Shoe Wow…

Aside from the shoe choices mentioned in one of the first posts on this blog, every time I’ve purchased a new pair of running shoes, they feel good to great. Three times in 30+ years of running I’ve come away with a pair of shoes thinking, “Wow. These feel phenomenal.”

The first time occurred in 1998 with a pair of Adidas. I can’t recall the model name. For my first run in them I logged ten miles and I swear my feet felt better after I was done. I got one more pair after that.

The second was the Brooks Adrenaline 5. I’d been an Adidas loyalist for several years following the first “Wow” pair and the store owner at Riverside Runners (I was living in Virginia at the time) had a tough sell to even get me to try them on. Once I did, I couldn’t argue. It was “Wow” part deux. That shoe eventually changed its fit and structure and I moved on to other brands and models.

The other week, I bought a pair of Asics GT 2000 13s. (My first-ever pair of running shoes were Asics and I hadn’t worn them since. Nothing against Asics, I guess they just never had the right shoe for my foot at the right time after that.)

The funny thing is that in the store, I wasn’t 100% sold on them but they were the best of the ones I tried. The first day I ran in them? Wow. I’d forgotten what that phenomenal feeling was like but it was back.

Following my Adidas loyalty period, over the years I’ve happily switched brands and models when needed. I try on different shoes when I go to replace them, even if I’ve been happy in them, as I don’t want to miss a “Wow” or settle into a rut that’s fine when there could be a better shoe.

That’s partly to say that I’m always open to more “Wow” pairs but they can be elusive. I should also mention that my “Wows” may not be everyone’s, especially when we’re all buying based on our different foot type and strike. So, when you find that pair, enjoy them. All your running shoes should be comfortable; “Wow” on your feet can be bit more rare.