New Fall 2022 Shoes
Fall is a bustling time in the run specialty world. New shoes and updates are dropping left and right, and that means new shoes at Terra! Check out some of our newest offerings.
Altra Via Olympus
While we’re excited about all our new models, the Via Olympus might be the standout of the bunch. The first max cushion road shoe from Altra, the Via comes with a whopping 33 mm of foam underfoot! That’s the same as the Bondi 8, but without any drop to the forefoot, the Via is actually a thicker shoe. If you didn’t know, Altra has three different shoe fits: Slim, Standard, and Original. The Via is Original, meaning it’s got maximum space for your toes to splay, and a mile-wide, stable platform. This shoe’ll work best for those running major miles on the road, working long shifts on their feet, or looking for a cushy recovery day shoe. Don’t be fooled by the marshmallow look, though: with its rockered shape, the Via will still keep you moving if you pick up the pace.
Altra Provision 7
It would be easy to let the launch of the Via Olympus overshadow a small update to an Altra classic, but certainly don’t ignore the Provision 7. Though it’s billed as a daily trainer, the Provision 7 is an astoundingly soft shoe. Coming in a little slimmer and lighter than the Via, this is a do-it-all road trainer. It’s a stability shoe without feeling clunky, and the rubber outsole is aggressive enough that I’d feel comfortable taking it offroad. This is an ideal shoe for someone looking to try Altra for the first time.
ON Cloudflyer 4
While not an overhaul, the Clouflyer 4 is a welcome update to a solid daily trainer. ON has prioritized comfort with this iteration: the tongue is pillow-plush, the ride is a tad softer than the previous version, and they’ve expanded the dual-density foam to enhance stability. The Cloudflyer also comes in a wide option, a rarer offering for ON.
ON Cloud X
We’re amped to announce the addition of a mixed-sport shoe into our lineup! Many of our customers come in looking for a gym shoe, something they can do a little bit of everything in. While most of our shoes are versatile enough for gym use, the Cloud X is our first shoe built for the gym. It’s lightweight, low profile, stable, and a bit firmer than a traditional running shoe, making it perfect for a fast-paced, explosive workout where you change direction and activity often. You can run in these shoes, but we recommend keeping those runs short and indoors, which is where the Cloud X is designed to excel.
Brooks Ghost 15
The Ghost is one of Brooks all time best sellers for a reason. It is a go-to trainer for any situation with great fit and durability. For this15th iteration, Brooks has updated the cushioning to be lighter and slightly less dense resulting in a plusher shoe. They have also improved the upper with a 3D print fit for added structure. But Ghost fans don’t have to worry, Brooks knows better than to mess with their customers’ favorite. Fans of the Ghost will love this new update.
Three of Tiff's Favorite Things...
Are you ever curious about the staff’s favorite items in Terra? While we love and stand behind all of the products we sell, as individuals, we like some things more than others.
Read on to find out what three things are currently Tiff’s favorite!
Nuun Electrolyte Hydration tubes: “Most people know that I am obsessed with Nuun. I sweat out a lot of electrolytes (even when I am not exercising) so these tabs have been a real lifesaver for me. I never travel without carrying some with me and I take one at the first sign of cramps or a headache. They dissolve easily into water and have a much more complete electrolyte profile compared to something like Gatorade or Powerade all with only 15 calories a tab (they are naturally sweetened).”
Brooks Distance Tee: “I love the material of this shirt. It is made up of 50% poly and 50% cotton so it is a nice blend of moisture wicking without feeling or looking like shiny tech fabric. For a shirt that looks good and is both light and breathable, the Brooks Distance tee is the way to go. Pro tip: it looks especially sharp with a pair of the Chaser or Sherpa shorts in a complementing color!”
Nathan Reusable Race Day Cups: “I first discovered the concept of a reusable cup when I was training for an ultra trail race that required runners to carry one. It turns out they are amazing! With a firmer piece of plastic at the rim and a thin silicone body they roll up or fold down into a tiny footprint, perfect for stuffing into your pocket or running belt. When I don't feel like carrying a water bottle, I will bring one of these and use it to drink from water fountains along my way. They obviously will only help with hydration if there are places to get water, but they beat carrying a bottle and are better for the environment than using a bunch of aid station cups.”
Three of Brittany's Favorite Things...
Are you ever curious about the staff’s favorite items in Terra? While we love and stand behind all of the products we sell, as individuals, we like some things more than others.
Read on to find out what three things are currently Brittany’s favorite!
Brooks Glycerin GTS 20 Stealthfit: “Not only do these Brooks stability shoes feel soft, light, and supportive, but they look great! The white ‘Stealthfit’ is a knit upper that looks stylish, matches any outfit, and is breathable and cute on a run! I ran a marathon in these in September.”
Brooks Method 8 in. short: “I never knew how much I loved compression shorts until I ran in these. They don’t move, ride up, and there’s no adjusting necessary. I love the huge phone sized pockets on either side as well. I have black because I don’t like to have to decide if my running clothes match or clash. Plus, no sweat stains.”
Terra Crewneck Sweatshirts: “At only $32, these sweatshirts are affordable and super versatile. I wear mine all. the. time. We have a bunch of cool designs so you can stock up on more than one. Come try one on and you’ll understand!”
What is Heel-to-Toe Drop?
