Best Running shoes - Affordability + Quality

For all the runners out there... could you advise me on the best runners ?
I have a pair of trail runners I have killed, a pair of nikes that are nearing their demise and a new pair of Muzunos someone bought for me that I'm not even sure will be adequate.

I was looking at Asics but I don't want to drop $200.00 ... I do have the concern of protecting my Left Knee as I have previously injured it and had to take a break from running through the fall.

Thanks for your time !
«1

Replies

  • scorpio516
    scorpio516 Posts: 955 Member
    Last year's model of what fits you, on clearance.
  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    It doesn't work like this. We can't tell you what to get. You have to go try on some shoes, run around the store and then see which one feels the best. Tell your shoe specialist what you're looking for, what you've been running in and then go from there.
  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    scorpio516 wrote: »
    Last year's model of what fits you, on clearance.

    Yeah. I'm still using the Kinvara 5. Those are about $65. The Kinvara 6 is $120. Nothing wrong with the 5. :smile:
  • ilex70
    ilex70 Posts: 727 Member
    I like Asics. There are plenty available for under $200. My latest pair I got at Meijer on sale and stacked a coupon too. I think I paid around $40? Just started pondering replacing them.
  • litsy3
    litsy3 Posts: 783 Member
    _Waffle_ wrote: »
    scorpio516 wrote: »
    Last year's model of what fits you, on clearance.

    Yeah. I'm still using the Kinvara 5. Those are about $65. The Kinvara 6 is $120. Nothing wrong with the 5. :smile:

    Except that they tried to DESTROY MY FEET. Grr. The 2 and the 4 were great. The 5s are too spongey and too tight. I'm currently auditioning loads of other marathon shoes as I can't get the earlier models any more. :(

    OP: the ones that fit you and are comfortable.
  • SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage
    SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage Posts: 2,668 Member
    scorpio516 wrote: »
    Last year's model of what fits you, on clearance.

    THIS
    Sometimes you can get clearouts of last year's model. Check with your running store. And if you ever find yourself with a bit more money than usual, buy 2 pairs of runners at that time and stash one in your closet.
  • Afura
    Afura Posts: 2,054 Member
    scorpio516 wrote: »
    Last year's model of what fits you, on clearance.

    THIS
    Sometimes you can get clearouts of last year's model. Check with your running store. And if you ever find yourself with a bit more money than usual, buy 2 pairs of runners at that time and stash one in your closet.
    I just donated a pair of shoes, and because I bought another pair I have one to sell, because my feet shrunk. *sigh* But both were bought on clearance because why do I need to pay so much for shiny new on the market. :smiley:

  • SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage
    SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage Posts: 2,668 Member
    Afura wrote: »
    scorpio516 wrote: »
    Last year's model of what fits you, on clearance.

    THIS
    Sometimes you can get clearouts of last year's model. Check with your running store. And if you ever find yourself with a bit more money than usual, buy 2 pairs of runners at that time and stash one in your closet.
    I just donated a pair of shoes, and because I bought another pair I have one to sell, because my feet shrunk. *sigh* But both were bought on clearance because why do I need to pay so much for shiny new on the market. :smiley:

    Exactly. I always laugh when I'm getting fitted for new shoes and the salesperson makes a remark about the colour scheme. Do people really care what colour their running shoes are? I'm not wearing them for fashion, I could care less what colour they are.
  • kwtilbury
    kwtilbury Posts: 1,234 Member
    scorpio516 wrote: »
    Last year's model of what fits you, on clearance.

    This. It's not like shoe technology evolves so rapidly that last year's model is suddenly outdated. I have a closet full of $100+ shoes that I haven't spent more than $50 on.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    the ones that fit.
  • annleg83
    annleg83 Posts: 23 Member
    I splurged and went to a running store and got fitted. After that I hunted sales until they finally discontinued the shoe. But thanks to getting fitted, I know I need stability and it's helped me to be able to pick out new shoes.
  • EddieHaskell97
    EddieHaskell97 Posts: 2,227 Member
    Whatever feels good, fits, and is on sale.
  • Ribena145
    Ribena145 Posts: 201 Member
    I bought a pair of last years model. They still weren't cheap at over $100 - but this is Canada ($$$$). I've been away from running for a couple of years and would like to get back into it a bit, but didn't want to fork out close to $200 for the latest and greatest.
  • Holly_Wood_888
    Holly_Wood_888 Posts: 268 Member
    Thanks for your feedback everyone :)
  • antennachick
    antennachick Posts: 464 Member
    I love my brooks. Honestly going to a store that will fit you to shoes was the best choice I made! They(in my case anyway) had me run on the treadmill and see how they feel on my feet and tell me if I need a stabilized shoe or not. I also bought last years model but it was suggested to me when I said I didn't want to spend over $100
  • CollieFit
    CollieFit Posts: 1,683 Member
    The right shoes for you are those that:
    - are suitable to your gait (heel strike, mid or forefoot runner)
    - are suitable for your foot's unique biomechanics (pronator / supinator etc)
    - are suitable for the type of mileage you're running (high mileage trainers vs race shoes)
    - are suitable for the type of terrain you run on (trail or fells vs road etc)

    Without knowing your feet and your gait, I doubt that anyone here can meaningfully give you any recommendations.

