Setting aside the underlying animal-welfare question... the "Save Our Bacon Act" in the 2026 House Farm Bill explicitly prohibits any state from imposing standards on the production of agricultural products sold in interstate commerce if those standards differ from the federal baseline (which doesn't exist for most welfare/environmental categories).

What it overrides:

• California Prop 12 — passed by 63% of voters in 2018, upheld by SCOTUS in National Pork Producers Council v. Ross (2023).
• Massachusetts Question 3 — passed by 78% of voters.
• Any future state law on the same subject.

The Supreme Court already heard the dormant Commerce Clause challenge and ruled the states were within their authority. This is Congress using preemption to do what the Court declined to do.

Industry trade groups (NPPC, AFBF) wrote the language. Bipartisan amendment to strip it (Luna, Garbarino, Fitzpatrick, Costa) was blocked from a floor vote.

If federalism-as-principle matters to you, the Senate vote is the place to push. Tool to find your senators and a script: https://cac-campaign.vercel.app/s/a8f3k2

More info was covered in the NYT last weekend: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/30/opinion/pigs-farm-bill-meat-industry.html

TLDR

The Boston 13 was the backbone of a successful February 2026 marathon build. I put 350 miles on my first pair, using it as my tempo and medium-long run workhorse, and it delivered every time. It has an ideal balance of stability, pop, and comfort for forefoot strikers training in the 7:00–8:00/mile range. The tapered toebox and stiffness make it a poor fit for recovery days and a liability if you're managing a foot injury. I loved it enough to buy a second pair on eBay for $60. That pair immediately aggravated plantar fasciitis I had spent 8 weeks managing into remission. Out of the 6 shoes currently in my rotation, it's the only one that touches my foot wrong. Love-hate doesn't quite cover it.

About Me

• Build: 6'0", ~155 lbs
• Weekly mileage: 55–70 mpw during peak marathon training
• Gait: Forefoot striker, long stride, neutral
• Foot shape: Narrow
• Fit preference: Snug and locked in
• Test mileage: ~350 miles on pair one; 2 runs on pair two before injury forced retirement
• Use case: Tempo runs, threshold workouts, and Pfitz medium-long runs (12–14 miles) with progression to marathon pace

Typical paces (at peak fitness, February 2026 build):

• Recovery: 8:30–9:00 min/mile
• Easy: 7:30-8:30 min/mile
• Steady: 7:00-7:30 min/mi
• Marathon pace: 6:45 min/mile
• Threshold: 6:20-6:30 min/mile
• Intervals (5K pace): 5:45-6:00 min/mile

I picked up my first pair in October 2025 at $90 (discounted from $160) to anchor a marathon training rotation. My second pair came from eBay in April 2026 for $60. Both were bought because the price was right and the first pair earned trust.

The Shoe (Specs)

• Weight: 9.0 oz / 255g (men's US 9)
• Stack: 36mm heel / 28mm forefoot
• Drop: ~6–7mm
• Midsole: Dual-layer Lightstrike Pro (top) + Lightstrike 2.0 (base), with Energy Rods
• Outsole: Continental Rubber
• MSRP: $160
• Category: Fast daily trainer / tempo shoe

Fit and Upper

The Boston 13 fits true to size. I wear the same size across Adidas, Asics, Nike, and New Balance, and this landed exactly where I expected. The midfoot lockdown was excellent. My narrow foot didn't move inside the shoe, even on long progression runs where fatigue tends to loosen my form.

The toebox is tapered. It didn't cause me problems through 350 miles, but I did notice it by the end of a 20-mile long run, where my forefoot was sore enough that I wouldn't repeat that effort in this shoe. If you have wider feet, the toebox is worth trying before committing. The tongue is well-padded and stayed put throughout. No heel slippage or irritation.

Midsole and Ride

This shoe does one thing exceptionally well: it rewards forefoot strikers who are moving with purpose. The dual-layer Lightstrike Pro midsole delivers real bounce off the forefoot without feeling unstable. At steady pace through half marathon pace, it feels effortless. It pushed me forward rather than just cushioning the landing.

The Energy Rods add stability and a slight rigidity through the toe-off. For me, a long-striding forefoot striker, this translated to a natural, propulsive feel similar to the Adios Pro 3. It's not a super shoe, but it's clearly descended from one.

