I am a 6.2″ / 185 pounds runner with extremely flat feet. I have run in the Structure Triax as my main mileage shoe since since version 13. I was extremely pleased when I found out that the sole unit of the Triax 15 remained the same as in the previous two versions as it had worked fantastic for me in the past two years.

The version I bought (yes, no free pair for this one!) is the SHIELD. Shield is Nike’s name for their winter version of their shoes: compared to the standard ones you get water repellent materials, warmer linings and more highly reflective overlays on the uppers. Since it’s 0C degrees here at the moment on my morning runs, it rains almost constantly and it’s pitch black – and it’s not going to get any better until spring – I think the SHIELD upper was a worthy investment (10$ more than the normal version).

Nike Structure Triax+ 15 Sole Unit

The sole unit of the Triax 15 is the same as it was on the 14, which was the same as it was on the 13 (one of the pictures shows the comparison between the outsole of the 13 and 15).

The main stability features are the medial post, the engineered heel and the plastic shank.

Overpronation is avoided starting at the heel: the outside area of the heel is softer, encouraging the foot to push the weight on the outside first, delaying the overpronation (which is the excessive inward roll of the foot during the gait).

Nike Zoom Structure Triax 15 -Decoupled Heel Detail

Once the weight is placed under the arch, the medial post – the grey insert of a harder foam compound stops the arch from collapsing too much.

Nike Zoom Structure Triax 15 - Medial Post Detail

The third element of stability is the plastic shank that is placed right under the arch and keeps the sole stiff in that area, preventing it from twisting unnaturally and avoiding sprinked ankles.

None of these solutions is revolutionary. The Structure Triax has used it for years and they are all pretty much industry standards, but they just plain work well together in the Triax 15.

The forefoot is quite flexible (and still cushioned) thanks to the deeply carved flex grooves. Nike’s BRS-1000 rubber provides good grip even over wet concrete and it’s extremely durable: I have logged way more than 500 km on my Triax 13s and the rubber is mostly all still there as you can see from one of the pictures!

Nike Structure Triax+ 15 Upper Unit

The upper of the Triax 15 is comfortable and stable. A Hard heel counter keeps the heel in position, the midfoot is securely locked and the toebox is roomy without being too large. Flywire (a lighter overlay material) lock the foot in position going from the last two eyelets all the way down to the sole unit and across the heel.

There is a FITSOLE sockliner inside that provides some extra cushioning and has a quite low-shaped arch, ideal for medium to flat arches.

I am running with the SHIELD upper. Shield is the version with water repellent materials, warm lining and highly reflective areas on the upper. This version costs 10$ more than the standard… but at 110$ total price it’s well worth the upgrade – especially if you plan to run during the winter months.

The upper is almost seamless, soft and sock-like. I love that my shoes can get wet while running under the rain but my feet still stay warm after more than one hour in the elements.

Nike Structure Triax+ 15 Opinion

It is difficult for me to write a review of the Triax 15 that doesn’t sound like a love letter. There are many shoes I like to wear (ie the Asics DS Trainer) but when I just want to go for a long run and feel confident my feet won’t kill me later, the Triax is my shoe of choice. Like the Pegasus, it is one of those shoes that is almost impossible to go wrong with.

The only thing that changed in this update is the upper – and the SHIELD version makes it so nice to run in the winter.

I highly reccomend this shoe for runners with flat feet, as its low arch will fit great. If you have medium to high arches, the other two shoes that I would consider would be the Asics GT-2170 (high-mileage, soft and protective) or the Mizuno Wave Inspire 8 (for faster but still well protected runs).

What’s old is new again with the Asics GT 2170. Being that the 2170 is a core shoe for Asics, I didn’t expect a drastic overhaul for the 2170 and I was pretty much right. The heel looks a little different on the 2170 and it is truly a pleasant shoe when you first try it on. The 2150 was the last GT series shoe that I ran in and it too was a fine shoe. The 2170 continues to offer high end cushioning and moderate stability combined with a fit and function that thousands of runners call home.

