Brooks Defyance 5

These were selected for me by a run specialist in a local running shop here in Brooklyn. After watching me run on the treadmill, she suggested that I could use a shoe with light support. I purchased these and proceeded to do a runner's no-no by running a half marathon just two weeks later -- but they felt great! I would definitely recommend these to someone who tends to pronate slightly and could use subtle correction. I got a size 9, usually wear an 8.5, and was looking for some more room in the toe for those longer distances. Interestingly, these are almost the exact same fit as my Adidas 8.5 -- so I think they may run a little small...but not sure. Either way, they were quite comfortable during my half!

I have to be in a Defyance shoe for 4 years (since the 3) because I am a 10 narrow and have orthotics. That being said, the 5 is better than the 4 as it has more toe room and I get a slightly different and better strike pattern. I seem to drag my one heel with the 4's. Also the colors are much prettier in person. I think with time I will love them just as much as my original Defyance 3's.

I'd also recommend: Puma, Birkenstock, Think!

First let me say I've never owned a pair of Brooks; I'm not even sure I had heard of them before I found them on Zappos. At the beginning of this year my physical therapist recommended Asics Nimbus for their great cushioning because I have bad knees and walk on a hard hospital floor all day long. She recommended Zappos as a place to buy them as I was having a hard time finding them. I bought a half size bigger but they still did not fit that well and hurt my feet a little even after getting used to them. But after wearing them all my other sport shoes felt like I had concrete blocks on my feet. So I was looking on Zappos for a shoe that had great cushioning but hopefully would fit better. I started looking at Brooks. They had my size; which is 10.5W. I liked a lot of their colors and styles but they don't have 10.5w or 11w in a lot of them. I decided to try them after reading some reviews which were very positive. I ordered an 11w feeling I would probably need it. I love them. They fit me better than any sport shoe I have bought in the last several years. Looking at them I was afraid the cushioning might not be as good as the Nimbus but I think it is. They are super comfortable and I wear them at work and never once did they hurt my feet even while I was getting used to them. I have definitely found a new brand (for me) that I will come back to. I hope their quality stays this good because when I need some new shoes I'm going to get more Brooks -- I probably won't even look at anything else. In fact I like them so much I bought a pair for my sister for Christmas because she said she wished she could find some new good shoes. I got her regular size and they fit her. She loves them too and is using them to train for her next marathon. And what can I say about Zappos? I think they are awesome. I get my order in a day and a half. Their site makes it so easy to find what you are looking for without having to look at a lot of stuff you're not interested in and wasting you're time.

My second pair of this great shoe. One of my ankles pronates. Brooks has turned out to be the only shoe that keeps my step stable. (I use an off-the-rack orthotic with it.) The wide size accommodates my bunion. The Brooks Addiction Walker opens up a little more at the toes, but the Defyance is lighter and overall fits very well.