The upper doesn’t have a lot of tech, it just fits and breathes well, and has a nice wider forefoot to allow for toe splay.

BioRide Technology, according to Puma, is a unique combination of factors in the midsole responsible for the responsive ride Faas line of shoes, but our testers commented that the Faas 400 had a minimal midsole and was lacking a bit in forefoot cushion. One tester who has been wearing low-drop running shoes commented that this shoe could benefit from more cushion in the forefoot and a resulting lower drop. The midsole material of the Faas is molded to form the outsole with higher-wear EverTrack rubber inserts on the outsole only under the large toe and heel areas for durability. The overall effect of the 400 midsole makes this shoe highly flexible – testers commented that the Faas 400 is a good alternative to the Nike Free line for those tired of extracting rocks from the flex grooves in their shoes.

We tested the Puma Bolt Faas 400 on short interval days, recovery runs, and even longer efforts up to 10 miles, and felt that at 8.0 ounces (Mens 9), they are an excellent light-feeling fast shoe for all neutral runners as an interval and tempo shoe, or as a daily trainer for lighter-weight runners and those accustomed to more minimal shoes.

From Puma:

Inspired by the World’s Fastest Man, the Faas 400 Bolt is constructed with BioRide Technology and typical PUMA flair. It falls around the mid-point of the Faas Cushioning Scale, making it a perfect lightweight trainer.

The design of the Faas 400 Bolt is inspired by PUMA’s old school running shoe, the Easy Rider and hails the future of the sport, Usain Bolt. It features an air mesh upper with bonded nubuck overlays, plus some added bling-bling with anodized paint on the midsole. The EverRide and EverTrack in the outsole add cushioning and durability where it’s needed, while the OrthoLite sock liner increases breathability. Finishing, flashy touches include a pearlized toe cap and heel

For more information, head to Puma.com.

Get outside in the Sonic Glove.

So let’s face it. The latest craze is barefoot running. Love it or hate it, it’s the “in” thing right now, and companies all over the globe are scrambling to put out shoes that fit the bill. Merrell is not one of those companies. Read that again – nobody at Merrell had to scramble to put the glove line up out. I’ve now tested both the sonic glove and the trail glove, and I can tell you this – it is an innovative and well-engineered line up. Merrell didn’t just take a regular old road shoe, shave off some weight in the cushioning, and put it on the shelf – both the sonic glove and the trail glove had time, money, and energy put into the conception of the shoe. There’s no question about it – this is my preferred choice for any barefoot shoe on the market.

Since you’ve landed here, I’m going to forgo the traditional speeches on barefoot running. The warnings are plentiful, and everywhere to be found. Instead, I’m going to focus on what I feel makes the Sonic Glove stand out from the rest of the crowd. There are many barefoot options out there; many companies make shoes that they call barefoot, but still have a heel to toe drop. Other companies put more material between you and the ground (I know, it seems counterintuitive and guess what – it is) and still others shed almost the entire shoe in favor of lacing, strings, and other material. Merrell is unique in the fact that the glove has all the hallmarks of a barefoot shoe – 0mm drop heel to toe, thin vibram exterior with cloth midsole for comfort, thin upper – but it still has what I’d say is the closest of all to a traditional shoe model (outsole, upper, lacing, complete closure of the toe box). Many other choices will include extra straps, lack of lacing, webbing, stretchy bands, and any other numbers of flashy items to attract market share. Merrell stuck with what works, and frankly does it pretty darn well.

Simple, yet effective. How it should be.

Let’s start from the ground up. I’m sure Merrell has a shoe with an outsole NOT made by Vibram, but I’ve never seene one. This makes Vibram a logical choice for the Glove lineup, and I for one am glad Merrell went this direction. Vibram has found a way to create a compound that’s extremely long lasting without sacrificing any traction, and they do it successfully for a number of different shoe companies. What I like about the Vibram outsole here is that it’s thin enough to be supple, but thick enough to protect your foot from sharp objects that you may encounter while running on city streets. I liked it for all variety of terrain, from concrete sidewalks all the way to single track trails. The difference between this iteration and the last is that the rubber toe lugs (seen in the photo above) are slightly less aggressive now. This was a smart choice, as they tended to feel a bit imbalanced while running on pavement before. Now, they are just big enough to give your toes an additional bit of grip during the toe off phase of your stride – the sensation is enjoyable, and holds up well for the length of your run.

