Saturday, June 18, 2016

Shoe Conundrum

A few weeks ago, I bought the Asics Kayano 22s for the first time. I've been in my 21s for awhile, and the 20s before that. I've never had a problem, and I seriously thought the Kayano was my sole-mate. Unfortunately, as I've written here recently, the 22s are weirdly long and narrow in the toe-box.

After some run tests and returns, I've been in the Kayano 22 (wide) for a couple weeks now. I have about 20 miles on the shoe, and it's officially going back to the store. I think the extra width makes my forefoot slip around too much, which is creating hot spots on balls of my feet. Also, I have to lace them too snuggly and that ends up hurting the top of my foot.
I wish it weren't so, but it's back to the store for you pretties.
I've been changing my gait to deal with the discomfort, so now my calves and shins have been tight. I feel clunky during my runs.

All this means I'm officially on the hunt for new running shoes. I overpronate as I tire out on long runs, so I need a little stability and I like a soft, cushioned shoe, but lately I've also wanted to try something more responsive and bouncier.
I used the Brooks shoe-finder after I already kind of knew which shoes I was interested in, and it confirmed my thought process...but depending on if I chose "cushion" or "energize", it gives me both options I'm interested in! So now I'm still stuck!
I've narrowed my search down to the Brooks Ravenna and the Brooks Transcend. These shoes are both support shoes; the main difference is in how they offer support and in the amount of cushion.
My "energize" option.
The Ravenna is more responsive (bouncier), which I want to try out, but the Transcend is definitely softer and more cushiony. Once I eventually go back to marathon training, I think I'll want that cushion, but do I need it for distances up to the half marathon?
My "cushion" option.
The other sticking point is that the Transcend sounds ideal - it has the cushion I prefer and slightly stronger support - but I've read it's a bit wide. I don't want to deal with the same sliding/rubbing issue I'm having with the wide Kayano 22s!
The Transcend's specs.
To further confuse me, the Ravenna's heel-toe offset is more similar to the Kayano 21; I'm not a big fan of low-drop shoes (not that the Transcend is low).
The Ravenna's specs.
I know running shoes come down to personal preference, but I wish someone could just pick for me! And I wish my local stores had these two shoes in stock so I could try them on, but I'll have to order them first and then return what I don't want.

Shoe hunting is so frustrating. I hate that it takes a few runs before you really know if a shoe is working for you or not. If only there were an easier way. Wouldn't it be nice if running shoe manufacturers would stop drastically updating shoes that are perfectly awesome the way they are?

Any advice on picking between these two shoes?
What are your thoughts on cushion vs. responsiveness?

ABK

14 comments:

  1. I agree 100%....I lost out on the Kinvara because they changed them so much! I think if you are not planning on a marathon for next while....go will responsiveness. Add the cushion back in when you up your mileage to the marathon again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's kind of my thought process, too. I'm buying both and I'll keep the one that feels better!

      Delete
  2. Come to Sarasota! The Fit2Run at UTC has both in stock so you can try them on! I like the Transcend colors but I prefer a more responsive shoe- I'm very partial to my Mizuno Wave Creation's. I felt the same pain you did when they changed up everything in the Prophecy's- it was like my shoe betrayed me! Now I'm in the Saucony Triumph's and the Ride's. I love both so far, but still can't get away from the Mizuno's! Sigh. If only they didn't have SO MANY OPTIONS for shoes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had a store credit to Running Warehouse and F2R has really disappointed me lately with their shoe sales :( I have a credit to RW so I'm going to buy the shoes from there, and then hopefully once I know what I like, I can return to F2R!

      Delete
  3. I hate shoe shopping. I have been wearing Mizuno Wave Riders for yeaaaaars but sometimes they change a bit and I get all like "I'm finding another shoe!" But then I never do. :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're lucky that the changes aren't so drastic that you NEED to find new shoes! I tried to love - or even like- these new Kayanos, but they refused to be likable.

      Delete
  4. It IS such a highly personal thing. Suddenly my feet seem to be a bit of an issue, with an achy ankle and somehow sometimes my feet just feel tight, which is a new deveopment.

    I like low drop shoes, but I'm beginning to wonder if my feet no longer tolerate them. I wish I had answers for myself, much less you -- sorry!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sorry you're having foot problems, too! It's frustrating when our needs change without reason or warning!

      Delete
  5. I'm a Brooks Transcend girl, I'm on my 2nd pair and I Love them, but yes, I agree. They should stop changing shoes so we can continue to buy the same ones!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Transcend are right along the line of what I usually LOVE. I'm going to test them out and see how I feel :)

      Delete
  6. I so feel this. I'm a Brooks girl through and through, but I've gone from the Ravenna to the Ghost to now the Transcend as they've made subtle changes to the way it's structured internally. I have a neuroma on my right sole that needs room - I loved the Ravenna most in terms of feel underneath but then it became too narrow. Then I was with the Ghost for possibly three iterations until they tweaked it in some way and it put pressure on my neuroma in exactly the wrong spot. What to do, what to do... it makes me dread show shopping, especially as I don't get bothered until a couple of miles in, so it can feel great in the store but then totally not work for me.

    Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Obviously I meant "shoe" shopping, not "show" shopping.

      Delete
    2. It's so frustrating when the little changes begin to add up and then the shoe eventually becomes unwearable. I hate going shopping because I feel like I'm returning shoes every week! I'm glad I'm allowed to test them out at home before I return them!

      Delete
  7. Sometimes I have slight pain in the ball of my foot and you just made me realize that maybe it's because of the wide toebox! I mostly run in the Brooks Ghost, and overall I really like it, but I do feel like their might be a little too much room for the front of my foot to move around. This sounds like a perfect excuse to pick out some new running shoes! :)

    ReplyDelete