2010 Fall Shoe Review: A Range of Motion

This fall season’s running-shoe offerings feature some cool updates, plus a few new brand models that caught our eye. The shrinking motion control category has been rebranded to “full support,” while the minimalist trend continues to inspire the big shoe companies to innovate with technologies that are more comfortable, flexible and lighter weight, but also offer a range of support. In some cases, stability shoes are using technology to kick in only when needed.

::GEARBOX
Advantage 2.0 – $140
Zoot (Stability) Men’s 280g, 9.9oz / Women’s 269g, 9.5oz
36092

For this update, Zoot shaved off half an ounce from the Advantage 1.0 and levelled out the base for a more natural transition. This is an excellent training shoe for moderate over-pronators with mid- to low-volume feet who enjoy a snug fit. Wear testers liked how the shoe and elasticized tongue wrapped around the midfoot, keeping it secure without being too tight. There’s a good balance of cushioning and support. Testers also loved the ample flexibility and easy transition from heel to forefoot. Runners who like the Zoot fit but who want more of a regular running shoe with fewer of the triathlon-specific features will enjoy the Advantage 2.0.

::GEARBOX
Lunar Glide+ II – $150
Nike (Stability) Men’s 311g, 11oz / Women’s 255g, 9oz
36089

Nike is hoping the Lunar Glide+ becomes its modern-day Pegasus – a signature running shoe that it can maintain over the years with regular updates to a solid foundation – and we can see why they’ve chosen it as the star player. The second version doesn’t tinker with the foundation – the updates are mostly to the fit and feel in the upper. Nike adds a wider Flywire panel in the mid section and blister-preventing reinforcement on the toe box, reinforced eyelets, as well as a gender-specific heel counter. Our testers found the toe box fit better than last year’s Lunar Glide and appreciated how the dynamic support technology offers cushioning for intense heel-strikers and support on an as-needed basis for overpronators. This is a fine-looking shoe with the function to match the style.

::GEARBOX
1226 – $180
New Balance (Stability) Men’s 362g, 12.7oz / Women’s 296g, 10.4oz
36088

The update to this moderate stability and cushioning shoe gets a suppler toe box, fewer overlays, thinner synthetics and it’s also the first model in the New Balance line to incorporate a new outsole design that the company will roll out across other models next year. A medial arch wedge links the heel to the forefoot for an inherently stable ride and a smoother flow across the midfoot. The entire outsole also gets a makeover, with extra blown rubber to create a solid platform and a more stable toe-off, while maintaining enough grooves for forefoot flex. A great chance to get on the leading edge of New Balance’s shoe technology.

::GEARBOX
GEL-3020 – $180
Asics (Stability) Men’s 348g, 12.3oz / Women’s 292g, 10.3oz
36083

The main components of this brilliant stability shoe were left untouched, so you can still count on the 3020’s wide platform in the outsole to maximize ground contact. The horizontal flex grooves promote natural motion of the foot at takeoff and the dynamic forefoot cradle and Duomax stability system keep overpronation in check. The heel counter gets a makeover with a lower profile to prevent unwanted irritation, while wedge-shaped eyelet reinforcements foster a foot-hugging wraparound feel on the upper. A tried-and-true classic stability shoe with wide appeal.

::GEARBOX
Supernova Sequence 3 – $140
Adidas (Stability) Men’s 354g, 12.5oz / Women’s 300g, 10.6oz
36081

A mid-level stability shoe with some pronation control, the Supernova Sequence 3 still manages to maintain a sleek ride. The shoe’s toe box is roomy enough to accommodate a higher-volume foot, while the heel counter provides a comfortable nest for the foot in motion. Upgrades include improved flex points in the forefoot and a stitched-on microsuede upper. This is a very cosy and smooth stability shoe with great transition ability for the moderate overpronator.

