Saucony Kinvara 6 Review: Small Changes, Snugger Fit

Normally an update to a shoe like the Saucony Kinvara would warrant a quick review from me. The model has historically been a personal favorite, and I look forward to trying out each new iteration. The Kinvara 5 was a great update, and on paper it seemed like changes to the v6 would be minor […]

adidas Response Trail Boost Review

When I first saw the new Boost trail shoes that were set to release this summer, I automatically assumed the XT Boost would be my favorite and the Raven Boost would be an interesting option for longer outings.  I really thought the Response Trail Boost would not run well and wasn’t that interested other than […]

New Balance 1400 v3 Review: Great Update to a Great Shoe

Sometimes a small update is all that is needed to make a near-perfect running shoe better. Such is the case with the New Balance 1400 v3. Version 2 of the 1400 was one of my all-time favorite shoes. It was lightweight, simple in construction, and had my desired ride combo of a soft heel and […]

adidas Supernova Riot 6/adidas Adistar Raven 3 Double Review

I’ve run in a lot of good shoes lately, and have many more that I’m testing for review later this summer/fall. In light of all of the reviews coming down the pipe, I thought it might be best do a double review of the adidas Supernova Riot 6 and the adidas Adistar Raven 3.  They […]

Asics DS Racer 10 Review: A Versatile Racing Flat

One of my favorite shoes last year was the Asics Hyper Speed 6. It was one of those shoes that matched my personal preferences almost perfectly: lightweight, softish heel, responsive forefoot, simple construction. Just a great, all-around shoe. Based on my experience with the Hyper Speed, I decided to pick up a pair of the […]

Nike Wildhorse 3 Review: Beefed Up, But Still a Great Shoe

Back in March I wrote a very positive review of the Nike Wildhorse 2. I’d put a bunch of miles on them over the winter, and was impressed by the combination of a lightweight, minimally structured upper and a well-cushioned, but reasonably thin sole. They also provided solid traction on the crusty ice and snow […]

Using Road Racing Shoes for Trail Running

by David Henry I’ve been using road racing shoes for trail running for quite some time now. Within this category, I typically look for shoes that feel fast and quick, are lightweight, and yet can still protect against the hazards of the trail.  Recently, I spent some time trying to narrow down the shoe(s) I […]

New Balance Boracay Review: Small Changes Make a Better Shoe

Sometimes all it takes is a few small changes to improve a shoe. This was the case with the Hoka Clifton 2, which I reviewed earlier this week. Hoka added a bit of padding to the tongue, an additional lace eyelet, and a new insole, but kept just about everything else on the shoe the […]

Hoka Clifton 2 Review: A Solid Update

If I were in the habit of giving “best update” awards, the Hoka Clifton 2 would be a solid contender for 2015. It’s not so much that I love the shoe – it’s actually a bit on the soft side for my personal taste. Rather, Hoka did a great job addressing problems that people had […]

Do Maximalist Running Shoes Reduce Impact Forces?

One of the drawbacks of the scientific research process is that it is slow. It takes time to run experiments, write up results, and get those results published in a peer-reviewed journal. As a result, popular trends tend to take off before science has a chance to validate the beliefs that sparked those trends. We […]

Form Differences Among Barefoot Running, Minimalist Shoe Running, and Standard Shoe Running

Based upon research published over the past several years, I’ve come to believe the following about the effects of footwear (or lack thereof) on running form: 1. Barefoot running is different and no shoe perfectly replicates the barefoot condition. Running barefoot, particularly on a hard surface, increases the likelihood that a runner will adapt a […]

New Runblogger Tool–Shoe Finder

Quick post to announce a new tool that I put together – I spent several days last week pulling data from nearly every shoe listed on Running Warehouse, as well as from a few brands that they don’t carry. I input all of the data on price, weight, stack height, drop, etc. into a spreadsheet, […]

Nike Free 3.0 Flyknit 2015 Review: Flexible Sole, Sock-Like Upper, and Solid Cushioning in a Lightweight Package

The Nike Free line of running shoes was originally designed to mimic barefoot running on grass. All shoes in the line are characterized by an extremely flexible sole, and the three models vary in upper construction and the amount of sole cushioning. The Free 5.0 has the highest heel-forefoot drop and a more traditional, though […]

Nike Pegasus vs. Nike Free 3.0: Does a Moderately Cushioned Shoe Encourage Barefoot-Like Biomechanics?

Nike has long touted the design of their Free line of running shoes as having been inspired by barefoot running. Indeed, the newest Free shoes have the phrase “Barefoot Ride” written right on the insole (see photo at left). Personally, I’m a fan of the Frees since they suit my preference for light, flexible, moderately […]

Nike Free 5.0 2015 Review: Yes, You Can Run in Them!

Over the past several years the Nike Free 5.0 has consistently been one of the best selling athletic shoes in the United States. Go to any school and you’re likely to see many kids sporting the flexible and colorful 5.0s. When I was in Disney World earlier this year the Free was probably among the […]