What Shoes Should I Buy?

One of the most frequently asked questions I get is, “What shoes should I buy.” And if you know me, you know I’m all about running with natural mechanics; I never rely on the shoe to produce my stride. But… of course, I have preferences!

Here are my favorite road and trail shoes:

Road Running Shoes:

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39

Why I like it: It has breathable flesh, a little extra padding around the ankle for comfort, and a nice narrow fit around the midsole. Nike tends to run smaller and more narrow than other shoes. I usually order a half to full size up. 

Salomon Aero Glide

Why I like it: These shoes have more padding/support than my other shoes and work well with high mileage. I typically wear these on long runs (8+ miles). They have an energy foam that gives a bouncy feel - feels like there’s more return on energy return from the ground in terms of propulsion, especially during long runs. 

Brooks Glycerin StealthFit 20 

Why I like these: They’re really light, neutral, and soft shoes. The fit knit material gives an all-around, comfortable, “sock-like” feel, and the mesh makes them super breathable. It has a nitrogen-infused material, which gives it a soft feel, making it really responsive to feedback from your body and the road. 

Trail Shoes: 

Topo MTN Race 2’s

Why I like these shoes: They fit really nicely around the midsole, and the upper mesh makes them really breathable, great for summer runs. I like the wider toe-box fit for better gripping on the trails (You can use your toes more freely).

Nike Wildhorse 7 

Why I like these: The sole on this is tougher, and the grip on the bottom is stronger than my other trail shoes. It’s got high-abrasion rubber, which is great for technical trails. Nike tends to run narrower and smaller than my other shoes, so I always order one size up. 

Salomon Ultra Glide 2 

Why I like these: These shoes provide more cushion than my other shoes, so I like them for longer runs. The laces make the shoe really adjustable and breathable on technical trails.

Believe me, these shoes are a game changer! You won't regret trying them out - they've made my life so much easier. I hope you get the same benefit from them that I have!

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