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.

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

What We're Wearing: Shoes (Asher)

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

I have a cycle of shoes that I run in, and my most recent addition has been the Brooks Hyperion Tempo. Before this addition, my shoes consisted of the Brooks Bedlam 3, the Brooks Glycerin 19, the Altra Escalante and Vanish, and the On Cloudultra (for trails).

What have you liked/loved about the shoe?

For the Hyperion, in particular, I really like how light weight and springy it is. It stays snug to my foot and is super breathable. I have been using this as a short distance trainer, but I have definitely done some long runs in them (15 miles).

Anything you don't like about the shoe?

After a couple longer runs, I decided that this shoe needs to stay as a trainer/racing flat. The Hyperion is designed for speed work and training, and so I don't plan to use it longer than a three-mile run. There's not a lot of cushioning to the shoe, so it's not preferred for distance.

Who would you recommend the shoe for?

I really like this shoe as a trainer or racing flat. It would be my first choice for someone looking for a racing flat from Terra. I would also recommend this shoe for runners who are hoping to increase their race times and are looking for a faster ride. This is a good shoe for track athletes and school runners. I would, however, not recommend this shoe to someone just getting into running or looking for a causal jogging or long-distance shoe.

What shoe are you planning on running in next?

If I do not update my Brook's Glycerin 19s (these have been the best for all my longer runs), then I plan to run in the Brooks Levitate 5.

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

There's a lot to consider when exploring new running shoes. Budget and color can seem like the first considerations for a new pair of running shoes, however, once moving passed these decisions, I would recommend having a goal in mind for the specific pair of shoes that you are getting. When looking for running shoes, you'll want to know how many miles you plan to use the shoe for and how long each of your runs might be. If you have multiple desires, you'll want to tend towards a less specialized shoe like the Saucony Ride, or, if you want to specifically train for a marathon, you'll want to look for well-cushioned shoes with a comprehensive rubber sole, like the Brooks Glycerin.

Anything else you would like to share?

If you are looking to run races in the future or increase your personal race times, I would recommend using at least two pairs of shoes: one for training and one for race day. You might think that you'll want to race in shoes that are worn and broken in (this is partly true because you won't want to race in a stiff or painful shoe) however, I would recommend prioritizing one shoe for training and one for racing. If you train in a shoe that does not assist you or make it easier to run, you will be strengthened, whereas, if you train in a shoe that makes it more efficient and easier to run, your training will be less effective since the shoe is doing the work for you. To use an example, if you trained in a Saucony Triumph, a heavier cushioned shoe, and you raced in the Brooks Hyperion, a lighter-weight and springy shoe, on race day, you would benefit from the reduction in weight and the springiness. If you had only trained in the Hyperion and raced in it, you would receive no race day boost. For everyday runs and training shoes, I would recommend shoes that do not attempt to assist the speed of your runs. These are usually zero-drop or heavier shoes. For race day shoes, higher drops and springier cushion will be helpful.