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=Overview of Shoe Recommendations=
{{:Shoes-table}}
* '''Cushioning'''. Shoes vary in the mount of cushioning they provide, and this is my subjective rating. Note that generally a shoe becomes softer as it wears out, though this is not always the case. There is reasonable scientific evidence that higher levels of cushioning increase stresses on joints and have higher rates of injury. However, cushioning is also one way shoes provide protection from stones (the other is inflexibility). Cushioning can also reduce foot soreness on longer ultramarathons.
* '''Weight'''. The weight of a shoe makes a big difference in the [[Running Economy| energy cost of running]]. Even small changes in weight can make a big difference in how fast we run.
* '''Drop'''. The drop is difference in sole thickness between the forefoot and heel. Larger drops can interfere with natural running form, and may increase the probability of [[Foot Strike| heel strike]].
*** '''[[Altra Paradigm]]'''. The Olympus and Paradigm are similar shoes, and you could think of the Paradigm as the road version of the Olympus. However, the Olympus works fine on the road, and while the Olympus is a little thicker and heavier, I generally prefer it.
** '''[[Hoka Shoe Review| Hoka One One]].''' The Hoka shoes started the 'Minimum Drop, Maximum Cushioning' style of shoe. The Hokas generally use extremely soft foam, with a wide base to improve stability. Their soles are thicker than most shoes so they are quite heavy, though not as heavy as they look. Most of the Hokas do well on both asphalt and rocky trails. The Hokas provide remarkable protection from rough trail surfaces, and the thick, soft soles mold themselves around stones to provide more grip on rocky trails than you'd expect. Other than the sole, the Hoka is a poor design, with a remarkably tight toe box and they are typically rather inflexible.
*** '''[[Hoka Bondi]].''' Of all Until the Hoka shoes I've triedClifton came out, the various Bondi shoes (Bondi B, Bondi 2, Bondi 3 and Bondi Speed) are were my favorites. Like all Hokas, the Bondi has a horribly small toe box, it's easily [[Shoe Modifications| modified]]. *** '''[[Hoka Clifton]]'''. This shoe is a lighter weight version of the Bondi. It's a little thinner, but otherwise it feels just the same. (I even ran with one on each foot, and other than the thickness, they feel the same.)
*** '''[[Hoka Stinson]].''' The Stinson is a little heavier and thicker than the Bondi variants, and is available in road and trail versions.
*** '''[[Hoka Mafate]].''' The Mafate is a huge shoe, and the heaviest and thickest of the Hokas.
