VanderTri.com

I don't like change well at least when it comes to my running shoes.  For the past 18 years I've been in love with one shoe the Asics Kayano.  I've tried other shoes but usually I know within a couple runs whether or not a shoe is for me.  No this isn't going to be a story about me giving up my shoes because barefoot running is the magic pill that makes you faster, sorry I don't buy it.  I do believe that some barefoot running is a valuable part of training but I won't be the guy I say two weeks ago on my long run plodding along in complete bare feet in 40 degree weather, rain on a paved trail, c'mon really.  No this is about finding a great new shoe.

Last year I tried the KSwiss K Ona lightweight trainer as my long course triathlon race shoe (again after only racing in one shoe for years the Asics DS Trainer) and I immediately fell in love with the shoe.  After that I decided to try the KSwiss Mi Soul as an everyday training shoe and for me this was a miss it just didn't feel good so I've shyed away trying any other new shoes.  A couple weeks ago I was browsing the KSwiss site and decided to order a pair of the Konejo II and it was love at first run. 

The KSwiss shoes fit very much like Asics in fit (however they run bigger than Asics, I wear a 9.5 in Asics and 8.5 in KSwiss).  This shoe just feels great, a perfect mix of stability and cushioning.  It's got a little more cushioning than the Kayano which I like. 

I've only got 50 miles on this first pair so I don't know how they'll wear so we'll see how that goes.  I know within about 5 miles how many miles I can get out of a pair of the Kayano's.  The only complaint I have so far about the KSwiss in general is that for those of us that live in cool climate locations this shoe is very ventilated which makes them bordering on cold on cool days but that will be a blessing in those sizzling days of summer here in the Northwest.

I have to say KSwiss has made a huge splash with their running shoes in just a couple years and I'm definitely becoming a fan and may have a new shoe love.