Saucony Triumph ISO 4 Shoe Review

February 21, 2018 By Hollie in Gear Review, Reads, Running Tags: fitness, run, running, shoes, workouts 3 Comments

Recently, I integrated the Saucony Triumph ISO 4 into my rotation. It’s one of the few shoes I seem to try each updated model. In summary, I personally liked the original Triumph ISO the best. As the shoe is updated more, I’ve found other Saucony shoes that I like better included the Freedom and even the cheaper Saucony Ride 10.

Fit:

The fit is different than the Triumph 3 and actually reminds me a lot more of both the original Triumph ISO and the Triumph ISO 2. The shoe is actually a little longer than the 3, but still narrow. Throughout the years, I’ve worn anywhere from a 9.5-10.5 wide in the Triumph. This year, I find the 10 wide to be the best fit for me.

I found an interesting issue, I haven’t had before with the Triumph that the midfoot is much more snug. Typically, I have liked the Triumph ISO, because it is a wider shoe model. While there is sufficient room, I did find the updated model to be much narrower (even the wide) in the midfoot region.

Finally, if you have never run in Saucony shoes, the heel counter is much lower than other models. I’ve never had an issue “running or slipping out of the shoe,” and don’t know anyone who has, but it is something to be aware of! We have many people that come into work that don’t like the shoe because of the low heel. It’s also a hard shoe to put orthotics and inserts into.

Ride:

The Saucony ISO 4 has gone through a few significant changes. One is that the entire bottom is lined with the Everun foam. Previous models included about half EVA and half Everrun.

Now, it’s full Evverun.

Why does this matter? It makes the Saucony ISO 4 much firmer than previous models. It’s has become much more responsive, but still cushioned shoe. In fact, it’s much more similar to the Saucony Freedom.

Changing to an entire bottom of Everun means the shoe’s dynamic drastically changes. If you have run in the Saucony Freedom, it will feel much more similar. The Triumph ISO 4 feels much less soft and much firmer than the previous Triumph models.

Summary:

I do personally like the Saucony Triumph ISO 4. I’ve put just over 100 miles and not had an issue. While the midfoot is tighter than previous models, it’s not uncomfortable.
The shoe itself does feel drastically different, both in fit as well as ride. It’s definitely not a model of shoe I would buy blindly online.
Sadly, with the integration of the full bottom of Everrun, the retail price of the ISO 4 has gone up to $160.
Personally, I’ll continue running in it, and I think it’s one of the better versions Saucony has made in the last two years. The original ISO was still my favorite.

Keep in mind, these are all personal preferences. Saucony is not paying me to review their shoes. What works for me, might not work for you. All of our feet are different.

Current Rotation:

Daily Runs: Saucony Triumph ISO 4, Brooks Glycerin 15 and Hoka Clifton 4
Workouts: Altra Escalante, Nike Zoom Fly
Races: Saucony Type A and Saucony Endorphin

Questions for you:
What is your favorite running shoe?
Is there a model, you’ve run through several models?

Why There is No Best Running Shoe

January 25, 2018 By Hollie in Gear Review, Running, Running Reads Tags: fitness, gear, health, run, shoes, sports 5 Comments

The best shoe doesn’t exist.

It’s not the Nike 4% and it’s not the Brooks Leviviate.

Also, pumpkin spice lattes and unicorn frappucinos are not the best coffee…

But each of those has great marketing.

It’s no secret that every human is different, and thus, we have different feet. Even your own two feet might be drastically different and that is okay. Thinking out loud, that is why there are so many different shoes.

What works for me, might not work for you, and it certainly won’t work for everyone. ‘

Some people thrive on minimal shoes, and other’s (like myself) thrive on maximum cushioned shoes.

Some need a lot of stability, and some need none. Stability and pronation is just one factor. A person’s foot shape has a lot to do with shoe selection too.

Each brand and style is cut a little different, and while most brands have both a narrow and wide option (some even double-wide), it’s important to realize you might wear a different size than you think. I wear anywhere between a 9.5 wide to a size 11 depending on the cut of the actual shoe.

So then: “Why is There No Best Shoe”?

The best shoe for you, depends on a few factors:

Foot shape
Personal gait cycle
What someone is doing in the shoes and their goals

Every running shoe is the best for someone. Similarly, every running shoe is the worst for someone.

A good pair of running shoes will cost you between $100-$120. The cost isn’t because you are being ripped off, but because companies develop technology that cost that much to create, plus labor costs, etc. There are plenty of shoes that cost more and even a few shoes that are a little less (for instance the Nike Pegasus). Costing more does not make them a better shoe.

There are also plenty of ways to find sales on shoes such as older models or discontinued styles. You might have to sacrifice the shape of the shoe matching your foot or older shoes tend to last less time.

As someone who works in a running store, I also tell people the best way to get a good shoe (for you) is to go get fitted for an appropriate pair. Most local running stores employ people who run and know running. The employees also tend to know the local area and can be a great resource.

For instance, on paper, I love a neutral high cushioned shoe. If I were to shop online, I would think a shoe like the adidas ultra boost or Asics Nimbus would be a great option. However, with the width of my foot, they never feel that great. Getting fit for a pair of shoes, the first time I realized just how wide my feet are!

Running shoes are expensive, but it’s the most expensive part of the sport. Once you find your shoe, you can find out when sales and deals are. I always recommend signing up for your local running stores emails because they often have the best deals of any place!

Questions for you:

What is your favorite running shoe?

What are shoes you’ve tried and have not worked?

New Balance 880 Shoe Review

January 24, 2018 By Hollie in Gear Review, Reads, Running, Running Reads Tags: fitness, health, new balance, run, running, shoes, sports 3 Comments

I haven’t run in many New Balance Shoes since college. Since working at a running store the last few years, I’ve tried New Balance shoes on, but I’ve never run a significant amount of mileage in them. The only New Balance shoe I’ve tried in the past few years is the New Balance Fresh Foam Zante.

After a couple hundred miles, I realized it wasn’t enough cushion for me and looked cute so I made it a kick around shoe. The 880v7 sells well at our store and it’s a comfortable shoe. Since I’ve been enjoying various models and brands lately, I thought it would be the perfect time to come back to the brand. The 880 is a neutral shoe and lift weight shoe. It’s the 7th version, but I haven’t run in any of the previous versions.

I’m not sponsored by New Balance, nor are they paying me to write this. My opinions are my own.

Fit:

I haven’t run in previous models but based on trying previous versions I can tell the 880v7 is wider. The shoe itself comes in both wide and double wide.

Like many current styles of running shoes, the 880v7 has a seamless upper which accommodates bunions and wider feet. New Balance is usually known to fit more full feet and to be honest, I find this to be one of the widest neutral shoes out there. I usually wear 10-10.5 wide in shoes, and in the 880v7 I wear a 10 in the 880.