I was using a LRS until it closed a few months ago so I had it pretty easy especially since I could trust them to give me what I needed. Now, I’m pretty much on my own, box stores for sources (ich) So I really need some help with shoe shopping. In the past I’ve had Brooks Adrenalins and my latest shoes were Aisic Gel Kinsei (4s?) I’m told these are basically neutral shoes, after that I am stumped. I know I’m on the heavy side for a runner so I need some cushion, mid-foot landing until I get tired and then I tend to heel strike a bit. I have bruised toe nails from my last race (Challenge Penticton) even now. Etc etc…
Try Saucony Mirages. I went there after using Adrenalines for a couple of years. They are basically Kinvaras with a medial post, i.e. a low-ramp shoe with a bit of support. Sauconys are pretty wide in the toe area, so you shouldn’t have any bruising issues.
You can also try the Kinvaras if you are not a pronounced pronator.
Brooks Adrenaline are a great shoe, especially for a larger runner. They are on the more overbuilt spectrum for a support shoe, not quite a motion control shoe, but trending in that direction.
The above mentioned Saucony Mirage are a great shoe too, but significantly lighter than the Adrenaline and depending on what you mean by heavy they might not be enough shoe for you.
forget the box stores and just use runningwarehouse.com. their “recommendations” are reasonable, but, more importantly, free 2-day delivery and returns. i’ve ordered four pairs at one time, tried them and kept the ones that I liked. not only no “pressure” of making a decision in the store on the spot but you can take them for short runs (even outdoors). i have a couple decent “specialty” running stores nearby but I actually find runningwarehouse more convenient.
do they ship to Canada? I really, really wish I had easy access to a good mom & pop running store.
they do ship to canada, but i’m not sure whether all the same return policies apply. my experience with mom and pop running stores hasn’t been that good over the years. most of the time they don’t know what they’re talking about; they most repeat what the shoe companies tell them. even worse now are the ones that pretend to by putting people on treadmills and performing “gait” analysis. if you go to runningwarehouse, it will recommend shoes similar to what you’re wearing based on ramp and support.
Brooks ghost might be worth a look
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So I was rooting around the running warehouse website a couple of times and I see that most of the shoes I’ve picked are “shipped to the US only”. Is there a way to get around this?
they do ship to canada, but i’m not sure whether all the same return policies apply. my experience with mom and pop running stores hasn’t been that good over the years. most of the time they don’t know what they’re talking about; they most repeat what the shoe companies tell them. even worse now are the ones that pretend to by putting people on treadmills and performing “gait” analysis. if you go to runningwarehouse, it will recommend shoes similar to what you’re wearing based on ramp and support.
denali2001 has got the right idea, what he says is spot on.
That’s great except every runner I’ve considered buying they will not ship outside of the US.
Also, what’s the significance of heel toe drop? My Gel Kinsei’s have 12.0mm and the Brooks Glycerins have 9.8mm