Best Running Shoes?

nnylee · March 2012

My Adidas running shoes are falling apart now and I was never a huge fan of them. Looking to invest in some new running shoes. Personal favorites? Recommendations? I'm thinking my budget is $100ish.

cyntcynt77 · March 2012

Asics! My daughter is a running.. she runs marathons and she helped me pick out a pair of Asics last fall at Kohls. They are light, comfortable and durable. I love them. I like New Balance too, but Asics are much more comfortable for walking and running. Outback Sports has a sale on them until March 7 approx. $70! Good Luck!

nnylee · March 2012

Asics! My daughter is a running.. she runs marathons and she helped me pick out a pair of Asics last fall at Kohls. They are light, comfortable and durable. I love them. I like New Balance too, but Asics are much more comfortable for walking and running. Outback Sports has a sale on them until March 7 approx. $70! Good Luck!

Thank you!! I will try them out!!

ia2ca · March 2012

X2 on asics. Look for GT2160's, they're on sale everywhere for $70 right now since they're the 2011 model, and are a runners world editor's choice.

shanahan_09 · March 2012

I loved my Saucony's...light and very cushiony/comfy for running.

annameier8706 · March 2012

I love my vibrams!!!

hedgiie · March 2012

I love my vibrams!!!

this

Firefighter_Jay · March 2012

Not fabulous by any means, but I do love my rebook zigs.

chevy88grl · March 2012

I absolutely LOVE my Nike Pegasus.

Have you been fitted by a specialty running shop? If not, I highly recommend it. I bought, wore once and returned a TON (Asics, Sacony (sp?), Adidas, New Balance, etc) of shoes before I finally caved and went in to be fitted. They said I hit very evenly on my entire shoe and that a neutral running shoe would be best. They recommended the Nike. I have to tell you, having the right shoes? Changed my life -- both while working out AND at work (I work on my feet and was struggling terribly with foot pain).

So, I say -- don't listen to all of us, go and find out what is best for YOU.

Good Luck.

DreamiJeani · March 2012

I LOVE my New Balance Minimus and my Vibrams

gooiyw · March 2012

I LOVE my New Balance Minimus and my Vibrams

Here here! Super light and laces don't come off mid-run. Love 'em!

MaryEffingPoppins · March 2012

Asics Gel Noosa Tri 7's

Kendrafujiwara · March 2012

I agree with the poster who said go get fitted. I ended up with a brand I never heard of (can't think of it right now), but they are the most comfortable running shoes I've ever owned, period. And they were less than I budgeted for, about $80. Also, I ended up with new socks. I thought I was pretty educated about running, but somehow didn't know cotton socks can lead to blisters. I splurged on 3 $10/pair of socks with my shoes and then ran a half-marathon the next month with not one blister. Amazing.

chevy88grl · March 2012

I agree with the poster who said go get fitted. I ended up with a brand I never heard of (can't think of it right now), but they are the most comfortable running shoes I've ever owned, period. And they were less than I budgeted for, about $80. Also, I ended up with new socks. I thought I was pretty educated about running, but somehow didn't know cotton socks can lead to blisters. I splurged on 3 $10/pair of socks with my shoes and then ran a half-marathon the next month with not one blister. Amazing.

I also learned about different socks when I went in to be fitted. I buy .. dang it, I think they are Thorlo (sp?) brand and I LOVE THEM! They have cushion in the heels and ball of my feet. Plus, they keep my feet dry.

whiteangelrose69 · March 2012

I have to tell you, I have been working at a shoe store for the past 3 years... I have tried on just about every running shoe that came in my store (Nike, Asics, Puma, New Balance, Saucony, etc) and I have still not found my magic shoe... I had a pair of k-swiss tubes which i was in love with but the heels broke and i got horrible blisters, my asics (i want to say the gel enduro they are black and pink) are my favorite but i cant speed walk or anything (i am training for the susan g koman 60 mile walk and the 5k color run)... I just purchased my first pair of addidas... so none the less each shoe eventually has a down fall... if youre willing to spend the money on a great shoe, i agree with the few above... go get fitted because you may not realize that you need a specific shoe (like the Kelly Ripa shoes which are good for those who pronate)

JenAiMarres · March 2012

I'm loving my free runs!! I was reluctant b/c they are so light that my knees would be killing me...but I love them!!!

BradyMommy · March 2012

X2 on asics. Look for GT2160's, they're on sale everywhere for $70 right now since they're the 2011 model, and are a runners world editor's choice.

I bought a pair of these when I started my c25k training. I went to a running store and the guy there was fabulous! I tried on about a dozen pairs and LOVED these!! I've never had more comfortable shoes.

But honestly, it's totally worth it to go and get fitted. What works on my feet may not be at all right for yours.

