Getting back into running, Need new running shoes to buy?

I need to purchase new running shoes. Want the mizuno's but they are $200. I can not afford to spend that much on a pair of shoes. What other options do you suggest?

Replies

  • aswearingen22
    aswearingen22 Posts: 271 Member
    Go to a running store and get fitted. What works for me, likely won't work for you. You should be able to spend around $100 on a good pair.
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    Go to a running store and get fitted. What works for me, likely won't work for you. You should be able to spend around $100 on a good pair.

    Agree, 100%
  • fabfindz05
    fabfindz05 Posts: 92 Member
    You should go a specialty store and get fitted, if you haven't already. You might find that the shoes you want, aren't what's best for your gait or foot. That happened to me.... Also, you need to give the salesperson your budget. Most reputable stores will find you a suitable shoe within you budget.

    Once you find a pair you like, you might see if the previous model is similar. That should save you some money.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    If you don't have a good running shop in town, go to a shoe store that has their shoes on the floor (not one of the ones where you have to ask a sales person to go in the back and get your size). Try on as many as you can and notice how they feel, how they cup your heal, how they support your arch, how wide or narrow they are in the toebox, how tight or roomy they are across the top of yoru foot, etc.

    Pay attention to all of those things and figure out what supports your foot the best (not necessarily what feels the best), and give those a shot.

    But a fitting is your best bet if possible.
  • Kelly_Runs_NC
    Kelly_Runs_NC Posts: 474 Member
    get fitted for new balance if that option is available in your area. Otherwise the best brand is Brooks.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    get fitted for new balance if that option is available in your area. Otherwise the best brand is Brooks.

    Aside from the "get fitted" part, this post is garbage.
  • My best advice is to find a good running store. Let them check your feet out, ideally on a treadmill, and then let them suggest something. Everyone's feet are different.. I ran in New Balance for a long time, switched to Asics, and now am in my first pair of Newtons, which I absolutely love. But what you need could be completely different.

    Price-wise, a very nice pair of traditional (cushioned heel) shoes should cost $100-$150. A nice pair of more minimal shoes (lower heel) should be under $100, but they also won't last as long.
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    If you don't have a good running shop in town, go to a shoe store that has their shoes on the floor (not one of the ones where you have to ask a sales person to go in the back and get your size). Try on as many as you can and notice how they feel, how they cup your heal, how they support your arch, how wide or narrow they are in the toebox, how tight or roomy they are across the top of yoru foot, etc.

    Pay attention to all of those things and figure out what supports your foot the best (not necessarily what feels the best). You'll probably want them a little tighter than your normal/casual shoes, so probably look at a half size smaller.

    Buy the ones that support your foot the best.

    The issue with this is, the way a shoe feels doesn't mean it's going to move your foot the way it needs to (or NOT move it) based on whether or not you need a correction.

    Also, most shoe fit experts suggest 1/2 to full size larger for running shoes. I go a full size myself. Tight is bad. That's how you lose toenails.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    If you don't have a good running shop in town, go to a shoe store that has their shoes on the floor (not one of the ones where you have to ask a sales person to go in the back and get your size). Try on as many as you can and notice how they feel, how they cup your heal, how they support your arch, how wide or narrow they are in the toebox, how tight or roomy they are across the top of yoru foot, etc.

    Pay attention to all of those things and figure out what supports your foot the best (not necessarily what feels the best). You'll probably want them a little tighter than your normal/casual shoes, so probably look at a half size smaller.

    Buy the ones that support your foot the best.

    The issue with this is, the way a shoe feels doesn't mean it's going to move your foot the way it needs to (or NOT move it) based on whether or not you need a correction.

    Also, most shoe fit experts suggest 1/2 to full size larger for running shoes. I got a full size myself. Tight is bad. That's how you lose toenails.

    Really? Your running shoes are bigger than your casual shoes? That's not been my experience, or that of most people I run with.

    Yes, which is why I said what supports your foot the best, not the ones that feel the best. Hard distinction to make for a lot of people, but if you wear enough shoes you can get the feel for it. And I'd only suggest this option if a fitting isn't an option. Not everyone has a running shop near them for fitting (myself being one of them).
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    get fitted for new balance if that option is available in your area. Otherwise the best brand is Brooks.