Check the grip under your toes - good stuff.

The upper is another variation from the trail glove, and features a thinner, skin like material all the way around from your heel cup to your toe box. This did draw some complaints from a few testers, as they found it to be not as breathable as they’d have liked. Merrell specifically created this upper to be used in colder conditions (check out their website for proof, the guy says it in the video), and I for one really liked the feel of it. As the weather turns a bit crisp, I haven’t had any issues whatsoever with heat. I can see, however, how lack of breathability would create blistering and rubbing issues if you struggle with foot sweat. I’d recommend a pair of lightweight socks with these if you really have an issue with it, but bear in mind – this shoe is my only exception to my abhorrence for running without socks, and it’s really refreshing. Even though my foot sweats a ton, I never have issues with these – I largely attribute it to the fit of the shoe itself.

The upper is pretty important on this shoe, and Merrell doesn't neglect it.

Fit is a very important issue with any barefoot inspired shoe. Unless the fit is just right, the shoe never really achieves what is was designed for. The shoe should feel as if it’s an extension of your foot, not a barrier between you and the ground. This means that if you do test these out (and I think you should), and find yourself with slip issues or comfort issues, it probably means the fit is off. The shoe itself is designed to accommodate a fairly narrow heel, provide snugness around the arch (hence the name – glove), but widen out significantly in the toe box. What’s great about this is that the shoe is restrictive in the areas of your foot which don’t flex during a running stride, but free around the area of your foot which expands with every footfall. I’d say that the actual pattern of the shoe runs a bit larger than usual, and I’d recommend going down a half size to accommodate this. Any running store expert will be able to assist you with this, but don’t just take their word for it – give them a spin in the store to match up with your best size. The snugness in the heel and arch match up great with the widened toe box in order to create a feel that entirely unique to the barefoot movement; if the fit is off, however, you’ll never gain that experience.

Barefoot. Enough said.

What I like about the glove series (and the sonic glove specifically) is that every time I take them for a spin I’m reminded of how simple it really is to just pick up and run. Putting less shoe between you and the ground allows you to feel the world beneath your feet, and helps strengthen your muscles in a way that traditional shoes can’t.

Brooks Pure Connect

As the minimalist and barefoot movement look to stay for the time being, it was only time until Brooks came out with a shoe to meet the needs of the minimalist runner.  The Brooks Pure Connect is the lightest shoe in the Brooks Pure Project line, Brooks’ minimalist line. When the barefoot and minimalist movement started to gain some steam a few years back, I was asking the product managers and product designers why Brooks hasn’t come out with a barefoot or minimalist shoe.  Their answer was that instead of slapping together a shoe and shaving off weight, structure, and cushioning, they wanted to put in the right research to come out with a solid line of shoes. As Brooks has recently taken over Asics as the number one brand in specialty running shoe stores, it is imperative that they make a quality shoe or line of shoes for the minimalist runner.

Pure Connect

As the Brooks Pure Connect is the most stripped down and lightest shoe in the Pure Project line, you will see the least amount of cushioning and stability compared to other shoes in the Pure Project line.  For starters, the shoe weighs in at 7.2 ounces which is pretty light as far as a running shoe goes.  The thing I noticed most when I first laced up the Pure Connect’s was that the arch felt high.  I have one foot with a normal arch and one foot with a semi-collapsed arch.  After walking around in the shoes for 20 minutes, I decided to see how they performed on the run.  The high arch feeling went away as soon as I got out on the run.

The midsole is made of a mixture of Brooks DNA and BIO MOGO cushioning system.  On my runs between 5-12 miles, I found the Pure Connects to have a soft ride.  Out of the many minimalist running shoes I have tried out, the Pure Connect’s have the softest midsole. Unlike other minimalist and barefoot running shoes, the rear of the midsole has close to the same amount of cushion and support as the forefoot does.  For the runner that is looking to transition to minimalist running and wants to heel strike from time to time, this works fine.  For the purist that wants no heel strike, this might provide some conflict.

