Shoe Fitting for Runners

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Xblessed17X
Xblessed17X Posts: 14
in Fitness and Exercise
I want to become a runner and I have read that it is important to get fitted for the correct sneakers. My family is making it seem like I'm doing too much but I would much rather get the right shoe and not get any injuries. However, I have bought running shoes before and they've felt fine which makes me think that I am perfectly capable of knowing what is uncomfortable for me. Any advice/suggestions?
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Replies

  • WhatMeRunning
    WhatMeRunning Posts: 3,538 Member
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    I say get fitted properly by having someone inspect your current shoes and perform a gait analysis.

    I am doing that in a few weeks. Here's why.

    I did my OWN shoe inspection along with Dr. Google and found I was apparently quite lucky to not over or under pronate. I also appeared to be a mid foot striker. All based on the wear patter of the shoes I had worn previously. I was also concerned about being overweight and wanted shoes that provided some cushion.

    I wound up getting some New Balance 680 V2's. Loved them. Ran my first pair for over 3 months over 300 miles before learning that they are "technically" worn at that point, despite showing extremely minimal wear. So I got another pair of NB 680 V2's, only a different color. My old pair became my daily shoes, and I would only run with the new pair.

    Two months later and I am now not running, taking a break to let my foot heal. I have pain on the outer edge of my foot, and it is definitely caused by the shoes. My first thought was Peroneal tendonitis, but it has turned out to be cuboid syndrome. Both of these "can" be caused by shoes, or from excessive running, or running improperly (which can tie back to shoes).

    I know it is the shoes because recall how I used my old pair as my "daily" shoes? Guess what happens when I walk around for a while in the old pair, like shopping for example? Yep, pain. Same place. Just as if I went running. Only when wearing these shoes. Something bout them is causing the problem. And it took MONTHS for the problem to manifest.

    So, in a couple more weeks when I am ready to start running again, I will have a gait analysis performed, shoes recommended for me, and try again with new shoes.

    Of course, there ARE those out there who did NOT do the gait analysis and never had trouble. There are the opposites to that story as well. The question you have to answer for yourself is, are you OK with having to stop your running/training to heal in case your shoes did not work out? If so, then no need to spend the money or time, just take the chance and maybe things will work out fine. If not though, save yourself the risk and take care of it ahead of time.

    Dang, so much for a short answer.
  • WhatMeRunning
    WhatMeRunning Posts: 3,538 Member
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    Oh, in that first pair of 680 V2's, which I loved very much and thought felt great on my feet, I trained and ran my first 5k, 10k and the bulk of my training for my first half marathon. I had to buy my new pair to break in ahead of that first half marathon. In case that helps explain what sort of running I was doing, if it is important to know that.
  • laura2813
    laura2813 Posts: 84 Member
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    I say get fitted!!!

    I had a pair of shoes I loved and thought they were the bomb. They were getting to the end of their running life so I decided to go get fitted for a pair of shoes. They listened to what I had to say, did measurements and then brought out several pairs they thought would work for me. I found a pair and ever since then I've been in LOVE. I put on my old pair to do something around the house and couldn't believe the difference. Now I'm a true believer in getting fitted. It's well worth the time.
  • 47Jacqueline
    47Jacqueline Posts: 6,993 Member
    edited December 2014
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    I recently went to Jack Rabbit and had them fit me for running shoes. I can certainly pick out a pair of shoes, but I liked them doing the treadmill test and narrowing the selection down to three pairs for me. After trying on the recommended ones, I settled on a pair of Brooks shoes. I never would have tried them because I didn't even know about the brand. They are hands down the most comfortable ones I've ever worn.

    The testing is free and the shoe cost at the store is in line with most retailers. Maybe I could have gotten them cheaper online, but I don't like to buy shoes without trying them on.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
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    Getting fitted is generally safer, but by no means a sure thing. Some people can also put on a shoe and know immediately if it fits well or not (though, most people learn this).

    So, can it be done? Sure. Is it recommended or common? No.

    Also, distance/time in the shoes matters. You can run a block in most any shoe... but longer distances put more importance on proper gear.
  • bbastin55
    bbastin55 Posts: 34 Member
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    Ok so I have a question to add to this...

    One of my legs in longer than the other by a 1/2" due to a hip surgery I had as a teen. If/when I get fitted for sure can they do something about that?? I had a prosthetic made recently and it has allowed me to start running, but I can tell something isn't entirely right with them. Will a fitting fix this?
  • robrsmith
    robrsmith Posts: 7 Member
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    Getting fitted by a specialty running store is typically free and only takes a few minutes. There's no downside.
  • lishie_rebooted
    lishie_rebooted Posts: 2,973 Member
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    bbastin55 wrote: »
    Ok so I have a question to add to this...

