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LOVELY AT A DISTANCE With marathon season upon us, TIME put three of this season's new running shoes to the test. To help, we enlisted two marathon men in their mid-30s with similar profiles: each runs a weekly average of 30 miles, both have a neutral gait and a medium build, and both have tried many shoes. Over the course of two weeks, our racers performed short and long runs with each shoe. Here's what they reported:
NEW BALANCE 831, $85
New Balance says: Introduced especially for the Chicago marathon, this shoe is for long-distance runners who prefer a lightweight ride.
Runners say: Yes, it's lightweight, with solid stability and control, an adjustable tongue and uniform cushioning. But while Runner A lauded the "good toe room," Runner B thought the square toe was not snug enough. Runner A sees this as a racing and training shoe, but for Runner B it's "strictly for marathons."
NIKE SHOX D, $125
Nike says: It has the same responsive cushioning of the original Shox but with a lighter and more breathable mesh upper; comes in stylish black.
Runners say: The most cushioned of them all--especially kind to the knees and ankles--but also the heaviest. The elevated Shox heel "pushes your foot forward. It's almost an insult to the shoe to walk," says Runner B. They both found that it forced a "straight line" run, which left Runner A "worried about sprinting with this shoe. I kept thinking my ankle could turn." Purely for training, say both.
ADIDAS SUPERNOVA CONTROL, $90
Adidas says: New high-tech mesh makes the shoe breathable and flexible, ideal for long runs in all weather.
Runners say: The ventilation system is "superior." Not so light as New Balance, but light enough for training andshort races. Runner B thought it had "the best arch support," and Runner A liked its "crafty reflector system, agood safety feature for those who train at night or after work."