r/AskRunningShoeGeeks

I'm getting back into running after many years and so I'm basically starting from zero, I'll need to slowly build my distance with easy miles, and need a shoe for it. I also have wide feet and used to run mostly barefoot on grass or treadmill because I couldn't find any shoes that didn't squish my foot sideways back then.

Excited to try out today's running shoes and was almost about to get the Vomero 18, but I read that it's known to be narrower than usual. Are there any that are at least a little on the wider side if not proper wide sizes? Would prefer more affordable options.

Also can I get something like the Evo SL as my only starter shoe? I really like the look but everything told me it's not the right choice.

Foot measurement: Length - 26.5 cm, Width - 11.0 cm

I keep hearing conflicting things about the EVO SLs, some saying it's great on long runs and that it can do anything while others saying that it is only good for mid level distances (say 20-25 Km) and it becomes unstable for long ones (35 Km or longer). I know it's primarily a tempo shoe, but can I use it also for my long runs when I prepare for a marathon?

One more question, do you think because my weight is 106 KG it’s harder for me to run fast?

Hello. As said in the title, what is the main difference?
I absolutely feel good racing in regular Evo SL. My PB is 20:ish, this November and January 2027 I have two 5K races where I want to go under 20 minutes. In November I will probably use regular evo SL, but in January it is very possible that it might be a bit icy/slippery on the race road (I did this race already in January 2026 and due to morning time of race, a big part of the race was a bit icy). That’s why I want to buy a “winter trail” version of regular Evo SL - how are those two mentioned in the title different and which one would be better option?

Hello,

I’ve been running 5 days a week, about 3-5 miles a day and about 7 miles on my long runs. I run at a pace of 9:30-10:30 minutes a mile. I’m just running because I just enjoy it a ton, not looking to be the fastest or the best at it all but I do want to get faster, while also plan to run a 5k-10k eventually, but I’m looking for another pair of shoes
(I’m sure I don’t need them, but I want them, my birthday is right around the corner and want to spoil myself, and I might have a slight addiction to buying shoes)

At the moment I have
Novablast 6 (D)- used mainly for the daily runs and the longer runs
New Balance Fuel Cell v5 (2E)- used for tempo runs at shorter distances.
Some information on myself
5’3 (M)
150 LBS
I do have wide feet and a low arch

The NB6 fit perfect on my feet. They feel like they just mold to my feet, really enjoy running in them.

The New Balance are also phenomenal shoes for me, but not used as much.

My budget is up to the $200 range

Any recommendations?

Has anyone found good Chinese trail runners? I haven’t seen any recommended anywhere

What’s the difference between red hare 9 pro and red hare 9 ultra? Is the pro more race day or daily trainer? Ultra looks more super trainer or race day no plate.

So about a year or so ago I started experiencing what felt like plantar fasciitis regularly. My go too shoes had been Saucony Cohesions and I was on my 2nd pair. Id not had any foot issues previously so I did see my doctor, thinking it was my weight tbh, but she didn't think so and looked into switching shoes

Tried some Asics (dont remember which ones) but they killed my achillies tendon, to the point I could barely walk the next day after wearing them for any length of time. It was like the back of my ankle was on fire.

Switched back to Saucony but to wides and using ortho inserts. That helped some, but was still painful and the shoes were too big everywhere but on my toes.

Did some research and read that wide toe box shoes can help so bought some Altra Fwd Vitas a few months ago and for the most part, I love these shoes. But I ended up not wearing them as much as i intended and am starting to again experience foot pain when I do. The arch on one foot will get very sore, and yesterday the outer part in line with my pinky toe ached like sore bones.

Here's the thing, I also have chucks, crocs, and two pairs of wide toe box "barefoot" shoes and can walk in any of these for and hour or more at a time without issues. So what the heck? I thought cushion would be better especially for when I'm standing in place at work, but it seems like my feet hate cushion?

My current and first pair of running shoes is the clifton 10s. 

I'm looking for a new shoe that's maybe a bit faster than the clifton, but still cushioned. I can only afford one pair, so I need an all rounder that can do everything, including hyrox specifically.

I've been running for about a year. Not high mileage at all. I'm not really that fast, 5km time sits in the 22s. I do struggle with some calf issues and they flair up often if I start increasing intensity or mileage. Easy pace sits at about 6:30-6:40/km atm.

Currently my main focus is hyrox, but also just normal running. Planning on running 2 half marathons in the next few months, and hopefully a full marathon on February. Ideally I would like the shoes to last through marathon training and beyond, if possible.

Feet width: Normal to slightly wide

Heel striker, neutral pronation, to my knowledge, never tested

Right now I've narrowed it down to a shortlist of, in order:

• Evo SLs
• Puma Deviate Pure Nitro
• Boston 13s
• Adizero Dropset Pro
• Clifton 11 Pro

The evos sound almost perfect but I've heard they are nearly unusable for hyrox due to the grip, which is a big factor for me

The pure nitros sound like a very good option, but they are slightly more expensive than the rest of the list. These seem like the best contender. Maybe slightly less fun than the evos.