The upper of the Brooks Pure Connect is one of the more comfortable and secure upper’s of the minimalist shoes on the market. However, if you have a wide foot, the toe box will be a little snug for you.  I find while running on angled surfaces that my foot wants to blow out of the side, although it hasn’t yet.  I personally would like to see the toebox in the Brooks Pure Connect to be a little wider. Another change that I would like to offer up to the shoe designers is to round out the edges of the tongue.  If you run with no socks or with small ankle socks, the tongue cuts into the foot a little.  If you run with socks, this isn’t a factor.

My overall impression of the Brooks Pure Connect is that it is a great neutral running shoe for the running that is looking to get a little taste of minimalist running, but isn’t ready to go completely barefoot.  The Brooks Pure Connect minimalist running shoe retails for $90 and you can start putting in your pre- order on Brook’s website or wait until October 1st.

Brooks PureConnect Mens Running Shoes

Biom – dare to be looked at. But don’t fall over.

Ecco. Not the first name that comes to mind when the words “running company” are uttered. Yet any time a company puts a running shoe on the market for $195.00, you have to believe that they are attempting to make a play at becoming that name. If not the first, at least in the top 5. As our review of the Ecco Biom B suggests (check it here – http://activegearreview.com/running/road-running-shoes/mens-road-running-shoes-running-gear-reviews/ecco-biom-2-2-review ) it’s hard to wrap your mind around the sticker price. I don’t tend to bat an eye at higher priced running shoes - indeed, it’s quickly becoming the name of the game – but for a fairly unestablished name in the running market? Bold move, Ecco. I absolutely agree with the assessment of the biom line as a sort of “barefoot” shoe. In fact, Ecco certainly is marketing it this way. I disagree with Ecco just a bit on the transition, however. It may be flashy and tempting, but I’d hesitate to call it a gateway shoe into the world of running. Read on to find out why.

Check out that curb appeal...

To begin with, I realize the “A” is not the “B” and vice versa. The reason I draw the comparison is because you have to start with the intent of the Biom line as a whole to understand the direction that Ecco is taking with this shoe. Biom (short for biomechanics, we’re to assume) is billed as a “welcome” into the “age of natural motion.” I’m all about natural motion. I preach it all the time. There is a difference, however, between learning to strengthen your muscles in a more natural gait, and just flat out jumping into a barefoot shoe. The website doesn’t seem to make the distinction, but the box of the shoe certainly does – it comes with a pamphlet telling you how to run in them (there’s more on that later.) The bottom line, Biom feels like a barefoot shoe.

The flash extends into the outsole.

The feel of the shoe as a barefoot runner comes largely from the outsole, midsole, and shank of the shoe. Granted, the A is billed more towards the “competitive” runner than the B, but the construction is remarkably similar. A TPU rubber outsole (selected for endurance, and decreased weight at the suggested density) start the shoe from the ground up. I like how it felt firm under a forefoot strike, and didn’t seem to lose traction in a variety of conditions. It felt the best during track workouts, as it seemed to rebound more than your average shoe. I really enjoyed sprinting in this shoe. The midsole and shank construction is pretty much the same here as in the B – cut down the size of the shank, and thereby increase natural motion. It felt a bit unbalanced at first, but after a few days of varied runs, it felt slightly closer to natural.

The outsole and midsole, however, isn’t what’s going to attract most people to the shoe. It’s just about the flashiest shoe I’ve tested, and I’d imagine the sheer “curb appeal” of this shoe will draw quite a few consumers to it. It certianly looks more complicated and “technical” than any other shoe on the shelf in most running stores. The flashy look comes from the lime green color, webbed plastic and mesh upper, as well the shiny toe bumper up front. Granted, it does look cool – but in my opinion, more in that “I work out at Pura Vida” sort of way than in the “I run barefoot marathons” sort of way. I’m not saying I disliked turning a few heads, but in practice, I didn’t feel that the upper performed any better than your average running shoe. It worked to keep my feet cool and dry in hot conditions, and I like that.

There is a bit of confusion in the design of the shoe, however. It’s makers seem to intend it to be a go to shoe for runners wanting the less is more feel, but with all of the tech included. They shy away from the term “barefoot” in lieu of the term “natural.” If that really is the case, they why put all the effort and construction into the heel of the shoe? The heel was really my only dislike of the whole shoe – it felt a bit awkward, like it wanted me to land on it, but didn’t want to promote a heel strike. I’d agree that once I started to focus in on it, it was probably largely in my head. But once I noticed how odd the heel felt (each strike was accompanied by a disconcerting thunk when transitioning) I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Luckily, most of the testing in this shoe was done with a forefoot strike, and this was sort of the last p

little bulky in the heel...

hase of testing.

