Best running shoes for heavy runners?

gettingmeback2013
gettingmeback2013 Posts: 114 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Good morning! I have been doing research but would also like some "real people" advice. :) I am looking for the best shoes (on a budget) to get for jogging/running. Every shoe I have bought in the past, my feet are hurting mere minutes into a walk. Just a walk! I am approximately 5'2" and nearly 200 lbs. My feet are mostly flat and I do believe I overpronate quite a bit. I would like to start running the Couch to 5K but am just dreading it because of the discomfort/pain! I want to do it properly.

And I must mention that 150 bucks for a pair of shoes isn't doable for me! I can probably do 75 but not a ton more.

Thank you all in advance!
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Replies

  • JenMc14
    JenMc14 Posts: 2,389 Member
    My husband gets his shoes from New Balance. They are billed as being for "larger framed runners". Since he's a serious heavy lifter, he carries a lot of weight on his frame. He loves them. joesnewbalanceoutlet.com carries pretty good deals, that's where my husband gets all his shoes from. I'm a Brooks girl, myself, and I also have flat feet. I loved my Traces, and right now I'm rocking the pureCadence. They're lighter, but tighter, and both support my flat arches well. I can't decide if I'm going to switch back to Trances when my PureCadences die or not. The Trances are wider, you might like those. I got my Trances off the clearance rack at Finish Line, and I got my PurseCadences from Brooks' website, they are not the latest model, so they were discounted. I'd suggest going to a store like Finish Line (but really make sure the salesperson knows what they're talking about. A friend of mine, that I know knows what he's doing, helped me there) or a running store and trying several pair on.
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
    go find a real running store. Have the people watch your step and cadence. They will be able to figure out what you need.

    That being said I have a paid of brooks that have a 4mm drop. Next pair I'm looking for new balance that are minimalist shoes.
  • stephanie1133
    stephanie1133 Posts: 211
    I highly suggest going to a running store, as another poster mentioned. That's the only way to get shoes right for YOU!

    I ended up with a pair of Brooks. Love them. Made all the difference in the world!
  • MissMormie
    MissMormie Posts: 359 Member
    Go to a good running store and get your feet checked out. Just mention to them your budget constraint and your concern about weight and they should be able to get you into a pair of shoes that are good for you. Maybe not the perfect ones due to the budget constraints, but at the very least good. Really, everyone is different, runs different and weighs different, there is no one-fits-all answer to shoes.
  • jamers3111
    jamers3111 Posts: 495 Member
    I love my New Balances when I need cushioning and stability. I would go to a running store... let them fit you and recommend a pair. THEN go to amazon.com and buy them there :) They are usually a lot cheaper... zappos.com works, too. Good luck!!!
  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    Get fitted. You need the right shoes for you.

    When I first started, I got put in a pair of Brooks Adrenaline stability shoes. They were great. After I lost about 30lbs, I "graduated" to a nuetral shoe. Your needs might change as you lose weight, so get fitted for shoes regularly - your shoes typically need to be replaced after 300-500 miles anyway (although they might need to be replaced sooner if you are heavy as you're putting more strain on them).
  • ToolRat
    ToolRat Posts: 42 Member
    I love New Balance! I have a pair for work (I walk around 3 miles a day at work) and I have a pair for the gym and then one for walking/riding my bike. I love them, they are wider then most and feel very comfortable.
  • jvn11
    jvn11 Posts: 1
    Go to any sports store and ask them which models are designed for people who over pronate. Sometimes there are only one or 2 models per brand which tend to provide additional support on the inner part of your foot to help prevent pronation. I use an asics shoe which has this additional support and I love them.
  • leftovers4lunch
    leftovers4lunch Posts: 1 Member
    I definitely agree that you need to go to a running store and get fitted. It made a difference for me. You may also want to consider getting a wider and/or bigger shoe as feet tend to swell once you start walking/running.

    I personally am an advocate of New Balance - I run in their 870v2 and lift weights in the Minimus WX20 and Ionix W3090.
  • curleegirl68
    curleegirl68 Posts: 53 Member
    I like New Balance too. I also have a pair of running shoes I got at a running store on Black Friday for $20.00 originally priced at 100. They are Brooks.

    I have a size ten shoe and they've been pretty good. Although in running shoes they always recommend to go a size high, so my Brooks are 11. Getting your feet measured is good.
  • GloMash710
    GloMash710 Posts: 78 Member
    I went to a running store and got fitted. I was 285 at the time and the ones that worked the best for me (and still work 53lbs lighter) were Brooks Dyad 7. I got them 1 size up and in wide width. They are really great and provide support without being too rigid and just enough cushioning without being mushy.
  • sevsmom
    sevsmom Posts: 1,172 Member
    I love my New Balances when I need cushioning and stability. I would go to a running store... let them fit you and recommend a pair. THEN go to amazon.com and buy them there :) They are usually a lot cheaper... zappos.com works, too. Good luck!!!

