Choosing the right running shoes for you is extremely important for obtaining the best results. On’s running shoes are generally geared more towards fast running, with the distinctive pods on the sole offering a great cushioning-to-weight ratio that makes them especially good for long races in particular. However, with the Cloudsurfer the focus is more on providing plenty of support for your daily training. The shoe has an extra layer of EVA cushioning on the heel of the shoe to ensure a soft landing, and the ride is far less firm than on other On shoes in general, making the Cloudsurfer a great for easy efforts in particular. The Cloudsurfer is certainly a shoe made for the road, and lacks traction if you do step off the tarmac, which is inadvisable at any rate due to the pods’ mildly annoying habit of picking up small pebbles.
The Kwicky’s weigh a mere nine ounces. For their size and amount of cushioning, this surprised me. The low overall weight is likely because of the foam sole and seamless upper. Both are great features of the shoe but provide the secondary benefit of reducing weight. The sole is a lightweight foam that is softer than other similar shoes like the ASICS Speedstar 6. Because of that, I’m more comfortable running prolonged workouts on the road in the Kwicky. In most cases, I prefer the combination of a firm shoe and dirt trails but the Kwicky’s give much needed cushioning on the roads.
How long will a shoe last, and how do I know when it’s time to get new ones? In general, brands advise that running shoes will last 500 miles or so, but they’re not going to fall apart at that point, so unless there are clear signs of disrepair, there’s no need to move on immediately. Signs to watch out for are when the cushioning starts to feel squishy, rather than firm, and the grip on the sole being eroded. Also if you suddenly start picking up injuries when you haven’t changed your running routine, it could be a sign that your shoes are no longer providing the support needed.
Altra has been coming out with some really great models in recent years and the Altra Solstice is an excellent example of the direction they’ve been pushing their models. They use a top-level design that hits the sweet spot across all our measures and do it at a comparatively low price-point. For its price, it delivers the most value for performance out of our lineup, which is why we were happy to give them the Best Bang for the Buck Award. Aside from price, one of the most outstanding attributes of the Solstices is the weight. A pair of men’s 11 come in at just 17.2 ounces – that’s approaching track shoe weight. Perhaps the clincher here, is the comfort of the cushy high Abrasion EVA midsole. It’s a nice middle ground. It’s enough to let you put out some serious force (meaning tempo to sprint) without killing your feet, but not so much that it saps away momentum and gives you the mud-run feel.
The Gel-Kayano has been on runners’ feet for over 25 years, and it remains Asics’ top-selling shoe. It’s a great everyday trainer, especially if you’re an overpronator. The stretchy woven mesh upper provides a close fit, while a medial plate and sturdy heel counter keep you from rolling onto your inner foot as you run. It’s a hefty shoe packed with the company’s latest proprietary tech, including FlyteFoam Propel and FlyteFoam Lyte, as well as Gel cushioning in the forefoot and heel. See more info on https://info4runners.com/.
