thinking of getting new running shoes

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jacquelinelohr
jacquelinelohr Posts: 5 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
so i've had the same pair of running shoes for the past 2 years and i want to invest in a new pair. i absolutely love my nike frees and they've carried me through hundreds of miles. i'm thinking of getting the nike free iD 5.0, but before i make a purchase, i'd to hear opinions from some fellow runners.

i'm not super educated on running shoes so i'm looking for general advice. what type of running shoes do you like and why?

i live in a city and run mostly on road and pavement. i run 15-25 miles/week.
& i'm willing to pay $150 and under.
thanks for your input in advance!!
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Replies

  • dewd2
    dewd2 Posts: 2,449 Member
    edited October 2015
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    Go to a running store and have them watch you run. They will recommend a certain style based on your mechanics and provide you will many the fit your needs. Try them all and pick the ones that feel the best.
  • happygalah
    happygalah Posts: 343 Member
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    You should go to a store that specialises in running and have your stride etc. evaluated and they can recommend the correct shoes for you. Running shoes should be replaced every 300 miles or so.
  • DebinMelbourne
    DebinMelbourne Posts: 134 Member
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    Definitely get fitted appropriately in a running store, and when you need to buy new ones, you can get them online places usually cheaper. I've been wearing ASICS Gel Kayanos for years, and replace them every 6 to 9 months.
  • blankiefinder
    blankiefinder Posts: 3,599 Member
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    DebinMelbourne wrote: »
    Definitely get fitted appropriately in a running store, and when you need to buy new ones, you can get them online places usually cheaper. I've been wearing ASICS Gel Kayanos for years, and replace them every 6 to 9 months.

    It truly is so individual, as different makes fit different feet. Like Deb, I wear the Asics Kayanos. Asics are the only shoes that fit my feet. My daughter wears the old style Nike 5.0 frees (2014) because she likes the fit. They are getting hard to find though. My husband and son wear Saucony's.

    Go to a really good running store and try them on. A good store will allow returns if they haven't been worn outside, so you can always try them on an indoor track. They may also have a treadmill with free gait analysis if you're lucky.
  • JoeLeanMachine
    JoeLeanMachine Posts: 4 Member
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    I don't like running near as much as cycling, and I didn't enjoy it much.

    Then I went to A good store where they have a treadmill and watch you walk then jog.

    I have been fitted correctly and that helped.

    Also I tried some compression sleeves for my calves, they run from below your knee to your ankle area. Those things were great additions too, for cheap.

    The two things made running go from a mild pain to somewhat enjoyable

    Never will love it. I just have to get along with it for triathlons.

  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    edited October 2015
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    jacquelinelohr wrote: »
    so i've had the same pair of running shoes for the past 2 years and i want to invest in a new pair. i absolutely love my nike frees and they've carried me through hundreds of miles. i'm thinking of getting the nike free iD 5.0, but before i make a purchase, i'd to hear opinions from some fellow runners.

    i'm not super educated on running shoes so i'm looking for general advice. what type of running shoes do you like and why?

    i live in a city and run mostly on road and pavement. i run 15-25 miles/week.

    So if you're currently in those and you're not experiencing any problems, then a similarly minimalist style is probably appropriate. Most shoes only have a life of c300-500 miles and your post suggests c1000 miles.

    fwiw, the right shoes for me, 6ft1, 160lb trail endurance runner, are unlikely to be the right shoes for you.

    I'd agree with the suggestions above around a fitting, although would caveat that with a push to get good advice about minimalist shoes. Merrell, Inov-8, Five-Fingers etc are all good

    If you do go for a fitting, buy from the store. Don't be a parasite and take the fitting then buy online.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
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    I'm a big fan of the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" school of thought.

    If you've been running for 2 years, injury free, stick with what works (unless they've made big changes to the newer model) that's why I've been running in the same model (different iterations) shoe for 7 years.....
  • Kirky_V2
    Kirky_V2 Posts: 23 Member
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    ^^^^^^^ what they all said!

    My guess is you're a pretty neutral runner if you haven't had any problems in all this time, but you should get checked at a decent store.

    I'm a big Asics fan, but just recently moved to Mizuno Wave Inspire and amazed at how light they are. Ideally you're looking at about 300 - 400 miles per pair, maybe a bit less if most of your running is on hard surfaces.
  • ExRelaySprinter
    ExRelaySprinter Posts: 874 Member
    edited October 2015
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    BrianSharpe wrote: »
    I'm a big fan of the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" school of thought.

    If you've been running for 2 years, injury free, stick with what works (unless they've made big changes to the newer model) that's why I've been running in the same model (different iterations) shoe for 7 years.....

    I agree with this^^^.
    Maybe have a look to see if there are stores that are still selling your old Nike Free Models.
  • oilphins
    oilphins Posts: 240 Member
    edited October 2015
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    dewd2 wrote: »
    Go to a running store and have them watch you run. They will recommend a certain style based on your mechanics and provide you will many the fit your needs. Try them all and pick the ones that feel the best.

