The best running shoes??

i over pronate so a high stabiltiy shock absorbing shoe is a must or i get chin splints and hip pain.. i have aasics and new ballance i like them both but the new balance have more cushion. i went to our local running store and had my gait analyzed and they recomended the best shoe for me.

I wore pumas and nikes for a while.. I just bought rebok flex and I LOVE them. they work wonders for me. They're very light, they move with you, and the material lets air in as you run.

I used to be a runner and have ran several marathons. The best running shoes are the best ones for you - based on foot shape, weight, gait. (For me that's Asics brand.) I don't know where you live but the best thing you can do is get to a running store where they watch you walk and let you try out several shoes by running up and down the sidewalk outside.

great answer. i love asics too

I was suggested the Nike Free's by my doctor. I was having knee and join pain from running and it was because I was running with Nike Shocks. I switched to the free's and haven't had a problem since. They are light as air and feel great. I'd recommend them to anyone!

I treated myself to a pair of adidas adistar ride 3 . They have more cushioning on the heel than the front of the foot so i feel support when i land but don't lose power when i push off. I think all running styles are helped by different types of trainers and at our gym they run a test on you to see which is best (then offer to sell you the trainers haha) maybe there is something like that near you!

I wear Saucony Grid Hurricanes because they are made for "Clydesdale" runners. I love them.

I *love* my vibram five finger sprints. I've been "wunning" 5 days a week in them. They are wonderful.

Sometimes I think it's a shame no one mentions them since they aren't that well known, but I don't want to be the person throwing what I love in other people's faces... but since you brought it up. I do Love them

I have lots of friends who run and wear them too (here in germany), and friends of mine ( one of whom is a chiropractor.) have a website to bring them to Europe (but I wont post it since I don't work for them, just love the shoes)

I used to be a runner and have ran several marathons. The best running shoes are the best ones for you - based on foot shape, weight, gait. (For me that's Asics brand.) I don't know where you live but the best thing you can do is get to a running store where they watch you walk and let you try out several shoes by running up and down the sidewalk outside.

Perfect answer! I wear Pearl Izumi synchroFloats, but only because that's what they put me in at the running store after lots of analysis and trying of about 8 different shoes.

I was suggested the Nike Free's by my doctor. I was having knee and join pain from running and it was because I was running with Nike Shocks. I switched to the free's and haven't had a problem since. They are light as air and feel great. I'd recommend them to anyone!

Do you wear a specific sock with these shoes? My husband got me these without me trying them first and I get blisters and shin splints everytime

I run in both Vibram KSOs and Inov8 Road-X Lite 155s. I like them both. Never going to run another inch in a more traditional type of running shoe.

If you are a neutral runner, and have been happy in the newtons, then you'll probably be fine in the vibrams as well. However, a word of caution: vibrams can be excellent training shoes for neutral runners looking to strengthen their stabilizers and ligaments in their feet, and work on issues having to do with form and control. For example, you MUST forefoot strike in a vibram, and they are an excellent way for runners who generally heel strike to practice forefoot striking. For most runners, though, particularly beginners, a minimal shoe like the vibrams can be dangerous when used too often and/or on pavement instead of trails. Be wary of moving from a shoe that provides a lot of stability (in the form of a medial post) to correct overpronation to an incredibly minimal shoe (really more a glove) like the vibram. If you are lucky enough to be a neutral runner with no need for cushioning, the vibram still shouldn't be considered a replacement for your running shoes, but rather a training tool to be used occasionally, (a couple times a week, perhaps) and never for more than 5 miles. Start low, even just walking around, and gradually build mileage.
As others here have noted, the best running shoe is the shoe that works best for you. At the running store where I work, we analyze runners' strides to try to pinpoint issues like overpronation, where the person strikes (on which part of the foot they first make impact), and factors such as weight and general training issues like injuries, goals, distance per week and terrain.
So, for those of you looking for a new pair of shoes, definitely go talk to someone who can help point you in the right direction for your individual needs. Above all, listen to your body and try to be in touch with what's going on when problems flare.

With regard to the original question, if you like the newtons and are looking to try something new, other lightweight alternatives are the very comfortable and incredibly light (but plush) Saucony Kinvara, the very flexible Nike Free (with no outsole at all) the excellent and fast Brooks Ghost (sturdier and with more support than the newtons or the kinvara, perhaps a better tool for more serious training but quick feeling and pretty minimal just the same), as well as the new New Balance Minimus, which I have yet to try.

Do what feels good, and have fun!

I have the nike free's and i LOVEEEEE them no ankle pain, which i have chronically had. I recently got new insoles however because it has been well over 500 miles (trying to hold out until my bday!) and i have been slightly over training and was getting shin splints. I would like to get another pair of nike frees, but i think i am gonna front the cash to get a gait analysis because everyones foot and running stride is sooooo different.

most of your specialty running stores have free gait analysis,

I love the idea of the Vibram 5 Fingers, but I'm afraid to try them because of really high arches and a history of knee/hip problems. Any V5F users have similar issues? I only know one person who has them, but he only uses them for walking, so I can't really get a recommendation from him.

My running store suggested a pair of Asics GT-2160s after gait analysis, and that's the model I've stuck with for the last year and a bit because they are amazing. I run about 3 hours a week and have almost zero pain with them. Before that, I was using Saucony because they fit my wide feet well, but unfortunately they didn't work as well with my gait and I had a ton of pain.

It all comes down to what your feet like best, of course -- everyone's different!

I love the idea of the Vibram 5 Fingers, but I'm afraid to try them because of really high arches and a history of knee/hip problems. Any V5F users have similar issues? I only know one person who has them, but he only uses them for walking, so I can't really get a recommendation from him.

My running store suggested a pair of Asics GT-2160s after gait analysis, and that's the model I've stuck with for the last year and a bit because they are amazing. I run about 3 hours a week and have almost zero pain with them. Before that, I was using Saucony because they fit my wide feet well, but unfortunately they didn't work as well with my gait and I had a ton of pain.

It all comes down to what your feet like best, of course -- everyone's different!

I dont have a high arch, so I dont know anything about that. The Bikila LS and Speed Vibrams mention that they fit more instep hights, so they may be the styles you should check out .

Someone has probably already said this, but here goes. You should go to your local running store to be fit. That way you get the best for your feet.