Mizuno Wave Rider 11
Dhs349, at mizunousa.com
I’m impressed already, and I’ve barely covered any ground: The sole’s ridges seem to enhance the natural roll of my foot with each step. They’ve turned me into a crazy-fast running machine. Within 15 minutes (I haven’t even broken a sweat, by the way), both laces have come untied, but that’s probably more the operator’s error: Tying is a complicated process. A mile in and my head and arms are heavier than an episode of Prison Break, but I can’t help but notice how light my feet feel. A few miles on and I’m sweating like a beast. Everywhere. Well, everywhere except my feet – the mesh fabric is surprisingly breathable. My entire body is numb, but at least my feet aren’t in pain. Good job, new shoes.
Adidas Supernova Sequence
Dhs349, at adidas.com
I feel like I’m wedging my feet into a pair of plush slippers. Are sneakers supposed to be this padded? There’s some heavy-duty traction going on here: Scary for a clumsy person on stairs (my feet catch on stairs and I go head over heels), but grand once on the treadmill. I’m feeling propelled forward by these things. As I hit the 15-minute mark my slippers/sneakers are getting a tad warm, but I’m so into the bounce in my step that I don’t really care. By the final few lunges, my arches and ankles are usually screaming at me for taking them this far, but not this time. Perhaps sneakers are supposed to be this padded. Either way, it’s game on.
Asics GEL-Nimbus 10
Dhs440, at asics.com
The first thing I notice is that the shoes are true to size. Hooray for shoes that actually fit. As I hit the gym, my feet start dragging a little (note to self: lay off the shawarmas), but not because of the shoes, which are shockingly light – plus my foot feels fully supported the whole time. After putting some serious strides in I thought I’d be crawling from sheer exhaustion, but instead the bouncy cushion in the sole puts a little spring in my step, so I keep going. At the end of the run, there’s not a blister in sight, my feet don’t hurt and I’m not in a hurry to take them off the second I get home. Definitely a first!
New Balance 1224
Dhs515, at newbalance.com
These spongy shoes have a soft step and they fit tightly around my ankle, but are roomy enough to give my tootsies some breathing room. They’re almost massaging in their suport, leaving me feeling like I’ve just had a spot of reflexology. Cresting those treadmill summits isn’t any easier than normal, to be honest, though the heels do absorb a considerable portion of the shock. Inching my way along, it appears my legs have morphed into cement. But I must say, these are some cushy heels. My socks, which are reliably unpleasant after runs, are just a tiny bit damp and don’t smell quite as rancid as usual. Feeling empowered and a little giddy, I do another round on the rower. Who’d have thought, eh?
Nike Air Pegasus+ 25
Dhs312, at nikeplus.com
It’s not the fairest test since I’ve been wearing the same pair of Adidas for the past nine years, but these new babies make my feet feel like they’re bouncing around in tubs of cherry jelly. (That’s a good thing.) They also look pretty hot, which may not be part of the test, but for many folk that’s all they have to go on. While I’m loving the mattress-like spring, the new rubber is extra grippy, which means I have to work harder to pick up my feet. Not cool. After a serious session on the treadmill, the balls of my feet don’t feel bruised as they normally do, which is good, and there’s hardly any sweat issues, which is amazing considering the AC in my gym is knackered and the rest of my body is sweating like a post-marathon runner.
