Runnign Shoes - Advice Sought

I would highly recommend going to a running store- they usually have sneakers of all price ranges and will give you a professional opinion on which is the best sneaker for you. They will either watch you walk/run, or video tape you on a treadmill and after assessing your stride they'll be able to determine which shoe is best.

Good luck in your search... the right shoes make all the difference in the world! :flowerforyou:

+1 Spend money on good shoes!

HIGHLY suggest going to a running shoe store! They will guide you to the correct support for your feet and how you walk/run. Everyone has opinions on what feels good to them, but everyone is different! I just got a gift certificate to get fitted for running shoes for Christmas and I have to say, it makes a HUGE difference! I don't think about my feet at all anymore! My feet or shins don't bother me at all! I got a pair of Saucony for about $96. The guy mentioned that Nike is more popular for men than women. But, you should really go and get fitted! :flowerforyou:

Get fitted at a running store (NOT a sporting goods store). You'll invest around $100 (give or take) but try and look at it as money you won't be spending on chiropractors and physical therapists to fix the damage caused by running improper shoes.

It's hard to swallow spending a lot of money on a running shoe. However, what good are $40 shoes if they break down in a month or two? And if you are doing THAT much running, you really need to look at like it's your only tool for that sport. You wouldn't play baseball with a plastic bat, would you? Protect your feet and joints NOW and save yourself aches, pains and damage in the long run! DO IT!

Go to the running store, get fitted for the right pair of shoes and then go to www.holabirdsports.com and buy them for cheaper.

Hi
Best advice would be to go to a specialist running shop and have your gait analysed before shelling out money on shoes that will damage your knees and ankles. Once you've done this most of the major brands are ok and it becomes a question of personal choice and how much you want to pay for the type of shoes best for you - you may be neutral, an over or under-pronator, this is why you should check first. It depends on where you are in the country but somewhere like 'Sweatshop' or 'Up and Running' seem to be pretty widspread and staffed by runners who know what they're talking about. Avoid the major chains until you know the type of shoe best for you.
I hope this helps. Good luck and keep on running.

Ditto. Go to a running store. A quality fitting will net you the best shoes, not necessarily the most expensive.
I'm a little partial to buying shoes from the people who spend the money to provide this service in a brick and mortar store. That said, I do buy second and third pairs online if it's a super deal and I've at least bought one pair from the "matchmakers."

Most importantly, be sure that you get the below things from a running store fitting. If they don't, politely leave and go to another running shoe store.

They should:
-- ask you to roll/cuff your jeans if you're not wearing shorts to see the angles of your calves, ankles and feet.
-- They may have you do a wet footprint (step into water and then onto paper) to determine your arch. Some experienced fitters seem to be able to skip this step.
-- They MUST ask you to walk away from them and toward them, and then should crouch down to see your ankle, foot, and leg action from knee level or so.
-- they should have a policy that if the shoes don't work for you when you have tried them out a bit, you can bring them back and credit the purchase toward a different shoe.
-- They MUST watch you jog in the shoe they fit you in to see how you do IN THAT SHOE.
-- They should have you try on and run in at least three pairs of shoes to get a good level of confidence they have you in the right shoe.
-- They should explain what they are observing and what kind of a runner you are (ask them about the different types of shoes and they should be happy to explain the basic three types of shoes and tell you which you are).

They should not:
-- try one shoe and if you say it feels good, say that's your shoe!
-- make a judgment on the right RUNNING shoe unless they watch you RUN/JOG. Things work mechanically different at the run than they do at the walk.
-- they should NOT suggest a shoe based primarily on what you say is comfortable. It should be comfortable (absolutely!) but I have seen salespersons say "that's it" as soon as someone inexperienced says a given shoe is comfortable. Quick sale. No work. Bad fitting.

Other folks may think of more tenets to add, but that's my basic. List. Once you start running, try to replace your shoes every 500 miles or so.

The right shoe for YOU is critical, because just a little torque in the wrong spot on your foot, shifts and magnifies in your ankle, knee and hip .... possibly creating problems that are more detrimental to your health and your pocketbook than a good shoe and fitting at a professional running shoe store.

Don't hesitate to tell them budget is a concern but your priority is a good fit. If more than one shoe fits the bill, they'll steer you toward the more affordable one.

Good luck and happy shoe shopping!!
Go treat yourself!!!!

I have a pair of underarmour prophrt II's that I really like. They're light as heck and really comfortable, and were 60 bucks.

I would highly recommend going to a running store- they usually have sneakers of all price ranges and will give you a professional opinion on which is the best sneaker for you. They will either watch you walk/run, or video tape you on a treadmill and after assessing your stride they'll be able to determine which shoe is best.

Good luck in your search... the right shoes make all the difference in the world!

+1 Spend money on good shoes!

DITTO ALL THIS.....it is imperative that you get the right shoe from the start to avoid injuries....just cause you go to the running store to be "fitted" and try shoes, does not mean you have to buy there....they can "tell" you what you need and then you can "choose" to think about it and then check ****'s sporting goods or sports authority or any other chain for a better price....but i highly recommend you go to the running store to get fitted.....the stride test on the treadmill with the video camera gives them the best idea of the shoes that are right for you...