Let's Review Shoes!
- Jorge
- Mar 3, 2024
- 5 min read
Welcome back to Unexpected Abundance! Thanks for stopping by again! I hope you like reading reviews because today, we are reviewing running shoes! My collection has grown over the last few years, and I thought it’d be a great opportunity to share my experiences with the shoes and what I’d recommend for runners who are looking for new shoes. I think it’s important to preface that a quality running shoe is going to cost money. I recommend making the investment because with running, your feet are your prized possessions. A good quality shoe minimizes the risk of injury and helps with your recovery after runs. Be prepared to spend some money on running shoes because it will be worth the investment.
When I ran my first marathon back in 2020, I had no idea how to approach buying shoes. I bought a pair of shoes from Nike and used those throughout my entire training. I ran through those shoes so fast and by the time I got to race day, the shoes were worn out and I started to develop joint pain. In 2022, I decided to get back into running after a two-year hiatus and did research on what type of shoes to purchase. I discovered that I needed to have two pairs of shoes to rotate through during marathon training. I bought a pair of HOKA’s to focus on long runs and a pair of Nike’s to focus on short distance runs. It has been a game changer because it keeps my body fresh, and I don’t go through the shoes so quickly. Since then, I've added another pair of HOKA's to my collection, and I have a steady rotation that I use for training. So without further ado, let's get into today's conversation!
HOKA Bondi 8: When I got back into running in 2022 and signed up for the Malibu half marathon, I sat down and did due diligence on what shoes to purchase. At the time, I was 265 lbs and needed a shoe that could handle my size. I purchased the HOKA Bondi 8’s and instantly fell in love. If I could describe the feeling, it’s like walking on clouds, or walking on cotton candy. The shoes felt light on my joints and fit my feet well. When buying HOKA’s, you can choose a ”Wide” version or a “Narrow” version, depending on the shape of your feet. The shoe cost about $160 and has a lifespan of 300-500 miles. The lifespan of a shoe was something I didn’t know to look for in a shoe, but it made sense to me. The shoe cushioning does fade over time with all the miles run along with all of the impact when the shoe hits the ground. Overall, this shoe has been great to me! I’ve run the San Diego half marathon and over 300 miles in these shoes, and while these aren’t the primary shoes I use anymore, I will use them for short distances and wear them for walks or when I'm running errands.
Nike Pegasus 38: I mentioned that I did my due diligence and discovered that I needed another pair of shoes for the short distance, speed, and interval runs. I wanted to buy a pair that wasn’t too expensive, considering I just spent about $160 on the Bondi 8’s. I found that Nike had the Pegasus shoe, which had 38 versions back in 2022. The shoes cost about $90, and they have been my daily trainer shoes. These shoes have a spring in them, meaning when you step on the ground, you bounce off the ground faster resulting in faster runs. Is it the mechanics of the shoe or is it just me? I have no idea. I feel faster in these shoes, and I use these to focus on my speed and interval runs. They are a tighter fit, which helps with minimizing the risk of injury. The Pegasus 38 is a lightweight shoe that is great for daily training at an affordable price. These shoes have a lifespan of 300-500 miles, and I’ve put in about 200 miles. I never use these for long runs, so they will last me a bit longer.
HOKA Mach 5: I’ve had these shoes for about a month, but they feel GREAT. The Bondi 8 started to have minor wear and tear, so I needed to get another pair to ease joint pain I was started to develop. These shoes cost about $160 and have a narrow fit. The feel of the shoe is a mix between the Bondi 8 and Pegasus 38. They feel like you’re walking on clouds, but it also has the extra bounce which makes you faster. This shoe has a lifespan of 300-500 miles, and I have a little under 100 miles with these shoes. I’m currently preparing for the 2024 LA Marathon, and the 2024 OC Marathon about 7 weeks after, so the miles on the shoes will pile up. Overall, these shoes have been great so far.
HOKA slides: Lastly, my beloved recovery slides from HOKA. This isn’t necessary by any means, but if you’ve run a lot, you’ll know the importance of wearing shoes that are light on your feet. The recovery shoes feel nice on my feet after a long run, and they’re nice to wear around the house. They cost about $40, so again, not necessary, but if you have the means, I highly recommend purchasing!
Buying a pair of running shoes can be overwhelming, but just know there are multiple options to choose from. Do your own research, compare prices to see what’s in your budget, and if possible, get two pairs of shoes. As you continue to run and get more experience, you’ll build your collection and have more options to choose from. Just remember that this is meant to be a fun experience! Running shoes tend to have funkier colors, and for some reason, a lot of runners wear shoes that never match their running clothes. Your shoes are a cool way to stand out while you're running, and it never hurts to look and feel good while doing it. You're already investing a lot of money into shoes that you might as well choose unique colors and stand out! I've enjoyed buying shoes with bright colors for my long runs because I feel they make me faster. Is that actually true? I doubt it, BUT I'll keep telling myself that.
Thanks for stopping by today, I really hope you enjoyed today’s conversation! Make sure to follow us on TikTok @unexpectedabundance and Instagram @unexpectedabundanceblog for additional content, and I’ll be posting more reviews in the future. Until then, stay safe and enjoy the trails!
コメント