Good running shoes

hesn92

Recently I hurt my foot running. Ball of my foot. It hurt for a good month and a half to 2 months. I think it's finally healed and I want to start running again, however I want good running shoes. I'm wondering if my POS nikes are partly to blame?? A friend of mine said to get brooks or something like that? Need suggestions. I don't want to spend more than $100 or so...
Please/thank you

beccamh

Try to find a local running store. Bring your old shoes, they can check the wear on the bottoms and watch you run on a treadmill to figure out your best shoe options. I would say price range would be anywhere from $80-$130 but if you tell them you have a budget of $100 they should be able to find something for you!

Good look and happy running

cheshirecatastrophe

The best running shoe is the one that fits your foot. Solid brands include Brooks, Asics, Saucony, New Balance, Mizuno, even Nike. If you are dead-set on not breaking $100, look for something that feels comfortable in those brands at DSW, which carries their lower-end shoes. Right now Zappos.com has some of last year's models (in Brooks at least, which rolls over to a new year/new colors in January) on sale in a pretty good range of sizes, too. The good sizes are running out of stock at the running stores.

Some people will advise getting a proper shoe fitting at a running store. If you're just out there a couple times a week for normal-people (non marathoner) mileage, I would consider this optional. It would also bump you into the quality/price range of 100-130.

The key, in EITHER case, will be not wearing them past the point they are worn out.

ETA: I wear the Brooks Ravenna for road and treadmill and Saucony Xodus for trail. Asics simply do not fit my foot right no matter how cute I think they are.

gabbo34

beccamh wrote: »

Try to find a local running store. Bring your old shoes, they can check the wear on the bottoms and watch you run on a treadmill to figure out your best shoe options. I would say price range would be anywhere from $80-$130 but if you tell them you have a budget of $100 they should be able to find something for you!

Good look and happy running

Agree with this. Get fit and find the shoe that works for you. Then ignore what other people are wearing. What's good for someone else may cause nothing but issues for you.

Last year's model is always a good way to save money, usually the differences are minor.

hesn92

Does dicks have someone in the shoe dept that can size your feet and make a good suggestion?? I don't know of any running stores around here

gabbo34

Dicks actually sells a lot of the models you'll find in running stores. But it's unless you get lucky, it's unlikely the person working in the shoe department is as knowledgeable as someone in a running store.

I've heard there are some online places like runningwarehouse that'll do a video gait analysis...

It may be a bit of PITA, but better than getting injured. (been there and got the t-shirt)

cheshirecatastrophe

I sent you a PM about running stores.

That said, I have been injured running in professionally-fitted shoes, and found the Ravennas kind of on my own. They've been fantastic for me. So I am slightly more of the "pick something that feels comfortable, and replace them often" school.

diegops1

If you are in a big enough city to have a Dick's, you probably have a good running or outdoor sports store. Look there instead of Dick's. Usually the big chains hire minimum wage people with minimum knowledge. You can find good shoes for under a $100 if you figure out what you need and look for sales. I wear a size 14 to 15 medium and I supinate. It took years for me to realize that I supinate and to find Brooks' Ghost model. They are usually $110 to $120 and I buy them for $75 to $90 on sale. Find the appropriate shoe. Also find out why and how you hurt your foot. This is important. As the new age gurus used to say, "Your feet are your understanding."

diegops1

You are only 28 miles from Kansas City and 29 miles from Overland Park, KS. There will be several good stores in those cities. Here's one in KC that looks good http://www.garrygribbles.com

I have to drive 65 miles to the nearest city of only 58,000 and they have an REI. I can find good on sale shoes there, but now that I have found the shoe I need, I usually buy them online. Brooks even sends me email notices of factory sales.

Plus, if you have a specific foot problem a store that specializes in running can help you identify it and get the professional help you need to solve the problem.

sarafischbach9

When i was dumb and new, I bought Fila running shoes from Kohls. They were fine at first for the shorter distances I did but once I began doing training for half and full marathons they didn't last. I had to replace them when there was something poking me from the shoe as I ran. I always had bloody socks To this day I am happy that was the worst of it, but i wish I was smarter.

