North Bay Woman

S P R I N G | S U M M E R 2 0 2 0 NORTH BAY WOMAN 57 Best for Beginners or All-round Running: Brooks Ghost 12/13 or Brooks Adrenaline Recommended by ArchRival Sports (located in Mill Valley and Corte Madera), as well as by Holly Wick of Athletic Soles, and seconded by the testers at Runner's World, Brooks Ghost 12 (13 soon to be released) is suitable for almost any runner and is the shoe of choice for beginners. The newer Ghost was designed not only with a segment- ed crash pad to provide great cushioning in the heel, but with an integrated system of shock absorbers that cushion the foot no matter the foot-strike. This great cushioning also means you can run longer without fatigue. At the same time, the Ghost offers a high rebound, which counteracts its weight to allow for faster speeds. The mesh upper helps lighten the weight, but holds in heat – a plus or minus, depending upon the outdoor temp. Overall, this is the go-to runner's shoe for all the right reasons. However, as Wick cautions, "if you over-pronate, Brooks Adrenaline is better for your feet." The Brooks Adrenaline is also the best shoe for those who prefer walking to running. Buy Ghost or Adrenaline at: ArchRival Sports, Nordstrom (Adrenaline only), Athletic Soles, The San Francisco Runnin Company, and REI. $130 . Best for Trail Running: Hoka Speedgoat 4 "Great for all foot types," Wick raves. The Speedgoat's best of many impressive characteristics is its Vibram MegaGrip outsole and 5 mm lugs, which provide superior traction for all trail conditions, wet and dry. The more pronounced lugs also allow mud to fall off so you're not carrying slippery weight. Combined with a soft heel and forefoot and an ultra-soft midsole, this shoe gives you the comfort to run for miles. The difference in weight (a full ounce over the Brooks Ghost, for example), may affect speed for shorter (10k or less) distances. For most runners, though, this is not a signif- icant factor. And for long distance runners, the comfort may well be worth an extra second or so. Whether you race or just like to run on real ground, Wick says, "You can attack any mountain trail in this shoe!" Buy Speedgoat 4 and other Hoka One One at: Foot Traffi c Shoes (San Rafael), Athletic Soles, and REI. $145. Buy other Hoka shoes at: Nordstrom, Healdsburg Running Company, Any Mountain (Corte Madera), The San Francisco Running Company (Mill Valley), and Silk Road Gallery (Sebastopol). Best for Pavement/ Hardscape Running: Hoka Bondi 6 People who spend hours on their feet are the people to go to with questions about comfortable shoes. The Hoka One One Bondi 6 is, says Wick, the favorite shoe of health- care workers, who stand on hard surfaces for hours. It is also a favorite of runners and walkers who want to log miles without the physical stress of impact. "The Hoka Bondi 6 is the most cushioned shoe in the industry without question," Wick says. This ultra-cushioning means the shoe can handle heavier runners and a heavier step without inordinate wear. Like other Hoka One One shoes, the Bondi 6 is designed with a rocker sole, called the Meta-Rocker to provide easy transitions from heel to toe. It sits on a high platform to ensure a more durable outsole. The heel area, often a fi t problem for those with narrow ankles, is addressed in the Bondi 6, which has a very high heel height and an internal heel counter that offers a secure fi t and support. For better forefoot fi t, the Bondi 6 comes in a large range of widths, including women's D and men's EE. Buy the Bondi 6 at: Nordstrom (women only), ArchRival, Athletic Soles, and REI. $150.

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