How do you "know" the right running shoes?

AyanaSan

It's really trial and error. My first pair were Asics GT2170s, and since I WAS a heavier, newer runner they worked perfectly. A year later for my first half, I switched to the Asics Gel Kayanos and loved them. Much lighter and less cushion, and then as I lost weight and my feet shrank.. I switched over to Mizunos. You'll notice that when shoe companies update a shoe, those updates can sometimes affect the overall fit. Good luck!

DrBorkBork

I wear vibrams. I tried on several of the models, but once I put on a pair of komodos, I practically shoe-gasm'd. It was like there was a God, and he had made this shoe specifically for my feet.

LOL @ shoegasm!! :laugh: :laugh:

I just bought some Komodos yesterday, so I am so glad you posted that. I had Vibram Sprints years ago when they first came out... then killed a pair of KSOs and a pair of Bikilas and just ordered these cos they were so well reviewed on Barefoot Runner.

I hope you fall in love with them as hardcore as I've fallen for mine. I just tried on a new pair of komodos the other day and it was like slipping into bed with an old lover (amazing, btw). I never want to go back to regular toe corsets (shoes) again!

Valera0466

Bump

skinnynerd

I love the shoe tips.

JustJennie1

I wasn't running on a treadmill for the gait analysis. Basically, I took my old shoes in, told them the issues I was having and that I have flat feet, and they picked a few pair out for me to try. Then they looked at how I ran in them on a short track in the store (really short LOL). I tend to overpronate but I have a really good mid-foot strike due to my short, choppy stride LOL. I normally run on asphalt outdoors. I was running on a treadmill last night to test the shoes without wearing them outside. The distance I want them to go is far less important to me - I'll buy new shoes sooner if the shoes are great. I probably run 9.5 to 12 miles a week but also wear them for occasional walking and cycling.

The Brooks have the asymetrical lacing - I had never seen that before LOL.

I was surprised I ended up with Nike's the first time. They are normally too narrow for me, but the Zoom Structure has a really wide fit.

Sounds like you went to a regular sporting goods store. I did that. I told them my issues, they had me run on the short track (was this by chance a D*cks Sporting Goods store?) and they gave me the shoes that they said were for me based on just a quick glance at how I ran.

They were NOT the shoes for me. I still had the same issues that I was having and it was a bit worse than before. I spent a lot of money on a pair of Nike shoes that weren't for my feet and gait. Friends of mine who are serious athletes told me to go to a store called Fleet Feet (not sure if you have one where you are or one similar) but it is a RUNNING SHOE STORE. The people there are EXPERTS. I showed them the shoes I had. They told me to hop on the treadmill and they taped me running and watched me on the treadmill. They told me I ran funny (seriously. I'm a toe striker and I tend to swing my legs out as I run) and then they ran in back, pulled out three different pairs of shoes for me to try. I tried them all, was able to take a quick jog around the block in each one to see how they fit and bought a pair. They were perfect from the second I began running. I'm not specific to one brand. I will buy whatever brand feels the most comfortable on my foot. Now all I do is bring my shoes in and tell them I need another pair and they'll go in back and pick out whatever shoes are meant for my foot.

You really need to go to an expert and get properly fitted for shoes. If you don't and you wear the wrong ones you could risk getting injured.

(Oh, I also have the Vibram 5-finger shoes which I absolutely adore running in).

ETA: The running shoe store is quite a ways from where I live but I will never go to another store to buy my shoes. I will always give Fleet Feet my business. I actually bought two pairs of shoes that were the "upgraded" version of what I had. I ran in one pair for a while and they just didn't feel right. I was able to take back BOTH pairs of shoes -- even the ones I ran in and no longer had the box to -- without a receipt and no questions asked. Again, I will never go to any other store for my running shoes.

timboom1

I bought them from Road Runner Sports, so I can return them within 90 days. But I guess I just don't know how to tell if a shoe feels right to me without running a few miles in them. How can YOU tell? Any tips? When I got fitted for my Nike's, there were two other pairs I liked - a pair of Brooks and a pair of Saucony (though I don't remember which models). I couldn't decide between the three, so I picked the prettiest pair LOL.

There is no way to tell without running a few miles in a new style, on the surface you normally run on, the way you would normally run. Getting a good fit at your local running store is the place to start in terms of fit and gait but there are often little things that will not show up until a real run. I have never been to a local store where they have not suggested I do one or two 3 to 5 mile runs in a new shoe style and bring them back if something isn't right. Finding the right shoe means you keep running, means you buy more shoes.

Of course once you find the right shoe, buy lots of them, every maker seems to want to screw a good model up the next year and it's back to the drawing board.

omma_to_3

I wasn't running on a treadmill for the gait analysis. Basically, I took my old shoes in, told them the issues I was having and that I have flat feet, and they picked a few pair out for me to try. Then they looked at how I ran in them on a short track in the store (really short LOL). I tend to overpronate but I have a really good mid-foot strike due to my short, choppy stride LOL. I normally run on asphalt outdoors. I was running on a treadmill last night to test the shoes without wearing them outside. The distance I want them to go is far less important to me - I'll buy new shoes sooner if the shoes are great. I probably run 9.5 to 12 miles a week but also wear them for occasional walking and cycling.

