Running and Laughing through the Garden State
I always seem to have a Brooks Glycerin in my running rotation. I started with the Brooks Glycerin 14 and went into the Glycerin 15, Brooks Glycerin 16, Glycerin 17 and now the Brooks Glycerin 18. I don’t have a favorite and have generally liked all of them. The Brooks Glycerin is an excellent recovery shoe with plenty of cushion for easy days.
Continue reading “Brooks Glycerin 18 Shoe Review”
The New Balance 880 has been one of my favorite shoes for the last few years. The NB 880v10 is light, but with a lot of cushion. I’ve run in the New Balance 880v8 as well as the New Balance 880v9.
Saucony Ride ISO 2 Shoe Review
Somehow I never reviewed the Saucony Ride ISO 2. I have actually run in 2 pairs now. The Saucony Ride ISO 2 was released in November 2019 and between the New York City Marathon excitement as well as downtime, it must have gotten lost in translation. To me, the Saucony Ride ISO 2 is the best neutral shoe Saucony currently has. It’s consistent throughout the years, a $120 price point, and it fits well.
I’ve run in various years of the Saucony Ride including Saucony Ride 9, Saucony Ride 10, and Saucony Ride ISO (also known as the Saucony Ride 11). The Saucony Ride ISO 2 would be equal to the Saucony Ride 12.
Weight: 9.8 oz
Heel to Toe Drop: 8 mm
The major change in the Saucony Ride ISO 2 come with an improved fit. It’s snugger in the arch but with more room in the forefront. In the updated, Saucony Ride ISO 2 Fit, there is now a top layer of Double Jacquard mesh. This mesh allows a more breathable and stretching fit but also has more structure to it.
With the previous Saucony Ride, it felt like there wasn’t enough structure at the forefront and your foot was left free-floating. The updated Isofit and formfit technologies cradles a runner’s foot to feel more secure but still has a wide toe box.
The Saucony Ride ISO 2 also has more midfoot support with the ISOfit lacing. The first Saucony Ride ISO was too wide in the arch, which caused many people to feel less secure.
The internal bootie and tongue remain the same as the original Saucony Ride ISO.
One thing to keep in mind is that Saucony shoes have a lower back than other brands. This can be especially challenging if you want to put an insole or orthotic into a shoe. While you won’t run out of a lower back shoe, it will affect how you feel ion the shoe.
Typically I wear between a womens size 10-11 wide and I find the 10.5 wide to fit the best.
Writing the Saucony Ride, Ride in a review, always amuses me. Anyway, one reason I like the Saucony Ride ISO 2 is that it’s almost a cross between a substantial racing shoe and a lightweight trainer. The Saucony Ride ISO 2 is lighter than traditional trainers but also provides the cushion that you need for easy and training runs. In fact, Saucony actually added 2 mm of foam to the Saucony Ride ISO 2. Even though there is an additional 2 mm of foam, Saucony has reduced outsole crystal rubber to make the stack height remain the same.
When running in the Saucony Ride ISO 2, I’ve found it’s more responsive than previous versions. The Everun topsole sits on top of the Powerrun layer midsole to make for a smoother transition from heel to toe. The flex grooves bend with the foot.
One concern I had with the reduction of the outsole rubber was the traction, but I’ve run in the torrential downpour with no major issues or sliding.
I’ve run a few different runs including easy runs, faster longer runs as well as workouts and it works best as a longer run and daily trainer shoe. I like the cushion but also how responsive it is.
The Ride ISO 2 is a well-cushioned yet responsive trainer that is more comfortable and snappier than before.
This is really a shoe that does well at just about everything from daily running to tempo training but really excels over longer distances.
For a clear majority of runners this would also be a respectable race shoe. The traditional appearance and feel of this shoe, in my opinion, make it a single go-to shoe for many runners.
Easy/Daily Runs: Mizuno Rider Waveknit 3, New Balance 1080 v10, Diadora Mythos Blushield Blushield Hip 5, Hoka Bondi 6, Asics Cumulus 21
Speed Work: New Balance FuelCell Rebel, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro, Nike React Infinity Run
Long Runs: Brooks Ricochet 2 Shoe Review, New Balance FuelCell Rebel, Saucony Ride ISO 2, 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 the Saucony Ride ISO 2?
