Running shoe opinions?!

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2

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  • mmarin81
    mmarin81 Posts: 241
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    I personally feel reebok reeflex are the best. Tried a couple but I think I will be staying with these for a bit.
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
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    I was dead set on getting a pair of new balance minimals.
    I went to a running store and ended up with a pair of brooks. They kid (after I had to basically beat him to help me) really did a good job in figuring out that I had collapsing arches. it was a 45 min drive, so I wasn't going to make a second trip.

    so +1 on going to a good running store.
  • KimertRuns13_1
    KimertRuns13_1 Posts: 705
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    Forget about anyone's opinions or preferences. Take yourself down to the local running store, and they will help get you into the right pair of shoes for you!
    This, always.
  • jabdye
    jabdye Posts: 4,059 Member
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    Mizuno fan!!! check out their website -- they have the best fitting advice.
  • artbkward
    artbkward Posts: 238 Member
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    Thanks everyone. The nearest specialty shoe store is about an hour drive for me so I guess I need to plan a trip. The shoes I have been wearing are just some Nike running shoes that are a couple years old and have never really been ran in much, but they are giving me blisters on the outside of my big toe. It's not comfortable...

    They are probably the wrong size. As everyone else suggested, you should go to a running specialty store. They will be able to find exactly the right shoes for you, any quality running store will let you take the shoes for a test run that day as well. Prepare to spend at least $100.

    Also, once you get them ONLY use them for running. Don't use them for weight traning, kickboxing class or everyday use, you'll only have to replace them faster.
  • mlewon
    mlewon Posts: 343 Member
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    Brooks!! I loooove mine!
  • sweetsarahj
    sweetsarahj Posts: 701 Member
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    I just bought a new pair of New Balance runners, which I love. The best part is, if you shop at the New Balance store, they encourage you to go out and run in them, and if you don't like them, you can still return them :)
  • lunatikchik
    lunatikchik Posts: 30 Member
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    What if there are no running specialty stores within 200 miles of your location?
    (i live in the boonies) we have shoe stores but the clerks in there are high schoolers, or college students at best...
  • Jazzyrose77
    Jazzyrose77 Posts: 153 Member
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    I have Brooks Adrenaline. They work well if you have a high arch.
  • feltlikesound
    feltlikesound Posts: 326 Member
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    I think you really just need to go somewhere knowledgable, and try on different brands. What's good for the goose is NOT good for the gander. My spouse and I are both runners, but she gets a PERFECT fit from Asics, while I find them incredibly uncomfortable. I (admittedly skeptically) have fallen in love with my New Balance runners, and am not sure i'll ever go back to anything else!
  • Bailey543
    Bailey543 Posts: 375
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    I've tried them all. But let me tell you, I have a pair of Brooks and will never, ever, ever go to any other brand again. Brooks are like crack for your feet. Sooo addicting :laugh: I have a high arch and was getting shin splints and was about to give up running. Figured I'd heard so many good things about Brooks, tried em' and love em'.
  • anewmeforever
    anewmeforever Posts: 36
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    I suggest you go to a reputable shoe store (we have some specialty running shops in my area) and get fitted. It won't cost you anything extra. The right shoe for you is not one that other people really like... It's the shoe that fits your feet, corrects any alignment problems (if you have any), and feels "like wearing a slipper" (as the store rep told me)

    I really like my Nike Free Runs but I find I run best wearing the New Balance W880GS I got fitted for.

    Sound advice!! I've been running marathons for years, and I was fitted for Asic Kayanos. I recently bought the Asic Nimbus because it was on sale, and that was such a bad idea. Completely different, actually almost opposite. I need support and Kayanos give that, while Nimbus is all cushioning. I've also tried Brooks because all my runner friends loved them, but they weren't for me. Plan that trip, and let us know how you make out! And HAPPY RUNNING! :smooched:
  • tikikris
    tikikris Posts: 81 Member
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    Asics gal here :-) I love my Asics gels!!

