Having a hard time getting sneakers to fit!

MostlyWater

In the past 5 years that I have been exercising seriously, I have gone through many pairs of cross trainers. I had a pair of pink and blue Pumas that I loved, than when they needed to be replaced, the next pair of Pumas didn’t fit well and I had foot pain every time I wore them until the padding wore out. Ditto with Reebox. Had a pair in pink I loved, then their replacement, one in purple and another in pink, was too tight in a size 8 but too big in an 8½.

I had a pair of purple and green Ryka trainers that rubbed my heel painfully until they finally wore out; I vowed never to buy Ryka again even though they are made for a lady’s foot.

I was so tired of finding fitness shoes to fit that I just bought a pair of black Nikes. I take 9 gym classes a week plus I walk/run approximately 17 miles a week so my shoes can’t last forever. I wear a lot of pink and I wear some blue. I like to have shoes in those colors. Once a year I replace my purple ones and if I have plain black too, I’m set for a long time and that makes me really happy.

What doesn’t make me happy is getting box after box delivered to the office, getting my hopes up, and then feeling like I’m going to fall down in step aerobics. THAT is for the birds!

I was told at Modell’s that since so much of our footware is made overseas that it can’t be regulated, even in the same brand. And that they accept returns, even of used shoes, if the fit isn’t right.

Zappos has a great return policy but isn’t cheap. Amazon is cheaper but their window for returns is short.
Shoebuy.com doesn’t allow returns of shoes that have been worn.

I don’t know what to say. I guess I can just buy in a store but the selection is limited. Not only do I want something pretty, I don’t want to pay a lot.

Anyone? Thoughts, hopes, dreams?

JenMc14

If you're running, you need a good pair of shoes you use for nothing but running. You can get fitted at a running store if you have lots of issues. You can always got try one some different shoes at A sporting goods or shoe store, find one you like and order it online for cheap. My husband loves New Balance, he found joesnewbalanceoutlet.com, and he gets his shoes from there. They're always cheaper, often have good sales, and have the "deal of the day". I haven't really had a ton of luck, but I'm super picky about shoes. Shoes, especially for running, are not really something to skimp on, I've found. If you can go cheap, and they work without injury, good for you, but if not, you will not regret springing for shoes.

Amberlynnek

Even if you're not running, go to a running store and get properly fitted. It makes a huge difference and typically you have to buy a half size up to accomodate for swelling during activity. Also, I know color is fun and I am a girly girly and love all things pink but you have to put this aside and purchase a shoe based on needs and not color. A lot of different bands have gotten on board with the difference in shoe fit for a women and market colors towards women, so you shouldn't have too many issues with the color. Since I have not seen your feet or how you move just as a brand to look into, check out Mizuno. They are a very custom fit shoe and have a line tailored to women. They also rock the colors.

lmarshel

I agree that you probably need to pay a little more for shoes that fit and work well for you. And there are so many different brands and styles available that you should definitely be able to find something that fits well and is comfortable in whatever color you want. Nothing wrong with buying shoes online, but you need to have an idea of what type of shoe you need for your gait before you start randomly shopping online going by price and color alone.

Having a gait analysis done is a really good idea. Most good running stores will do them for free. And they should be able to tell you if you need a stability shoes, neutral shoe, etc. Once you have that info, it's a good idea to do some research online to find out which are the best shoes for your foot type and the activity you're doing. Then you can buy online to your heart's content!

And if you want to save some money, I recommend buying last year's styles. For instance, Asics has just come out with their Gel Kayano 20. So the 19 style should be going on sale everywhere. That's when you want to buy!

VegasFit

I recently took up cross training classes that are sort of boot camp, navy seal inspired workouts so a little bit of everything, running, sprinting, tire flipping, plyos, etc. I went to a couple running stores in my area and it was the best thing I ever did. I explained my activities and they narrowed it down to a couple different styles that would work for me. One store even suggested I run outside to test them. Unfortunately, both stores put me in unisex versions that I didn't love even though I know it should be more about comfort then color but for $100 plus I want both. I went on Zappos armed with my correct size and ordered the female version on line. For the two brands I was interested in I found Zappos to be the same price as Amazon and the two running stores I went too. I also wanted shoes with more pink then not in them! Lol. I wound up with Inov-8s and I love them.

MostlyWater

Thank you all for responding!

I agree that I should buy in a real brick-and-morter store, not online.

VegasFit

Thank you all for responding!

I agree that I should buy in a real brick-and-morter store, not online.

Not sure how popular yelp is in your area but both small running stores I went too were offering deals through yelp so if I had purchased in store would have saved me 10-20$ if that helps.

MostlyWater

I never heard of that! thanks!

navyrigger46

You're asking one pair of shoes to do too many things. If you want to run, buy a pair of running shoes, I have a pair of Hoka's that I wouldn't trade for the world. For lifting I wear a pair of skate shoes, for other activities in the gym I have a pair of trainers, for basketball I have a pair of basketball shoes. The right shoe makes a huge difference. You wouldn't play football in bowling shoes, and you wouldn't go bowling wearing football cleats.

Rigger

MostlyWater

Being that I run/walk to the gym to do step aerobics, for example, I'm not going to buy different shoes for the journey then change there. Do people really do that?

wilsoje74

Being that I run/walk to the gym to do step aerobics, for example, I'm not going to buy different shoes for the journey then change there. Do people really do that?

Running shoes are different than cross trainers, I wear my running shoes only for running. Try them on in store then order online in colors you want.

VegasFit

I wouldn't buy multiple shoes for what your describing but that's just me. It may not be ideal but since you're running to the gym and then working out you need the flexibilty of one shoe. Like I said we pretty much do everything in my classes and that includes running outside and I've been extremely happy with my shoes. Of course I may have to replace them sooner then if they were sport specific but I'm doing multiple activities so I'm okay with it. Try researching shoes geared for cross fit and bootcamps since those classes cover a little bit of everything.

Being that I run/walk to the gym to do step aerobics, for example, I'm not going to buy different shoes for the journey then change there. Do people really do that?

MostlyWater

I got a nice pair of Nikes in purple and grey that I like, and a pretty pair of pink and silver Reebox. I'm set for the winter now. I'll worry about a pair of plain black next time, I guess.

Thanks all!