Best shoes for road running

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madteacha
madteacha Posts: 12 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Looking for some advice from other runners please. Currently run between 3-7kms approx 4 or 5 days a week on the road (majority tarseal but some gravel) and gym (curves) approx 4-5 times a week. I have always worn nike shoes for exercise. At the moment I wear Nike free runs 5 which I love. Would like some lighter shoes but love the cushioning of the Nike 5s. Am leaning towards buying the Nike free run 3 5.0 but wondering if I would be better buying trail shoes? What would others recommend? Has anyone else done road running with Nike free run 3s? Any advice would be appreciated - thanks!
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Replies

  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
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    Brand doesn't matter, only fit does. Go with the shoes that fit the best.

    Btw... Lighter and cushioning, almost always mutually exclusive.
  • majope
    majope Posts: 1,325 Member
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    You might check out the Saucony Kinvara. Extremely light, but still has cushioning. Looks like the heel-to-toe drop on the Nike Free Run 5 is 8mm, and the Kinvara's is 4mm--not a huge difference, but you might need to ease into them (like, rotate them with your old shoes for a few weeks until your calves get used to the lower drop).

    But when in doubt, go ask the nice folks at your local running store. They can analyze your gait and help you find something comfortable that works for your mechanics.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
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    Brand doesn't matter, only fit does. Go with the shoes that fit the best.

    Btw... Lighter and cushioning, almost always mutually exclusive.

    This is worth repeating. Shoes are a highly individual thing. If I recommended my favourite shoe to you, you may end up injured since mine, while they have the cushioning you want, are a corrective shoe which can cause problems for those who don't need it.
    I simply can't do a neutral or minimal shoe.

    I wouldn't go with a trail shoe if you are road running.
    If you have a local running store I would head there to help get fitted. You don't have to buy there it get an idea of what shoe is best for you.
  • dogo187
    dogo187 Posts: 376
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    check out.... www.shoedog.com ....

    best place ive found to buy shoes....they have a 90 day return policy...wear them for 90 days, if they suck, send them back no questions asked!
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
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    Brand doesn't matter, only fit does. Go with the shoes that fit the best.

    Btw... Lighter and cushioning, almost always mutually exclusive.

    This is worth repeating. Shoes are a highly individual thing. If I recommended my favourite shoe to you, you may end up injured since mine, while they have the cushioning you want, are a corrective shoe which can cause problems for those who don't need it.
    I simply can't do a neutral or minimal shoe.

    I wouldn't go with a trail shoe if you are road running.
    If you have a local running store I would head there to help get fitted. You don't have to buy there it get an idea of what shoe is best for you.

    And just to further illustrate your point...

    While you can't do neutral shoes, i can't run in stability shoes without developing knee problems... I HAVE to have neutral shoes.

    Shoes are very personal... don't take recommendations from anyone who doesn't know anything about your foot or your stride.
  • Car0lynnM
    Car0lynnM Posts: 332 Member
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    Your best bet is to go to a specialty running store and get fit for your shoes. They will give you advice on what to buy based on where you're running. I love my Saucony's but they're a very beginner shoe, and I may not even buy them again next time. I will definitely go back and get fit again.
  • horseplaypen
    horseplaypen Posts: 442 Member
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    I will second what everyone else has already said, but will just add that I love my New Balance Minimus Zeros for road running - I call them my magic shoes. Obviously with a 0mm drop it's not what you're looking for, but I just wanted to throw in a suggestion to try the brand out at least while you're shopping because I know they have a few different models with different amounts of cushioning, and I'm really happy with mine. Happy shopping!
  • madteacha
    madteacha Posts: 12 Member
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    Thanks heaps for all the replies and ahdvice! Much appreciated.
  • madteacha
    madteacha Posts: 12 Member
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    Thanks also for the website recommendation - has anyone used wiggle.co.uk?
  • LL54MCC
    LL54MCC Posts: 1 Member
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    Wiggle can be pricey in my experience. Also worth checking out to see whats available then searching to see if you can find it elsewhere much cheaper. Some sites give really good information to help you select the right shoe.

    I use Sportshoes.com, each shoe is labelled to tell you what style it is. (ie support or cushioning etc.). There are lots to choose from and I would recommend searching by shoe size. They often have some really really good deals when they only have a couple of pairs left or if they only have stock of a particular size (even with the popular sizes, as I am a size 6). I use them regularly and have always found them to be efficient, with speedy delivery.
  • VickyO1977
    VickyO1977 Posts: 156 Member
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    Get properly fitted at a good running shop they will assess gait, stride whether you are a neutral runner or not it is really worth it and will help to protect you from injury in the future.
  • SRH7
    SRH7 Posts: 2,037 Member
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    Thanks also for the website recommendation - has anyone used wiggle.co.uk?

    They have a great selection but can be pricey. Once I had found the right shoes for me (mild stability and cushioning, so Asics Kayano) I started buying them at Sports Direct as they often stock the previous year's stock at knock-down prices. They have also recently bought up a lot of stock from JJB Sports, which has recently gone bust, so there are quite a few bargains to be had (I also get all my running gear there - Adidas tights half price, Muddy Fox mountain bike waterproof jackets for running, Karrimor compression socks etc etc. It feels a bit like going into a jumble sale but if you don't mind hunting through tonnes of stock then the savings are worth it).
  • rainghirl
    rainghirl Posts: 203 Member
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    I would go to a specialist running shop and get them to look at your gait and recommend something for you. They usually get you to run/walk on a treadmill for a bit and generally find one that 's good straight away.

    Don't worry it won't necessarily be the most expensive! I had been wearing Nikes, but when I went to the shop near me then noticed that I tended to over pronate and needed a different shoe, that turned out cheaper, the were Asics Gel.
  • dorothytd
    dorothytd Posts: 1,138 Member
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    First time - get fitted for sure! And don't forget to find the right socks for you as well. It has taken me a year, but I finally found a sock I love.
  • bobf279
    bobf279 Posts: 342 Member
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    You need to know what type of shoe suits your gait and then you can normally choose from a pretty good range. I had knee soreness until I have my gait checked and was found to over pronate, I wear a good pair of mizuno shoes that were reasonably priced and no pains at all now
  • lunglady
    lunglady Posts: 526 Member
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    Running shoes are an individual choice. You should go to a running store to have your gait analyzed.
  • kepete
    kepete Posts: 268 Member
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    Go to a store that specializes in running shoes/gear. In Wisconsin I go to Performance Running Outfitters in Brookfield. They check your gait, ask you lots of questions then bring out a multitude of shoes for you to try on. They shoot videos of you running on the treadmill and work with you to pick the best fit to your run. I had troubles with my last pair, went in & they not only offered to replace them on the spot, they worked with me for 40 minutes on the way I land when running. I've been able to increase my miles run per week by leaps since then!
  • Sycoholic
    Sycoholic Posts: 282 Member
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    Definitely take the time to find a running store. They'll typically let you run around in them, they'll check your gait, and have a generous return policy if you find the shoes aren't working out for you. Nike makes good shoes but there's plenty of other brands out there worth trying too.

    My recent trip to the running store I tried on Adidas, Asics, Nike, and Brooks. I went there thinking I'd get myself a new pair of Adidas but came home with some Brooks.
  • horseplaypen
    horseplaypen Posts: 442 Member
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    Wiggle can be pricey in my experience.

    Depends where you live... I couldn't find anything cheaper that would deliver to Canada. If you know of anything, I'd be happy to find out!
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
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    Running specialty store FTW.

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