I ran the Houston half in 2024 wearing the DNE2 and loved it. I don't have the DNE3 but by all accounts it seems to be an improvement. You have made a good selection.
@@global-runner Only one tip since the half is flat and pretty straight forward. Miles 10-12 (check course map to zero in on exactly where) will take you due north into what I expect to be a healthy wind. You're more tuned to cold weather running than this Louisiana runner, but that wind felt fairly disrespectful last year and weather conditions look more or less the same if not a slight bit colder. Pre-race in the convention center is super-convenient. Very well run event. I'm running the full this year so tell everyone to save a beer for me when I finish. Have fun!
Another way to ID the two asics shoes is the black mark on the side lines up with how the carbon plate runs through the sole. Higher plate is Sky. Ran a 10k in Sky last month (first race in them) and was a bit surprised by the result, ran quicker than expected. Got AF3 this week, they seem alright but Asics MS Sky are looking like fastest shoe in my case. Eagerly awaiting your Houston result and your thoughts on how DNE3 feel over the half - good luck!
Love the Evo SL, just did a long 26k run (4:28 pace) and they felt amazing, super smooth and protective. For the half marathon, last year I loved and PBed in the Edge Paris - fun and fast shoe to run in.
The EVO SL is definitely a fun shoe. I had a few ankle concerns after the first run so I’ve put it on the back burner for a short while but I’m looking forward to trying it out more! Those metaspeeds are definitely great shoes! Just the tiniest bit clunky compared to the puma, I found.
No Takumi Sen or Pacer V2. My PB in the half was in the Mayfly, but ya that was 2010. The Alphafly sure makes running easier, I was surprised you said harder
Great suggestions! I did think about including the Takumi sen but don’t have the latest version so I took it out for that reason. I haven’t tried the pacer v2 but I’d love to give that a go! Yeah it’s weird. It’s probably my running form but I feel like it’s more effort in the alphafly. I conscious of it the whole time
Ran my first marathon (3:28) in Sky. Brilliant shoe. Agree upper seems too spacious but no probs for me over 26.2miles. That said would be keen to try Puma NE3 and compare. Good luck. You’ve got this!
I'm running Houston as well and shooting for the same time as you! I did a very similar thing testing all my super shoes (pretty much the same ones you were considering) and also landed on the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3! Such an awesome shoe. Looking forward to lining up with you!
This is amazing!! I have a question - are you starting at 6:45 or 6:55? I’m listed to start at 6:45 but I’m wondering if 6:55 might be better in terms of having more people to run with? I want to run with a group (people like you!) if possible…
I'm at 6:55. I think your intuition is right and most people in our pace range will be at 6:55. I requested "front of corral" and got approved for that, whatever it means! If you end up running at 6:55 I'll look for you in the corral! I'll have a jersey on with the logo from this profile picture!
I doing my next marathon in Vaporfly 3s as I managed to pick up a pair in the black Friday sales here in the UK for £120. My previous marathons have all been in either the Vaporfly 2 or the Saucony Endorphins Pro 3.
I have done 2 marathons in the vaporfly 3 and it’s a great shoe. I just feel like the puma edges it at the moment over the half marathon distance at least…!
Excellent choice, Duncan! I’ve wanted to run these for a while now… but I’m slightly disappointed you won’t be running in either of the ASICS 😂 Also great shoes I’d love to check out perhaps this year. Good luck in Houston!
looks like an interesting choice. I tried the Puma Deviate Nitro 3 for a while (not the same shoe as yours anyway), but I found out they're too narrow in the forefoot for me :(
I found that too with the deviate nitro. I only tried them on in a shop but the forefoot was almost crushing on my toes so I didn’t go with them. Didn’t have that problem with the elite though.
I still have a working pair of Puma DNE V1's great shoe, very traditional geometry. But it seems like they really caught up to the rest of the industry with the V3. The V1 didn't have enough protection for the marathon at my speed, but I would have gladly raced a half in them. The 5mm drop on the Sky would be ok for me for a half, but for a full marathon I suspect my calves would notice it in the final 10k. Alphafly V3 I now only consider it as a marathon shoe, it's just too squishy. Even though I have my half PB in the V3, as I continue to get faster I'm liking it less and less beyond marathon efforts. Based on what you have said, sounds like the Puma DNE V3 is the right choice. Good-luck on the weekend!
Thank you! A very considered response as always! I appreciate it! Yeah the AF3 is a crazy shoe but if you put on a different shoe straight away after wearing it you can immediately feel the difference in terms of responsiveness.
