I’ve been getting back into running after a series of complications around disk/nerve items. I will mainly be running on my Woodway treadmill or at the track on soft surface. The less shoe I have on my foot the better my running coordination. The best way I can explain this to the rest of you who have normal feel in your feet, is try to catch a football with bare hands on, thin gloves on or thick mittens on. That’s like the diff for me going from vibrams to a New Balance minimus trail to a conventional running shoe. It I put on something like a Newton or Hoka, it’s going to feel like I have two sets of mittens on and won’t have any feel for where the football is…kind of like that.
The New Balance Minimus Trail seems to be working well on treadmill or track but it really is super firm on pavement. I am hoping to graduate to something with a bit more padding so I can do some more pavement running as the Minimus Trail really is hard on pavement. But I want something that is wide, low drop and good ground connection. Most shoes are not available in EE width.
Just to be clear, I am not planning to do a ton of miles on pavement, but being able to do some would make things convenient when I can’t get to my treadmill or track. But most seem to have 8+ mm drop, or they are narrow. Both high drop and narrowness makes things worse!
The Skechers GOrun 5 has a 4mm drop, 18mm at the heel. I don’t know how wide the toebox is on the current version, as they seem to change a little with each version. I have very wide feet (4E), and the 1 and 3 fit me perfectly, while the 2 was slightly narrow. At least based on the photos, the 5 looks like it might be about the same as the 2 was…
I use Merrell Bare Access 4 for all my running.
They’re extremely light, zero drop, several millimeters of cushioning but still reasonable road feel.
I have very wide feet, pretty high volume. I have to buy most shoes a size too big in order to have enough width and volume but in the Merrells I can actually wear the right size (not true for all Merrells but it is for the original Trail Glove in wide fit and Bare Access which only come in a standard but still work).
These don’t seem to be very popular but I love them and have run half marathons and IM in them.
The Kinvara 8 just came out, so you can find the 7s around on clearance. 4mm drop, generous toe box and its plenty light for both a race and training shoe.
I use Merrell Bare Access 4 for all my running.
They’re extremely light, zero drop, several millimeters of cushioning but still reasonable road feel.
I have very wide feet, pretty high volume. I have to buy most shoes a size too big in order to have enough width and volume but in the Merrells I can actually wear the right size (not true for all Merrells but it is for the original Trail Glove in wide fit and Bare Access which only come in a standard but still work).
These don’t seem to be very popular but I love them and have run half marathons and IM in them.
Thanks for this. I believe the Merrells have a pretty high arch. I should add that one of my other peculiar requirements is flatter arch zone.
A few suggested Kinvara, but I think I need something that is more firm and less of a pillow. I have plenty of other pillow style running mittens in basement. I’ll eventually get well enough to use shoes. I think the Alta Escalante will kind of fit into that same category though. Maybe too much sole between ball of foot and the ground? Can someone compare the Brooks Pureflow to some of the older models of the PureConnect. I have a set of 2012 PureConnects that still feel a bit soft and “tippy” relative to the ground contact.
The closer I can get to 6 ounce the better. The “swing weight” of the shoe makes a difference since my doriflex on the recovery phase is still a work in progress.
I’ve been using pureflows for about 5 years now. I did try the pure connects, and I think they felt a bit narrower.
As for padding, I’d say the pureflows are just as padded, or more padded, than the connects. To me thats a good thing, and they are still fairly light. But if you are looking for -less- padding than connects, then maybe pureflows aren’t for you.
A “Firm Kinvara” you could find in the Saucony Grid Type A series. I still have the Type A4 and it’s been a phenomenal shoe. Light, firm and springy, wide forefoot and sockless comfort is a bonus. I see now that Runningwarehouse has newer models on sale, too!
I’ll also throw out the Kinvara (7 anyway, not sure about the 8). I’ve seen a few people mention Pureflow, I had a horrible experience with the 5, the insole had grooves underneath that in some way allowed the space between the ball of my right foot and big toes to squeeze and rub into, just mutilated my foot. If you look into the Pure, check the insole first and replace if it’s the grooved type.
What stack height range are you looking for? You are apparently my foot twin, and it is quite difficult to find shoes that are wide, low stack, and not just a solid sheet of rubber or overly stiff in the sole (Vivobarefoot, New Balance MT10, New Balance MX20, Inov-8 F-Lite, etc.).
There seem to be plenty of foam+rubber soles in the 18-26mm stack height range, but few in the more minimal 10-16mm range. The old New Balance MR00 in wide was perfect for this, but is discontinued. I’m in the process of trying on a bunch of shoes now. So far the only ones I’ve found that feel about right are sadly the Vibram Fivefinger V-run shoes (10mm stack). I only wish they didn’t look ridiculous. I have a pair of Topo ST2’s on their way, which I’m hoping will work, probably with the insole removed (11mm stack) or still in (16mm stack). Another possible shoe would be the Inov-8 Road Talon 240, as they come in their “Standard” fit which seems to be about a 2e (their precision fit is a D width) although they are a bit heavier (8.4oz) and moderate stack (16mm heel, 4mm drop).
count me as one more who’s been fairly happy with the kinvaras - i’ve done 3 pair now. found one pair at winners in toronto for about $35!
they’re not flats, but definitely light and 4mm drop. i raced a PB in the half marathon in kinvaras, though i’m not sure they’d work at full marathon for me.
I have more or less same requirements and after trying several options throughout the last 2 years, I have settled on NB in wide sizes. Both the Zante V2 and Vazee pace V2 in wides sizes work well for me. Better than anything else i have tried incl pure flow, pure cadence, kinvara, merrell’s bare access 4 and lots of others. Good luck!