Thank goodness you have brought this up, more running RUclipsrs need to hear this! I get so frustrated hearing popular running RUclipsrs advise a cushioned shoe for a heavier runner - every single time. I actually said in response to a video that not all heavier runners need or want cushioned shoes. I’d only consider them for long runs and even then, I probably wouldn’t get anything more cushioned than a Saucony Triumph. I’ve seen many heavier runners running in minimalist shoes, at the most, they’d get shoes with stability but that’s it. The first time I went into a running shoe store, the sales assistant automatically led me to highly cushioned shoes - purely based on his perception of me. I went elsewhere for a gait analysis and was offered a number of shoes, the one that was suggested wasn’t even in the lineup. The biggest downside - depending on how you choose to see it - is that a heavier runner might not get those 600 miles out of one pair of shoes. For me *looks left and right* if I hear a reviewer say “the outsole wears quickly” I add it to my running shoe wish list. After all, I need a justifiable reason to buy a new pair of shoes after the outsole of X wears out, right? 😁
I just want to say thanks for this channel! The internet hype out there may work for lightweight, neutral footed, recreational runner. But this channel takes the time to break down the outliers.
Great information. As a larger runner1.88m and 88kg I have discovered that stable neutral or mild pronation works for me. Reebok’s float ride energy 4 is my go to park-run shoe. I am EU 45, have higher arches and a men’s standard width. Comfort and knowing your foot strike pattern count. Also, getting your form right really counts.
Found this after your article. Great feedback! I'm 117kg and a bit of a medical marvel with 2 surgically repaired achilles and patellar tendonitis. I started with Hoka Speed Goat and loved it, but then fell in love with the Lone Peak. Being a heavier runner, the extra volume in the toe box is a god send, allowing my fred flintsone feet to swell on longer runs without issue. Did my first half marathon in a Paradigm 6. Oddly enough, I didn't love the Bondi because it felt a little unstable for me. The comfort factor is spot on. Purely anecdotal, but my ankles/heels and knees haven't felt better since I started running at the young age of 51. Can you please DM the vendor who likes to wear test for heavier people? 😂
Awesome info! Thank you guys! If you revisit this, sharing that company's name would help a lot of us. Understanding it's not an endorsement of their method or credibility.
I'm heavy ( at times 165- 220lbs) and slow so I buy all the shoes!!!! I vary them quite a bit. Faves are Atreyu base, saucony endorphin speed and shift, reebok symetros, Novablast and glideride by asics, Adidas solar blasts and New Balance fresh foam 1080 and Beacon.
I am 95 kg and one leg shorter and after this spring i must stop using my hoka challenger and torrent, because after 400 km, my shorter leg is not stable and i experienced ankle pain even if i only walking in these shoes. I think their foam gets "tired" in exposed areas and impairs foot posture, especially if you have a tendency to pronation. Right now i bought Asics trabuco 9, and so far no problem with them, but we will see. BTW i like your work ;)
It might be a psychological thing , especially if they had past injuries (like me). At my age i tend to baby my legs as i have been around the block far too many times . My firm shoes now are the Magic speed (because im mentally young) and my most forgiving is the invincible run (which i really do not like the softness) but behind my head is my past injuries coming from 220 pounds and even if im at 170-175 now ,Getting injured is always in the back of my head when choosing shoes.
Nobody is calculating the surface size of the foot relative to the weight of the runners. How many kg per sq cm... Also if someone has a big frame then his joints are large enough for the weight but if someone is small frame but overweight it is a different matter. Just to complicate more how about the air temperature.. I find shoes much harder in the winter. I am looking for a solution to keep my shoes warm before the run.. I run early so I don't have time to wear them in the house before the run 🤔
Very good point, I'm in the UK so winter it's always around or below 0c ..a lot of the new foam shoes which are great in the summer, do have a tendency to feel like blocks of solid styrofoam in those conditions, I have to switch to something like the speed crosses for grip and consistency
I think another very important factor is the runners ability to shock absorb, their elastic rigidity and their overall tecnique. You simply can't compare a newbie 100kg runner with a more experienced one. The former will probably be more "wobbly" (for lack of a better term) and dissipate energy in many directions simply because the body has to work to stabilize. A shoe can help with this but personally, I think the best investment a newbie runner can do is a gym membership.
Thank goodness you have brought this up, more running RUclipsrs need to hear this!
