So I’ve been using the Saucony Grid Type A3 now for some time and they have always treated my feet excellently. But ever since my stock pile was used up about two months ago I decided to switch to the A4 because I just couldn’t find the A3 anywhere. In the few races that I have done in them, a couple of 10ks and a half marathon, they have rubbed me raw in more than one way. I’ve been getting blisters on the bottom of my feet a lot more often than before with the A3 and my feet are just more sore in general after a run than they were with the A3. I’m looking for some help finding a good racing flat that will treat my feet better. Any recommendations? What works best for you?
The Mizuno Wave Universe 3 does not work for me. A lot of blisters. I like the LunarRacer (original) and have been interested in trying the Nike XC Streak or the Nike LunarSpider R. Would be interested if people have tried either of those whether they think they are too lightweight for marathon.
Nike streak xc are the greatest running shoe ever. Lightweight. Versatile for road and light trails. Very little drop. Durable. Breathable. Pretty decent looking. Super comfortable. Low ankle. Hugging heel with cutout. Low cost. Laces that never untie. Good ability to feel the road but not wafer thin outsoles. Flexible but not overly so. Oh, they’re also really lightweight. Plus they’re lightweight too. And they work even for a wider forefoot. They’re lightweight as well.
I do all my running in these shoes’ more than 100mpw.
Nike streak xc are the greatest running shoe ever. Lightweight. Versatile for road and light trails. Very little drop. Durable. Breathable. Pretty decent looking. Super comfortable. Low ankle. Hugging heel with cutout. Low cost. Laces that never untie. Good ability to feel the road but not wafer thin outsoles. Flexible but not overly so. Oh, they’re also really lightweight. Plus they’re lightweight too. And they work even for a wider forefoot. They’re lightweight as well.
I do all my running in these shoes’ more than 100mpw. Love mine as well. Did all of my running in them until I got newtons.
Sorry I didn’t actuallymanswer your question the first time - the Nike streak xc is totally fine for a marathon. I’ve run everything from a 5k up to marathon in those shoes. You just need to be conditioned to them and have done many long runs in them during training.
Im pretty excited about the new Newton race flat that just got realeased- I figure I will probably use that next season.
My new favorite flat is the Puma Fuujin (on sale at runningwarehouse.com). Light, cushioned, stable, and comfortable.
Im pretty excited about the new Newton race flat that just got realeased- I figure I will probably use that next season.
x2 - I have a couple sizes on pre-order at running warehouse. They are supposed to ship Sept. 16th. Apparently they run a size small and recommend everyone who desires a similar fit to other models size up.
I have 2 flats that I’m using right now: the Mizuno Wave Universe 3 (discontinued; they’re up to the 4 now, but I don’t know what changes they’ve made) and the New Balance RC1400.
The Mizuno’s are great (for me) for short races (5k, but I’d probably do 10k in them). For anything longer than 10k, I wear the New Balance.
I have a narrow forefoot, so Saucony’s don’t really work for me. If you were in the A3, I’m guessing you have a wider forefoot, so these shoes might not be as good for you.
A bit about the shoes.
Normally I wear a 10 1/2, in the Mizuno’s I’m a 10. They’re super light (4.1oz for the 10; official weight is 3.6oz for the 9), but/because there is nothing to them. The material is also kind of rough;although, surprisingly, they don’t give me blisters. I wear them barefoot and feel like I just have a bit of rubber between me an the road (probably because I do!). It’s like they’re not even there.
The New Balance are awesome! They’re actually my favourite shoe that I have. They’re also really light (7.1oz for the 9), but surprisingly cushioned because of the RevLight foam they use for the midsole. I wore them for my first race last weekend (a 15k) and they were comfortable the whole time without socks. They have a fairly narrow forefoot and the toe box is not particularly roomy, but they work well for my foot. They might not be flat enough for some people, but I would highly-recommend trying them at least.
Here are the Running Warehouse links for the shoes (I find they’re pretty good at consolidating shoe info):
Mizuno Wave Universe 3: http://www.runningwarehouse.com/descpageMRS-MUNIVS3.html
Mizuno Wave Universe 4: http://www.runningwarehouse.com/descpageMRS-MUNI4M1.html
New Balance RC 1400: http://www.runningwarehouse.com/descpageMRS-N1400M1.html
You could also look at the ASICS Piranha and the HyperSpeed…both good racing flats…(I train in these too.) From a blister perspective you are not going to know until you try the shoes for yourself unfortunately.
Racing flats are such an individual thing that’s making recommendations is like recommending a a favorite color. I can recommend 1 thing: once you find a pair that works for you, stock up. I mean big time.
For example. I love the adidas Adizero RC But they have not made it for years and I have boxes that I have not even opened.
Try Brooks Green Silence - they seem to treat the feet pretty well. Not maybe a true ‘racing’ flat but hard to tell the difference.
Cheers
Barry
That’s a shame. I love my A4s.
How about the Asics Gel hyper speed? I don’t own a pair, but they look interesting.
fastwitch 5’s, I wore the a3, and loved them, switched to the fastwitch’s and have been loving the way they react when running.
Im pretty excited about the new Newton race flat that just got realeased- I figure I will probably use that next season.
x2 - I have a couple sizes on pre-order at running warehouse. They are supposed to ship Sept. 16th. Apparently they run a size small and recommend everyone who desires a similar fit to other models size up.
So if I wear an 11 in newtons but regularly wear a 10.5 I should get a 10.5?
I’ll probably have to wait until they come out and try a pair on.
Im an 11.5 in the Isaacs and they are a touch big- so I figure for me the 11.5 in the flats should fit perfect- thats just a WAG though.
I agree with Joe O here. I also have boxes of unopened race flats . Unfortunately this is a trial and error type of thing. As with traing flats once you find it stay with them.
Im pretty excited about the new Newton race flat that just got realeased- I figure I will probably use that next season.
x2 - I have a couple sizes on pre-order at running warehouse. They are supposed to ship Sept. 16th. Apparently they run a size small and recommend everyone who desires a similar fit to other models size up.
For some reason, although they make lots of models in a 15, they’re not doing a 15 of the flat. Not sure why, but that puts me out of the game.
Nike streak xc are the greatest running shoe ever. Lightweight. Versatile for road and light trails. Very little drop. Durable. Breathable. Pretty decent looking. Super comfortable. Low ankle. Hugging heel with cutout. Low cost. Laces that never untie. Good ability to feel the road but not wafer thin outsoles. Flexible but not overly so. Oh, they’re also really lightweight. Plus they’re lightweight too. And they work even for a wider forefoot. They’re lightweight as well.
I do all my running in these shoes’ more than 100mpw. Love mine as well. Did all of my running in them until I got newtons.
My racing/ speedwork flat as well - I feel like I need a little more cushioning for regular running (6’4", 165) but they’re good for going fast. Also one of the only flats I found in a 15. Not the fastest to get on in T2, and I’m not a huge fan of the tongue (it can bunch up funny when sockless) but no big deal for races or when I have a little time to put them on before intervals.
OH! yeah. Adizero Rocket. Nice flat, springy sole. Good price at Running Warehouse.