I don't usually do endorsements, but I'm willing to make an exception..

[sir pball]

(I'm not actually a pro, nor paid for this, so it's not against the rules - I'm just literally mindblown and would like to share)

I've been running for, well, the vast majority of my life - I started doing a mile twice a week with my dad when I was about 7, then joined junior cross-country in sixth grade (the earliest we could start on any team) and haven't stopped since. I won't say I'm competitive at all but I'm OK; I run well under 6 minutes for a mile, >20 5K, >45 10K and >1:30 half, on course for a >3 marathon.

My bff works at one of the best running gear stores in NYC so he gets literally more shoes than he knows what to do with for free - he gives away or sells for a pittance most of them. A month or so ago, he got a real score, a pair of "adidas adizero boost adios"-es. "adidas Boost" technology is some hot new shit, a closed-cell EVA foam actually designed by BASF to maximize energy return and responsiveness while minimizing compression and wear...sorry, I got a science hardon for a sec there. Long story short, these shoes feel like running on springs, imagine Nike Shox only bouncier, yet are incredibly supportive - I put them on the day after I got them, went "OMG" and haven't worn anything else, while grossly upping my mileage. About 160 miles in the month I've had them...and I feel better and go faster that I have in a long time. them. Oh, and they quite literally do not wear out. I mean that; James (my bff) has a pair with over 700 miles that have no measurable midsole compression and snap 85% as well as a new pair - or harder if you put in SuperFeet insoles. His ultramarathoner girlfriend has a pair of first-generation Boosts with over three thousand miles that she still uses, and are showing about half wear in the midsole. The soles themselves are worn through, but that only matters for trails

And yes, they're expensive. Mine retail for $140, the beefier models push $200. But given the 1000+ mile life expectancy, they're a screaming bargain. Speaking purely as an enthusiastic runner who loves to go fast, there hasn't been a better shoe in the last 25 years and there might not be anything better ever. If you can afford the upfront cost, even if you're a mundane jogger, I can't recommend a better pair of shoes. They've finally knocked the New Balance 890s from my soul.

[LeftofObama]

1. You've convinced me, sir pball.

It's time for new shoes so I may just give these a go. I'm normally a New Balance guy, but these sound pretty cool.

I bought a pair of Brooks back in the winter and they only lasted a month before I got a hole in the toe of both shoes. I went back and exchanged them for another pair and the same thing happened. Needless to say, Brooks is on my shit list and I'm going to let them know about it. They were $106 on sale so I thought I was getting a bargain.

Thanks for the heads up!