The stiffness is also the shoe's ceiling. Below about 8:30/mi, it stops giving back. I tried it once on a recovery run and it felt wrong, unresponsive and too firm for the purpose. This is a shoe that wants to move. Let it.

Long runs: The sweet spot was 12–14 miles with a marathon pace progression. I took it on one 20-mile long run and my feet paid for it at the end, mostly due to the tapered toebox over that kind of distance. I wouldn't choose this shoe for long runs above 16 miles.

Outsole and Traction

Continental Rubber. It's the gold standard, and it performs like it. I ran a lot in slick, rainy conditions and never had a traction issue, including tight corners. It held up well through 350 miles with no outsole cracking or delamination. The only downside is auditory... it makes a genuine squeaking sound on hardwood floors, which was its own kind of feedback.

Durability

350 miles in and I retired pair one in good shape, not because it was dead but because the marathon was done and a fresh pair was already waiting. The midsole felt similar at 350 miles to how it felt at 50. No significant foam compression or outsole wear that I noticed. At the original $160 MSRP, durability is solid. At $60–90 on discount, it's exceptional value.

Comparisons

vs. Adidas Evo SL (original): I bought the Evo SL before the Boston 13 and planned to use both in rotation. Before my foot injury, I preferred the Boston 13 by a clear margin. It was more stable, more snug, and gave me similar bounce with better support. My running economy was nearly identical in both shoes, but the Evo SL gave me small ankle and shin niggles that limited my long runs to about 10 miles. After recovering from plantar fasciitis, I tried the Evo SL Woven and my opinion shifted. The Woven has a snugger fit that actually locks my foot in better than the original, and its more compliant ride now suits me better. The Boston 13 is the superior shoe at full health. The Evo SL Woven may be the better choice coming back from injury, and I currently prefer it more.

vs. Asics MagicSpeed 4: Both serve a similar training role. The Boston 13 has more forefoot pop, a lower stack, and a ride that feels more natural. The MagicSpeed 4 is firmer, and I found the plate placement irritated my forefoot after about an hour. I'd take the Boston 13 in this matchup for anything longer than a 10K workout.

vs. Adidas Adios Pro 3 (race shoe): This is the natural pairing. The Boston 13 and AP3 share the same ride DNA — propulsive, forefoot-focused, stable underfoot — with the AP3 operating at a higher performance level. Training in the Boston 13 kept my legs tuned to the same mechanics I'd use on race day in the AP3. If you race in the AP3, the Boston 13 is the obvious training companion. The AP4 is a different story: spongier and softer with less stability. I still like the AP4, but the Boston 13 doesn't translate as cleanly into a training partner for it the way it does for the AP3.

Final Thoughts

The Boston 13 was one of the best training shoes I've used for a marathon build. At its best, it made steady and tempo runs feel controlled and fast. It knows what it is and doesn't pretend to be a recovery shoe or a max-cushion cruiser.

The plantar fasciitis story complicates things. I developed PF in March 2026 and spent 8 weeks managing it through calf stretching, strength work, a Strassburg sock, icing, and cross-training. The pain resolved fully and I'm training hard again. As I started my next marathon build, I bought a second pair of Boston 13s at $60 and laced them up for my first workout back.

They are the only shoe in my rotation that causes problems. I currently train in the Evo SL Woven, Megablast, Vomero Plus, Adios Pro 4, and Brooks Cascadia Elite, and none of them touch my foot the way the Boston 13 does. Something about the Energy Rod placement and shoe geometry drives my arch and heel crazy. If you've had PF or any forefoot sensitivity, test in these carefully before committing to a training block.

Recommend for: Forefoot strikers with narrow to medium feet who want a responsive, stable daily trainer for tempo runs and medium-long steady runs.

Skip if: You're a heel striker, need a recovery-day shoe, have wide feet or a high arch, or are managing plantar fasciitis or foot sensitivity.

Value verdict: At $160 MSRP, it's fair for what it delivers. At $60–90 on sale, it's an easy yes, if your feet agree.

