I meant to post this on the Womens forum but please post if you can help
I need a new running shoe. For years, I have been wearing the size 9 Asics DS Trainer and have had no problems. I would buy 2 pair at a time and cycle them. In training for IMAZ, I went longer than I should have in ordering shoes. The last shoes I ordered were the XI model.
After reading the changes that were made to the 12s, I waited for the 13s thinking they would be better. They are not working. My toenails are bruised and arch blisters. I had to size up an additional 1/2 size too.
I used to like Saucony for the wide toe box but the heel was too wide (years ago). Nike tend to hit me high on the back of the achilles tendon.
What stability or neutral shoe do you wear? I need something for after the IM. I am going to use some of my older shoes for the race I guess.
Thanks for reading my ramblings and offering ideas.
I’ve been using Asics 2100 series for as long as I can remember. I buy two pair at a time. I loved the 2110’s…2120’s not so hot. Retailer told me they were the same thing…turns out they did make some changes. Now I have the 2130’s and I really like them.
Sounds like you have a good idea of what you need but it might not be a bad idea to stop by your local running store and have them fit you for a new pair. Since you know what has not been working and the issues you have had I’m sure they will be able to get you into something that will work out well.
Not sure where you are located but I have always had great service at Forward Motion in the SF Bay Area.
It had been my experience also, that Saucony’s were too wide in the heel and that the cushioning was not responsive enough. I felt like I kind of sank into them.
That was until I bought a pair of Saucony Paramounts. They are expensive, but 100% worth it. Especially for IM training. I have a wide, neutral foot with high arches and the Paramounts work perfectly. I actually just ordered a new pair last week. Awesome.
Asics has changed the DS Trainer quite a bit over the past few years. I honestly can’t tell if the new version is appropriate for more people than the old one, or just different people, but in any case many of the people who used to wear the DS Trainer have switched to something else.
I would never take advice over the Internet for which shoe to buy. Go to a running store you trust and ask their advice. Try on a few shoes and see which ones feel best. Be prepared that the shoe that feels great in the store isn’t always so great a few weeks later, so don’t go buying two pairs until you’ve run in them for a while. Keep in mind that the DS Trainer is a posted shoe and offers a fair amount of stability for its weight, and most other shoes in the same category tend to offer less stability.
Some shoes we carry that are in the same “lightweight performance” category as the DS Trainer:
Brooks ST Racer (stable performance) (new version will be available in a few weeks)
Mizuno Elixir and Precision (Elixir is moderately stable, Precision is neutral)
Saucony Sinister
Zoot Ultra Race (neutral for most people)
New Balance 826
Of those, I think the Brooks ST racer or the Mizuno Elixir are most like the DS Trainer, but every body is different so what works for one person might not work for you.
yeah but apples to oranges!
She is using DS trainer which is a Performance Stability your recs are cushioned shoes.
Zoom Elite from Nike and Tempo from Zoot would be a better match close to DS Trainer but my personal recs would be more Zoom Elite, NB 902s.
Thank you for the advice. I wouldn’t get a shoe just based on the advice that I get here, but there a SO many shoes out there that I wanted to get a feel for the models that might work for me.
I recently moved from the east coast to central Ca. (Yay)! So I am not familiar with the best places to go yet. Funds are a current problem too, but that will get better.
Thanks to everyone for the input. I have a list now and can go the next step. Gotta keep those feet happy!
