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Every day, I always manage to get a customer wanting the top running shoe on the market. To his disappointment, I tell him there isn't really one shoe that is best for everyone across the board. Every brand will make a number of different models to meet the different needs of different people. But if we were to rank a shoe simply by the amount of features it has, then finding the "top" running shoes is much easier. Every brand will come out with a basic "entry level" model, an advanced "high end" model, and everything else in between. The most obvious way to figure out how each model fits in the pecking order is by looking at the price. The higher the price the more high end the model will be. But what justifies these price ranges? As the models get more expensive, the manufacturer will put more cushion, support, and overall technology into them. The Nike Pegasus is a prime example of an entry level shoe. It will have a small air bag unit in the heel and forefoot surrounded by a basic durable foam Nike has named "Phylon." Nike has put it's air technology where it matters the most (the heel and forefoot strike points), and the Pegasus will satisfy the majority of runners. The Pegasus' price is around 80-90 dollars, pretty average compared to today's standards. The Nike Air Zoom Vomero on the other hand, is Nike's high end shoe. It features a very soft and springy foam named "Cushlon" throughout the entire midsole. Nike also adds a thin layer of air on top. As you can imagine, the ride in the Vomero is much more luxurious than in the Pegasus, and the Vomero's price is around 120-130 dollars. Are high end shoes better than standard shoes? By all means, no. However, there are a few people that I would recommend higher end shoes to first. These people include.
If you fit any of the descriptions above, consider going with the more advanced shoes. Yes, they cost more money, but would you rather pay a little more for your running shoes? Or would you rather pay a lot more for doctor's visits, therapy, and surgery? Personally, I would rather do the prior. Below is a list of each brand's top of the line models. Remember, top of the line simply means "more features" and therefore higher prices. Top of the line may or may not work out for you. I'd prefer that you do as much as you can to prevent injuries, so I highly recommend that you choose a model from one of the three major shoe categories, stability, neutral, and motion control. If you need help knowing which type is right for you, read my article about how to choose running shoes.
Stability
Neutral
Motion Control
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