Speaking of Shoes...

iAMsmiling
iAMsmiling Posts: 2,394 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm in the gym 5-6 days a week. As a result, a good pair of shoes lasts me about 3 months. After that, my feet start to hurt from a lack of cushioning.
I've tried cushioned inserts, and they do help, but nothing feels better than a new pair of good shoes.

Replacing decent shoes that frequently can get expensive. This is how I deal with that.
For the record, I don't own stock in new balance and I am not associated with the outlet I'm going to recommend.

New Balance comes out with new models every year. I assume they are making improvements...but it may be mostly marketing. Who knows? In any case, since I've decided that a newer pair of shoes is more important than the latest model, I don't mind buying last year's model.
In fact, I'm so convinced that a new shoe is best that I don't mind buying one model down in quality AND one year back in model, to make it easier to always have new shoes on my feet.

Example:
New Balance 1080 v2 (a style that suits my needs) goes for $135 right now. One level down in the New Balance line up is the 880v2. That's retailing for $110.
I just put an order in for a pair of 860s (last year's version of the 880) from Joe's New Balance Outlet for $60.

Obviously, I can buy 2 pairs of 860s for less than the price of 1 pair of 1080v2s.

Yes, the 1080v2 is a better shoe, but not so much better that it is worth twice the price...and certainly not as good as being able to put on a new pair of shoes much more frequently.

Works for me. Might work for you.

Replies

  • Nich0le
    Nich0le Posts: 2,906 Member
    I am a running shoe hoarder. It is true that once your feet or lower legs start to ache it's time for new ones, of course the time will vary from person to person and the miles they are putting in.

    The best time to buy shoes and get a deal is right at the new year, most shoe stores and online stores will be reducing the prices to get the new ones up for sale. Only one thing to remember, each year shoe companies will make slight changes to the previous year in an effort to build a better shoe, so you want to try them on because I have had this happen more than once where I find a shoe I like and the next year they are to neutral or too stable and have to be exchanged.

    For the record, I currently have 9 pairs of running shoes, crazy I know, but I find each one serves a purpose, the brooks provide a little more cushion for longer runs, the saucony are great for 3-8 mile run and are considered minimalist, I like that I can feel what my foot is doing. 3 different types of asics, one is great for treadmill and cross training, one is good for 2-5 mile runs and one is a good tri shoe. Each shoe serves a purpose, no two are alike and when they aren't good for running anymore they become gym or errand shoes.

    I must say that everyone should at one time or another go to a reputable running store and do a run test to get shoes that really work for your foot, it is amazing how much that helps!
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