Running Shoes AHHHHHH

Go get fit at a store that specializes in running. They will look at how you walk, your stride, your foot fall...everything. Then, they'll help you pick a shoe that is right for you. I'm a rookie triathlete too and getting fit made a HUGE difference for me on my runs.

I just started running so I'm not much of an expert...but I went to a running store to get fitted. I'm neutral, so I had quite a few options and could then just pick what I wanted based on look and price.

If you want to order online because of price, I say go try them out in a running store first...you can run with them on the treadmill or outside and most places have a good return policy if you end up not liking them should you purchase there. I think that might help you narrow it down, it's hard to decide if all you can do is look at them online. Everyone's feet are so different that a good shoe for one person will be an awful shoe for someone else.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Brooks! I actually wear the Brooks Cascadia's. I have the last 3 year's models. They are a trail shoe, but I wear them on the road because they are very light. I usually run 4-6 miles on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 13 on saturday, and 9 on Sundays. After my 1/2 in May I will be training for a full. So far I have ran 3 1/2 marathons in my cascadia's! You can't go wrong with any model of brooks!

The thing I've found about shoes is that size matters! :laugh: I have two pairs of Saucony running shoes...both high end models. In one I wear an 8.5 comfortably, so when I went to get my "indoor" pair I tried on a new model (because they always change them out) and the 8.5's were too large and so I came home with a very comfy 8. I'm really leary of ording shoes online unless I KNOW i've tried that exact same model on in a store. I'd much rather spend money on nice fitting shoes than any almost any other fitness equipment. If my feet hurt, the rest of my body hurts.

Running shoes are only good for about 300-500 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first. After that, the midsole is shot. So keep track of your mileage and how long you've had the shoes so you know when to replace them.

I've been wearing running shoes for years in my everyday work with children and I've very much noticed that about every six months I get this funny ache in my knees and legs...sometimes it takes a few days and then it dawns on me...oh, ya, I need a new pair of shoes.

I am a running shoe "expert"... (and I sell a ton of them for a living)

Nike Shox, not a good idea for ankle stability and Nike is trying to get out of the Shox business for runners, so they don't work as well or last as long as they have in the past, Lunaracer: great shoes, but with as much training as it sounds like you're doing you will wear them out quickly. Brooks: great for the width, not necesarily awesome for the flat feet, and also, their durabilty has really gone downhill over the last few years...

Asics: always more expensive, but it's because they don't mess with the product line, just update the color packages. These are meant for high hard mileage and while more expensive, they almost always pay your body back in dividends, and I have the least amount of dissatisfaction with these compared to the others you've mentioned.

Also lookup coupons for champssports.com, they offer free shipping to your local store, so you can try them on and make sure you like them before you get them home, or we can handle the exchange/refund directly at the store... Then you can get more input also as to the performace factor...

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 11 are my new favorite running shoe. I run about 20 miles a week as well and I had the brooks Launch, which I absolutely loved!!!! I too have flat feet, and they never caused any issues with my feet or knees. I purchased the Adrenalines a week ago and ran 9 miles in them last Sunday and they were great!!!!!!!!

I am a running shoe "expert"... (and I sell a ton of them for a living)

Nike Shox, not a good idea for ankle stability and Nike is trying to get out of the Shox business for runners, so they don't work as well or last as long as they have in the past, Lunaracer: great shoes, but with as much training as it sounds like you're doing you will wear them out quickly. Brooks: great for the width, not necesarily awesome for the flat feet, and also, their durabilty has really gone downhill over the last few years...

Asics: always more expensive, but it's because they don't mess with the product line, just update the color packages. These are meant for high hard mileage and while more expensive, they almost always pay your body back in dividends, and I have the least amount of dissatisfaction with these compared to the others you've mentioned.

Also lookup coupons for champssports.com, they offer free shipping to your local store, so you can try them on and make sure you like them before you get them home, or we can handle the exchange/refund directly at the store... Then you can get more input also as to the performace factor...

In at least some types of shoes, Asics has a high-end and then a more budget-friendly option. I wear the Asics GT-2160, but they also make the GT-1160 which is about $30 or $40 less in price. Do you know if they do this in all the types of shoes they sell, or is it just this one stability shoe?

But if you do decide to go about this yourself, without a professional's help (which I do NOT advise) please realize that you need to buy 1/2 to a full size larger in your running shoes than your street shoes in most cases. This leaves room for your feet to swell and for you not to hit the end of the toebox when going downhill(which is the cause of black and missing toenails). You should have one full thumbwidth between your longest toe and the end of the toebox.

Running shoes are only good for about 300-500 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first. After that, the midsole is shot. So keep track of your mileage and how long you've had the shoes so you know when to replace them.

Wow, I did not know this at all! Thank you!

But if you do decide to go about this yourself, without a professional's help (which I do NOT advise) please realize that you need to buy 1/2 to a full size larger in your running shoes than your street shoes in most cases. This leaves room for your feet to swell and for you not to hit the end of the toebox when going downhill(which is the cause of black and missing toenails). You should have one full thumbwidth between your longest toe and the end of the toebox.

Running shoes are only good for about 300-500 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first. After that, the midsole is shot. So keep track of your mileage and how long you've had the shoes so you know when to replace them.

Wow, I did not know this at all! Thank you!

You're welcome! A lot of people wear their running shoes too small and then get the toenail issues. I ran 25 miles a week for years and did 4 half-marathons--never had a toenail problem!

And you can't really tell by looking at the shoe that the midsole is shot--it looks just fine! But then you start getting weird aches and pains. If you aren't sure if yours need to be replaced, wear your old running shoes to the store. Take a little jog in the store. Then try on a new pair of the same shoe, repeat the jog and see if you feel a difference. If you do, you're overdue for new shoes!