    I've tried Nike and New Balance.

    I may try Brooks but I'm pretty sure my next pair of shoes will be Asics. I am an over pronator so I buy stability shoes.

    Agree totally! I've spent bucks on the Brooks Glycerins, but the Asics Gels just seem to work better for me.

    And, invest in some good supportive running socks like Thorlos.
  • artbkward
    artbkward Posts: 238 Member
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    What if there are no running specialty stores within 200 miles of your location?
    (i live in the boonies) we have shoe stores but the clerks in there are high schoolers, or college students at best...

    If you're serious about running, I would make a trip to the non-boonies, maybe you can tie that in with something else like taking the kids to the zoo or going to a concert? If you find the right shoe once, you can keep reordering that same shoe without having to make that long trip each time. I would guess road runner sports carries any shoe you would need.

    http://www.roadrunnersports.com/
  • Ke22yB
    Ke22yB Posts: 969 Member
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    I wore NB models for 3 years got them at a running store where I was fitted and had me jog on treadmill to film gait stride etc. went a few years replacing them as I went to other newer New Balance models a month or so ago went in and was talking with a sales assistant and when he found out is was 3 years insisted I go thru the whole routine again Guess what gait stride pronation even a change in my arch as my weight and distance changed so refit me and no longer need 4E width extra support went to a regular flatter and more stiff but I feel great so if you replace your shoes a few times a year get recheck every so often
  • JustJennie1
    JustJennie1 Posts: 3,843 Member
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    Nike is not for every one. I had a pair because people raved about the brand so I figured there has to be something to it. Turns out they are NOT the running shoe for me. They were very narrow and uncomfortable. I went to a reputable store to get fitted and it turns out that for me Nike is not a good shoe based on the way I run.

    I highly suggest you take the hour trip to the store and get fitted for your running shoes. They will have you run on a treadmill and tape/observe the way you run and then get the shoe that's right for your strike and stride. The store I go to will give me about two to three different brands of shoes that are for my feet, let me try them on and then let me go run outside for a little bit (not too long) to see how they feel before I buy. I also learned that even if it's the same brand but an "updated" version of the shoe to try before I buy! I made the mistake of buying an upgraded version of a shoe I previously had and it was NOT the same shoe! Thankfully they took back both pairs. My current shoes (which I need to get new ones) are Brooks and I love them. I don't know what the next shoe will be though. For me it's not a case of a particular brand that I keep going back to (as I said an upgraded version could be drastically different) but more of a shoe that's comfortable on my foot.

    It is very important to have shoes that fit and are comfortable. If you feel like you have to "break them in" then they are not the shoe for you. You should never have to break in runners that fit properly. Also remember that running shoes should be 1/2 a size bigger than what you normally wear.
  • JennaM222
    JennaM222 Posts: 1,996 Member
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    Team Asics!!

    and YES get fitted at a professional store ( Running Room )

    I after losing 30 lbs I just got a new pair of shoes and I needed a different style becasue I no longer pronate.
  • Sox90716
    Sox90716 Posts: 976 Member
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    I run in Vibram Spyridon and New Balance Trail Minimus.
  • mamato2babes
    mamato2babes Posts: 90
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    What if there are no running specialty stores within 200 miles of your location?
    (i live in the boonies) we have shoe stores but the clerks in there are high schoolers, or college students at best...

    I dont' know for sure about the other shoe sites, but I know that the Brooks website offers a live chat option with some of their shoe specialists. You can tell them what you currently wear, how you run, etc. They will ask tons of questions and then give you a few options. Brooks is great because they have a no questions asked 30 day return policy. If the shoes don't work, you can return them within the month!
  • jessicakate329
    jessicakate329 Posts: 7
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    I just bought Adidas ClimaCool Oscillation and I love them. I was having foot pain in my New Balance sneakers but ever since I started wearing the adidas I haven't had any problems. I think the NB had too much support and the adidas allow my feet to move better and are more flexible.

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