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Mating feet to shoes

We're talking running footwear against the backdrop of an article in today's NYT that either misunderstands, or faithfully represents a misunderstanding, of how feet are best mated to running shoes.

Mizuno Wave Precision 10 (2010)

Light and stable at a weight of 9.7 oz., the big feature is this shoe's rubber Wave plate. This Mizuno is a lightweight trainer, good for neutral runners, maybe slight pronaters.

Zoot Ultra Speed (2010)

Is this still a shoe? Or is it a running sock with a midsole glued on it? Whatever it is, smart money says it’s fast. And fast it is, but it’s just there for the most efficient lightweight runners.

Adizero Boston 2010

This more "substantial" cousin to the Adios differs from the Adios in the thickness of the midsole. It's the thickest among the lightweight trainers from Adidas. Its weight is 9.7 oz.

Adizero Adios 2010

This Germany company is a behemoth, making shoes for athletes in sports many people have never heard of. They were on the right track with their '09 running collection, and their '10 Spring line is even more promising.

Adizero Ace 2010

The Ace, at 7.3oz in a size-9 men's, is a very lightweight trainer that gives a reasonable amount of cushioning and stability in a neutral shoe. Keep in mind, it's a neutral shoe.

Nike LunarElite for 2010

The new 2010 Nike LunarElite is one of the best updates I've seen this season, and it may be a favorite for all but the heavy runners who can run with success in a neutral shoe.

Tech footwear demystifier

We write about running footwear here a lot. It seemed appropriate to tell you how to read and interpret these articles. What is a "pronator?" What is a "last?" What is an "outsole," and a "medial post?"

Saucony Kinvara 2010

The Kinvara, available soon, is the latest lightweight trainer in the Saucony line. Already seen on Lindsey Corbin's feet during Kona '09, this is a great shoe for neutral runners.

Brooks Green Silence

Brooks is not known for shoes that shout at you, but, the Green Silence is a bold and garish racing flat from an otherwise conservative - even classic - shoe company.

K-Swiss Ultra-Natural Run II

This is the K-Swiss Ultra-Natural Run II Ironman, a very lightweight shoe considering it's got "ultra" in it's title. And no, it's not the same as the K-Ona.

Newton: a second look

Our tech running editor revises and extends his remarks on Newton shoes. There's speed to be had, if you run with proper form.