Now, as for the aforementioned packaging. Ecco (very nicely, in fact) includes a tip sheet inside the box for how to learn to run in the shoe. It’s actually very well done, well intended, and gives good knowledge on a progressive approach to running. Read that word again – progressive. It can mean forward thinking… and it can also mean building. In this case, it definitely means the latter, not the former. It advises the runner to ease into running in these shoes, and encourages the runner to wear them out walking around, or around the house in increasing time increments each day. Don’t be fooled – just because it’s a smart approach doesn’t mean Ecco came up with it.

With so many contradictory view points in one article, you might just be wondering what the bottom line is. Overall, I wasn’t as impressed as I wanted to be with a $195 shoe. At that price tag, you have to be geared to impress, and the Biom A falls just a bit short. It felt fleet and light on the track, fast enough to race, and was flashy enough to catch the eye. But in practice it was always just a bit off balance. If you’re looking for an addition to a fleet of shoes that impresses with curb appeal, look no further. But as a transition into barefoot running I’d say look just a bit further. Go check them out a www.eccousa.com.

Say Hello to Neutral Nirvana.

Some think that the term neutral describes a lack of pronation correction. Literally, an absence of technology which somehow makes the shoe less of a buy. Some companies are even guilty of using more tech laden shoes, pulling a correction last out of it, and putting it on the market as a neutral shoe. Mizuno, fortunately, takes a completely different approach. In a rare blend of comfort, free movement, and Japanese styling, Mizuno would like to introduce us all to running Nirvana through Wave Precision 12.

Admittedly, Mizuno’s neutral shoe lineup runs the gamut from the most constrictive to the most free. Check out our review on the Wave Enigma to see the Precision’s polar opposite. There isn’t a feeling from the Precision that it’s a stripped down version, however; one step into the Precision 12, and you’ll feel that it was crafted with, for lack of a better descriptor, sheer precision. It’s built from the ground up to allow for freedom of movement, from the outsole to the last, without sacrificing comfort or (perhaps most importantly) performance. I liked training in these shoes just as much as I liked racing in them – and I had ample opportunity, putting almost 150 miles on these shoe before sadly switching to the next demo pair.

Not too hard, not too soft. Juuuuuuust Right.

The outsole really is a great piece of ingenuity, and tends to put other companies to shame. Typically, what I see in outsoles is as follows – the firmer it is, the more durable it is. The more flexible it is, the more it tends to fall apart after only a few hundred miles. This also goes hand in hand with traction – the softer the rubber, the grippier it tends to be. I wish I had a bar graph to stick in here, but you’ll just have to take my word for it – the Precision 12 goes in the opposite direction of all the typical shoes. It’s got great traction in all conditions without being too soft, and it’s got awesome durability without being too rigid. In short, Mizuno nearly achieves perfect bliss.

We’ve covered Mizuno’s wave technology ad nauseam on the site, so I won’t delve too deeply into it here. It does, however, tie in with the block printing on the side of shoe rather nicely, however. For those who aren’t up to date – the wave form is nature’s most effective way of dispersing force, so Mizuno uses a wave shaped shank in all of their shoes in order to disperse the force of impact with every foot strike. Like it’s brethren in this year’s lineup, the shank is exposed to the outside, seen running through the sole of the shoe from the side. What’s nice about the wave form on this shoe it that it lacks the stiffness found in other iterations without becoming useless. It still disperses energy effectively, and still has enough form to hold up to long runs. I really liked it at the end of long runs, because it provided the requisite support for tired muscles.

You can see the plastic shank running through the shoe - I love that wave print above it.

The upper is where this shoe really shines, in my opinion. I like the construction of the mesh upper. It’s very comfortable, breathable, and lightweight. Indeed, when the whole shoe weighs in at only 9.9 oz, you can’t waste a whole lot of weight on the upper and tongue. The honeycomb upper is quite a bit different from other shoes as well, in that it actually uses quite a bit less material. The edges of the honeycomb pattern are where the thicker material is – the center of each honeycomb has only the thinnest mesh in it. I’d imagine this is where Mizuno cut most of the weight. Really, the only complaint I have about the entire shoe is the styling on the upper. While I really, really like the wave print on it (I’ve never seen a running shoe company dabble in classic art), I question the patent leather toe bumper on the front.  It seems incongruous with the design of the shoe, and really throws the whole effect off.

