Nike Avant

[Stoliker32]

Just saw the new nike avants in a new eastbay catalouge today. I had the lunar trainers and I'm now a big fan of the lunar foam. I was set on getting the lunarglides just because the lunar trainers didn't have enough support and made my shins hurt sometimes. But the avants seem to be a happy medium, but do they have basically the same sole as the lunarglides? I fear they wont be as good of a shoe just because they are $20 cheaper. Anybody tried them or heard more about them. I don't care about support because I'm a neutral runner, I just want a good shoe

[for rizzle]

Your mom was $20 cheaper than the chick next to her, but she was still very good.

[RFXCrunner]

Just saw the new nike avants in a new eastbay catalouge today. I had the lunar trainers and I'm now a big fan of the lunar foam. I was set on getting the lunarglides just because the lunar trainers didn't have enough support and made my shins hurt sometimes. But the avants seem to be a happy medium, but do they have basically the same sole as the lunarglides? I fear they wont be as good of a shoe just because they are $20 cheaper. Anybody tried them or heard more about them. I don't care about support because I'm a neutral runner, I just want a good shoe

The LunarGlide and Avant do not have any Lunar foam in them, FYI. They're using another system (A layered combo of two other foams they've been using for years) called Lunarlite. The Avant seems to be a cheapo version of the LunarGlide, neither of which are that similar to the Lunar Trainer.

If your shins hurt sometimes, you're likely not a neutral runner.

[runasaurus]

The LunarGlide and Avant do not have any Lunar foam in them, FYI. They're using another system (A layered combo of two other foams they've been using for years) called Lunarlite. The Avant seems to be a cheapo version of the LunarGlide, neither of which are that similar to the Lunar Trainer.

If your shins hurt sometimes, you're likely not a neutral runner.

no avant, but check these http://blog.runningwarehouse.com/?p=171

[Stoliker32]

The LunarGlide and Avant do not have any Lunar foam in them, FYI. They're using another system (A layered combo of two other foams they've been using for years) called Lunarlite. The Avant seems to be a cheapo version of the LunarGlide, neither of which are that similar to the Lunar Trainer.

If your shins hurt sometimes, you're likely not a neutral runner.

All the lunar series including the lunar trainers have the "lunarlite" logo on the midesole, so I don't know why they would be different. I had developed a bone bruise just on my right shin last spring and I've always worn neutral trainers, it's just that my asics nimbus felt better while I had an injury than did the lunar trainers, both are neutral just the lunar trainers have to support in the upper whatsoever.

[FishOil]

Lunar Racers are the best! They just like the lunar trainer except lighter, like half the weight

[FireontheTrack11]

The LunarGlide and Avant do not have any Lunar foam in them, FYI. They're using another system (A layered combo of two other foams they've been using for years) called Lunarlite. The Avant seems to be a cheapo version of the LunarGlide, neither of which are that similar to the Lunar Trainer.

If your shins hurt sometimes, you're likely not a neutral runner.

What, and what?

First of all, to reinforce what another poster said, the lunar racers themselves say "lunarlite" on the medial side. I do not know where this idea that lunarlite does not equal lunar foam, but I've heared it here as well as on letsrun. And until anyone proves otherwise, I think it's a massive misconception.

And second, I don't think being a neutral runner guarantees that you don't get issues like pain or soreness any more than any other foot strike/ level of pronation would. Obviously, excessive pronation can lead to strain on the front part of your shins, but biomechanics aren't magic and flawless, and none of them = no pain.

Edit: as far as the title topic goes, I'd love to learn more about the Avants, they're up there on the list of shoes I'd consider for my next pair, as I'm probably gonna go for something lighter. I was particularly happy to see a letsrun thread where someone said "the Avants are lighter and lower to the ground, and should not be worn for everyday training". Exactly the kind of testimony to the weight that I was hoping to hear.

Avants and Asics DS Trainers are on my list so far. idk which to go for, which probably won't be for a few months anyway.

[RFXCrunner]

What, and what?

First of all, to reinforce what another poster said, the lunar racers themselves say "lunarlite" on the medial side. I do not know where this idea that lunarlite does not equal lunar foam, but I've heared it here as well as on letsrun. And until anyone proves otherwise, I think it's a massive misconception.
A quote from the article posted above regarding the LunarGlide : "Another distinction for the LunarGlide+ is that it uses Phylon and Cushlon foams versus Phylon and LunarLite foams."

Via a Nike Rep: http://www.runningwarehouse.com/sneakpeek.html?ccode=SNEAK089 Notice no mention of Lunar Foam, because there is none.

The Lunarlite system does not use Lunar foam. There is no debate here.

And second, I don't think being a neutral runner guarantees that you don't get issues like pain or soreness any more than any other foot strike/ level of pronation would. Obviously, excessive pronation can lead to strain on the front part of your shins, but biomechanics aren't magic and flawless, and none of them = no pain.

True, but in most (90%+) cases, shin splints are caused by mild to moderate overpronation, coupled with old shoes, rapid increases in mileage or training load, etc. At the moment, I fit shoes for a living and I have yet to come across people who have suffered from true (medial) shin splints who aren't overpronators of one flavor or another. And I fit a lot of feet.

Being a neutral runner obviously doesn't guarantee you won't get injured, but overpronation dramatically increases the chances that you will. If someone has been suffering from shin splints, the odds are greatly in favor of that person being an overpronator.