RunVassar

The 2000 series has been the most popular running shoe on the market for the last several years. The fit is wide in the toe box, narrow to regular in the midfoot, and wide in the heel. Many runners experience slipping in the heel due to its width. The feel is somewhat soft and the shoe has a medium to high arch.

Brand	Brooks	http://www.brooksrunning.com/
Model	Adrenaline
Price	$95	Moderate

The fit of the Adrenaline is narrow in the toe box, regular in the midfoot, and narrow to regular in the heel. This shoe has a unique box-like feel as it does not taper in the width and has a smaller toe box compared to most of its closest competitors. The feel is medium to firm and the shoe has a fairly low arch. The shoe has a very low profile, so many runners feel closer to the ground in this shoe.

Brand	Saucony	http://www.saucony.com/
Model	Omni
Price	$100	Expensive

In its latest update, the Omni has become one of the top selling shoes in its class along with the Asics 2120 and the Brooks Adrenaline. Its recent success is due to an incredibly soft feel and is accepted as the softest stability shoe on the market. The fit is narrow in the toe box, wide through the midfoot, and has a low but hugging heel. The Omni also incorporates Saucony’s traditionally high profile with a medium arch. This causes the foot to sit higher off the ground than its competitors.

Brand	Vitruvian	http://www.vitruvianrunning.com/
Model	Symmetry II
Price	$60	Cheap

Like its name suggests, the Cumulus is a well-cushioned, soft shoe. Although generally a narrower cut, the meshy upper allows the shoe to stretch in the width, making it seem as if its wider than it is. With a fairly high arch, narrow heel, and flared toe box, the Cumulus works well for a foot with a high arch and wider front, especially runners who experience bunions or other similar problems.

Brand	Asics	http://www.asicsamerica.com/
Model	Nimbus IX
Price	$120	Expensive

The Nimbus is a step up in cushion from the Asics Cumulus, something for the heavier or less efficient runner or a heavier striker. The cut of the Nimbus is also wider, having a very stretchy mesh that causes too much movement for a narrower foot. The Nimbus is commonly considered the most comfortable shoe on the market, however many more efficient runners complain that it is too soft for faster running.

 

Brand	Brooks	http://www.brooksrunning.com/
Model	Glycerine VI
Price	$120	Expensive

The Glycerine is a maximum cushioned, however slightly firmer shoe. Characterized by its low arch, the Glycerine is commonly worn by those neutral runners with a lower arch who prefer a firmer feel. The shoe is also unique because while its heel and lacing is standard in terms of width, the toe box is substantially flared, giving the shoe much more room in the toe box than in the rest of the shoe.

 

Brand	Mizuno	http://www.mizunousa.com/
Model	Rider XI
Price	$95	Moderate

The Rider is one of the firmest neutral shoes in the market, perhaps only outdone by the Mizuno Creation. Characterized by its incredibly high arch, the shoe fits fairly standard in the heel and narrower in the lacing and toe box. Many runners have to go up at least half a size in the Rider because it does run short and narrow in the front.

 

Brand	Mizuno	http://www.mizunousa.com/
Model	Creation VIII
Price	$130	Expensive

Commonly referred to as the firmest cushion shoe on the market, the Creation employs a unique cushioning system, using two large waves in the heel that enclose an empty area between the foot and the ground. Because of this tunnel in the heel, the shoe uses less EVA foam in its construction, making the shoe the lightest in its class. This unfortunately decreases its lifetime, however any runner with a narrow foot and high arch who enjoys a firm feel will love the Creation.

 

Brand	Saucony	http://www.saucony.com/
Model	Trigon V Ride
Price	$90	Moderate

Because of Saucony’s grid cushioning system, the Ride sits high off the ground. With its soft foam, the Ride is one of the softest shoes on the market. A low, wide heel is the most unique characteristic of the shoe. The shoe is also cut medium to wide in terms of width, has a small, tapered toe box, and has a medium arch.

 

Brand	Saucony	http://www.saucony.com/
Model	Trigon V Guide
Price	$90	Moderate

 

The Guide features the same makeup as its sister shoe, the Ride, however incorporates a stability post giving the shoe a light to moderate amount of support. Less support than the Saucony Omni, the Guide is a good shoe for an over-pronating runner needing less support than the Omni.

 

Brand	Saucony	http://www.saucony.com/
Model	Triumph V
Price	$120	Expensive

 

Saucony’s version of the neutral maximum cushion shoe is the incredibly soft and high-profile Triumph. A fairly wide cut with a medium to low arch, the Triumph is great for the runner looking for all cushion. Because the shoe sits so high off the ground, its users are more prone to pronation than in other neutral shoes, thus it is best for a runner with stiff or supinating feet.