HELP!! Buying New Running Shoes!

PHStevenson

Ok, So the old shoes I used to run it are way past time to get new ones. They started hurting my feet and I ended up hurting both ankles. Soooo, now that my ankles are feeling better I am looking into getting a new pair of running shoes that won't hurt my ankles. I have been told to look at Saucony and Adidas. Any other suggestions? Any certain type of shoes?

Thanks in advance for your help!

FitFitzy331

Go to a speciality running store and have a gait analysis peformed. They will give you options and then you can decide what's best for you. Don't trust anyone online or in a big general sports store to tell you which shoe is right for your feet.

BrianSharpe

Do you have a running specialty store where you live? Your best bet is to have them analyze your gait (so you get the correct type of shoe - neutral, stability etc) and to try a selection of shoes on. While you can't really go wrong as far as quality is concerned between any of the major brands you will find significant differences in fit (heel width, toe box size etc). What works for me may not work for you.....

wolfgate

Do you have a local running specialty store? Not a big box like Dick's but a true running store? Go there. They are trained to help you find the right shoe for your body. You are different from the people you spoke to. You need to find out if your gait is neutral, overpronates, supinates. Different types of shoes for different runners.

Lots of good brands. Saucony, Adidas, Brooks, Nike, and many others. The store will have them all.

lishie_rebooted

FitFitzy331 wrote: »

Go to a speciality running store and have a gait analysis peformed. They will give you options and then you can decide what's best for you. Don't trust anyone online or in a big general sports store to tell you which shoe is right for your feet.

So much this.
The cost up front might hurt but the right shoes will aid in keeping you injury free (unless you fall into a pothole and break your ankle like I did)

PHStevenson

I don't think we have a specialty running store here

palmettoadventurer

I would get your gait looked at in a specialty store, if you can. They should be able to tell you if you over- or under-pronate, or if you're neutral. That's going to determine on how much cushioning vs. stability you need in a shoe. If you can't do that, I would hit up Google for things like "pronation and running shoe types."

Personally, I really under-pronate, so I like really cushioned shoes (not into the whole barefoot running thing), and I swear by Asics.

Also, you should be ditching your shoes way before they cause you pain. I know running shoes are expensive as all get out, but fixing injuries from old shoes are even more expensive.

Edit: I swear there weren't a bunch of other posts saying what I was saying when I started typing, haha.

Hophead43

I like my Alutra's! Go to a running store get fitted and then go to 6PM.com. You'll save a bunch of money. My shoes were $120 in stores and I got them for $55 on the site. They carry most brands. I also used to run in Asics, liked those a lot too.

FitFitzy331

PHStevenson wrote: »

I don't think we have a specialty running store here

In Google search "running store (town and state you live in)" I just did it based on your profile and a few different places came up. These stores are really the best place shop to avoid injuries later, as you've already experienced pain with the wrong shoes, this should be a priority if you want to continue running.

MsJulesRenee

palmettoadventurer wrote: »

Personally, I really under-pronate, so I like really cushioned shoes (not into the whole barefoot running thing), and I swear by Asics.

Agreed, broke down and bought a pair of cushy Asics - they are amazing, very comfortable. Worth the expense, I can run much further and painless now.

BrianSharpe

PHStevenson wrote: »

I don't think we have a specialty running store here

This may help narrow things down a little then..... runnersworld.com/shoeadvisor

Whatever you do, don't buy shoes without trying them on first. Running shoes that fit properly are 90% of the battle and shoes that fit right shouldn't need breaking in, there should be no spots that rub etc etc etc

runnersworld.com/running-shoes/how-to-buy-the-right-running-shoescom

lishie_rebooted

Hophead43 wrote: »

I like my Alutra's! Go to a running store get fitted and then go to 6PM.com. You'll save a bunch of money. My shoes were $120 in stores and I got them for $55 on the site. They carry most brands. I also used to run in Asics, liked those a lot too.

That's a really jerky thing to do.
Waste their time assisting you in finding the right shoe then buying it online.
Most of these shops are locally owned, even Fleet Feet

gobonas99

PHStevenson wrote: »

I don't think we have a specialty running store here

Google found this, if your MFP location is correct: http://www.gottarunclemson.com/ roughly 45 minutes from you. Go there. Do NOT go to Foot Locker or Dick's Sporting Goods or any other kind of cookie cutter sporting goods/shoe store.

And don't buy your first pair online after getting fitted at the store. That's a jerk move.

7lenny7

PHStevenson wrote: »

I don't think we have a specialty running store here

I took the liberty of looking at your profile, see you're from Starr, SC. Check the towns of Anderson, Greenville, or even Athens and I'll bet you'll find a place. It would definitely be worth the trip! Just googling I see Greenville has Run In and a Fleet Feet store.

SueInAz

It looks like there's a Fleet Feet in Greenville. There are other stores around, too. Trust me, it's worth it to drive an hour or so to do this. Once you know the shoe that fits what you need you can buy that exact model again, or one with the same characteristics, online or at a local store.

PHStevenson

Thanks guys. I just feel like 1.5 hr drive isn't worth it for a pair of shoes.

7lenny7

PHStevenson wrote: »

Thanks guys. I just feel like 1.5 hr drive isn't worth it for a pair of shoes.

YES, it IS!!!! Without a doubt one of the best things you can do to get you started out right!

SueInAz

PHStevenson wrote: »

Thanks guys. I just feel like 1.5 hr drive isn't worth it for a pair of shoes.

Then you will have to deal with the consequences if you get the wrong pair. What works for me, won't work for you unless you are also a neutral runner with flat feet. If you buy a neutral shoe and overpronate, you could be looking at an injury down the line. How much time will that end up costing?

