Author: busyrunning

I’m a busy dad, company director and general plate spinner with a passion for the outdoors and running.

Week 11: 9 – 15 March

Run: 5hrs 23mins (39.3mi) / Gym 8mins / Crosstrain: 0min

I am desperate for some new shoes. My go-to has been Newton Fates for as long as I can remember – the perfect shoe for me – great style and colours (usually) and really comfortable mesh uppers with plenty room in the toe box. However, they have been out of stock for months. Its also not an easy ordering process as the European distributer in Germany don’t ship to the non-EU UK. And the US online store doesn’t either. So I have to email Newton in Colorado when I spot the shoe in stock on the online store, and they send a pair or two out. My Fate X shoes have now done well over 1,000 miles and I’m desperate to update them before the inevitable niggles start.

I can’t wait any longer, so after a bit of research and AI consultancy, I go for Topo – a brand I am familiar with through my Topo Pursuit trail shoes, which have always been comfortable. I plumb for the Cyclone 3 and look forward to the new-shoe feel on my first run with them.

They turn out to be a great option, and I’m pleased. They look pretty light-weight – its a moulded foam mid sole with thin rubber outsole, so I worry if they may come apart on the odd pit of forest track I run on. They are comfortable, although a touch high on the ankle, which means I’m conscious of my foot placement and even the road camber to ensure it doesn’t rub. After so long in Newtons, it felt like a big change. Hopefully the more variety I introduce, the more I can adapt and become less prone to injury. We will see.