Best running shoes for women

Hanibanani2020
Hanibanani2020 Posts: 523 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi all, I’m needing new running shoes. I have slightly knocked knees and not great arches so need good support. I usually use ASICS but my last pair were a bit uncomfortable. I also hike and would love to trail run again after an accident that scared me although I understand having one pair for all that isn’t very likely. Thanks all.

Replies

  • Hanibanani2020
    Hanibanani2020 Posts: 523 Member
    Oh I also have narrow little feet too. If that’s relevant.
  • thelastnightingale
    thelastnightingale Posts: 725 Member
    If you have narrow little feet, maybe try Brooks?

    I don't have narrow feet myself, so different brands will suit me to you, but I know a lot of runners and what they wear, and ASICS and Brooks are more popular with the ones with narrow feet.
  • Hanibanani2020
    Hanibanani2020 Posts: 523 Member
    Shortgirlrunning wrote: »
    You should really get a gait analysis done at a running store. They will be able to point you toward the right shoes. Even within any brand there’s a lot of variety in running shoes. Just picking a brand based on what worked for someone else’s feet isn’t a great way to get you to the right shoe for you.

    I’ve done that twice over the years and both times I was in agony. I’ve had much better luck just buying on my own with what feels good but now that I’ve started taking running more seriously I guess I could go again. Last time I dished out $400 on shoes I couldn’t wear after the first week so I’m scared I guess of trusting them again.
  • Lietchi
    Lietchi Posts: 6,809 Member
    I had a not so good experience with gait analysis too, so I bought my latest shoes just based on reviews and characteristics stated by the manufacturer and what I feel my needs are.
    I ended up with Brooks Ghost 12's. It has great cushioning (I figured that was good for an overweight runner), but I don't have weak arches though.
  • mkculs13
    mkculs13 Posts: 677 Member
    $400 for shoes? Where do you live? I'd start with asking the clerk to recommend shoes for arch support, then go from there. I just got new Asics and I love them -- I have terrible feet, too, and mine never quit hurting 'til I finally tried Birkenstocks for my everyday shoes; what a difference. Anyway, I don't remember the model name, but I tried on both the Brooks shoe they recommended and the Asics, and found the Asics more comfortable. I don't ask for a lot of help other than that. Mine were $120 plus 2nd pair 1/2 price anytime I go back, as long as I have the receipt (which I know is somewhere . . . ). $90 a pair when I get the 2nd pair; not a bad price and these seem to work really well although they are so different from others I've worn. I've been told that generally Brooks are the first recommended for arch support and Asics are 2nd, but even within the brand, models vary greatly. My current shoes look more like deck shoes but are amazing. Good luck; I feel your pain on buying expensive shoes that don't work; BTDT so many times.
  • Talan79
    Talan79 Posts: 782 Member
    I wore ASICS for years until I discovered Brooks.
    ASICS tends to run narrow in the toe box. I would always get wide, with Brooks, I just go with the normal, not a wide.
  • Hanibanani2020
    Hanibanani2020 Posts: 523 Member
    mkculs13 wrote: »
    $400 for shoes? Where do you live? I'd start with asking the clerk to recommend shoes for arch support, then go from there. I just got new Asics and I love them -- I have terrible feet, too, and mine never quit hurting 'til I finally tried Birkenstocks for my everyday shoes; what a difference. Anyway, I don't remember the model name, but I tried on both the Brooks shoe they recommended and the Asics, and found the Asics more comfortable. I don't ask for a lot of help other than that. Mine were $120 plus 2nd pair 1/2 price anytime I go back, as long as I have the receipt (which I know is somewhere . . . ). $90 a pair when I get the 2nd pair; not a bad price and these seem to work really well although they are so different from others I've worn. I've been told that generally Brooks are the first recommended for arch support and Asics are 2nd, but even within the brand, models vary greatly. My current shoes look more like deck shoes but are amazing. Good luck; I feel your pain on buying expensive shoes that don't work; BTDT so many times.

    I’m in Aus so we’re 60 cents to USD and 50 to the Euro so basically halve it.
  • utopia122
    utopia122 Posts: 5 Member
    Big runners here. Honestly shoes are such a personal preference. I ran for years in Nikes but they don’t hold up well. Switched to brooks and love them. My daughter loves her new balance fresh foam Cruz. She had also ran in brooks up to this year. If you are new it’s all about comfort IMO. Go out, try some different types of shoes on. Find the one that is most comfortable. And then as you progress you may decide on different types. The more you run your needs will change and so will your shoes. It’s really about personal preference.
  • utopia122
    utopia122 Posts: 5 Member
    Ehh...I misread your post. I see you just need new shoes....sorry about that
  • springlering62
    springlering62 Posts: 8,400 Member
    My running shoe store has a no questions money back guarantee.

    They are about 25% higher than buying online, but the fit improvement made a world of difference to my running. No more lost toenails, bruised toes, toes had space to breath and spread in (notice a trend here? I hadn’t until they pointed it out).

    Worth every penny.

    When these wear out I suppose I could order identical models online but sometimes it’s just worth supporting a local business so they’ll be there for the next evaluation and fit. None of the pairs have been over $110–125 USD so far.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    I like some ASICS models very much, and then when it's time to replace them I learn they've discontinued that model >.< So I write to ASICS and ask what new models are closest. Then I buy a bunch from Zappos, keep the pair that fits best, and return the rest.

    My Mom got a pair of Brooks for $10 at a thrift store and now she's hooked. Her feet spread out recently and now they are too small so she gave them to me - they are so nice! These are women's and are a little snug in the toe box for me. I buy ASICS men's and do not have that issue.