I get so frustrated hearing popular running RUclipsrs advise a cushioned shoe for a heavier runner - every single time. I actually said in response to a video that not all heavier runners need or want cushioned shoes. I’d only consider them for long runs and even then, I probably wouldn’t get anything more cushioned than a Saucony Triumph.
I’ve seen many heavier runners running in minimalist shoes, at the most, they’d get shoes with stability but that’s it. The first time I went into a running shoe store, the sales assistant automatically led me to highly cushioned shoes - purely based on his perception of me. I went elsewhere for a gait analysis and was offered a number of shoes, the one that was suggested wasn’t even in the lineup.
The biggest downside - depending on how you choose to see it - is that a heavier runner might not get those 600 miles out of one pair of shoes. For me *looks left and right* if I hear a reviewer say “the outsole wears quickly” I add it to my running shoe wish list. After all, I need a justifiable reason to buy a new pair of shoes after the outsole of X wears out, right? 😁
I just want to say thanks for this channel! The internet hype out there may work for lightweight, neutral footed, recreational runner. But this channel takes the time to break down the outliers.
Great information. As a larger runner1.88m and 88kg I have discovered that stable neutral or mild pronation works for me. Reebok’s float ride energy 4 is my go to park-run shoe. I am EU 45, have higher arches and a men’s standard width. Comfort and knowing your foot strike pattern count. Also, getting your form right really counts.
I think it would be helpful for you to define what constitutes a heavy runner?
Found this after your article. Great feedback! I'm 117kg and a bit of a medical marvel with 2 surgically repaired achilles and patellar tendonitis. I started with Hoka Speed Goat and loved it, but then fell in love with the Lone Peak. Being a heavier runner, the extra volume in the toe box is a god send, allowing my fred flintsone feet to swell on longer runs without issue. Did my first half marathon in a Paradigm 6. Oddly enough, I didn't love the Bondi because it felt a little unstable for me. The comfort factor is spot on.
Purely anecdotal, but my ankles/heels and knees haven't felt better since I started running at the young age of 51.
Can you please DM the vendor who likes to wear test for heavier people? 😂
Awesome info! Thank you guys! If you revisit this, sharing that company's name would help a lot of us. Understanding it's not an endorsement of their method or credibility.
I'm heavy ( at times 165- 220lbs) and slow so I buy all the shoes!!!! I vary them quite a bit. Faves are Atreyu base, saucony endorphin speed and shift, reebok symetros, Novablast and glideride by asics, Adidas solar blasts and New Balance fresh foam 1080 and Beacon.
I am 95 kg and one leg shorter and after this spring i must stop using my hoka challenger and torrent, because after 400 km, my shorter leg is not stable and i experienced ankle pain even if i only walking in these shoes. I think their foam gets "tired" in exposed areas and impairs foot posture, especially if you have a tendency to pronation. Right now i bought Asics trabuco 9, and so far no problem with them, but we will see. BTW i like your work ;)
I just pay attention to how fatigued my feet and joints feel. I will adjust things based on that.
It might be a psychological thing , especially if they had past injuries (like me). At my age i tend to baby my legs as i have been around the block far too many times . My firm shoes now are the Magic speed (because im mentally young) and my most forgiving is the invincible run (which i really do not like the softness) but behind my head is my past injuries coming from 220 pounds and even if im at 170-175 now ,Getting injured is always in the back of my head when choosing shoes.
so what was the company? :D
Nobody is calculating the surface size of the foot relative to the weight of the runners. How many kg per sq cm... Also if someone has a big frame then his joints are large enough for the weight but if someone is small frame but overweight it is a different matter. Just to complicate more how about the air temperature.. I find shoes much harder in the winter. I am looking for a solution to keep my shoes warm before the run.. I run early so I don't have time to wear them in the house before the run 🤔
Very good point, I'm in the UK so winter it's always around or below 0c ..a lot of the new foam shoes which are great in the summer, do have a tendency to feel like blocks of solid styrofoam in those conditions, I have to switch to something like the speed crosses for grip and consistency
I think another very important factor is the runners ability to shock absorb, their elastic rigidity and their overall tecnique. You simply can't compare a newbie 100kg runner with a more experienced one. The former will probably be more "wobbly" (for lack of a better term) and dissipate energy in many directions simply because the body has to work to stabilize. A shoe can help with this but personally, I think the best investment a newbie runner can do is a gym membership.
This was so pointless!!
I didn't think so