::GEARBOX
CT Marquis 2 – $160
Merrell (Stability) Men’s 351g, 12.4oz / Women’s 294g, 10.4oz
36085

The CT Marquis 2 has everything a runner could ask for in a true stability shoe – g-2-Phase and g-2+ technology for stabilization and optimal pronation control, g-Phase midsole cushioning and iR5 rubber to withstand hundreds of kilometres of impact abrasion. Merrell uses a gender-specific last and a well-constructed upper. Our wear testers, especially those with higher-volume feet, found instant comfort as they slid into the shoe. Once on the run, the stability control devices performed admirably without compromising the plushness of the ride. A T-cup heel lining keeps the foot in place during long runs, while the Flex-Zone medial design bends in just the right spot. A frontrunner in the full-support category.

::GEARBOX
759 – $140
New Balance (Cushioning) Men’s 314g, 11oz / Women’s 249g, 8.8oz
36087

A beautiful update to an already outstanding neutral cushioning shoe, the 759 has a more pliable upper for a cozy yet supple fit, within the same successful PL-1 last as the 758. New Balance uses high-quality and lightweight Activa Lite foam in the midsole and the shock-absorbing N-ergy elastomer in the heel. They’ve dropped the N-Lock lacing system in favour of oval-shaped laces that still hold a good knot. The 759s have the complete cushioning package for the neutral-gait runner, and weigh in at just 8.8 ounces. Testers raved about both the look and fit of the 759.

::GEARBOX
GEL-Nimbus 12 – $190
Asics (Cushioning) Men’s 337g, 11.9oz / Women’s 277g, 9.8oz
36082

Asics updates the best-selling cushioning shoe by adding a guidance line cut in the outsole that allows for a more unified transition throughout the entire gait cycle. The modified heel construction shaves off some weight from the previous model and the upper now features reinforced lace eyelets that conform nicely to the top of the foot. The Nimbus still has everything you’d expect from this top-of-the-line cushioning shoe, with the added benefit of some stability provided by a very solid platform.

::GEARBOX
Glycerin 8 – $180
Brooks (Cushioning) Men’s 357g, 12.6oz / Women’s 292g, 10.3oz
36084

The cushiest of cushioning shoes, the Glycerin 8 showcases the new Brooks DNA technology, a liquid that automatically adjusts to your running style and absorbs impact only when and where it’s needed. The DNA will firm up to absorb the loads for heavier runners moving quickly and return to a softer state during standing or walking. The BioMoGo midsole and a sprung last provides maximum comfort and performance for all neutral-gait runners, regardless of size.

::GEARBOX
Kinvara – $140
Saucony (Lightweight Trainer) Men’s 218g, 7.7oz / Women’s 189g, 6.7oz
36091

This shoe is causing a sensation among the minimalist crowd, as it manages to combine the levelness and low ride height of other minimalist shoes with the comfort and cushioning of a regular training shoe. Our testers immediately fell in love with the high-performance feel of these lightweight trainers. There’s enough cushioning to protect the soles of your feet from the pavement (after all, were bare feet meant to run on asphalt?) and the extra material in the midfoot provides some stability. A wafer-thin, translucent upper facilitates maximum flexibility and comfort, while an inner layer of thin, flexible bands keep the foot in place. The outsole’s super-flexible triangular grooves further enhance the fast feel of the transition. A fantastic speedwork and racing shoe for biomechanically efficient runners.

::GEARBOX
Wave Precision 11 – $140
Mizuno (Lightweight Trainer) Men’s 283g, 10oz / Women’s 240g, 8.5oz
36086

Seems like there’s a growing field of shoes that fit between the ultra-light racing flats and the traditional mid-pack marathon shoe. It’s a good thing too, as the Wave Precision 11 shows, because these shoes combine the best features of shoes that tend to be either too heavy or too unstructured in a fairly light, speedy, functional package that will appeal to the majority of intermediate and advanced runners. There’s a bit of stability built-in through the midsole, but the shoe maintains the neutral, cushioned and speedy ride of race-friendly models. The upper is very light and breathable and with the wide toe box, will appeal to long distance racers.