HJCsDaddy · March 2012

I have had Asics Kayanos for the past few years and swear by them, they are a little pricey but last forever and hold up to hundreds and hundreds of road miles.

jenj1313 · March 2012

Nothing is for everyone. Go to a running store and have them fit you on a treadmill. Call ahead to find out when they're not busy. If you go on a sunny Saturday morning, every euphoric runner within a 10 mile radius will be in there and there's no way you'll get good service. But go on a rainy Thursday evening, and you'll get more than enough assistance ;-)

leomentlines · March 2012

Seconding the recommendation for New Balance Minimus shoes.. Very light and comfortable. I agree with the other suggestions - go get fitted, but keep those in mind if/when you go

shoremedic · March 2012

The best running shoes are the ones that fit your feet.
Go to a running specialty store. The folks there are usually trained to examine your gait. They also know the type of last on which running shoes are built, so they can filter through the ones that won't fit your foot. ALL specialty running stores will let you go outside and run in the shoes you're trying on. That's why they want to get you down to two or three pair that will work for you.
Most importantly, go in to the store with an idea of what to look for so you can work with the person in getting you into the right shoes. Check out the shoe finder page on the Runner's World web site. They explain how to find out what kind of feet you have (sounds funny, but we're all different), as well as going fairly in depth as to the different shoe components and how they're manufactured. If you're not happy with your shoes you won't run; or worse, you'll hurt yourself.
Plus you'll find out all the good places to run and you'll almost certainly find people at your ability level to keep you on the road to good health.
Even with all the expertise, no one can tell exactly what a running shoe is going to feel like on YOUR foot 5 miles into a run. So you may have to tinker a bit. Unfortunately it will probably cost you about $100 per tinker. It's kind of like buying car tires. They look snazzy, have all the specs, but at 20,000 miles they really don't fit your driving style.
My search started at my local specialty store after I quit smoking (23 years) and gained a bunch of weight (30 lbs). Since then I've run dozens of 5Ks, 10Ks, 5 Half Marathons and 2 Marathons. I would have laughed if you told me that the morning before I walked into that store.
BTW, I personally wear ASICS GT2160, because I'm heavier, with average arches, and I overpronate. Good luck!

leadoff · March 2012

Definitely get fitted and get some good socks!

I tried Asics GT1150s and after 100 or so miles in them, my evil shin splints came back. I switched to Brooks Adrenaline, which felt a little heavy and cumbersome....not to mention the slight twinge in my right knee that developed on long runs. I finally went with the Nike Lunarfly, mainly because of the weight combined with good arch support. I now own three pairs and love how they conform to my feet.

Overall, get fitted and find a shoe that works for you!

JustBreathe418 · March 2012

X2 on asics. Look for GT2160's, they're on sale everywhere for $70 right now since they're the 2011 model, and are a runners world editor's choice.

Thank you for sharing this! I've been overdue for a new pair of running shoes and Asics are my favorite brand. Love their running shoes.

scoste · March 2012

Love my Brooks Glycerin 9's!! Very comfortable.

BaconMD · March 2012

Do not spend a hundred bucks on shoes unless you have your gait analysis done at a specialty shop. You spend the big bucks, get the right fit! Asics are a good brand, I like them. My wife likes Mizuno, I think it is.

Pebble321 · March 2012

Yup, the best running shoes are the ones that suit your feet and your gait and your budget.

I have had Nikes for the last few years but my latest pair are Brooks Dyad and I'm not completely convinced, I think I prefer the Nike Vomeros I had before. I have pretty specific foot issues though, as I've had a number of injuries to my right foot and ankle so I need something that is a really wide fit. This usually means that shoe stores try to give me New Balance (apparently they're wide) but they just aren't right for me.

Get to a good store, get some advice, test them out as much as you can in the store, check to see if they have a return policy and don't take any suggestions until you have them on your feet. And good luck getting good shoes for $100 - it sounds as though this might be possible in the US but I've had to pay over $200 for my last few pairs. And that was with a discount!

jerrytball · March 2012

For those heavier type people as myself, the only shoe I have found to satisfy my flatter, over pronated feet were the Brooks Beast, it's not a super heavy shoe, but compared to running shoes it is heavy, but feet never hurt when ran and you can run right out the box without breaking in.....with that said I was tired of not really having a choice in colors, there were only 2 so I looked on line and found a shoe sold through Roadrunner website call Pearl Izumi from japan, $120 + but light, man what a nice shoe, I liked the color. I have had 8 months now, run 3 miles a day and ran a 10K yesterday in them and still feel as they did when I bought new. I got a 11.5 med. width, because I wore that in the Brooks and other shoes, but they aren't tight tight, but snug.... I will get 12 next time. but pushing 58, 235 Lbs 6'0 I'll take the 1 Hr 09 mins run in 40 degree rain fully suited up with sweats. good luck.