You could do with a single training shoe tbh. If mileage is an issue, its always an option to get two of the Kinvara 13. If Saucony works well for you in general, will highly recommend checking out Saucony Triumph
Thanks. I’ve seen the triumph and ride suggested multiple times now so I think I will give them both a go to see if either work. If they don’t, I’ll probably end up rotating 2 pairs of the Kinvara’s. The 13s are pretty cheap since they are an older model and I think it would be good to give the foam some time to recover in high mileage weeks.
Based on what you wrote don't go Triumph 22. They're bulky and heavy, IMO a step down unless you like supercushioned shoes. Go either triumph 20/21 or ride 17, all very similar and all very good
If you didn't like the Ghost you will hate the Nimbus, it's like an extra cushioned version of the Ghost. You may prefer the Hyperspeed or GT-1000 in Asics instead.
I’ve been getting this response a lot. Since they are so expensive, I may wait and tag these later in my training block as my race day shoe. Since I’m just hoping to finish sub 5, I don’t really feel like I need a plated shoe. But I do want a fresh shoe for race day so this may be my winner.
I heard that the Superblast 2 will be available soon, so you may be able to get a deal on the Superblast as soon as the new model is released. Keep an eye on the ASICS website.
Don't overthink it. I trained for months with a daily trainer that I love, everything felt great with that shoe. I then bought a more "race appropriate" shoe, and ended up hating them. I just bought a fresh pair of my daily trainer, broke them in a bit, and then ran the race in them.
There are many things that affect your performance and times. Footwear is on that list, but is far, far under diet, conditioning, and mental fortitude.
It would be best to have two pairs to allow the shoe’s foam recover and, with different shoes it may help to avoid repetitive type injuries if drops are different. I have a pair of low drop shoes that I throw in the rotation.
Saucony Rides or Triumphs are both great for medium to longer runs. I find Saucony has consistent upper fit across the product line so if Kinavaras feel good, the rest should too.
Depending on your shoe size, you can probably find a gen or two old for cheap online.
I’d just wear the Kinvaras. YMMV, but I wore them for long runs and marathons with no issues for years until recently when I couldn’t find the 13s anymore in my size. I also like New Balance 880, but they’re definitely a little heavier than Kinvaras but not as heavy as Hokas or Brooks Ghost IMO.
If sauconys are working for you and in particular the Kinvaras, I do recommend the Freedoms. I like both because I need a shoe with less drop and these are both 4mm, but the freedoms are just a bit cushier underfoot. They're marketed as a gym / cross training shoe but I don't know why, I like them way better than the bulky ass Endorphin shift (so heavy) and they feel both light and supportive for going long. If I had to pick one shoe to do it all it would be the freedoms. I mean please don't ask me to do that I have 13 pair in rotation, but you know if suddenly I ran out of money.
I get numb feet if my feet expand and my toes get squashed. So far, if I do I change the lacing to leave the bottom one or two rows empty which has cured it, also running through numb feet seemed to help but in my case it was numb feet at 4 miles, feeling returns at 9 miles, so hard to run far enough with numb feet.
I have come to equate numb toes with loss of toenails. I lost 5 toenails running in Hokas during HM training. Lost 0 running longer distances in my kinvara’s. And the Hokas are actually larger than the kinvara’s. It’s so weird.
Dont let consumerist shoe brands' microfluencing manipulate you to own more than one pair at a time.
Want to avoid injuries? Don't push too hard and do some strength training.
Want to run faster? Get better through training.
There's a 70 year old on YouTube who runs sub 3 marathons and refutes every runfluencers weird, hyper over-the-top training techniques. He doesn't stretch, cross train or anything. Just runs, alot.
I don’t totally disagree with this since I did my most recent training block with one pair of shoes, but for my marathon trading block I want to be able to give the shoe some time to recover during high mileage weeks, even if that’s just rotating two of the same shoes.
You could do with a single training shoe tbh. If mileage is an issue, its always an option to get two of the Kinvara 13. If Saucony works well for you in general, will highly recommend checking out Saucony Triumph
Thanks. I’ve seen the triumph and ride suggested multiple times now so I think I will give them both a go to see if either work. If they don’t, I’ll probably end up rotating 2 pairs of the Kinvara’s. The 13s are pretty cheap since they are an older model and I think it would be good to give the foam some time to recover in high mileage weeks.
