Running and Laughing through the Garden State
As many people know, Altra Running Shoes are a zero drop brand. That means the heel and forefront are the same height from the ground. It’s a type of shoe runners either work well with or don’t. Over the past few years, the Altra Torin has been one of Altra’s most popular models for the roads.
Continue reading “Altra Torin 4 Plush Shoe Review”
Saucony Peregrine 10 Shoe Review
I won’t lie; the word “Peregrine” has been a bear for me to remember how to spell. Nothing to do with the shoe, but I think I’ve misspelled it 99.9% of the time I’ve typed it out. Anyway, the Saucony Peregrine 10, however, is a good trail shoe.
I haven’t found a Mizuno shoe I’ve liked as much as the Mizuno Wave Engima in quite some time. A few weeks ago, I went for a group run with our Mizuno rep and he let me run a few miles in the Mizuno Wave Sky 3. I couldn’t believe how much I liked them and it was a shoe I was looking for. A high cushioned, neutral trainer, that could take the pounding of easy runs.
While I’m familiar with the previous versions of the Mizuno Wave Sky, I haven’t run any significant mileage in them.
The Mizuno Wave Sky 3 is different from traditional Mizuno models like the Wave Rider and Wave Inspire. The Mizuno Wave Sky 3 lacks the Mizuno Wave Plate and I’ll get into that later.
Weight: 9.3 oz
Drop: 10 mm
Mizuno has gone to the “Waveknit” upper in many of its models. I reviewed the Waveknit R2 and Waveknit R3 (the Mizuno Wave Rider but a different upper).
The Waveknit upper in the Mizuno Wave Sky 3 makes the shoe fit and feel different. The knit construction gives the shoe a lightweight structure and a more streamlined fit. It doesn’t feel constricting but allows the foot to breathe. According to Mizuno, the waveknit upper construction provides a comfortable fit with natural movement. It does feel slightly tighter than the traditional upper and I typically recommend going up a half size.
The Waveknit Upper uses an open-knit pattern, which allows sweat to evaporate. With the removal of a few overlays and the Waveknit mesh upper, it’s about .2 ounces lighter.
Fit wise; the Mizuno Wave Sky 3 fits fairly true to size. From time to time, a Mizuno shoe is too narrow for my foot. In running shoes, I wear anything from a women’s size 10-11 wide and I’ve found the size 11 to fit perfectly.
The Mizuno Wave Sky 3 uses a brand new cushioning that removes the “Wave Plate” altogether. What is the Wave Plate? Why does it matter?
Mizuno’s Wave Plate is in almost all of their shoes. It’s a thin, rigid piece of plastic between the layers of the midsole. It’s what gives Mizuno shoes that firm but smooth transition while running.
Without the Wave Plate in the Mizuno Wave Sky 3, the shoe is much softer and plush experience. So if the Mizuno Wave Sky 3 doesn’t use the traditional wave plate, what does it use?
The new midsole of the Mizuno Wave Sky 3 uses a combination of XPop PU Foam and Mizuno u4icX midsole (Mizuno foam wave that delivers a softer underfoot feeling).
Another component I appreciate of the Mizuno Wave Sky 3, is the durable carbon rubber outsole. The first run I did in the Mizuno Wave Sky 3 was in the torrential pouring rain and I didn’t feel like I was sliding at all.
I’ve done a few different types of runs in the Mizuno Wave Sky 3, including speedwork, long runs, and easy runs and I’ve found it to be best for easy runs.
I am pleasantly surprised by the Mizuno Wave Sky 3 and I will continue to wear it until I’ve used the life up. The Mizuno Wave Sky 3 has quickly become one of my favorite shoes and I appreciate the cushion for easy runs days.
Easy/Daily Runs: Mizuno Rider Waveknit 3, New Balance 1080 v10, Diadora Mythos Blushield Blushield Hip 5, Hoka One One Arahi 4, Asics Cumulus 21
Speed Work: New Balance FuelCell Rebel, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro, Nike Pegasus Turbo 2
Long Runs: Brooks Ricochet 2 Shoe Review, New Balance FuelCell Rebel, Altra Escalante 2.0, Hoka Cavu 2
Races: New Balance Fuelcell 5280, Nike Next%, Reebok Run fast Pro
Finally, have you subscribed to the LOLZletter? It’s a free newsletter that comes out each Monday. In the newsletter, I share running industry trends and things relevant to the sport.
Questions for you:
Have you tried Mizuno before?
What is your favorite running shoe?
The Brooks Levitate 3 Quick Facts:
Heel to Toe Drop: 8 mm
Weight: 10.3 ounces
Compared to the original Brooks Levitate, the Brooks Levitate 2 went through a significant change with the fit with a redesigned knit upper. Between the two models, the sock liner came up higher and it fit much differently than the first version of the Brooks Levitate. The upper of the third version is similar to the second. According to Brooks, the Brooks Levitate 3 has a plush interior liner that optimizes fit and in shoe comfort.
The Brooks Levitate 3 fits similar to the Brooks Levitate 2 with a secure sock like fit. Brooks listened to the feedback of the jagged back cutting through people’s ankles. The Brooks Levitate 3 has a much softer back and heel counter a lighter and softer feel to it.
The pseudo integrated tongue provides a secure fit without ripping into the ankles. The wraparound integrated collar treats the shoe as more like a sock fit that moves with your gait. I still wish they got rid of the higher flat knit upper all together. I think it’s a bold leap that hasn’t always won over runners (myself included).
The new Brooks Levitate 3 features a redesigned knit upper, a more padded heel collar and more secure tongue which moves with your foot.
