NEUTRAL/MOTION STABILIZING Mizuno Wave Enigma
$130
The new Enigma is aimed at high-mileage runners looking for cushioning. The upper uses open stretch mesh with a secure midfoot saddle that, along with the DynaMotion Fit (an articulated top eyelet to improve the ankle fit), secures the foot while moving with it. The sueded overlays are soft against the foot, but still provide great support. The midsole is a multipart combination of durable AP+ for a cushy feel and a full-length Parallel Wave plate that’s snappy and responsive, though some testers found it a bit stiff. The outersole is standard proprietary X-10 (tough carbon rubber) in the heel. The forefoot is blown rubber. The Enigma is built on a performance chassis and has the cushioning to handle the road mile after mile.
“My foot feels secure and solid in this shoe. I’m impressed with the look of the shoe and the snugness of the upper around my foot. The cushioning is responsive, especially at toe-off.”
BEST RENOVATION FALL 2011
New Shoe • Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics • Sizes: men 7–13, 14, 15; women 5–12 • Weight: men 14.1 oz. (size 11); women 10.2 oz. (size 8) • Shape: semi-curved • Construction: Strobel slip-lasted
New Balance 880 $100
BEST NEW SHOE FALL 2011
The 880 is the update to the 759 because New Balance shoes ending in “80” now designate neutral performance shoes. The upper uses a mesh that looks more open but performs just about the same, and the lacing still offers plenty of eyelets to customize the ankle fit. The midsole is a bit lower than its predecessor’s but with a livelier feel, even though the weight is virtually identical. The outersole is standard blown-rubber forefoot and Ndurance carbon rubber heel; however, a new molding configuration creates a very flexible matrix, adding a bit more bounce to the forefoot. The price was bumped up $5, but don’t let that deter you from experiencing what the 880 has to offer: a sleek feel in a durable, daily training shoe.
“Molded nicely to my foot. No problems with pressure on my bunions. This shoe had ample heel and all-around foot cushion. Worked great for my longer runs.”
Updates the 759 • Recommended for: low- to medium-arched feet with neutral biomechanics • Sizes: men 7–13, 14, 15 (B, D, 2E, 4E); women 5–12, 13 (2A, B, D) • Weight: men 11.8 oz. (size 11); women 8.8 oz. (size 8) • Shape: semi-curved • Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, PU Strobel board
Nike Air Pegasus+ 28
BEST SHOE Neutral
L
BEST SHOE Motion
Stabilizing L
$90
The Pegasus was named by companywide contest in the early 1980s — a mind-bending 30 years ago! Version 28 has a few new features that enhance performance, always a positive sign of life. The upper now incorporates a midfoot support of FlyWire, allowing for a thinner eyestay that flexes better with the foot and offers a more foot-conforming fit. The introduction of a new PU innersole adds a few grams, but is a definite trade-up to more comfort and a better cushioned ride. The midsole is the same consistent Cushlon with its great blend of shock absorption and responsiveness. A nicely beveled and well-articulated heel and good forefoot flexibility round out the feel. The outersole is BRS 1000 with its proven durability to add value. Its fit, ride and wealth of features earned the Air Pegasus+ 28 our Best Shoe honors in the Neutral category.
“Shoes fit snugly without being tight or uncomfortable. Very cushy feel from the foam. Good support, and heel-to-toe motion felt natural. These have gone for a ton of miles and still seem like new.”
BEST RENOVATION FALL 2011
BEST SHOE Performance
L
Updates the Air Pegasus+ 27 • Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics • Sizes: men 6–13, 14, 15; women 5–12 • Weight: men 12.2 oz. (size 11); women 9.4 oz. (size 8) • Shape: semi-curved • Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobel board
BEST SHOE
adidas adiSTAR Salvation 3 L
Performance Neutral
$140
BEST NEW SHOE FALL 2011
The adiSTAR Salvation is how adidas does plush, stabilizing support. The upper has an improved overall fit (attributed by adidas to modifications to the last), but we saw other tweaks that play a role as well. For instance, the collar foam is shaped to better fit the contours of the Achilles tendon, and the all-suede overlays conform to the forefoot better than synthetic leather. The midsole has a reshaped FORMOTION unit with a more pronounced heel bevel and a smoother transition from heel to toe. The ProModerator has been upgraded to the new 3D ProModerator+ and works with a heel-stabilizing piece above the midsole to curb overpronation. The Continental® rubber outersole and repositioned flex grooves in the rubber and midsole combine for excellent flexibility and a smooth ride, providing both stability and cushioning.
“Snug fit with great feel around the ankle — practically molds to my foot. Great cushioning, and the stability is never restrictive — it just adapts to my foot.”
Updates the adiSTAR Salvation 2 • Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with mild to moderate overpronation • Sizes: men 6.5–13, 14, 15; women 5–12 • Weight: men 13.7 oz. (size 11); women 11.2 oz. (size 8) • Shape: semi-curved • Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobel board
adidas Supernova Sequence 4
BEST SHOE Neutral
L
BEST SHOE Motion
Stabilizing L
$110
The Supernova Sequence 4 features the most significant changes made since its 2008 introduction. The upper continues with the proven open mesh and welded microsuede overlays, but now employs an external TPU heel stabilizer to neutralize excess side-to-side motion. Although the midsole has the same basic setup, two changes improve its effectiveness: The FORMOTION unit has a more sculpted heel bevel, and the ProModerator has been upgraded to ProModerator+, in which the component is thicker and the ends have been rotated 90˚ to shore up the sidewall in three dimensions. The outersole is still the familiar and effective carbon heel/blown-rubber forefoot combination. For its combination of stability, cushioning and value, the Supernova Sequence 4 earned honors as our Best Shoe in the Motion Stabilizing category.
“The shoes felt good right out of the box, with plenty of room and no bunion issues. I don’t generally feel like I get so much cushion in a stability-based shoe. I have been pleasantly surprised.”
BEST SHOE Performance
L BEST SHOE
30 IHRSA |
www.healthclubs.com L
Performance Neutral
Updates the Supernova Sequence 3 • Recommended for: medium- to high-arched feet with mild to moderate overpronation • Sizes: men 6.5–13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20; women 5–12 • Weight: men 13.9 oz. (size 11); women 10.9 oz. (size 8) • Shape: semi-curved • Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobel board
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