I guess, since your last pair worked, you could just buy that same exact model again.

FitFitzy331

PHStevenson wrote: »

Thanks guys. I just feel like 1.5 hr drive isn't worth it for a pair of shoes.

I'd have to respectfully disagree. You've already been hurt with the wrong shoes so you should see how bad it is when you aren't fitted properly. You could make a day trip out of it if it seems like too long of a drive. Check out something else in the area, go to a park, etc... You have options but obviously this is up to you.

BrianSharpe

Hophead43 wrote: »

I like my Alutra's! Go to a running store get fitted and then go to 6PM.com. You'll save a bunch of money. My shoes were $120 in stores and I got them for $55 on the site. They carry most brands. I also used to run in Asics, liked those a lot too.

Bad advice, most running stores do more than sell shoes. Many of them offer learn to run clinics, offer free group runs, organize pace bunnies for races etc etc etc.....there's more to value than just price.

If everyone followed your advice the local shops would all close down, what would you do then?

PHStevenson

I know I underpronate so I know I need a neutral shoe. I just feel a little overwhelmed. Guess I will be making a trip this weekend.

lishie_rebooted

PHStevenson wrote: »

Thanks guys. I just feel like 1.5 hr drive isn't worth it for a pair of shoes.

It is.
I've been in physical therapy due to the wrong shoes.
Spending 1.5 hours driving plus however long it takes to find the right shoes, it very much worth it.

jgnatca

I just love the runner's community. You are so supportive, and giving your best advice. I was all ready to contribute, and you all beat me to it.

http://www.runnersworld.com/store-finder/SC

Don't skimp on shoes, @PHStevenson , if you are going to keep running. You ankles will thank you. Your knees will thank you. Your hips, back, and feet will thank you.

Klhernandez81

If there is one thing you do, go to a running store and get fitted. After not doing this, I ended up at the Sports Med Dr with shooting pains down my leg...and guess what she did, fit me for the right running shoes. Would have been so much cheaper and less painful had I just not run in the wrong shoes in the first place....

7lenny7

Option A: Go to Greenville, get the gait analysis done, get expert advice, try on a dozen pairs of shoes (See if they'll let you run in the parking lot to try them out when you have it narrowed down to 2 or 3 pair), ask them about their return policy, ask how to tell when you need new shoes so you don't get hurt again. Maybe even pick out a couple of pairs of running socks. Go home feeling great about doing the best thing you could to ensure your success as a runner and to prevent unneeded injury. Know that the $100 to $150 you just paid is money well spent.

Option B: Ask some strangers on this forum what you should buy. Ignore 90% of the advice which tells you to go with Option A and settle on one or two brands mentioned, search the internet, find a cute pair that matches your shorts, HOPE the size you ordered is right, HOPE the model you ordered is correct for your gait, HOPE the geometry of the shoe works with your foot (toe box size, heel width, etc). Run for a couple of weeks in the new shoes (if they happen to fit well enough to do so) and HOPE that you don't find issues with them down the road, and HOPE that you don't need to send them back, possibly paying for shipping, possibly not even being able to send them back.

I know which option I'd go with.

7lenny7

Hophead43 wrote: »

I like my Alutra's! Go to a running store get fitted and then go to 6PM.com. You'll save a bunch of money. My shoes were $120 in stores and I got them for $55 on the site. They carry most brands. I also used to run in Asics, liked those a lot too.

Seriously? Horrible advice. I'm a new runner and even though I now know what shoes I like, I'll go back to my local store and pay a few dollars more because their advice and support are worth a few bucks and I want to know that they'll be there for me.

palmettoadventurer

I buy my running shoes online or on sale now, but that's because I've been buying the same model and brand of shoes for a long time. I wouldn't take up a salesperson's time and then not buy anything.

So_Much_Fab

BrianSharpe wrote: »

Hophead43 wrote: »

I like my Alutra's! Go to a running store get fitted and then go to 6PM.com. You'll save a bunch of money. My shoes were $120 in stores and I got them for $55 on the site. They carry most brands. I also used to run in Asics, liked those a lot too.

Bad advice, most running stores do more than sell shoes. Many of them offer learn to run clinics, offer free group runs, organize pace bunnies for races etc etc etc.....there's more to value than just price.

If everyone followed your advice the local shops would all close down, what would you do then?

Yep, yep, and yep. I would rather spend $50-$60 more on shoes to support my local running store - they do much much for the running community and if they were gone it would be a tragedy.

kjm3579

I just had my feet checked at a local running store a few days ago and got a pair of shoes that so far I really like -- I wear 14-EEEE shoes so that limits my choices a lot and seem to lean towards Brooks shoes -- I got a pair from last years line on sale plus 20% off by being a member of a tri-club -- was worth my time and a little extra gas to go to the specialty store.

msf74

PHStevenson wrote: »

I know I underpronate so I know I need a neutral shoe. I just feel a little overwhelmed. Guess I will be making a trip this weekend.

It will be well worth the money and time investment. Much more time and cost effective than buying shoes which aren't suitable for you and then having to pay money for rehab if you are injured and time being unable to run.

As for cost a decent store will fit you with the right shoes not necessarily the most expensive shoes. I had a maximum budget in mind when I got fitted and the best pair for me ended up being about half my budget. You pay what you pay.

mbaker566

I would say it's worth it.
it will help your feet and knees and all your related joints healthy.

plus they will help find the most comfortable shoes. I went in thinking asics but they were too stiff and tight around the middle so I went with saucony. I wouldn't have known that if I just tried to do it myself