Shoes 2023-2024

What do i recommend and use myself

A common question I get from patients, family, and friends is what shoe do I choose? Admittedly the choices when entering into a shoe store can be dizzying and for some intimidating. The models and styles change almost every 2 version and sometimes it feels like bells and whistles are added every 6 months which can alienate even some of the most dedicated stylists. For example the Brooks Adrenaline made a huge change about 18 months ago where the overall response has been very positive as one of the top running shoes in the world both by sales and reviews. But in this process the runners and walkers that were depending on the Adrenaline to deliver it’s consistency in terms of control, stability, and a little arch were now displaced and now roaming the slat all at their favorite running store or even more disorienting scrolling with their thumb in bed on their smart phone.

All those items being said here are my favorite shoes for fitting orthotics in 2023. How was my list compiled? I have fit or recommend nearly 200 pairs of shoes a year to runners and walkers for the past 24 years. These are the shoes that “did no harm”, fit and orthotic nicely, allowed for a variance of foot strike styles (heel strikers and mid foot strikers), and allowed for foot deformities due to the mesh upper. These shoes are also great for clients that don’t need any orthoses in the shoe.

What I typically recommend is coming in whether it be for a gait analysis or an orthotic fitting with 2-3 pairs of shoes. My most common suggestion is to go to our local running speciality stores, (support local) and keeping the receipts. We will do a full fitting and try out all the pairs on the treadmill. It is one thing for me to recommend it is another experience to put each on and spend 10-15 min walking, squatting, and running in them.

My Stats for your reference for helping your comparison:

• Years Running since 1991 (Sprinter >> Distance Transition)

• Weekly Mileage: 60 miles (30 walking and 25-30 running) mix of pavement and trails

• Strike Type: Forefoot

• Pace: (with wife 10min/mile, with dog 7:30 min/mile :)

• Weight : 175 lbs

• Age 47

• Rotate shoes for trail vs pavement and every 300 miles

  • Road shoe >> Trail Walking Shoe >> Yard Shoe >> Recycle

Always Shop local & Support our Running Community

Ben’s Favorite Shoes 2023-2024

BROOKS GHost Max

• prodcuct features

  • FOREFOOT: 33mm HEEL 39mm (6mm offset)

  • WEIGHT: 10.5 oz

  • DNA LOFT V2 (cushioning)

  • ROLLERIDE (rocking technology in the toe)

  • This shoe's cushioning, GlideRoll Rocker, and lower offset can benefit people with

    • plantar fasciitis

    • metatarsalgia

    • Morton's neuroma

  • Assisted transitions

    • The GlideRoll Rocker actively promotes smooth heel-toe transitions for an effortless feeling as you move.

  • Overall:

    • Great ride! My favorite shoe of 2023-2024 so far. See my Video Link for more

    • Roomy for toes, smooth ride for walking and running, neutral for easy orthotic fitting, and great for heel strikers or forefoot runners.
      

• Asics Nimbus 25

  • PRODUCT FEATURES

    • FOREFOOT: 33.5 mm HEEL: 41.5 mm (8 mm offset)

    • WEIGHT: 9oz

    • ENGINEERED MESH UPPER

    • SUSTAINABILITY:

      • At least 75% of the shoe's main upper material is made with recycled content to reduce waste and carbon emissions

      • Vegan Friendly: For this product, no materials of animal origin are applied in the design and material selection stages, including: the yarns, glues or other adhesives applied in the product.

    • WHAT IS NEW:

      • A new soft, stretchy knit tongue and collar construction delivers an easier step-in and a more adaptive fit.

      • Updated PureGEL™ technology and lightweight FF BLAST™ PLUS ECO cushioning deliver extra softness with every step, and a new stretchy knit tongue and collar construction provide a more adaptive fit.

      • New lightweight and bio-based FF BLAST™M PLUS ECO cushioning. with 20% more foam underfoot for

        an even more cushioned ride.

