text: I always recommend the 16's and the previous ones as the most outstanding running shoes.  I have run in them for 12 years.  Being a little narrower in the forefoot, the major problem on the 17's is the wavy plastic supports in the sole are made of different material and different in shape.  The 18's are the same as the 17's.  I don't like them either; they give me some small problems here and there besides numb toes.  I don't recommend wave rider anymore.