Smaller Shoes Brands, but Better Quality
Over the years finding a good quality fitness shoe has been a challenge. I use to be able to stick with the same brand and style of shoe and it was consistent. But within the last year, I found that not to be the case and was really disappointed in the lack of quality and consistency with big name brands. So after IdeaWorld Fitness conference my goal was to search to smaller, up and coming brands and try their shoes out to find my NEW favorite shoe to work out in. I asked and took a poll on Facebook, asked local fitness professionals and searched the web in search of the perfect Glass Slipper to fit my Cinderella Foot!
What I was looking for in my shoe search:
1. A good arch
2. A shoes able to do multi-fitness disciplines
3. Comfort (I have wide feet and so many women’s shoes are SO narrow)
4. Light weight
On my way back from Las Vegas, I sat next to a gentleman who was a vender at the fitness conference and we got talking shoes. I told him my experience with shoes and he felt the same way and shared with me about 361 Shoe Company he said that the more and more he travels around to different fitness conferences and trainings that more trainers and athletes are starting to wear 361. So I knew the first company I was going to try.
I reached out to them and got 2 shoes. These are the 361- KGM2! These are a running and triathlon shoe, very light weight. I wasn’t sure how I would like these since they were made for just running and I don’t run much, so I was worried I wouldn’t be able to put these to their full potential. BUT wrong, this summer I started jogging a little more with some of my clients and with our dog. I guess the universe was hinting to me to run more! =) So I used these to run hill sprints and when I ran on dog which was all on pavement. I never thought anything could make me start running, but our dog did, that is a whole other blog post there…hehehe.
361 Soul Mate 2 are the other pair I tried from 361. I feel like these shoes were created just for me…haha. The color is my favorite color and designed is for everything I need, multi-surface, cross-training, being able to make quick changes in direction with proper support. I have used these shoes for many types of workouts; HIIT workouts, Strong by Zumba, short distance jogging, functional training with Brute Force Sandbags and crossfit style workouts.
The last shoe I got was from York Athletics Mfg, The Henry Mid this shoe company was recommended to me by a local owner/boxing guru at Beautifully Savage Joe Buckner. He has been around the fitness industry and tried so many shoes himself that these are his current favorites. So I figured I would try them out and give them a go! I have used these shoes for many types of workouts as well from; HIIT workouts, Strong by Zumba, short distance jogging, functional training with Brute Force Sandbags and crossfit style workouts.
