How to Build a Running Shoe Rotation

[@elliottmondry1753]

I cannot emphasize how much I love the Kivara. Been using the 13's and bought 3 pairs when they went on sale and glad I did. Use them for speed work and up to about 10k's. Anything longer than that and my legs feel a little beaten up in them but I keep coming back to them. Feels great, feels natural when I run, and never had any injuries using them. I've been switching between the Kinvara for speed work and the ASICS Tri-Noosa 14's as a daily trainer (and long run, they really do it all) and the two shoes compliment each other very well (in my opinion), highly recommend if you like the feel of the Kinvara but want just a touch more cushion without sacraficing responsiveness. Wanted to love the Speed 2's but felt so unstable in them that I ended up with knee problems and never tried them since, but been hearing the stablity issue has been fixed with the 3's so may try those after my marathon in a few weeks.

[@iRunOnBeer]

I just got the Speed 3s for my most recent race and loved them. My legs felt great. Also picked up a new pair of Kinvaras and an really looking forward to breaking them in. I'll keep that in mind about the Asics, I think that's the best type of shoe I'll be looking to replace and I'd love to give Asics a try!

[@elliottmondry1753]

​@@iRunOnBeer I'll have to check out the Speed 3's then! Did you get the Kivara 14's or another differnt model? And for sure with Asics! I'm gonna need to build out my running shoe rotation more (still fairly new to distance running), would love to get a race day shoe but figure if it's been good enough for my long run I can take it another 6.2 for the marathon. If you're going Asics I can't recommend the Noosa Tri 14 enough, I've tried out the Novablast 2's and while I know people love them for me personally I had issues with it feeling super unstable and that also caused some knee issues (i'm beginning to sense a trend in stablity vs. knee issues for myself).

[@iRunOnBeer]

@@elliottmondry1753 I went with the Kinvara 14s and can't wait to try them! And thanks for the notes about Asics. I'll probably be looking at snagging another pair of shoes in a month or so once my wallet recovers from the Kinvara/Speed3 purchase lol

[@ChicagoTerrainFactory]

NB 880 - workhorse shoe for all occasions. I've run in the V10, V11 and V12 and can count on them going 500-600 miles. The V12 is a little softer, and the extra padded ankle cuff tends to pick up rocks when running on gravel trails. NB SuperComp V1 - super tall, super squishy with a plate. I use these for long tempo runs and credit them for keeping my legs healthier this year. Need to stay on the asphalt, I don't trust them to even jump a curb. Saucony Endorphin Pro V1 - race day shoe. Been slowly using these over 2 years. Past years I've used the Novablast 2 in the same roll as the 880. And an odd bird with the Saucony Ride 14 - hard as a rock, but excellent ground feel for tempo/speed runs.

[@iRunOnBeer]

Thanks for the in-depth breakdown, this is EXCELLENT. I tested out the NB Rebel (V3 I think) and really liked the feel of it. Would use that similar to how I'm using the Kinvara. I've heard such great things about Novablast and am itching to try it! I know one day I'll be ready for a carbon-plated racer, but saving that for a big PR attempt. Endorphin Pro is at the top of my list!

[@arun_dravid]

Nice shoes. I recently started running and training for a half marathon. My rotation: 1. Daily & long runs - Nike Pegasus 40 2. Speed/Tempo - Adidas Adizero Adios 8 3. Race Day - Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3. I still haven't used Adios 8 & Pro 3. 😅 I bought all three at a discounted price😎

[@iRunOnBeer]

Nike and Adidas are two brands I really haven't had any experience with. But it seems like people are really digging the new Adidas models coming out.

[@roostermiller]

Using the kinvara 14 as my tempo 5k to 10k max shoe. Did take it to half marathon distace a few times but at 350km the fore foot foam is firming up to much that 15km starts to beat up the legs. Using the kinvara pro as long run shoe, it loves longer distance, have taken it to 30km and it handled it very well, however the durabilty is not as good as the outsole of the standard kinvara. My middle shoe is the saucony Axon 3, its underrate. Image the speed 2 with a 4mm drop and no plate, but uses a softer pwr run than the kinvara 12 and its cheap.

[@iRunOnBeer]

I am so tempted to snag a pair of Kinvara Pros and love hearing how folks are using them. Haven't thought of the Axons but that description sounds beautiful. My wish list is getting longer and longer!