Quality Affordable Running Shoes

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  • 76Crane76
    76Crane76 Posts: 133 Member
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    The podiatrist actually told me to go to an expensive store, find the shoe that fits best and go home and order on Amazon. He also said certain colors are cheaper and discontinued shoes are also cheaper. If this is "parasitic" behavior as one commenter stated, it is also parasitic on the consumer to make a shoe for $5 and sell it for $100.
  • JustRobby1
    JustRobby1 Posts: 674 Member
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    dewd2 wrote: »
    76Crane76 wrote: »
    The podiatrist actually told me to go to an expensive store, find the shoe that fits best and go home and order on Amazon. He also said certain colors are cheaper and discontinued shoes are also cheaper. If this is "parasitic" behavior as one commenter stated, it is also parasitic on the consumer to make a shoe for $5 and sell it for $100.

    I'm guessing you never ran a small business.....

    OP - Feel free to save money but remember you don't get a second chance to do right by your feet. I personally want to be able to walk when I'm 75 AND I want to run now. So a few extra dollars to support my small, family owned running store that supports me and my community is good investment.

    I am right there with you. While I certianly want the OP outfitted properly so he can get the most out of this sport, I personally much prefer to give my money to those who support my local running community and are actually runners themselves :smile:
  • macgurlnet
    macgurlnet Posts: 1,946 Member
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    shaunshaikh wrote: »
    Went with @macgurlnet 'a suggestion on runningwarehouse.com. Luckily I've actually had a legit gait analysis done with video on a treadmill so using the recommendations for there I was able to narrow down to a nice shoe that was $63 after I used a coupon. There's a return policy so if it doesn't feel right I can send it back for free. The shoes I bought are the same brand and pretty similar to what I have now so I'm pretty optimistic the size will be good. Thanks for all the help.

    I'm glad you found something! Hopefully this pair works out for you :)

    ~Lyssa
  • macgurlnet
    macgurlnet Posts: 1,946 Member
    edited September 2017
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    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
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
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    macgurlnet wrote: »
    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.

    It may not even be all that subtle. The move to Saucony Hurricane 16 put me in shoes that'll cause shin splints in three miles, when I could comfortably do 20 miles in the 15 model.

    The 16 has sgnificantly more cushioning, which made it completely unusable for me.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
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    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.
  • apullum
    apullum Posts: 4,838 Member
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    Go get fitted and be honest with the running store employees about your budget. Even if they can't find anything in your price range, they might be able to tell you about sales happening soon. Just don't buy shoes that aren't right for your feet in order to save money. Shoes are always cheaper than treatment for an injury.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
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    I like Asics. I got my last pair from Big 5 Sports for $60.
  • BrianKMcFalls
    BrianKMcFalls Posts: 190 Member
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    shaunshaikh wrote: »
    Good to know pent, that would definitely discourage me from what my game plan was.

    It's actually the plan a lot of people use, get fitted, overpay for the shoe once, then order that model online until you can't find it anymore (I'm still ordering Saucuny Guide 7s three years after my orginal pair). If you have a model that worked for you in the past, see if it's still available online.
  • nhmom80
    nhmom80 Posts: 11 Member
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    Check out the benefits for your insurance company. I found out that I can get a 15% discount at my local running store through my insurance.
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,728 Member
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    MeanderingMammal wrote: »
    DebLaBounty wrote: »
    You can go to a running store and have them bring you four or five models to try on. Have them analyze your gait so you'll know which ones fit you best. Ask them to write down the name and model number of your favorite two brands. Ask them when they might go on sale. If not on sale right then, go home and get on Amazon and see if you can get them cheaper there.

    Pretty parasitic behaviour to be honest.

    I tend to agree, but by the same token, good running shoe stores are by runners for runners.

    Go in up front, explain where you're at, let them make the decision with full knowledge that you're on a budget and likely can't afford to buy from them today. If they offer to go through the fitting knowing your budget and that you're unlikely to buy today, but the relationship/helping a runner is worth the advertising(word of mouth is important for runners and running shoe stores) Go ahead. But be straight up when you walk in the door. Maybe you'll just buy the socks(another key part of running wear). But you'll be back. And you'll tell your friends.
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,728 Member
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    macgurlnet wrote: »
    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

    That was the same for me. The 12s were magical, the 13s a little iffy, the 14s(pain)
  • antennachick
    antennachick Posts: 464 Member
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    My husband (that is older then me) always says, they are your feet how much are they worth? He didn't care and then as he for older he had to have insole to support his feet(We are talking $600 plus doc bills, x rays ect). Running too many years in crap shoes can result in foot doctor bills when you get older. Yes not everyone will experience that, but your feet are worth it!
    My suggestion get gait anylisis, fitted and pay the amount, they might even have them on sale. my first brooks were on sale around $80 (normally around 120). I still buy from the local store when I get them on sale, but Ebay is amazing after you fine what works (with me it's an older model my store doesn't carry anymore anyway)

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