I switched from stiff padded shoes to these.  At first I was disappointed because I had to work twice as hard to go half as far.  I had to cut down on distance and frequency for a while, because my legs, not my shoes, were doing all the work.  After a month, I am still not up to my prior distance, but I can see and feel the difference in my legs. If you are only interested in speed and distance, get some padded shoes.  But if you run to be strong and fit, get these.