I’ve been familiar with this shoe for a very long time. I’ve worn every single version of the Dyad even though the shoes look like giant bricks on my feet. Sexy? No, these are not. Yeah, more or less the Dyad hasn’t been a pretty shoe. It’s like going back in time. They seem to engulf the entire foot. At one of the SWAT school try-outs I attended, my classmates ridiculed my shoes to no end. The entire class had the high-speed, light-profile shoes on, weighing anywhere from 6.5 to 11 ounces. My shoes were heavier than those. My consolation was kicking dirt in their faces every time I looped the track and finished in first place.

This is a stable, motion control shoe. For a guy like me with flat-feet the size of Frodo Baggins, and not unlike pizza-pans, I appreciated the useful crash pad to cushion my running. Weird. I pronate a lot but I’m able to run in most anything; bare foot, sandals, zero-drop, or higher heel sizes. I have always preferred the cushioning from the Dyads when I went on my long, Sunday runs and especially use them when I’m tired. The new version no longer looks like the motion control shoe called the Brooks Beast.

First Impressions

The new Dyad model no longer looks like grandpa’s shoes. The chunkiness is gone. There has been a slight weight reduction. They also dressed up their ugly blue/gray color with something more inline with the rest of the fashionable footwear. The old Dyads also had a sliding tongue problem. I was curious to try them out.

Hitting the Streets 

Ah. Nice motion control gear! And it is definitely a cushioned-type shoe. I recall why I liked the shoe. The shoe is meant for those with sausage sized toes like mine. Basically the wide amount of toe-box given can easily accommodate a range of forefoot shapes. Those who have experienced lateral foot discomfort when trying on running shoes that are too narrow will note these will take away the abrasion effect. These shoes are comfortable.

I also recommend these for people who are tall and heavy. Over the years I have fitted hundreds of people in the Dyad, particularly the wider versions, and mostly those with D or EE sizes.

Let’s look at the shoe: The new version is lighter and weighs around 2 pounds. The heel and footbed retain their flexibility even with the wide heel designed particularly for cushioning and comfort. The Omega flex grooves guide the foot forward through a natural cycle, and the caterpillar crash pad allows a smooth heel strike. The outsole is abrasion resistant due to rubber construction while the midsole is flexibility and adaptive. Pretty much the shoe provides more flex the more pressure you exert on it. I also liked the fact that there is room to insert orthotics with minimal supination or pronation. I like to insert Super feet into them but please try what brand works for you.

Pros

This is a great purchase. You get a lot of shoe for about $110 bucks. It is somewhat light-weight, fits well, and has excellent cushioning properties. They can be worn with orthotics and for hours on end. If you want a stabilizing shoe then give these a try. Those who are in various stages of rehabilitation or novice runners will likely find the most benefit. This model will help stabilize the feet and help you correct your range of motion.

Flat-footed runners who need more cushioning on the bottom of their feet will like this shoe. This is good for those who want to take the pressure off their heels and backs.

The tongue sliding problem has been corrected.

Better looking color.

Good for Cushioning, Neutral runners, Comfort, High mileage, Road running,

Cons

They aren’t the trendiest looking shoe. But if your goal is solely running and not fashion then give these a try.

The shoe strings are a bit too long.

The shoe is one of the heaviest on the market and feels cumbersome for an experienced runner. Those with a heavy heel strike report the shoe feel like it slaps flat-footed and down rather than rolls across the ground. Is this bad? No, for those who are less experienced, the cushioned and supporting feel is good.

Those with higher arches should skip the Dyad.

Not a lot of dual function. I do not recommend using this shoe for anything other than running.

Overall

Good price, great cushioning, good for heavy runners and those in need of wider shoes, good for neutral runners or pronaters and lastly best for novices.

Product Scores

Functionality: 2.5/5

Weight: 3/5

Durability: 5/5

Cost: 5/5

Comfort: 5/5