Fitted Running Shoes – worth the money?

EXTREMELY worth it to get fitted for shoes!

Okay, I’m trying to decide if I should fork out the $100 for shoes plus the $50 for inserts for a pair of running shoes. I wouldn’t call myself a runner, but I want to be. Over the weekend I ran a 5k (first time I ran in a month), and my shins are killing me. OKAY – the shoes I ran in are YEARS old. Typically, I don’t have any issues. When I run, I will run on pavement/streets in my neighborhood. If and when I run, I’ll run about two miles but hope to start doing three miles at least three times a week.

I went to get fitted for running shoes at lunch. I was told I had “neutral” feet. So, WTH? Can I just go buy a pair of running shoes from Academy and pay about $80 and call it a day?

I’ve got two friends on MFP…and I know… they will tell me to fork out the money. BUT, just wanted stranger’s opinion. 

I got fitted for shoes & bought them from the place & it was only $90. Just let them know your budget & they should work with you.

Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo worth the money ...... good luck

ante up. money well spent. but i am unsure why you need an insert as well.

Fork it over You won't regret it.

If you go to a running store they will fit you for free and you should be able to save some money. I have some fitted shoes and spent under a hundred bucks.

agree, 110% worth the money!!!!

Went out and bought a pair of running shoes once and screwed my knee up for months after running with them once. And they were good Nikes too, but not right for me. Exchanged them for a pair of Asics which I just replaced after 17 years. (yeah a lot of years but not a lot of miles). This time to be safe I went to Runners Den in Phoenix and got fitted. They looked at the wear on my old shoes and watched me run and fit me into a nice pair of Brooks shoes which are working out very well. It's not worth a potential injury and having to run for 5 months in a knee brace to save yourself $20.

this is what I did because I didnt wanna fork it over either lol I went got fitted tried some on, ask question looked at socks and said ok thank you lol and they gave me a 15% off coupon for my next shop.
So, after I did some online shopping for the shoes they recommended online to see if I could get them cheaper (which I didnt find them) I went back and bought them at the discounted price

Totally worth it you will not regret it!! It is ok to invest in you healthy habits because we always invest in the unhealthy ones

I say worth it! Most running stores will fit you for free, then you decide which shoes you want to buy - I've bought shoes from around $80 - $100, not much more than an "over the counter" pair.
Be on the look out for coupons from Groupon and the like. I saved $50 by buying a $100 certificate for half off - SO worth it!

For whoever recommended Vibrams: that's what I use now, but you still need to get them fitted. They don't work for every foot shape, especially if you have a second toe longer than your big toe, for instance.

You'll only have to do it once, that's all I did. I KNOW what I lke in a running shoe now and I can usually find a decent pair at the sporting goods store!

Shinn splints...running to far too fast...stretch those calves!

I've been a long distance runner for over 20 years, and about 5 years ago I finally splurged for the "good" shoes. Definitely worth it!!!! Be sure you ARE fitted by a RUNNING professional, not just some salesperson at the sporting goods store. If you have one in your area, go to a running specialty store (for instance Road Runner Sports) and spend the time to get properly fitted. Good running shoes will run up to $140, but worth it (And don't be surprised that your running shoe size is 1 to 1.5 sizes bigger than your regular shoe - and they SHOULD be bigger. Otherwise you'll get blisters and black nails on your toes.) Good running shoes will DRAMATICALLY decrease any injuries to your toes, feet, ankles, shins, knees etc! Also, you need to replace your running shoes every 400-500 miles and/or at least every four-six months ... the cushioning breaks down (even when you're not wearing them - just sitting in the closet the cushioning begins to dimish). Also, don't wear your running shoes for anything but running - that also lessens the time you should wear them. (But once you've bought your next pair of dedicated running shoes, you can now wear your "old" running shoes when not running - they are the most comfortable shoes you'll own!)

Once you're fitted, take a jog around the store in the shoes, and keep trying on different shoes until you find the one that feels great out of the box. Running shoes do NOT need breaking in ... they should feel great the first time you lace them up.

As for inserts, you shouldn't need them unless you have some sort of diagnosed foot/ankle/knee problem. The cushioning and arch support in the shoes should be more than adequate. Having said that, if you have any recurring pain in your feet, go to a podiatrist and get custom fitted orthotics if prescribed. And if you do get orthotics, be sure to tell the fitter than they are going in your running shoes - they'll use a different lining appropriate for sweat. (I do have a diagnosed neuroma and use custom orthotics for all my shoes - that's how I know the difference. I have one for dress shoes and another for my running shoes.)

I hope this advice from a stranger is helpful! Good luck - and have fun running!