Great cushioned training shoe for a heavy runner with neutral body mechanics!
I just had two pair of these Glycerin StealthFit 20 shoes in the blue/ebony/lime color delivered. I'll start with some background information and then get into the shoes.I'm called a "Clydesdale" runner. That's a runner over 180 lbs. I'm 6'0" tall and about 202 lbs. So those thin, light, race shoes are not for me. I want protection and cushioning that can support my weight and prevent overuse injuries. I also have pretty much perfect body mechanics. I don't over or under pronate. My shoes always wear evenly side to side and forefoot / heel. And lastly I have that common "medium" arch, not high, not flat footed.I'm also doing training runs for fitness and health or lifting weights. I'm not a racer any longer. I run a mix of asphalt and forest trails. So I wanted something that won't show the effects of dirt and mud too badly.I also have a long history with Brooks because over the years they have sort of targeted the "Clydesdale" runners with shoes like the Beast. Brooks shoes have always worked well for me in terms of lifespan, durability, outsole wear, and injury prevention. But so have Asics and New Balance.I always buy shoes 2 pair at a time so I can alternate the shoes. That tends to give me a couple of years of use before the shoes get demoted to lawn mowing duty.So what about these Glycerin StealthFit 20 shoes. I usually wear a size 11D (medium width) so that's what I ordered here. The fit is perfect, no issues. These are a max cushioning shoe for neutral runners with no body mechanics issues. But they feel very stable and supportive. The forefoot is pretty wide. The arch feels fine for my medium arches.All the professional reviews and lab testing I read indicated that this shoe has a LOT of cushioning in the midsole but they said it's firmer and less pillowy than the average max cushioning shoe. I have to agree. The midsole is stiffer right out of the box that the Asics Gel Nimbus these are replacing. There's definitely a lot of protective cushioning but it's firm. I'm hoping that translates into the midsole not degrading as fast or as much over time so the shoe remains more consistent over time and miles. Also, because these are a generation or two old design, they look less like the current generation of max cushioning shoes with clown shoe levels of midsole thickness that it seems every manufacturer has moved to. That was high on my list of criteria.One nice surprise is the "StealthFit" design of the upper. It's more like a sock fit thing with no tongue, just a side to side stretch gusset and a really tight elastic seal around the foot. That should mean a lot less chance of dirt and small rocks getting into the shoe on trail runs.Breathing and comfort in hot weather should not be a problem. The upper is a mesh stretch material with a really open mesh on the top of the foot. These seem like they will handle sweat really well. Not so great for water intrusion though.As for looks, the blue/ebony/lime color is exactly what I wanted. The upper is a sort of blue denim color that's a little mottled like camouflage. The midsole is just all black. So they look like they'll handle trail crud well without looking too dinged up. And the look is pretty low key so you can easily wear these casually with a pair of jeans and not look like you're wearing some weird over the top athletic shoe.Hope this helps you make a decision.