Section 12006 of the 2026 House Farm Bill, the "Save Our Bacon Act," is the agricultural-industry version of what we've been fighting elsewhere: federal preemption used to wipe out state laws that voters passed directly.

Targets:

• California Prop 12 (passed 63%, upheld by SCOTUS in 2023)
• Massachusetts Question 3 (passed 78%)
• Any future state-level welfare or environmental standard on animal ag

Backed by the National Pork Producers Council. The bipartisan amendment to strip it (introduced by reps including Luna and Fitzpatrick) was blocked from a floor vote by the Rules Committee.

House passed 224–200 on April 30. Senate vote pending.

A friend built this senator-contact tool — finds your senators, gives you a script to call, email, or text. Takes just two minutes:

https://cac-campaign.vercel.app/s/a8f3k2

More info was covered in the NYT over the weekend: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/30/opinion/pigs-farm-bill-meat-industry.html

Please feel free to share with your communities and cross post as you see fit.

In 2018, 63% of California voters passed Prop 12 — minimum space requirements for breeding pigs, veal calves, and laying hens. Massachusetts passed Question 3 with 78%. The Supreme Court upheld both in 2023.

Now Section 12006 of the 2026 House Farm Bill — the "Save Our Bacon Act" — would override every one of those state laws and prohibit any state from setting its own standards on animal products in interstate commerce.

This is the National Pork Producers Council going around courts and voters by inserting one paragraph into a must-pass bill. It already cleared the House 224–200. The Senate hasn't voted yet.

A friend built this — it identifies your senators and gives you a script to email, text, or tweet:

https://cac-campaign.vercel.app/s/a8f3k2

Sharing here because this is consolidation-by-legislation: a handful of vertically-integrated processors using federal law to wipe out standards that consumers and small farms actually wanted.

More info was covered in the NYT over the weekend: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/30/opinion/pigs-farm-bill-meat-industry.html

TLDR

Bought the Vomero Plus on sale as a dedicated recovery shoe and got more than I paid for. It's a plush, durable max-cushion daily trainer with a smooth rocker, lively ZoomX ride, and one of the most comfortable uppers I've worn. Surprisingly versatile from recovery pace up to marathon pace, though it's too heavy and bulky to be my pick above Z2 regularly. Excellent durability, generous fit, and a pillowy tongue add to the recovery-shoe appeal. Heavy on long climbs, mediocre lockdown for narrow feet, and a hefty overall weight are the real tradeoffs. Worth $110 on sale without question. At $180 MSRP it's a tougher call.

About Me

• Age / build: Older runner, 6'0", 150 lbs
• Weekly mileage: 60-70 mpw
• Gait: Forefoot striker, supinator
• Foot shape: Narrow
• Fit preference: Generally like snug to medium fits, but open to roomier shoes on recovery days
• Test mileage on these: ~250 miles
• Use case: Bought as a dedicated recovery shoe. Turned into something more versatile.

Typical paces:

• Recovery: 8:20-9:00 min / mile
• Easy (Z2): 7:30-8:20 min / mile
• Steady: 7:00-7:30 min / mile
• Marathon pace: 6:45 min / mile
• Threshold: 6:20 min / mile
• Intervals: 5:45-6:15 min / mile

Quick disclosure: I'm not usually a Nike runner. I picked these up on sale for $110 (down from $180) because my legs were beat up after a recent marathon and I needed a max-cushion option for recovery. I had minor plantar fasciitis at the time and wanted something plush that would let my feet recover between hard sessions.

The Shoe (Specs)

• Weight: 10.2 oz / 289g (men's)
• Stack: 42.3mm heel / 32.7mm forefoot
• Drop: ~10mm
• Midsole: Full-length ZoomX
• Outsole: Full rubber coverage, waffle-style lugs
• MSRP: $180
• Category: Max-cushion daily trainer / recovery

Fit and Upper

Fits true to size. I went with the same size I wear in Asics and Adidas and the length is spot-on. The toebox is generous and I like the room up front, no complaints there.

That said, this shoe runs wider than I expected for a Nike. I have narrow feet and I need to crank the laces tight with a runner's loop (heel lock lacing) to get a secure lockdown. Once I do, the lockdown is solid for easy and steady efforts. Runners with narrow feet should plan on a runner's knot or look elsewhere.

