but what something a little lighter?
I love the Gel Nimbus for training runs, and I found the KSwiss K-Ona is a great racing shoe. I can swap the two on different training days as needed. The K-Ona is lighter and drains very well, but runs very similarly.
Brooks Launch. Best shoe I have ever run in. Period.
the new asics speedstar 5. just got mine today, totally awesome.
X2 on the speedstar
The cumulus will feel lighter than the nimbus but definitely not as light as the speedstar. You could Aldo wait for the new Noosa.
but what something a little lighter?
Nike lunar racer
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Jeez, responses are ALL over the place here.
Are you looking for:
A.) A lighter meat-and-potatoes training shoe
B.) A shoe to do tempo work/run longer distance races in
C.) A 5K/10K pure speedwork shoe
Category A–Well, the Nimbus is a purely neutral shoe. They also make the Cumulus, which is essentially an older model Nimbus platform with a gel pod or two stripped out of it. Provides a very similar ride characteristic at about an ounce lighter. Going to other brands, though, would shoe an even greater weight savings. The New Balance 759, Brooks Launch, Saucony Ride, and MIzuno Wave Rider would all be right in that timeframe. Saucony also has put out a shoe, called the Kinvara, built on a racing flat platform, but enough cushioning to be trained in everyday on pavement and concrete. This is ONLY if, though, you are landing with a more midfoot oriented strike.
Category B–Definitely going to notice a big trade-off here on the amount of cushioning, but significant weight savings can be had. Depending on your weight, some of these shoes may also be used as an everyday trainer. Just be aware that if you’re on the heavier side of things (and for women, that’s over 125; for guys, it’s over 160), you’ll be buying shoes more often. The Asics Speedstar or Asics DS Sky Speed would be a nice choice, if you wanted to stay with Asics. From other vendors, we’d be chatting about the Mizuno Wave Precision, Saucony Getgo, Brooks Launch (fits into both categories, really), and if you can still find a pair, the Nike LunarTrainer.
Category C–Racing shoes. Not a lot going on here. Nice to have in the quiver when you’re doing a track workout, or racing short distances. But definitely not made to last, and definitely not designed to run in everyday. (For those about to say, “But I run in xxx flat all the time,” I’ll counter with the dramatic number of stress fractures in the lower leg and foot being reported by physical therapists, podiatrists, and orthopedists in my region. Results may vary, but most people shouldn’t run in these as trainers.) Here you’ll find the Brooks Green Silence, Nike LunarRacer, Mizuno Wave Musha/Universe, Saucony Type A4, and eventually, the New Balance Minimus (launch 2/1.)
Good luck in your shoe hunt!
Brooks Launch. Best shoe I have ever run in. Period.
I really like my Launches as well.
I rotate btwn my Nimbi and my Launches. The Launches are lighter; their cushion is quite good, but I find that after around 15 miles they start to feel a lot harder than the Nimbi.
They do wind up a bit more expensive, when you take durability into account - I got around 350-400 miles out of mine, had Nimbi that pushed it to around 600.
Mizuno Wave Rider-Trainer
Mizuno Wave Precision-Trainer but really light
.
Mizuno Wave Rider-Trainer
Mizuno Wave Precision-Trainer but really light
Mizuno Wave Rider has become my primary shoe for the last few months (on my third pair). I have been looking to get a different brand just to give my foot some variation and rotate the Riders with something else. What works for that (neutral, low profile heel stack, similar fit) . . . nimbus? other?
The Brooks Launch or the Asics DS Sky Speed will probably be your two best options.
If you want something lighter ON YOUR WALLET then you can go with the Asics Pulse II. They ride like the original Nimbus without too much forefoot cushioning. I went that way and will stick with them now. Weight is marginally lower though (like, .1 oz or something).
I went from the Nimbus to the Landreth. They are a little lower profile and suited my gait better and for whatever reason they seem to wear better. I think I was actually scuffing the Nimbus because of the high heel. Much better feel of the road and lots of cushioning.
L was just lurking and learning on this thread since I have the same sort of set up as the original poster. I just want to thank you for your helpful and insightful response…I appreciate it.
Jeez, responses are ALL over the place here.
