Fall Shoe Review

Most manufacturers recommend changing shoes every 500-800K. Keep running in them after this and the cushioning and control begin to break down. These mileage marks are simply guidelines – runners should listen to their bodies to decide when to retire shoes. Sudden muscle and joint pains, without a change in the training program, signal the need for new shoes. Heavier runners, or runners using lightweight racing flats, should replace shoes closer to the 500K mark, while lighter runners with robust high-mileage trainers can get away with pushing the 800K limit. It’s always better to err of the conservative side – plus, there’s nothing like a new pair of shoes to keep you motivated.   

The Right Shoe

The first priority when buying new shoes is to find the right fit with the proper level of support and stability. 

Start by trying on different shoes, as every manufacture has an ideal shape (the last) they believe represents the average foot. A knowledgeable salesperson can make a huge difference in the selection process. It’s just as critical to choose a shoe with the right stability. To determine whether you need a motion control shoe, a stability shoe or a neutral cushioned shoe, consider arch height, weight and biomechanical efficiency.

Motion Control Shoes

Runners with low arches roll inwards during their stride (pronation) and usually need robust motion control shoes built with straight lasts and beefy medial articles to control excess inward rolling.   

Stability Shoes 

Efficient, average-size runners with medium-height arches naturally roll slightly inwards during their stride. They can use shoes with a good combination of cushioning and stability. 

Neutral Cushioned Shoes

Neutral shoes suit high-arched runners with rigid feet. These runners need maximum cushioning and minimal stability.  

::GEARBOX
Gel Kayano 14 – Men’s $200
Asics 
With massive gel pods in the heel and forefoot and a firm medial article, the Gel Kayano 14 is a stability shoe with plenty of cushioning. The fit is classic Asics with a mid-volume upper, heel and forefoot, and is further improved with strategically placed stretch panels on the outside of the forefoot and arch. Perhaps a touch heavy for competitive shorter-distance races, the Gel Kayano 14 excels during longer runs when a smooth, controlled ride is the main concern.       

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Gel Cumulus 10 – Women’s $140
Asics
This year, Asics updates the Gel Cumulus with decoupled crash pods in the heel and a Gel system in the forefoot. The result is greater cushioning for runners with high arches and rigid feet. Other improvements include the Impact Guidance System, which smoothes the heel-to-toe transition. Biomechanically efficient runners will appreciate the updates to this cushioned classic.   

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1224 – Men’s and Women’s
New Balance 
The new 1224s are not your father’s New Balance trainers. These vibrant stability shoes merge modern aesthetics with exceptional cushioning and control. A tall, roomy toe box prevents bruised toenails, while the NLock lacing system secures the shoe to your foot. High-mileage runners seeking a relatively light, well-cushioned and stable shoe will enjoy the new 1224.        

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Wave Inspire 4 – Men’s 
Mizuno
Using Mizuno’s patented Wave technology, the Wave Inspire is targeted at runners needing a lightweight stability shoe for daily training. The firm ride and low weight make the Inspire feel fast. The upper fits medium-to-low-volume feet, while Mizuno’s unique Dynamotion heel resolves heel slippage for certain runners. The Wave Inspire 4 successfully blends cushioning and stability into a fast all-round trainer.  

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Wave Elixir 3 – Women’s
Mizuno
As part of Mizuno’s performance stability shoe program, the Wave Elixir 3 is built light and low to the ground. Weight is minimized with lightweight uppers and a combination of a carbon rubber and blown rubber outsole. This construction assures sole durability in high wear areas like the heel while reducing weight and encouraging a natural flex at the ball of the foot. The low ride height is instantly noticeable and creates a fast and agile ride. Mizuno’s Composite Double Fan Wave provides just enough stability for mild pronators without limiting the cushioning needed by more neutral runners. The Elixir is made for runners who want a fast tempo trainer or a racing shoe without too much motion control.

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Ultra TT – Men’s and Women’s 
Zoot
Built light and low-to-the-ground, the Ultra TT is a flexible cushioned shoe packed with innovative features from the competitive triathlon world. Unlike most shoes, the Ultra TT can be worn without socks and is a top choice for hot and humid conditions. The fit leans toward the narrow end of the spectrum with a snug heel, instep and forefoot. Cushioning is excellent and the flexible outsole and midsole are ideal for rigid feet. Zoot’s innovative one-tug elasticized laces a great for triathlon transitions and also allow for fast on-the-run adjustment during training runs.

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Progrid Ride – Men’s
Saucony
Runners looking for excellent cushioning with a touch of stability will love the Progrid Ride. The shoe delivers a secure fit with a snug heel and roomy forefoot. A new segmented heel and works with the SRC Impact Zone for a responsive and smooth ride.

The relatively low weight is perfect for faster runs without sacrificing cushioning and comfort.   

::GEARBOX
Progrid Omni 7 Moderate
Saucony  
The newest version of the Progrid Omin provides excellent stability and control for moderately high-arched runners. Saucony combines a ProGrid heel unit with the SRC Impact Zone for a smooth heel-to-toe transition. A lower ride height delivers an agile ride while the midfoot arch strap hugs the foot during hard efforts. With its solid combination of stability and cushioning, the Progrid Omni 7 Moderate should appeal to many runners. 

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Zoom Victory +
Nike
With the innovative FlyWire upper, Nike shaves significant weight from the Zoom Victory+ upper without sacrificing structure and control. Thin threads are laminated to the upper and act as stability panels keeping the foot properly positioned with the sole. Designed as a lightweight and responsive tempo training shoe, the Zoom Victory+ fits medium-to-narrow-width feet with slender insteps, and is perfect for neutral runners.

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Premier Smoothfit Cushion – Men’s and Women’s 
Reebok – $130
The Premier Smoothfit Cushion, points to the future of running shoe construction. Built without any obvious sewing, Reebok instead builds the shoe with glued seams. The result is a lightweight and seamless upper, which contours to the foot and minimizes the risk of blisters. The fit is snug, with a roomy forefoot and arch-hugging upper, while a responsive ride delivers a smooth heel-to-toe transition and easy toe-off. Some runners may find the heel fit on the shallow side, but otherwise this is a nimble training shoe for neutral runners with average-width feet.

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Supernova Cushion 7 – Men
Adidas
It’s never easy to update a classic, but Adidas rises to the challenge with the Supernova Cushion 7. The new shoe delivers a cushioned ride that’s perfect for neutral runners. Improvements include a new upper consisting of a roomier midfoot and slightly less width in the forefoot. The No Seam construction in the forefoot eliminates many of the blister-producing interior seams, while a blown rubber forefoot outsole cuts down the weight. With its smooth, responsive ride, the Supernova Cushion 7 is great update to the Adidas line.     

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Trance 8
Brooks
The new Trance 8 is a fast, well-cushioned stability shoe and could be the ideal race shoe for moderately pronating runners. Much of the shoe’s go-fast feel stems from the low ride height and assertive toe-off. Fit on the Trance is comfortably wide on the forefoot with a snug heel and medium height instep. With the Trance 8, Brooks introduces its new environmentally friendly Bio MoGo midsole. The new material delivers excellent cushioning during its performance life cycle and biodegrades 50 times faster than conventional EVA. Brooks believes so strongly in the environmental benefits of Bio MoGo that it will distribute the technology as open source and make it available to other shoe manufacturers.