I like Adidas so far. I did have a pair of Nike shoes, but I hated them. I also tried a budget Saucony which didn't work for me either. ( although I'm sure if I bought a more expensive pair they would be better ) Right now I'm running on Adidas Marathon 10 NG and doing my shorter runs on the Adidas Duramo 6. I even had a pair of Sketchers that were fine for short runs.

As far as shoes go, they go by your arch ( I have flat feet ) and how you pronate. Some people overpronate. Others don't have that issue. And also they go by how often you run... short distances vs long distances, or if you are a speed person.

A shoe store specializing in shoes can help you out. Some put you on a treadmill and analyze your run. In my area, we have Second Sole in Ohio.

And sometimes when injured, it isn't the shoes

Someone mentioned the Brooks Ravenna being good. I haven't ran in them, but they look awesome.

Also make sure your shoes are not too loose. Everyone has certain preferences of fit, but if mine gets loose, my stupid tendon hurts.

beemerphile1

"Runner's World" does shoe testing annually I believe. See if you can find it online. They will describe the different types of shoes for different types of runners.

arussell134

Spending $100 or even $120 for shoes is cheaper than the cost of medical intervention and being sidelined from injuries. I figure, running can be a pretty cheap sport. But I will not compromise on shoes.

Second/third/fourth the commentors that said to get fitted at a professional running store.

1234usmc

I am on my second pair of Brooks Ghost. I think they have really helped with my shin splints.

hesn92

Thanks everyone. I think I will go ahead and go to a running store. Im a little scared/embarrassed to run on a treadmill in front of these people and have them analyse my run but I guess if it's the best way to get the right shoes then I'll have to get over it!

cheshirecatastrophe

hesn92 wrote: »

Thanks everyone. I think I will go ahead and go to a running store. Im a little scared/embarrassed to run on a treadmill in front of these people and have them analyse my run but I guess if it's the best way to get the right shoes then I'll have to get over it!

It's their job.

Just a heads up, the running stores I've been to don't have treadmills--you get to do a lap around the parking lot.

amgreenwell

Running store can help you and letting them know your budget is a must!! I spent over $100 on one pair i have (saucony) and have no regrets in doing so. I found another pair on sale on amazon so I bought those for about $60. just search online once you find something, especially if the shoe store is too high.

lishie_rebooted

arussell134 wrote: »

Spending $100 or even $120 for shoes is cheaper than the cost of medical intervention and being sidelined from injuries. I figure, running can be a pretty cheap sport. But I will not compromise on shoes.

Second/third/fourth the commentors that said to get fitted at a professional running store.

As someone who has been in physical therapy for a year and half, good shoes & good form are key.

jrline

As others have said go to a local running store they can analyze your gait and get you into the right shoe. I have gotten some awesome deals at my local store on last years models.

LiveForTheWilderness

Head to your local running store, for sure. I did and replaced my crap Nikes for a pair of Brooks Adrenaline 14s that drastically improved my gait and fixed some knee pain that I was having.

m_wilh

I just bought the Brooks brand after New Year's. I have ALWAYS had trouble running due to foot issues. So far, I have had NONE with the Brooks. If there is a store near you that employees those who are trained to watch the way you walk/run, I would go there and see what they suggest. The particular store I went to employees trained runners. They watched me walk/run and suggested the Brooks or the Saucony. After trying on about six pairs that were suggested as their recommendations for me, I whittled them down to which pair felt the best. Don't go for how pretty or what color they are. Go with how they feel. I didn't get the prettiest pair but they have worked GREAT! No issues thus far and I've been running on this pair for a month. They've got over 30 miles on them thus far so if I were going to have issues, I'd have run into them by now.

m_wilh

Forgot to mention, if you're having trouble with your feet, try a putting water into a 16 oz. plastic soft drink bottle and freezing it. Then roll it back and forth on the bottoms of your feet several times a day.

bwogilvie

Some recent research (which Owen Anderson discusses in Running Science, and Alex Hutchinson in Which Comes First, Cardio or Weights?) indicates the following:

- Pronation-specific footwear doesn't do very much for most runners
- Runners with strong brand loyalty are more likely to be injured than runners who buy shoes from several brands or choose shoes based on their style. (Presumably, shoes from the same brand have designs that exacerbate biomechanical imperfections in some runners' gaits, leading to injury; changing brands takes care of that.)