Other than that, the fit of the Brooks Levitate 3 is an improvement from the Brooks Levitate 2. The heel and collar are more padded. Typically I wear between a 10-11 wide in running shoes and I’ve found the 10.5 to be a good fit. (The Brooks Levitate 3 is not made it wide).
Unlike many Brooks shoes, the Brooks Levitate is a more bouncy and as Brooks says “energetic ride.” If you are looking for a Brooks shoe more responsive than the Brooks Ghost 12 or Brooks Glycerin, the Brooks Levitate 3 is that.
The Brooks Levitate 3 is meant to be a springy shoe that returns energy with every stride. Unlike most Brooks models, the Brooks Levitate 3 uses DNA Amp cushioning material, which makes it more firm and responsive. Plus, according to Brooks, the DNA AMP midsole technology cushioning material doesn’t break down as quickly as other running foams.
The bottoms of the Brooks Levitate 3 now has a forward arrow point pattern of flex grooves. This allows you to move from heel to toe quickly and more efficiently.
I’ve run a variety of workouts in the Brooks Levitate 3 from speed work to shorter runs, to longer faster runs, as well as easy runs. For me, I think it fits nicely into a quicker long run category. There is enough cushion for those longers runs without feeling beat up afterward. It’s not light enough (for me) to feel fast doing traditional track or speed work in.
I think the Brooks Levitate 3 update is better than the Brooks Levitate 2, but still not as good as the first version. I’ll continue to run it and I didn’t have any issues with it cutting my heel this time around. I prefer the softness of either the Brooks Ghost or Brooks Glycerin 17 before the firmness of the Brooks Levitate 3 running shoes, but the update is good. The Brooks Levitate 3 is better than the Brooks Levitate 2 but still not as good (in my opinion) as the original.
Easy/Daily Runs: Diadora Mythos Elite TRX, Hoka Bondi 6, Saucony Triumph 17
Speed Work: New Balance FuelCell Rebel, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro, Hoka Rincon, Nike Pegasus Turbo 2
Long Runs: New Balance FuelCell Rebel, Brooks Levitate 3, Hoka Cavu 2
Races: New Balance Fuelcell 5280, Nike Next%, Reebok Run fast Pro
Finally, have you subscribed to the LOLZletter? It’s a free newsletter that comes out each Monday. In the newsletter, I share running industry trends and things relevant to the sport.
Questions for you:
What is your favorite running sh0e?
Hae you tried the Brooks Levitate 3?
Let me cut to the chase here. The Saucony Triumph 17 has gone through a massive update. Usually, when people come to the store and ask: “has the updated version of my shoe changed much,” the answer is no. The Saucony Triumph 17 is completely redesigned (along with many Saucony shoes coming out). It’s not changed in a bad way, but it’s very different than the last five years of ISO and everun models.
Big things. The cushioning has changed from “everun midsole” to “PWRRUN+ midsole.” What is “PWRRUN”? According to Saucony, it’s lighter and softer.
Weight: 9.2 oz
Heel to Toe Drop: 8 mm
Like many running shoes, the Saucony Triumph 17 engineered mesh upper is soft, seamless, and flexible. If you have bunions or a wider forefront, your feet don’t rub. The Saucony Triumph has had a more freeing upper compared to other brands. This hasn’t changed and there isn’t a lot of structure in the Saucony Triumph 17 upper.
The massive change is that the Saucony Triumph 17 no longer uses the ISO fit. It’s gone back to regular shoelaces. I’ve worn the Saucony Triumph since the original model of the ISO. (The Saucony Triumph ISO was the best version of this shoe and I still stand by that). The formfit acts like a luxurious bucket seat to holds the foot into place. I’ve worn anywhere between a 10-10.5 wide and the 10.5 wide seems to fit the best this version.
Since the Saucony Triumph 17 no longer uses everun, the ride will feel different. The new PWRRUN+ midsole makes the Saucony Triumph 25% lighter and much softer. It feels like a higher cushioned shoe. With the everun, the Saucony Ride and the Saucony Triumph began feeling too similar. Why pay for the Saucony Triumph when the $120 felt basically the same? Now, there is a separation and you can feel that soft cushion in the Saucony Triumph.
The PWRRUN+ has a springy and responsive underfoot feel but also allows you to finish a run strong and feeling fresh. With the amount of cushion in the Saucony Triumph, you don’t feel beat up.
The traction of the Saucony Triumph 17 is great. There is plenty of crystalized rubber and with the rubber outsole hard to lose traction in an inclement weather day.
I’ve run easy runs, long runs, and a workout. I feel (for me), the Saucony Triumph 17 works best as an easy run shoe.
The Saucony Triumph 17 has changed a lot. It’s lighter and softer than everun. It’s a good shoe, but it is very different than previous models. I like it and I’m glad Saucony has updated it.
Easy/Daily Runs: Diadora Mythos Elite TRX, Hoka Bondi 6, Saucony Triumph 17
Speed Work: New Balance FuelCell Rebel, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro, Hoka Rincon, Nike Pegasus Turbo 2
Long Runs: New Balance FuelCell Rebel, Mizuno R2, Hoka Cavu 2
Races: New Balance Fuelcell 5280, Nike Next%, Reebok Run fast Pro
Finally, have you subscribed to the LOLZletter? It’s a free newsletter that comes out each Monday. In the newsletter, I share running industry trends and things relevant to the sport.
Questions for you:
Hae you tried the Saucony Triumph 17?
What is your favorite shoe?