Finally! The best Running Shoe on the market!

Trail_Addict

I finally found the best running shoe out there. Guess which brand it is. I'll wait............. give up?

It's the pair that has been professional fitted to your particular foot and gait. Pretty cool, huh?

I see this question asked here repeatedly. Someone will ask about opinions on running shoes, and many will answer with what "their" personal favorites are. The problem with this is that everyone has differences with their feet and their running/ walking gaits.

Your arches may be vastly different than mine. You may over-pronate, where your running buddy has a more neutral landing. You get the idea.

This certainly isn't meant to be demeaning to anyone that promotes their particular shoe. This is just to remind the newer runners that you need to take those opinions with a grain of salt until you are armed with the knowledge to sort out what suits you and what doesn't.

Do yourself a favor... go to a local running store (not the big-box sporting goods stores), and have a professional properly fit you. This usually involves having your arches measured, having you run on a treadmill (sometimes videoed in slow-motion), and having a running/ medical history taken. You will pay just a few dollars more for the shoes at these stores than buying shoes online, but will save you lots down the road through pain, and possibly the expense of seeing a physical therapist for running-related injuries.

They will then put you in the proper shoe for YOUR needs. Once you have that information, you will then later be able to compare one brand versus another, and start buying online.

Oh, and you'll want to keep track of the mileage you put on a pair of shoes. Generally speaking, you can expect to get 300-500 miles out of a pair (depending on the materials of the shoe and terrain you run on). They will break down internally before they 'look' worn out; yet another reason to seek the advice of a professional. They can give you a better idea about shoe life.

Hope this helps my new running friends. :flowerforyou:

Personally, I only have one favorite brand... New Balance.... or was it Pearl Izumi.... or maybe Inov-8. I'm fickle like that.

Edited to add: I know of several people who had the 'fitting' service provided at a local running store, and then used that information to buy shoes online instead of at the store. I prefer to support local stores for the personalized service they provide, but I understand that sometimes that extra $15 - $30 can be a deal-breaker.

wolfchild59

Thank you! I've been mentally composing a post just like this for the last day or so and just haven't had the time to get it all down!

This, forever this when it comes to running shoes.

And New Balance suck, Nike is the only way to go. Or maybe Brooks.

nikkibyrdRN

Awesome advice!!! I always recommend a personal fitting from a running store!

FeelTheBurn73

I have been running for about 5 years and I am a true Asics fan (and occasionally Brooks). Asics Gel Noosa Tri 7 looks crazy as hell but are the best shoes I have bought I could use them for cross country meets and training for a half marathon.

I think people REALLY underestimate the importance of quality shoes that fit you. Part of the reason I fractured my tibia was because of bad shoes. Everyone has a different stride, running form, etc. and my local running shop is the go-to place.
Great advice!

Edit: At the store I go to, I run on a treadmill which performs a "gait analysis" by recording a video of how my ankles/feet hit the ground and the running specialists analyze it. It's pretty cool ! Quality running shoes can be pretty expensive (I spend between $120 and $140 every few months). My advice is find a certain shoe/brand that works for you and ask if they have one model earlier.

mhotch

I have lost count how many times I have posted, "Get your feet analyzed by a reputable running store!"

EricDe90x

I really like how light new balance shoes feel on my feet. I go to bayside runner before cross country season and get myself on the treadmill and fitted for a new shoe. But their running shoes are very very pricey! If you're serious about running and have the money, I agree, go to a running store and get fitted, but otherwise find something comfortable in a sears or sports authority.

MissFit0101

bump...

