2019 Shoe Purchases and Perspectives

Shoes of the Year (in no order):

• Vaporfly Next % - My favorite racing shoe.  Saving for marathon distances as my 4% works for shorter races.  Doesn't cause forefoot fatigue like the 4% at longer distances.
• 1080 v9 - My favorite long run shoe.  Nice cushioning, though not as much bounce as newer foams.
• Hoka Carbon X - Surprise long run shoe.  Plate doesn't bounce like Vaporfly, but the shoe has lots of cushion.
• New Balance Rebel - Enjoy this shoe as an alternative to the Razor 3.  Not sure why, but it works well as an all-around choice.  

This is the complete list of shoes that were purchased/tried in 2019.  I have enough shoes in rotation at this point I am really going to try to avoid buying shoes in the spring of 2020 until I retire some.  Currently targeting 200-300 miles to retire shoes.  Lower miles for eva shoes, but making some exceptions for 1080v9, for example.  Colors: Blue - recommend, Yellow - not sure, Red - Don't recommend.

1. (1/24) Reebok Sweet Road 2 - Purchased since it was so cheap after discount and highly recommended.  This is a very firm shoe and haven't found a compelling reason to put it in the rotation.  But, I should put a few more miles in to see if the midsole softens.
2. (1/26) Altra Escalante Racer - Purchased since I liked the Escalante and the Racer looked cool.  Very firm shoe.  I need to put it back in rotation as I use the Escalante more. 
3. (2/1) Nike Vomero 14 - RETIRED. Great purchase.  My long shoe during the spring/summer training season.  First shoe had issue with air pod on one shoe. Not sure I would buy again since it does feel a bit weighted to heel (and high drop).  Faster than 1080 v9.
4. (2/22) Nike Odyssey React 2 Shield - This shoe has turned out to good to 10 miles so far.  A bit too warm over 40-45 degrees.  I do like the shoe.
5. (3/8) Reebok Forever Energy - Nice shoe that is unclear if can go mid to long distances.  Haven't focused on it to put into rotation (not sure why).  Purchased it with significant discount.
6. (3/27) Reebok Floatride Run Fast - Highly recommended shoe that initially didn't seem like it had enough cushion.  Runs later in the year seemed to indicate an issue with my gait.  Going to increase use.  Large discounts right now.
7. (4/2) New Balance 1080 v9 - RETIRED.  Great purchase - Softer than Vomero 14, but still has energy return.  My main long run shoe in the summer/fall. Will likely purchase 1080 v10.  Keep pulling the shoe out of retirement.
8. (5/15) Salomon Sonic RA 2 - Purchased on ebay as it was extremely cheap and reviews were good.  Somewhat firmer shoe.  Fits a bit large.  Slowly working into rotation as longer run shoe.  
9. (5/??) Skechers Go Run 7 - RETURNED.  Bad upper.  Couldn't get lock-down.
10. (6/3) Hoka Carbon X - Turned out to be a good shoe.  Initial runs didn't go well.  This shoe needs break-in of about 30 miles.  Not the propulsion of the 4%, but very cushioned, yet firm.   
11. (8/1) Nike Vapor Fly Next% - I just had to try this shoe based on the reviews and the need for a more cushioned version of the 4%.  It didn't let me down.  I have moved both 4% to shorter distances and this shoe is my long distance racing shoe.  I already have more miles on this shoe than the 2nd 4% (blue).  Plan is to retire this shoe next year (saving for half and marathon races only).  Therefore, spring half and fall marathon.  Might need a new shoe afterward for Boston.  The other choice to use the 4% for the half and run Boston with about 90 miles on the shoe.  By then, the next version should have been out long enough for new colors to show up.
12. (8/18) New Balance Fuel Cell Rebel - Really like this shoe.  It is softer than the Razor and Run Fast.  Upper hugs the foot.  Haven't tried distances past 7 miles, but it should go to 1/2 marathon without an issue.  Purchased because I had a gift card.
13. (9/??) Skechers Max Road 4 - RETURNED.  Difficult upper and initial hotspots. 
14. (9/??) Nike Zoom Fly 3 - RETURNED - One shoe was .5 ounces heavier than the other.  Seemed heavier/clunkier than Zoom Fly 2.
15. (11/4) Skechers GoRun Ride 8 - RETURNED.  Very disappointed that I couldn't make this shoe work.  Gave it 30 plus miles.  Began to get blisters and had hotspots.  Believe the stack height is too much without much flex in the midsole.  Also, hyperburst is a firm material, in combination with the stack height, creates an issue for me.  Likely, the Go Run 7 Plus makes more sense, since it has a lower stack, but with a new mesh upper.
16. (11/??) Reebok Harmony 4 - RETURNED.  Was lured into purchasing this shoe because of the discount, but it was kinda clunky and initial wear seemed to indicate it was just a bit too large (the Reebok's fit long).  I preferred the Propel as a long distance shoe.
17. (11/??) Adidas Boston 8 - RETURNED.  High hopes that this would be a winner, especially since I purchased a such a low price.  In the end, I preferred the Run Fast and Rebel.  The boost mid-sole was very firm.  My glide 8 felt better, though the weight of the Boston 8 is definitely less.  Also fits tight for TTS.  Might give the wide a try.
18. (11/21)New Balance Fuel Cell Propel - Beginning to use this shoe.  Warmer than preferred, but good mid to long distance shoe.  Very cheap to purchase.
19. (12/3) Adidas Solar Glide - Purchased because it was cheap and reviews were good.  Need to run in 2020.  Weighs a bit more than 10oz, which is my current limit.  I am not a boost fan right now.
20. (12/3) Topo Zephyr - Very good reviews, but initial runs were harsh.  Needs break-in period.  Firmer shoe that seems geared for faster paces.  Jury is still out, but it is growing on me.
21. (12/23) Reebok Floatride Run Fast Pro - Purchased at 50% off.  Not sure if I am going to keep it.  It is soooo light.