What is your current favorite running shoe?
To me, the Nike React Infinity Run is classified as a social media shoe. Since the release of the Nike, React Infinity Run a couple of weeks, I’ve gotten more questions about it. Is it the best ever? Is it great for me? The list is endless. Except for the carbon plated shoes, in the last two weeks, I’ve gotten more questions about Nike React Infinity Run then all of the rest of the shoes in the entire running industry-combined!
Social Media shoes are the shoes that are super “hyped” the most before release. Typically it’s either a Nike or adidas shoe, although there have been some from Asics and Brooks that have been marketed extremely hard. Remember the launch of the Brooks Levitate? The same person who helped Starbucks Pumpkin spice Lattes helped the Brooks Levitate. Brooks did a great job and for a debut shoe, it did well.
Just keep in mind, not every shoe works for everyone, so I think these social media shoes do a disservice to the running community. The biggest way to know if the Nike React Infinity Run is good for you is to go to your local running store and get your gait looked at.
Like many things, if Nike says it’s the Nike React Infinity Run is “the best ever,” people will think it and buy it.
The Nike React Infinity Run shoe is like any other running shoe. It’s not the best ever, it’s not the worst ever, and it only works for certain foot types. The Nike React Infinity Run shoe does have a lot of cushioning to it. I am wary of any brand that says: “the shoe is designed to keep you injury-free”. No shoe will do that, but how you train in a shoe will.
Weight: 9.6 ounces
Heel to Toe Drop: 9 mm
The Nike React Infinity Run features a single layer of Flyknit Upper. It gives the Nike React Infinity Run a streamlined fit and sleek look. Like most Nike shoes featuring the Flyknit material, it’s stretchy at the front with micro-perforations to help the shoe breathe well. In wet conditions, the Nike React Infinity Run can get soggy and heavy. Similar to the first edition of the Nike 4%. While the Nike React Infinity Run Shoe has plenty of traction for the rain, due to the upper material, it’s not my first choice for inclement weather.
Interestingly, the Nike React Infinity Run shoe doesn’t have a traditional tongue. The elastic tongue stretches over the top of the foot and keeps the shoe’s one-piece construction. If you have a higher instep, the Nike React Infinity Run shoe can accommodate that.
The fit of the Nike React Infinity Run Shoe is narrow through the arch and wider in the forefoot. Nike also has a pull tab instead of a traditional heel counter to make taking the shoe off easy (but seriously always untie your laces).
Finally, something to keep in mind is Nike only included four eyelets. This minimizes the ways you can lace the shoes.
In running shoes, I typically wear between a women’s size 10-11 wide and have found the 11 of the Nike React Infinity Run to fit the best.
According to Nike, the Nike React Infinity Run shoe is designed to reduce injury. As I mentioned, I hesitate when a company says a shoe is great for “injury prevention”. There isn’t going to ever be a shoe that prevents all injuries.
Realistically, the Nike React Infinity Run Shoe is just an updated version of the Nike Epic React. Since they changed so much, they gave it a new name. Nike claims the Nike React Infinity Run Shoe has 24 percent more React foam than Epic React Flyknit 2. More foam=more cushion.
So what is the deal with the Nike React Foam?
The nitty-gritty details are the Nike Running React Foam is a combination of two polymers found in running shoe cushioning:
Together, the two make the Nike React Infinity Run have a soft and springy ride.
The Nike React Infinity Run has a midsole designed in a rocker shape. The rocker geometry is most similar to the curve of the Nike 4% shoe.
What does the rocker do? The rocker in the Nike React Infinity Run encourages a forward lean. According to Nike, this promotes a natural and forefoot strike.
When running in the Nike React Infinity Run, I felt the curve and found it rolled smoothly from heel to toe. I expected a giant marshmallow under my foot with the amount of React foam, but it felt like a smooth ride and responsive.
I’ve run a few runs in the Nike React Infinity Run, including a short tempo run, easy run, recovery run, and a quick workout. Truthfully I’m not sure where it fits in my rotation. I like how fast I feel in the Nike React Infinity Run, but I like flatter shoes for workouts.
While there is no stability piece to it, the wider base of the Nike React Infinity Run makes the shoe more stable by nature. Unlike the Next %, you don’t feel like you’re going to roll an ankle with one wrong move.
