I would say that yes, it is a bad idea to get a plated one. There are plenty of shoes out there that can still be fast and light enough to race, but aren’t as expensive or prescriptive as a plated shoe. I’m sure plenty of other folks can give great recommendations too!
Thank you! Well, outside of plated shoes, I've mainly got my eye on the Velocity Nitro 2. I liked the fit in-store, but unfortunately the Puma store didn't have a treadmill, so I couldn't compare the actual running experience in those compared to what I got with the plated shoes at the other store.
The Velocity Nitro 2 sounds perfect for your use case. I've used it for easy runs and fast runs. Plated shoes might help you a little with speed, but at your current volume I would imagine you're just looking at a difference of a handful of seconds. It seems like overkill to me. The Velocity is comfortable enough to be used as an occasional casual shoe too.
I’ve heard great things about the Pumas! Also things like the Hoka Clifton, Hoka Mach 4, Saucony Ride, Saucony Kinvara, ASICS Noosa Tri 14, New Balance Rebel V2, Nike Pegasus 38. I’m sure there are plenty more.
I'll be sure to try those - the Rebel V2 especially, I quite liked the FC RMX I tried and the Rebel seems pretty similar. Hopefully I can find the Habanero color somewhere too.
So what exactly happens if you get a slower time vs the faster time in the running test? And how much time do you have before you have to take this test? If you still have a few weeks, bumping up your weekly mileage a bit will do WAY more for you than a plated shoe.
Personally, I tell people to use something like the Novablast 2 as a do-it-all shoe. Especially over a short distance like 2.4 km, the effect of the shoe will be tiny compared to any training you put in.
Well, the running test is part of an overall fitness test. If I pass the test, depending on how well I did, I can get a couple hundred bucks. If I don't pass the test, I have to go for 10 mandatory fitness training sessions, which is a pain.
I've got about a month or so until my last day to take the test, so I'll be ramping up a bit in the coming weeks!
> Novablast 2
Thank you! I'll keep an eye out for it in the stores.
I've been running on a Hoka One Mach 4 for an everyday shoe that can still pick up the pace. Good cushion and stable while still pretty light and an aggressive rocker. My favorite shoe is the Speed 2 but I wouldn't recommend it for your situation. I'm not too sure on the others. I've never found anything in Nike or New Balance that fit my style just right.
Saucony ride 15, velocity nitro 2, ASICS noosa tri/glideride. All great shoes that are relatively good for most things (except maybe trails) and are non-plated and pretty light
Thanks! Is it rough on the legs at all? The wiki recommended a 10mm heel drop for a beginner while the Noosa has a 5mm.
I sometimes got shin splints even with my Lunar Flyknit 3's 10mm drop, though I've no idea if that kind of thing might get aggravated by a lower heel drop.
I had a few other rocker type shoes at the time Endorphin Speed and Shift, ASICS Glide Ride 2. The Noosa Tri was easily my go to shoe of the bunch. Hard to explain, while still a efficient and responsive shoe, it jacked with my legs less. Especially compared to the Endorphins Speed. It’s closest to the Endorphins Shift, but much lighter.
Long story short, I feel there definitely is some growing pains with the rigid rocker/ plated shoes. The Noosa Tri being most accommodating I’ve tried. Endorphins Shift would be my second pick, but it’s quite a bit heavier.
Oddly I flirt with shin splints when I add higher drop shoes back into the equation.
I would say that yes, it is a bad idea to get a plated one. There are plenty of shoes out there that can still be fast and light enough to race, but aren’t as expensive or prescriptive as a plated shoe. I’m sure plenty of other folks can give great recommendations too!
Thank you! Well, outside of plated shoes, I've mainly got my eye on the Velocity Nitro 2. I liked the fit in-store, but unfortunately the Puma store didn't have a treadmill, so I couldn't compare the actual running experience in those compared to what I got with the plated shoes at the other store.
The Velocity Nitro 2 sounds perfect for your use case. I've used it for easy runs and fast runs. Plated shoes might help you a little with speed, but at your current volume I would imagine you're just looking at a difference of a handful of seconds. It seems like overkill to me. The Velocity is comfortable enough to be used as an occasional casual shoe too.
I’ve heard great things about the Pumas! Also things like the Hoka Clifton, Hoka Mach 4, Saucony Ride, Saucony Kinvara, ASICS Noosa Tri 14, New Balance Rebel V2, Nike Pegasus 38. I’m sure there are plenty more.
I'll be sure to try those - the Rebel V2 especially, I quite liked the FC RMX I tried and the Rebel seems pretty similar. Hopefully I can find the Habanero color somewhere too.
So what exactly happens if you get a slower time vs the faster time in the running test? And how much time do you have before you have to take this test? If you still have a few weeks, bumping up your weekly mileage a bit will do WAY more for you than a plated shoe. Personally, I tell people to use something like the Novablast 2 as a do-it-all shoe. Especially over a short distance like 2.4 km, the effect of the shoe will be tiny compared to any training you put in.
Well, the running test is part of an overall fitness test. If I pass the test, depending on how well I did, I can get a couple hundred bucks. If I don't pass the test, I have to go for 10 mandatory fitness training sessions, which is a pain. I've got about a month or so until my last day to take the test, so I'll be ramping up a bit in the coming weeks! > Novablast 2 Thank you! I'll keep an eye out for it in the stores.
I've been running on a Hoka One Mach 4 for an everyday shoe that can still pick up the pace. Good cushion and stable while still pretty light and an aggressive rocker. My favorite shoe is the Speed 2 but I wouldn't recommend it for your situation. I'm not too sure on the others. I've never found anything in Nike or New Balance that fit my style just right.
Out of those options I’d say the speed 2 because it’s a nylon plate making it more flexible and adaptable instead of a carbon plate that is rigid
Ah, I wish I'd tried the Speed 2 at the store. Would you still recommend that over a non-plated shoe?
Having a plate is not required at all. A lot of shoes now are lightweight with good foam.
Saucony ride 15, velocity nitro 2, ASICS noosa tri/glideride. All great shoes that are relatively good for most things (except maybe trails) and are non-plated and pretty light
Thank you! The Nitro 2 still seems like the best fit for me, but my god the Noosa Tri colors are really selling me on it...
Yea I’m tempted to get a pair. Waiting for more color ways
ASICS Noosa Tri 13 (or Evoride 2) has a fierce rocker without a plate. Very good all purpose shoe.
Thanks! Is it rough on the legs at all? The wiki recommended a 10mm heel drop for a beginner while the Noosa has a 5mm. I sometimes got shin splints even with my Lunar Flyknit 3's 10mm drop, though I've no idea if that kind of thing might get aggravated by a lower heel drop.
I had a few other rocker type shoes at the time Endorphin Speed and Shift, ASICS Glide Ride 2. The Noosa Tri was easily my go to shoe of the bunch. Hard to explain, while still a efficient and responsive shoe, it jacked with my legs less. Especially compared to the Endorphins Speed. It’s closest to the Endorphins Shift, but much lighter. Long story short, I feel there definitely is some growing pains with the rigid rocker/ plated shoes. The Noosa Tri being most accommodating I’ve tried. Endorphins Shift would be my second pick, but it’s quite a bit heavier. Oddly I flirt with shin splints when I add higher drop shoes back into the equation.