Quality Affordable Running Shoes

I've had luck with Saucony and Mizuno for wide feet but ultimately you need to buy what actually fits.

Look at it this way, is paying less money worth possibly getting injured?

Do you live near a Marshall's? I got my last pair of running shoes from there. They were New Balance and I think they were only $60. They also had Mizuno there. New Balance are generally known to do well with wide feet.

Go do a department/sporting goods store where the shoes are on the floor (not where you have to ask the guy to go in the back and get your size). Try on as many shoes as you can, walk around the store in them, tie them loose, tie them tight, walk, etc etc. Pay attention to how they fit your feet and if they feel like they are pushing your foot inwards or out (rolling on the inside or outside of your foot) as you walk. Ideally you want a shoe that is comfortable but secure on your foot (not much slipping/sliding) with a fairly even/flat stride.

Try on enough and you'll get a feel for what does and doesn't fit. Don't be in a hurry though.

jjpptt2 wrote: »

Go do a department/sporting goods store where the shoes are on the floor (not where you have to ask the guy to go in the back and get your size). Try on as many shoes as you can, walk around the store in them, tie them loose, tie them tight, walk, etc etc. Pay attention to how they fit your feet and if they feel like they are pushing your foot inwards or out (rolling on the inside or outside of your foot) as you walk. Ideally you want a shoe that is comfortable but secure on your foot (not much slipping/sliding) with a fairly even/flat stride.

Try on enough and you'll get a feel for what does and doesn't fit. Don't be in a hurry though.

This is basically what I do. If you have an outlet mall nearby, they can be an excellent place to find deals on older models of shoes.

If you wear wide sizes, you may not be able to find much that fits in a regular department store or sports store. I have to go to a good running store to find ones that fit my wide feet, and even then, sometimes the options are limited.

Asics makes good wide shoes. I like the Nimbus and Cumulus, since I do run marathons and like a cushioned shoe, but the less expensive 1000 or 2000 might work for you. Sauconny Echelon are good too. If you need support shoes Brooks Adrenalines come in wide.

You can get older models of shoes from runningwarehouse.com, and they have a pretty good return policy. They also have a gait analysis option where you can send in a video of your running gait and they'll suggest a style of shoe. From there, you could purchase whatever you like in the category they recommend. I've gotten shoes for $50 there, since they were last year's model.

~Lyssa

Check out Ebay! I got a brand new in box pair of New Balance for $20 plus shipping!

macgurlnet wrote: »

You can get older models of shoes from runningwarehouse.com, and they have a pretty good return policy. They also have a gait analysis option where you can send in a video of your running gait and they'll suggest a style of shoe. From there, you could purchase whatever you like in the category they recommend. I've gotten shoes for $50 there, since they were last year's model.

~Lyssa

this is exactly how you do it. find a shoe in the support style you need/like at a running store. if you don't know what you need have them fit you to the shoe that matches your running style, then politely leave and go find the shoe from the previous year (this must be done at a running store). there are a ton of websites that have discontinued shoes. if you find yourself liking something unique, say altra's, you can go to the manufacturers website and often order the discontinued shoes for the range you're suggesting.

ghbtwo wrote: »

macgurlnet wrote: »

You can get older models of shoes from runningwarehouse.com, and they have a pretty good return policy. They also have a gait analysis option where you can send in a video of your running gait and they'll suggest a style of shoe. From there, you could purchase whatever you like in the category they recommend. I've gotten shoes for $50 there, since they were last year's model.

~Lyssa

this is exactly how you do it. find a shoe in the support style you need/like at a running store. if you don't know what you need have them fit you to the shoe that matches your running style, then politely leave and go find the shoe from the previous year (this must be done at a running store). there are a ton of websites that have discontinued shoes. if you find yourself liking something unique, say altra's, you can go to the manufacturers website and often order the discontinued shoes for the range you're suggesting.

Just going to put out there that I agree you shouldn't go to the store for a fitting and leave empty-handed, unless absolutely nothing you tried seems to work.

Also the shoe from the previous year is often subtly different from the current one. My Brooks Adrenaline 12's fit my feet PERFECTLY. The 14's did not.

Finding a shoe that works and buying a second or third pair of the same model elsewhere is what I end up doing - I support the local business, but I also save money overall.

~Lyssa

76Crane76 wrote: »

If this is "parasitic" behavior as one commenter stated

So I'd make a couple of observations, first being that a specialist running shop is somewhere that's more likely to be interested in building a relationship with the runner, rather than being transactional. That can lead to loyalty schemes, running clubs as highlighted in the photo upthread, early access or potentially events. The shop that I use for my race nutrition have a twice weekly run, and regular talks from coaches, nutritionists, significant athletes, physios etc. I have access to free consultations with the nutritionist or physiotherapist if I want them, although equally if I need treatment that's a costed service.

From a shoe buying perspective that gives you options on trialling shoes, rather than being left with a shoe that doesn't work. Whilst places like Running Warehouse have a fairly short return policy, I'd be interested to see if they'd accept shoes back that have 50 miles of muddy trails in them.

Specifically the post that I responded to suggested having the retailer write down all the details to allow an online order. Whilst I'm conscious that someone might go in and get advice then go away and mull over the decision, what that poster described is absolutely taking the p!ss. Retailers bear costs for the service, and recognise that there is a degree of attrition on custom, but the service is offered in good faith. What I would say is that some places here will charge a nominal fee for a gait analysis that's then offset against a purchase.

From a personal perspective the shoes I run in aren't easily available in high street shops, but the manufacturer does do demo days at a few places, including events. I've seen them pitch up at a race and let people trial shoes in a race environment, and then take them back.