I went to the shoe store with a list of running shoes designed for neutral runners. It is a good thing I have a neutral gait because I have ITB issues that cause me to replace my shoes often. I typically replace my shoes every 300-500 miles, which equates to two new pairs of shoes every five or six months. The internet is nice because you can do a search for the type of shoes you wear and quickly find a list of shoes.
Two of the shoes on my list to try were the Nike Zoom Vomero+ 5 and Asics Gel Cumulus 11. I tried on the Nike shoes first. When I put them on, they fit like nice goat skin gloves. They were comfortable to walk around in before I tied them. This was the shoe for me. They were so comfortable, I had to smile. I then took the left shoe off and put the old left shoe on to see how it felt against the new shoe on the right. I noticed the outside of the right heel is really soft. This additional cushioning is probably good for someone who does not have ITB issues. I have ITB issues and this shoe would not last for more than 100 miles for me and it might cause my ITB pain to flare up.
After I tried the Nike’s out, I did the same thing with the Asics. The Asics have a much stiffer outer sole. That is good for me. I then tried the Asics on one foot and the Nike’s on the other foot. The Asics were the clear winner.
Overall thoughts for neutral running shoes:
Nike Zoom Vomero+ 5
- Excellent fit
- Excellent comfort
- Good looks
- Moderate price $100.00
- Soft heel – not good for me
Asics Gel Cumulus 11
- Good fit
- Good comfort
- Average looks
- Low price $65.00
- Firm heel – excellent for me.