    Brooks
    New Balance
    Mizuno
    Asics
    Saucony
    Nike
    etc
    etc

    All good brands. I wouldn't rank one over the other. Just depends on your foot.
  • fabfindz05
    fabfindz05 Posts: 92 Member
    My running shoe is a full size larger than my every day shoes. I wear Nike, which tend to run smaller anyway.
  • Nike Pegasus.
  • californiagirl2012
    californiagirl2012 Posts: 2,625 Member
    It will cost a bit for new shoes but get fitted or go to runners world and look at the shoes for your type of feet. They have different shoes for over pronaters, under pronaters, etc. Make a list and go try some on at the store, write down the brand and model that works. Once you know a model and brand that works you can shop around for the best price, either online or in a store.

    Super important to get a shoe that fits YOUR FEET.
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    If you don't have a good running shop in town, go to a shoe store that has their shoes on the floor (not one of the ones where you have to ask a sales person to go in the back and get your size). Try on as many as you can and notice how they feel, how they cup your heal, how they support your arch, how wide or narrow they are in the toebox, how tight or roomy they are across the top of yoru foot, etc.

    Pay attention to all of those things and figure out what supports your foot the best (not necessarily what feels the best). You'll probably want them a little tighter than your normal/casual shoes, so probably look at a half size smaller.

    Buy the ones that support your foot the best.

    The issue with this is, the way a shoe feels doesn't mean it's going to move your foot the way it needs to (or NOT move it) based on whether or not you need a correction.

    Also, most shoe fit experts suggest 1/2 to full size larger for running shoes. I got a full size myself. Tight is bad. That's how you lose toenails.

    Really? Your running shoes are bigger than your casual shoes? That's not been my experience, or that of most people I run with.

    Yes, which is why I said what supports your foot the best, not the ones that feel the best. Hard distinction to make for a lot of people, but if you wear enough shoes you can get the feel for it. And I'd only suggest this option if a fitting isn't an option. Not everyone has a running shop near them for fitting (myself being one of them).

    Yep, really. I can't think of a single running friend that wears a running shoe the same size or smaller than their dress shoe either. Interesting.

    Yeah, I get what you are saying about the feel of the support. Most people aren't going to be able to make that distinction though. Maybe a better alternative is running through the Shoe Dog feature on RoadRunnerSports.com and letting it tell you what type of shoe you need and work from there. At least it's a starting point.
  • aswearingen22
    aswearingen22 Posts: 271 Member

    Really? Your running shoes are bigger than your casual shoes? That's not been my experience, or that of most people I run with.

    I think it's fairly common knowledge that you buy running shoes around a size bigger than you normally wear in order to allow your feet to expand while running. Tight shoes are bad. They feel bad and you lose toe nails.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member

    Really? Your running shoes are bigger than your casual shoes? That's not been my experience, or that of most people I run with.

    I think it's fairly common knowledge that you buy running shoes around a size bigger than you normally wear in order to allow your feet to expand while running. Tight shoes are bad. They feel bad and you lose toe nails.

    But big shoes allow your foot to move/slide, leading to other issues.
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member

    Really? Your running shoes are bigger than your casual shoes? That's not been my experience, or that of most people I run with.

    I think it's fairly common knowledge that you buy running shoes around a size bigger than you normally wear in order to allow your feet to expand while running. Tight shoes are bad. They feel bad and you lose toe nails.

    I will add that I like my track shoes or racing flats to fit more snugly, but I'm only wearing them for 10K and shorter distances.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    If you don't have a good running shop in town, go to a shoe store that has their shoes on the floor (not one of the ones where you have to ask a sales person to go in the back and get your size). Try on as many as you can and notice how they feel, how they cup your heal, how they support your arch, how wide or narrow they are in the toebox, how tight or roomy they are across the top of yoru foot, etc.

    Pay attention to all of those things and figure out what supports your foot the best (not necessarily what feels the best). You'll probably want them a little tighter than your normal/casual shoes, so probably look at a half size smaller.