Asics GT 2170 Upper:

Asics continues to play it safe with the 2170 upper. And why not? It’s a well designed unit consisting of very breathable mesh and supportive, yet soft, overlays. I did notice that the eyelet row has been segmented a bit in order to help the upper conform to the foot in motion. Most notable to me is the Asics PHF (Personalized Heel Fit) design which provides a very plush and comfortable heel fit. The heel counter is quite rigid as it should be in a stability shoe. The collar height is very low and provides a good fit. At first, I felt like I was slipping a touch in the heel area but that sensation soon abated. Asics uses a very slick, finely woven material inside their shoes and when combined with technical socks the heel fit can slide a little for the first couple of runs.

Asics GT 2170 Sole Unit:

As in the upper, Asics has made few sweeping changes to the 2170. GT series fans will still find the same Duomax medial posting, SoLyte midsole foam and Impact Guidance System (IGS). Also included is a substantial Space Trusstic mid foot shank which helps control the torsional forces created by an over pronating foot. Asics relatively new Guidance Line design is also here. Guidance Line carves out a path in the midsole to help the foot travel as neutrally through foot strike as possible. Asics did decide to place more GEL cushioning in the heel area of the 2170. In fact, the GT series has never had this much GEL before.

Asics GT 2170 Opinion:

I truly enjoyed my time in the Asics GT 2170. I took them on both treadmill and asphalt runs and they performed quite reliably and as expected. The GT 2170 has several features that I demand in a stability shoe. First, I must have a shoe with substantial arch support and the 2170 did well in this regard. I’m a light runner but my feet are very flexible and my feet and posterior tibial tendons will quickly tell me if a shoe is weak in the arch. The GT 2170 was adequate in this regard but there were times that I felt a few twinges that tell me I probably would be better off in a shoe with a touch more arch.

The GT 2170 excels at cushioning. The shoe does a superb job of insulating the runner from the road. However, this comes with a trade off in transition. Compared to some other shoes I’ve recently tested, the GT 2170 felt a bit slow and cumbersome when the pace quickened. It is also heavier than many competitors shoes in this category. I weigh every shoe that I test on my kitchen scale and I was surprised to see a 12 ounce weight for this shoe. Overall though, the shoe is well built and the design, even if a little dated, is undeniably successful.

I can’t see any reason why fans of this series will be disappointed in the new GT 2170.

We thank the nice people at Asics for sending us a pair of GT-2170 to test. This did not influence our review, written after running more than 50 miles in them

The 33 collection is Asics first foray in ligther and less constructed high mileage running shoes. The running industry has been waiting for a while to see what Asics’ response would have been to the recent minimalistic wave that shook the industry.

I had the chance to meet and question some of the Asics footwear team and listen first hand to what the company’s take is on the subject.

The first thing they mentioned was that Asics is a company who bases their products on science and not on market trends and so, even if it would have been easy enough for them to build a zero drop shoe in a lightweight package and market it, they stuck to their studies of the thousands of runners who have their gaits and biomechanics assessed in their flagship stores around the world, their pro athletes and testers.

Further, they recognize there are some advantages in pairing some lightweight, flexible and deconstructed shoes to a runner’s main high-mileage shoe and they believe that there are some runners who benefit from barefoot running. But based on their analysis and their long history and knowledge – they say that the percentage is much lower than the barefoot running enthusiasts seem to advocate.

Long story short here comes the Asics Gel Excel 33, flagship shoe in the new 33 collection.

Asics Gel Excel33 First Impression

First impressions were that the shoes were very light , flexible and uncomplicated looking… The shoes were instantly comfortable, so I took them on a 21 km run straight from the box.

Asics Gel Excel33 Sole Unit

The midsole of the Excel 33 is lower than usual Asics shoes. The Excel 33 has a 10mm heel drop (height difference between heel and forefoot) which Asics believes to be the best biomechanical position, reducing the load on the Achilles tendon, calf muscles and hamstring.

