Shoe, Sock & Insole Reviews

SHOE REVIEWS

Ratings:

• Highly recommended
• Recommended
• Neutral
• Not recommended
• Garbage

Saucony ProGrid Omni 11
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for forefoot and midfoot strikers looking for good cushioning where they land and solid support!

Saucony ProGrid Omni 11

The Saucony ProGrid Omni 11 is hands-down one of the best road shoes I’ve ever worn. I think a big reason why I came down with metatarsalagia while training for the Rock 'n Roll Arizona Marathon in the fall of 2012 was that I was wearing shoes with too much heel lift, placing a huge amount of pressure on the balls of my feet. After a lot of research and scrutiny (Runner's World's shoe review was very helpful), I found that the Omni offers really good forefoot cushioning and only moderate heel lift (about 8mm). It has great support, which is a big plus for the high-mileage runner, and it's only about 11 ounces. On paper, this shoe looked perfect for me. And, happily, in practice it’s been everything I hoped and more. I’ve put 150 miles on my Omnis and I’m now a believer in them. Saucony, please don’t change this shoe one bit!

So, if you are a midfoot or forefoot striker and looking for a really supportive, cushioned shoe, check out the Omni!

 

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Saucony ProGrid Guide 6
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for forefoot and midfoot strikers looking for good cushioning where they land!

Saucony ProGrid Guide 6

Like the Saucony ProGrid Omni 11, the Guide 6 offers really nice forefoot and midfoot support. It also has 8mm of drop (less than the average 12mm in most running shoes), meaning your forefoot isn't going to get pounded. At 10 ounces, this is a great all-around training shoe that perfectly complements the Omni 11 if you're into a multi-shoe arsenal like I am, though it's not quite as supportive as the Omni. It's also a tad cheaper than the Omni.

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Hoka One One Bondi B
RECOMMENDED for runners looking for a soft ride on smooth trails and the road.

My relationship with Hoka One One Bondi B's has been on-again, off-again. Having owned seven pairs of the Bondi B's and used them in a variety of settings, including the Leadville 100, I think I'm definitely in a position to offer a well-informed review. At first, I thought these were quite simply the best running shoes I'd ever worn. They're were not only cushy and comfy, but also light and (I thought) supportive enough to help me glide over rocky trails and cruise up and down big mountains here in Colorado. Unfortunately, I came to realize that the Bondis are horrible for me when I'm descending steep, rocky mountain trails. Standing nearly 6'2", I don't exactly have a low center of gravity. With their high-profile soles, the Bondis make me feel incredibly unstable on technical descents. Incidentally, I had the same experienced with the Hoka Stinson Evos, which are supposedly hybrid shoes. If you're running on smooth trails and/or road and looking for a super plush ride, Hokas will give you everything you want plus some. But if you're on the tall side and run mountain trails, beware; they may not provide the support you need. At $170 a pair, buying a pair of Hokas is a big decision.

 

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SOCKS

Thorlo Experia Socks
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Probably like you, I've tried many different brands of running socks. And I keep going back to Thorlo because they do such a great job of protecting my feet. That said, my one complaint about Thorlos has always been that they're awfully thick, creating issues when you're in an ultramarathon and your feet are swollen from all the miles. Fairly new to the market, Thorlo Experias are exactly what I've been needing. They're light, full of cushion and support and yet thin (especially on the top). Whether you're racing a 5K or a marathon, the Experias will deliver for you.

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IN-SOLES

Sof Sole Fit
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for runners need a light and supportive insole, especially for the arch
As a runner who battled severe plantar fasciitis and was put into custom orthotics, I can say with confidence that Sof Sole Fit inserts, "engineered for the perfect fit," are supportive and, best of all, light and flexible. I've been very happy with the pair of neutral arch inserts I got a few months ago. They give me just the right amount of support I need without adding too much weight, making them perfect for just about all distances. Even better, they fit into all of my shoes, including my Hokas and Salomons. They come in three types: low arch, neutral arch (what I wear) and high arch. Highly recommended, especially for runners who need extra support. I even recommend them as a potential support for runners with plantar fasciitis.