Spring Sneaker Try On: It’s All About Second Chances
Running season is here. And while I don’t plan on running any marathons this year, as you know, I love me some outdoor spring running. Every year around this time, I assess the running shoe situation that has mostly been gathering dust in my garage over the winter months. Spring is a great time to get out with the old, and bring in all that is new in the running shoe world. And that is exactly my goal with this particular spring sneaker try on.
The ladies of the Fitness Finds on the ML Run Club are all sporting different running shoe brands.
It’s time to say bye-bye to your current running sneakers after you have logged 300-500 miles into them. That includes both running and walking miles. It includes errand running miles, walking up and down the sideline of your kid’s game miles, and walking to the bus stop miles. That large range is dependent on the type of shoe— the more technical racing, speed shoes have a much shorter lifespan (some plated race shoes last a mere 150 miles). There are apps that track your mileage for this purpose, which comes in handy when you are rotating through different shoes at the same time. For me, unless I am training for something, I am going to replace my shoes every 6-9 months … or when some fancy, newer version of my current shoe catches my eye.
The beautiful and bright sneaker wall at Bryn Mawr Running Co. in Bryn Mawr, PA.
Right now since I am running strictly for fun and not training for anything in particular, I wanted to get wild with my daily trainers. I know, us runners are crazy! Design, manufacturing and fabrication continue to improve what we wear on our feet for any activity, and running is right up there to include the latest and greatest sneaker technologies available. I wanted to try on all the new shoes with the latest bells and whistles during this spring shoe try on. And the shoes listed in this article are what I would have purchased had I needed a bunch of shoes to train in this year.
What I actually left the store with is the most shocking of all! So let’s start there. Puma’s. Yep, I got a pair of Puma running sneakers. See I told you I was going to mix it up and go nuts this year! I didn’t even know Puma’s were in the running shoe game until I stepped into Bryn Mawr Running Co. last week and saw them sitting in the women’s neutral shoe section. With a complete shoe redo two years ago, Puma now makes a running sneaker, several actually, that are just as technical as the big players… but much cuter (in my opinion) and with a way better price tag.
I am pretty pumped about my new running sneaker. It’s called the Puma Velocity Nitro, version 2. I found it to be just as lightweight and cushiony as my beloved Brooks Glycerins (which I will never completely break up with). The Nitro foam makes this shoe bouncy for faster runs, yet comfortable for the long runs. I love the fun colors and the $120 price, which is one of the lowest on the market. Any time I try a new brand or style, I am going to test it out (indoors on a treadmill). Running sneakers are an investment and are so individual that it makes sense to take it for a test drive before fully committing. Luckily, most running stores, at least the smaller local shops, allow you to return sneakers after an indoor run. And that’s exactly what I did with my new Puma’s. Head over to my Instagram to hear all about it.
These are the sneakers that came home with me, and I have been enjoying them ever since.
While I was in the mood for something new and different, I decided to give Nike a try. I am NOT usually a Nike fan when it comes to running, which is funny because Nike started as a running shoe company (I just learned this from the movie, Air, which I highly recommend). I’ve tried the Nike Pegasus in the past but prefer them for the cardio fitness classes that I do. Bryn Mawr Running Co. had a shiny new pair from Nike that I had never tried before-the Zoom X Invincible.
I loved the feel of these. I found the upper of the shoe to be quite supportive while very airy and light. And I found the the sole of the shoe to be cushiony and super bouncy. If I was training for another marathon, this shoe would definitely be part of my rotation. The Invincible is great for someone who wants to be comfortable and springy while running distances. On the other end of the price spectrum, however, this trainer is pushing close to $200 so that is the main reason why I didn’t leave with it. I’m investing my “fitness petty cash” in other places this year.
Another running shoe that I was not a fan of in the past, was On. I like their sneakers for everything else, but I recall being so uncomfortable in the last running shoe that I tossed them after only one or two painful runs. Yes, it was that bad. I read a comical yet very accurate review that said something about the paradox of On— constantly naming their shoes after clouds but being so stiff. It’s been a few years since I have had On’s on and you should never count out a shoe for too long. The big name shoe companies make changes each and every year (Hoka does it every two years). And with all of the advances in shoe technologies, it’s always worth another look if it’s been a few years since you’ve tried a certain style. So I was eager to get on the new and improved Cloudsurfer, after the guy helping me at BMRC convinced me that this cloud would now be light and fluffy.
