Bryan Smith from Running Room talks about best shoes in 2020
Shoes are probably the most important, and exciting, piece of a runner’s equipment. The ongoing search for the best shoe for each of us is a challenge and an opportunity to improve our running. Better times, less injury, less pain, and terrain specific characteristics are some of what we are looking for in the PERFECT SHOE.
Is there a BEST SHOE for you? Bryan Smith is the area manager for Running Room, an independent running store, and he is here with us today to discuss the top 2020 running shoes from his perspective.
Bryan has been running since he joined cross country in high school but really came to love the sport as an adult.
All distances, all fun
He joined a Running Room Learn to Run training clinic 2001 and, like so many of us, became hooked. Since then, he has run 5 marathons, a ton of half marathons, 10ks, 5ks, sprint and Olympic distance triathlons and two half-Ironman triathlons. He has not yet qualified for the Boston marathon but is hoping his running pace will catch up with his age one of these days and qualify him for the coveted BQ.
He has taught more running clinics than he can count and worn through many pairs of shoes during his running career. Let’s hear more details directly from Bryan.
Questions Bryan is asked:
3:17 First Four:
- How old are you?
- Where were you born?
- Where do you live now?
- What is your favorite race distance or type of race?
5:31 How did The Running Room get started and what kind of runners do you serve?
7:44 Where are your U.S. locations?
9:13 What is your favorite type of running?
11:54 What are some of your favorite races in Ontario?
16:05 What shoe and gear considerations are there for runners living in areas with four distinct seasons?
18:24 What shoe considerations and characteristics are there for snow and ice?
19:54 What innovations in shoes are you seeing in 2020?
22:27 How are retail shoes addressing the ‘wafer’ technology?
23:06 Are those shoes out of the price range of most runners?
24:17 What are your favorite 2020 models for basic road trainers?
28:28 Is there a racing benefit to training in a slightly heavier shoe?
29:39 What was the Hoka shoe you mentioned?
31:19 What are the prices on all these models?
32:26 What are your favorite 2020 models for trail / hybrid shoes?
36:12 What about racing flats?
39:14 What models are some of your personal favorites?
42:21 What else would you say new shoe models for 2020?
47:50 Any final thoughts?
49:55 Final Kick Round:
- What is your favorite local training run (location, starting point, parking, distance, terrain and safety issues)?
- Favorite running book(s)?
- Who or what would you like to have featured on the Run To The Top podcast?
Quotes by Bryan:
“Pay attention to how you feel when you’re running and listen to what your body is saying.”
“We’re so engaged in the sport and so engaged with people that we want to talk about this stuff, we want to gab about, ‘How does that feel to you?’ and ‘Can you describe that?’ and then watching people move. We’re invested in helping people stay active and healthy in the sport, as well.”
“A run might feel like a bit of a day off if you’re in a different shoe, so if you’ve got your regular go-to model and you’re thinking about another model, try it out, but visit your specialty shop and have them take a look at how you move.”
“There’s a lot of people running now in the Nike 4% models, so you’ve got more beefy foam. It’s still magic that they keep the weight down in the 8 oz. range. And those are popular, but not everybody’s going to go to that price point.”
“Mizuno as a brand has been around for 100 years, but they’ve really focused on the running footwear since the mid 1990’s, so these models have really been able to grow up through the 2000’s and they’ve got a much more responsive ride.”
Take a Listen on Your Next Run
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