The Brooks have the asymetrical lacing - I had never seen that before LOL.

I was surprised I ended up with Nike's the first time. They are normally too narrow for me, but the Zoom Structure has a really wide fit.

Sounds like you went to a regular sporting goods store. I did that. I told them my issues, they had me run on the short track (was this by chance a D*cks Sporting Goods store?) and they gave me the shoes that they said were for me based on just a quick glance at how I ran.

They were NOT the shoes for me. I still had the same issues that I was having and it was a bit worse than before. I spent a lot of money on a pair of Nike shoes that weren't for my feet and gait. Friends of mine who are serious athletes told me to go to a store called Fleet Feet (not sure if you have one where you are or one similar) but it is a RUNNING SHOE STORE. The people there are EXPERTS. I showed them the shoes I had. They told me to hop on the treadmill and they taped me running and watched me on the treadmill. They told me I ran funny (seriously. I'm a toe striker and I tend to swing my legs out as I run) and then they ran in back, pulled out three different pairs of shoes for me to try. I tried them all, was able to take a quick jog around the block in each one to see how they fit and bought a pair. They were perfect from the second I began running. I'm not specific to one brand. I will buy whatever brand feels the most comfortable on my foot. Now all I do is bring my shoes in and tell them I need another pair and they'll go in back and pick out whatever shoes are meant for my foot.

You really need to go to an expert and get properly fitted for shoes. If you don't and you wear the wrong ones you could risk getting injured.

(Oh, I also have the Vibram 5-finger shoes which I absolutely adore running in).

ETA: The running shoe store is quite a ways from where I live but I will never go to another store to buy my shoes. I will always give Fleet Feet my business. I actually bought two pairs of shoes that were the "upgraded" version of what I had. I ran in one pair for a while and they just didn't feel right. I was able to take back BOTH pairs of shoes -- even the ones I ran in and no longer had the box to -- without a receipt and no questions asked. Again, I will never go to any other store for my running shoes.

Thanks for the caps, but when I say I went to a RUNNING STORE, that's what I mean. A great, local place that only does running.

For others, I've been running about 4 months now, several times a week. Still new, but not completely new LOL. And the shoes I have now are great, but the second pair of them I bought, not so much. Same model, same year, just a different color. It was quite disappointing.

JB5349

I wear etonic jespara but they wear out in about three months and cost a fortune but they are amazingly comfortable

larkiedeek

I was "fitted" today for my first running shoe.

I guess I will find out how they are over the next couple of weeks when I am doing 5k runs in them.


I think you are right. You just know when you get the right shoe.

Can't believe I have been running in old cluncky gym shoes for the last few weeks. :grumble:

omma_to_3

Just thought I would update. I sent the PureCadence back, not because I didn't think they'd work but because they're different enough that I didn't want to alternate them with more traditional shoes. I've been running in my old Nikes and the Saucony Progrid Mirages and it's going well. I love the Saucony now and ordered a second pair when I returned the Brooks.

Drastiic

I wear vibrams. I tried on several of the models, but once I put on a pair of komodos, I practically shoe-gasm'd. It was like there was a God, and he had made this shoe specifically for my feet.

LOL @ shoegasm!! :laugh: :laugh:

I just bought some Komodos yesterday, so I am so glad you posted that. I had Vibram Sprints years ago when they first came out... then killed a pair of KSOs and a pair of Bikilas and just ordered these cos they were so well reviewed on Barefoot Runner.

I hope you fall in love with them as hardcore as I've fallen for mine. I just tried on a new pair of komodos the other day and it was like slipping into bed with an old lover (amazing, btw). I never want to go back to regular toe corsets (shoes) again!

Didn't realize this was a VFF party! I have the KSO and Bikila LS and love them. Polar opposites of the stability/motion-controlled shoes recommended for my wide, flat feet. I do own a pair of Brooks Beast but I only use them as a doorstop.

CarsonRuns

Try some BROOKS out. A little pricey, over $100-- but sometimes you can get them on sale for cheaper. They have made a HUGE difference for me!

Which ones? Brooks makes about 100 different shoes.

Brand doesn't matter. It has to be the right shoe for the way your run and the shape of your foot. Brooks are a good brand, but so are Mizuno, Saucony, Asiscs, etc., etc.

DrBorkBork

I do own a pair of Brooks Beast but I only use them as a doorstop.

Same.

Just scored my second pair of komodos today. The guy at the running store was giggling cuz I was making audible love noises as I slipped them on.

dad106

Since I have never ran a day in my life, I just took my normal gym shoes and tried to run in those(Nike Shoxx) and god are those things awful for running.. they are so heavy and clunky!

I randomly picked up a pair of NIke Free Running Shoes and have never looked back. They are so light on my feet, and it doesn't even feel like I have anything on!