I think the price on the pumas might rocket if the outsole was made out of crushed diamonds haha!! Honestly, we have very similar shoe tastes... I havent tried all of your shoes but I share your thoughts on the VF3. it gets mushy the longer you are in it and its lacks responsiveness from the previous versions... the ON cloudboom echo 3 is also underrated and like you, I find it to be really effective... agreed it would be better over the shorter distance. But I cant get over how good the puma is! Good luck this weekend!
Thank you! When I saw your video (which was great) I laughed because we definitely have the same shoe tastes. You can just tell me what to buy next. :). I’m hearing good things about the pro 4.
Go team Puma! ;-) It's my only racing shoe (also the only pair I've ever owned), so I can't compare with the others, but I do love them. About the Vaporfly, I've heard that the 2 is actually more racy than the 3, have you tried that one as well?
I would have picked the Edge or the adios pro 3. The puma are just too bouncy for me. The vaporfly bottom out after about six or 7 miles. I agree about feeling like you work too hard in the alpha fly. The super blast 2 is definitely a huge shoe and much too heavy. And the Evo SL although decent, is not a half marathon shoe.
What are you going to wear? Half tights and T shirt with gloves? I am running the Austin half same day and it will be 30F. Having trouble deciding if I will wear long sleeves and tights for it. I think Houston is going to be 38F though. Thought you would have good advice.
Great question! I always find that it’s extremities that get cold. Especially hands. As long as my hands are ok, I tend to find everything else is manageable. We’re going to be working hard and burning some heat so the core usually stays ok but it’s hands and forehead for me (I have an increasingly large forehead!). :). I’m going to wear throwaway gloves 9which I can dump if I have to) and a hat (which I won’t dump). Thicker socks. Half tights. Singlet. I’ll wear 2 t shirts to the start line and I’ll dump them just before the start. I may also wear arm warmers which I can pull down if I get too hot. Hope that helps?
@ I'm pretty much afraid to experiment. I'm a walker, and when I first started walking regularly, I was wearing converse high tops. My feet quickly became a mess. Got some Saucony and my world changed! Walked a half marathon last year in Saucony Guides. Wore them all the time to care for my feeties, since it was adding a lot more miles than I was used to. Will walk the same half in March but this time, I wear the Guides for walks but Excursions the rest of the time. Both are great. When I was in comparison mode I thought the Excursions were cozy but the Guides were cozy plus hot cocoa and a fire 😜
That’s a great suggestion and I did try that but it still felt sloppy. The material above the foot felt like it was way too much. I almost felt like taping it down! :)
@global-runner I have narrow feet, so have this issue quite often. Hoka Rocket X2 and Vaporfly V1 have great fits for me. And Adios Pro 2, but that's a bit old nowadays!
I've used the metaspeed edge for a recent half and found them fantastic, but are they too light for a full. what would you think for a full, stick to a vapour or alphafly, which i used for may last full or is the edge suitable for a full?
I would stick with what you feel most confident in. But I think it depends how heavy you are. If you are bigger then I’d go with the alphafly. If you’re lighter, I’d definitely consider the edge…
I think you're going with an excellent shoe. I did a half last spring in the V1 of these, and it was a banger.
Cheers.
Picked the right tyres! Now I just need to make sure the engine is primed. :)
This was a well made series leading up to the Houston half. Whatever happens: be proud of this series . 👏
Thank you! I really appreciate that comment!
I ran the Houston half in 2024 wearing the DNE2 and loved it. I don't have the DNE3 but by all accounts it seems to be an improvement. You have made a good selection.
Thanks. I’m at peace with my selection. :). (Are we ever satisfied?!)
Any tips on the course?
@@global-runner Only one tip since the half is flat and pretty straight forward. Miles 10-12 (check course map to zero in on exactly where) will take you due north into what I expect to be a healthy wind. You're more tuned to cold weather running than this Louisiana runner, but that wind felt fairly disrespectful last year and weather conditions look more or less the same if not a slight bit colder. Pre-race in the convention center is super-convenient. Very well run event. I'm running the full this year so tell everyone to save a beer for me when I finish. Have fun!
@ a disrespectful wind! Love it!
Good luck in the full. Hope you crush it!
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the new Adios Pro 4 when you get them in. Good luck on Sunday 🙂
Thank you!!! Yes I’m hoping that maybe there’s a pair at the expo…
Looks like a great choice. While I do not own them, I'm very interested in your follow up on them post race!
I’ll definitely be doing that. Just tried on a pair of pro 4 and they felt amazing too.
Another way to ID the two asics shoes is the black mark on the side lines up with how the carbon plate runs through the sole. Higher plate is Sky. Ran a 10k in Sky last month (first race in them) and was a bit surprised by the result, ran quicker than expected. Got AF3 this week, they seem alright but Asics MS Sky are looking like fastest shoe in my case. Eagerly awaiting your Houston result and your thoughts on how DNE3 feel over the half - good luck!
