New Running Shoe suggestions

Flyntiggr

I love my Newtons...they are a little pricey but worth every penny.

Newton's are cool - so many options within the shoe itself!

nomadlady7

I would go to a speciality running store where they will analyze your running, listen to what you do and need. Avoid big box sports stores where they sell shoes. I go to Fleet Feet. In addition to having all the necessary equipment, they will order shoes that they don't carry. Also have frequent shopper benefits.

LilRedRooster

I would also suggest going to a running store if you can, and have them analyze your stride and fit you for a shoe. Also, ask about their return policy to see if after using them for a bit and you possibly don't like them, you can still exchange them. Some stores have different policies about that, so I would definitely ask.

As for type of shoes, Runner's World and Running Times often have reviews of running shoes based on specific desires, like stiffness, cushioning, and other factors, depending on what you need out of a shoe. I have Vibram FiveFingers myself, because I found after years of dealing with knee issues, I decided to try minimalist, and have found that it worked for me. That doesn't work for everyone, especially for people who are used to wearing shoes, so I wouldn't recommend that approach right away. Good luck!

AshCakes88

Well when I went to Finish Line, they asked me a ton of questions as to what I was looking for, did I want lightweight, comfort, blah blah blah. Your best bet will to go talk to someone in store so they can suggest what's good for you.

designsbybriana

I went to a running store and was fitted. I'm normally a size 10 - they said I should be at a size 10 1/2. I also don't need arch support. I found that the Saucony Woman's Triumph 9 were the most comfortable shoes out of everything I tried on. They are so comfortable they feel like slippers (which is what the woman said I should be looking for in a running shoe).

http://www.saucony.com/store/SiteController/saucony/productdetails?catId=cat10002&subCatId=cat1220398&showDefaultOption=true&stockNumber=10137-4&skuId=***4********10137-4*M110&productId=4-108310&&subCatId=cat1220398&productId=4-108310&stockNumber=10137-4&subCatTabId=&catId=cat10002&productdisplayName=Women's+Triumph+9&subcatdisplayName=Running&skuId=***4********10137-4*M110&pageIdentifier=productdetail&catdisplayName=Women&showDefaultOption=true

That is the url for the ones I got. They are high rated on their website too, but pricey at $130. Worth it if my feet don't go numb like they were before I switched shoes Good luck!! You really should go and get fitted and have them watch your walk to see if you need arch support.

UsaJewels05

Do you have a Fleet Feet near you? If so you can go there and they will have you run/walk on a treadmill to see which shoe will fit best for your feet and running. Some of the shoes are expensive but they normally have a few different style at different prices. I got some there at they were $120.00.

DelilahCat0212

Please please please please, get fitted at a running store, it's the best thing you can do for your feet, legs, your whole body. I used to buy whatever cheap/discounted/on-sale Nike/New Balance shoes I could find off the rack at regular stores and my knees, ankles and feet would be in so much pain and I was prone to sprains. I had no idea that I overpronate when I walk/run (my ankles roll inward). I found out when I was finally fitted at a store. I need stability shoes and most off the rack sneakers at department stores are for neutral gaits. Go to a running store, it is SO worth it. I didn't want to pay more than $100 for sneakers (I'm broke and cheap) but it really is worth it. I dragged my feet (no pun intended) for the longest time and refused to go and my friends that knew better finally convinced me to do it.

I like New Balances. I also have an extremely wide foot and they are the most comfortable for my duck feet.

ginaquinn2

Hi I think the best running shoe is the one that feels best on your foot. I have been going to a place called Portland running company.
What they do for me is watch me walk....25 feet or better they watch for how my foot is turning.....how my hips line up etc. There are shoes that work best for flat feet, normal feet and high arch. I have a very high arch, my right hip is lower and what shoe I am wearing now is "Asics Gel Duomax GT 2150 Running Shoes SoLyte" Excellent on my feet and I love them but it may be the wrong shoe for you.
I really think it is worth it to go to a running store. I have found that if you feel better you want to move more. The right fitting shoes have even helped with low back pain.

Irishmoonwitch

Just a few weeks ago me and my boyfriend got our feet fitted for shoes. To make sure we are wearing the right kind and they fit the right way. We went to tortoise and hare sports. They did the fitting for free. You can get walking or running shoes there. i would suggest going to a place that does something like they do to get the best shoes for you.

waldo56

It really depends on your gait. If you are a toe or midfoot striker, shoes are pretty irrelevant as long as they fit right and don't give you blisters, heel strikers are the ones that really need the right shoes.

Shoes like Vibrams force the issue (try heel striking in Vibrams and you'll be limping in half a block), the reason why pronation is not a consideration with Vibrams, they will turn you into a normal gait toe/midfoot striker, most people can only handle small doses at first though if they aren't already.

I run on pavement so want some meat under me, but I'm very much a midfoot striker, for me Saucony Kinvaras >>>> everything else. They are not a shoe for heel strikers though, at all.

Sabine_Stroehm

Get fitted in a running store.

This is the best advice. My guy filmed me and all that jazz and suggested Brooks.

FunandFitMom

I'm a big Asics fan and LOVE my speedstar gels. They are super light (7 oz) and come in aqua/black and hot pink/orange.

Duck_Puddle

The best running shoes are the ones that work for you. A fitting at a good running store can steer you down the right road (much better than asking a bunch of people on the Internet who like their shoes because they fit their feet/gait-which may or may not correlate to your feet/gait). I went to a running store, learned I needed a mild stability shoe, made like Cinderella and tried on what felt like 200 pairs of shoes. I picked the pair that felt like a dream when I ran at the store-they made my feet go numb when I ran for 4+ miles. So I trekked back to the running store and we went through the whole process again. Left with another pair that felt good-only to have this pair "overcorrect" and give me itbs issues. So rinse and repeat back to the running store-shoes either mare my feet numb or gave me the itbs issue-back and forth 7 times. Finally found a winner. For me, it's a saucony hurricane. But that's me-not necessarily going to work for you. I tried a number of shoes listed above and they didn't work for me. But going to the local running store made it so all those returns & exchanges were free (even though I had run outside-on trails in most), and rather than staring at a sea of available shoes and wondering what to get-the running store pulled out the shoes with the wide enough toe box, the level of support/stability I needed, and the level of cushioning I prefer (which may or may not correlate to what you need/like). So go to a running store-they will help you find what you need.

crowmike

I would agree that it depends on how long/far you run, if you pronate, etc. It's a good idea to get to a running store and get fitted. Personally, I pronate really bad. I choose the Progrid Stabil 2 by Saucony. I replace the "shoe sock" with New Balance inserts. They make all the difference in the world. Good luck on your goals!

dpwellman

A1 suggestion is: GET FITTED.

Other than that, I'm perfectly neutral so I ran in "neutral"/"cushion" shoes. The worst were Adidas Adistar (heel was actually too high and I PAID for that with a major injury) The best were Nike Vomero (4, 5 and 6) until I transitioned into Nike Free Run.

I run in Free now.

I also used Asics Gel Nimbus (8,9, 10, 11) and Pearl Izumi Syncrofloat (III I would have stuck with these if they had lasted longer, but they broke down after about 300 miles)

Again, I'm neutral. You might not be.

HauteP1nk

You should have your gait analyzed to find the perfect shoe for you.

Brooks and Asics are a great brand.

corinne1977

I have a wide foot and Asics is the only shoe I've found to not feel snug in the toes. I just bought the Gel Nimbus 13 and I love them.