running shoes

I've worked in shops, and I tended to push the stock we'd had a lot of for a while, or that was going to be superseded soon, so asking for advice in store might yield the wrong answer! Ask around the runners you know about their preferences, THEN go to the shop forearmed with the info. Luck!

I got a pair of New Balances because I used to play volleyball in them (in high school). They cost about $70 but was totally worth it - very comfortable and great support for running.

if you're pronating--they should be able to tell you at the shop. all of the running stores in my area put you in a test pair of shoes, put you on a treadmill, and video tape you running so you can see where you strike, whether you pronate, etc. i pronate, and i need inserts--they should be able to tell you if you need those too. the running store i go to, has you try in 3-4 different kinds of shoes, and has you run outside in them. then, once you've narrowed it down, you run in both shoes (a different on on each foot) and make your decision. my shop will let you return your shoes if you don't like them--up to two weeks after you buy them, even if you've worn them. they want you to be happy and having a bad fitted shoe can lead to injury and no one wants that.

i wouldn't take advice from anyone on what type of shoe is best--everyone is different. a good pair of shoes will typically run you around $100-$120. it's worth it--you don't want to get injured. every time i think, "geez, running shoes are SO expensive" i immediately think "knee surgery is more!" i personally only run in aasics. i've tried brooks (hate them) and love the look of muzuno's (sp?) but the toe box is too narrow for me. i haven't tried on their wide version yet (they hadn't released them when i bought my last pair, but they look awesome and they are really light. i would try on a few and see what's best for you. good luck!

When I was tested they had me walk barefoot on a treadmill so they could see exactly how my foot was hitting the ground.

My advice....try on as many pairs that are designed for your proper fit and gait as you can.

Yes, you do need to get fitted but I agree once you are fitted and know your foot type and strike there are lots and lots of options to choose from within your category. With a normal arch and a mid-strike and fairly normal pronation you have lots and lots of options.

The first time I got fitted I went to one local running store and had the gait analysis done. They had me run on a treadmill with computers and monitors hooked up to it and video taped my feet. It was a good experience and they highly recommended 3 or 4 different pairs. I tried them out for a long time and they let me run outdoors. I bought the one I felt the most confident in after debating for awhile that day and trying them out. Then a couple weeks later I went to another running store and had them do the fitting (as if I had never had it done before). The results were the same and the advice similar, I bought a pair they recommended out of a line-up. So, when I began I took the advice of 2 recommended running shoe stores and bought a pair from each store and rotated the shoes. A little thorough yes and expensive to buy 2 pair of shoes at once (neither pair was over $100 though).

Now that I know what to look for and know what I am comfortable with I do my own shoe shopping and fitting, but that initial fitting by the shoe experts was great. I buy a new pair of running shoes every 3-4 months and rotate between 2 pairs all the time. I like the rotation approach and not wearing the same shoe every day for runs. I also like to try new things. I am not brand loyal at all anymore or even appearances don't bother me. I have run in some ugly but comfortable shoes. haha

I used to swear by asics. And I really like Saucony. But I have run in nike, reebok, new balance, mizuno, brooks etc etc over the years.

I now really like ultra light shoes and love my Saucony Kinvara 2's. Love how light they are and breathable but still provide quite a bit of cushion and support.