The midsole is composed of two different EVA (foam) materials. Right under the foot there is spEVA (Asics softer EVA) for comfort. Under that, the bottom layer is made of SoLyte – a harder foam material that offers better energy return and stability. The logic is that you want a soft material to land on to reduce impact and stress, but at the same time you want a harder material to be in contact with the ground to return your energy (think about running on sand… all your energy gets absorbed by the sand). Between the two are sandwiched visible Gel (cushioning) units bot the in heel and forefoot.

The main performance element that differentiates the Excel 33 from the previously released Asics Gel Blur 33 is the Propulsion Trusstic system: a plastic shank that extends from the arch all the way under the forefoot. By mimicing the action of the foot’s plantar fascia, this element returns the energy accumulated through the gait and propels the foot forward.

Contributing to the natural feeling and added flexibility (and carving out a lot of weight) are deeply carved flex grooves and the presence of the Guidance Line, a vertical groove.

The one color outsole, with minimal lugged grip, was absolutely great for the road. The blown rubber gave a very quiet stride, unlike many shoes where I slap. The durability has not been great, after only 150km the shoes were showing significant wear under the forefoot.

Asics Gel Excel 33 Upper

A great fore part, with tight mesh that was durable and breathable. Once laced the shoe was snug to the foot, felt supportive, but at the same time extremely soft and supple. The collar padding and underfoot was fantastic, you can instantly tell its a quality shoe.

The Excel 33 features the Heel Clutch system: instead of the traditional heel counter, a lighter plastic counter is now outside the shoe to lock your heel in position, while memory foam on the internal lining gives comfort and shapes to your heel.

Asics Gel Excel 33 Ride and Opinion

Immediate impressions on the road was the soft feeling midsole, which created a fantastic smooth ride, and instantly gave you the feeling that you wanted to run faster. The shoes really promoted a feeling that you wanted to get on your toes and pick up the pace. The flexibility was superb in the forefoot, really allowing you to ‘feel’ the ground without ever lacking cushioning.

The mid foot support bridge extends into the forefoot, and really gives a sensation of energy return when you flex the shoe and it snaps back into its original shape, and I am sure this was the main reason why this shoe was so fast feeling.

Over all, a fantastic trainer / racer for the neutral runner that wants a pure road running shoe that’s extremely flexible, super light, yet cushioned enough to put in some serious mileage.

We thank the nice people at Asics for sending us a pair of Gel Excel 33 to review. This did not influence our review, written after running more than 150 km in them!

Great anticipation has been building for the Wave Inspire 8. Many loyal Inspire runners were taken aback by the sweeping changes made to the Inspire 7. Unfold the tissue paper in the box and you’ll see what looks like a Wave Inspire 6 but you’ll find a new but strikingly familiar ride in the Wave Inspire 8.

Mizuno Wave Inspire 8 Upper:

Mizuno turned back the clock when laying out the plans for the upper of the Wave Inspire 8. Gone is the higher cut heel collar and Dynamotion Fit tab of the Wave Inspire 7. Instead we find a much more lower profile upper with similarly cut overlays as found in the Wave Inspire 6.

Mizuno is still using a wide hole mesh for breathability and the overlay material feels identical to that of my old Wave Inspire 6. Also removed are the flex eyelets and the longer tongue of the Wave Inspire 7.

In fact, the only Wave Inspire 7 design carryover I could find was the inner heel lining material, the Ortholite sock liner and some very slightly modified lateral overlays.

Mizuno Wave Inspire 8 Sole Unit

Mizuno reinvented the entire midsole for the Wave Inspire 8. While the VS-1 cushioning wedge is still found in the heel, everything else has changed.

Mizuno reengineered the wave plate in the Wave Inspire 8 to provide a level of stability that I haven’t seen in this series since the Wave Inspire 4. Not only is the wave plate providing more arch support, Mizuno has also slightly flared the medial aspect of the heel to ensure a stable landing and transition through toe off.