Are you looking for:
A.) A lighter meat-and-potatoes training shoe
B.) A shoe to do tempo work/run longer distance races in
C.) A 5K/10K pure speedwork shoe
Category A–Well, the Nimbus is a purely neutral shoe. They also make the Cumulus, which is essentially an older model Nimbus platform with a gel pod or two stripped out of it. Provides a very similar ride characteristic at about an ounce lighter. Going to other brands, though, would shoe an even greater weight savings. The New Balance 759, Brooks Launch, Saucony Ride, and MIzuno Wave Rider would all be right in that timeframe. Saucony also has put out a shoe, called the Kinvara, built on a racing flat platform, but enough cushioning to be trained in everyday on pavement and concrete. This is ONLY if, though, you are landing with a more midfoot oriented strike.
Category B–Definitely going to notice a big trade-off here on the amount of cushioning, but significant weight savings can be had. Depending on your weight, some of these shoes may also be used as an everyday trainer. Just be aware that if you’re on the heavier side of things (and for women, that’s over 125; for guys, it’s over 160), you’ll be buying shoes more often. The Asics Speedstar or Asics DS Sky Speed would be a nice choice, if you wanted to stay with Asics. From other vendors, we’d be chatting about the Mizuno Wave Precision, Saucony Getgo, Brooks Launch (fits into both categories, really), and if you can still find a pair, the Nike LunarTrainer.
Category C–Racing shoes. Not a lot going on here. Nice to have in the quiver when you’re doing a track workout, or racing short distances. But definitely not made to last, and definitely not designed to run in everyday. (For those about to say, “But I run in xxx flat all the time,” I’ll counter with the dramatic number of stress fractures in the lower leg and foot being reported by physical therapists, podiatrists, and orthopedists in my region. Results may vary, but most people shouldn’t run in these as trainers.) Here you’ll find the Brooks Green Silence, Nike LunarRacer, Mizuno Wave Musha/Universe, Saucony Type A4, and eventually, the New Balance Minimus (launch 2/1.)
Good luck in your shoe hunt!
Great post!
Maybe try the Sacony Pro Ride, I’ve been using it for a month and so far so good. I got them at DSW for $60.
Wow, thanks for the great response.
I’m only a cycling shoe whore, so combining A & B - they’ll be my daily trainers but also serve as race shoes. I’m 135#s, fairly efficient with a midfoot strike, according to my PT who watched me run on her treadmill.
I’ve done a few runs in my old Nike Free 5.0s and gotten away with it (currently have a broken 4th toe and those are the only shoes that don’t hurt), but I could tell they were very minimal. The Nimbus/Nimbi/Nimbae (is it first or second declension neuter) have worn amazingly evenly. I have nothing against them, but with my weight and running style (and lack of mileage!) I’m thinking I can get away with a little lighter shoe. On the other hand, I don’t feel the need to go stupid light and risk injury or be constantly replacing shoes.
Nikes and Asics both seem to fit my foot well, but I can struggle with other brands ( I think I’ve got a narrow foot). I don’t do any hard-core trail running, but I do try to do it in the dirt at least once a week, as we’ve got some nicely worn in single and double track around.
I’ll print out your list and head down to the local shoe store to try them on; any thing you’d add or remove based on the above?
Thanks again - are you an online retailer, or affiliated with one?
I’ve been a Cumulus fan for about the last four or five versions, only straying away briefly to the Nimbus before discovering that the N’s had just enough stability/correction to make my knees hurt. The Cumulus is definitely more of a true neutral. I’m heavier than you are, and generally get about 350-400 miles on a pair of the C’s before my knees or hips tell me it’s time to replace them.
In terms of fit, I want to like the Mizunos, but something wraps around the top of my foot awkwardly on every pair of them I’ve tried.
Saucony’s been hit or miss for me back when I bought them regularly. Usually a good fit out of the box for my ‘duck’ feet (wide toe box, relatively narrow heel) but I had too many pairs of them that just didn’t feel right after the first 60 miles or so.
Out of the narrower options, I’d definitely check out the Brooks Launch, the Mizuno Wave Rider, the Asics Cumulus, and hell, throw on a pair of Nike Pegasus for training options. It sounds like really you’re just looking for a pair a little lighter to do your serious training in. However, I would definitely try on a whole bunch of options beyond what I have listed here. You’ll be surprised. Almost all vendors are going for a snug fit through the heel and midfoot, and then really open up through the forefoot in order to let the foot splay naturally (one of the many concessions that the industry has made to replicate the feel of being barefoot on the interior of the shoe.)
I am not an online retailer; just been in the industry for the better part of six years now.
Asics DS Sky Speed .
Why don’t I see this shoe on the Asics website, have they renamed it?