    One of my legs in longer than the other by a 1/2" due to a hip surgery I had as a teen. If/when I get fitted for sure can they do something about that?? I had a prosthetic made recently and it has allowed me to start running, but I can tell something isn't entirely right with them. Will a fitting fix this?

    You can put a lift in the shoe of the shorter leg to make your pelvis even.
    I'd also check with a physical therapist - preferably one that does a gait analysis (my new one does) - about how to work around the length difference without injury
  • SassyCalyGirl
    SassyCalyGirl Posts: 1,932 Member
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    I work at a specialty running store-get fitted. Its not just about comfort. Pronation and arch type are the primary reasons to be fitted properly. It will help with avoiding injury and becoming a more efficient runner.
  • bbastin55
    bbastin55 Posts: 34 Member
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    603reader wrote: »
    You can put a lift in the shoe of the shorter leg to make your pelvis even.
    I'd also check with a physical therapist - preferably one that does a gait analysis (my new one does) - about how to work around the length difference without injury

    A 1/2" lift is giant and makes the shoe so tight, the sports medicine doc sent me to a prosthetic place and he cut my shoe apart and inserted a 1/2" piece of hard foam. I may try and find a physical therapist or a running specialist to see if we can get it fixed. Thanks for your response!
  • lishie_rebooted
    lishie_rebooted Posts: 2,973 Member
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    bbastin55 wrote: »
    603reader wrote: »
    You can put a lift in the shoe of the shorter leg to make your pelvis even.
    I'd also check with a physical therapist - preferably one that does a gait analysis (my new one does) - about how to work around the length difference without injury

    A 1/2" lift is giant and makes the shoe so tight, the sports medicine doc sent me to a prosthetic place and he cut my shoe apart and inserted a 1/2" piece of hard foam. I may try and find a physical therapist or a running specialist to see if we can get it fixed. Thanks for your response!

    True.
    For your situation, I don't think a typical running store would be of much help but a physical therapist, orthopaedic doctor, or a podiatrist should be able to help in someway
  • GiddyupTim
    GiddyupTim Posts: 2,819 Member
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    I don't trust the fittings.
    We have a running shoe store here where they force you to jog back and forth and they watch your gait. And then they tell you that "you do this" or "you do that." Then they recommend shoes.
    i worked in an athletic shoe store once. I never got that much training. And I cannot tell much about a shoe just by looking at it and/or reading about it. I have to run in it myself. For a while. That would take years to get thru the 30 to 40 different types of running shoe most sports stores carry.
    So I suspect the salespeople often claim knowledge they do not have. Shoe salespeople are generally not true "professionals" after all, the way a doctor, lawyer, clergyperson, or journalist is a professional. They don't get paid enough. They do not stick with it long enough.
    Yes! Go get fitted. Yes! Read about shoes. Yes! Get a gait analysis. Running puts a lot of stress on your feet and injuries are not fun. But take all advice with a dose of skepticism. Sometimes people know. Sometimes they don't. We're all different. Eventually you just have to find your own way.
  • Xblessed17X
    Xblessed17X Posts: 14
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    Thanks for all the suggestions! Another reason I was a little iffy about getting a shoe fitting is because I feel like I'll be forced to buy the shoes right then and there. Honestly, I'd prefer them to tell me what I need and look around for a cheaper price but I'd feel pressure to buy something then and there.
  • zipa78
    zipa78 Posts: 354 Member
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    Xblessed17X wrote: »
    Thanks for all the suggestions! Another reason I was a little iffy about getting a shoe fitting is because I feel like I'll be forced to buy the shoes right then and there. Honestly, I'd prefer them to tell me what I need and look around for a cheaper price but I'd feel pressure to buy something then and there.

    How about you shop around for price first, and then get fitted where you find the best price?
  • andywaterman
    andywaterman Posts: 2 Member
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    Good advice from Tufel - there's no downside to getting fitted but treat everything you're told with a large pinch of salt. These are salespeople first and foremost, not doctors.

    Re Grimmeanor getting an injury - how do you know it's the running that caused that injury and not walking around in running shoes all the time? Running shoes should be for running, not daily use.

