So I got fitted properly for running shoes...

meggs9605

Before I bought another random pair of athletic shoes, I decided to take everyone's advice and get properly fitted. I have flat feet, but not a wide foot. The last 2 pair of shoes I have purchased caused a numb spot after 5-10 min. My shoe size is usually 8.5, sometimes 9 depending on the type of shoe.

Well the guy said I need a size 10! I feel like a clunky clown in a shoe this big. Is this typical?

Thehardmakesitworthit

Hmmmm, that sounds odd to me....when I had mine done recently for the same purpose, they recommended a size smaller. Maybe go to one other facility ?

angmarie28

I usually wear an 10.5 or 11, but a 12 running shoe, your suppose to have a size bigger in running shoes to avoid broken toenails and black and blue toes

RoxieDawn

Do the shoes fit? Do you run well in this particular shoe? Could be the brand/type of running shoe they fitted you for

I have been fitted for wides and regular from 6.5 to 7.5. I am border wide, some shoes need a wider toe box for me which can result in a larger shoe to a wider shoe.. depends on the shoe itself.

jemhh

I go up a size in running shoes too. It's not unusual.

TavistockToad

Yep, a size up is normal in running shoes

MeanderingMammal

I'm not a fan of the sizing up as a general principle. For me it depends on what type of run we're talking about.

I've tried it, and hated them a half size up.

I'm a size 10 UK, wear size 10.5 for general marathon and ultra running, size 10 for shorter and my Mud Claws that I'll wear in muddy conditions.

rsclause

I got fitted at a running store when buying my first real running pair. I had never heard of getting a size bigger and the store personnel never said anything about it. After most of my toenails turned black and fell off I did some research on it, so there you go.

leggup

No, you shouldn't feel like you're in clunky clown shoes. The first time I got fitted I ran around the store with the fitter, measurements were taken, and I got THE PERFECT PAIR. I have rolling ankles, he realized it right away and got me a pair with extra arch support, a thinner ankle, and good for mostly roads but some trails. Ended up with a pair of Brooks.

The second time I got fitted, the fitter floundered massively. He was having me try on everything in the store. At one point he was having me try on mens running shoes and the arch was in the wrong part of the shoe for my foot, yet he kept going for mens shoes. It was horrible. I bought a pair (dumb, felt pressure) and although I didn end up with a womens pair, they were clunky and when running the bottoms often hit each other while my legs tracked past. AWFUL.

I started feeling pain in the top of my foot from those heavy awful shoes. I went online and got the latest iteration of my Brooks (since they do like, different version of the same shoe every year basically changing the color). I love them, pain is gone, shoes don't hit.

Advice: Return those shoes. They may be within the return window. Many places with fittings have satisfaction guarantees. When you go back, ask to be fitted by someone else. Don't pay attention to the size at all, but do pay attention to the fit. A fitting should involve jogging around the store in the shoes.

stanmann571

meggs9605 wrote: »

Before I bought another random pair of athletic shoes, I decided to take everyone's advice and get properly fitted. I have flat feet, but not a wide foot. The last 2 pair of shoes I have purchased caused a numb spot after 5-10 min. My shoe size is usually 8.5, sometimes 9 depending on the type of shoe.

Well the guy said I need a size 10! I feel like a clunky clown in a shoe this big. Is this typical?

Well if you've been getting a numb spot,

Either you're tying the shoes too tight, or they're too small.

How do they feel when you run.

Is the clunky clown shoe a mental/emotional response or something you feel walking/running.

meggs9605

Thanks everyone .I think I am on the right track (no pun intended), but I think I will try to see a second person to take a look. I didn't buy anything since I wasn't 100% sold and the shoes were $140. But, at least now some of his comments and strategies make more sense.

deannalfisher

out of curiosity - what shoes did he recommend? did he watch you walk/run prior to recommending? did he watch you run in the different shoes before making a recommendation?

lorrpb

If you've been wearing too small shoes and having problems, of course they will "feel clunky." But exactly what does that mean? Check the width at the ball of the foot. It should not be too loose or too tight. There should be a little space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe, but your foot should not slide around. Heel should not slip up and down. There are also many different ways of lacing up a shoe to get the best fit for your foot. The numerical size does not matter. At all. There is not a consistent approach to sizing shoes or any clothing.

sllm1

I just got fitted and the guy simply asked what is the largest size shoe I would normally wear. Since I normally wear either an 8 or 8.5, he went with the 8.5. I have plenty of room in the toes but they're not too big.

stanmann571

sllm1 wrote: »

I just got fitted and the guy simply asked what is the largest size shoe I would normally wear. Since I normally wear either an 8 or 8.5, he went with the 8.5. I have plenty of room in the toes but they're not too big.