In the forefoot Mizuno has carved out a bit more midsole foam at the flex point and added flex controllers which almost act as a secondary wave in the forefoot. Still in place is Mizuno’s AP+ midsole foam which is a more durable and springy formulation of their classic AP foam.

Mizuno Wave Inspire 8 Opinion

I have liked every version of the Wave Inspire series since I ran in the Wave Inspire 2. However, as the series progressed it became less stable and more geared towards light weight and quick transition thus making every Inspire after the 4 not suitable as my workhorse training shoe. When the Inspire 7 came out I broke my half-marathon personal record twice in them! I had relegated the Inspire series to a distance racing shoe for the most part until I ran in the Wave Inspire 8.

Until now, no other shoe has challenged the Mizuno Wave Nirvana as my go to shoe. The Wave Inspire 8 is a real threat to do just that. I simply cannot keep from reaching for these shoes for every run! In fact, I just took them to the New Orleans Jazz half marathon and shattered my previous best by six minutes.

The Wave Inspire 8 is hitting the sweet spot for me – the arch is there, the transition is still quick and the ride is cushioned but never separated from the road. During the race, I never even thought about my Wave Inspire 8’s. And trust me, New Orleans asphalt will exploit any weakness in a running shoe. Mizuno has turned all the dials to 10 on the Wave Inspire 8. Burn!

Wave Inspire 6 fans, Mizuno has heard you and answered with a low profile heel collar and increased stability. Rejoice!

We thank the nice people at Mizuno for sending us a pair of Wave Inspire 8 for testing. This did not influence our review, written after running more than 50 miles in them

Out of the box, the VOMERO 6 looks understaded – and it is not a negative . At 130$ price tag, many competitors have more bells and whistles. The Vomero has a simple no-nonsense upper and a sole unit that just looks exactly the same of the one on the Pegasus. But Oh boy! it’s different.

Nike Zoom Vomero+6 Upper

The Vomero looks so plain because the comfort solutions are quietly inserted everywhere in the design instead of screamed out loud. There is a plastic “net” element that you can find both on the midfoot and around the heel. This is at the same time stretcheable and sturdy, able to flex around the foot while still securing it in the right position.

The tongue is padded and soft (I personally hate the feeling of the laces on my foot therefore I love padded tongues) and it is sewed to the rest of the upper. I feel this extremely comfortable and for me it’s always a plus in a shoe – especially when I expect to run hundreds of miles in them. Also soft (and softer than in the Pegasus) is the padding around the heel.

Fit is great. The Vomero feels as snug as the Pegasus, but much more flexible. Perhaps this is the reason while even though it weights almost an ounce more, it feels ligther.

The toebox overlays are different in the men and women version of the shoe.

Nike Zoom Vomero+6 Sole Unit

There’s one word to describe the Vomero’s sole: soft. You really need to try it on to understand it. It is amazing to me how this sole can be practically the same as the one in the Pegasus (same size and shape, same cushlon EVA midsole material) and the only difference being Zoom Air being both in the heel and forefoot as opposed to just in the heel.

The heel is decoupled (split into different cuboid pods) to offer different cushioning to different parts of the heel while landing – the Vomero is definitely a shoe with the heel-striker as target user.

A midfoot shank (or bridge) provides torsional stability and makes this shoe enjoyable even for moderate overpronators like me.

Outsole is in BRS rubber – standard Nike rubber, very durable and good traction also on wet terrains.

Nike Zoom Vomero+6 Opinion

First of all, if you are a heavyweigth runner looking for a cushioning shoe, seriously consider this Vomero. It’s not a lightweight shoe but it just rides so smooth and it’s so flexible that feels much ligther.

In general – it is a very well balanced shoe and we are sure it won’t disappoint the fans of the previous versions.

Similar Shoes to the Nike Zoom Vomero+ 6

Asics Gel Nimbus 13
Brooks Glycerin 9