Looking to find a new shoe, would like to get both a road and a trail, or maybe even just a trail that can work for road. I had to take the last year off due a back surgery and knee issues but have been back at it for the past 6 weeks or so slowly rebuilding. I noticed recently that my knee has been really bothering me again pretty badly, so i switched it up and ran in my trail shoes this morning and had zero knee pain. I was already thinking it was time, but now I'm convinced it's just time for some new shoes based on both their miles and age.

That said, I've been a Newton guy since 2011 (25 pairs between the Gravity and the Boca), but I'm ready to change. Newtons are stupid expensive, barely make 350 miles before crapping out, and have gotten really difficult to find.

Looking for a neutral shoe, with a large-ish toe box. I think in my old age I'm leaning toward something a little more cushioned. I run both road and trail. I don't see myself going past the half-marathon distance anymore just based on my knees, so longest runs will be in the 10-12 mile range. Is it unheard of to use a trail shoe on the road? I know it's heavier and thus a little slower, but it's worth the trade if I'm not in pain.

I've tried the Altra Escalante, didn't hate them but also didn't love.
I've heard great things about Inov8, but no experience.
Don't love Brooks
Never tried Hoka.

On Cloud, EOD

Barry Block said:

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On Cloud, EOD

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I will likely give On a try. I just noticed Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card has a 10% cash back promotion with On.

Asics MegaBlast are crazy cushioned and honestly pretty fast to run in.

I really enjoy my Hoka Bondi 9 - neutral shoe with lots of cushion. The latest iteration is less clown-ish than previous models. I have found that my Hokas have lasted longer than any other shoe I have ever run in, fwiw.

Hoka

On Cloudflyer, New Balance, or Altra.

Hoka's have a narrow toe and the wide widths have too much heel slip.

FIDO*98* said:

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On Cloudflyer, New Balance, or Altra.

Hoka's have a narrow toe and the wide widths have too much heel slip.

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hoka has just lost its way the last 18 months or so.

Ive tried Brooks Ghost 14s, but my last several pairs have been New Balance 880s.

Best bet is to go to a running store (Fleet Feet), and have them measure your feet and try on several different brands.

For a bigger brand wide toebox check Altra and Topo Athletic. Veloci and Mount to Coast are some other boutique brands with wide toe boxes.

I've got a pair of Hoka Challenger 8's for my 'mixed use' training (road/gravel/light trail) and it's a good shoe for me.

But a running store is your best bet to see what works best for seeing what fits your foot best.

Been a fan of the Saucony Kinvara's since 2010.

Topo Specter, or Topo Cyclone.

Wide Toe Box, low, but non-zero drop. Good Quality.

Big Topo Fan, the only drawback is that the instep can be aggressive at times.

I'm an Altra fanboy. I rotate between experience flows, Torins, and escalates. Can't recommend them enough. I want to get into trail running next summer and have my eyes on the Lone Peaks

Barry Block said:

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On Cloud, EOD

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Maybe they are comfy but damn they are ugly. I was an Asics fan for years, but recently converted to Brooks.

Most of the trail shoes I've had have minimal support/cushion. So if you are having knee issues and want to minimize that impact I would recommend going with a cushioned road shoe that you can occasionally use on the trail (not the other way around).

I'm a big fan of Altra and Topo Athletic. Current shoe is the Altra Experience Flow 2. I'm loving it so far…a bit over 100 miles in.

Back in my Spartan and trail running days, the Salomon Speedcross was my go to. I went through 3-4 pairs over the years. I trained mainly on roads and they were light and supportive enough to absorb impact. On trails, the traction was unmatched. I recall running past people on hills while they were sliding and falling all over.

Bumping this thread. I think I am done with Hoka. Started as a run forward brand has drifted to an average cross trainer and walking shoe brand.

Looking for my next two pairs.

Usually buy two at a time. 1) everyday run, my zone 2 shoe with decent durability for taking wear on a treadmill 2) performance race shoe to wear on my tempo and interval training days plus be my race shoe

Looking for suggestions to fit the above needs.

If you have wide feet, I will continue to advocate for Altra. Assuming you're ok with minimal/zero drop shoes. Have heard good things about Topo too but haven't been able to try them yet. I know they have a bit more arch support and are almost all 4-6mm drops.

Altra Torin for daily trainer. Escalantes for tempo.

Ragoo said:

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Bumping this thread. I think I am done with Hoka. Started as a run forward brand has drifted to an average cross trainer and walking shoe brand.

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Interested to hear more on this. I've put a LOT of miles on the 3 Hokas I've had: Rincon 1 and 2. And 600+ miles on a pair of Carbon X. I'm not familiar with any other models but these served me well. It's been a while so I'm curious what's changed.

NoahAg said:

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Ragoo said:

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Bumping this thread. I think I am done with Hoka. Started as a run forward brand has drifted to an average cross trainer and walking shoe brand.

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Interested to hear more on this. I've put a LOT of miles on the 3 Hokas I've had: Rincon 1 and 2. And 600+ miles on a pair of Carbon X. I'm not familiar with any other models but these served me well. It's been a while so I'm curious what's changed.

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yeah, i know there are some models that are not necessarily "running centric," but saying hoka is an average cross trailer and walking shoe brand is kind of funny. I don't really pay attention to the road side of things much anymore, and as long as Brooks continues making the Launch, I have no reason to look elsewhere, but in trail running, Hoka is very highly regarded.

