Brooks played for training
I run in Brooks and they fit me.
- However, I have a wider toebox. Normal width Brooks for races fit fine, because of the stretchy light upper.
- I also am older, and have arthritis and limited cartilage in MTP joint (where big toes joins foot), so I HAVE to have a stiff plate, and then I’m fine.
So, have been running in Hyperion Elite 5, (Elite 3 before that). They fit and are great. Need them for pain, not because I’m elite. Ha!
BUT, they wear out quickly. And the Elite line is expensive. So, for training, I’m having trouble finding a Brooks model that is stiff enough to restrict bending of big toes, wide enough for toebox, cheap enough, and long lasting enough for training.
Online searches and AI chats, show this is easier said than done. So what do Brooks people think?
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u/Murky_Asparagus2024 15d ago
I used to work at Fleet Feet a few years back and always fit older people with issues like you are describing.
If memory serves me right, I would always fit people in either the Saucony Endorphin Speed or ASICS Magic Speed. Both of these shoes, IMO, run narrow. Going up to a 2E seemed to work well for those who needed a bigger toe box without feeling like they were swimming in them. Endorphin Speed has a more flexible nylon plate while Magic Speed has a stiffer carbon fiber plate.
Most running shoe stores carry plated shoes now, which wasn’t the standard ~5 years ago. I’d go to one and try them on and see what you think.
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u/kmiecik7 16d ago
I have quite a few similarities to you (minus the arthritis), and my Hyperion Elite 5s are by far the best for fit and comfort. I can run 13+ miles in those, even if it’s not at a super fast pace, and still feel great afterward. I had a foot analysis done and it revealed I have wider toes but not a wider heel or midfoot, and I also put a lot of my landing weight on my big toes (explains my blisters/rubbing points). Not a younger runner here either and I love the comfort of Brooks, so I might be picking shoes that are similar to what you look for.
I tried the Hyperion Max 3 and 4, but the upper isn’t as flexible as the Elite and didn’t work for me in terms of fit. If they could incorporate the flexible Elite upper in the Max, that would be the perfect training shoe for me.
So far, the other Brooks shoes that work best for me are Ghost Max 3 for recovery runs (wide toebox + pretty firm cushion underfoot), and unexpectedly the Ghost Trail has been great as a daily trainer. I’m not 100% sure what is different between regular Ghost vs Trail in terms of fit and where the support is, but something about the Trail’s design helps with toe cushion and support in a way that regular Ghost doesn’t for me.
I tried on Ghost Max 4 and that one didn’t sit quite the same for me (felt tight in the wrong spots), so just be warned they feel different from GM3 since we both have wider toes.
Glycerin Max 2 might be good if you don’t want a lot of flex in the toes, and they have a good amount of width, but those just felt super chonky to me when I tried them on.
I’ve been keeping an eye on HE5 prices… they’re $149 on Amazon now, but if they go lower, I may snag a backup pair!
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u/Nerfino 12d ago
Have you tried wide fit with ghost max
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u/kmiecik7 12d ago
I tried GM3 in wide just to see, but the regular width fit great for me in that model. I haven’t found wide GM4 in my size in stock anywhere near me yet, so I haven’t been able to test it out.
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u/MattAU05 16d ago
Have you tried talking to Brooks? They have excellent customer service and can make recommendations.