The Brooks Ghost 3.

Saying goodbye to a really good friend can be difficult.  Especially a friend that has been with you for many months.   Braved frigid winter temperatures, rain, sun, humidity, heat, pavement, and trails.  Saying goodbye to your favorite pair of shoes can be heartbreaking.  I have put the Saucony Ride 2's into retirement, they have been relegated to the medial task of keeping my feet comfy at work.  Enjoy retirement Ride's because after retirement you will be relegated to grass cutting which will only leave you stained green and tattered.

You see, I loved these shoes.  I don't think I have ever loved a pair of running shoes more than these.  I finally found a shoe in the Saucony Ride and then Ride 2 that I loved.  They fit me perfectly, they were light, they were comfy, and they didn't rub or cause blisters.  Then Saucony decided to change the shoe.  I went to Fleet feet the other day and tried on a pair or Ride 4's only to find that they tightened up the toe box on the shoe and now it rubbed on the outside of my foot when I ran and it cramped my toes.  Frown.  I have to find new shoes.

I consulted the always friendly and knowledgeable staff at Fleet Feet and was directed to the Brooks Ghost 3 (currently on sale because they just got in the 4's).  I was intrigued.  Would this shoe be as comfortable as my last pair, could I ever love again?  You see I am a shoe snob, always have been.  I can't help it, I can tell the first time I wear a pair of running shoes if I will like them.  I can also tell by the fatigue in my legs when its time to replace said pair of shoes because when I get home my legs ache.  Please judge me if you must but I am picky about my shoes, but its what's inside that counts I don't go on looks alone.  You can keep your Nikes, your Adidas, and your RBK's.  You can't sell me on toning shoes or other gimmicky crap for the average consumer, I want a running shoe that has a sole (get it sole...not...soul...) purpose in life to make running more enjoyable.  So after quietly weeping to myself that my Saucony's were moving on to people with more narrow feet and neutral running style I reluctantly tried on the Brooks.  I don't have anything against Brooks honestly I don't.  In fact I love my Cascadia Trail shoes, but I have never worn Brooks out on the road.

I put them in the store and was offered the chance by the sales girl to take them out for a quick jog around the parking lot.  I was excited for the spin around the lot because when I laced those puppies up they just felt good.  I did my lap around the lot and thought I heard angels singing because these shoes felt exactly like my previous pair of Saucony Ride 2's, only lighter.  I didn't weigh the shoes to find out but they feel lighter on my feet.  Feeling satisfied with the purchase I took them home and made it a point to make sure I got out for a run on Saturday to test them out.

I was up late on Friday so I opted to sleep in Saturday and instead run after work at 4pm.  Of course if you have been keeping up with the weather around these parts you would also know that it has been near 90 all week but the humidity was relatively low for this time of year.  I came home as excited as a muggle on the release of the new Harry Potter Flick and immediately changed into my running gear and put on the Ghosts.

I went for a 4 mile run in the heat in about 33.5 minutes.  Then warmed down with a brisk walk for 5 minutes and headed in to the A/C to try to get my body back to a reasonable temperature.

Saucony who?  I love these shoes!! Love Love LOVE them.  They are  well cushioned, they don't rub, and they look sweet.  They have a slight curve to the sole as well so it feels very natural wearing them.  Traction was also very good with them, but then again pretty much anything that touched the pavement was gooey and sticky in this heat so I will let you know the next time I run in wetter weather how they hold up.  The shoe is well ventilated and my feet never felt like they were overheating either.  I am a neutral runner and I felt that these shoes did not hinder or change my stride or foot striking either.  I am happily impressed with them!  Sometimes it takes a little heartbreak to open your eyes to what else is out there. 

Runner's World Magazine also has this shoe as an Editors Choice and many of the reviews online are also very favorable.  After some reading up on Brooks as well I learned that they have an EXCELLENT guarantee with their products as well.  (I lifted this directly from their website)

Brooks' True Blue Guarantee

Brooks products come with a no-questions-asked, 30-day satisfaction guarantee. If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your new Brooks equipment within the first 30 days after purchase, we will replace or exchange your product.

To return item(s) purchased on Brooksrunning.com

Unworn Items: To return an unworn item for a refund, please package it in its original packaging and return it within 30 days. You are responsible for the cost of shipping the item back to us, and we recommend using a shipping method with tracking for your return. Please use the address label provided in your original shipment. We do our best to refund your credit card within 48 hours of receipt. After that, your bank may take between 2 and 10 days to credit your card.
Worn or Defective Items: Brooks products come with a no-questions-asked, 30-day satisfaction guarantee. If you are not completely satisfied, please call us at 1-800-227-6657 and we will replace or exchange your product free of charge. Please note that abuses to the exchange policy, such as abnormal wear and tear, are subject to Brooks' discretion. When used for its intended purposes, Brooks footwear has a life expectancy of 300 to 500 miles or three to six months.

So if you are a neutral runner and you are in the market for a cushiony, buttery smooth road shoe I highly recommend you check these out!

Happy Running!