Runners love to talk about their shoes, right? I haven’t said much about my shoe choices lately, I guess since my foot has been cooperating. Last year I went back and forth quite a bit about running shoes, trying to find the perfect match.
I started running in Brooks back in 2006 or so, and have stuck with them for most of my running since then. When I started having problems with my foot in 2016 I thought I would have to break up with my Brooks. That didn’t last long before I ended up right back where I started.
So what am I wearing these days? I thought I would start by sharing a picture of my running shoe closet. It’s in the basement near our workout area, and luckily I just cleaned it out a few weeks ago!
New Balance Vazee Pace
In the back left corner I have the New Balance Vazee Pace. I wore these briefly during the summer of 2016 when I was on a hunt for different shoes. Now I mainly wear them for strength training sessions and walking.
Pure Flow 4s
Next to those are the Pure Flow 4s. I wore these from late 2016 to early 2017. They are a little snug on my feet compared to some of the other versions of the Pure Flows, so I don’t run in them anymore. I do sometimes wear them when I ride on the spin bike.
Altras
The two pairs in the back right area are Altras. I got the Intuition that I started wearing with orthotics, which gave me a blister. They don’t bother me without the orthotics, but I haven’t really been working to transition to a zero drop shoe. The other Altras are the Provisions, which have a little more stability. I wore them briefly last summer before I took a break from running. I just haven’t tried them out again since being back.
Saucony Kinvaras
In the bottom row, the shoes all the way to the right are the Saucony Kinvaras. I also wore they briefly in the summer of 2016 when I was trying different brands. They are really light and I think they would be good for speedwork, I just get nervous to wear anything different at this point. I did run a mile in them last week though!
Brooks Launch
To the left of those are the Brooks Launch. These shoes really helped me get through my injury and get back to running. I wish there was less of a heel to toe drop, but I like that they are a bit of a wider shoe. I feel like this pair has lost their “bounce” and I have no idea how many miles are on them, so I have pretty much stopped wearing them.
Now, for the shoes that I have actually been wearing lately:
Brooks Levitate
The Brooks Levitate are probably my favorite running shoes these days. I have been wearing them since October and they are really comfortable. Again, a bit more of a drop than I would like (I think these have an 8mm drop) but just the right amount of cushioning and a wider toe box.
Pure Flow 6s
I have also gone back to the Pure Flows. This version is the Pure Flow 6 and they are much better than the 4s and 5s in my opinion. I feel like the toe box is a little wider than previous versions, although still more narrow than I would like. I tend to wear these for shorter runs or any speedwork/tempo runs.
Even though I have tried so many different shoe options, I still have issues with one of my toes. Last fall I got another black toenail which is still growing out. I’ve asked about it at every running shoe store I’ve been too as well as when I was seeing a podiatrist. No one really has an answer for me considering if I go up in size any more my foot will slide around too much.
I’m just glad that for the most part I have found shoes that keep my feet (and body) happy.
What are your favorite running shoes?
Do you rotate pairs or wear the same ones?
Have you ever gotten a black toenail?
I’m linking up with No Guilt Life, MCM Mama Runs, and Marcia’s Healthy Slice for Tuesdays on the Run and Rachel, Lora, and Debbie for the Coaches’ Corner!
it’s funny, I realized I rarely talk too much about running shoes and I think it’s because I settled into my rotation a while ago and never turned back! I hope my combo continues to work for me! I’ve been in the energy boosts for over 4 years now without missing a beat. at some point, I added in the saucony ride’s as my alternate and my latest pair of them are just amazing! right now I love both pairs equally I think!
I don’t think Ive ever tried the Saucony Rides but I feel like those could work for me. And I know you always talk so highly of the Energy Boosts!
I tend to run in the same shoe and only alternate to a former pair on rare occasions. Since I only have two pair of running shoes with me here in Hong Kong, it makes the decision a little easier, but I do miss my shoe closet. It looked a lot like yours, just with Mizunos 😉
Its kind of nice to just have a couple pairs so its not too hard to decide which ones to run in! I like alternating between 2- it always makes it a little easier to keep track of the mileage.
I’ve heard so many good things about those Brooks Levitates! It’s kind of fun to see everyone’s shoe evolution.
I agree! And the Levitates have really gotten so good reviews since they’ve been out!
When I ran faster, I always got a black toenail after a marathon. Now not so much. People told me to size up but, like you, I have one smaller foot that would have been totally sliding around if I did that. I’ve got Altras I rarely wear for the same reason as you…I don’t wanna take time to transition. I didn’t even mention the shoes I wear for strength. Haha!
I’ve wondered if the black toe nail is associated with racing, but it seems to be more likely to happen when its warm out. I guess I could try wearing bigger shoes in the summer but that seems pretty complicated! And also, I do think my other foot would still move around.
I think shoes are very personal, as we all have different feet and comfort needs. I have been going back and forth between Brooks Adrenalines and Mizuno Wave Inspires…it seems like every other season the (changing) models suit me LOL
I think its good you have more than one brand you like! I’ve had a hard time breaking in any other shoe besides Brooks.
I’ve been a Mizuno Wave Inspire girl for years but they changed up their current versions and I didn’t like them as much. I have been wearing Saucony Guides for the past few weeks but I think they are contributing to an going issue I’m having with my left foot so I might stop wearing them for long runs.
It can be so frustrating to find the perfect shoe! And it never helps when the brands go changing things up.
Wow, that’s a LOT of shoes! I struggle so much with my running shoes…my feet are crazy narrow and I have to get narrow width. Brooks have sadly never worked for me, but right now I’m loving New Balance!