    NOT this ^^^^ At least the part where you go to a small business, take their personnel's individualized attention and expertise, and THEN go on line to get the stuff cheaper. If you go to the running store, be decent and make the initial purchase there. You need to replace running shoes fairly often. Buy your 2nd pair on line if you like.
  • maggiet63
    maggiet63 Posts: 16 Member
    Hi I am heavy 5 4" and 182lb and I have been advised to buy Asics Gel- Kayanos or Asics Nimbus( these shoes give you alot of cushioning and take the impact of the pounding on the pavements) - they have helped my knees and joints. Try your very best to get to a sport shop that give advice and information on which shoe would suit your needs within your budget too. Also on Amazon you can get last years colours for a cheaper too if the shop is too expensive. Good luck x
  • ukgirly01
    ukgirly01 Posts: 523 Member
    I started running at 250lbs using Asics gel nimbus, I swear by them but always best to get fitted.
  • elaineirene84
    elaineirene84 Posts: 65 Member
    I have similar issues with my feet. With the research I have done, I would also recommend in addition to going to a real running store is to find proper socks for walking/running. Wearing cotton socks are not the best (probably why I have huge blisters on my feet) Good socks with cushion might help the pain.
  • jahall76
    jahall76 Posts: 328 Member
    I definitely agree with all the posts about going to a running store to get fitted. Your first pair may be a little more pricey, but if you are having issues with other shoes, just in walking, then you are in the wrong type of shoes. A local running store found my best fit to be Brooks and I had no idea. I was in New Balance, and they we not working for me. Every person and every foot is different! I got a nice pair of stability Brooks for $95.

    Good luck
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,990 Member
    Probably shouldn't run if you can't afford a pair of shoes that don't hurt your feet. Injury isn't what you need when you're trying to exercise.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • kjm3579
    kjm3579 Posts: 3,974 Member
    I started with New Balance shoes for walking ever day at work and another pair for the gym/running. I found that the shoes I bought for the gym were OK for lifting but lousey for running. On the recommendation of someone in my neighborhood, I tried running in Vibram FiveFingers and they were great. I have run in the VFF's up to 9 miles at a time but then began to develop some strains and pains in tendons and the like. I went to a local running shop and had them look at my very wide and very flat feet and they suggest Brooks Adreneline or a few others but they were not available wide enough for my feet (4E). I did more research on the net and ended up with a pair of Brooks Addiction 10 in size 14, 4E and they fit and feel great. I have been wearing them for daily commuting and to the gym while I wait for my achillies tendonitis on the right side to heal up and then I will restart my running training program wearing the Brooks shoes. I believe the injuries came from pronating too much in the VFF's which strained the ankle join and the achilles.

    Moral of the story, get fitted at the running store, check out what other runners say online about the shoes you are considering, and then make a final decision that is best for your particular situation.
  • MandiRae1005
    MandiRae1005 Posts: 9
    Probably shouldn't run if you can't afford a pair of shoes that don't hurt your feet. Injury isn't what you need when you're trying to exercise.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    She didn't say she couldn't afford a pair of shoes, she said she had a budget.

    Dawna, thanks for posting this! Ryan and I are looking for a good pair as well, our shoes are horrible and kill our feet when we walk!
  • gettingmeback2013
    gettingmeback2013 Posts: 114 Member
    Thank you to everyone who gave me productive advice! I don't want to waste money nor time on another pair of shoes that won't work, so I will be visiting a running store this weekend!

    Thanks again!
  • gettingmeback2013
    gettingmeback2013 Posts: 114 Member
    Probably shouldn't run if you can't afford a pair of shoes that don't hurt your feet. Injury isn't what you need when you're trying to exercise.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    Probably shouldn't comment on threads asking for advice if you're just going to be counter-productive and rude.
  • galenofedgewood
    galenofedgewood Posts: 146 Member
    My husband gets his shoes from New Balance. They are billed as being for "larger framed runners". Since he's a serious heavy lifter, he carries a lot of weight on his frame. He loves them. joesnewbalanceoutlet.com carries pretty good deals, that's where my husband gets all his shoes from. I'm a Brooks girl, myself, and I also have flat feet. I loved my Traces, and right now I'm rocking the pureCadence. They're lighter, but tighter, and both support my flat arches well. I can't decide if I'm going to switch back to Trances when my PureCadences die or not. The Trances are wider, you might like those. I got my Trances off the clearance rack at Finish Line, and I got my PurseCadences from Brooks' website, they are not the latest model, so they were discounted. I'd suggest going to a store like Finish Line (but really make sure the salesperson knows what they're talking about. A friend of mine, that I know knows what he's doing, helped me there) or a running store and trying several pair on.