I like the Nike React Infinity Run and it’s a good shoe. I struggle with where it fits into my shoe rotation. I caution anyone who thinks a shoe is going to keep them “injury-free or healthy” because there is no shoe that will do that. That being said, there is plenty of cushion which most people can benefit from. It’s neither the best nor the worst shoe out there, but it does get the most social media attention for a trainer.
If you are looking to replace Nike React Infinity Run with something else the Brooks Levitate 3, Brooks Ricochet 2, or Saucony Ride ISO 2 are all good options.
Easy/Daily Runs: Mizuno Rider Waveknit 3, New Balance 1080 v10, Diadora Mythos Blushield Blushield Hip 5, Hoka Bondi 6, Asics Cumulus 21
Speed Work: New Balance FuelCell Rebel, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro, Nike React Infinity Run
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 the Nike React Infinity Run Shoe?
What is your current favorite shoe?
I don’t typically review shoes in the stability category?
Why? Because I don’t usually run in them. Lately, I’ve found I’ve needed a shoe that is more stable for longer, easy, runs. My body feels better with it. I didn’t want anything to be stable and the Hoka One One Arahi 4 felt comfortable.
The Hoka Arahi 4 is one of two support trainers from Hoka. The other (Hoka Gaviota) has max stability and cushion. The Hoka Arahi 4 is lighter and more responsive. The closest neutral trainer to the Hoka Arahi 4 is the Hoka Clifton 6.
Weight: 8 oz
Heel to Toe Drop: 5 mm
One thing that drew me to the Hoka One One Arahi 4 over other more stable shoes was the width. While the Hoka Arahi 4 is not the widest Hoka shoe, it’s wider than most brands.
Most of Hoka’s shoes use an engineered, seamless mesh. Compared to previous versions, the Hoka Arahi 4 uses a softer material which makes the upper lighter, more durable, and more breathable.
Since there are no seams, the Arahi 4 doesn’t irritate your foot if you have a wider forefoot, have bunions, or just like a wide shoe. That being said, the upper of the Hoka Arahi 4 also doesn’t provide much structure.
Since many Hoka models are wide and seamless, some people feel as though their foot just free-floating around in a Hoka shoe. That’s not a bad thing, and you never want a running shoe to be too tight. A tighter shoe isn’t providing support. That being said, you don’t want to feel comfortable.
Typically in running shoes, I wear between a women’s size 10-11 wide. I’ve found the Hoka One One Arahi 4 size 10 to be perfect.
If you’ve run in the Hoka One One Arahi before, this year’s model is similar. The sole hasn’t changed. If you are new to Hoka, Hoka uses early stage Meta-Rocker. The early-stage Meta-Rocker “rocks” you forward and provides a smooth transition from heel to toe.
Unlike the neutral shoes I typically use, the Hoka One One Arahi 4 uses “J-Frame” Technology to provide stability.
What is “J-Frame”?
J-Frame isn’t a traditional medial post like many stable trainers. It’s the second reason I was drawn to the Hoka Arahi 4.
The support is a denser foam that starts in the midsole and runs down the medial (inner) side of your foot. It then goes to wrap around your heel (like a J). It’s easy to distinguish in the Hoka Arahi 4 because it’s slightly darker foam in the shoe. Many brands are going towards more natural ways to support your foot rather than a giant piece of stability built into the shoe.
Finally, the outsole of the Hoka Arahi 4 uses high abrasion rubber. The Hoka One One Arahi 4 has traction when needed, but it doesn’t have the most traction of any shoe. It’s okay for inclement conditions.
I’ve run a few different types of runs in the Hoka Arahi 4 from long runs to easy, recovery runs, and a shorter speed workout. I’ve found the Hoka One One Arahi 4 fits best for me on an easy run day that my body is tired.
The Hoka Arahi 4 is a great trainer for anyone who needs some stability. It’s light, yet responsive. The cushioning is positive for anyone looking for something with a little more.
I appreciate the use of the “J-Frame” and the natural stability versus a giant arch piece. I’ll continue using the Hoka Arahi 4 as my easy run shoe.
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 run in Hoka before?
Have you tried the Hoka One One Arahi 4?