Tiffany Skinner 2/9/22 Tiffany Skinner 2/9/22

What We're Wearing: Shoes (Brennan)

What shoe are you currently running in and what were you running in before this shoe?

I currently rotate between the Altra Torin and the New Balance 880v11. And sometimes I steal Asher’s Brooks Glycerin when working in the store ;) I’ve run in a variety of brands and models, but the Saucony Kinvara has been my most consistent shoe. I’ve had 6 or 7 pairs.

What have you liked/loved about the shoe?

I alternate between the Torin and the 880 for my daily training: Torins for slower & longer easy days, the 880 for uptempo training runs and the occasional fast workout. The plushness and roominess of the Torin helps with protection and recovery, and the 880 is firm and bouncy without feeling too hard. And its toe box is surprisingly roomy as well.

Anything you don't like about the shoe?

A small gripe, but the 880 has a thick, plush tongue. This isn’t an inherently bad feature—many people prefer the padding—but I find it a bit snug and obtrusive over longer miles. The 860 and 1080 are good choices for New Balance daily trainers that have a thinner tongue.

Who would you recommend the shoe to?

Both of my shoes are geared toward runners with a neutral foot strike (though the wide base of the Torin can provide some extra support to overpronators). I also land on my midfoot when running. The Torin feels incredibly natural to me—it’s my smoothest running experience. The 880 has a quick toe-off, but I feel the impact a bit more in my midfoot.

What shoe are you planning on running in next?

I’ll likely return to the Saucony Kinvara 12. I stopped wearing them around the 7th or 8th iteration because of disappointment with durability and design changes, but I’m happy with the direction Saucony has gone now. They’ll replace my 880s.

What advice would you give someone who is looking to venture out and try a new shoe or brand?

I’m more conservative when it comes to trying new brands or shoes—it took me a long time to even entertain Hoka and Altra, though I’m a big fan of them now. I’d advise against researching shoes online unless you have a good knowledge of the technical details of running shoes and of reputable websites. There are a lot of junk running websites trying to get clicks for ad revenue or commission. Plus, it’s easy to get lost in running jargon. All the brands we carry have multiple and comparable models, so it’s best to go to a local store to figure out what type of shoe you need, then try on that type across multiple brands.

Brittany Katz 1/18/22 Brittany Katz 1/18/22

What We're Wearing: Shoes (Brittany)

What shoe are you currently running in and what were you running in before this shoe?

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.

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!