Best running shoes

Once you get fitted and find a shoe that works for you, you can shop online for deals. I paid full price for my first 2 pairs of Mizuno (fitted at a running store), then tried one half price online and found my new favorite. I can now search online for that style since I know it works. I would not recommend this for your first pair. Take your old running shoes with you so they can see the wear pattern.

Agree with the other posters. Go to a local running score and let them know your $80 budget. They’ll give you a few options after analyzing your needs.
When I first started C25K I started out with a pair of Asics cuz that’s what my running friend wore. After a while I decided to get properly fit, got matched up with Brooks Ghosts and have never looked back.

The perfect running shoe is going to be different for everyone. For me, asics are the best. Kayanos are great but not under $80. I also have some asics gel contend 4 that I paid around $50 for. They are supposed to be for low mileage running. I don't usually run in them though, so I can't say how comfortable they are for running (pretty much just bought them bc of the great price), but they are super comfortable for walking around all day at work.
I agree with the advice to get fitted, but I do feel you should buy from the store that spends the time to fit you if you go that route.

Agree with getting a proper fitting at a good running store. My preference is Saucony but that is what worked and felt best for me and confirmed when I went for a fitting just to check a few months back. Depending on your size, you can often get previous years' clearouts (in store or online) for a substantial saving.

Agreed with what has been said. I love my Ultra Lone Peak 3.0s, not so much on the rest of their lines, and have like 5 pairs in my closet.

Ultras have a wide toe box which is nice if you need it, they let your toes really spread out. Shop around, try shoes on, be a complete pain in the *kitten* for you first few pairs, and find the one the fits your foot like a glove (this may take a few tries and fails). It is worth it in the end.

The lone peaks were my third attempt and they don't rub or blister even after 25 miles straight. I paid full price for the first pair and shopped discounts after that. The last round was $76 a pair. Be prepared to pay $125 ish for a good pair at first though. They will be worth it in the end but you need to find your shoe.

I love my Asics and did like like comparable Saucony for running. Even though both showed the same type of support, the Asics GT-1000 have gone ~500km and I'm just starting to see some pain. The Saucony's have the same pain but are near new.

But I expect it to be different for everyone.

I'm just waiting for the snow to go away before moving to my new pair of Asics, but it's taking too long so I may have to bite the bullet and start wearing the new ones sooner than I wanted.

goatg wrote: »

Memerex5 wrote: »

It seems as though my question is was misunderstood. I was simply looking for brands of shoes so I can figure out where in my area to get them. I always knew I would have to get fitted. Until I begin the serious running phase I will stick with my walking shoes. I have been sedentary due to health reasons for nearly 3 years. Here goes nothing C25K! Thanks everyone for their input.

Different brands often have different styles. For example, I like brooks brothers Glycerin because I have a high arch and they're super supportive. I don't need anything to correct for pronation. Someone with a flatter food with need of correction might be better suited to a Saucony or Mizuno.

Fwiw most big brands make a range of shoes at different price points. It's not the brand that's important, but the appropriateness of that shoe fit the individual.

Saucony make motion control, neutral and cushioned shoes
Mizuno make motion control, neutral and cushioned shoes
Brooks make motion control, neutral and cushioned shoes
ASICS make motion control, neutral and cushioned shoes
On make motion control, neutral and cushioned shoes

Hola One One, Altra, Inov-8 make a narrower range of shoes but they're marketing to a different segment.

Memerex5 wrote: »

It seems as though my question is was misunderstood. I was simply looking for brands of shoes so I can figure out where in my area to get them. I always knew I would have to get fitted. Until I begin the serious running phase I will stick with my walking shoes. I have been sedentary due to health reasons for nearly 3 years. Here goes nothing C25K! Thanks everyone for their input.

Get to Fleet feet or your local equivalent before you start C25K.

Getting fitted for running shoes isn't like getting fitted for dress shoes. or Casual shoes. Let them know your budget limitations up front and they'll help work with you.

My last pair I got on sale for $75 Cdn. Decent Asics that have really worked for me. But I was in SportCheck last night and nothing really interesting on sale.

MeanderingMammal wrote: »

acorsaut89 wrote: »

First, cheap running shoes will not give you the unique support you need for your feet - they aren't designed that way.

I would disagree with this. All of the brands that I listed upthread have three different price ranges, the main difference in the lower cost shoes being that the materials and construction drive the price. You'll still get a motion control shoe, or a neutral shoe, or a cushioned shoe.

The main impact of the cheaper materials and constructions are resilience. The shoe won't last as long, and will need replaced.

@Tacklewasher has identified a distance life of c500Km from a pair of shoes, to me that's way too low, but it does depend on the shoe. I'll generally expect c600 miles (900-1000km) out of a pair. That may be branding, it may be running gait and build. I'm 160-165lbs, and run largely trails wearing Inov-8 low drop neutral shoes. If I had a need for cushioned shoes I'd anticipate a shorter mile life.

My favourite shoes for middle distances, 13-26mi, have no cushioning. The biggest driver that will age them is the outsole being worn down, and given they've got 8mm lugs in the sole that's more likely to happen before the structure breaks down.

