Started minimalist, now want more!

Running Shoes/Running Gear Shoes

10 years ago 03/20/2014 3:02pm EDT

About 1.5 years ago I started running... literally I had never run before, or at least never more than a 100 yards or so at a time. But I started running as an activity with my girlfriend and now we've completed 5ks, half marathons, Tough Mudders, and I am signed up for my first marathon.

I've done all of this in pretty minimalist shoes. Like many, one of the catalysts to my early running was a book many of you have heard of, Born to Run. So I started in Nike Frees and eventually moved to Brooks PureConnects. I'm on my second pair now, but being that I'm a bigger gent and running longer distances (20+ miles on longer runs) I'm starting to feel like I need something more.

Basically, I'd like to keep a neutral shoe without a ton of heel/toe drop, but something that is going to be better and easier on my feet for long runs. I've been contemplating the Brooks Ghost 6 and Launch, but haven't ventured much outside the Brooks Realm.

One last caveat, I have a pro-deal for Brooks, Ascics, and Altra shoes, but I am open to any suggestions or advice people have!

10 years ago 03/20/2014 3:05pm EDT

re: Falcon12

Unless you wear Hoka, you won't get much more cushion without the heel toe drop than what the Brooks Pure series has to offer.

http://www.hokaoneone.com/technology.html

10 years ago 03/20/2014 3:14pm EDT

re: new kid

Any recommendations within the Pure line? Like I said I'm running in the Connects now, but I don't think they provide enough cushion. I've also tried the Flows, but they hit my arches in a bad place and were subsequently uncomfortable.

10 years ago 03/20/2014 3:18pm EDT

re: Falcon12

The Pure Connects offer Moderate cushioning according to runningwarehouse.com. None of their other neutral shoes offer more than moderate cushioning, even in the non Pure line.

10 years ago 03/20/2014 3:22pm EDT

re: Falcon12

Ghost and Launch are both good shoes. The Brooks Transcend is the new Brooks "maximalist" with extra cushion if you want more than the Ghost.

The Nimbus is the Asics equivalent of the Ghost (neutral with lots of cushion) and is also nice. Asics Cumulus is a lighter neutral cushioned shoe.

IDK about Altra.

10 years ago 03/20/2014 3:33pm EDT

re: quququqmmq

Altra seems like a good option to have.

10 years ago 03/24/2014 11:21pm EDT

re: SMJO

torin or instinct from altra

nimbus is not comparable to the ghost, the cumulus is

check out the skyspeed (replacement of the speedstar) from asics. lightweight neutral trainer, more cusion than pure line

could also try the cortana from saucony, a high cushion low heeled shoe, or the gravity from newton

10 years ago 03/24/2014 11:39pm EDT

re: Falcon12

good plan. I followed the same path. Unfortunately, I didn't switch quick enough and got injured from the minimalism on concrete.

10 years ago 03/24/2014 11:48pm EDT

re: altraaaaa

New Balance 980s are another option for a pretty good low drop shoe with more to it than the pure line.

Personally, I like the Hokas Stinson Tarmac (6mm drop) for most of my running, but I have a few others interspersed within my collection that I wear for certain occasions. i.e. Saucony Peregrine (4mm drop) for tempos/workouts on the trails.

I know many people that are in the same boat as you. Most went from the Pure Flows to Newtons of some sort, while a lot went to a Hoka.

You might want to go into your local running store and try on some shoes and at least get an idea of what works for your feet.

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Started minimalist, now want more!

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