Based on that research, I would suggest trying several kinds of shoes and buying the ones that feel most comfortable within your budget, without worrying whether they are motion-control, stability, or neutral. Then, when they wear out, replace them with a different brand. If you really get into running seriously, get a second pair (different brand) and alternate them. I currently have 3 pairs of shoes: one with 249 miles on it, one with 113 miles, and one with 44 miles.

Other tips for shoe shopping: your feet swell during the day and when you run, so shop for running shoes in the late afternoon or evening; otherwise they might be too tight. Bring a pair of the socks you normally run in. And if at all possible, try walking or running downhill in them, to make sure your toes have enough room.

Doublearr

A good pair of running shoes will save your knees, feet and joints later on in life. If you are an avid runner then like an avid cyclist you have to open up the wallet a bit wider to ensure success. A good pair of running shoes should have no price limit.

diegops1

So far none of us have mentioned the life expectancy of running shoes. I expect to get about 350 to 400 miles on mine. That means I buy about 3 to 4 pairs a year. This matters because the shoes will break down physically as you use them. It is not just the soles that wear down, all of the support features deteriorate with use. As some others have said, good shoes are cheaper than doctors and physical therapists.

WhatMeRunning

I found it hard to bite down and spend the money on the good running shoes (I use Brooks Glycerine 12's), but after having to sit out a month of running on a pair of supposedly great New Balance 680v2's for under $100, I decided that the downtime was more costly to me than the extra cash to get the $160 Brooks.

May not work the same for everyone, but that logic sure is working for me.

WhatMeRunning

Make sure you get fit for some shoes, and test out at least half a dozen that are recommended for you. Pick the ones you think feel best as you run around the store. Make sure you understand the return policy and take them back if they give you trouble.

searsvls

Go to Road Runner Sports online. I have ordered from them for over ten years. There is a Shoe Dog tool that tells you what kind you should buy. You put in your weight, miles per week, type of foot (dip your feet into water and then take a few steps barefooted on cardboard to tell), etc... It will give you a list of shoes appropriate for you. They always seem to be on point.

Codefox

If you're not putting huge mileage on your shoes every month, they could easily last you 6 or 8 months. 350 - 400 miles for a low mileage runner is probably just fine on a shoe. Your priorities need to be:

1. Fit
2. Price
3. Style

Just find what sort of shoe you need, then try all the shoes that meet that need. $80 to buy a shoe that doesn't keep you from getting injured is $80 wasted. $110 could mean a shoe that keeps you healthy and running. But there are plenty of good shoes out there. Try on all the shoes that meet your need, don't look at price, and eliminate the ones you don't like.

Then take the cheapest of the ones you do.

gotolam

You can get a pair of last year's Kinvara's on Amazon for about 60 bucks. Best deal there is imo.

I went to the running store at everyone's urging and find it a little suspicious that everyone walks away from there with a pair of Brooks. Call me skeptical, but I can't believe that Brooks is the right brand every time for every style of runner. I also didn't get the sense that the guy was any kind of an expert and looking at anything other than pronation. Waste of time imo.

indygal76

I am on my second pair of Brooks Ravenna 5. I love them! I have used Asics in the past too. I would suggest like all the others have, go to a running store and have someone fit you. It will save money in the long run (injuries & etc).

Roxiegirl2008

searsvls wrote: »

Go to Road Runner Sports online. I have ordered from them for over ten years. There is a Shoe Dog tool that tells you what kind you should buy. You put in your weight, miles per week, type of foot (dip your feet into water and then take a few steps barefooted on cardboard to tell), etc... It will give you a list of shoes appropriate for you. They always seem to be on point.

Like others have said go to a local running store and getting fitted. My personal shoe of choice is Brooks Adrenaline GTS. I have tried different brands and found that the other brands did not work for me. Everyone is different. I figure if is isn't broken don't fix it.

I love Road Runner Sports. They have a great return policy and if you are a VIP member you can save even more on shoes. I bought my first pair of shoes from the store that fit me and now get them from Road Runner.

Good luck and happy running!