New running shoes! Is this normal?
xLyric
Posts: 840 Member
Got fitted for running shoes, ordered them online (cheaper!), and got them today, finally. I've been running the first 2 weeks of C25K in my New Balance walking shoes with inserts, which has been fine, if not ideal.
I don't have inserts for these running shoes, and the feel is a bit different from what I'm used to. Instead of support being under the arch, it feels like there are lumps (maybe just cushioning that I'll get used to?) under the heel and ball of my foot towards the inside. Does this sound normal? I haven't actually walked in them yet, I just thought it was an interesting change.
Note: I'm not saying it's bad or they hurt or anything, just that the change from the feel of the walking shoe is interesting and I'm wondering if that kind of support is normal for running shoes or if it's just this particular shoe model or what.
I think, when I feel inside with my hand, there is a bit of arch support, but not enough to really push up into the arch and feel it all the time (which is good, that's how my walking shoes are). So yeah. Not complaining, just curious.
I don't have inserts for these running shoes, and the feel is a bit different from what I'm used to. Instead of support being under the arch, it feels like there are lumps (maybe just cushioning that I'll get used to?) under the heel and ball of my foot towards the inside. Does this sound normal? I haven't actually walked in them yet, I just thought it was an interesting change.
Note: I'm not saying it's bad or they hurt or anything, just that the change from the feel of the walking shoe is interesting and I'm wondering if that kind of support is normal for running shoes or if it's just this particular shoe model or what.
I think, when I feel inside with my hand, there is a bit of arch support, but not enough to really push up into the arch and feel it all the time (which is good, that's how my walking shoes are). So yeah. Not complaining, just curious.
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Replies
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Doesn't sound normal to me, but then running shoes are so varied without knowing what specific model you got it's hard to say.
That said, I put superfeet inserts in every pair of shoes I run with.0 -
Were they old models/heavily discounted? Sometimes lighter weight shoes, if they sit in a warehouse too long, start to break down and you get the weird lumps in them. I've had a couple heavily discounted shoes come in the mail and they feel completely different from other pairs of the same brand/model that I already own. See if you can send them back and get them replaced; if you get two weird feeling pairs, then those probably just aren't the shoes for you.0
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I work at a running shoe store.
1. Why would you get fit somewhere...take up someone's time, use their expertise...then go order the shoes online?
2. It is likely that what you bought is not necessarily the same thing that you were fit in. I don't know where you went to get fit but I'll assume it's somewhere like where I work. It is possible you bought a previous version of the shoe, especially if it is cheaper.
3. The prices of the shoes are set by the manufacturer not the stores that sell them. All of the latest versions of the shoes we sell cannot be found on the internet cheaper. The only way you can find the shoes cheaper is if you are buying a previous version or a version that is about to update. And in that case, did you ask your store to price match?
4. The store I work for has a very liberal return policy...so if a shoe doesn't work for someone, even after they wear it, you can return it. We will keep working with our customers to find the right fit. Another reason you should have bought the shoes where you were fit.0 -
They're New Balance 993s. I got them from a New Balance outlet store online, so it's not like I was doing anything dishonest, in my opinion. Not everyone has the money to get them hot off the shelf, and when outlets are an option to get shoes that are just as good, if not this season's models, why not? Isn't it better to have the correct shoes than make sure that employee doesn't lose one person's commision? I didn't think to ask about price matching, that would have been a good idea.
Now that I've been walking around they don't feel so strange. I run in a bit so we'll see shortly how they do. Thanks for the replies so far 0 -
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Just want to say thank you to those who fit shoes and know what they're doing. I'd been wearing a size and a half too small--no wonder my feet and shins hurt! I love my new shoes, but if I had a problem I know I could take them back and you'd replace them. Worth it IMHO.0
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MeanderingMammal wrote: »
I disagree. Am I not allowed to run if I can't afford brand new shoes?0 -
MeanderingMammal wrote: »
I disagree. Am I not allowed to run if I can't afford brand new shoes?
What about the sales person who spent time with you and didn't get paid? How are they supposed to feed their family if everyone decided to be this way?
Outlet stores often sell things that are 'not perfect'. Buying running shoes that are 'not perfect' may lead to injury issues.
Of course in this case I call it karma.0 -
One other thought while it still pisses me off....
Part of the "higher" price you pay at these stores is for the service and advice you get there. You got the advice and didn't pay for it. How is that right?
I'm done now........
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When you got fitted, did they have you try with inserts?
I never, ever, ever run in shoes with the stock padding in them. I always get inserts for better support.
Go to the store and get some inserts. If that doesn't do the trick, see if you can return these shoes and just buy them at the store instead.
