What type of runners should I buy?

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Cathcandoo
Cathcandoo Posts: 107 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I have 3 really cute pair of Pumas that are NOT cutting it! Before I started this journey just over 2 weeks ago they were great for my very seldom used gym membership where all I did was the elliptical and some circuit weight training but now I am walking everyday and doing some light jogging and 30 Day Shred and such and my feet are not loving the cats anymore.

Any suggestions...I am nervous to just go to Sport Check or something and ask for advice there because they are on commission - not saying they wouldn't give great advice but everyone around here seems pretty informed and I know this is a more personal question but I need a little direction before I dive into the retail shark pool. Thanks :)

Replies

  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
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    Go to a specialty running store and get fitted. Brand doesn't matter. What matters is if it's the right kind of shoe for the way you run. They will analyze your gait and put you in the right kind of shoe. Yes, it does make a big difference.
  • chubtofit
    chubtofit Posts: 67 Member
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    Go to a specialty running store and get fitted. Brand doesn't matter. What matters is if it's the right kind of shoe for the way you run. They will analyze your gait and put you in the right kind of shoe. Yes, it does make a big difference.

    I completely agree...the people at Sportchek etc. do not have enough knowledge to know what's best for you. My shoes aren't even available at these stores. I go to a specialty running store to get mine.
  • bridies01
    bridies01 Posts: 57 Member
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    I agree - you need to get fitted the first time. After that you can just keep buying the same brand/style online or at stores when you see them on sale. Some people need shoes designed for specific things - gait or foot structure or whatever. Once you know what type of shoe you need, then Runners World has shoe guides online that compare various brands within each category of shoe (neutral, stability, minimal, etc).

    Personally I like a more minimal shoe, I wear the Saucony Kinvaras, Mizuno Precision Wave, and Altras. But I don't think you can take recommendations without having a specialist tell you the type of shoe you need. My first pair of running shoes were Asics I bought at Kohls. After getting fitted for a pair of shoes, it was a world of difference in how my feet felt.
  • wonderkitten711
    wonderkitten711 Posts: 109 Member
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    I just got fitted at a New Balance store near me, and oh my goodness, the difference in how my feet feel is amazing. I'm on my feet all the time at work, and the runners I got for that as well as occasional jogs fit like a glove and have gotten rid of all of the ankle and knee pain I was having in my old sneakers. I got cross trainers as well, for my weight lifting and circuit training but can't testify to how much of a difference they make yet as I'm on recovery week right now and havent tried the trainers on aside from getting them fitted over the weekend.
  • frando
    frando Posts: 583 Member
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    If you live in the UK, which I'm not sure of, if you get the chance to go to Nottingham there's a shop there that test how you run and then suggests the best shows on that. I'm not a runner but my brother is, crazy boy runs marathons! He went there to have his shoes selected for him and he says its the best thing he's done- and they're not much more then they would be from JJB Sports or Sports Direct :3
  • Cathcandoo
    Cathcandoo Posts: 107 Member
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    Wow! Fantastic information - the suggestion to get fitted is something I never even considered!

    Thank you all very much - that is exactly what I was looking for :)
  • crystalflame
    crystalflame Posts: 1,049 Member
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    Get fitted, of course... I love my Rykas beyond all love and I don't think I'd ever switch brands, so I'd suggest looking into those.
  • MessyLittlePanda
    MessyLittlePanda Posts: 213 Member
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    You can find out what kind of runner you are by looking at your current shoes and seeing where they have worn down most on the heel.

    If the heel is worn in the middle, you are probably a neutral runner. If it is worn more on the inside than the outside, you overpronate, which means your heel strikes the ground inside first and then you roll out towards the toes. If it is more worn on the outside than the inside, you are a rare underpronator, and your feet need a shoe for stability. Most underpronators have quite flat feet, and need arch support in their shoes.

    Runners World online has some recommendations for shoes depending on which foot type you are. I would recommend getting fitted, but knowing what type of shoe you are likely to be looking for helps as well.
  • drewg40
    drewg40 Posts: 3 Member
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    I agree - you need to get fitted the first time. After that you can just keep buying the same brand/style online or at stores when you see them on sale. Some people need shoes designed for specific things - gait or foot structure or whatever. Once you know what type of shoe you need, then Runners World has shoe guides online that compare various brands within each category of shoe (neutral, stability, minimal, etc).

