Help me pick out some running shoes!

jessejames3ball
jessejames3ball Posts: 268
in Fitness and Exercise
Good morning everyone. I need some running shoes! I have some ok cross training type of shoes, but they aren't good enough for running.

Quick background on what I need: I have bad knees, both of them. I also tend to get shin splints, but that's probably just me being a wuss. haha So I need something that will help a lot with the impact of the road, and won't hurt the budget too bad either. The budget part probably removes all things Nike, but whatever.

So, thoughts? Suggestions? Ideas?
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Replies

  • Bean615
    Bean615 Posts: 132 Member
    i went to a local running store and they watched me run on the treadmill and picked out the perfect sneakers for me! expensive but worth it!
  • kristin1493
    kristin1493 Posts: 41 Member
    Running shoes are so individualized. Get to a running store and have them fit you. What works for one doesn't work for another.
  • Hellbent_Heidi
    Hellbent_Heidi Posts: 3,669 Member
    Another vote for running store. No matter what everyone else likes or what works for them..they are not you, and YOU need shoes that will suit your needs, so defer to the professionals! If you're looking for a better budget, go get fitted at the running store, write down the ones you like, then shop online (roadrunner dot com is always cheaper!).

    Edit: check out outlet stores afterward too..you can sometimes find great deals, but definitely do the running store trip to find out what will best suit your needs.
  • brattyworm
    brattyworm Posts: 2,137 Member
    running store.... fleet feet is my favorite. :)
  • wolfgate
    wolfgate Posts: 321 Member
    Agree on the running store advice. You need someone who can analyze your gait properly and get you in the right shoes. Big box stores typically won't cut it as far as expertise.
  • funpilot56
    funpilot56 Posts: 100
    Good idea to get evaluated. Make sure you pick a shoe for function, not style. Who gives a crap what it looks like after you have run thru mud.
  • runzalot81
    runzalot81 Posts: 782 Member
    Shin splints are nothing to mess around with. Definitely not a wuss! They can lead to stress fractures. Great shoes will help but I encourage you to look into compression socks and/or sleeves.

    You need to figure out how your foot strikes the ground. Do you overpronate? You need a knowledgable person to assess your gait and posture. Do you have a local specialty running store? The big box stores are kinda useless as far as helpful personnel.

    I run in Brooks Adrenaline GTS. They rock my world and I've been running in them for nearly 10 years. I overpronate and my knees never hurt in Brooks.
  • azwethinkweizm
    azwethinkweizm Posts: 47 Member
    Asics work for most people but I would go to a store and have them fit them for you. I ran on a treadmill and had insoles moulded to my feet and I have a lost less problems with shin splints & pains in general now. :smile:
  • unlocke
    unlocke Posts: 149
    I understand the cost, but a good pair of shoes are cheaper than a doctor visit. Reebok flex are great for bad knees....trust me! :wink:
  • belleflop
    belleflop Posts: 154 Member
    Run barefoot on grass or other soft material like a track. Start out very slowly and build leg strength over time. Barefoot running will correct your gait and proper foot strike. After this find a nice shoe that has a nice ground feel but gives you the support you need to absorb the shock from concrete and enjoy running while minimizing injury!
  • jessejames3ball
    jessejames3ball Posts: 268
    Thanks for the replies. I do not have a running specific store anywhere near me. There is a decent sporting goods store, but they don't quite have the level of detail that you all are mentioning.
  • MikeyD1280
    MikeyD1280 Posts: 5,257
    this is great! I never thought to seek a professional foot person. I think that I will do that too. I wonder how I run and been eye-ing up the clima-cool by adias... but rather put my money in the BEST for me sneaker!

    who knows.. maybe that one would be it!
  • MikeyD1280
    MikeyD1280 Posts: 5,257
    Thanks for the replies. I do not have a running specific store anywhere near me. There is a decent sporting goods store, but they don't quite have the level of detail that you all are mentioning.

    you ever think of looking up a foot doctor or specialist, that's what I would need to do, I actually just contacted one and waiting for a reply to see if they can help.
  • suwonfish
    suwonfish Posts: 36
    I've run half and full marathons in these and I'm (and always have been) a heavy guy.

    Nike Pegasus. Trust me on this.
  • HoneyBadgerVin
    HoneyBadgerVin Posts: 166
    +1 for barefoot running. Helped me and at least 2 other friends with knee pain.
  • boonognog
    boonognog Posts: 55 Member
    Here in my area we have Omega Sports with a fantastic staff that will evaluate your gait right there in the store.

    I bought the Brooks shoes they recommended for me and I have to say they are worth every penny. I don't even run, but just the fit and support for walking is incredible.

    Buying the right shoe is one of the most overlooked parts of feeling good throughout the day!
  • jessejames3ball
    jessejames3ball Posts: 268
    Does anyone use those shoes with the toe cutouts? Can't think of what they are called, sorry.
  • ShaunMc1968
    ShaunMc1968 Posts: 204
    Recent research shows that there is an absolute nonsense surrounding expensive trainers - get a pair that's comfy and the rest is up to you,

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01l1yxk

    estract from Canadian expert .......

    Professor Benno Nigg of the University of Calgary in Canada, has been studying the biomechanics of running for more than 40 years.

    He said the conventional thinking was that cushioning and control were the key health benefits of running shoes - but that idea has been proven wrong by recent studies that showed no difference in injury rates if runners were prescribed structured shoes meant to control how their foot lands as they run.

    "The most important predictors for injuries are distance, recovery time, intensity and those type of things... the shoes come very, very later as minor contributors."

