u/Status_Tower_3106

Ok, this is going to sound a little weird but I need to resolve what’s currently happening to my feet!

I’ve been having issues with certain shoes and irritation on the right big toe. Where a bunion would be (I don’t have one) and sometimes under the big toe where it bends.

I was wearing brooks ghost 17. Loved them. Got custom orthotics and they fit perfectly. Saw a running physio 7 months later for a gait assessment and was told I don’t need orthotics and to work on strength. It’s important to note that I wasn’t wearing orthotics for trail running (my long runs were on trail). So I was fine with and without them.

Stopped wearing the orthotics and I noticed this irritation in my ghosts (was on to my second pair and only a few weeks in). Sort of felt like a lump. Swapped the insoles to these random ones from Amazon and I can’t feel it but prefer to run in the actual insoles or at least ones designed for running.

Left them for a while and had no issues in the adidas Boston 13, the Saucony Azura and brooks Glycerin. Bought the brooks adrenaline 25 as a new daily trainer and same thing- I also wear these casually and I have that same sensation (but no lump). It’s also happening in the Puma Velocity Nitro 5.

It’s the strangest thing ever! I love the Adrenaline and Puma- they are great for my running style and flexible feet. But the feeling is driving my crazy. It’s not blistering. It may go slightly red and I can “feel” it post run for a short while. It’s skin only, zero pain. Ran 35km the other day in the Boston’s with zero issues. It’s honestly just these 3 pairs.

Any insight? This never used to be a thing!

Is it excessive to have the speed 5s, Azura, Ride 19 and Triumph 23?

I already have the speeds and Azura. I have trouble getting a good lockdown Azura and get ankle pain. Was going to replace them with the rides and get the triumph for easy runs and casual wear.

I love the Boston’s 13. Adidas shoes weren’t even on my radar until I went to a running shop looking for a stable marathon shoe which wasn’t super soft and high stack (I like the firmer stable shoes). I’ve jumped into this shoe with zero issues. I’ve done 2 decent tempo 30km runs in them plus interval session. I’ll definitely be wearing them for my marathon.

I’m after an adidas daily trainer that fits like the Boston to rotate with them. I’ve researched and looked on their website and I just get overwhelmed. There are so many!! I think the Evo SL won’t be stable enough for me so wasn’t going to consider it.

I was using the Saucony Azura but they aren’t right. Feel great underfoot but my ankles hurt- lock lacing is better but it hurts my tendon. I’ve considered the Saucony Ride (near them casually) and the Brooks Adrenaline (have run in them in the past- I wonder if the stability will support me on my easy recovery days).

Any suggestions will be appreciated. I have a pretty narrow foot but like to splay my toes. The shape of the Bostons is just perfect for me.

I have mild stability issues but not necessarily bad enough for a stability shoe. I love the adidas Boston 13 - they are my favourite shoe at the moment. I feel stable in them and they give me a good lockdown. I hated the megablasts- I couldn’t get a good lockdown. As my foot is narrow I sometimes wonder if it’s the unisex sizing. One run in them and I had sore ankles and arches.

Dare I try the Superblasts 3? I didn’t mind the novablast 5 but they were a little soft for me. I do find I gravitate to firmer daily trainers. I’ve also heard that they are loud!

I also like the Saucony Azura and Brooks Ghosts.

Went to a running shop for a shoe to compliment the Azura and ended up with Boston 13s! Both feel perfect for my feet! The Azura I bought to run a marathon in but now I’m wondering if I could run it in the Boston 13s. Thought?? How can I use these 2 shoes together?

After a shoe to compliment the Azura. Hoping it can double up as a casual shoe too not just for running. I’ve bought both the Ride and the Triumph and I can’t decide. Both discounted, the Triumphs 50% off! Rides 37% off so still good!

If building a shoe rotation with the following, which shoe would you not need?

Endorphin Speed 5
Endorphin Azura
Triumph 23
Ride 19

Aiming for a sub 4hr marathon. Do a mixture of training sessions/runs each week.

I’ve only worn the ES5s. I don’t feel like I have enough toe space for them to last the full marathon.

Have worn the other 3 pairs as I’m deciding between them. They all feel great though!

Edited to add I have megablasts for the marathon and I’m needing to replace my brooks ghosts 17. They just aren’t comfortable for me!

Wanting to add an easy do everything shoe to my rotation. Have had the brooks ghost 17, glycerin 23 and nimbus 27. Ghosts have been annoying me lately (hot spot from such stiff upper). Glycerines and nimbus feel a little unstable.

Recently added the Azura and Megablast. I got both for such a good price I couldn’t choose between the two so kept both. Azura for everyday and megablast for tempo and for my marathon.

I can get the triumph 23 for as cheap as $130 AUD atm and the ride 19- the cheapest $165 AUD. I can get the Ride 18s for cheaper than the Triumph though… heard they aren’t as good?

I’m leaning towards the triumph for the price but if the ride can do everything and work as recovery maybe the rides?

Thank you

I’m overwhelmed and have too many running shoes. I have very flexible feet (they sometimes slide around despite how I lace up) and apparently narrow but I do like a natural toe splay. I had custom orthotics made but my running physio doesn’t think I need them so he is trying to wean me off them and focus on strength. They didn’t work in my trail shoes so I was using them 50/50 anyway. I’ve done up to 50km on trails and training for my first road marathon. Fast running can make the balls of feet go hot and I’m getting some niggles and hot spots as I’m working up my strength to run without them.

Now the shoes. I thought the Brooks Ghost 17 were my shoes but the hotspot has been too much and now I’m too worried to wear them.

Also rotating between:
Hoka Clifton 10
ASICS nimbus 27
ASICS glide ride max
Brooks Glycerin 23
Saucony Endorphin speed (I was told you could run a marathon in them but they don’t give me as much room in the toe box as the others).
ASICS superblast 3 (on their way for me to try).

I thought the best one there was the ghosts but the problems they’ve been giving me lately, I can’t run in them. Maybe I can try them again once the hot spots heels but I’m not sure. I’ve done some tempos in the glycerin but I’m undecided.

For trail I rotate between: Brooks catamount, La Sportiva prodigio and Topo mountain racer. I like being grounded for trail.

With what I have and not buying more, what is your advice? I’d love to be in a position where I only have 2-3 in a road rotation. I don’t imagine doing another road marathon. I prefer trails.