NewShoes

Adrenaline 10

The Adrenaline has been one of the most popular shoes ever built. It's fairly light, offers great cushioning and excellent stability for the moderate overpronator. The signature PDRB (okay, that's the progressive diagonal roll bar...), HydroFlow heel and forefoot, BioMoGo midsole and the great Adrenaline Universal Last shape and width availability continue in the Adrenaline 10. What is new is the Profile MoGo sock liner providing greater, longer lasting "first ride" feel and slightly better arch support, enhanced upper materials providing greater comfort and breathability, a new asymmetrical upper overlay making for a snugger more secure fit in the arch area, a modestly reconfigured heel design with "caterpillar" pods providing a more segmented heel pad and therefore a more shock absorption on lay down (and in theory, a slower rate of pronation). Charlie has been running in an early production pair for some time now and finds it to be just what Brooks is claiming. Loyal Adrenaline fans won't be disappointed, and the softer lay down will draw some new devotees. What is really good news is that the price has dropped $5 to $100. We're in stock now, and from November 27 through December 6, while supplies last, there's a contest for some great prizes and some gifts with purchase as Brooks celebrates the 10th birthday of the Adrenaline.

A word about our shoe pictures: You may ask why we show the medial side of the shoe where all other stores show the lateral side. That's because most stores do what the manufacturers do - show you how other people see you in the shoe (i.e. looks is what matters). We show the medial side because that is where the support features are usually found. We want you to see what WE look for when we test shoes, not what "looks good on your feet"... That's why runners and walkers depend on us for the best help in selecting just the right shoe for their individual running or walking needs.

Glycerin 8

The Glycerin 8 is one of the early examples of what you are going to see in the future with running shoes. The unique feature in the Glycerin 8 is DNA, a non-Newtonian fluid cushiong system. What, you are asking, is a non-Newtonian fluid? A search for non-Newtonian fluid on YouTube brings up some interesting results. On several game shows, hosts or contestants run across big vats of shear thickening non-Newtonian fluid, able to traverse them unless they stop - in which case they sink immediately. Click here for an example. Brooks has a cute video on their DNA here. What this weird stuff does is autoadapt to the force with which the runner's foot strikes the ground. In theory, the show should work better over a wider range of running styles and runners' body weights. You're going to see more of this approach in the coming years as technology improves and allows shoes to better handle and adapt to various kinds of stress placed on the shoe and the foot. Look for DNA to appear in the other Brooks' shoes in late 2010. The Glycerin is in stock now at $130.

Keahou

For general comments on K Swiss, see the Konejo review above. The Keahou has the same great Konejo fit, but it an completely neutral, highly cushioned package.It's a light (11oz) NEUTRAL CUSHIONED running shoe featuring double-density EVA GUIDEGLIDE midsole construction for a smoother heel-to-toe transition, superior cushioning, and stability. The sockliner, strobe, and heel crash pad also feature SUPERFOAM for long lasting and springier cushioning. The outsole includes Aosta II rubber in the heel and blown rubber in the forefoot for durability and traction. The upper is constructed of synthetic leather and air mesh and features a FLOW COOL SYSTEM for increased breathability. Domestic and/or imported. It's a worthy competitor (albeit without width offerings) in the cushioned catetory. If you are a Nimbus/Cumulus/Vomero/Pegasus wearer, take a look at the Keahou. Price is $100 and we are in stock now.

Konejo

Okay, so you are asking "K Swiss??? Since when do they make runninng shoes?". They have been working on these new shoes for some time now, and during their development, I must say they visited us more than once seeking input on the design, the fit and the function. I am pleased to report that their mainlne indtroductory models, the stability oriented Konejo and the cushioned Keahou are as good as anything out their in their classes. The fit is great, the feel is great and the ride is great. The shoes have been well received and K Swiss is now the official shoe sponsor of the LA Marathon. The Konejo features a triple density EVA GUIDEGLIDE midsole for a smoother heel-to-toe transition, superior cushioning, and stability. Both the sockliner and midsole feature SUPERFOAM for longer lasting and springier cushioning. The heel crash pad features K Swiss' Si-18 gel tech for shock absorption. The outsole includes Aosta II rubber for superior durability and traction. The upper is constructed of synthetic leather and air mesh and features a FLOW COOL SYSTEM for increased breathability. It's comfortable, supportive and fits well (no widths available, however). The price is $100 and is in stock now.

Adistar Ride

The Ride is the Adidas top of the line cushion shoe featuring lots of Adiprene cushioning material, a blown rubber forefoot with an Adilite inlay under the sockliner for the ultimate in plush rides. Surprisingly, for a shoe with this much cushioning the stability is reasonable - not quite a heavy overpronator's shoe, but, boy, this one feels great on the road. At $130 it is competing with Nike Vomeros, Asics Nimbus and the like and does so quite comptently.

Grid Stab CS

The name "Grid Stab" goes back a VERY long ways, and the classic Stab of a dozen years ago still has runners pining after it. While the intervening models offered the same great stability of the classic Stab, the fit of these follow ons was generally narrower, particularly in the toebox. Now, don't get your hopes up - the new Stab CS is NOT a resurrected Classic. However, the narrow, pointy toe box is GONE and the shoe rides like a dream. The CS is a great choice for the overpronator and competes well against the likes of the Brooks Addiction, the New Balance 850 and the Asics Foundation. The price has bumped up to $115, but the support and the feel are great. Both men's and women's models are available in medium and wide widths (alas, no narrows).

Omni 8

The Omni 8 updates the very well received Omni 7 and continues to feature Pro Grid which is what really put the Omni series on the map. The fit is great, offering three widths in women's and two widths in men's. The lateral crash pad is softer making the shoe very comfortable for heel strikers, but does tend to have a bit of a roll over feel if you have any tendency in that direction. We can help you sort that issue out when you come in to try it on. The price is $110, and this shoe continues to clearly be the workhorse of the Saucony line for those of us that overpronate. If you need even more support, look to the new Grid Stab CS.

Green Silence

The Green Silence is remarkable. It's really a light weight racer,. but the stability is quite good for a shoe in this class. But what makes this shoe unique (aside from the rather radical appearance) is the fact that the shoe is made from 75% post consumer recycled material. The laces are 100% post consumer recycled material. Each and every part in this fast, groundbreaking shoe has a sustainable element, including soy-based inks and recycled materials. And in this case, "green" goes hand-in-hand with the great performance. Brooks, the inventor of the first ever biodegradable MoGo midsole , continues to lead the pack in making their product line more "green" - and now you, too, can wear "green" with the new men's sized only Green Silence. The price is $100, and we are in stock now..