As a previous poster mentioned, it's possible that you got a previous edition of the shoe. It's not uncommon for a company to update design & keep the name, and the older design may not work as well for your foot.
~Lyssa0 -
MeanderingMammal wrote: »
I disagree. Am I not allowed to run if I can't afford brand new shoes?
What about the sales person who spent time with you and didn't get paid? How are they supposed to feed their family if everyone decided to be this way?
Outlet stores often sell things that are 'not perfect'. Buying running shoes that are 'not perfect' may lead to injury issues.
Of course in this case I call it karma.
The fittings are free! They do not cost money! I even told them I would be buying them online, and they said that was just fine. If it was necessary to buy shoes after the fitting I would have left, because I wasn't actually interested in deceiving them, whatever you might think. There are several places on this site where other members have recommended getting fit and then ordering from outlet stores or discount stores, it's not like I'm Satan here. Some people have to run on a budget, and still get quality shoes that help stay away from injury. This is a good way to do that.macgurlnet wrote: »When you got fitted, did they have you try with inserts?
I never, ever, ever run in shoes with the stock padding in them. I always get inserts for better support.
Go to the store and get some inserts. If that doesn't do the trick, see if you can return these shoes and just buy them at the store instead.
As a previous poster mentioned, it's possible that you got a previous edition of the shoe. It's not uncommon for a company to update design & keep the name, and the older design may not work as well for your foot.
~Lyssa
Yes, they are a previous model. I don't think that's bad. I tried to keep it clear in my original post but I guess I wasn't; the shoes aren't bad. I just said they were different. I just got back from my run and they were worlds more comfortable than my walking shoes, and those weren't uncomfortable either, so I'm calling this purchase a success. I do have inserts in the walking shoes though, so I can see where you're coming from!0 -
MeanderingMammal wrote: »
I disagree. Am I not allowed to run if I can't afford brand new shoes?
What about the sales person who spent time with you and didn't get paid? How are they supposed to feed their family if everyone decided to be this way?
Outlet stores often sell things that are 'not perfect'. Buying running shoes that are 'not perfect' may lead to injury issues.
Of course in this case I call it karma.
The fittings are free! They do not cost money! I even told them I would be buying them online, and they said that was just fine. If it was necessary to buy shoes after the fitting I would have left, because I wasn't actually interested in deceiving them, whatever you might think. There are several places on this site where other members have recommended getting fit and then ordering from outlet stores or discount stores, it's not like I'm Satan here. Some people have to run on a budget, and still get quality shoes that help stay away from injury. This is a good way to do that.macgurlnet wrote: »When you got fitted, did they have you try with inserts?
I never, ever, ever run in shoes with the stock padding in them. I always get inserts for better support.
Go to the store and get some inserts. If that doesn't do the trick, see if you can return these shoes and just buy them at the store instead.
As a previous poster mentioned, it's possible that you got a previous edition of the shoe. It's not uncommon for a company to update design & keep the name, and the older design may not work as well for your foot.
~Lyssa
Yes, they are a previous model. I don't think that's bad. I tried to keep it clear in my original post but I guess I wasn't; the shoes aren't bad. I just said they were different. I just got back from my run and they were worlds more comfortable than my walking shoes, and those weren't uncomfortable either, so I'm calling this purchase a success. I do have inserts in the walking shoes though, so I can see where you're coming from!
The reason they're different from the ones you tried on is because they're a previous model, no one on here is saying it was bad of you to purchase a previous model, but in doing so you no longer bought the same pair of shoes. They're different and are going to have different support on the inside and be different from the ones you tried on in the store.
Buying running shoes is tricky business because there are so many different kinds to accommodate the many different feet we all have, as long as they're comfortable they should be fine!0 -
MeanderingMammal wrote: »
I disagree. Am I not allowed to run if I can't afford brand new shoes?
What about the sales person who spent time with you and didn't get paid? How are they supposed to feed their family if everyone decided to be this way?
Outlet stores often sell things that are 'not perfect'. Buying running shoes that are 'not perfect' may lead to injury issues.
Of course in this case I call it karma.
Also, I'm pretty darn sure the guys at New Balance have some sort of hourly wage. Maybe it's not $20 an hour, but their families are not going to starve by missing out on one person's commission. If that were the case, New Balance would even have an outlet store to begin with.0 -
Wait... You went to a New Balance store for running shoe advice? Never mind... You get what you get....
