Running-shoe companies want you to lace up their newest innovations. Find out which of these styles is the right fit for you. Don’t know where to wear it? We’ve got the ideal debut for each shoe.
• Adidas Energy Boost ($150, Adidas.com)
What’s new: No, Adidas didn’t crush Styrofoam cups and slap them on the bottoms of these shoes.
The white stuff is “boost,” a material designed to provide maximum energy return, which means “people are able to run faster, longer or both,” boasts Chris Brewer, the brand’s running specialty manager. Company testing has shown that the cushioning won’t wimp out in extreme heat or cold and doesn’t break down.
Wear test: Adidas recommends ordering a half-size larger than normal, and even if you do, prepare for a snug fit. That’s partly because the compression fabric on the upper takes some getting used to, but wide feet will probably never be happy, even with such a spring in their step.
Not a neutral runner? Wait until adiStar Boost debuts in August.
• TevaSphere Trail ($120, Teva.com; Trail is for women only; $140 waterproof Trail eVent is also for men)
What’s new: They’re light and low to the ground, so why is this minimalist shoe different from all other minimalist shoes? It’s made for people who can’t help but heel strike. Instead of squaring off the back of the shoe, Teva opted for a rounded design that rolls the foot forward no matter which way you land. That could be dangerous if it weren’t for the support pods placed on each side of the arch to prevent ankle rolling.
Wear test: Those steady pods make it seem like your feet have kickstands. It’s an odd sensation, but one that you’ll probably be grateful for when heading off-road through unknown terrain or at a muddy adventure race. They’re best at downhill running.
• Nike Flyknit Lunar1+ ($160, Nike.com)
What’s new: This isn’t your grandma’s knitting. The shoe’s upper is made of a polyester yarn that’s woven tighter in spots that need more support and looser in ones that don’t (like above your toes). You can customize the fit by placing the shoes near a teakettle or a hot shower. Put them on when they’re warm and steamy, and they’ll cool into the shape of your foot. The process “will make it like it’s been your shoe for a while without breaking down,” says Philip Deeter, assistant head coach of product at Nike’s flagship store in Washington’s Georgetown neighborhood.
Wear test: The shoe’s light weight and the thin fabric on top make it feel like a sock. But the cables that wrap around the sides and the cushioning system remind you that you’ve laced up. (That support doesn’t correct overpronation, however.) After you “steam to fit,” there’s an immediate — but very subtle — shift in shape.