    Buy the ones that support your foot the best.

    The issue with this is, the way a shoe feels doesn't mean it's going to move your foot the way it needs to (or NOT move it) based on whether or not you need a correction.

    Also, most shoe fit experts suggest 1/2 to full size larger for running shoes. I got a full size myself. Tight is bad. That's how you lose toenails.

    Really? Your running shoes are bigger than your casual shoes? That's not been my experience, or that of most people I run with.

    Yes, which is why I said what supports your foot the best, not the ones that feel the best. Hard distinction to make for a lot of people, but if you wear enough shoes you can get the feel for it. And I'd only suggest this option if a fitting isn't an option. Not everyone has a running shop near them for fitting (myself being one of them).

    Yep, really. I can't think of a single running friend that wears a running shoe the same size or smaller than their dress shoe either. Interesting.

    Yeah, I get what you are saying about the feel of the support. Most people aren't going to be able to make that distinction though. Maybe a better alternative is running through the Shoe Dog feature on RoadRunnerSports.com and letting it tell you what type of shoe you need and work from there. At least it's a starting point.

    Compared to a dress shoe, I can see that. But compared to your "everyday" sneakers (assuming they aren't last year's running shoes)?

    Just ot be clear.. I'm not trying to argue my point versus your point... I edited my original post because you make a good point about all this and how it's all relative to how you wear your every day shoes. The point is to make sure they fit right.
  • aswearingen22
    aswearingen22 Posts: 271 Member

    But big shoes allow your foot to move/slide, leading to other issues.

    One size up is not big enough to feel like you're slipping in the shoe. Straight from runnersworld...buy them with room, not tight. They don't specifically say a size big, but they say around a half inch of room at end of toe. Every runner I know goes up a size in their running shoes...sometimes two sizes, depending on the brand, like Nike.

    http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-240-319--10779-0,00.html
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member

    But big shoes allow your foot to move/slide, leading to other issues.

    One size up is not big enough to feel like you're slipping in the shoe. Straight from runnersworld...buy them with room, not tight. They don't specifically say a size big, but they say around a half inch of room at end of toe. Every runner I know goes up a size in their running shoes...sometimes two sizes, depending on the brand, like Nike.

    http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-240-319--10779-0,00.html

    ok. I concede.
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    If you don't have a good running shop in town, go to a shoe store that has their shoes on the floor (not one of the ones where you have to ask a sales person to go in the back and get your size). Try on as many as you can and notice how they feel, how they cup your heal, how they support your arch, how wide or narrow they are in the toebox, how tight or roomy they are across the top of yoru foot, etc.

    Pay attention to all of those things and figure out what supports your foot the best (not necessarily what feels the best). You'll probably want them a little tighter than your normal/casual shoes, so probably look at a half size smaller.

    Buy the ones that support your foot the best.

    The issue with this is, the way a shoe feels doesn't mean it's going to move your foot the way it needs to (or NOT move it) based on whether or not you need a correction.

    Also, most shoe fit experts suggest 1/2 to full size larger for running shoes. I got a full size myself. Tight is bad. That's how you lose toenails.

    Really? Your running shoes are bigger than your casual shoes? That's not been my experience, or that of most people I run with.

    Yes, which is why I said what supports your foot the best, not the ones that feel the best. Hard distinction to make for a lot of people, but if you wear enough shoes you can get the feel for it. And I'd only suggest this option if a fitting isn't an option. Not everyone has a running shop near them for fitting (myself being one of them).

    Yep, really. I can't think of a single running friend that wears a running shoe the same size or smaller than their dress shoe either. Interesting.

    Yeah, I get what you are saying about the feel of the support. Most people aren't going to be able to make that distinction though. Maybe a better alternative is running through the Shoe Dog feature on RoadRunnerSports.com and letting it tell you what type of shoe you need and work from there. At least it's a starting point.

    Compared to a dress shoe, I can see that. But compared to your "everyday" sneakers (assuming they aren't last year's running shoes)?

