Triathlete.com Exclusive: 2011 Training Shoe Review

The term “training shoe” has typically been associated with clunky motion-control shoes but includes other styles of shoes, depending on the type of training you’re doing—minimalist flats for drills and strides, race shoes for tempo days, or sturdy shoes for long runs. We’ve reviewed 24 of the best running shoes on the market in the August issue of Triathlete. Here are 14 additional, exclusive-to-Triathlete.com shoes and reviews. One is just right for you.

Written by: Adam Chase
Photos by: Nils Nilsen

We direct you to the right training shoe using our “Fit, Feel and Ride” criteria as a guide. Match our test team’s objective evaluations with your unique demands of a shoe, with attention to your running form, training goals and the surface on which you’ll be running.

Toebox fit: The shoe’s volume from the base of the toe to the front of the shoe.
Mid-foot fit: The shoe’s volume around the arch of the foot.
Foot-to-sole hold: How the shoe’s upper fabric portion holds the foot against the sole. Soft: The foot is able to slide and shift. Firm: The foot is hugged tightly to the sole.
Weight: The lightest track spikes weigh about 4 ounces, while burly training shoes weigh about 14. A shoe’s construction also affects how light it feels on the foot.
Heel-toe transition: How the shoe facilitates the foot’s movement from ground contact to toe-off. A faster transition is often preferred by mid- and forefoot strikers who have a higher cadence. A smoother transition is often preferred by heel strikers.
Response: The sole’s cushioning characteristics. A sole that absorbs shock creates gentle contact with the ground but does not help the foot recoil off the pavement. A bouncy sole returns a lot of energy to the runner and feels spring-like.

FILED UNDER: Gear & Tech