    Personally I like a more minimal shoe, I wear the Saucony Kinvaras, Mizuno Precision Wave, and Altras. But I don't think you can take recommendations without having a specialist tell you the type of shoe you need. My first pair of running shoes were Asics I bought at Kohls. After getting fitted for a pair of shoes, it was a world of difference in how my feet felt.

    Keep in mind that your gait and running/walking style can change over as you get older, lose weight, etc. so it is always a good idea to go to a specialty running/walking store for your shoes. Using Runners World as a guide or continuing to buy the same shoes over and over is not a good idea. You really save very little if any money online especially when you consider the expertise you get at a specialty running/walking store. The shoes you find online, at outlets, or deeply discounted are marked down for clearance because they are older models and all of these shoes have a shelf life. Saving money on discounted shoes will only cost you more in injuries in the future. I highly recommend Fleet Feet Sports if you have one in your area. Based on my experience they give the most consistent "Fit" process you will find anywhere in the country.
  • Heaven71
    Heaven71 Posts: 706 Member
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    Go to a specialty running store and get fitted. Brand doesn't matter. What matters is if it's the right kind of shoe for the way you run. They will analyze your gait and put you in the right kind of shoe. Yes, it does make a big difference.

    THIS!
  • MicheleRoyal
    MicheleRoyal Posts: 11
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    I was custom fitted at a running store. I bought the Brooks brand. I have really bad shin splints from running and I would say it has improved 70% with the running shoes. Good luck!
  • Zangpakto
    Zangpakto Posts: 336 Member
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    Get at least something with a very low drop from heel to toe... I am serious about this...

    I don't care what anyone else has to say, I cannot run in those monster drops some shoes have, it really affects a natural fast moving stride....

    Well, unless your a beginner or never ran before anyway... Still though I would say racing flats or something similar in drop... Better to get the right stride and form now than suffer later!

    Sure cushioning in the heel... What the heck for? Landing on your heel is like pulling the brakes, the WORST thing you can do when running, and also the extra stress you put on joints when you do, well that is why it is cushioned... because a heel strike is very bad.... either landing midfoot or on the balls of foot is more efficient and much much faster and better....

    I am running a marathon, and cannot stand those cushy shoes... they promote bad running form as you cannot feel the jarring as much as you should, so you think it is ok when it is most definitely not...

    Essentially... Ask the shop for shoes that have low or zero heel to toe drop... The foot is an amazing structure... Sure, not everyone is created equal, however picture this... if you can run and play barefoot, why do you need all those orthotics etc... Reason? You run incorrectly with shoes because of the extra cushion so cannot feel the feedback you normally do barefoot which you naturally don't tend to land heel first....

    I promise you, rather don't fall into this trap people have of getting cushioned heel shoes to oblivion that causes you to run incorrectly... Your body will thank you in the long run.... Less injuries, and better form and you will run faster more easily...
  • Jomalone2
    Jomalone2 Posts: 129 Member
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    You won't believe how much the right pair of shoes will make a difference. Find a speciality shop and let them custom fit you. Don't depend on the big mega stores to know what they are doing. I recommend Fleet Feet if there is one near you.
  • jaxdiablo
    jaxdiablo Posts: 580
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    If you're going to buy a runner, I'd at least look for one that can carry you. I mean why spend the money on a person to run for you if they can't carry you at a running speed... I mean really...
  • 714rah714
    714rah714 Posts: 759 Member
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    At the very least, go to a sporting goods store with a lot of running shoes, try them all on until you find a pair of shoes that feel comfortable to you. Also, if they have room within the store try to run a little bit with your new shoes, before you purchase them. This doesn't counteract a knowledgeable salesperson, but where I live, knowledgeable salespeople are hard to find.
  • drewg40
    drewg40 Posts: 3 Member
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    Get at least something with a very low drop from heel to toe... I am serious about this...