That's not a fitting.

https://www.fleetfeetsports.com/catalogs/fit-process

A fitting should involve measuring the length and width of your foot both under weight and relaxed.

meggs9605

deannalfisher wrote: »

out of curiosity - what shoes did he recommend? did he watch you walk/run prior to recommending? did he watch you run in the different shoes before making a recommendation?

The 2 that worked best were from Asics and Brooks. Both were stability models with a wider base. He said the sleeker, light weight shoes will never provide enough support.

becky10rp

I wear Brooks and take a 7.5 in my running shoes. 'Normal' shoes and boots I take a 6.5. So, yeah - it happens.

jjgnader

I always wear one size bigger so a size 11 running shoe. You need this extra room in the toe box for running. I didn't know this when I first started running and lost quite a few toenails. I still loose an occasional toenail but a size bigger definitely helps. I am a Brooks runner. I prefer Launch.

meggs9605

lorrpb wrote: »

If you've been wearing too small shoes and having problems, of course they will "feel clunky." But exactly what does that mean? Check the width at the ball of the foot. It should not be too loose or too tight. There should be a little space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe, but your foot should not slide around. Heel should not slip up and down. There are also many different ways of lacing up a shoe to get the best fit for your foot. The numerical size does not matter. At all. There is not a consistent approach to sizing shoes or any clothing.

That is basically what he said. In order to find a good fit where the widest part of my foot fit properly into the widest part of the shoe we had to up the size. Even after tapping my heal, lacing properly, and running around for a few min, there was still almost 2 finger tip lengths from my big toe to the end of the shoe. Maybe I just have short toes, lol.

deannalfisher

meggs9605 wrote: »

deannalfisher wrote: »

out of curiosity - what shoes did he recommend? did he watch you walk/run prior to recommending? did he watch you run in the different shoes before making a recommendation?

The 2 that worked best were from Asics and Brooks. Both were stability models with a wider base. He said the sleeker, light weight shoes will never provide enough support.

both are well known/reputable brands (I only say this because i'm seeing more and more people wearing/recommending lesser known brands) - I've worn both over the years and do find that i have to go up at least .5-1 size in both (i wear a 7.5 normally and an 8-8.5 in running shoes)

meggs9605

stanmann571 wrote: »

meggs9605 wrote: »

Before I bought another random pair of athletic shoes, I decided to take everyone's advice and get properly fitted. I have flat feet, but not a wide foot. The last 2 pair of shoes I have purchased caused a numb spot after 5-10 min. My shoe size is usually 8.5, sometimes 9 depending on the type of shoe.

Well the guy said I need a size 10! I feel like a clunky clown in a shoe this big. Is this typical?

Well if you've been getting a numb spot,

Either you're tying the shoes too tight, or they're too small.

How do they feel when you run.

Is the clunky clown shoe a mental/emotional response or something you feel walking/running.

The clunky feeling definitely has some emotional piece. I guess I was hoping to find "cute" and sleek shoes, but my foot requires a stability base. So inherently the best shoes for me are bigger and heavier. But even accepting that, in order to find a pair in which the widest part of my foot fit properly into the widest part of the shoe we had to up the size. Even after running for a few min, there was still almost 2 finger tip lengths from my big toe to the end of the shoe. I would be worried about tripping if I were to run outside.

deannalfisher

meggs9605 wrote: »

stanmann571 wrote: »

meggs9605 wrote: »

Before I bought another random pair of athletic shoes, I decided to take everyone's advice and get properly fitted. I have flat feet, but not a wide foot. The last 2 pair of shoes I have purchased caused a numb spot after 5-10 min. My shoe size is usually 8.5, sometimes 9 depending on the type of shoe.