    Prof Nigg's advice to runners is to find something that fits.

    "If you can find a shoe where you just enjoy that activity and you are comfortable, that's all you need."


    Hope this helps,

    Regards,
    S.
  • MikeyD1280
    MikeyD1280 Posts: 5,257
    sandles? :laugh:
  • kayrevan
    kayrevan Posts: 37 Member
    Does anyone use those shoes with the toe cutouts? Can't think of what they are called, sorry.

    I have a friend who runs in them. Said they were the best running shoes she has ever owned and even made her 5K time a bit faster!
  • HoneyBadgerVin
    HoneyBadgerVin Posts: 166
    Does anyone use those shoes with the toe cutouts? Can't think of what they are called, sorry.

    Vibram FiveFingers. I swear by em.

    But if they're too weird, many companies make a barefoot running shoe now with larger toe box.
  • MikeyD1280
    MikeyD1280 Posts: 5,257
    Recent research shows that there is an absolute nonsense surrounding expensive trainers - get a pair that's comfy and the rest is up to you,

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01l1yxk

    estract from Canadian expert .......

    Professor Benno Nigg of the University of Calgary in Canada, has been studying the biomechanics of running for more than 40 years.

    He said the conventional thinking was that cushioning and control were the key health benefits of running shoes - but that idea has been proven wrong by recent studies that showed no difference in injury rates if runners were prescribed structured shoes meant to control how their foot lands as they run.

    "The most important predictors for injuries are distance, recovery time, intensity and those type of things... the shoes come very, very later as minor contributors."

    Prof Nigg's advice to runners is to find something that fits.

    "If you can find a shoe where you just enjoy that activity and you are comfortable, that's all you need."


    Hope this helps,

    Regards,
    S.

    good read.... what stinks with everything is that it is also interpretation. Almost all body builders us supplements... so that right there is proof that somethings work. I feel that mostly all "findings" out there are half and half with truths and opinions.
  • ChiFortunate1
    ChiFortunate1 Posts: 43 Member
    No one can tell how much you pronate on a message board :wink:
    Go to a running specialty shoe store and they will make you run, and watch you the whole time and put you in some different shoes, make you run to see how they feel on you.

    Once you know what kind of runner you are you can follow updates and new shoes that come out and what will work for you.
    A good resource, www.runnersworld.com I was just watching their Fall shoe guide reviews last night.

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  • jessejames3ball
    jessejames3ball Posts: 268
    Does anyone use those shoes with the toe cutouts? Can't think of what they are called, sorry.

    Vibram FiveFingers. I swear by em.

    But if they're too weird, many companies make a barefoot running shoe now with larger toe box.
    Those things are so funky! I kind of want to try them on to at least see. Are they pretty comfortable? Have ok padding for running on rougher stuff? Gravel, etc.?
  • HoneyBadgerVin
    HoneyBadgerVin Posts: 166
    Does anyone use those shoes with the toe cutouts? Can't think of what they are called, sorry.

    Vibram FiveFingers. I swear by em.

    But if they're too weird, many companies make a barefoot running shoe now with larger toe box.
    Those things are so funky! I kind of want to try them on to at least see. Are they pretty comfortable? Have ok padding for running on rougher stuff? Gravel, etc.?

    Yeah, they are kinda funky for many people. But there are other companies who make barefoot specific runners like Merrell's Gloves, Inov8's Bare series, or Zemgear, that makes the toe box large enough to give your toes enough room to splay out like the VFFs.

    Yes, they are ridiculously comfortable the way being barefoot is comfortable. But they have absolutely no padding. It's basically about a 2mm piece of rubber to protect your foot from the ground. Running barefoot is a completely different paradigm though and will require a learning curve, a break in period, and a lot of sore muscles that you haven't used since you were running naturally as a child. But it is soooo worth it.
  • jessejames3ball
    jessejames3ball Posts: 268
    I got word that my sporting goods store here has something to help measure. I'm going there on lunch to check it out. They also have Vibrams. I want to try those on!
  • HoneyBadgerVin
    HoneyBadgerVin Posts: 166
    I got word that my sporting goods store here has something to help measure. I'm going there on lunch to check it out. They also have Vibrams. I want to try those on!

    Keep us updated on what you decide!
  • astheygrowup
    astheygrowup Posts: 188 Member
    +1 for barefoot running. Helped me and at least 2 other friends with knee pain.

    I agree with this one. I have always had bad knee problems and I haven't had any and it's been months. I run in my Vibram five fingers or Merrell glove that have the Vibram insoles, but everyone is different. What works for one person might not work for the next.
  • Cassie8877
    Cassie8877 Posts: 177
    I got word that my sporting goods store here has something to help measure. I'm going there on lunch to check it out. They also have Vibrams. I want to try those on!


    Oh how i miss sporting goods store lol... And I talked to another person on MFP who swears by those shoes too n as goofy as they are I kinda wanna try them too lol
  • ashlinmarie
    ashlinmarie Posts: 1,263 Member
    Thanks for the replies. I do not have a running specific store anywhere near me. There is a decent sporting goods store, but they don't quite have the level of detail that you all are mentioning.

    I had to drive an hour to a running shoe store and it was so worth it! I've had shin splints once since I got my shoes (from over-running myself) and they help with the fact that I'm flat-footed and roll my ankles. I also have bad knees and I've only had to wear my brace 2 or 3 times since I got the new shoes. Definitely a life saver! I don't know what price range you're looking at, but mine are New Balance and I paid 113 for them. I loved that my store didn't try to sell me the most expensive pair...just the pair that works best for me!

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