Running Shoes Fitment

T0M_K

Hey all. I'm looking for suggestions in finding the best running shoe if you do not have access to a custom fitting running store? and even then, how would know those "experts" fit you correctly anyways.

Advice?

Thanks

janejellyroll

If I didn't have access to a running store, I would probably just buy a pair of neutral shoes, run with them, and determine how my feet/gait responded.

A good running store can fit you correctly because they understand how to analyze your stride and how different shoes interact with that. Most of them are staffed with runners who try out the various shoes, stay on top of new developments, and seek feedback from customers on how their choices worked. That's why they're so good at what they do. IMO, there is no good replacement for a consultation -- at least for the average runner (especially the beginning runner).

T0M_K

how my feet/gait responded...such as? Knee pain or something? are there "good" neutral shoe recommendations?

janejellyroll

Tomk652015 wrote: »

how my feet/gait responded...such as? Knee pain or something? are there "good" neutral shoe recommendations?

Sure, any sort of pain or discomfort could potentially be a sign that you needed a different type of shoe. Of course, you would then have to begin the work of determining *which* type of different shoe because switching to a shoe for, say, over-pronation when you are under-pronating could make things worse.

The Runner's World website has a pretty good overview of shoes. There is even a quiz to help you select a shoe: http://www.runnersworld.com/shoefinder But the quiz still assumes that you know something about your running mechanics.

lporter229

Here is a link to a basic shoe finder from Runner's World.

http://www.runnersworld.com/shoefinder

As mentioned above, there really is no substitute for having a professional watch you run and analyze your gait, but if you are unable to do that, this might help get you through.

There are lots of things to consider when selecting a shoe, but probably the most important will be pronation. The degree to which you pronate when you run will determine if you need a neutral shoe or motion control or stability. It is suggested that this can be determined by the height of your arch, but I have not always found that to be the case. If you have a current pair of shoes that you have run a lot in, you can usually tell by the wear pattern and that is all discussed in the link above. Once you determine what type of shoe you are looking for, the rest usually comes down to personal preference in the details.

Other things to consider are the level of cushioning , responsiveness or flexibility and heel to toe drop. Most traditional running shoes have about a 10-12mm heel to toe drop. Over the past few years, the trend in thinking is that low or zero drop shoes are better for preventing injury because they force you to run in a more natural form. However, if you are used to running in a traditional shoe, they can be very difficult to get used to and can actually cause you a lot of pain when you try to make the switch. This is why it is always good to talk to a professional about your running style and habits when trying to figure out what shoe is best for you.

jjpptt2

Pretty much everyone makes a "good" shoe now... so it's not really about that.

There are resources online that will help you figure out what kind of shoe is best for you (runner's world probably has them, I know some shoe manufacturers do as well). You can use those tools to figure out what type of shoe you are best suited for. Then you just gotta find one that feels good on your foot.

As far as feel goes... I'd suggest going to a store that has most of it's shoes on the floor (not where you have ot ask a salesperson to go in the back and get your size). Try on AS MANY AS YOU CAN. Walk around in them. Run a bit if you can. Feel how the shoe cups your heal, fits through the arch/midfoot, and how wide/narrow the toe box is. Try to feel if the shoe is making your foot/ankle turn in or out (roll). Do this enough, and you'll get a feel for what fits well and what doesn't.

TheCupcakeCounter

You can also look at wear patterns in your current shoes. I over-pronate so the inner toe box always wears out first. A stability shoe is usually what is recommend for me. My last couple of pairs were Mizuno Wave Riders but my new pair are Asics GT-2000.

Heather4448

I live in the sticks, so I drove 1.25 hours to the closest running store. They recorded me running on the treadmill and calculated my pronation when reviewing the video. This calculation was used to recommend about 4 different shoes. I tried them all on and ran in them for 3-5 minutes each.
Go do it! I love my running shoes!

girlinahat

Here's a question that doesn't get asked enough - is pronation BAD?

I ask because plenty of runners pronate, and the foot is designed to flex and respond. Putting shoes on in some ways will automatically change the way your foot and body responds, and can make something that isn't actually a problem, into a problem.

I've not yet found anyone in a shoe store who can answer that question, and my feeling is that rather than correct something in the foot movement using an outside influence (the shoe), why not strengthen the body itself first?

For me, the most important thing then becomes comfort. Comfort as soon as you put the shoe on, and comfort as you test it. Try shoes in the afternoon when your feet are swollen. Think about terrain - if it's trails and lots of down, then you may want something 1-2 sizes bigger than usual. How tight is the toe box? How quickly do they drain when they get wet? How much can you adjust the lacing?

Here's the thing - you'll never find the perfect shoe. You may 'think' you have it, then the manufacturer tweaks the design a little and you have to start all over again.

MeanderingMammal

girlinahat wrote: »

Here's a question that doesn't get asked enough - is pronation BAD?

The effects of pronation can cause issues. Excessive foot rotation propagates in the lower leg, increasing risk of knee issues. Insufficient foot rotation leads to a loss of impact absorption, which leads to that impact propagating into the lower spine.

Shoes are one of the potential approaches, but clearly other things can help as well.

steadyfootbyeric

The road is the test. After you buy any running shoes, bear in mind it's not a definitive task. You have to put the shoes on and go out for a run. If everything's ok, no chafing, no knee or joint pain, then that's a good choice. So always make sure you check return policy is a good one if you're ordering online.

lorrpb

Tomk652015 wrote: »

Hey all. I'm looking for suggestions in finding the best running shoe if you do not have access to a custom fitting running store? and even then, how would know those "experts" fit you correctly anyways.

Advice?

Thanks

You DON'T know if the so called pros are fitting you correctly. I was fitted improperly twice over a period of 10 months. On the third visit I was returning the shoes, and someone finally fit me properly. What happened in my case was that when they watched the back of foot, they said I had slight pronation, so put me shoes to correct that. They overcorrected, especially the 2nd pair. It caused me all kinds of foot and hip pain, but not immediately, so it took a long time to make the connection. Now I'm in neutral shoes and they're great. This was a reputable well known running store too.
On the day of my 3rd visit, when I got the correct shoe, I had also visited the Walking Store. They evaluated my foot to have a completely different arch than the other store did, on the same day. One store had me step on an electronic pad and the other a manual sensor pad. The manual pad gave better results for my foot.
That's my story, but I don't have much advice. Except go to a store with a good return policy.