Well the guy said I need a size 10! I feel like a clunky clown in a shoe this big. Is this typical?

Well if you've been getting a numb spot,

Either you're tying the shoes too tight, or they're too small.

How do they feel when you run.

Is the clunky clown shoe a mental/emotional response or something you feel walking/running.

The clunky feeling definitely has some emotional piece. I guess I was hoping to find "cute" and sleek shoes, but my foot requires a stability base. So inherently the best shoes for me are bigger and heavier. But even accepting that, in order to find a pair in which the widest part of my foot fit properly into the widest part of the shoe we had to up the size. Even after running for a few min, there was still almost 2 finger tip lengths from my big toe to the end of the shoe. I would be worried about tripping if I were to run outside.

try going for a short run outside - you might be surprised

typically i use my thumb joint for length from big toe to end of shoe

were the shoes he fit you with - known for being wider? there are certain brands that are wider than others

CMNVA

It sounds like we have the same kind of "foot." Asics is my favorite. Brooks gave me awful shin splints because they were so heavy but that was a few years ago.

I normally wear an 8.5 shoe. In Asics, I do go up to a size 9. Same with any Nike shoe. The 8.5 in both shoes fits me really well for just walking around, but the half size up keeps my toes from moving and hitting the front/top of the shoe when running. In a New Balance, I am wearing an 8.5 because it has a wide toe box. But I do notice that the toenails on my big toes are looking not-so-great with the New Balance. They certainly feel fine but I probably should have went up 1/2 size. Maybe you should just go up 1/2 a size versus a whole size.

TavistockToad

meggs9605 wrote: »

stanmann571 wrote: »

meggs9605 wrote: »

Before I bought another random pair of athletic shoes, I decided to take everyone's advice and get properly fitted. I have flat feet, but not a wide foot. The last 2 pair of shoes I have purchased caused a numb spot after 5-10 min. My shoe size is usually 8.5, sometimes 9 depending on the type of shoe.

Well the guy said I need a size 10! I feel like a clunky clown in a shoe this big. Is this typical?

Well if you've been getting a numb spot,

Either you're tying the shoes too tight, or they're too small.

How do they feel when you run.

Is the clunky clown shoe a mental/emotional response or something you feel walking/running.

The clunky feeling definitely has some emotional piece. I guess I was hoping to find "cute" and sleek shoes, but my foot requires a stability base. So inherently the best shoes for me are bigger and heavier. But even accepting that, in order to find a pair in which the widest part of my foot fit properly into the widest part of the shoe we had to up the size. Even after running for a few min, there was still almost 2 finger tip lengths from my big toe to the end of the shoe. I would be worried about tripping if I were to run outside.

You didn't trip over when you ran then?

GiddyupTim

Those sound wrong to me.
I have a wide foot. Some brands of running shoes come in different widths. Maybe you need a 2E or a 4E, or some other wide shoe.
When I was a kid, they used to buy us shoes a size too big, so we could "grow into them." You cannot run well in shoes with extra toe room.

MeanderingMammal

meggs9605 wrote: »

The clunky feeling definitely has some emotional piece. I guess I was hoping to find "cute" and sleek shoes, but my foot requires a stability base. So inherently the best shoes for me are bigger and heavier.

Motion control shoes need not be big and clunky.

But even accepting that, in order to find a pair in which the widest part of my foot fit properly into the widest part of the shoe we had to up the size. Even after running for a few min, there was still almost 2 finger tip lengths from my big toe to the end of the shoe.

That sounds completely wrong in terms of fit. Running shoes are designed without either narrow, standard or wide toeboxes, so that the heel cup fits and you can get appropriate space at the forefoot.

EHollander89

I wear Brooks running shoes. The person at the running store told me that the Brooks model that I tried on runs a little small. I usually wear a 7 in street shoes, sometimes a 7.5. I bought the shoes in size 8. I felt a little clunky at first since it was just a different fit from my everyday shoes, but once I started running in them everything felt great. I have not had any issues.