    The best way to not get injured is to run with good technique (try and make as little sound as possible, no slapping of rubber on concrete) and build up gradually, both in terms of distance and speed, with periods of rest built into your schedule to allow for compensation. No shoe in the world will prevent an injury if you have bad technique and push yourself too far, too fast, too often.
  • GillianMcK
    GillianMcK Posts: 401 Member
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    tufel wrote: »
    I don't trust the fittings.
    We have a running shoe store here where they force you to jog back and forth and they watch your gait. And then they tell you that "you do this" or "you do that." Then they recommend shoes.
    i worked in an athletic shoe store once. I never got that much training. And I cannot tell much about a shoe just by looking at it and/or reading about it. I have to run in it myself. For a while. That would take years to get thru the 30 to 40 different types of running shoe most sports stores carry.
    So I suspect the salespeople often claim knowledge they do not have. Shoe salespeople are generally not true "professionals" after all, the way a doctor, lawyer, clergyperson, or journalist is a professional. They don't get paid enough. They do not stick with it long enough.
    Yes! Go get fitted. Yes! Read about shoes. Yes! Get a gait analysis. Running puts a lot of stress on your feet and injuries are not fun. But take all advice with a dose of skepticism. Sometimes people know. Sometimes they don't. We're all different. Eventually you just have to find your own way.

    The shop I go to sounds to be the opposite of this, you're put on the treadmill first, barefoot and lower leg is filmed (always make sure you shave your legs before going as they zoom in on the calf and ankle), this is then slowed down to a frame by frame to check any pronation or bending in the ankle, using the formatting tools to see how straight etc the leg is. The put back on with trainers and filmed again, I was over an hour to get fitted for my first pair, all the staff either have or are training towards some sort of sports related degree and do a lot of running themselves.
    It will depend on the shop you go to, ask running clubs in your area for recommendations.
  • sheldonklein
    sheldonklein Posts: 854 Member
    edited December 2014
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    Xblessed17X wrote: »
    Thanks for all the suggestions! Another reason I was a little iffy about getting a shoe fitting is because I feel like I'll be forced to buy the shoes right then and there. Honestly, I'd prefer them to tell me what I need and look around for a cheaper price but I'd feel pressure to buy something then and there.
    I know I'm in a minority, but I think you should feel obligated to buy from the site that gave you a "free" service To use the free service and then but from amazon or a discount store without service a form of theft.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
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    Xblessed17X wrote: »
    Thanks for all the suggestions! Another reason I was a little iffy about getting a shoe fitting is because I feel like I'll be forced to buy the shoes right then and there. Honestly, I'd prefer them to tell me what I need and look around for a cheaper price but I'd feel pressure to buy something then and there.

    I think there is value in getting a decent fitting for shoes, although as highlighted above it may be difficult to get a decent review. Start with a proper running shop, rather than a generic athletics goods shop.

    As far as whether you should then buy from the place that's offered you a free service or not, personally I think that you probably should recognise that. If everyone treated them that way, next time you need some good advice around product selection they may not be there.

    Once you're looking for replacement shoes, then you can go online.
  • lishie_rebooted
    lishie_rebooted Posts: 2,973 Member
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    MeanderingMammal wrote: »
    Xblessed17X wrote: »
    Thanks for all the suggestions! Another reason I was a little iffy about getting a shoe fitting is because I feel like I'll be forced to buy the shoes right then and there. Honestly, I'd prefer them to tell me what I need and look around for a cheaper price but I'd feel pressure to buy something then and there.

    I think there is value in getting a decent fitting for shoes, although as highlighted above it may be difficult to get a decent review. Start with a proper running shop, rather than a generic athletics goods shop.

    As far as whether you should then buy from the place that's offered you a free service or not, personally I think that you probably should recognise that. If everyone treated them that way, next time you need some good advice around product selection they may not be there.

    Once you're looking for replacement shoes, then you can go online.

    That's what I did.

    I bought the pair at the running store, tried them out for a week or so to decide if I liked them and didn't have to return them (I've had that happen in the past - the shoe just isn't for me once I leave the store) and as the miles crept up on the pair I bought from the store, I got a second pair from Amazon.

    And frankly, I suggest you do the same. Just because they fit you in the store and the shoes felt fine there, take them home, try them out for a couple of weeks to make sure it's THE shoe, and then buy the replacement pair on Amazon. A lot of these shops have at least a 30-day return window.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    edited December 2014
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    Well I'd do it the first time, to make sure you don't need special shoes or anything... and to be sure of the size... then whatever. I pretty much buy most of my shoes on Amazon, up to 65% off (I got some Saucony running shoes for $40 two days ago there).

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