NEW SNEAKERS HELP!

Basically OP, spend the money on shoes now, or you will be spending so much more on drs and physios in the future. I have a few years running experience, and I know what a good shoe is for me. I bought a cheap pair once thinking they were a good shoe because they were cheap. Within about 2 weeks of using, I got an injury that stopped me running for a month. I went and got fitted for proper shoes, and the pain went away. Moral is - spend the money, you will save it in the long run.

I prefer Asics too! I used to wear New Balance but found the Asics fit better. I wouldn't skimp on sneakers since they make all the difference. I spend about $150 twice a year which i know is a lot for some but it's something I have to do to keep my feet happy!

I agree, go to a running store and get them to do a gait analysis. But you don't have to buy the expensive shoes recommended by the store - once you have your analysis you can search online for a better deal, or pick out some options and look for them on clearance at local stores. My husband did very well in mid-range sauconys which were not expensive but just happened to suit his running style and were cheap because they were last year's model. They were about $25 on clearance at Academy Sports.

For your first pair I recommend either trying them on in person or buying with a good return policy, since some of the shoes recommended to me have looked great on paper and just not felt right on my particular feet. REI has good sales and a one year no questions asked return policy. If you run in your shoes for a while and absolutely hate them you can still return them.

Asics have been consistently good for my feet. Saucony a close second ... I must have tried on over 50 pairs of shoes the first time out when I got truly serious about fitness and I kept going back to the Asics so I took a chance. I use Asics for speed walking and light jogging and Saucony for the gym, usually when I am weight training and doing some boot camp type routines.

This thread is making me smile in a wry way, because it's proving the point how individual feet are. Asics were a disaster for me, and they seem to be getting the most love here. Oddly, I ended up with the Asics after a gait analysis. They were the right type of shoe but we ultimately didn't get along. They were just the best of the bunch I tried on that day in the store.

The moral of the story is that you really can't ask for brand recommendations because what works for someone else might not work for you.

It's odd, but the best shoe for my verrrrry pain-ridden arthritic feet has ended up being a minimalist Merrell with hardly any cushioning but decent arch support. Second best are New Balance 1089's.

Packerjohn wrote: »

rheddmobile wrote: »

I agree, go to a running store and get them to do a gait analysis. But you don't have to buy the expensive shoes recommended by the store - once you have your analysis you can search online for a better deal, or pick out some options and look for them on clearance at local stores. My husband did very well in mid-range sauconys which were not expensive but just happened to suit his running style and were cheap because they were last year's model. They were about $25 on clearance at Academy Sports.

For your first pair I recommend either trying them on in person or buying with a good return policy, since some of the shoes recommended to me have looked great on paper and just not felt right on my particular feet. REI has good sales and a one year no questions asked return policy. If you run in your shoes for a while and absolutely hate them you can still return them.

IMO, this is a pretty poor thing to do. You are using the equipment and expertise of what is most likely a small business person then buying somewhere else. The store is most likely helping sponsor local events, helping local schools, hosting clinics etc that Amazon or Shoes R US isn't.

Agree with going to the running store and getting their suggestions. You can ask if they have last year's model on clearance or a lower cost alternative.

It's a large national chain.

GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »

This thread is making me smile in a wry way, because it's proving the point how individual feet are. Asics were a disaster for me, and they seem to be getting the most love here. Oddly, I ended up with the Asics after a gait analysis. They were the right type of shoe but we ultimately didn't get along. They were just the best of the bunch I tried on that day in the store.

The moral of the story is that you really can't ask for brand recommendations because what works for someone else might not work for you.

It's odd, but the best shoe for my verrrrry pain-ridden arthritic feet has ended up being a minimalist Merrell with hardly any cushioning but decent arch support. Second best are New Balance 1089's.

Seriously the most helpful comment here.