Your local running store is probably full of it

I couldn't get the link to work - but if we aren't supposed to be fitted by a runner's store, what is the suggestion to get shoes that work well for you? The wrong types have given me shin splints until I changed them...

The thing about the running stores is they encourage/require you to run around the block in the shoes you are considering. This is a great way to weed out those shoes which do not feel good.

All I know is I got fitted at one about nine years ago, 16,000+ miles later, I'm still happily running in that same model of shoe...

I was fitted for my last pair of running shoes and my knee pain is gone that I had in my old pair. I will always get fitted for my running shoes for this reason.

The other thing about going to a running store to get fitted is that most of the time the people who work there run, like to run, and want you to succeed in running, too. So, they are willing to start with a recommendation and then change until it works for you. You have to start somewhere and looking and pronation/supination is just one thing they consider when fitting shoes. They also look at where your foot is striking, the movement of your ankle, where you hold your balance... Why would you not go to someone who has had personal experience?

I've been a runner for 16 years and I agree with this. The research is fairly new, but it's now opposing that you buy a shoe based on pronation for the reason that if you naturally pronate, then that's what your foot should do because it's natural for your body. Buying a shoe for pronation is like trying to fix something that isn't really broken. I've recently switched to a more minimalist shoe...not the gloves, but a shoe that has less of a heel drop and keeps me more on my toes. It's definitely caused some soreness because it's working new muscles, but I alternate it with a shoe that is also neutral with a little more cushion to give my shins some rest.

Bottom line is it's most important to do your research...you'll always find conflicting studies...but to take the facts and weigh them for yourself to determine what is best for you. Runner's World is a great site that you can find studies on and links to studies about different shoes. Where I live, we have 2 running specialty stores. I used to shop at one in particular until I went in there and I heard them say they don't carry minimalist shoes because they don't believe in them....not exactly what a consumer needs to hear when shopping. I switched to the store that has more variety in shoe style.

Honestly I went to one of these stores locally and it was aweful! They gave me 3 very expensiveoptions, all of which were poor fits. I had terrible shin splints, I had to stop running to get them to go away. Now i just buy whatever is on sale and feels light, and I haven't had an issue since.

My $.02 - there is NOTHING more useless than running shoe reviews. Just a tired ploy to sell magazines with a bunch of recycled stories (yes, I'm talking to your Runners World). Why on earth would I possibly care if: Dave, a mild over-pronator from Detroit says "they provide nice ride, but are little too forgiving and tight in the toe box?"

All that matters is what feels best on your feet.

The worst pair of shoes I ever owned was a result of getting professionally fitted at a running store. I couldn't walk/run 1 mile without getting blisters and that has never happened with any shoes I picked out on my own.

Same here! I got fitted once and they were the worst/most expensive running shoes I have had. Now I stick with going to the Nike outlet and I try about every pair of shoes and run laps around the store and have yet to have a problem with any of the shoes I have picked out myself. And I can usually get 2 pairs for less than the ones I had fitted at a running store.

My $.02 - there is NOTHING more useless than running shoe reviews. Just a tired ploy to sell magazines with a bunch of recycled stories (yes, I'm talking to your Runners World). Why on earth would I possibly care if: Dave, a mild over-pronator from Detroit says "they provide nice ride, but are little too forgiving and tight in the toe box?"

Oops...I didn't mean running shoe reviews specifically, I meant studies of the differences between conventional running shoes (ie. ones that address pronation, stability, etc,) and minimalist shoes...like published research. What works for some doesn't work for others, but understanding the research behind why one group believes that a minimalist shoe is better vs the other group who believes it's better to have conventional shoes and then using the facts from those studies to make your own decision for what type of shoe you want to try. If you're not into Runner's World, there are several runner bloggers out there who have linked some great research to their websites that you can just google.

But, in all actuality, for myself, I do like to read reviews of what others have said, especially if they are unbiased and can give a little negative feedback as well. I don't typically buy things like electronics without reading consumer reviews to see if their complaints are things I can live with or not. But to pick out a running shoe, I like to have something in mind to try on instead of wandering through aimlessly going "well this one is pretty so I'll try that."

The bottom line is that YOU need to become the expert about what works for you and not just rely on the shoe store fitting.

This^ And the sales people at the running store maybe runners. But they're runners in their spare time. When they're at work they are SALES PEOPLE first.

I wear a 17 shoe. Both the local running stores were no help at all. I just go there to sign up for races.