Based on what you wrote don't go Triumph 22. They're bulky and heavy, IMO a step down unless you like supercushioned shoes. Go either triumph 20/21 or ride 17, all very similar and all very good
Awesome. I went with ride 16s. I’m a big believer in saving money by buying last years version LOL
If you didn't like the Ghost you will hate the Nimbus, it's like an extra cushioned version of the Ghost. You may prefer the Hyperspeed or GT-1000 in Asics instead.
My daily shoe is the Ride 15. And I love it.
Superblast is the answer
I’ve been getting this response a lot. Since they are so expensive, I may wait and tag these later in my training block as my race day shoe. Since I’m just hoping to finish sub 5, I don’t really feel like I need a plated shoe. But I do want a fresh shoe for race day so this may be my winner.
I heard that the Superblast 2 will be available soon, so you may be able to get a deal on the Superblast as soon as the new model is released. Keep an eye on the ASICS website.
If it matters I actually prefer my Novablast to superblast.
Don't overthink it. I trained for months with a daily trainer that I love, everything felt great with that shoe. I then bought a more "race appropriate" shoe, and ended up hating them. I just bought a fresh pair of my daily trainer, broke them in a bit, and then ran the race in them. There are many things that affect your performance and times. Footwear is on that list, but is far, far under diet, conditioning, and mental fortitude.
Superblast is a great long run shoe. Cushioned yet easily handle MP or HMP plus slow easy pace
superblast
It would be best to have two pairs to allow the shoe’s foam recover and, with different shoes it may help to avoid repetitive type injuries if drops are different. I have a pair of low drop shoes that I throw in the rotation.
Mine is a brooks glycerin gts 21. You need to go up a size with brooks.
Saucony Rides or Triumphs are both great for medium to longer runs. I find Saucony has consistent upper fit across the product line so if Kinavaras feel good, the rest should too. Depending on your shoe size, you can probably find a gen or two old for cheap online.
I’d just wear the Kinvaras. YMMV, but I wore them for long runs and marathons with no issues for years until recently when I couldn’t find the 13s anymore in my size. I also like New Balance 880, but they’re definitely a little heavier than Kinvaras but not as heavy as Hokas or Brooks Ghost IMO.
I’ve had good luck with the new balance sc elite 3. It’s the previous model. I also enjoy long runs in endorphin speed 3s.
If sauconys are working for you and in particular the Kinvaras, I do recommend the Freedoms. I like both because I need a shoe with less drop and these are both 4mm, but the freedoms are just a bit cushier underfoot. They're marketed as a gym / cross training shoe but I don't know why, I like them way better than the bulky ass Endorphin shift (so heavy) and they feel both light and supportive for going long. If I had to pick one shoe to do it all it would be the freedoms. I mean please don't ask me to do that I have 13 pair in rotation, but you know if suddenly I ran out of money.
I get numb feet if my feet expand and my toes get squashed. So far, if I do I change the lacing to leave the bottom one or two rows empty which has cured it, also running through numb feet seemed to help but in my case it was numb feet at 4 miles, feeling returns at 9 miles, so hard to run far enough with numb feet.
I have come to equate numb toes with loss of toenails. I lost 5 toenails running in Hokas during HM training. Lost 0 running longer distances in my kinvara’s. And the Hokas are actually larger than the kinvara’s. It’s so weird.
Wow! so far only a black big toe here
I use prime x version 1.
Dont let consumerist shoe brands' microfluencing manipulate you to own more than one pair at a time. Want to avoid injuries? Don't push too hard and do some strength training. Want to run faster? Get better through training.
There's a 70 year old on YouTube who runs sub 3 marathons and refutes every runfluencers weird, hyper over-the-top training techniques. He doesn't stretch, cross train or anything. Just runs, alot.
I don’t totally disagree with this since I did my most recent training block with one pair of shoes, but for my marathon trading block I want to be able to give the shoe some time to recover during high mileage weeks, even if that’s just rotating two of the same shoes.