AggieOO said:

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NoahAg said:

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Ragoo said:

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Bumping this thread. I think I am done with Hoka. Started as a run forward brand has drifted to an average cross trainer and walking shoe brand.

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Interested to hear more on this. I've put a LOT of miles on the 3 Hokas I've had: Rincon 1 and 2. And 600+ miles on a pair of Carbon X. I'm not familiar with any other models but these served me well. It's been a while so I'm curious what's changed.

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yeah, i know there are some models that are not necessarily "running centric," but saying hoka is an average cross trailer and walking shoe brand is kind of funny. I don't really pay attention to the road side of things much anymore, and as long as Brooks continues making the Launch, I have no reason to look elsewhere, but in trail running, Hoka is very highly regarded.

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I've been through 15+ pairs over the last 5-6 years. They have lost their way the last 12 months or so.

Right off the bat - the colorways went from bright to dull. Everything is white, grey, black, dark blue.

Three datapoints

Rincon 2 was marketed as a light and fast everyday run and race shoe. The current Rincon 4 release is marketed as a "daily trainer" good for every day run.

The Clifton was their flagship shoe. The 5 was marketed as a light and cushy road running shoe. It used to be the everyday run shoe. Now the Clifton 10 is a "trusted trainer" marketed as an every day run or walking shoe.

On to the premium shoes. The Mach X2 was an 8oz super shoe competitor. It is fast and ultra responsive. The X3 was released this fall and is 10.2 oz and marketed as an "up tempo trainer."

So yeah, as someone who does pay attention they have lost their way in the road game big time.

I have a wide foot. I've rotated Hokas and Altras the last few years for various uses. Hoka you can buy wide in several popular styles (Challenger, Speed Goat, Clifton). Altra has been getting narrower over the years. The Altra Superior used to be my go-to all-round shoe. I used it for everything except long distance. It's too narrow now. The Lone Peak is still their original wide top box zero drop fit and I still keep them in the rotation. I still love their Escalante, but I don't run much in them. They are more a daily walking around shoe.

My last three purchased have been Inov8 and Topo. The Topo MT-5 was just okay. I bought it as a trail/road hybrid.

Inov8 has been surprisingly great. I have a now discontinued F Lite-260 for weightlifting and circuit training. It has my favorite upper of any shoe I've owned. Toe box is perfect and heel is locked in. I then purchased the Ro****e Mid GTX for bowhunting and hiking. It also fits my foot perfectly. So my next trail or road runner will be from Inov8.

Ons have been terrible for running for me. Although they are great looking, not a serious running shoe for high mileage.

Right now I am enjoying New Balance Rebel 5 for road.

Trails I am running Altra Olympus. Have run ultra distance in them a few times.

I am 200lbs so surprisingly a lot of shoes do not stand up to the rigors of my size.

Ginger Runner YouTube has had great reviews that mirror my likes. Nearly every shoe he recommends has worked well for me.

My favorite shoe all time is Hoka Mach 4. All other models have been a disappointment.

Everyone is different so take the recommendations we are giving as a starting point and go try them yourself.

Yeah, my experience with On was less than stellar. Turned them into casual shoes after less than 50 miles running in them.

Currently running roads in a pair of New Balance (Rebel V3 and Fuel Cell Supercomp Trainer 2) and like them. But trails are where I really enjoy running and have Hoka (Mafate Speed 4, Challenger 8) and Salomon (Genesis).

Currently looking for a replacement for my Mafate Speed 4's, but Hoka's Speedgoat 6 and Mafate 5 are getting absolutely roasted by reviewers as heavy, poorly ventilated and overall just poor trail running shoes, so will probably go back to Saucony Peregrine (since I'm primarily a 25K to occasionally 50K trail runner).

Mizuno has been good to me until the last generation of shoe when I wore out the sole in less than 200 miles. Prior generations lasted closer to 400. The sole is noticably thinner, but went to the store the other day and all brands seem to be checking out.

For trail running I've got New Balance Hierro's and been pleased.

So this thread has my looking at trying some altras. Was perusing their site. How the hell is this shirt $200?!

Built in nipple tape? Haha

Wait until you hear about the $200 visor/ headband from Omius!

I got the Altra Lone Peak 9 earlier this year and I love them. Some of the colors are on sale on Zappos right now for just over $100.

https://www.zappos.com/p/mens-altra-lone-peak-9-gray/product/9982965/color/8?utm_source=google&utm_medium=pla_x&utm_campaign=22092939988&utm_term=_o_59228876&utm_content=_g__w__l_EAIaIQobChMI6fOl5OOhkQMVDgytBh2fWTkdEAQYAiABEgIivPD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAADnIwa-NbyNISMMtW7p0YAKNyjgsi&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6fOl5OOhkQMVDgytBh2fWTkdEAQYAiABEgIivPD_BwE

https://www.asics.com/us/en-us/running/c/aa40100000/shoes/?CAWELAID=120223060000519811&CATRK=SPFID-1&CAAGID=79828698717&CATCI=kwd-311945860235&CAPCID=464720716270&CADevice=c&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=6944800736&gbraid=0AAAAADl69MgKrJznj1x89u871GN2PZjmD&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItc2VmeSikQMVmCfUAR2PvTeTEAAYASAAEgK_GvD_BwE&prefn1=c_productGender&prefv1=Men