The upper is the standout feature. It's pillowy, plush, and one of the most comfortable I've worn. The tongue isn't gusseted, but it's thickly padded and the tops of my feet feel great after every run. For a recovery shoe, that's exactly what I want. It does add weight, which is a fair tradeoff for this use case.

Midsole and Ride

The ride is soft, responsive, and smooth. The rocker is subtle but present, and it propels me forward more than I expected from a max-cushion recovery shoe. ZoomX here feels noticeably more lively than older Nike daily trainers I've tried.

What surprised me most: I expected this to be a strict recovery shoe given the weight and stack height. Instead, it handles a wide pace range comfortably. I've taken it from true recovery pace up to marathon pace without complaint, and it handles strides fine, though I wouldn't reach for it as a strides shoe.

That said, I wouldn't recommend it as a regular shoe for anything faster than Z2. It's bulky and heavy enough that you feel it on faster efforts. The sweet spot is easy days, recovery runs, and shorter long runs.

By the end of most runs I find myself moving better than I expected. That's the highest compliment I can give a recovery shoe.

Long runs: I used it for a few 12-16 milers. It was fine, relatively comfortable, but a bit too heavy for my liking at those distances. I recently picked up the Megablast and that has become my dedicated long-run shoe. Megablast is in a class of its own and deserves a separate review.

Climbing: This is one real downside. The shoe is heavy and a bit clunky on uphills, and the lockdown can feel less than perfect on long climbs. Not a dealbreaker, but I don't love long climbing efforts in this shoe.

Outsole and Traction

Full rubber coverage with a waffle-style lug pattern. I haven't had any issues with traction, including on wet surfaces, but I should caveat that I'm not running fast in this shoe. I haven't pushed the grip in conditions where it would matter most.

Durability

This is where the shoe really earns its price tag. At ~250 miles, the outsole, upper, and midsole feel and look close to new. I expect to get 400-500+ miles out of these, which softens the $180 MSRP considerably.

Comparisons

Asics Novablast 5. I was previously using the Novablast 5 for the same role. Both have comfortable, plush uppers and a nice bounce. The Vomero Plus feels more supportive, has a smoother rocker I prefer, is more responsive, and is significantly more durable. The Novablast 5 is lighter, but the Vomero earns its weight.

Asics Gel Nimbus. A common max-cushion recovery comparison. The Vomero Plus is much more responsive and fun to run in, and somehow still more comfortable. The Nimbus feels flatter and less lively side-by-side.

Asics Superblast 1. The closest analog I can think of. The Superblast 1 is lighter and more responsive, but the Vomero Plus shares a similar versatility profile and overall feel. If you've enjoyed the Superblast 1, the Vomero Plus is in the same neighborhood, just heavier and softer.

Final Thoughts

The Vomero Plus is much better than I expected, and I say that as someone who almost never runs in Nike. It's a top-tier recovery and easy-day shoe with surprising versatility up to marathon pace. The upper is pillowy, the ride is smooth and lively, and durability is excellent.

The downsides are real but manageable. It's heavy, runs wide enough that narrow-footed runners need a runner's knot, and gets clunky on long climbs. Traction has been fine for me, but I haven't tested it at fast paces.

Recommend for: Runners who want a plush, durable max-cushion shoe for recovery and easy days that can stretch to marathon pace when needed.

Skip if: You need a light, snappy shoe, you do a lot of climbing, or you're looking for a do-everything trainer at faster paces.

Value verdict: Worth $110 on sale, no question. At $180 MSRP it's a tougher call, but the durability helps.

A friend of mine spent the last few weeks building a site to help people push back on Section 12006 of the new Farm Bill (the "Save Our Bacon Act"). This will gut California's Prop 12 and similar state laws and force states to allow pork from gestation crates back into interstate commerce.

The House already passed it 224–200. The Senate is where this gets stopped or it doesn't. A bipartisan amendment to strip the preemption was blocked from a floor vote, so individual senator pressure is the next lever.

The tool finds your senators and gives you a script for a call, email, or tweet. It's not a petition — it goes to actual offices.

https://cac-campaign.vercel.app/s/a8f3k2

Posting because I want this in front of people who actually care. Happy to answer questions in the comments.