And the colour of the outsole is different too! One is black and one is pink. I can just never remember which is which. :)
I wish the Sky didn’t have so much in the forefoot. But for that, they’d be perfect for me! :)
If you like the Sky I'm surprised you don't try the Edge...I love it for half...would be keen to try the Puma
Yeah I wish asics just made one shoe. The upper from the edge and the underneath of the sky!
Love the Evo SL, just did a long 26k run (4:28 pace) and they felt amazing, super smooth and protective. For the half marathon, last year I loved and PBed in the Edge Paris - fun and fast shoe to run in.
The EVO SL is definitely a fun shoe. I had a few ankle concerns after the first run so I’ve put it on the back burner for a short while but I’m looking forward to trying it out more!
Those metaspeeds are definitely great shoes! Just the tiniest bit clunky compared to the puma, I found.
Perfect pick! It's a fantastic shoe and my favourite ❤
I’m glad to hear that! If you ignore the brand and just look at the shoe, it’s an amazing shoe.
Hearing good things about the Puma NE3, I'm sure it'll do you well. I'll be trialling the Sky Paris in a 5 mile race on Sunday 🤞
Good luck! It’ll be perfect for that I think. Let me know how it goes??
No Takumi Sen or Pacer V2. My PB in the half was in the Mayfly, but ya that was 2010. The Alphafly sure makes running easier, I was surprised you said harder
Great suggestions! I did think about including the Takumi sen but don’t have the latest version so I took it out for that reason. I haven’t tried the pacer v2 but I’d love to give that a go!
Yeah it’s weird. It’s probably my running form but I feel like it’s more effort in the alphafly. I conscious of it the whole time
Ran my first marathon (3:28) in Sky. Brilliant shoe. Agree upper seems too spacious but no probs for me over 26.2miles. That said would be keen to try Puma NE3 and compare. Good luck. You’ve got this!
Great time!! Well done! I do like the Sky. But for me the puma edges it…
If the version 3 is as good as the version 2, it is a great shoe. And from what I hear, it might even be better (which is hard to believe.)
I didn’t try v2 but I’m definitely a fan of v3. I assume v3 is lighter?
I'm running Houston as well and shooting for the same time as you! I did a very similar thing testing all my super shoes (pretty much the same ones you were considering) and also landed on the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3! Such an awesome shoe. Looking forward to lining up with you!
This is amazing!! I have a question - are you starting at 6:45 or 6:55? I’m listed to start at 6:45 but I’m wondering if 6:55 might be better in terms of having more people to run with? I want to run with a group (people like you!) if possible…
I'm at 6:55. I think your intuition is right and most people in our pace range will be at 6:55. I requested "front of corral" and got approved for that, whatever it means! If you end up running at 6:55 I'll look for you in the corral! I'll have a jersey on with the logo from this profile picture!
@ I’ll look out for you. And I’ll try and swap corrals - I think you’re right.
I doing my next marathon in Vaporfly 3s as I managed to pick up a pair in the black Friday sales here in the UK for £120. My previous marathons have all been in either the Vaporfly 2 or the Saucony Endorphins Pro 3.
I have done 2 marathons in the vaporfly 3 and it’s a great shoe. I just feel like the puma edges it at the moment over the half marathon distance at least…!
I think the wide release of the EVO SL isn't until March hence why currently they're impossible to get.
I was lucky to get some then! They were in my local running store!
Excellent choice, Duncan! I’ve wanted to run these for a while now… but I’m slightly disappointed you won’t be running in either of the ASICS 😂 Also great shoes I’d love to check out perhaps this year. Good luck in Houston!
Thank you! Yeah I need more races so I can try out all these shoes! Just another 10 million subscribers and maybe I can tour the world doing that. :)
looks like an interesting choice. I tried the Puma Deviate Nitro 3 for a while (not the same shoe as yours anyway), but I found out they're too narrow in the forefoot for me :(
I found that too with the deviate nitro. I only tried them on in a shop but the forefoot was almost crushing on my toes so I didn’t go with them. Didn’t have that problem with the elite though.
I still have a working pair of Puma DNE V1's great shoe, very traditional geometry. But it seems like they really caught up to the rest of the industry with the V3. The V1 didn't have enough protection for the marathon at my speed, but I would have gladly raced a half in them.
The 5mm drop on the Sky would be ok for me for a half, but for a full marathon I suspect my calves would notice it in the final 10k.
Alphafly V3 I now only consider it as a marathon shoe, it's just too squishy. Even though I have my half PB in the V3, as I continue to get faster I'm liking it less and less beyond marathon efforts.
