Practice what you preach. So we bought a pair of Adidas M3 running shoes at our own Morning Deals suggestion, only $44.90 at Amazon (sold out). We found comparible versions $55 and up at Shopzilla.

The synthetic mesh and leather outerlayer bode well for durability and breathability and the carbon outersole will take many miles of pavement pounding without a dent. Pretty darn light, too. But what’s that giant honeycomb wedge?

The defining feature of the Adidas A3 running line is the proprietary “A3 plate.” The spring it grants doesn’t come free, the enforced extension exploited our calf tendons as fulcrums, an effect that will hopefully be mitigated as we defatify.

A full run around Prospect Park in Brooklyn earned us some blisters but that’s to be expected and welcomed. Footwear that puts up a fight gives better support and the actual cushioning in the long run. After settling into a warm stride, the shoe rode smooth with traction, responsiveness and alacrity.

Overall, we’re quite pleased with both the quality and price of our purchase, even if it is probably the strangest looking thing we’ve ever willingly put on our foot.

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