    Yes this you should do for sure. I run about 60k a week and if you do a lot of running, even if your runners still feel good, you should replace them about every 6-7 months is what I have been told by numerous avid runners here in my city who have won full and half marathons.
  • ExRelaySprinter
    ExRelaySprinter Posts: 874 Member
    edited October 2015
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    Double post.
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
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    jacquelinelohr wrote: »
    so i've had the same pair of running shoes for the past 2 years and i want to invest in a new pair. i absolutely love my nike frees and they've carried me through hundreds of miles. i'm thinking of getting the nike free iD 5.0, but before i make a purchase, i'd to hear opinions from some fellow runners.

    i'm not super educated on running shoes so i'm looking for general advice. what type of running shoes do you like and why?

    i live in a city and run mostly on road and pavement. i run 15-25 miles/week.
    & i'm willing to pay $150 and under.
    thanks for your input in advance!!

    If you "absolutely love (your) nike frees" why change? If it ain't broke...

    You have had the shoes for two years. If you have been running regularly during that time and have had no problems, why change? I think you have found your running shoes. Unless nike changed the shoe you absolutely love there is no reason for you to change. How much better do think a shoe is going to get? Is "absolute love" not good enough?
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
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    I would either buy the same style you have now since you haven't had any issues or go to a running store and get properly fitted.
  • Gavin_Campbell
    Gavin_Campbell Posts: 41 Member
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    I agree a lot with what others have already said. If you really like you shoes try and find the exact same and you will be happy. However if you can't find the same shoes don't have your mind stuck on that brand/model. Even though its the newer version of the same shoe it might not feel the same.

    I had a pair of Nike (I can't remember the model) but I went to the store and tried on a newer model of the same shoe. It felt totally different. I couldn't go with it. So I worked with the employee at the store to find a new comforatable shoe and ended up with a pair of NB (which fell apart in 3 months) and they eventually replaced it with a new pair of Asics that feel great on my wide feet.

    Good luck with the hunt.
  • gdyment
    gdyment Posts: 299 Member
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    shoes.jpg

    No brand loyalty, because they change (sometimes a lot) on each revision. I loved some models then the next version wasn't right or rubbed wrong. Do get fitted/checked to see what KIND of shoe you use (supinate, neutral or pronate) then you know what group to shop in.
  • kwtilbury
    kwtilbury Posts: 1,234 Member
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    Buy at least two pair and alternate, they'll last longer.

    Or you could be a shoe *kitten* like me (and apparently gdyment): I have four pairs of running shoes, four pairs of training shoes and three pair of lifting shoes.
  • PeiDub
    PeiDub Posts: 77 Member
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    Like everyone said, go to a store and get fitted.

    Personally, I prefer Brooks. I've got the PureCadence 4 and I love them.
  • jacquelinelohr
    jacquelinelohr Posts: 5 Member
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    thank you for your responses, everyone!
    i went to a reputable running store in the area and had them watch me run.
    i overpronate a little and have a forefront strike.

    i tried on a few different nikes that i didn't like including the pegasus.
    they didn't have the new free runs so i wasn't able to compare to the 4.0 i have.
    i'm gonna head to another store tomorrow to try on some different types. i took a few quizzes online and i was recommended:
    asics cumulus 17
    asics kayano
    asics qt 1000 3
    asics gel ds trainer 20
    saucony kinvara
    newton motion 111

    i agree with all of you on the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" method. but i bought my nike free runs over 2 years ago as i was just starting out running. and i got them off a casual recommendation from a friend. now, that i'm a little more serious about my running, i just want to test out other brands and models to see if there is a better fit for me.

    i'll let you guys know what i end up with tomorrow!
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
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    Good show! I wish I took my last pair for a good lap before settling.
  • gdyment
    gdyment Posts: 299 Member
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    jacquelinelohr wrote: »
    thank you for your responses, everyone!
    i went to a reputable running store in the area and had them watch me run.
    i overpronate a little and have a forefront strike.

    i tried on a few different nikes that i didn't like including the pegasus.
    they didn't have the new free runs so i wasn't able to compare to the 4.0 i have.
    i'm gonna head to another store tomorrow to try on some different types. i took a few quizzes online and i was recommended:
    asics cumulus 17
    asics kayano
    asics qt 1000 3
    asics gel ds trainer 20
    saucony kinvara
    newton motion 111

    i agree with all of you on the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" method. but i bought my nike free runs over 2 years ago as i was just starting out running. and i got them off a casual recommendation from a friend. now, that i'm a little more serious about my running, i just want to test out other brands and models to see if there is a better fit for me.

    i'll let you guys know what i end up with tomorrow!

    The Cumulus (and the even higher level Nimbus) are like running with pillows on your feet. I love them for trainers (but they are $$). The Kinvara is a lightweight minimal shoe (I use for racing). I found the Brooks Ghost series a good trainer that lasts long for cheaper.

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