Tag Archives: shoe review

Shoe Review: Mizuno Wave Rider 15

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I am on a good streak of finding shoes that fit well and look cool because that’s what it’s really about. ;)

In my last shoe review, I reviewed the Saucony Hurricane 14, which I loved so much I bought two pairs—something I never do. And now I have found another pair of running shoes I love—and am now on my second pair!!

Mizuno Wave Rider 15

I have been wearing these shoes all summer and absolutely love them. I think I’ll be wearing this yellow pair or the new purple and white pair I got at the Twin Cities Marathon in a couple of weeks.

Things I like about these shoes:

- They grip my heel really well. (My heel is on the narrow side, so it can be hard to find shoes that do not slip off my heel.)

- The toe box is large enough for my wide feet.

- The toe box also has a lot of mesh which has eliminated hot spots.

- They are very responsive and flexible—not clunky and stiff.

- Obviously the fun color.

I don’t think I can honestly think of a single thing I don’t like about these shoes. And that’s saying something because I am picky.

I did go up half of a size in this style.

I think most people find Mizunos run on the small side. Every once in a while I can fit into my regular size in a pair of Mizunos, but they definitely are on the narrow side. At the same time, it doesn’t always work to go up half of a size either—sometimes the larger size ends up being too big.

Overall, I really enjoy running in these shoes. I’m even tempted to buy a third pair because I really like the aqua colored pair.

Shoe Review: Saucony Hurricane 14

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I’m am really loving the Saucony brand for running shoes lately!

For several years, I was all about Asics, but then I started branching out and finding other brands of running shoes to try: Mizuno, Brooks, and Saucony. I’m glad I did because I’m really liking the Saucony shoes I’ve been running in recently.

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Prior to my current pair of Sauconys, I have run in the Saucony Triumph 6 and Triumph 7 as well as the Saucony Ride 3 and Saucony Ride 4. 

When I was shopping around for a new pair of running shoes a few months ago, I discovered that Saucony had changed their shoe by lowering the drop in height between the heel and forefoot. Most shoes have a drop in height from the heel to the toe of 12 mm or more. Saucony now has several shoes with a heel-to-toe drop of 8mm, which is supposed to encourage more of a mid-foot strike.

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I first ordered a pair of the Saucony Triumph 9, but they slipped off my heel (as many shoes do), but I loved the 8mm heel-to-toe drop, so I sent them back and ordered the Saucony Guide 5, but they also didn’t fit my foot very well. I was bummed, but then I went and tried on the Hurricane 14s at a local running store and fell in love with them. No heel slippage! So once again, I sent the Guide 5s back and ordered the Hurricane 14s. (I order almost all of my shoes through Online Shoes because they have free shipping to Alaska—something that is hard to come by!—and free return shipping if you order a different pair of shoes.)

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I don’t know what it is about the lower heel, but I really like how they feel when I run. I’ve put on other shoes after running in these, and I feel like I am wearing a high heeled shoe.  

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(I need to remember to take pictures of the shoes when they are new and not so dirty.) 

 Anyway, I loved how these fit. I love them even more (way more) than the Brooks I recently raved about. 

I really don’t have many complaints about them. The one downside is their pretty steep price at $139. I did get them at Online Shoes for $129, so I saved $10. I guess am willing to pay a little extra for a shoe that fits well. I’ve also noticed with shoes that are over $100, they seem to last longer, and I will often wear them more than 500 miles (very cautiously though—if I feel anything go wrong, I’ll switch to a different pair of shoes). 

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There is even small pocket on the tongue of the shoe to stick a key in. How awesome is that?

I love these shoes so much, I have already ordered a second pair. . .something I never do!

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Shoe Review: Brooks Glycerin 8

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I’ve run in a lot of different brands of shoes, but I’ve never run in Brooks before.

I have to admit, I was a little worried I wouldn’t like them, but they are definitely one of the best pair of shoes I’ve run in.

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I bought the Brooks Glycerin 8 because they fit really well and they were slightly discounted since the 9s were out.

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My feet are odd in that I have wide feet plus a narrow heel, which makes finding running shoes a bit of a challenge.

With my wide forefoot, it is critical I find a pair of shoes has a mesh toe box area along the sides.

The narrow heel means I have a hard time finding a shoe that will not slip off my heel, but these fit like a glove.

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I have really enjoyed running in these and they have held up very well. I have about 400 miles on them so far and they still feel cushiony and well supported. (I usually wear my shoes until 500+ miles because I am a cheapskate.)

I honestly don’t have any legitimate complaints about them. The only thing would be the cosmetic design: they aren’t the cutest pair of shoes I’ve ever owned, but I’ll get over it.

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This was my 5th winter in Alaska and up until this winter, I have never put studs in my shoes to provide more traction when running on snow and ice.

I have used my YakTraxs previous winters, but I wore them on a 11-miler this winter and got two black toe nails from them. Since them, I’ve been giving them the silent treatment and ignoring them. Plus, all the hard-core runners up here give you the “stink eye” for wearing the YakTraxs, so I became a “real” runner and got some studs in my shoes.

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These studs are simply screws from the hardware store inserted in the bottom of my shoes.

I really wanted to install the screws myself, but I didn’t really know what I was doing, so I let the experts at Skinny Raven do it for me.

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Love the Brooks slogan on the bottom of the shoes.

Yes, I do believe running is in my DNA.

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Right now I am switching between these Brooks and a pair of Saucony Hurricane 14s, and I’m really loving the Saucony Hurricans as well. I think they may be my favorite pair of shoes I’ve ever run in!