BTW - It is sad to know people actually think this way. Just one person wasting one other person's time will not break them. But 10 people doing it will. Hundreds do it and suddenly the store is no longer in business. Then we all will have to get advice from a New Balance outlet store and the local community loses. Sadly, most people only think of themselves.0 -
Nikki10129 wrote: »MeanderingMammal wrote: »
I disagree. Am I not allowed to run if I can't afford brand new shoes?
What about the sales person who spent time with you and didn't get paid? How are they supposed to feed their family if everyone decided to be this way?
Outlet stores often sell things that are 'not perfect'. Buying running shoes that are 'not perfect' may lead to injury issues.
Of course in this case I call it karma.
The fittings are free! They do not cost money! I even told them I would be buying them online, and they said that was just fine. If it was necessary to buy shoes after the fitting I would have left, because I wasn't actually interested in deceiving them, whatever you might think. There are several places on this site where other members have recommended getting fit and then ordering from outlet stores or discount stores, it's not like I'm Satan here. Some people have to run on a budget, and still get quality shoes that help stay away from injury. This is a good way to do that.macgurlnet wrote: »When you got fitted, did they have you try with inserts?
I never, ever, ever run in shoes with the stock padding in them. I always get inserts for better support.
Go to the store and get some inserts. If that doesn't do the trick, see if you can return these shoes and just buy them at the store instead.
As a previous poster mentioned, it's possible that you got a previous edition of the shoe. It's not uncommon for a company to update design & keep the name, and the older design may not work as well for your foot.
~Lyssa
Yes, they are a previous model. I don't think that's bad. I tried to keep it clear in my original post but I guess I wasn't; the shoes aren't bad. I just said they were different. I just got back from my run and they were worlds more comfortable than my walking shoes, and those weren't uncomfortable either, so I'm calling this purchase a success. I do have inserts in the walking shoes though, so I can see where you're coming from!
The reason they're different from the ones you tried on is because they're a previous model, no one on here is saying it was bad of you to purchase a previous model, but in doing so you no longer bought the same pair of shoes. They're different and are going to have different support on the inside and be different from the ones you tried on in the store.
Buying running shoes is tricky business because there are so many different kinds to accommodate the many different feet we all have, as long as they're comfortable they should be fine!
Most of you are being very helpful, and I'm grateful! It's just the attitude of those two users (one called me parasitic and one is bafflingly accusing me of starving the children of the salesman) that I'm trying to figure out, since, to me, it's coming out of nowhere after weeks of reading about how and where to buy shoes on this site (as well as others) where, like you said, it's not seen as such a bad thing. I probably shouldn't waste my energy on them anymore, haha.
You're right though, I think that's where the difference is coming from! As of my first run in them tonight they're still pretty darn comfortable, so I'm not going to worry about it unless that changes!0 -
Wait... You went to a New Balance store for running shoe advice? Never mind... You get what you get....
BTW - It is sad to know people actually think this way. Just one person wasting one other person's time will not break them. But 10 people doing it will. Hundreds do it and suddenly the store is no longer in business. Then we all will have to get advice from a New Balance outlet store and the local community loses. Sadly, most people only think of themselves.
If I rolled my eyes any harder than I just did I think they'd get stuck. Have a good night. 0 -
MeanderingMammal wrote: »
I disagree. Am I not allowed to run if I can't afford brand new shoes?
You acted in a parasitic way, you consumed time from a service provider and then didn't follow through with a purchase. You acted in bad faith.
You are entirely free to behave in any way you wish, you're also at liberty to take the consequences of your behaviour. Some of those consequences include people looking down on you with contempt for displaying parasitic behaviour.0 -
MeanderingMammal wrote: »MeanderingMammal wrote: »
I disagree. Am I not allowed to run if I can't afford brand new shoes?
You acted in a parasitic way, you consumed time from a service provider and then didn't follow through with a purchase. You acted in bad faith.
You are entirely free to behave in any way you wish, you're also at liberty to take the consequences of your behaviour. Some of those consequences include people looking down on you with contempt for displaying parasitic behaviour.
I told him I wasn't planning on buying shoes on site. He didn't care. My money still went to the same brand. Also, again, he's being paid by the hour, it's not like he helped me for nothing, lack of commission or otherwise. Being fit for running shoes is a free service at this place. Full stop. It's not 'free but only if you buy shoes HERE RIGHT NOW.'
Where's the bad faith? Where's the lack of follow through?
Also, people 'looking down on me with contempt' might be a consequence if I cared what the two of you thought. Since I don't, this whole thing is mostly just amusing.0 -
MeanderingMammal wrote: »
Totally agree.
That's why so many local running shops go out of business and their expertise will be lost. People having gait analysis and take up staff time and then don't buy anything because they can save a few quid by going online.0 -
MeanderingMammal wrote: »MeanderingMammal wrote: »
I disagree. Am I not allowed to run if I can't afford brand new shoes?
