By Chase Williams
In 2011 Saucony introduced their Cortana line of shoes as a lightweight trainer that can be used daily. Over the past three years this shoe has become one of my favorite shoes to rotate. I tend to rotate at least three to five pairs at a time as this helps keep your legs really fresh. With injury plaguing my summer running plans, I needed new motivation to get outside and log some mileage for a team relay called the Tuna Run 200 that was coming in the fall. My left heel/planter had been giving me issues so I decided to give the Saucony Cortana 3 a shot and slide a black Superfeet insert to give me a little more support throughout the foot.
What makes the Cortana so comfortable are some key technologies that include Sauc-fit, which feels just like a sock. I find for my shorter runs I prefer not even to use a sock, I just run barefoot to have more of a connection to the ground. Another feature is the HydraMax Collar Lining, which combines superior moisture wicking properties with a plush feel for comfort. This means it doesn’t hold moisture in the shoe and keeps your feet comfortable and dry. The Powergrid technology is what Saucony uses as the midsole material and is also used in their high-end cushioned shoes. This material is super spongy and offers long-lasting cushioned responsiveness. Last, it uses IBR+ Blown Rubber XT-900 Carbon Rubber for the outsole material; this material is extremely durable, and I find it to be tackier while running on wet surfaces.
The Cortana 3 reminds me of a beefier and more durable version of the Saucony Kinvara series. Even though the Kinvara is a great shoe, it’s not meant for tons of mileage. It’s more of your tempo/speed workout running shoe. The Cortana 3 is the best of both worlds: still light enough to do your speed work but durable enough to handle your 10-15 mile runs. The men’s model weighs 9.5 ounces and the women’s model weighs 8.4 ounces.
Most of the shoes I run in have a 6 mm heel-to-toe drop offset or less. The Cortana 3 is right at 4 mm, which helps induce more of a mid-foot strike. The larger the heel-to-toe drop in a shoe, the more you start to rely on the heel for shock absorption as you get tired and fatigued. Your mechanics break down and you start landing farther back and overstriding. The Cortana is ideal for mid-foot strikers and runners looking to transition to more minimal models with less risk of injury.
The only bad experience I’ve had with the Cortana was on a rainy day. The original insoles tend to bunch up and slide around when things get too wet. This was another reason why replacing the insoles with black Superfeet insoles was a big hit. This shouldn’t be a problem unless you’re running through a monsoon! It is worth noting that this probably would have happened in any shoe.
Superfeet has been in business since 1977 and has been one of the leading insole companies in the running specialty industry for the last five years. Superfeet’s premise is that there are three key properties to every insole. The first is a structured heel cup, which encapsulates and positions the soft tissue under the heel, while maximizing natural shock absorption. The second is rear foot support. The support you feel toward the back of your arch and the front of your heel is the distinct Superfeet shape stabilizing the rear foot. The third is the firm stabilization: A firm foam layer and a stabilizer cap combine to create the supportive shape that Superfeet is famous for. For more information check out http://www.superfeet.com/en-us/why-superfeet#the-science.
Any person who has worked retail understands why I wouldn’t even consider running in the same shoe I had stood in all day at work. So I am willing to try anything to make my foot pain go away. Superfeet has taken a lot of my pain away and has allowed me to continue to maintain the weekly mileage that I like. Superfeet come in many different options to help with most foot issues you may have. There are different color options that are meant for high, medium, and low arches as well as different types of footwear. The black insole that I use is meant for more low-profile fitting footwear like the Saucony Cortana 3 or possibly track spikes.
All Superfeet come with a 60-day wear-and-tear warranty that allows the customer to really test them out. If you don’t like them after 60 days, you can return them at no cost. Most versions retail at $39.99, which I believe is very inexpensive for the gains in performance and comfort. The Saucony Cortana 3 is priced on the higher side but still worth the cost at $159.99. If you’re looking for your next shoe or are in need of a quick foot issue fix, I would recommend the Saucony Cortana 3 and the Superfeet insoles.
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Chase Williams is the running manager at Inside Out Sports in Cary, North Carolina, and has been running competitively for eight years. He is a two- time All-American in track and field and also was a member of the North Carolina high school relay team that has the 4X800 meter state record. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he ran cross country and track. He has been working in the retail run industry for over four years, where he has tested footwear brands to the fullest. You can reach him at chase@insideoutsports.com.
