13 replies to this topic

[Strop]

Hi. Just wanting advice re best shoes to wear in a race.
Usually run in ASICS Kayanos, but wanted to see if another pair of shoes for racing/speedwork etc would be good.
I overpronate (hence the kayanos).
Main distances I race are 10K-1/2 marathon. Am doing olympic distance triathlons, so something appropriate for that would be good also.
Any suggestions??
(sorry if this has already been covered but couldn't find it anywhere).

[Lukefrazz]

If you're used to running in Asics, you could try their range of lightweight support shoes. I've got a pair of DS Racer 8's that I've been really happy with and am planning on using the DS Racer 9's for a half marathon in a few months time. If you prefer a bit more support and cushioning, you could use the DS Trainer instead. For triathlons, there's the Noosa Tri range but I haven't used these before.

If you want more information about what other shoes are available maybe have a look on a website like Running Warehouse*, there's a pretty good range of support racing shoes there.

Hope this helps


*Purely for product information, I'm not advertising the website as somewhere you should buy from

Edited by Lukefrazz, 13 March 2012 - 11:09 AM.

[Harryo]

Luke is quite right, if you like Kayano then try one of asics racing shoes.  The Kayano is quite a heavy shoe so you don't have to go all the way to a racer to get some benefit - just try a lighter version of what you like.  I believe the lighter shoes are a big advantage in race time.  You pull up a bit sore but saving a minute is worth it.

harry

[Strop]

Thanks for the advice guys. I might have a look at the DS Racers.
I don't think I'm good enough to get away with the noosa shoes!!

[Shelmie]

Hi, just with a follow up question to this, as I'm currently wearing Kayano 17's too.  How long would it take to break-in a pair of Asics Gel DS-Racer 9's if I was to get one?  Would there be much risk of injury, or not really because they're similar (same brand etc.)?  I've only done a couple of half marathons, and train about 25km/week.  I'm a small female and would like to try a lighter shoe.

[Lukefrazz]

Firstly, what distance event are you planning on wearing the ds racers for?

Personally I'd want to wear them for a few easy and speed sessions to loosen them up, as well as one or two runs at close to race distance to make sure that I don't have any issues with them. For a half marathon, I aim to have at least 50 (preferably closer to 100) km on the shoe I'm racing in, just so that I'm confident I won't have blister issues or sore feet during the race.

[Harryo]

Shelmie

I agree with lukefraz.  If you are using a new style then get 50-100k on them before an important race.  If it is exactly the same model then zero k's on the clock is ok - I have done that often.  The only issue between Kayano/DSRacer is that the fit may be different and under race conditions you may blister etc.  It should be ok with minimal impact though.  I have used both and believe that DS Racers are a little tighter in forefoot width.  They also have less "shoe" which is why they are lighter and that can create a little "hardness" in foot strike - just get used to that.  The fit is the potential issue - do a couple of runs in them and they should be fine.

harry

[Wedgetail]

Harryo, on 02 May 2012 - 11:16 AM, said:

Shelmie

I agree with lukefraz.  If you are using a new style then get 50-100k on them before an important race.  If it is exactly the same model then zero k's on the clock is ok - I have done that often.  The only issue between Kayano/DSRacer is that the fit may be different and under race conditions you may blister etc.  It should be ok with minimal impact though.  I have used both and believe that DS Racers are a little tighter in forefoot width.  They also have less "shoe" which is why they are lighter and that can create a little "hardness" in foot strike - just get used to that.  The fit is the potential issue - do a couple of runs in them and they should be fine.

harry

I've run in the Kayano, DS Trainer and DS Racer.

The Kayano comes in a standard E or EE fiting for the mens shoes.  I'm not exactly sure which fitting but theres a fair bit of width.

The standard width for the DS Trainer / Racer is a D fitting so they are tighter fit.  This suits me well as I have a narrow foot but these shoes will not suit if you have a wide foot.  

I found my latest Racer took about 4 or 5 runs in the 10 to 20 km range before they were really comfortable.

The Racer has much less cushion than the Kayano and less than the DS Trainer.  I use the Racer for races 10km or less but I still use my DS Trainers for half marathon or longer.

[TheFlyingFlea]

I am another who users both the Ds Trainers & Ds Racers, My view is you may need a fair bit of transition between the kayanos and Ds Racers, lots lighter, lots less cushioning, equals harder on the legs!!  

If the same shoe not a problem, I have run a marathon off one 10km run in a pair of Ds Trainers... no blister, all good!!

Love my Ds racers, I always feel like I can go faster in them! When I changed to the racers most of my PB can down by at leased 2 mins.

Just waiting for my new pair to arrive!

[speedmeup]

I used to wear DS trainers, a great shoe (and fast) but I found they beat my toes up over longer distances. Lately I've been wearing Adidas Adizero Tempos' - nice and light and just as fast as the Asics, but easier on the feet.

Haile Gebrselassie wears Adidas, .. I reckon if they are good enough for Haile, they will probably do me alright !

[TheFlyingFlea]

speedmeup

Yes, I was tossing up if I should give the Adizero ago, I ve heard a lot of good things about them but have being so happy with the Ds racer I had to stay with them!

Good to hear some more positives about them!!

[Shelmie]

Thank you all so much for the advice. My next race is the SMH half mara in just over 2 weeks so I'll definitely just wear the Kayano's for that. I just bought a pair of blue unisex DS Racer 8's and can't wait till I've broken them in enough. I've always worn kayanos and can't wait to try a lighter 'racing shoe'.

Thanks again!

[speedmeup]

Good luck Shelmie, kick some butt.

Edited by speedmeup, 05 May 2012 - 11:34 AM.

[Strop]

Thought I'd report back....got a pair of DS 9s.
Did 5 x sessions in them (all speed work) - about 45-50km total distance prior to race.
Raced the mother's day classic in them (8km) & felt great.
Only rider was that I always wear socks, so this may have made them more "wearable" I suppose.
Great shoes. Feel light on your feet +++ after the kayanos.
It felt pretty cool getting out the "race shoes" for both training and racing.
Only thing someone told me was to get those elastic laces that do themselves up. Does anyone have any ideas on them?
P.S. thanks once again for the advice.