Hokas were a game changer for me 5-6 years ago but for 2-3 years they’ve been consistently unworkable on account of blisters. The Hapuna’s prevented me from walking normally for 4 days after a 6 mile run. The Bondi’s are too much shoe and the Tracer 2s were a racer not fit for training and the Tracer 3s were a lightweight trainer without enough support for much training but too much shoe for racing. The Hoka recovery sandals – those are the only Hokas I’ve liked since the Clifton 3.
Positive thoughts on Nike’s. After reading this great thread on the new Nike options, I picked up a pair of the new Pegasus Turbo trainers, which have the miracle foam from the 4% racing flats that Nike spent $50M developing and marketing. They are some of the most comfortable shoes I’ve had in quite a long time. The upper is soft and feels seamless. The springiness of the foam is mildly perceptible – certainly not mind blowing for $150, but you can feel it. They feel fast and smooth. No blisters, and after 100 miles I’ve only lost two toe nails – this is a multi-year best for me in toenail loss. The offset seems to be just perfect.
Also grabbed a pair of the Zoom Fly and they are going back. So much less comfortable in comparison it might as well be a different genre entirely, and I suppose it is. The Zoom Flys feel stiff and stodgy and the upper feels like a wooden plank compared to Pegasus.
This is not a troll, and I am not angry at Hoka or Nike or Alberto Salazar. That’s all.
…No blisters, and after 100 miles I’ve only lost two toe nails – this is a multi-year best for me in toenail loss…
Just picking this piece out: Why is toe nail loss seem to be a thing? I’ve never understood people accepting this as normal.
Shoes too small? Bad sock choices?
I’ve been running fairly competitively for 12 years and have never once lost a toe nail…
This is an individual problem I have had with every shoe I’ve ever owned going back to the Kayano 5 in 1996 or something. I don’t think it’s user error… If the shoes are big enough that I never hit the end of them, I slide around too much and get blisters on the bottom of my foot. If they are short enough to keep me from sliding, I tend to hit the end of them, particularly with my 2nd from the right toe which is longer than my big toe, and particularly with my right foot which is half a size bigger than my left. Injinji toe socks prevent inter-toe blisters which used to be a big issue for me.
I know I’m not run fit until I’ve lost the majority of my toenails. That’s basically how I just my training load. YMMV and obviously does
Just a suggestion to you. I have been going down the Hoka path for a while but starting to move away as well. I still like the Cavu and I think worth the try. Slightly firmer than the Clayton but still super cushioned and the upper is a lot better with no blister issues and plenty of room. I’ve been keen to try the Pegasus.
This is an individual problem I have had with every shoe I’ve ever owned going back to the Kayano 5 in 1996 or something. I don’t think it’s user error… If the shoes are big enough that I never hit the end of them, I slide around too much and get blisters on the bottom of my foot. If they are short enough to keep me from sliding, I tend to hit the end of them, particularly with my 2nd from the right toe which is longer than my big toe, and particularly with my right foot which is half a size bigger than my left. Injinji toe socks prevent inter-toe blisters which used to be a big issue for me.
I know I’m not run fit until I’ve lost the majority of my toenails. That’s basically how I just my training load. YMMV and obviously does
Ah, a case of the bitch feet. Don’t worry, I have the same problem. Requires a lot of extra foot care to take care of what my girlfriend calls “diva feet”. Do you tape your feet in problem areas before every run? I do for most of the summer. When it comes to running shoes, it really isn’t the shoes. When it comes to combat boots…I’ve always had to be careful in what I wear.
This is an individual problem I have had with every shoe I’ve ever owned going back to the Kayano 5 in 1996 or something. I don’t think it’s user error… If the shoes are big enough that I never hit the end of them, I slide around too much and get blisters on the bottom of my foot. If they are short enough to keep me from sliding, I tend to hit the end of them, particularly with my 2nd from the right toe which is longer than my big toe, and particularly with my right foot which is half a size bigger than my left. Injinji toe socks prevent inter-toe blisters which used to be a big issue for me.
I know I’m not run fit until I’ve lost the majority of my toenails. That’s basically how I just my training load. YMMV and obviously does
I have the same issue. My toenails will be fine until I start cranking out more kms each week (usually happens once I get over 4 hours per week), then I’ll get black toenails on my toe inside my big toe, sometimes losing the nail, sometimes not.
I am sure that you have read the same things I have but I suggest the Zoom Fly Flyknits. They are supposed to be better than the Zoom Fly and Turbos. I have the 4% and 2 pairs of the Zoom Flys and the Zooms are a good fit but after wearing the 4% they just do not have the same pop.
I am sure that you have read the same things I have but I suggest the Zoom Fly Flyknits. They are supposed to be better than the Zoom Fly and Turbos. I have the 4% and 2 pairs of the Zoom Flys and the Zooms are a good fit but after wearing the 4% they just do not have the same pop.
Yah the vaporfly 4 are so soft and bouncy! Hopefully the pegasus is the same
Peg Turbos are nothing like the 4%. The new Zoomfly Fly Knit are a Vapor 2%-ish. Very nice shoe…NOTHING like the V1 of the Zoomfly.
Interesting. I ran in the Pegasus 34 and really liked them, I also have a pair of rarely used Zoom Flys. They are so uncomfortable, but fast for a 5-10k, though 10k is pushing the bounds of what my feet can stand in them!
What is the durability of the Peg Turbos or Zoomfly Fly Knit like? I head that the Vapor Flys would be worn out after 150 miles, I’d be hoping to get nearer to 500 out of normal shoes.
How is the upper and heel of the flynit zoom fly? The zoom fly’s tear up my Achilles on longer runs and I get blisters. Hoping the flynit upper will solve this. Also… how is the sizing? I sized up a half size on the zoom fly’s based on people’s recommendation.
I also got torn up on the achilles with the zoom fly when I did longer runs without socks, and could feel it with socks. Haven’t worn the flyknits sockless yet but don’t feel anything. The top of the heel is a softer and thinner knit than the heel cup. Wore them with thin socks for a wet half and felt good throughout. I tried the epic react and felt like the flyknit upper wasn’t that great, the flyknit is better for me.
Sizing… 11.5 zoom fly, got 11.5 flyknit and feel like I could drop to an 11 but don’t feel like I need to. I tried a zoom fly xp in 11.5 and it was pretty tight.
How is the upper and heel of the flynit zoom fly? The zoom fly’s tear up my Achilles on longer runs and I get blisters. Hoping the flynit upper will solve this. Also… how is the sizing? I sized up a half size on the zoom fly’s based on people’s recommendation.
sizing is the same as the Vaporfly, not as bad as the ZF v1…those I went up a full size. No Achilles issue for me…get a pair at RW and return for free if you don’t like and get a couple sizes. For me they are the same size as most other shoes.
What are you guys using for racing vs. training? I’ve been suffering some decision paralysis with the Pegasus Turbo and new ZoomFly Knit for a racing shoe. I like a lighter uptempo shoe for racing and not a full blown racing flat. The last couple of years I’ve been using a Pegasus and a Hoka for training and the original Zoom Fly for racing. That setup has worked great and I enjoy the Zoom Fly’s responsiveness at speed. I’m ready for a new racer and originally thought the Knit would be the ticket with the Turbo as a trainer shoe but looking at them both shoes seem to be in the same wheelhouse. Lightish (8.4 & 8.5) and supposedly responsive.