    There is no point in someone telling you here to buy a pair of Asics Nimbus, on the basis that THEY like them, if you're a heel striker with massive pronation and requirement for structure support.
  • NaturalNancy
    NaturalNancy Posts: 1,093 Member
    I love Brooks, and Nike fly knit AirMax...

    DSW has discounted shoes, or Amazon has shoes that are less expensive too.

    My friend swears by Aisics, but I haven't tried them myself.
  • Holly_Wood_888
    Holly_Wood_888 Posts: 268 Member
    Sounds like I need a store that will assess my gait ! Will do :)
  • d_creasman
    d_creasman Posts: 17 Member
    You need to have your gait analyzed so that you can determine if you need neutral or stability shoes. Just about any reputable running store will be able to do this for you and offer several different models. Road Runner Sport also offers a no question asked return policy within 90 days if you get them and find that they don't work.

    I run in Asics GT 2000 which I absolutely love and my wife swears by Brooks.
  • Holly_Wood_888
    Holly_Wood_888 Posts: 268 Member
    Awesome!~ Will do !
  • Joreanasaurous
    Joreanasaurous Posts: 1,384 Member
    scorpio516 wrote: »
    Last year's model of what fits you, on clearance.

    I buy my Newtons for under 30 bucks this way
  • Timorous_Beastie
    Timorous_Beastie Posts: 595 Member
    Check Amazon if you have a brand and style you like. Add some to your wish list and check on them periodically, because the prices fluctuate. I got a last year's model pair of Mizuno at less than half price. Then a day later, they were $20 more.
  • sbl1881
    sbl1881 Posts: 213 Member
    I started off getting fitted for the right brand at a running store. Then found that same brand at DSW. It may have been a last year's model, but the fitting of the brand rarely changes. I have always had Brooks shoes.
  • filovirus76
    filovirus76 Posts: 156 Member
    Funny how there are many who like Brooks. I tried a pair and didn't like then at all. So I went back to Adidas SNova. By far my favorite. I also like Saucony.

    Everyone is different.
  • ROBOTFOOD
    ROBOTFOOD Posts: 5,527 Member
    edited March 2016
    _Waffle_ wrote: »
    scorpio516 wrote: »
    Last year's model of what fits you, on clearance.

    Yeah. I'm still using the Kinvara 5. Those are about $65. The Kinvara 6 is $120. Nothing wrong with the 5. :smile:
    @_Waffle_ @litsy3 I still search the deep web for Kinvara 4's. Have 3 pair right now and know where to get more :) Best race shoe I've ever worn. Brooks ghost 6 and7's for long runs and Hoka Challenger ATR 1's for trail/mtn running.
  • misskris78
    misskris78 Posts: 136 Member
    I've been running for 25 years. At this point, I know what I like and what I don't - but I make an occasional mistake (like a pair of Asics Gel Cumulus that gave me butt kicking PF). If you're new, get fitted at a running store. Be honest, and tell them you don't have a lot to spend. I also really like running warehouse. You can upload a video of you running on a treadmill and they'll make recommendations. There is always risk. That $120 pair of Asics: I had fitted at a running store; but I put close to 600 miles on a pair of Merrill's that I found on sale for $60. Not knocking the running store - they had no way of knowing the shoes were going to affect me that way. You just never know.
  • cw106
    cw106 Posts: 952 Member
    Awesome!~ Will do !
    Awesome!~ Will do !

    did you ever get fixed up with new shoes?

  • eldamiano
    eldamiano Posts: 2,667 Member
    This is like asking what is the best haircut for you. It is down to the individual, and more detailed than just whatever makes you look nice....
  • coreyreichle
    coreyreichle Posts: 1,031 Member
    scorpio516 wrote: »
    Last year's model of what fits you, on clearance.

    This.
  • MinimalistShoeAddict
    MinimalistShoeAddict Posts: 1,946 Member
    _Waffle_ wrote: »
    scorpio516 wrote: »
    Last year's model of what fits you, on clearance.

    Yeah. I'm still using the Kinvara 5. Those are about $65. The Kinvara 6 is $120. Nothing wrong with the 5. :smile:

    6pm.com is a good site for great prices on last year's models.

    If you find a shoe you love, buy many pairs of it if you see it on clearance (assuming your feet are done growing). I have at least 6 pairs of identical Vibram Bikila's (in a few changes colors) for that reason.