Can I get some help IDing all of the Max Cushion shoes with breathable uppers? My current daily is Fresh Foam More v5, and that upper is heavy. Preferrably a solid heal area but super airy forefoot.
Browse runrepeat a bit - the shoe dissections an and analysis are next level and provide some good visuals and data
Personally, I’m pretty OK with the breathability of the Vomero Plus.
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I’ve looked at that and it seemed somewhat helpful. I was looking for some suggestions from the board but I might delve deeper into their stuff.
I have a Vomero Plus and the SuperBlast 2. I would say I’m probably thinking more towards SuperBlast 2 when I think breathability. Although the Vomero+ is better than the More v5s.
I find my NB rebels to be plenty breathable. Adidas adios pro 4 as well if you want a fast shoe.
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I guess let’s start with a process of elimination:
What do you consider as not being soft enough of a midsole to meet your needs?
We just looking for the lightest mesh possible, or are you trying this to also not let as much moisture in?
And, of course, what sock are you pairing this with? You could have the lightest upper in the world but if you pair it with, say, some Balega models, you’ve undone all that good work.
I have some ideas kicking around based on, I think, your enjoyment of the Skyward and another HOKA or two, but just running through the old mental rolodex.
Perfect person to show up in here because I couldn’t find the thread on “how to choose a running shoe”.
- Right now almost all of my runs have been in Fresh Foam More v5s, I have used 1080v13s for a few runs but those have been short and sort of “blow out” fast runs on taper right before the running races I’ve done. So Marshmellow soft?
- It’s PHX, so not worried about moisture at all. Focus on breathable mesh.
- In the Summer, most of my running is in something like this: Ultra Glide Performance Socks by The Feed, old Wattie cycling socks. Then some Feetures or Stance mid-weight performance socks. Funny you mentioned Balega, because I’ve run in March in a few of the “thicker” socks and it was, well it was basically “Summer” here in the Maricopa Basin.
I have only ever test run the Skyward at Cadence Running Co.
Initial thoughts:
Nike Vomero Plus, though you’ll want to go thinner on the sock.
HOKA Mach X3 if you like some rebound with your cushion, and very airy on the upper
Mizuno Neo Vista is also an interesting cat in this space. Softer than you’d think.
Adidas Ultraboost is another one, though like the Nike, sock consideration.
But yeah. Socks. I wear Balega Hidden Comfort as my every day sock, but even they can get a little too much in my golf shoes. Which reminds me, I need to find a new set of spikeless shoes…
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Yes, second this - between PHX, HTX and other hot places I usually wear a cycling specific sock.
Swiftwick Aspire or Feetures Ultra Light.
Still race in CEP, though.
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Feetures ftw! Their warranty policy is phenomenal. Any time a hole shows up in a sock, which is VERY rare, I just send it back and get a discounted new pair. Highly recommend.
So I think based on this thread these are the shoes I’d be looking at for most of my Summer Running, and I have two of them:
Long Run, Max Cushion, but not plush:
- Asics SuperBlast (Own)
- Nike Vomero Plus (Own)
- Saucony Endorphin Azura
- Hoka Skyward X
- New Balance Balos
Tempoish
- New Balance Rebel
- Adidas Evo SL
- Hoka Mach X3
- Saucony Kinvara
- Adidas Ultraboost
- Mizuno Neovista
But no one seems to have a flagship max cushion shoe for recovery/easy running with a truly breathable upper? So SOL there?
I would move the Ultraboost up a category out of this list.
You have to keep in mind that the goal of a max cushion / plush shoe is to provide a “luxurious” experience in the upper. That generally means more soft touch material nearer the foot, and simply more mesh / thread to create a softer experience next to the foot. Pretty contrary to the idea of maximum breathability, which is almost always something reserved for your racier / thinner shoes.
I just got the Mount to Coast C1 in to test, but initial readings are: plush, and a light for its category upper. It’s super low offset, though, so not sure if that’s something you want to mess around with.
But you’ll remember that a few years ago, RunShield versions of shoes were quite pervasive. Similar versions of GTX shoes still are a thing like the Clifton has a Gortex version every year it seems. So wanting a Premium Cush that also is geared for hotter running like companies are putting out for winter running would be nice.
Most of my shoes tend to be 5-6mm offset. The only ones that I have that I will be running in regularly greater than that would be the Superblast 2 (8mm) and Vomero Plus (10mm).
So let me know know how those C1s work for you!
The “problem” is that airy mesh, combined with the crap socks that most people will usually wear with their shoes, will result in premature wear holes in the upper…and an increase in the number of “defectives” or returns. So there’s not a ton of incentive there in that premium cushion market to go down that path.
They’re a front page article at some point. Got a little backlog of footwear to work my way through here.
Another one you may want to look at is the Nike Winflo12. Really stacked but responsive. As a product tester, I put many variations of these through their paces and what is currently on offer was actually pretty airy and fun to run in - especially considering the price point
Did I manifest this into existence?
- Lighter than the standard-upper version without losing protection
Up top for this Breathe version, a thin transparent mesh maximizes breathability, while retaining the plush tongue, heel collar, and premium step-in feel of the standard version.
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Well I’ll be damned.
So I bought the Vomero Premium, and wow, to be honest this is what I would love to see all max cushion uppers look like. Very plush heel counter, and super breathable mesh from the mid to the forefoot. The upper on the Vomero Plus isn’t nearly as breathable.
Alphafly gen 1 if you’ve got any old pairs past their prime lying around! It might seem a bit silly, but those are one of the only super shoes that feel great at any pace and feel like having clouds under your feet. Still my race shoe of choice then long run shoe once the foam starts to show a lot of wear. Same goes fort the NB Fuelcell elite, endorphin pro 3/4, rocket x2/3, or other soft super shoes, they’re just not as extremely cushioned as the men 1 alphas.
Can’t think of any max cushion trainers with real lightweight uppers. Maybe some faster trainer with decent cushion like the endorphin speed, fuelcell rebel, etc. might be a decent balance of comfort and breathability.