The honeycomb pattern up close. Patent Leather? Sigh.

Fans of Mizuno won’t be disappointed with this shoe – it stays true to the classic Mizuno Wave form, and is lightweight enough to feel race worthy. New comers to Mizuno will love the introduction into the Mizuno feel, which is truly unique in the running industry. An added bonus is the pricepoint – at just over $100, it’s a great choice for those who want a race day shoe and training shoe all wrapped up into one. Ride the wave over to www.mizunousa.com/running/ to achieve your inner bliss.

Run Happy… for a really, really long time.

Neutral shoes can be a lot of things. Some neutral shoes are designed for the fleet footed – energy efficient runners who skip along the road, hardly seeming to touch the ground. Some neutral shoes are tanks – they plow through just about everything you put in front of them, and no matter how tough the going gets, the shoes get going. Just one look at the Brooks Glycerin 9 tells you exactly which category these fall under. They’re big, they’re reinforced, and they mean business. Put them on your feet, and you find out just what kind of business they mean – needless to say, you’ll quit long before they do.

I’ve been a big Brooks fan for quite some time. I broke into the line up with the Ravenna, and haven’t looked back since. Brooks has a great design base going, and they don’t really need to change it. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it – and Brooks hasn’t broken yet. Every pair I test I end up using to run some sort of long distance race (I’ve run all my marathons in Brooks), and every pair ends up getting around 600 miles on them before I have to even think of giving them up. For a track record (no pun intended) that really isn’t all that bad. So it was no surprise to me that the Glycerin 9 was built to go the distance. And by built, I mean built. Since we’re already talking about the construction of the shoe, I’ll go a bit out of order, and start with the feel of the midsole/upper combination.

An added bonus - it might just be the coolest looking shoe in the lineup this fall.

It wraps snugly around your foot, and right away you can tell that even though it’s a neutral shoe (meaning lack of whats Brooks calls Guidance – essentially another name for correction of your foot’s natural pronation), it’s not going to just waffle around without any support. It’s extremely supportive, to the point of being almost restrictive. If it didn’t feel so cushiony on the inside, it would feel fairly restrictive. Which leads me to my first beef with the shoe, actually. It’s so cushiony, you lose a little bit of feel for the road. I loved running in it for long, steady runs. Especially on flat terrain, where pace wasn’t changing, and there was no dynamic movement. The cushy feeling of it was great – but anytime dynamic pace changes are a factor (think fartleks or track workouts), I felt like I was in danger of breaking an ankle. The key to this has to be the extension of Brooks patented DNA system from roughly half the shoe to the whole shoe, as evidenced by their site. Due to this, it tends to lack rebound as well. While heavier footed runners will really appreciate it, I’d say anyone under 200 lbs will feel that it’s just too much.

The DNA systems runs the length of the shoe.

The upper is more evidence that the shoe is built to hold up through just about anything. It’s reinforced in several areas with a construction that includes heavy duty mesh, solid panels, and even plastic webs running around the forefoot. This plastic web that hugs your arch for a secure fit is the main reason the shoe feels so supportive. I liked this portion of the shoe a lot, as it kept my foot in place, and I had no issues with shifting around like several shoes will. I really appreciate a secure forefoot in order to prevent blisters on any run over 6-7 miles, and the Glycerin had that in spades. It was really breathable, too, which shoes that Brooks really knows what they’re doing in terms of R&D – they aren’t gonna send you out with a shoe that causes swamp foot at mile 20 of a summer marathon. I stayed nice and dry through all but the hottest of my testing runs.

Securely wrapping the mid foot, the plastic web extends throughout the entire upper.

Last but not least, the outsole is constructed with the same idea in mind. When bullet proof construction is the name of the game, Brooks goes with their HPR material. To quote the website directly, it’s designed to be ” higher durability abrasion resistant” material that “wears longer.” In practice, it really does just that. After quite a few test runs in them, there wasn’t really all that much visible wear in them. I have every confidence that these shoes would go the full 600 miles and possibly even then some. What I really like about the outsole construction, however, was how it rolled on smooth pavement. Numerous shoes that feature a plastic set of exposed beams have issues with contact points, and feel very clumsy. Not so with the Glycerin 9 – it smoothly rolled from heel to toe, and provided great traction for a stable toe off.