My feet actually appear pretty narrow but the problem is that my toes are wider than my heel. I think a shoe like Altra would help for that, but then I would have to transition to a zero drop shoe.
I have never tried Brooks Levitate. I actually never heard of them. Are they still a neutral shoe and light weight? I have no idea what my mileage is either on my Brooks Launch. I have the same exact Grey ones you have, I probably should stop running in them as well.
The Levitates reminded me a lot of the Launches! They are also neutral, 8mm drop, I think they have a little more cushion, but not too much. I just feel like they have more spring to them and they really just fit around your foot like a glove. They may be slightly heavier but I don’t even notice it at all when Im running.
My favorites are the Kinvaras. I love them!
I’ve never gotten a “black toenail” per se but I did end up with a bruised toenail in the Fall and I have zero clue why. It hurt a little and I saw it when I was taking off my, interestingly enough, purple nail polish. I thought maybe the polish had stained the nail but then I realized it was a bruise. It’s since gone away. I have no idea. *shrugs*
Thats so weird! I find them so annoying because I need to keep it covered with dark nail polish, especially in the summer when I wear sandals.
I’ve actually never gotten a black toenail from running. I got a couple from soccer since people do step on each other’s feet once in a while. I have narrow feet too, so that might be helping.
Ouch to people stepping on your feet during soccer! Im glad running isn’t a contact sport.
I rotate between the Kinvaras and Freedoms right now, with Peregrines as my trail shoe. My husband switched to Altras in the fall, and the transition took him about 4 weeks total (and he was already in a low drop shoe) but now he loves them.
I had one black toenail after the first time I ran CIM – I think it was hiking at Yosemite afterward that did that nail in!
I was thinking I could start wearing the Altras when I run on the treadmill since its easier to switch back to a different shoe mid-run. I’m just not sure if it’s worth making the change at this point!
Ironically my big toenail just fell of this past weekend! I am plagued with bruised toenails, even though I wear large enough shoes (in my opinion!). My big toenail was actually just growing out the bruised toenail from an injury when I ran Mohican last June! It didn’t fall out immediately, it just kept pushing the bad stuff out when the new toenail grew in. It looks so much prettier now!!
You have a lot of different models of shoes! I just have three – Newtons (Motion & Gravity) and Kinvaras.
I’ve been curious about the Newtons for awhile now! Do you have a preference between the two models that you have?
So far, I’ve been mainly a Brooks girl (Ghosts , Ravennas and Launchs). I also really liked my Ascis Gel-Cumulus. I do wanna try some other brands (because who knows, maybe I will like them even better?) but so far I’ve been really happy with the Brooks shoes!
P.S. I do have issues with one toe as well and am trying to figure out what to do. Which one is it for you (for me it’s the one next to the big toe that always gets a bit bruised, even though I have large enough shoes and it’s not sticking out beyond my big toe).
Yes! It’s always my left 2nd toe (next to my big toe). It’s not longer than my big toe but just about close to the same size. I do think that foot is slightly bigger than the right foot.
Brooks have been great for me for a long time!
I very recently did a complete one eighty and started running in Adidas Ultra Boost and love them. My calf tightness seems to be a lot better too
Thats great that you found a shoe that works well for you!
I’ve never run in Brooks but I know so many people love them! My hubby works for Altra so I’ve come to enjoy them!
Altras seem great, I’d love to transition into them at some point!
Love the Launch! I wore the Connects too and loved those too. The PureFlow were awesome too. I think it was the 2 or 3? I just remember the purple ones. I am curious about the Levitate. I’ve also heard many good things about it.
I kind of miss the the older versions of the Pure Flows, and also the Connects!
I had an extensive running gait analysis done in the fall with my PT to kind of help sort out my shoe drama. We concluded that there is no right shoe for me but there is a right shoe for me for each workout. What that means is my long run or longer distance races should be in a stability shoe like the Saucony Guide. My speed work or shorter runs in Altra’s (he had me start wearing them more frequently outside of running and gradually build up my running time in them). Mid distance runs in neutral Saucony Ride. He also said if my feet feel like they need extra cushion, wear my Hoka’s. Thankfully, my shoe closet was already stacked before we worked this out. I’m just afraid when it’s time to replace everything. That’s a whole lot of $$$.
That is so interesting! So you wear a stability shoe for some runs and neutral for others? I used to wear the Pure Cadences for long runs but when I was at a running store they told me I should stick to neutral all the time. I stopped wearing them but I sometimes wonder if I do need a little more stability as I tire out on runs. I agree it will probably be expensive but not as expensive as months of PT, right?!
This is in great timing as I’m currently shopping as my August shoes are about out of miles. I’m definitely in the afraid to try anything new camp as my current (both New Balance Vongo2) magically solved my plantar fasciitis and I’m afraid to try anything else.
August ones need to become office backups soon as that pair is bordering on unwearable due to miles.
Changing up shoes can be so stressful! I hope you can find the same ones that have worked for you or at least something really similar.
Me too!
I went into JackRabbit to visit a pair as I kind of wish they made 8 3/4. New Balance staff is great and patient.
Wow. All of your shoe picks have caught my attention.Thanks. Really helpful.
I am currently rotating between a few pair of running shoes.
When the weather gets cold, I run on the Dreadmill and wear the New Balance Zante.
When I am doing shorter runs outside I run in the Brooks Launch.
When I am doing longer runs and races I run in the Adidas Boston Boost.
I do love the Saucony Kinvara and Brooks PureFlow though. =)