You acted in a parasitic way, you consumed time from a service provider and then didn't follow through with a purchase. You acted in bad faith.
You are entirely free to behave in any way you wish, you're also at liberty to take the consequences of your behaviour. Some of those consequences include people looking down on you with contempt for displaying parasitic behaviour.
I told him I wasn't planning on buying shoes on site. He didn't care. My money still went to the same brand. Also, again, he's being paid by the hour, it's not like he helped me for nothing, lack of commission or otherwise. Being fit for running shoes is a free service at this place. Full stop. It's not 'free but only if you buy shoes HERE RIGHT NOW.'
Where's the bad faith? Where's the lack of follow through?
Also, people 'looking down on me with contempt' might be a consequence if I cared what the two of you thought. Since I don't, this whole thing is mostly just amusing.
Had I known you went to an outlet store I would not have commented. Your original post made it seem as if you want to a specialty running store. There is a big difference. I agree, the sales guy at the outlet store probably doesn't care.
Now, going to an outlet store for running shoe advice... Well, like I said before. You get what you get. I would never recommend that.
For anyone reading this you need to know that not all shoes at specialty running stores are super expensive. If you let them know your budget constraints when you walk in they can work with you. They often have last year's models in stock that they need to sell at a discount. Plus, I never pay full retail. All the shops I deal with give me something off. One gives me a break for being ex-military. One discounts my purchase because I raise money to fight blood cancers with Team in Training. Just ask them what discounts you can get. They won't mind.
One last thought.. I do use the internet to buy shoes as well. I typically find a shoe I like and buy the first pair at the store. Then I often pick up a second pair online. The savings usually aren't huge but enough to justify the sale.0 -
The first pair of running shoes I bought, I went to a local running shop for the whole gait analysis/fit etc and they were super helpful. I have to say of course I considered buying the same shoes for £10-£20 cheaper online but after all that time they spent with me, helping me out, I would honestly have felt terrible saying to the guy: "yes these are absolutely perfect for me, thank you for that hour of your time but I now need to go home, log onto my computer and wait for someone to deliver them to me because they do it a bit cheaper". If you are paying presumably mid-range price for a decent pair of shoes anyway, what's a little bit extra? It's like tipping at a restaurant, no you don't have to do it but you should and especially if you had good service. Even if only just for the sheer fact that the guy serving you would have a little bit of joy in his day to know that he gave someone good enough advice and fit them well enough that they bought the shoes he recommended.
As a side point, since that first fitting of a particular brand, yes I do now buy the occasional pair online, mostly when I want to rebuy the exact same shoe again which by this point has been replaced by something else in the shop. Also a note, the shops themselves do also often have discounts that match the online prices, online is not always cheaper and if they are, ask the shop for a price match.
And finally, yes they will feel slightly different when they are an older model, that's kind of the point of bringing out a new model, think of the uproar if the shoe companies kept re-releasing the exact same shoe constantly without developing it in any way.0 -
MeanderingMammal wrote: »
Totally agree.
That's why so many local running shops go out of business and their expertise will be lost. People having gait analysis and take up staff time and then don't buy anything because they can save a few quid by going online.
I'm not driving New Balance out of business. I'm sure they appreciate your concern though.MeanderingMammal wrote: »MeanderingMammal wrote: »
I disagree. Am I not allowed to run if I can't afford brand new shoes?
You acted in a parasitic way, you consumed time from a service provider and then didn't follow through with a purchase. You acted in bad faith.
You are entirely free to behave in any way you wish, you're also at liberty to take the consequences of your behaviour. Some of those consequences include people looking down on you with contempt for displaying parasitic behaviour.
I told him I wasn't planning on buying shoes on site. He didn't care. My money still went to the same brand. Also, again, he's being paid by the hour, it's not like he helped me for nothing, lack of commission or otherwise. Being fit for running shoes is a free service at this place. Full stop. It's not 'free but only if you buy shoes HERE RIGHT NOW.'
Where's the bad faith? Where's the lack of follow through?
Also, people 'looking down on me with contempt' might be a consequence if I cared what the two of you thought. Since I don't, this whole thing is mostly just amusing.
Had I known you went to an outlet store I would not have commented. Your original post made it seem as if you want to a specialty running store. There is a big difference. I agree, the sales guy at the outlet store probably doesn't care.
Now, going to an outlet store for running shoe advice... Well, like I said before. You get what you get. I would never recommend that.