    • WEIGHT: 10.9 oz

    • GENDER SPECIFIC TRUSSTIC

      Specifically designed trusstic system to cater to the differences in male and female biomechanics

• Brooks Ghost 15

  • Product Features:

    • NEUTRAL FIT

    • MIDSOLE DROP 12mm

    • ARCH Neutral

    • EXPERIENCE TYPE: Cushion

      • A smooth and floaty-feeling run thanks to plush cushioning design

      • Light Weight 9-10 oz

    • Sustainability

      • 57 % Recycled materials in the upper

      • 6.58 Plastic bottles diverted from landfills

      • This product is a certified CarbonNeutral® product.

    • Brooks best-selling running shoe

      • signature smooth ride and soft cushioning that make it a runner favorite.

• Brooks Adrenaline 23

  • Product Features:

    • MIDSOLE DROP 12mm

    • WEIGHT 9.4oz

    • ARCH Medium, High

    • EXPERIENCE TYPE: Cushion

    • TECHNOLOGY: GuideRails, DNA LOFT, BioMoGo DNA

    • USE: Road Running

    • Sustainability:

      • 59.87 % Recycled materials in the upper

      • 11.02 Plastic bottles diverted from landfills

    • What’s New in 2023:

      1. lighter cushioning, the women's Adrenaline GTS 23 offers a perfect balance of support and softness that results in a smooth, soft ride ready for all your miles. It's easy to see why these women's running shoes have won the devotion of thousands of runners over the years.

• NEW Balance 1080 Fresh Foam v 12

  • Product Features:

    • Offset: 8mm

    • Weight: 9.5 oz

    • Fresh Foam X provides a plush, but stable ride for high mileage.

    • A sock-like knit upper keeps the foot locked down without feeling restricted.

    • Responsive and somewhat firm cushioning

    • rocker shape, allows for faster paces.

    • Relatively lightweight for the amount of protection compared to other max cushioned models.

• Kayano 30

  • PRODUCT FEATURES

    • FOREFOOT: 40 mm HEEL: 30 mm (10 mm Offset)

    • WEIGHT: 8 oz

    • ARCH: Neutral-Stability

    • NEW:

      • From 5Ks to full marathons, the GEL-KAYANO® 30 shoe is designed to provide advanced stability and softer cushioning properties. ​​

      • 4D GUIDANCE SYSTEM™ helps provide adaptive stability. This helps you experience a more supportive and balanced stride during your distance training. ​​

      • Midsole is revamped with FF BLAST™ PLUS ECO cushioning and a 4mm stack height increase. With approximately 20% bio-based content, this material helps create cloud-like softness in every step.​

      • PureGEL™ technology is strategically positioned below the heel for a smoother ride. It's 65% softer than conventional visible GEL™ technology, allowing your distance training to feel surprisingly smooth.​

    • Sustainability:

      • At least 75% of the shoe’s main upper material is made with recycled materials to reduce waste and carbon emissions

      • The sockliner is produced with the solution dyeing process that reduces water usage by approximately 33% and carbon emissions by approximately 45% compared to the conventional dyeing technology

      • Vegan Friendly: For this product, no materials of animal origin are applied in the design and material selection stages, including: the yarns, glues or other adhesives applied in the product. *The product is not certified as vegan by an independent third party.

    • Overall:

      • The Kayano has been a go to shoe recommendation for me for over 24 years. I wore this shoe prior to a custom orthotic and a little after one. I find that if you like the Asics family the Kayano works great without an orthotic for neutral and lighter runners and for heavier walkers.

      • If you want an orthotic and would like to stay with Asics I typically recommended the Nimbus and also have run my longer runs (6 miles +) with the Nimbus for the past 15 years.

• BROOKS GLYCerin

  • PRODUCT FEATURES

    • SUPPORT: Neutral MIDSOLE

    • OFFSET: 10mm

    • WEIGHT: 9oz

    • ARCH: Medium

    • TYPE: Cushion

    • TECHNOLOGY: 3D Fit Print, DNA LOFT

    • USE: Road Running

    • Sustainability:

      • 32.4 % Recycled materials in the upper

      • 4.66 Plastic bottles diverted from landfills

    • Overall:

      1. The women's Glycerin 20 neutral cushioned running shoes are the final word on comfort thanks to new, supremely soft DNA LOFT v3 cushioning, an updated, improved fit and smooth transitions.

      2. Historically this is my wife’s favorite shoe and fits small-bigger feet really well

      3. Orthotic both custom and OTC fit well and require minimum trimming and grinding