GlideRide Max 2

I ran a half marathon, plenty of long runs and short runs in the GlideRide Max 2. This is a narrow-profile shoe. I think it will suit maybe four out of ten runners, not the majority who want that soft, wow feeling the moment they step in. It is made for long runs, and I see it as the Nimbus with the extra stability and energy return the Nimbus lacks. The midsole is dual density. The green top layer is FF Blast Max, soft and bouncy where your foot lands. The bottom layer is FF Blast Plus Eco, made firmer for stability and durability. There is an EVA plate inside, and the stack is massive at 46 mm at the heel and 40 mm at the forefoot. The rocker is the big feature. Only this shoe and the Saucony Azura have made me feel a rocker this strongly. Toe-off is very smooth, and I did not need to bend my foot. It is very stable, with none of the high-heel wobble people complain about in the Nimbus. The problem is energy. I weigh 70 to 72 kg and tested it from 5:30 to 7:30/km. At 6:00 to 7:00/km there was no responsiveness and no energy return. Below 6:00/km it came alive a little, but that came from the rocker, not the foam. The upper is a big improvement on the first version, which was very thick. It now uses a thin, soft, breathable woven mesh, with a gusseted tongue, thick padding and a heel counter. I am completely satisfied with the upper and I love the minimal design. The shoe runs small and the rocker felt odd when I tried it in the store, so I went half a size up, and it fits perfectly. The hybrid outsole mixes ASICSGRIP with AHAR, with thicker rubber in the high-wear areas. Grip is top-notch on normal surfaces and above average in the wet. I would not take it for short runs of 5 to 12 km, because I have much better shoes for that. It suits three profiles. First, heavy runners over 90 kg who find the Nimbus too soft and want a firm rocker shoe. Second, runners at 4:30 to 5:30/km who finish a marathon in about three to three and a half hours and want a firm, stable long-run shoe without a carbon plate. Third, walking. When I had plantar fasciitis, rocker shoes were what I wore, and this is one of the best walking shoes I have used. At ₹17,000 to ₹18,000 it needs to be more energetic, peppier and softer to be worth the money. I would not buy it again, because at that price I have many better options for my profile.