Shoes?

newereveryday
newereveryday Posts: 222 Member
in Getting Started
I've read over and over again that it's best to go to an athletic shoe store and work with a professional to get the right shoes for your feet and the type of exercise you'll be doing, but honestly I have no idea what is meant by an "athletic shoe store" and no where I've gone has there been anyone more professional than a high school student waiting for their shift to end to get help from.

Can someone give me the names of some national chains that would be good? Extra appreciation if you know any specifically in the Austin, TX area.

Replies

  • larsminnaar
    larsminnaar Posts: 56 Member
    If youre just starting out id recommend you to take a pair of old sneakers or buy a cheap pair of shoes. If you decide its not for you at least you havent wasted a whole lot of money on special shoes.

    Ive never used special shoes and am still alive :)

    If however youve been traininig for a longer period of time you can look into getting better running shoes for example any other sport id call it a money waste (not mentioning team sports here).
  • ChampCrucial
    ChampCrucial Posts: 120 Member
    New balance is my #1. Altra shoes are not everywhere but if you have one then hop in it and feel the difference. I used new balance my whole life and I have used altra for 1 shoe. My foot is extraordinarily wide so only certain shoes fit me. I love both of these brands
  • larsminnaar
    larsminnaar Posts: 56 Member
    ChampCrucial wrote: »
    feel the difference
    So what did it do for you? Suddenly able to lift 100kg more? Sixpack magically appeared? I know those are bad examples but im honestly curious what made it so much better

  • godlikepoetyes
    godlikepoetyes Posts: 442 Member
    I would call a foot doc. in your area and ask. They send patients to specialty shoe stores all the time. We have several stores here in Chattanooga where one can be fitted. There are most likely stores in your area as well.
  • MostlyWater
    MostlyWater Posts: 4,294 Member
    If you run, you need running shoes. You can wear them for walking, too. Same motion.

    If you do crossfit or zumba classes or use machines, or do other motion that's both side to side and back to front, you need something called: trainers, cross trainers, volley ball shoes, cheer leading shoes, tennis shoes, cross fit shoes.

    Modell's is good.
  • Marycycles
    Marycycles Posts: 48 Member
    Google a good running store and get fitted properly! I have ran also in Dr. Shcolls with the gell pads without any troubles.
  • HuskyGent
    HuskyGent Posts: 32 Member
    As I plan to do a fair bit of walking as part of my exercise regime I bought myself a pair of Berghaus walking boots and they are easily the most comfortable boots I've had. No more tapping out of the walk because of sore feet :)
  • michmill98_1
    michmill98_1 Posts: 60 Member
    Specialty shoe stores are places like The Walking Company (great if your primary exercise will be walking or hiking) or Luke's Locker (I used them when I lived in Houston to get fitted for running shoes - the website shows a location in Austin) but they also have other athletic shoe options. godlikepoeteyes made an excellent suggestion for finding stores too. Once I found my "perfect" running shoe, I was then able to shop at places like Academy or online. Turned out that I had been wearing the wrong size and pronation type for my foot which is why most times after a week or two of wearing new athletic shoes from anywhere I was miserable again.
  • wizzybeth
    wizzybeth Posts: 3,578 Member
    Feeling the difference for me basically means...I either have sore feet or I don't depending on the shoe.
  • suzilla53
    suzilla53 Posts: 65 Member
    Fleet Feet is one,they have a stores in Columbus and few other cities.Most larger areas have specialized running stores.In in Virginia we have Virginia Runner. They sell all kinds of athletic shoes. The small specialty stores are better with advice and fitting. My stepdaughter was having all kinds of trouble with her feet till she went to the running store and got fitted.I feel they are worth the extra money if you are doing a lot of exercise.
  • Moonbeamlissie
    Moonbeamlissie Posts: 504 Member
    Lukes Locker is in your area. Address: 115 Sandra Muraida Way, Austin, TX 78703
    Phone:(512) 482-8676
    Hours: Open today · 10AM–7PM
  • SLLeask
    SLLeask Posts: 489 Member
    A quick Google search brought up this one, don't know if it's near you..?
    http://runlabaustin.com/gait-analysis/

    700B South Lamar
    Austin, TX 78704

    Or this one:

    1700 FM 620 N #102
    Lakeway, TX 78734
  • mitch16
    mitch16 Posts: 2,113 Member
    That's just the thing--the 'good' ones tend not to be national chains, but mom-and-pop stores staffed with people who are passionate about what they do. Check out run.com/jackrabbit.com for a network of stores around the country (my favorite local store is listed there and I'm in Boston).
  • newereveryday
    newereveryday Posts: 222 Member
    Thanks, everyone! Perhaps this is silly, but it never occurred to me that a running shoe store would have other types of athletic shoes. Knowing that now, it shouldn't be hard to find one near me.
  • michmill98_1
    michmill98_1 Posts: 60 Member
    When you go in, just tell them what type of exercises you're planning to do and they can determine the best shoe options for you to try on.
  • juliet3455
    juliet3455 Posts: 3,015 Member
    newereveryday wrote: »
    I've read over and over again that it's best to go to an athletic shoe store and work with a professional to get the right shoes for your feet and the type of exercise you'll be doing, but honestly I have no idea what is meant by an "athletic shoe store" and no where I've gone has there been anyone more professional than a high school student waiting for their shift to end to get help from.

    Can someone give me the names of some national chains that would be good? Extra appreciation if you know any specifically in the Austin, TX area.

    @newereveryday So the question that no one has asked, or I missed it - What type of exercise are you doing?
    My generic comment is to look for a store that caters to the sporting activities that you are involved in. You don't need to go crazy buying multiple different shoes at the start. Look at what other people are wearing and ask them about their Shoe Choice and where they bought them. The best resource is the other people doing the same activity. Gym, Weightlifting, Dancing ?????.

    As a runner I can tell you that my local Mom & Pop running store does not carry shoes for Football, Soccer, Baseball, Weight lifting, Boxing, Basketball, Volleyball etc. Simply because they do not have enough room and trying to carry all the different shoes would turn them into a " Big Box Chain Store".

    The concept of Sport Specific Shoes is no different that Work Specific Shoes. A construction worker/welder etc wears steel toed boots to protect the feet. A Cowboy/Girl wears riding shoes ( Cowboy Boots ) to sit in the stirrups properly. A baseball/football player wear shoes with cleats. etc. etc.

Categories