For anyone reading this you need to know that not all shoes at specialty running stores are super expensive. If you let them know your budget constraints when you walk in they can work with you. They often have last year's models in stock that they need to sell at a discount. Plus, I never pay full retail. All the shops I deal with give me something off. One gives me a break for being ex-military. One discounts my purchase because I raise money to fight blood cancers with Team in Training. Just ask them what discounts you can get. They won't mind.
One last thought.. I do use the internet to buy shoes as well. I typically find a shoe I like and buy the first pair at the store. Then I often pick up a second pair online. The savings usually aren't huge but enough to justify the sale.
If it had been a tiny local business, I agree. Maybe I should have said that in my first post. I absolutely would have gone somewhere with better analyses than people at a chain store had I had the option, but I'm in a tiny town and my searches came up empty without a significant drive.
I don't get the New Balance hate, though. Just because they're a bigger brand doesn't mean they're bad. I've never had an uncomfortable pair, no injuries either. I'm not a hardcore runner though.The first pair of running shoes I bought, I went to a local running shop for the whole gait analysis/fit etc and they were super helpful. I have to say of course I considered buying the same shoes for £10-£20 cheaper online but after all that time they spent with me, helping me out, I would honestly have felt terrible saying to the guy: "yes these are absolutely perfect for me, thank you for that hour of your time but I now need to go home, log onto my computer and wait for someone to deliver them to me because they do it a bit cheaper". If you are paying presumably mid-range price for a decent pair of shoes anyway, what's a little bit extra? It's like tipping at a restaurant, no you don't have to do it but you should and especially if you had good service. Even if only just for the sheer fact that the guy serving you would have a little bit of joy in his day to know that he gave someone good enough advice and fit them well enough that they bought the shoes he recommended.
As a side point, since that first fitting of a particular brand, yes I do now buy the occasional pair online, mostly when I want to rebuy the exact same shoe again which by this point has been replaced by something else in the shop. Also a note, the shops themselves do also often have discounts that match the online prices, online is not always cheaper and if they are, ask the shop for a price match.
And finally, yes they will feel slightly different when they are an older model, that's kind of the point of bringing out a new model, think of the uproar if the shoe companies kept re-releasing the exact same shoe constantly without developing it in any way.
I think this is why I was having trouble understanding where the negative users were coming from. I should have been more clear. I did not have an intensive hour long fitting. The guy spent maybe 10-20 minutes with me, and it's not a 'local' store, it's a chain. Had it been that intensive, plus a local chain dependent on people buying in-store? Yes, absolutely, I agree.
Finally, I saved about $70 on these shoes. That's kind of significant to me, maybe not to you guys.0 -
No hate for New Balance. I don't doubt that they make good shoes. The problem is you are limited to only New Balance and generally a shoe company only makes one shoe that is appropriate for your feet. So by going to their outlet you basically have one choice. The other problem is the level of training their employees get. In a running specialty store the employees get training from many shoe reps and others who (hopefully) know what they are doing.
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No hate for New Balance. I don't doubt that they make good shoes. The problem is you are limited to only New Balance and generally a shoe company only makes one shoe that is appropriate for your feet. So by going to their outlet you basically have one choice. The other problem is the level of training their employees get. In a running specialty store the employees get training from many shoe reps and others who (hopefully) know what they are doing.
Yeah, that makes sense. Hopefully by the time I need a new pair I'll be back home and can go to the running store there.0 -
MeanderingMammal wrote: »
Totally agree.
That's why so many local running shops go out of business and their expertise will be lost. People having gait analysis and take up staff time and then don't buy anything because they can save a few quid by going online.
I disagree with this completely. The specialty running store I go to has a $15 fee for fittings that is waived if you buy the shoes there. If the store really cared about it's associates' time being wasted, then they would institute this same rule. Besides...the "gait analysis" is not as impressive as they make it out to be. I've been fitted with shoes several times and the only way I really know which ones are going to work is to run in them a few weeks. That being the case...I do buy my shoes at the store, so I can return them when they don't work.0 -
If you don't get it then you won't get it. Quit justifying your ethics problem.0
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paulandrachelk wrote: »If you don't get it then you won't get it. Quit justifying your ethics problem.
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Huh? You sure about that? I've never heard of such a thing.kristinegift wrote: »Sometimes lighter weight shoes, if they sit in a warehouse too long, start to break down
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BhangraPrince wrote: »
Huh? You sure about that? I've never heard of such a thing.kristinegift wrote: »Sometimes lighter weight shoes, if they sit in a warehouse too long, start to break down
Yes.
Decent running shoes have a self life of about 18 months, or a usage life of about 500 miles due to chemical and mechanical degradation0
This discussion has been closed.
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