Shoes??

goshagirl

I am training for a 5k and my shoes are shot. I need to go buy a new, good pair of running shoes... any suggestions from people that run outdoors?

Flyntiggr

Find a running store in your area and have them fit you. Best if they can do a treadmill assessment to see how you run, foot shape, gait, etc, and then recommend the right kind of shoe (stability, neutral, cushioning) for you.

DowntimeDesigns

I have put a good amount of miles on my Mizunos and LOVE THEM!!!! After running in Nike High-tops for 5-6 months I went to a Running specific store and got fitted for the proper shoes and they told me what i needed to correct my gait.

After I got fitted I did some research and found the same shoes for $40 less online and ordered them up. It wasn't exactly the most moral thing after the salesmen spent 45 minutes fitting me, but $40 is a lot of cash in my opinion.

goshagirl

Thanks! What stores do you know of that do all those things? I live in small town USA and Hibbett and Foot Locker and ****s are all we have.

mishmash73

saucony's they feel like my feet are in hammocks...they're so cushy... ever since i've bought them and need a new pair,, i try on the others & end up w/sauconys again.

mhotch

I alternate between Mizunos and Saucony. I love them both!

jags03

Check out these links on running barefoot. Shoes are over-rated and expensive.

http://www.nature.com/news/2010/100126/full/news.2010.36.html

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v463/n7280/full/nature08723.html

msmindyf

Love my sauconys! But, yeah, get fitted if you ever get the chance.

Flyntiggr

Brand is very personal. My saucony's suck..

So I looked up where you live, and you don't have a ton of options nearby. Is Cape Girardeau the closest big city? They have a few running stores and it may be worth the trip.

If you can't make the trip, I would suggest Zappos. You can order different brands/sizes, and free shipping both ways. As long as you don't take the shoes outside (read try on treadmill or up and down stairs) you can return them.

Flyntiggr

And barefoot running or minimalist running takes quite a bit of training, gait modification, and lots of calf strengthening. Also, it isn't for everyone, and can cause injury if done incorrectly. And yes, I've done the research, and own minimalist running shoes that I swap out with my regular running shoes...

goshagirl

I appreciate all the feedback ~ SInce I am new at running I think I will wear shoes My little feet are tender!

Flyntiggr

If your feet hurt, you'll never run. Period. Take your time and find what works for you... You can email me if you have more specific questions...

wesoslim

I bought my first pair of Vibram FiveFinger shoes 2 month ago and I LOVE them!! I used to have foot pain when doing Plyometrics kind of workouts and now my foot pain is gone. It's like running bare foot but you are wearing shoes. My calves were sore for the first 3 days but I got used to them. You may want to look into them and try them on

Rurouni_Kou

And barefoot running or minimalist running takes quite a bit of training, gait modification, and lots of calf strengthening. Also, it isn't for everyone, and can cause injury if done incorrectly. And yes, I've done the research, and own minimalist running shoes that I swap out with my regular running shoes...

I second this. I only run barefoot and HIGHLY suggest Vibram Five Fingers (I run in the Sprints) but if you need to buy new shoes because you blew out your other pair, don't go for minimalist shoes. Barefoot running takes training because it causes your gait to change and works new muscles, so going into it full force will end up in injury. Get a new pair of shoes that fit well and then get some minimalist shoes like Vibrams and start working out in the minimalis shoes for 10% of your run and your normal footware the other 90%. Increase the workout in minimalist shoes over time slowly to build up the right muscles so you don't injure yourself. And your first week or two in minimalist footwear? Oh stars the muscle pain! I was just getting into running and trying to take it lightly (first week of couch to 5k) and I still had massive calf soreness. Talk about atrophied muscle! I would think someone who's already a runner wouldn't have as much soreness, but for a new runner, OWCH!

That said, I highly sugest looking into barefoot running if you don't have any medical reason for needing to run in regular shoes. I find running minimally/barefoot much more enjoyable and easier on my joints. I love having tactile feedback through my feet in my Vibrams and the feel of the ground, something I never had in running shoes. (Which humerously enough ends up in me falling on my face if I'm running in regular shoes since I can't feel where my toes are and end up catching them on the ground.)

Flyntiggr

There a quite a few minimalist or 'barefoot' shoes on the market. the Vibram Five Fingers are the most noticable just cause they look weird. Others include the Nike Free series. New Balance just came out with one, and so did Merrell.

All of my hiking shoes/boots are Merrell. LOVE them. I tried the VFFs and couldn't get over the feeling of stuff between my toes, so back to REI they went. I just bought the Merrells, and am trying them. They have been reviewed well all over the net, and have been called the Vibram One-Fingers a couple of times becuase they feel just like the Vibram (the Merrell has a Vibram sole on it) but none of the 'toe jam'.

Good luck whatever path you choose.

missfelty

The shoes store by Thai Taste will fit you and they know their stuff.

Atlantique

I'm in the camp that says go to a running store and get fitted properly. The right shoes can really protect you from injury while the wrong ones can cause injury.

If you only have big box stores around you, try calling them and find out if anyone there really knows how to fit a running shoe. They may have one or two people on staff who know how to help you find the right one. If you can find out when that person is working, go in and ask for them specifically.

Unfortunately,without knowing YOUR running mechanics, no one can really make a good shoe recommendation for you. The shoes that work for me could be horrible for you and vice versa.