    I'm a huge fan of New Balance shoes as well. Just need to look into their cushioned shoes and stay away from their Minimus ones.
  • XtyAnn17
    XtyAnn17 Posts: 632 Member
    Id look more into seeing a podiatrist for orthotics that will help you so much more and can be worn in any shoe!
  • Sox90716
    Sox90716 Posts: 976 Member
    I'm 5'10" and 225. I've been running in Mizuno Wave Nirvana 6 for about a year now. I love them. They were $70. Great shoes make all the difference. Good luck!
  • fresh_start59
    fresh_start59 Posts: 590 Member
    I love my New Balances when I need cushioning and stability. I would go to a running store... let them fit you and recommend a pair. THEN go to amazon.com and buy them there :) They are usually a lot cheaper... zappos.com works, too. Good luck!!!

    NOT this ^^^^ At least the part where you go to a small business, take their personnel's individualized attention and expertise, and THEN go on line to get the stuff cheaper. If you go to the running store, be decent and make the initial purchase there. You need to replace running shoes fairly often. Buy your 2nd pair on line if you like.

    This is what I'm thinking. I could never, with good conscience, go into a store and have them do all the measurements and other expertise that goes along with it and just leave to go by the recommended shoes elsewhere ... at least not unless the sales person was super rude.

    And because of the cost fact, I've not yet been to a running store to be fitted, especially since I keep reading that running shoes for those of us who are heavy, and people like me with wide feet, are more costly than the normal running shoe.

    Anyone have a ballpark figure on what kind of price I might be faced with when I go into one of those stores?
  • kristinhardesty
    kristinhardesty Posts: 17
    I definitely agree with all the posts about going to a running store to get fitted. Your first pair may be a little more pricey, but if you are having issues with other shoes, just in walking, then you are in the wrong type of shoes. A local running store found my best fit to be Brooks and I had no idea. I was in New Balance, and they we not working for me. Every person and every foot is different! I got a nice pair of stability Brooks for $95.

    Good luck


    so much this. go to a running store. if you are not properly fitted, you can SERIOUSLY hurt yourself. I started in New Balance and hated them. I went and got fitted and went with the Brooks. The right shoes really do make a world of difference!
  • CarolElaine25
    CarolElaine25 Posts: 102 Member
    I'm an Asics girl all the way (perfect for my high arches) and the ones I get are usually about $110 before tax at my favorite running store. Way more than I'm usually willing to spend, but after injuring both ankles training for a half marathon in crappy Payless shoes, I consider it money well spent.
  • amylite
    amylite Posts: 40 Member
    Brooks is the way to go! I have a few pairs of Brooks Ariel (the women's version of the "Beast") and they are excellent motion control shoes for those who need stability control (these will run anywhere from $80-$120 depending on where you get them). However, lately I have been run/walking with a brand new pair of neon green Brooks PureConnect, which are similiar to the barefoot shoes, but with much more comfort/padding. I picked those up on Amazon (thru Brooks) for only $59.99 a pair. Make sure you are fitted or know your size. I wear a 10 and Brooks 10.5 fits perfectly (AND YES, BROOKS MAKES WOMEN'S HALF SIZES above size 10!). Good luck!

    (btw, I definately was fitted in a running store, and purchased my shoes there. But I found the PureConnect online and already knew my size)
  • gettingmeback2013
    gettingmeback2013 Posts: 114 Member

    This is what I'm thinking. I could never, with good conscience, go into a store and have them do all the measurements and other expertise that goes along with it and just leave to go by the recommended shoes elsewhere ... at least not unless the sales person was super rude.

    And because of the cost fact, I've not yet been to a running store to be fitted, especially since I keep reading that running shoes for those of us who are heavy, and people like me with wide feet, are more costly than the normal running shoe.

    Anyone have a ballpark figure on what kind of price I might be faced with when I go into one of those stores?

    I also agree and couldn't bring myself to not buy after the salesperson/establishment had been so helpful. I will certainly buy the first pair where I get the help, then see where else may carry them after that.

    My asking around has brought a price range of 80-200 dollars depending on the shoe, of course.
  • gettingmeback2013
    gettingmeback2013 Posts: 114 Member
    Thank you all so much for your input. I have been reading many good things about Asics and Brooks! I'm hoping I can wear one of those!

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