The bottom line? Heavy runners seeking a stable neutral shoe need look no further. Fleet footed runners may feel that the cushioning is just a bit overdone. Check them out at www.brooksrunning.com

RevLite – if you haven’t tried it, get yourself some.

New Balance came through in a big way this year, and not just in a single shoe. Numerous shoes on the lineup got a complete overhaul, and the 905 is one of them. Now deemed the 1190, the 905 got more than just your standard facelift – it was torn down from the shanks up to create an entirely new feel. The 905 was a run of the mill trainer – it felt nice, but didn’t really shine when compared to similar products across the industry. This is definitely not the case with the 1190 as it’s built for speed without sacrificing performance, and thanks to RevLite it’s pretty lightweight, too. Weighing in at just 9.0 oz, it’s the lightweight trainer and racer all rolled up into one that you’ve been begging New Balance to create.

RevLite is the game changer for New Balance this year.

The feel of the shoe right out of the box has RevLite written all over it. If you haven’t tried a RevLite shoe this year, head on over to your local running store and give any RevLite pair a spin. It’s definitely worth writing home about. We first saw it in the 890, and it definitely drew our attention in a good way. For those of you who don’t know, RevLite is a midsole compound. It’s basically the foam that is put in the majority of midsoles to make the shoe, well, runnable. What makes RevLite so outstanding is not the hyped up fact that it’s 30% lighter than all industry leading compounds currently available. Yes I’ll admit that this is really, really cool. But anyone can make a midsole that’s 30% lighter… and performs terribly. New Balance made RevLite to perform better than the leading competition – in terms of rebound, cushion, and balance. New Balance, if you will.

What’s nice about the 1190 is that with RevLite technology in the midsole, it bridges the gap between a traditional cushioned shoe (think the whole gamut here – neutral cushioned, stability cushioned, you name it) and a true barefoot shoe. The big difference (and what makes it so hard to transition from shoe to shoe) comes in the heel drop. Traditional shoes can have over 12mm difference. Barefoot shoes (by and large) have less than 3mm. The RevLite system in this shoe still allows for a heel drop, but balances the shoe differently so that the heel drop isn’t as severe. Indeed, if you’ve been running in a traditional shoe but never felt quite right, the 1190 is a breath of fresh air. After running in structured shoes, it suddenly feels like you can breathe again.

The upper features mesh, paneling, and a softer lined heel cup.

So enough about RevLite, how does the rest of the shoe feel? I really like the construction of the upper. The blend of mesh and solid paneling is effective at keeping your feet cool and dry, and it’s comfortable as well. I didn’t have any problem with it even on long distance runs. I also really like the construction of the tongue and lacing configuration. Some companies try to get really technical and tricky here, but New Balance listened to the feedback of actual runners and did what they said – kept it simple. The tongue is comfortable without too much cushion, and lacing/eyelet pattern is effective at holding tight for the long haul. I always lace the entire shoe up through the last eyelet, so heel slip is never a problem for me. Speaking of the heel, another nice feature of the upper is the lowered heel cuff. It’s cut to be slightly less intrusive on your ankle, and even features a nice soft ring of fabric.

A few other nice features round out the shoe as well. The outsole is durable, fairly flexible, and doesn’t seem to wear out fast. Not to be overshadowed by RevLite, New Balance also includes their patented N-ergy system in the outsole, which provides for even more shock absorption and cushioning. All together, this forms a very attractive package in a shoe that only has one real drawback. I’ve been questioning this all year, and can’t wait to see what New Balance does in terms of this next year. RevLite shoes tend to break down quick – the life of each shoe I’ve tested tends to be in the 300-350 mile range. Other leading shoes easily get half again as much.

N-Ergy is a nice addition to round out the shoe.

The bottom line is that even though it breaks down a bit fast, running in RevLite feels like nothing else. And with all of the color choices, you might not mind picking up another pair just that much more quickly. Check out the RevLite tech at www.newbalance.com.

Run Happy? Yes, please.

