Current Running Shoe Rotation

Since I started working at the local running store here in Anchorage four years ago, I’ve accumulated quite the collection of running shoes. I’m covering my eyes and admitting to having about 15 pairs of running shoes in my closet right now. A few pairs are past their prime, two are for winter running, two pairs for racing, one pair of trail shoes, and several others of varying brands and styles.

I love that I get to try out so many different pairs of shoes as part of my job because it helps me find what works for me and what makes each shoe so different. In the process though, I’ve become a bit of a shoe snob and use different shoes for long runs, easy runs, tempo workouts, interval days, race day, winter runs, trail runs . . . .as you can see it gets kind of ridiculous. But also fun, if you ask me!

This is a list of the shoes I am currently rotating between–some are new (to me) brands or models, others I’ve been using for years. I share my likes and dislikes about each one, but these are solely my opinion about each of the shoes.

Let’s make it very clear that the thoughts on what I think about the shoes are based on how they fit my feet. All of these shoes could feel very different on your foot because everyone’s foot is so different. I highly recommend going to your local running store, having a gait analysis done (to determine if you pronate, supinate, or have a neutral gait), and try on several different shoes to see which one fells the best to you!

I wear neutral shoes even though I do pronate some. It is hard to find lightweight stability shoes, so I’ve gravitated towards neutral shoes. I sometimes use an arch support if the shoe does lack arch support. I also used to use a custom orthotic but luckily weaned myself off of them in the past few years.

Clould Flyer – On

Price: $160

Weight: 8.9oz

Drop: 7mm

Support: Light stability

Pros: Lightweight

Cons: Fit

This is a new brand we recently started carrying at our store. I remember a couple coworkers having demo shoes a couple years ago from On, but we never brought them in. These are Swiss shoes developed with CloudTec technology and pods on the bottom of the shoe called clouds.

My expectations for these wasn’t too high, so I was presently surprised when I forgot I was wearing a new shoe within the first mile. (Always a good sign.) I thought I would feel the transition between the clouds, but I don’t when I run. I did get a rock stuck in the shoe on my first run in them. As long as you stay away from gravel/rocky areas, you should be fine though.

The biggest problem I had with these shoes was that they just didn’t fit my foot that well. I’m not sure if it is a European-brand thing, but I’ve never fit into European shoes that well. It wasn’t anything in particular–just that they didn’t feel as secure on my foot as other brands.

Launch – Brooks

Price: $100

Weight: 8.3oz

Drop: 10mm

Support: Neutral

Pros: lightweight, wider toe box

Cons: nothing for me

I used to run in the Mizuno Wave Rider for several years until I switched to the Brooks Launch a few years ago, and I haven’t found a shoe I love more! They feel like slipping into a made-for-me glove that has a wide enough toeb ox for my wider but not truly wide foot, secure in the midfoot, and a heel cup that actually sits deep enough, which is often a breaking-point for other shoes I try. I love how lightweight they are but still providing enough cushion for long runs. I’ve run in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th editions and can’t wait to try the 5th edition now!

Ride – Saucony

Price: $120

Weight: 8.4oz

Drop: 8mm

Support: Neutral

Pros: lightweight, wider toe box

Cons: shallower heel cup

I believe I’ve had one other Saucony in my lifetime, but they aren’t a shoe I tend to gravitate towards. Unfortunately the heel cup of the Saucony shoes never fit me well, and that is the case for these as well. While my heel doesn’t slip out of the shoe, it feels like it is about to, and I hate that feeling. I can also tell the heel-to-toe drop is less, which (while I have gotten used to it) it isn’t my favorite. I prefer a 10mm drop in my shoes.

Levitate – Brooks

Price: $150

Weight: 9.7oz

Drop: 8mm

Support: Neutral

Pros: cushion, good arch support

Cons: nothing (for me)

Brooks released a new a shoe called the Levitate last fall, and it was a big hit! I was glad to get a pair for myself because I too, love this new shoe! My friend said they feel like a firm mattress versus the soft mattress of a Hoka or the Adidas Energy Boost or Adidas Ultra Boost. These shoes were designed to be more responsive and have more energy return. I love the extra cushion for long runs and easy runs. The heel cup is a perfect match for my foot, the midfoot is snug, and the toe box is big enough.

Boston – Adidas

Price: $120

Weight: 7.5oz

Drop: 10mm

Support: Neutral

Pros: lightweight, Boost cushioning

Cons: very little arch support

I had considered buying the Bostons for some time, and I finally got a pair last fall. I hardly wore them during the winter because most of my runs were outside with my Icebugs, so I’ve  finally had a chance to really try them out this spring, and I love them! I wasn’t sure about them at first because they seemed a little too minimal for most runs, but I love them for interval workouts. I’ve worn them occasionally for easy runs but mostly for faster workouts. They are light weight but also provide good cushion. The one drawback is that the shoes have virtually no arch support, so I do wear inserts with them.

Adios – Adidas

Price: $140

Weight: 7.3oz

Drop: 10mm

Support: Neutral

Pros: lightweight, very snug fit

Cons: no arch support

I have two pairs of racing flats–both of which I love. I first purchased the Adidas Adios because a lot of other competitive runners in area were wearing them. I really like these because they are really snug and secure on my foot, the heel cup is a good fit, and the tread on the bottom is good for wet/rainy surfaces. As with most lightweight shoes, this one doesn’t have great arch support, so I do use my inserts in them.

Hyperion – Brooks

Price: $130

Weight: 5.4oz

Drop: 10mm

Support: Neutral

Pros: lightweight, wider toe box

Cons: no arch support

Since I race so much during the summer, I felt like I could justify a second pair of racing flats, so I purchased the Brooks Hyperion. They are even more lightweight then my Adidas Adios. The toe box of the shoes is a little more roomy and forgiving than my Adidas Adios, which I appreciate. The one drawback again is the lack of arch supports in these. Other than that, I absolutely love them!

I actually wrote a very similar post two years ago and surprisingly many shoes are different. The only pair of shoes that have remained the same are the Brooks Launches and the Adidas Adios.

So there you have it! I hope that was insightful, and don’t be shy, leave a comment below with your currently favorite running shoes and why you like them!