Those cost me £80 so c $120 US

Just to dogpile this. There's a clear difference between an inexpensive(low end) Saucony/brooks/asics/Altra and "cheap running shoes" like Champion or Walmart store brand.

If you're one of the fortunate ones whose knees/ankles will stand "cheap running shoes" great!!.. For most of us, quality has a price tag, but even quality brands have less expensive lines and sales and coupons I've paid as little as $50(US) for a pair of Brooks... and as much as 140 for the same shoe from the same model and line.

stanmann571 wrote: »

MeanderingMammal wrote: »

acorsaut89 wrote: »

First, cheap running shoes will not give you the unique support you need for your feet - they aren't designed that way.

I would disagree with this. All of the brands that I listed upthread have three different price ranges, the main difference in the lower cost shoes being that the materials and construction drive the price. You'll still get a motion control shoe, or a neutral shoe, or a cushioned shoe.

The main impact of the cheaper materials and constructions are resilience. The shoe won't last as long, and will need replaced.

@Tacklewasher has identified a distance life of c500Km from a pair of shoes, to me that's way too low, but it does depend on the shoe. I'll generally expect c600 miles (900-1000km) out of a pair. That may be branding, it may be running gait and build. I'm 160-165lbs, and run largely trails wearing Inov-8 low drop neutral shoes. If I had a need for cushioned shoes I'd anticipate a shorter mile life.

My favourite shoes for middle distances, 13-26mi, have no cushioning. The biggest driver that will age them is the outsole being worn down, and given they've got 8mm lugs in the sole that's more likely to happen before the structure breaks down.

Those cost me £80 so c $120 US

Just to dogpile this. There's a clear difference between an inexpensive(low end) Saucony/brooks/asics/Altra and "cheap running shoes" like Champion or Walmart store brand.

If you're one of the fortunate ones whose knees/ankles will stand "cheap running shoes" great!!.. For most of us, quality has a price tag, but even quality brands have less expensive lines and sales and coupons I've paid as little as $50(US) for a pair of Brooks... and as much as 140 for the same shoe from the same model and line.

Bought 2 pair of Champions for $38 Cdn total. But these are mucking around shoes, no way could I run in them.

Have to echo others' responses to go to a dedicated running store to get fitted. Definitely ask about the type/category of the shoe as well, not only the make/model, which will give you more flexibility when shopping and if the given brand you get fit for discontinues or significantly changes the model such that it no longer works for your gait. It's getting more common where Big box stores like Dick's Sporting Goods may have a treadmill where they advertise they'll "fit" you for the right shoe but their employees likely won't have the same level of expertise and I would think they could lean towards recommending a bigger-name brands they advertise like Nike, Adidas or Under Armour where your stride could benefit more from a more niche running brand that they may not even carry(no direct experience with this, just speculating). I'm really cheap and don't think I've paid more than $80 for a pair of running shoes but once or twice, especially if you're not picky about color and can find a previous model. Some brands like Asics and Saucony have outlet stores in my area (Cincinnati) with wide selections of shoes at discounts and I've also had good luck at DSW and trolling slickdeals for clearance deals over the years. My wife, who is far more of a runner than I, likes to always have a backup pair of her beloved Mizuno Waveriders in reserve so she can switch as soon as she starts to feel some calf soreness; that's her cue to break out the next pair and usually happens around 250 miles. Her stride economy is also atrocious. Literally, your mileage may vary with how long a shoe lasts based on a number of variables; shoe brand, type, gait, running surface, etc.

OP - best of luck with the CT5K program. Really loved it. I think walking shoes would be fine for the first 2-3 weeks but definitely when the runs get past about 5 minute segments you may want to have broken in a pair of running shoes. It's fun to read everyone's answers and I personally have found that when I go try on shoes (at Academy) I just grab a whole bunch of different brands in my size and bring my old pair with me (and socks of course). I sit down with about 5-10 boxes and put my old shoe on one foot and a new one on another. Its really easy to pare down the candidates that way. Then I start comparing one to the other. I don't look at price because I want it to be strictly based on judgement. I came away last time with a pair of Saucony and Mizuno. The latter was really cheap and neither was expensive (over say $100). However I can sort of tell that the Mizuno are not built to last as long as the Saucony so you kind of get what you pay for with running shoes in that respect if you are going to be doing it a lot and adding distance. And don't be afraid to look at trail or cross training shoes in the mix as well.

Now I used to be a Brooks and Nike gal but lately my favorite brand/style of Nike's gave me a shin splint and the Brooks feel too downhill to me. So, although I would love to be loyal to a particular brand or style of shoe, it seems like the companies are CONSTANTLY changing and the brands are never the same when you need another pair. I have been a runner off and on for maybe 40 years. I also wouldn't recommend stockpiling more than a pair or two of something you like because I have found that the materials actually break down from age vs usage and have seen some good shoes just disintegrate even not used due to age. Like the tired which blows out after 50 miles usage but is 10 years old sort of thing.

Good luck and please come back and tell us how you are doing and what shoes you liked and why. It's all really personal and even if you go to a running store and get a specialist to help, do NOT go away with something you dont like the best because they don't have to run in them, you do.