“Heel-to-toe drop” is a term that often gets thrown around when comparing running shoes. Maybe you’ve heard of this mysterious phrase or maybe you haven’t. The good news is it’s a pretty easy concept to understand; it simply means the difference in height between the heel and the forefoot of the shoe. The even better news is, if you’re a beginner runner, you probably don’t even need to worry yourself with it. Simply getting into a quality shoe will get you to where you need to be. However, if you’re getting a bit more into running, are thinking of switching up shoes, or are trying to figure out how to best address a recurring injury, heel-to-toe drop can be a interesting concept to explore.
Heel-to-Toe Drop vs. Stack Height
Brooks Ghost: 12mm drop; Hoka Bondi: 4mm drop; Altra Torin: 0mm drop
First things first, let’s cover some terms. Like we have already mentioned, heel-to-toe drop (or “drop”) is the difference between the heel and forefoot in the shoe. As an example, a high heel shoe has a very high heel-to-toe drop, whereas, if you are walking around barefoot, there is zero drop. So what then is “stack height?” Stack height is how much height is in between your foot and the ground when it is in the shoe. If you’ve ever put on a pair of Hokas and felt like you gained 3 inches, that’s because it has a very thick midsole and thus, a very high stack height. Generally, the more stack height the more cushion the shoe has (though certain materials will feel softer than others). The reason this is helpful to understand when talking about heel-toe drop is because people often get them confused. This is probably because lower or zero drop shoes are often associated with the “minimalist” running movement that was very popular about 10 years ago (think of the book Born to Run or the FiveFinger shoes). While this is somewhat true — proponents of zero drop shoes often are because they believe it is healthier and more natural for your feet— it is not completely true because you can get low or zero drop shoes that have tons of cushion (very unlike those Five Finger shoes). As an example, most Hokas would fall in the low drop category. In fact the Hoka Bondi, our most cushioned shoe in stock, only has a drop of 4mm. Contrast that with the Brooks Ghost which has a drop 3x that at12mm.
Why does this matter?
Courtesy of RunRepeat
It is important to restate that most people don’t need to concern themselves too much with heel-toe drop. That is what we are here for! Come into Terra and we will talk to you about your needs, any injuries you have or have had, what shoes have felt good in the past, etc. But for those who are interested in learning more about running or are wanting to explore how different shoes effect their body and gait it is helpful to consider. This is because research does shoe that lower drop shoes put more load on your feet, ankles and Achilles, whereas higher drop shoes put more load on your hips and knees. This can be good to know if you had or have an injury. Lower drop shoes also have been shown to improve runner’s cadence (the amount of time it takes for you to toe off), while higher drop shoes increase the amount of foot switch time between strides. Studies have also shown that runners were 9.2x more likely to run with a forefoot strike in minimalists compared to regular running shoes, so if you are trying to work on landing more on your forefoot it could be a good idea to test out a lower drop shoe. This being said, that same study showed that, even though runners were almost 10x more likely to run with a forefoot strike in a more minimalist shoe, 70% of runners in minimalists continued to rearfoot strike (Cheung et al. 2016). This matters because a lot of more “minimalist shoes” don’t have the necessary cushion to protect heel-strikers which could potentially put someone at more risk for injury. Because low or zero drop shoes also put more load on the feet, ankles and Achilles, if you are switching from a much higher drop shoe, there is more risk of incurring an injury if someone does not adequately ease into the shoe.
So which is best?
There is not necessarily a “best” drop since it all depends on the runner and what their needs are. Me personally? I like lower drop shoes. I feel the effect it has on my cadence and running form. But I frequently have customers who come in and specifically request higher drop shoes because they like how it feels for them. If you’re not sure what you like, try to think of shoes that you have loved in the past and find out what the drop was. If you have a few different shoes to pull from you might see a pattern… but then again, maybe you won’t! Remember, it is healthy to mix up shoes to help prevent injury. This is because it spreads out that load across different parts of your body. At the end of the day, having a fresh pair of shoes will help keep you injury free regardless of their drop.
What We're Wearing: Shoes (Brittany)
What shoe are you currently running in and what were you running in before this shoe?
Women’s Brooks Glycerin GTS 19
I am on my third pair of the Brooks Glycerin GTS, now the version 19. I need a bit of stability when I run, but I love the cushion. I did a triathlon this year and the extra cushion felt super nice off of the bike. My "kick-its" are the Brooks Glycerin 19. I try to wear a neutral shoe when I'm not running to help strengthen my feet, but I can't seem to get away from that cushion! I also love the On Cloud for slipping on to walk the dog or run to Target. I have been wearing the Altra Torin 5 to do weight training recently. I love the zero drop, but also still need good cushion! The wide toe box is nice for foot stability. Finally, my "dress up" running shoes are the Roger Center Court from On. They are dressy for me, all white and match everything.
Who would you recommend the shoe for?
I would recommend the Glycerin or Glycerin GTS to anyone who likes the fit of a Brooks shoe, wants that extra cushion but may not be interested in a max cushion shoe. Both the Glycerin and Glycerin GTS are relatively light and are long lasting.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22
What shoe are you planning on running in next?
I am interested in trying the new Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22. It is softer than the previous models of the Adrenaline, so I think it will be closer to the Glycerin GTS. I like that it's lightweight and the upper fits well. It has the same guide rail support that the Glycerin GTS has.
What advice would you give someone who is looking to venture out and try a new shoe or brand?
Lots of people ask for our favorite shoes when we're working in the running store. We have the luxury of being able to try on all of the shoes and compare, and I have never really been loyal to one brand or one shoe model. I like to have different shoes for different activities, whether it's walking my dog, running, or weight training. All of the brands we carry are top-of-the-line running shoe brands, and no one is better than the next. Even if you've never tried a brand before, if it's in our store, I can personally vouch for the quality!