I've been wearing Asics DS Trainers for years, but lately the plastic in the heel counter has been aggravating a small Haglunds bump in my heel. Does anyone have recommendations for a similar shoe with a soft (or softer) heel counter? I have a pair of Nike Frees that I do short runs in, but I don't feel comfortable doing 100% of my mileage in those. And I don't want to go down to flats for a daily trainer.
Recommendations in order of what I think is most comparable:
1) Saucony Cortana
2) New Balance 870
3) Brooks Racer ST-5
4) Saucony Mirage
5) Brooks Ravenna (traditional guidance shoe)
6) Saucony Guide (traditional guidance shoe
7) Brooks Cadence
Most running stores I know of don't carry the ST-5 or Cortana. You should definitely try any replacement on before buying. They're all very different from the DST.
I run in shoes ranging from fully neutral to light guidance, and love my DS Trainers. I also use the Ravenna and love it. I own the ST-5 -- I don't love it but I would run in it if I had no other choice. The guidance post is much heavier than the DS Trainer.
I plan to buy a pair of the Mirage. I've enjoyed it every time I've put it on.
Hope that helps.
Thanks. I'm thinking about trying the Mirage. Can you compare to the DST in terms of support, sizing, and width? I have really narrow feet and am pretty neutral, but don't want to go all the way down to a racing flat either.
Mizuno Wave Elixer
Adidas Adizero Tempo
gazellerunner wrote:
Thanks. I'm thinking about trying the Mirage. Can you compare to the DST in terms of support, sizing, and width? I have really narrow feet and am pretty neutral, but don't want to go all the way down to a racing flat either.
I have yet to train seriously in the Mirage, but I work in a running store and try it there frequently. And covet it. So take my experience with a grain of salt since walking around the store and a couple jaunts down the sidewalk don't give me as deep a knowledge as I have about the DST.
The Mirage is a light stability shoe like the DST, but I would say it is lighter. I don't notice the posting in either and I am a neutral runner.
The upper is very different from the DST. Softer, stretchier material. The DST and Mirage are both snug fits, but the Mirage feels more slipper-like while the DST is more compression-sock like. If that makes sense. Both fit true to size for me. And both are good for narrow feet.
I don't believe there is a solid heel counter in the Mirage. It is only soft fabric back there, no plastics.
The Mirage is listed as a 4mm drop, but a couple review sites say they measure it at 6.5mm, so it's not a drastic difference compared to the DST's 10mm.
The Mirage has softer cushioning.
The Mirage lacks the plastic trusset found in the outsole of the DST between the heel and forefoot. This makes it more flexible and perhaps slightly less responsive. I like the difference.