Long distance running: advice on shoes please

You could always ask for a shoe from the previous season. Let's say a new pair of Kayanos may be £120 but last season's drop to about £60 once the new season's are out.

I see you must be new to running. When I started running, shops were still able to offer free gait analysis because people then bought the shoes in store. I realise that small local shops were forced to charge for this service now when no purchase is made. It's simply because too many people took advantage of the service and then bought online. It's a shame, because it spoils things for everybody. They are businesses after all not charities.

What you "get away with" depends entirely on your feet, which obviously here no one could possibly advise you on. I know some runners who just have super efficient biomechanics, really efficient gait, and basically they can run in anything. Me.... oh no! Not as a flat footed overpronator with hypermobile ankles. LOL

The thing is, once you know what you need you can always buy online next time.

jdt242 wrote: »

Dear Runners,

I have a half marathon coming up (5 weeks away) and my current trainers are dead....so I need to get a new pair and quickly.

I want to ask more seasoned runners how important is it to have your gait tested etc. when choosing a pair of running shoes?

I could find a decent brand of shoe for around £50, but if I go to a specialist running store, it's going to cost me twice that. Is it worth it? I don't really have the money.

Any helpful advice would be appreciated, thank you.

Any reason you can't get the same pair that you had previously on sale either online or in store? I would be wary of changing running shoes at this point given you are fairly close to your HM.

I presume you are in the UK but if you have a Decathlon store near to you then will do a free gait analysis and have a number of shoes which fall within your price range.

As for gait analysis I don't think it is any where near as important as thinking about how you can improve your running form but will be useful if a person does have legitimate bio-mechanical issues.

I would echo what everyone else says, well worth it. The other thing is once you know what type or brand of shoes suit you, you could then switch to a cheaper source for your next pair. I bought my first pair from the shop that fit me but then bought the next pair on their website for a cheaper price.

@jdt242 If your local store wants to charge you for the gait analysis - negotiate- ask for it to be deducted from the cost of the shoes you buy.

A few links that might help in your Shoe Hunt.
http://www.runnersworld.com/running-shoes/the-wet-test?cid=OB-_-RW-_-TB
http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/how-to-find-the-best-running-shoes-for-you/
http://running.competitor.com/2015/04/photos/10-running-shoe-terms-you-need-to-know_125915
http://running.competitor.com/2015/03/shoes-and-gear/3-keys-to-finding-your-next-pair-of-running-shoes_125291
http://running.competitor.com/2015/04/photos/10-running-shoe-terms-you-need-to-know_125915

I think they are great for new runners, but once you know what you need from a shoe, it's not a big deal to skip the analysis, assuming nothing significant has changed with your gait, weight, mileage, etc.

I will say that I'm part of the apparent minority who thinks gait analysis, for many people, are way over hyped. Go to a store that has all their shoes on the floor (not where you have to ask the salesperson to go in the back and get your size). Try on as many shoes as you can and walk around the store a couple of times to get a feel for the shoe. You can usually tell if it's the wrong shoe or not. And frankly, you won't know if it's the right shoe until your several miles into your run, so any test run you do at a store won't ensure anything.

Unless the gain analysis allows you to exchange the shoes once worn if they don't feel/fit properly, I think they are overrated.

Now, obviously my opinion changes if you've never run before, have something odd or specific about your gait/foot, or something along those lines. But if you're reasonably athletic, in reasonable shape, have spent reasonable time in athletic shoes, you can probably feel your way into a good shoe.

msf74 wrote: »

jdt242 wrote: »

Dear Runners,

I have a half marathon coming up (5 weeks away) and my current trainers are dead....so I need to get a new pair and quickly.

I want to ask more seasoned runners how important is it to have your gait tested etc. when choosing a pair of running shoes?

I could find a decent brand of shoe for around £50, but if I go to a specialist running store, it's going to cost me twice that. Is it worth it? I don't really have the money.

Any helpful advice would be appreciated, thank you.

Any reason you can't get the same pair that you had previously on sale either online or in store? I would be wary of changing running shoes at this point given you are fairly close to your HM.

I presume you are in the UK but if you have a Decathlon store near to you then will do a free gait analysis and have a number of shoes which fall within your price range.

As for gait analysis I don't think it is any where near as important as thinking about how you can improve your running form but will be useful if a person does have legitimate bio-mechanical issues.

+1 on the bolded. Why not just buy the same pair if they're working for you? I'd be wary to mess around with your shoes at this point.

zdyb23456 wrote: »

I just went to the running store and had them help me pick out a new running shoe. I thought I needed stability, but when he watched me "run" (not really as it was just across the sales floor and back) he told me I'd be better suited with a neutral shoe. I'd been running in stability shoes the last 2 years!

He had me try on about 6 pairs and I picked the one that felt most comfortable, although honestly they all felt great. When I got home I checked the price on amazon and it was the same price.

I'm not certain I like the shoe now that I've run in them for a week. So really, the few minutes spent wearing them in the store isn't really a strong indicator that you'll like them when you actually spend time running in them. I'm going to continue running in them and try out another brand/model the next time I need shoes.

So I agree with the above poster that said to stick with the current model you are in - esp. since you've run in them before and your race is getting close.

Almost all running stores will let you return your shoes even after running in them outside for 30 days. It is one of the benefits of buying at a store front. The shoe manufactures replace the worn shoes for them, so they do not take a loss. If you don't like them after a week take them back and see what the stores policies are.