dr stephanie

The Running Shoe List: Volume 1

So there are, what, a bajillion different styles, brands, and stated functions of running shoes out there. It is really (*really*) hard to decipher between what are the nice-to-haves vs the need-to-haves.

I have put together a list of some of the best current shoes out there - including highest ranked ones from trade magazines.

In order to make sense of this list, you should know whether you are a pronator (foot arches roll in) a supinator (foot rolls out), and what kind of running you will typically use them for (outdoor vs indoor, short vs long distance).  If you don't already have a chiropractor to help you with this, you can go to Ontario Chiropractic Association to find a local chiropractor near you to discuss your foot needs. 

If you are in the Toronto area, you can go to my website, and book online (in real time!) to come in for a complimentary foot assessment.  It takes about half an hour, and I evaluate the way you stand, walk and run.  From these tests, I can show you 3D images of your feet, how your feet compare with ideal timing and placement, what your arches are doing and some other pretty amazing stuff about your feet, too!

Maximum Neutral Motion Control (for best long term stability)

New Balance 1123 &1011*  
Brooks Beast Mens*  
Brooks Ariel Ladies*  
New Balance 587*  
Mizuno Renegade 3    
Brooks Trance 8*   
Mizuno Wave Inspire 5
New Balance Ladies 859
Asics Gel 1140 and GT 2140 
Mizuno Wave Renegade 4
Adidas Adifusion MC
Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS*
Saucony ProGrid OMNI 6 or 7 

Moderate Neutral Control (very good stability/most runners)

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 9 
New Balance 740, 817  
Adidas Repsonse Control  
Avia Isis Womens   
Asics Gel Evolution 4   
Asics Gel DS Trainer XI  
Nike Air Perseus 3   
Adidas Supernova  
Asics Gel-Kayano 15
New Balance 993 & 1225*
Saucony ProGrid Hurricane 10
Reebok Premier Road Plus KFS V1
Mizuno Wave Nexus 3
Nike Air Zoom Percept
Etonic Stable Pro V
Adidas Adistar Salvation
Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS

Mild Motion Control (basic stability)

Adidas Response Trail  
Nike Air Shox FSM   
Brooks Addiction 8  
New Balance 769   
Reebok Premier Phoenix
Saucony ProGrid Guide 2
Brooks Switch 2
Brooks Infinity 2
Mizuno Alchemy 8

High-Arched Efficient Runners (cushioning & support)

Brooks Dyad 5    
Nike Air Pegasus +25   
Asics Gel cumulus 10   
New Balance 883 & 1063  
Saucony ProGrid Echelon  
Nike Air Structure Triax
New Balance 758 & 903
Nike Air Maxx 180
Brooks Glycerin 7
Reebok Premier Aero Lite

* Recommended for overweight runners
 
Underlined shoes indicate the best critically reviewed shoes in the trade magazines

run hit wonder

Ah running.  I have a love-hate relationship with it. 

Love how I feel after a run - the high, the clean feeling, the rosy glow in my face for hours afterward. And sometimes....I dread the moment riiiiight before the said run is to take place : sometimes it is because it is just too early in the morning and I am grumpy, other times the option of slowly drinking my morning espresso is so much more attractive than getting in the mental running zone. 

Usually, I get over this pre-workout drama quite easily and a run ensues...except lately. Lately, I have been finding excuse after excuse not to run:

Oh -I am working on my website - I can't. 

Oh - I should really get ahead of some paperwork - I shouldn't.

Oh - I'll do it tonight after my patients!  (never happens btw)

Pathetic.  So, I figured that in order to get out of this rut of excuses - I need to buy myself a new toy (yes I realize that I am bribing myself, but whatev) in order to break the cycle.  

*Cue dramatic problem solving music*

The Nike + iPod Kit.

Can I just say...this is like, PERF. I know this isn't a new thing- but it is *just* what I needed. I have set up my profile on the Nike Running website  (drstephanie if you want to online run with me!) and whenever I run, it syncs my run from my iPod and directly loads it to my online profile. Now, all my runs are tracked, in terms of pace, time, length, etc.   

I have also joined some online challenges, including The Human 10K Race in October!  It is as simple as waking up on Oct 24th whenever you want, running a 10K, and syncing it to your profile.  Easy right?!  No crowds. No stressing about timing.  Just like an a-la-carte, at-your-leisure 10K.  Which is totally my kind of race.  I also think it is pretty spectacular knowing that you are running with millions of other people worldwide simultaneously. 

Now all I need are some online running friends!