There are a few reasons for this. On’s cushioning system, which is what I look for in a shoe, has been updated. So that’s good. They also got rid of the “Speedboard” underfoot— I am learning that I wasn't the only one who hated running in their shoes because of this. On now uses Helion foam for a softer bounce. Out of all the shoes I had on (with the exception of the sparkly Saucony race shoes that I’ll tell you about shortly), this is definitely the most stylish of the running shoes. I found this shoe to no longer just be a pretty face but actually have some substance, too!
Ever since I can remember, I have been running in Brooks. Brooks are actually the most popular running shoe brand in our country and account for the largest percentage of the market. But prior to running in Brooks Glycerins, I always ran in the Asics Gel Nimbus. My mom ran in the Nimbus in the 90’s so when I started to run in high school, it makes sense that I got what she had. Let me tell you, those clunky and heavy shoes didn’t do anything good for our already big feet and slow paces. So once I found Brooks, I never looked back. Sorry mom. Sorry Nimbus. But, the most informed running sneaker guru that I know, Ken Taylor, the owner of The Running Place in Newtown Square, told me that the single biggest change made in a shoe this year was with the Asics Gel Nimbus. And in the spirit of second chances, I decided to put them on my feet for the first time in nearly 20 years. And guess what- the clunkiest shoe on the market is no longer. It’s light and cushiony now, just like its namesake. Ken told me that the Nimbus now provides the maximum shock absorption of any shoe in the neutral category. I just found them to be very comfortable, much lighter and less bulky for sure.
What you can see here between the two versions is a much different sole. What you can’t see from this picture is a much lighter feel.
Like I said, I am not doing any big races this year, so I am certainly not in the market for a new race shoe. I got rid of my Saucony Endorphin Pros after I they gave me 26.2 glorious miles through the streets of Chicago last October. Race shoes are not the kind of shoe to wear for walking, casual running or simply bopping around town. Mostly because they are so expensive and they have a much shorter life span. So to waste mileage in them not running fast would just be utter ridiculousness. But, when I saw the options that BMRC had in this category (some even had actual sparkles) I had to just lace them them up…and for a second, they were even good enough to get me to consider running another marathon.
Race shoes are also known as “plated” shoes. That plate is either made with carbon fiber, plastic or a combination of both. The plate acts like a spring board — The runner uses less energy and goes further with each step from the spring of the plate, which makes the runner faster. Race shoes are significantly lighter than the trainers and over the course of a distance run, those fewer ounces really add up to a faster time.
The Saucony Endorphin Elite had me all googley-eyed from the moment I saw them. I think I actually shouted “are those sparkles?!”. I wasn’t planning to leave with this $300 shoe, but I wanted to get them on my feet and cruise a bit on the treadmill at the front of the store (and this is why I was late to tennis). The word springy doesn’t do the bounce to these shoes justice. You literally feel like you can fly. I took that treadmill all the way up and kept going! I think I almost flew across Lancaster Avenue. But I did have to give them back. If anyone out there is running a marathon this year, or even a half, go get these sneakers. And let me know how you break all your PR’s in them. Because you will. And you will look damn fine doing it!
I can’t finish this article without my bit about buying your running shoes in person. It’s so important to get properly fitted for a running shoe and not just order them online because they look cute (guilty). If you have been fitted in the past and are just reordering the same style, then you may be ok to click. But even so, like I said, running shoes change at least something with each shoe every year and sometimes those changes warrant a whole new style or new brand of shoe for you. Where to go in our area? If you want to get schooled on running shoes, go to The Running Place in Newtown Square. I find them to be the most knowledgeable (and willing to share) store in the area. If you want the largest variety of new shoes and styles and colors, go to one of the 4 locations of Bryn Mawr Running Co. I was blown away by their selection. It’s a damn shame my “fitness petty cash” isn’t going towards running this year.
This is my shoe wall at The Running Place in Newtown Square. I have a neutral foot but most of the population requires a support shoe. Do you know what kind of shoe you need?
While I did link some sneakers in this article (you know the deal— I’ll get a small commission if you purchase anything through my LTK page but at no cost to you), I do recommend going into a running store to be properly fitted.