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Up to Threads in Equipment and Gear
328 Views 4 Replies Latest reply: Feb 16, 2013 11:01 AM by deanscox RSS
deanscox Pro
deanscox
102 posts since
Jan 3, 2012
Currently Being Moderated

Feb 11, 2013 3:36 PM

Nike ZM Elite 6 ow ow ow owwwwwwwwwwwww!

I put over 400 miles on my Nike Lunarfly 2's....probably about 100 too many, but I LOVED this shoe....I went to my local, highly specialized, running store and talked with them about how much I love the Lunarfly 2  Unfortunately, Nike discontinued the shoe.    The staff  brought out several for me to try on, and I finally settled on the ZM Elite 6.   Big mistake for me.  Over the past week and 30 miles, my hips, knees, ankles, calves....can you say entire legs....major pain!!!!   When I stand up after sitting for a while, I hobble for the first 10 steps.   I am taking 3 days off to recover, and thankfully found a website offering new, old stock, Lunarflies  for about 70 bucks including shippining.

 

There has to be a better way to find shoes and stay in a style and type that work well.   I am thinking of buying up every Lunarfly 2 in my size that I can find.

 

Any thoughts on this hit and miss process of finding the right shoes?

  • crl8686 Legend
    crl8686
    1,275 posts since
    Nov 11, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    1. Feb 11, 2013 10:40 PM (in response to deanscox)
    Nike ZM Elite 6 ow ow ow owwwwwwwwwwwww!

    The fact is that running shoe companies are always altering their existing models, starting up new models, and discontinuing older ones. The only reliable solution I have found is to always own two different styles (preferably from two different manufacturers) that fit me well. The two models can have very similar features, but then I always have a good backup option on hand if one of the models is discontinued or changed negatively.

     

    Buying up all the available shoes in your size would work...problem is, only for a limited time. Eventually you will deplete your stock, whether via actual use or via shelf life degradation, and then you're back to square one.




    "...I've learned that you shouldn't compare yourself to the best others can do, but to the best you can do....I've learned that you can keep going long after you think you can't..." --- author unknown

    2013 highlights...

    @ 5K: Ontario Mills 5K, Ontario, CA, 24:42

    Heart of the City Run, Los Angeles, CA, 24:13

    Bruin 5K Run at UCLA, Westwood, CA, 24:54

    @ 10K: LA Chinatown Firecracker 10K, Los Angeles, CA, 51:42

    The Great Race - Old Agoura 10K, Agoura Hills, CA, 51:12



  • lenzlaw Community Moderator
    lenzlaw
    9,942 posts since
    Jan 18, 2008
    Currently Being Moderated
    2. Feb 12, 2013 6:46 AM (in response to deanscox)
    Re: Nike ZM Elite 6 ow ow ow owwwwwwwwwwwww!

    The Zoom Elite 6 appears to have very similar characteristics to the LunarFly 2, so it's not clear why they bothered you so much.  OTOH, the LunarFly 2 is at least a 2 year old shoe (2010 vintage), which makes me wonder if you recently increased your mileage.  400 miles over 2 years or so is not a lot and certainly not 30 miles per week. At any rate, reputable running stores will usually take shoes back if they cause as many problems as you've had in such a short time.

     

    Len




    Len

  • deanscox Pro
    deanscox
    102 posts since
    Jan 3, 2012
    Currently Being Moderated
    3. Feb 12, 2013 1:09 PM (in response to lenzlaw)
    Re: Nike ZM Elite 6 ow ow ow owwwwwwwwwwwww!

    Hi Len:

     

    Those are good points.   I traded some emails with Nike and their answers are below.  Apparently there is are major differences between the two shoe models' construction.  I ,too, though the looked a great deal similar in construction at lease form the outside.   I have only been running a year.   I started using the C25K plan last Feb in an very old pair of Asics that I had in the back of the closet.  Nasty shin splits drove me to finding the LunarFlys - I got them at a big Nike outlet.   My weekley mileage is 25-30 mile per week now and I am having fun.

     

    Luckily I was still able to find some LunarFly's on the web.

     

    For anyone who cares, here is what a staffmember at Nike wrote me:

     

    "Hello Dean,

    There are radical differences between our Nike Zoom Elite 6 and our Nike LunarFly+ 2. The differences are within the Nike technologies incorporated into the making of each shoe.

    The Zoom Elite 6 features Nike Zoom cushioning, because this is incredibly thin, it brings the foot closer to the ground and enhances stability, especially during quick cuts and multi-directional movements. After impact, the tightly stretched fibers inside the pressurized air unit quickly bounce back into shape, providing a super-responsive feel and improved awareness of the surface you're playing on. For more information regarding this Nike technology, please visit the link below.

    http://help-en-us.nike.com/app/answers/detail/article/product-technology-zoom/a_id/35454/p/3897

    The LunarFly+ 2 features Lunarlon cushioning with dynamic support midsole architecture for a class-leading blend of cushioning and adaptive support. This shoe has a soft, yet resilient foam core encased within a supportive foam carrier for lightweight, ultra-plush cushioning, springy response and support. This innovative foam, invented at Nike and 30 percent lighter than traditional Phylon, allows the force of impact to be more evenly distributed and helps reduce painful pressure points on your foot. For more information regarding this Nike technology, please visit the link below.

    http://help-en-us.nike.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/34766/p/3897

  • deanscox Pro
    deanscox
    102 posts since
    Jan 3, 2012
    Currently Being Moderated
    4. Feb 16, 2013 11:01 AM (in response to deanscox)
    Nike ZM Elite 6 ow ow ow owwwwwwwwwwwww!

    Back in LunarFly 2's!    Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

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