About a month ago 3 of my running friends were having a conversation during our morning run:
Runner 1, “Have you tried the new Hokas?”
Runner 2, “Yea, what did you think? Mine are tight.”
Runner 1, “They are definitely tight in the toebox, my feet hurt and I’m getting blisters.”
Runner 3, “Me too – I need to return them”
Runner 1, “I did return them and got the wide and my feet feel much better. The new model runs narrow.”
A Common Conversation:
Unfortunately, this scene is played out over and over again, brand by brand as new models are continuously rolled out, roughly every 18 months or so. You love your current pair that is now getting older – it is time to get the new pair and your favorite shoe is discontinued! So you try the next model and it’s not perfect. Sometimes, if you have flexibility, you can go to another brand easily. I have a very wide foot (9 1/2 2E!!) so there are some brands that don’t carry that size/width. What to do?
Stock up:
When I do find that great shoe and have run it it for some time, I buy 6 at once. It can be a big layout for some, but for me it then keeps me whole for about 2 years. I average about 1200-1300 miles per year and I rotate 2 pairs of shoes at once and replace by about the 800 mile mark (combined). (For you math wizards, 2 pairs x 400 mi each x 3 sets of 2 shoes = 2400 miles total). This does not even count when I use my flats for races and track workouts, so the time lasts even longer sometimes. This saves time looking for shoes as well. I also look for “endangered” shoes for sales and further stock up.
Reminders:
This does not preclude you from keeping tabs on all your running shoes. I label the 2 pairs I am using “A” and “B” so I don’t mix them up. I rotate them every day to let them dry out from sweat or rain and when I need to clean them. Also, I date them so I know when I started using them. This makes it easier to track the total mileage in order to know approximately when to change them.
For more on running shoes, please refer to my blog post here.
What were your favorite ‘retired’ shoes and what was the next shoe for you?
Trials of Miles,
Coach Nick
2 Comments
Designers are out of a job if they don’t change things. this is actually applicable in any field.
Plus, many people are sure there is something out there that will make them faster, better, improve them, etc.
I am a female who has to wear men’s 8.5 4E, with a bunion and orthotics. There are a handful of models across all brands that are the right size on paper, less when they’re on my foot. I have had to go through through a lot of pain over the years having to make shoes work when mfrs changed the only model that fit/worked. I too tend to stockpile anything that comes close to ok – pricey though and eventually you won’t be able to find them anymore. I don’t care who makes the shoe or what it looks like or what it costs – I don’t “get to” if I want safe and healthy running. And don’t get me started on trail shoes! Mfrs must think no one with wide feet wants to run trails. The NB Leadville 3 is the only one I have found that fits.
Faves:
Adrenaline 13 (then nothing till the 17 which was tolerable and 18 which is better) – I even had to wear the Beast/Ariel for a while when Adrenaline didn’t work. Just bought more 18s as I haven’t yet found a replacement.
Nimbus 17 – disappointed in each since, including the 20
Then there are the shoes with shorter return windows, which become expensive knockaround shoes.