On the Run: fitness made simple

Ready for jazz dance class! (Taken with Instagram)

As much as I like minimal running and cross-training shoes, I’m so glad I got hiking shoes for my Death Valley trip! Trekking through rocks, hauling through gravel, and scrambling up canyons are not activities for barefoot shoes.

Because everyone has the Nike Frees…and Nikes aren’t worth $90…

I wear a size 5-5.5 women’s meaning that I fit into a Youth 3.5! What’s great about that? More reasonable prices for the same pair of shoes. 

Reebok Real Flex Womens: $89.99

…for youth: $59.99 

Pros: 

• Light and extremely flexible 
• Feel changes in terrain through the shoe 
• The “sensor” padding molds to the ground 
• Toes get a good grip and your feet are more engaged while running 
• Narrow heel which is good for relying more on your mid-foot and some people are looking for less heel support 
• Cheaper than Nikes for same technology if you fit in Youth Sizes (I think they go up to 5.5 which is  7.5 in Women’s) 

Cons:

• Upper canvas part feels more like a “shoe” and less comfortable than the Nikes which feel like a sock 
• Color choices aren’t as attractive

I plan to run in these for the next 3 months, complete my first 1/2 marathon November), and hopefully my first marathon (January). Then, I’m going to get either  or