So here are my new athletic performers in all their glory (tadaaaaaaa!)
Basically my application requires a shoe that is supportive heel-to-toe, with lots of ball cushion, and plenty of lateral support. I do a lot of shuffling and side-to-side movement, so cushioning the sides of my feet and keeping my ankles from rolling is extremely important. The Nike LunarTrainer+ completely fits the bill.
In trying out dozens of pairs of shoes I found that running specific shoes just don't cut the mustard for lateral support. They generally have very little support for the ankles, especially for side-to-side movement. Most of the training specific shoes I tried out felt rigid, heavy, or clunky. I had just started realizing that providing ample stability in a training shoe means sacrificing lightness and comfort, but then I came across these guys. I tried them on and within about 20 seconds I was sold. They are extremely light, extremely wide, extremely supportive, and doing a couple of side-steps with them on felt totally natural.
As an aside, imagine me busting "the heisman" in the middle of the store with bright red moon shoes on. It was apparently awesome enough to turn some heads.
One added bonus is the super-comfortable upper. They have a lightweight and breathable mesh body with a sockliner-like set of straps sewn in to fit snugly without choking or chafing the top of the foot. Another bonus (that I'll never utilize for any reason) is reflective detailing scattered around the shoe in a tasteful but probably ineffective way. For those with an iPod, iPhone, or desire to purchase an iWristband-thing there is also the option for use with the Nike+ system which I've never used. I'm not certain of the purpose, but I understand it to monitor your movement and send all of your data to the interwebs so that dweebs at Nike Headquarters can laugh at you for "jogging" from your house to MacDonald's and the general public can join in the fun by logging onto your Nike+ page to see that you've run a total of .6 miles this month.
I think it's fair and important to mention that I tried these shoes on head-to-head against other shoes from various brands ranging from $40-$140 retail, and these ones (originally $100 MSRP, on clearance for $60) were by far the most comfortable and easy to maneuver in. I'd say that if they stand the test of time they'll easily be worth the full $100 MSRP, and I would definitely try on any newer incarnations with great expectations. Also, from what I've read online these are widely available in a variety of colorways so it shouldn't be difficult to get this great shoe and avoid the firetruck-foot look.
I've never been a fan of Nike. I've never thought that as a brand they were comfortable, stylish, or well-made enough to justify their prices. I've owned a couple of pairs of hand-me-downs and clearance rack Nikes, and I've never been blown away by them. When I set out to find a new pair of trainers I expected that I'd likely end up with a pair of NewBalance, Under Armour or Adidas runners. I know that cross-training isn't as popular as it was when Dan Cortese was still hosting MTV Sports, so I didn't expect to find a shoe designed specifically for me. I was kind of blown away when these shoes felt so good and performed so well.
My main concern with these shoes when I bought them was durability. They seem light enough and the "Lunar" foam sole seems like it might wear out quickly. I've read reports of runners getting anywhere from 300+ up to 600 miles out of them, so my fears have somewhat subsided. After using them for the past few weeks I feel confident that they'll last me for at least 6 months, if not a year, before blowing out. If they fail me sooner I'll post an update defaming and cursing Nike back into the sneaker d league in my mind whence they came.
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The skinny:
* Pros: Comfortable, Perfect for Conditioning/Training
* Cons: Uggo, My Cat Dislikes Them
Make an Assessment:
So far I have nothing bad to say about these shoes. Going from a beloved pair of haggard, blown-out Reebok Classics to these has given my feet good reason to praise. I am really happy with these shoes and my outlook on Nike has changed tremendously because of them. If you do any cross-training, or even general gym training I would recommend these highly. My research has led me to believe that a lot of people like them as runners too, but personally I'd go with a more dedicated pair of running shoes if I were doing any distance.
Overall Review Score (I haven't figured out how I want to do this yet):
* Grade: A
* Score: 95%
* If it were a movie: ★★★★★
* My Feelings: "I hate exercising even in these sweet shoes...damn you to hell vanity...come on muscles, I know you're in there somewhere...can I quit yet?...I'm eating like 5 Clif Bars when this is over."
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