Based on what you have said, sounds like the Puma DNE V3 is the right choice. Good-luck on the weekend!
Thank you! A very considered response as always! I appreciate it! Yeah the AF3 is a crazy shoe but if you put on a different shoe straight away after wearing it you can immediately feel the difference in terms of responsiveness.
The vaporfly 3 and alphafly 3 have identical stack height and drop... So I don't see why the alphafly's stack really enters into the equation?
It’s the weight of the alphafly and the fact that I feel like I’m working harder in it that puts me off it.
I think the price on the pumas might rocket if the outsole was made out of crushed diamonds haha!! Honestly, we have very similar shoe tastes... I havent tried all of your shoes but I share your thoughts on the VF3. it gets mushy the longer you are in it and its lacks responsiveness from the previous versions... the ON cloudboom echo 3 is also underrated and like you, I find it to be really effective... agreed it would be better over the shorter distance. But I cant get over how good the puma is! Good luck this weekend!
Thank you! When I saw your video (which was great) I laughed because we definitely have the same shoe tastes. You can just tell me what to buy next. :). I’m hearing good things about the pro 4.
@@global-runner the pro 4 excites me, I really want to try that as well!
Go team Puma! ;-) It's my only racing shoe (also the only pair I've ever owned), so I can't compare with the others, but I do love them.
About the Vaporfly, I've heard that the 2 is actually more racy than the 3, have you tried that one as well?
Go Team Puma! :). I didn’t try the VF2. Only the original. I heard the VF2 was better as well - time for VF4?! :)
Lol i had to laugh at Knight vs Nike "nikee"
Ha ha. What about adidas? That usually gets a chuckle too. :)
I would have picked the Edge or the adios pro 3. The puma are just too bouncy for me. The vaporfly bottom out after about six or 7 miles.
I agree about feeling like you work too hard in the alpha fly.
The super blast 2 is definitely a huge shoe and much too heavy.
And the Evo SL although decent, is not a half marathon shoe.
Good choices! I do like the bounce of the puma but I’ve always liked a softer shoe. I’m very keen to try the adios pro 4…
What are you going to wear? Half tights and T shirt with gloves? I am running the Austin half same day and it will be 30F. Having trouble deciding if I will wear long sleeves and tights for it. I think Houston is going to be 38F though. Thought you would have good advice.
Great question! I always find that it’s extremities that get cold. Especially hands. As long as my hands are ok, I tend to find everything else is manageable. We’re going to be working hard and burning some heat so the core usually stays ok but it’s hands and forehead for me (I have an increasingly large forehead!). :). I’m going to wear throwaway gloves 9which I can dump if I have to) and a hat (which I won’t dump). Thicker socks. Half tights. Singlet. I’ll wear 2 t shirts to the start line and I’ll dump them just before the start. I may also wear arm warmers which I can pull down if I get too hot. Hope that helps?
Edge all day long
A lot of people have said that. It’s definitely a great shoe!
The Puma is $285 CAD, no?
No help here, lifetime 100% Saucony.
I tried on the pro 4 once. Now that’s a comfy shoe…
@ I'm pretty much afraid to experiment. I'm a walker, and when I first started walking regularly, I was wearing converse high tops. My feet quickly became a mess. Got some Saucony and my world changed! Walked a half marathon last year in Saucony Guides. Wore them all the time to care for my feeties, since it was adding a lot more miles than I was used to. Will walk the same half in March but this time, I wear the Guides for walks but Excursions the rest of the time. Both are great. When I was in comparison mode I thought the Excursions were cozy but the Guides were cozy plus hot cocoa and a fire 😜
@ it sounds like you’ve found your shoe! No need to change just for the sake of it! Respect.
Metaspeed Sky + thick socks?!
That’s a great suggestion and I did try that but it still felt sloppy. The material above the foot felt like it was way too much. I almost felt like taping it down! :)
@global-runner I have narrow feet, so have this issue quite often. Hoka Rocket X2 and Vaporfly V1 have great fits for me. And Adios Pro 2, but that's a bit old nowadays!
@ one of my friends swears by the rocket x2. I haven’t tried them but they sound great!
I've used the metaspeed edge for a recent half and found them fantastic, but are they too light for a full. what would you think for a full, stick to a vapour or alphafly, which i used for may last full or is the edge suitable for a full?
I would stick with what you feel most confident in. But I think it depends how heavy you are. If you are bigger then I’d go with the alphafly. If you’re lighter, I’d definitely consider the edge…
You lost me as soon as you mispronounced Nike……..Jesus Billy
Ha ha ha. Classic. You should have hung around to hear how I pronounced “adidas”. ;)