The boston have the advantage of being the cheapest for me, they are perfect for hyrox, but they lack a bit of cushioning. So how ideal are they as an all rounder, especially for easy runs?

The dropsets look interesting, don't know much about them. Good for hyrox, but what about the rest?

And then finally, I could just stick to the cliftons, but I would like something new honestly, something more fun. My current cliftons didn't really last much longer than 500km, and I think hyrox definitely broke them down quicker.

Am I over thinking? Should I just get the Pure nitros? Its honestly just their price that's a downside. I haven't tried them out at all, but on paper they seem like the best option.

Thanks for reading, I would appreciate any advice or opinions I can get.

Edit: Thanks for all the responses, you guys are extremely helpful. I think if the Evos and Bostons had a kid that would be the perfect shoe. Overall the clear choice is the Pure Nitros, however much my heart yearns for the evos. Should be fun, excited to get them. I appreciate the help deciding!🫡

hi everyone! I’m running the nyc marathon this year and got into running late last year (have been working with a coach and consistently running since end of Nov 2025).

I’m 29F, 5’5, and not super fast lol. I ran the RBC brooklyn half at 2:02 and just ran 15 miles last sunday at 2:12. marathon pace right now is 9:08!

I started this journey running with asics gel nimbus (loved) and just got a new pair of novablast 5s (also love) for my easy/long runs.
I finally feel good enough to get a speed run / interval sneaker, so my coach suggested metaspeed sky because I really like asics. Does anyone have any other recs for a speed sneaker? or a hot take on this shoe?

Hey fellow runners,

I am struggling to find the right daily trainer for my very specific foot shape, and I could really use the community's wisdom.

I recently ordered a pair of Hoka Gaviota 6s. I wore them around the house yesterday, but I immediately experienced severe pain on the medial arch side of my right foot. It felt like the rigid H-Frame was poking directly into my low arch. I am returning them, but I need to figure out what to try next.

Here is the exact breakdown of my foot shape and mechanics (I went to do a gait analysis + foot scan) :

My Foot Profile

Measurements: My left foot is 279 mm long and my right foot has a 115 mm ball width. I absolutely require Wide platform.

Prominent 5th Metatarsal: My feet are widest at the midfoot with a massive lateral bulge. Shoes with raised EVA foam sidewalls or "bucket seats" (like the Hokas) crush the outside edge of my feet. I think I need a flat platform with a straight last.

Arches & Heels: I have flat feet (low arches) and wide, blocky heels.

Gait Mechanics: I am a heavy heel striker, which usually means I need a slightly higher drop

Asymmetrical Needs: My left leg is completely neutral, but my right leg experiences medial knee collapse (valgus). Symmetrical, rigid stability shoes act like a wedge on my neutral left leg, forcing it to supinate. But right feet overpronate.

Where I Need Your Help
I have been looking at a few options on my own (like the Asics Gel-Kayano or the New Balance 860 or Saucony Guide/Hurricane / Brooks adrenaline, mizuno inspire), but I don't want to limit the suggestions. I don’t know what I’m talking about, and I’m totally lost in this sea of brand and models and worried of buying the wrong ones and suffering even more. Maybe want I’m looking at is bad for me and I won’t know. Hence why i want to cast a wider net and rely on people who knows running’s shoes.

what is the absolute best shoe you would recommend for me ?

Thanks in advance for the help!

I’m currently running in ASICS Superblast 2 and I’m considering picking up a pair of Alphafly 3 for about $190 while they’re discounted.

Most of my runs are around 5-10K, with some longer runs recently but I’m mainly trying to improve my 5K/10K times. A lot of my normal running is around 5:30 min/km, with faster sessions mixed in.

The Superblast 2 already works really well for what I do so I don’t necessarily need another daily trainer but I would like one. I was also considering something like the Evo SL, which would probably make more sense as a regular rotation shoe or possibly the new NB SC Rebel V1.

The appeal of the Alphafly is simply that I want to experience a proper carbon supershoe. I’m currently traveling in South Korea and at $190 it’s basically over $100 cheaper than the prices I remember seeing in Europe. I could keep using the Superblast for most of my mileage and use Alphafly occasionally for faster workouts, 5K/10K PB attempts, races, and hopefully a half marathon next year.

So is it even worth it at this price considering its age and the rumors of Alphafly 4 being released soon? Also any other similar shoe I should try out if it even makes sense in my situation to buy a carbon shoe?

Just received my megablast today. The midsole seems amazing but, as we all read everywhere, the toebox is… narrow. I have a bad feeling about them. I currently run in NB5 that are going to die pretty soon and ran 350km in EVO sl that I never liked that much - even if I ran all my pb in them. I size 9 with my NB without any problems and bought the same size for the MB.

Anyways, what would you guys do. I fear for my pinkie. Is it worth it? Should I half size up? Should I return them? If yes, what should I buy! I kinda hate shoe sellers and the whole store experience. I’m an asic’s guy but I can try something else. I’m looking for a do it all kinda shoe and soon will buy something else to rotate them with. I was intending to rotate MB, maybe the superblast 3 and the evo sl, juste because I have them.

Thanks in advance! 🙏