IronmanPanda

Love my Zoots.

mnishi

New Balance has a line of shoes that are assembled in the US, no other shoe company (that I know of) has any part of their production in the US. I only buy US assembled New Balance, fortunately, they are great shoes.

california_peach

You're a damn tease, that's what you are.

arleylange

I am in agreement in saying "Go to a reputable running store!" That said, I love New Balance, but my current shoes are Brooks, although I am finding myself in my Vibram Five Fingers A LOT more often.

walkwithme1

With just having had surgery on my plantar fascia it's important to have really good shoes on my feet. I wear Saucony to work (with inserts bought from a professional running store. Went back last week to the running store and was fitted for shoes. Tried asics, new balance and brooks. Asics felt good for the moment because mt feet were already hurting, brooks felt lousy, they didn't "hug" my feet enough, but the new balance felt great! Hugged my heel, just the right amount of cushion and support. Yes, I paid double the price I would have paid at a big chain but it's worth it. ( I had literally tried on 20-25 different tennis shoes, all brands, several stores.). Cathy listened to my needs and concerns and found the best shoes for me. I think I love her lol. Well at least my feet do! Good luck to anyone looking for new tennis shoes.

usedasbrandnew

I've never been to a running store... I've tried google, but I don't know if these places are reputable. What are some good places?

ladytinkerbell99

bump for later

wolfchild59

I've never been to a running store... I've tried google, but I don't know if these places are reputable. What are some good places?

You've likely got local shops in your area that will do the evaluations. The big brand sports stores don't tend to do it, or have the selection of specially need shoes (or even wides or narrows, only mediums) that the smaller stores will have. Mostly because those stores are made to carry a little bit for every sport, so they go with popular and general for their products.

The names of the two local shops in my area are The Running Revolution and Athletic Performance. They're both small, local only, running only, stores. The third one in my area is RoadRunner Sports. They're a little bigger, have their own brand name stuff in running accessories (like socks, hats, hydration belts, etc) and are fully running dedicated as well. And they're more of a chain, so they have multiple locations.

I looked at Sports Authority and REI but neither of them had any of the shoes that the other three places had selected for me after the running evaluations. Sports Authority had one of the styles, but didn't carry anything but the medium width and I needed wides.

I also did some research online and, on top of the prices at all three shops being exactly the same, it was pretty much the price I found online as well. The lowest I found one pair was $15 less than in the store, but had $8 shipping, so getting them in hand immediately was well worth the extra $7 to me. (and my feet appreciate that decision)

I was lucky enough to already know about one of the local shops because it's on the way to one of mine and the hubby's favorite brunch places. The larger place I drive by constantly because it's on a major road in the area. And the last place I found simply by typing "running store" into Yelp, so I'd say start there.

Good luck and enjoy your new shoes!

secoke

I've never been to a running store... I've tried google, but I don't know if these places are reputable. What are some good places?

I used to go to Fleet Feet in California, they are really helpful.

aeverton

just for reference...how much are we talking here? 100-200 dollars?
I'm new to running. Already feeling like I've got sore feet and shins. Thing is I really don't want to become a marathoner- just some 5K's. I guess, I'm trying to justify what the expense would be, kwim?

Angie

JustJennie1

Definitely get fitted for shoes. I went to a Sporting Goods and got "fitted" for a shoe and it was NOT the shoe for me. My friend who is a serious athlete took me to the store that he goes to and I got fitted properly and I have never gone any where else for my shoes. However now I am really into my Vibram 5-finger shoes which I am still breaking in but absolutely adore.

Edited because the name of the sporting store was bleeped out because it's another name for Richard

susanstpeter

BROOKS!

BrianSharpe

It's the pair that has been professional fitted to your particular foot and gait. Pretty cool, huh?

Do yourself a favor... go to a local running store (not the big-box sporting goods stores), and have a professional properly fit you. This usually involves having your arches measured, having you run on a treadmill (sometimes videoed in slow-motion), and having a running/ medical history taken. You will pay just a few dollars more for the shoes at these stores than buying shoes online, but will save you lots down the road through pain, and possibly the expense of seeing a physical therapist for running-related injuries.

+1

JustJennie1

I've never been to a running store... I've tried google, but I don't know if these places are reputable. What are some good places?

I used to go to Fleet Feet in California, they are really helpful.

Fleet Feet is awesome. That's who I go to to get my shoes.