brooks ID member and got a pair early and he raves about them. After doing some research on them, there's a more cushioned version (Flow) and a more stable version (Cadence). I've run in the Kinvara too and they didn't last as long as I'd hoped.
Ill check of the pure projects. How about the Nike Air Pegasus or Vomeros? They both seem to have the amount of heel I'm looking for and are lighter than the Asics Kayanos. I've never run in Nike before. Does anyone have any opinions on these shoes? My feet work best with a Asics & Brooks type fit.
I'd go to a running shop and try them out but I'm out of town at the moment and not within distance from a running store.
If you are neutral, New Balance 890. All the cushion of a typical trainer except its under 10 ounces.
If you like the kinvara but want more support try the Saucony Cortana.
i like the puma faas 500. no support, but lightweight and great cushion for the days when your legs feel like crap
take a look at the hokas...very unique shoes but extremely cushioned and surprisingly light. that being said i don't think id ever wear them.
does heel thickness necessarily mean a more cushioned shoe? Some of the shoes recommended above have a heel thickness below 30mm and most of the ones I'm looking have more heel thickness.
I'm looking for something to absorb the impact from running on concrete so I'm guessing these means a thicker sole??
Nike's Streak XC (no spikes) is pretty cushioned+lightweight. Not too thick of a heel either, but the cushioning does a good job.
A standard cushioned trainer is going to be 24mm in the heel, 12mm in the forefoot. Stacked heel height plays a role in cushioning, but it's more about what the cushion is made of.
For example: A Nike from Dick's Sporting Goods is likely to just be made of EVA foam which compresses quickly. Shoes like Asics or Brooks from a specialty store have reinforced cushioning with gel pads built into the shoe. These absorb more shock and help the shoe last longer.
It sounds like you're just bumbling back with ideas and have never really been fitted. I recommend you head over to a running store, express your concerns and see what they suggest. That's a lot more productive than taking fad advice from here.
oh lalala wrote:
Ill check of the pure projects. How about the Nike Air Pegasus or Vomeros? They both seem to have the amount of heel I'm looking for and are lighter than the Asics Kayanos. I've never run in Nike before. Does anyone have any opinions on these shoes?
Ran in both. The Vomero is a big mush ball of a trainer...really soft yet durable. The Pegasus is a bit stiffer and more responsive. I did all of my summer training in that shoe - highly recommended.
Oh lalala,
You need to check that the knee pain isn't coming from lack of support not cushioning. Get checked out by running store, to see if your neutral or not. Also weight usually comes with cushioning as just more material in shoe, they are making them lighter but racing shoes are the lightest and should only be worn for races up to 10k (by the normal human). Are exceptions but for the long miles wear normal trainers. Asics Kayano and Nike pegasus and Vomero are at the opposite ends of the support scale, totally different shoes.
Hope this helps, I only learnt this stuff due to knee pain:(
errrryep wrote:
If you are neutral, New Balance 890. All the cushion of a typical trainer except its under 10 ounces.
+1
The 890 is a good lightweight cushioned trainer. Other similar shoes to try on: Brooks Launch and Nike Lunarfly.
You need to have protection from the roads, not cushioning.
Asics Hyperspeed is what you need