2018 Shoes

1. Altra Escalante - 0 drop shoe that I wish was a 5mm drop.  Loose fit.  Put in and out of rotation depending on if I want a different drop.  Not inclined to buy a 0 drop shoe again.
2. New Balance Beacon v1 - RETIRED.  I like some of the new midsoles better (e.g., Rebel, Run Fast).  Firm shoe.  Fit can be off (just a short on TTS).  First shoe also had issues with heel as it had a hard protrusion (like glue).  Would recommend if one likes a simpler, eva shoe.  I likely won't purchase again.
3. Nike Epic React - RETIRED. Soft shoe.  Would get hot-spot under ball of feet.  Started off runs nice, but would be work after 13 miles.  Very stable heel, that force a specific landing for me.  Fit is tight in mid-foot.  Had to go up 1/2 size.  Have not considered buying this shoe again.  I like the Odyssey better.
4. Nike Pegasus Turbo - RETIRED.  Really liked these shoes for the first 150 miles.  Then they seemed to bottom out.  It is weird, since many reviewers indicate over 300 miles on them.  Turbo 2's have really good reviews.  Currently not in the plans to purchase, but if there is a good sale, maybe.
5. Nike Vaporfly 4% (Orange) - Switched to training runs (Tempo, Interval).  Hope to retire in spring 2020.  I have over 130 miles on this shoe now.  Fit is tricky on this shoe.  I went up 1/2 size.  In retrospect, might have been better to stay TTS like the Zoom Fly 2.  The lacing is difficult to get correct (often over-tighten).
6. Nike Zoom Fly 2 - RETIRED.  Not a bad shoe.  Seems a bit bulky on the bottom.  Though reviewers think it is a good trainer for the Vaporfly, it seems to unbalanced.  I find using older Vaporflys is a better choice for longer marathon-paced and interval/tempo runs. I use non-carbon fiber shoes for hills.   I would consider buying (it is onsale on ebay for $70 - $80).
7. Skechers Go Run Ride 7 - RETIRED.  Really liked this shoe.  A bit soft, but it just worked.  This shoe is out of production.
8. Skechers Razor 3 - Still in rotation and still like the shoe.  The fit is tight and drop is only 4mm.  Torn on if I would go up a 1/2 size if purchased again.  Firmer than Fuel Cell Rebel.  For me, I prefer the Rebel for training and would go with a Vaporfly for racing, even a 5K.  Currently use the Razor for hill workouts and intervals.  Need to add another 100 miles to retire.  Unclear if I would buy the next version.