    Just ot be clear.. I'm not trying to argue my point versus your point... I edited my original post because you make a good point about all this and how it's all relative to how you wear your every day shoes. The point is to make sure they fit right.

    I don't have any regular athletic shoes. :laugh:

    For me, a shoe with a tight heel cup with a wide forefoot is what works. Mizuno Wave Riders, Brooks Ghost 5 and Brooks Launch all have this same profile and work for me.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Nike Pegasus.

    Why? What if the OP is an underpronator? I like a particular model of Asics but would never suggest that they're suitable for another runner unless they came out and said they were looking for a neutral cushioning shoe........
  • beaner1st
    beaner1st Posts: 229 Member
    I have discovered I am wearing the wrong shoes the hard way. I ended up messing up the top of my foot. Wish I lived near a city where I could get fitted. Thanks for the other good suggestions. Keep them coming.
  • ATclassof2021
    ATclassof2021 Posts: 232 Member
    Best advice, go to a running store and get fitted.....best if the place has a treadmill and the ability to record your foot-strike. As for buying a size larger, great idea if you plan to run longer races (halves and fulls), not to much of an issue running 10k races and under. Larger sizes are needed because your feet will swell while running. I learned this a little late, after my first half marathon where I ended up with a couple black toenails. Since then I have always purchased one size larger and have never had a black toenail and I have ran 17 half marathons and three fulls since then.
  • I would say definitely get fitted for your type of shoe! I have high arches, and I had to get fitted for the correct shoes. Everybody has different feet wide, narrow, arches, flat feet. But I will say, I really like the lightweight shoes! super comfy!:)
  • robooth101
    robooth101 Posts: 17 Member
    For what it's worth, in Mizunos, Asics and the traditional Nike running shoes, I wear a full size larger than my street shoe.
    But the minimalist shoes I've been wearing lately - Nike Free, Reebok RealFlex and Brooks Pure Flow – are the same size as my street shoe.

    Also, I went to a specialty running store when I first started running that put me in a stability shoe. I may have flat feet, but I don't overpronate. Actually, my foot rolls out instead of in, so the shoes gave me plantar fasciitis. My advice is to be sure the store you go to has a good return policy.
  • fanofsummer
    fanofsummer Posts: 22 Member
    I've been running for past 1.5 years. I resisted the 1/2 size bigger that the New Balance Rep was trying to put me in for the first 6 months. Once I took the New Balance Rep's advise and went to a wide running shoe that was a 1/2 size bigger and purchased the insoles it was like running on clouds! No more blisters after the half marathons. A lot of runners seem to have good results with Brooks also.

    One more tip, change out your shoes regularly. I put the date in permanent marker on the exterior of my running shoe. You can look up some running articles on how often you should trash them.

    Good Luck! I've got my 4th half marathon this year coming up next month :-)
  • 1holegrouper
    1holegrouper Posts: 323 Member
    You want a shoe that is made for your type of foot (flat, high arch, narrow, wide, etc), running style (trail, track, road, fast, slow, midfoot striker, heel striker, all weather, dry weather, etc), philosophy (minimalist?), gait (underpronate, overpronate) and goals (fitness, racing, walking and jogging, etc). This could later even cause justification for different shoes for different runs (race, train, trail) Most dedicated Runner's stores can do this for you and for free. Don't get caught up in the brands and models. With the right expertise and help you can then find the best shoe for you. It could be $100 Brooks, NB, Nike, Saucony, Mizuno, etc or $230 Newton's or even custom made Hersey's. Just because a shoe costs more does not mean that it will work best for you. I would also look at getting good socks (that is if socks are within your philosophy). My personal preference are SmartWool PhD's but there are several other excellent brands.
  • Babicam
    Babicam Posts: 21 Member
    Thanks. I have been fitted before at StrictlyRunning, but it is just not that close to me so I have to travel to get there. I know that I have a pretty high arch, need a cushioning shoe....but do not remember the rest (it has been approximately 5 years since I ran my last race).

    I will take your advice and get fitted again.....Also, for what it is worth. I wore a half to whole size larger 5+ years ago when I ran 6+/- miles a day.