In the race to strip down, rethink, and re-innovate shoes to fit the barefoot movement, some companies seem to have lost sight of that one simple fact. Just get out there and run happy. Brooks hasn’t forgotten that some people don’t want to jump on (or off, rather) the barefoot wagon. With the Ghost 4, Brooks has proven that neutral shoes can still have cushion and structure…. yet still feel free. And they do it without upping the price tag – the Ghost 4 still retails at $100.00. Most of the barefoot line up (regardless of brand) RUNS (ha-ha) more than this. Fad? Possibly. Wanna run happy? Come back to Brooks.

Let’s start from the bottom up. I love the Ghost for longer runs, especially anything over 13.1 miles. I trained for a marathon in the Ghost 3′s purely for this fact, and look forward to training for another in the 4′s. Not only does the rubber hold up well over distance, it holds up well over the life of the shoe. I’ll admit that I’m not the biggest fan of plastic crossbars in an outsole (I’ve railed on them in numerous reviews here) but in the Ghost they aren’t noticeable, even after a couple hundred miles in them. It’s called HPR plus, and whatever you say about it, you can’t say it isn’t just about the most durable compound you’ve ever run in.

On top of being durable, it was fairly grippy, too. It handled those wetter runs with ease.

Typically, the more durable the outsole, the more inflexible the ride. Durability doesn’t come without it’s drawbacks in terms of malleability, and the Ghost is no exception to this. I’d love to say that there’s some sort of magical compound out there that feels like a leather mocassin but runs like vibram, but there isn’t. What Brooks has done with the Ghost is add a “Cush Pad” configuration to the shoe. This, combined with the patented Brooks “DNA” system, allows for the comfort factor to sink in. Increased structure can tend to feel restrictive on the road, but this combination of features is superb. I thought the shoe felt light and fast enough to do all sorts of workouts – from track workouts to longer tempo runs, I found myself reaching for the ghost fairly often. A quick note about the midsole, though – some runners tend to feel a pressure zone in the ball of their feet. It didn’t seem to occur in our women testers, but it did occur in at least one of the men. I didn’t feel it at first, but after my attention was drawn to it, I noticed it. It’s almost as if the shoe has an upward swell in between the largest “ball” of your foot and the next toe over. I liked how it kept the shoe feeling balanced during a forefoot strike, but those with a different stride might not appreciate it.

So what if it isn't the flashiest shoe around? I'm not Usain Bolt, and I don't pretend to be

Last, but not least, the upper is super breathable, and the sockliner is really, really comfortable. I don’t tend to run sockless in any shoe, so it wouldn’t be my recommendation here, either. I get blisters too much to run sockless, so I can’t say for certain how the sockliner would fare. It was extremely comfortable with socks on, however, and was comfortable enough to wear around all day. I took these on quite a few “hot” runs (runs in temperatures approaching 100 degrees) and my feet were actually the most comfortable part of my body. I like how the sockliner feels cushy without causing extra sweatiness to occur.

The bottom line is that the Ghost 4 is a go to shoe for multiple runners. While it may not be the “best in show” for any specific category, it’s broad appeal makes it any easy sell for many a runner. It’s a great choice for those sorts of trips where you don’t know how long your runs will be, or whether they’ll be indoor or outdoor. It’s built for the long haul, yet is supple enough for all sorts of training. In this price range, it might just be my favorite choice. Run happy? Thanks to the Ghost 4, I will.

Brooks Ghost 4 Mens Running Shoes

Brooks Ghost 4 Womens Running Shoes

If you’ve never given wave technology a try, give it a go. You might just surprise yourself…

To begin with, I ran in barefoot shoes just about all summer. I was looking for shoes with less structure, less padding, less… well, everything. Really, even though it all started innocently enough (I was looking to correct my form in order to avoid multiple common “runners” injuries that seemed to be looming over my shoulder), it soon became a quest for the latest and greatest. And there’s quite a lot out there. So it was with some trepidation that I opened the box up on these and performed my pre-testing ritual. I slid them onto my feet after giving them a heft or two (my initial reaction – these are WAY too heavy for their own good), and slowly began to smile. Miles later, I’m still smiling; I guess you’ll just have to read on to find out why.