    Note to self: Brooks are 11 D (EU 43) and ASICS 9.5 (EU 43.5)
  • Xiaolongbao
    Xiaolongbao Posts: 854 Member
    Hanibanani2020 wrote: »
    Hi all, I’m needing new running shoes. I have slightly knocked knees and not great arches so need good support. I usually use ASICS but my last pair were a bit uncomfortable. I also hike and would love to trail run again after an accident that scared me although I understand having one pair for all that isn’t very likely. Thanks all.[/

    Have you tried out running with less support? I find that more support actually gives me more problems than less. Personally the best shoes I had for me were Merrels. They don’t make mine anymore (luckily I loved them so much I bought 2 pairs AND one of the advantages of no padding is they last longer) but something like this might work.
  • Xiaolongbao
    Xiaolongbao Posts: 854 Member
    I have NO idea what happened on that last post.
    Hanibanani2020 wrote: »
    Hi all, I’m needing new running shoes. I have slightly knocked knees and not great arches so need good support. I usually use ASICS but my last pair were a bit uncomfortable. I also hike and would love to trail run again after an accident that scared me although I understand having one pair for all that isn’t very likely. Thanks all.

    Have you tried out running with less support? I find that more support actually gives me more problems than less. Personally the best shoes I had for me were Merrels. They don’t make mine anymore (luckily I loved them so much I bought 2 pairs AND one of the advantages of no padding is they last longer) but something like this might work.

    41k49ntm21bw.png
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    I just bought 2 pairs of ASICS and one Brooks from Amazon with the intent of only keeping one pair. I noticed the two most expensive pairs said Free Returns and the cheaper one did not. Anyone know what's up the differing return policy?
  • Duck_Puddle
    Duck_Puddle Posts: 3,237 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    I just bought 2 pairs of ASICS and one Brooks from Amazon with the intent of only keeping one pair. I noticed the two most expensive pairs said Free Returns and the cheaper one did not. Anyone know what's up the differing return policy?

    Are they all being sold by Amazon or is the one without free returns a third party seller (which may or may not be fulfilled/shipped by amazon)?
  • Duck_Puddle
    Duck_Puddle Posts: 3,237 Member
    Probably one of these brands (or a thousand others):

    Nike
    Asics
    Brooks
    Saucony
    Mizuno
    Altra
    Adidas
    New Balance

    Going to a running store should involve a gait analysis, discussion of foot issues (arch/neuromas/bunions/toenail issues/etc.) and past/current injuries, measurement of your foot (length, width, height, assessment of overall shape), and your preference for cushion/road feel/etc.

    Every brand makes shoes that fit into all of those categories. Some will match your foot shape, gait and preferences more than others. There are probably thousands of quality running shoes on the market. A good running store will be able to factor all the things in and narrow down your likely matches. You then try them and see how they work. Just because shoe X checks all the boxes doesn’t mean it doesn’t bend in a weird place or have a lacing design that’s weird or just not feel right in the heel/ankle or any number of other things that might make it not the right shoe for you.

    A good running store knows this and they will have return/exchange policies that accommodate this process.

    You may get lucky with a random online suggestion or self assessment or amazon suggestion (I found Vongo’s that way-although new models don’t work for me anymore), or you may end up with something that over/under corrects something and eventually causes you an injury. May the odds be ever in your favor.

    I wear one of the most expensive regular running shoes (Meaning not carbon fiber plates and things) and they are $160 USD. But they happen to be the only shoe that actually works for me-so that’s what I wear.
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    I like Brooks launch and Mizuno wave inspires. The wave inspires are a mild stability shoe, which helps keep your feet from rolling inward.
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,091 Member
    Hanibanani2020 wrote: »
    Shortgirlrunning wrote: »
    You should really get a gait analysis done at a running store. They will be able to point you toward the right shoes. Even within any brand there’s a lot of variety in running shoes. Just picking a brand based on what worked for someone else’s feet isn’t a great way to get you to the right shoe for you.

    I’ve done that twice over the years and both times I was in agony. I’ve had much better luck just buying on my own with what feels good but now that I’ve started taking running more seriously I guess I could go again. Last time I dished out $400 on shoes I couldn’t wear after the first week so I’m scared I guess of trusting them again.

    Another thing you could do is bring the shoes you've been using to the store. The pattern of wear on the tread should help them assess which shoes would be best for you.

    I've always just gone with what feels good when I try them on.
  • Hanibanani2020
    Hanibanani2020 Posts: 523 Member
    lynn_glenmont wrote: »
    Hanibanani2020 wrote: »
    Shortgirlrunning wrote: »
    You should really get a gait analysis done at a running store. They will be able to point you toward the right shoes. Even within any brand there’s a lot of variety in running shoes. Just picking a brand based on what worked for someone else’s feet isn’t a great way to get you to the right shoe for you.

    I’ve done that twice over the years and both times I was in agony. I’ve had much better luck just buying on my own with what feels good but now that I’ve started taking running more seriously I guess I could go again. Last time I dished out $400 on shoes I couldn’t wear after the first week so I’m scared I guess of trusting them again.

    Another thing you could do is bring the shoes you've been using to the store. The pattern of wear on the tread should help them assess which shoes would be best for you.

    I've always just gone with what feels good when I try them on.

    That’s an awesome idea! Thanks!
  • misscagal
    misscagal Posts: 194 Member
    You have to try them on - there’s no other way. Even if they are the same brand. I ran in ASICS for years but they changed them and now they’re too narrow in the toe box. I tried Nike which I liked but the toe box was bigger and I kept tripping until I got used to them! I now have Saucony and I love them.

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