    I don't care what anyone else has to say, I cannot run in those monster drops some shoes have, it really affects a natural fast moving stride....

    Well, unless your a beginner or never ran before anyway... Still though I would say racing flats or something similar in drop... Better to get the right stride and form now than suffer later!

    Sure cushioning in the heel... What the heck for? Landing on your heel is like pulling the brakes, the WORST thing you can do when running, and also the extra stress you put on joints when you do, well that is why it is cushioned... because a heel strike is very bad.... either landing midfoot or on the balls of foot is more efficient and much much faster and better....

    I am running a marathon, and cannot stand those cushy shoes... they promote bad running form as you cannot feel the jarring as much as you should, so you think it is ok when it is most definitely not...

    Essentially... Ask the shop for shoes that have low or zero heel to toe drop... The foot is an amazing structure... Sure, not everyone is created equal, however picture this... if you can run and play barefoot, why do you need all those orthotics etc... Reason? You run incorrectly with shoes because of the extra cushion so cannot feel the feedback you normally do barefoot which you naturally don't tend to land heel first....

    I promise you, rather don't fall into this trap people have of getting cushioned heel shoes to oblivion that causes you to run incorrectly... Your body will thank you in the long run.... Less injuries, and better form and you will run faster more easily...

    I agree to a certain extent although running on the balls of the feet is NOT a good idea unless you are a lightweight sprinter...and if you are changing from a heel striker to a mid foot striker do so gradually....if you change your running style and keep running at the same pace and distances you WILL hurt yourself.....going from a 12mm heel to toe drop to a 0 drop without any stops in between can quickly put a halt to your running.....it is something to be carefully considered and takes thought and training and is a gradual process....just my two cents...
  • pdworkman
    pdworkman Posts: 1,342 Member
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    Everybody's going to need something different. I had to find a shoe that would accommodate my two different sizes of feet, and a deep enough heel cup and enough eyelets to accommodate a lift. That's a very different problem than the usual pronate/neutral question or cushioning/minimalist controversy. Take your old runners with you. Get fitted. Run around the store. Buy a half size larger than your walking shoes. Figure out what works for you.
  • Jennifer_Lynn_1982
    Jennifer_Lynn_1982 Posts: 567 Member
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    Definitely get fitted at a store like The Running Room...they will fit you properly. Good luck! :happy:
  • chubtofit
    chubtofit Posts: 67 Member
    Options
    Get at least something with a very low drop from heel to toe... I am serious about this...

    I don't care what anyone else has to say, I cannot run in those monster drops some shoes have, it really affects a natural fast moving stride....

    Well, unless your a beginner or never ran before anyway... Still though I would say racing flats or something similar in drop... Better to get the right stride and form now than suffer later!

    Sure cushioning in the heel... What the heck for? Landing on your heel is like pulling the brakes, the WORST thing you can do when running, and also the extra stress you put on joints when you do, well that is why it is cushioned... because a heel strike is very bad.... either landing midfoot or on the balls of foot is more efficient and much much faster and better....

    I am running a marathon, and cannot stand those cushy shoes... they promote bad running form as you cannot feel the jarring as much as you should, so you think it is ok when it is most definitely not...

    Essentially... Ask the shop for shoes that have low or zero heel to toe drop... The foot is an amazing structure... Sure, not everyone is created equal, however picture this... if you can run and play barefoot, why do you need all those orthotics etc... Reason? You run incorrectly with shoes because of the extra cushion so cannot feel the feedback you normally do barefoot which you naturally don't tend to land heel first....

    I promise you, rather don't fall into this trap people have of getting cushioned heel shoes to oblivion that causes you to run incorrectly... Your body will thank you in the long run.... Less injuries, and better form and you will run faster more easily...

    Love the way you tell it how it really is. I'm just getting ready to move into a smaller heel drop shoe. I've been wearing Saucony Pro Grid (12mm heel drop) for years along with my orthotics but now that I'm running, it's almost impossible to land mid foot wearing this type of shoe. I've even heard that once my feet adjust to wearing a more minimal shoe (going with the 4mm) that eventually I shouldn't even need my orthotics.

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