To begin with, there’s one thing you can say about the Mizuno line up – they always look cool. I don’t know if it’s the sweet logo, the slick colors they pick, or the overall model of their shoes, but they always prefer clean lines, neat blocks of color, and killer graphics. All of this combines to form a scheme that just looks, well, fast. And fast as hell. I’m not all that fast a runner, but I sure do feel fast with these on. At this time of year, and up against all of these other Usain Bolt wannabe color schemes (nothing against him, but he’s just a bit bright, even when he does false start and disqualify himself), you would think a shoe that’s predominantly dull black wouldn’t stand out. Somehow, it does. Kinda like how a panther stands out when it wants to kill you.

A panther doesn't need flashy. It only needs stealth and lightning quickness. Tell me that doesn't just LOOK quick.

Since I opened with the wave, let’s start with talking about how it performs. Mizuno lists the Enigma as having the “maximum” amount of protection and support that a neutral shoe can have in their line up. I know you might be thinking that these are mutually exclusive topics, but having run in a number of their shoes, I can tell you it’s all wrapped up together. First, you can actually see the wave (check it out above) as it runs the course of the shoe. The plastic literally forms a wave shape similar to that of an ocean wave as it runs throughout the entire shoe. Indeed, Mizuno had this going on long before the Zig Nanos hit, but the technology is basically the same. The wave shape is the most efficient (read: energy efficient) way of dissipating force. So by having it strategically positioned in your foot strike, you will require less energy to complete your normal running motion, as less of your energy is rebounding off of the concrete. I would think (wrongly, it turns out) that this shape would cause a fair amount of pain to run on – wouldn’t a rippled shank create an unlevel running platform? No so, in fact.

The key to the success of this (and every other shoe in the lineup) wave is the cushioning and structure built around it. While other companies have been striving for the less is more approach, Mizuno has stuck with the more is more approach. At 12.4 oz, they certainly aren’t the lightest shoe around. Since I only briefly alluded to it earlier, here it goes – they run fast. Really fast, as in not all like a heavy, neutral cushioned shoe. They certainly do feel structured though, and because I’ve also been testing this years Precision 12 (which feels like a noodle by comparison) I can tell you it’s one of the more structured shoes in the lineup. It’s been great to return to a neutral cushioned shoe which firmly holds its shape throughout the run. Some will not like the rigidity of the shoe, but I really appreciate some support towards the end of any run over 8 or so miles.

They mean "Wave" when they say "Wave"

I’m looking forward to training more in this shoe, not only because it’s been refreshing to return to a structured shoe, but also because they are built for the long haul. Some outsoles this year that I’ve tested were falling apart by the time I reached 150 miles in them (in an attempt to become super lightweight, no doubt), but these Mizunos are built in every way to go the long haul. The outsole is extremely durable and long lasting (by the time the above photos were taken I’d already put 50 miles on them), but doesn’t sacrifice grip at all – wet pavement wasn’t a problem.

Long lasting tread? Check.

The bottom line – if you aren’t making the leap into the barefoot movement (or haven’t even heard of it), and still would like a consistent, neutral cushioned shoe with some structure for those longer runs, look no further. Not only will you be happy with the longevity of this particular model, you’ll get to be the dark horse in any race you partake in. Literally, because everyone else will be wearing various shades of fluorescent pink. Stalk on over to www.mizunousa.com and check them out of yourself.

The concept of minimalism running varies from runner to runner and person to person.  What we all can usually agree on is that having less shoe and structure allows your foot and body do a little more of the heavy lifting, or running…  Recently, Asics has come out with the Rush 33 which is a stripped down shoe that gives you the basics, and that’s about it.

There is no structure to the midsole of this shoe; it’s pretty much a soft EVA midsole with an abrasion resistant rubber to keep the tread from wearing down.  Compared to other running shoes, there is less rubber on the sole of the shoe compared to a standard running shoe. The upper is comprised of a combination between a thicker mesh and a suede like material.  The mesh is pretty thick, so it is not your typical airy mesh upper and retains a bit more heat than a standard mesh running shoe.

As for performance, this shoe worked nicely for neutral runners that did not need posting for stability. The ride of the shoe is soft and since these shoes weight 9.63 oz., they could or could not be considered minimalist depending who you talk to.  If you haven’t taken the plunge into minimalism yet, these aren’t a bad pair of shoes to try out as they only cost $70 which is super good deal for a running shoe.

In the end, I found the Asics Rush 33 to be a good running shoe, but with a price of $70, they become a lot more attractive for a number of runners.  For more information on the Asics Rush 33, please visit http://www.asicsamerica.com/sports/running/