Running Shoes??

Hi there. I am starting a "Learn To Run" course this week and am wondering what type of shoe to get. Any favorites out here in MFP world?? Are there specifc shoes for just running? How about running / walking?? Any advice would be very helpful please, I am planning on buying a pair today.

Thanks..Laura

Replies

hopebuck

i highly recommend going to a running store and getting fitted and spending a little more money to get a great shoe. most of the time they let you exchange them w/in 30 days ifthey aren't working.

agugino

I have a pair of New Balance. I'm not an avid runner or nothing like that, actually just the opposite, but a good friend that is a serious runner recommended them for me and they are quite comfortable.

nanegan

You need to go to a "running" store - not the ones in the mall. Go where they will look at your feet, put you in different shoes and have you run on a treadmill while they watch/tape you.

BranMuffin21

Get running shoes, and to be honest they can change the style of shoes and it all depends on how they fit your feet. For example I really like New Balance, but this time I bought asics(?). Try them all on, and jog on the spot. Ask the staff if you have a high arc or a neutral foot. Buy according to that as well! Good Luck!

Faeriegirl74

I alternate between the Brooks Ariel and Asics Gel Foundation. My best advice is to go to your local running store...tell them you are interested in shoes for run/walk, do a free gait analysis and be fit properly. That's what I did - because I was wearing shoes on the advice of others and not for my needs - and ended up with an injury from wearing ill fitting shoes.

BobbyDaniel

If you have the time and money, go to a running store to get fitted. If you don't have the money, but the time, take someone who knows a thing or two about shoes to a place like Academy and start trying them on. I used to sell shoes so I know what I'm looking for in terms of fit, arch support, etc and found what works for me that way and it is the Saucony Grid Cohesion (thankfully it is the "cheap" end of the Saucony line!)

mzenzer

Agreed with the others, go to a running store and try on different shoes. Personally I prefer New Balance, but again try on a bunch of pairs.

xBeautifulBreakdown

Hi there. I am starting a "Learn To Run" course this week and am wondering what type of shoe to get. Any favorites out here in MFP world?? Are there specifc shoes for just running? How about running / walking?? Any advice would be very helpful please, I am planning on buying a pair today.

Thanks..Laura

I love my Asics! I got them from foot locker and the sales guy showed me this amazing shoe insert that made ALL the difference in the world, the shoes were much more supportive than what I am used to to begin with but with the insert they are even better. They can definitely get pricey (for my budget) so I purchased last years model which was only different in design in a couple was (different colors) but they are the same shoe. I got mine for about $65 when this years shoe was over $100. I paid about $30 for the insert which came with a lifetime warranty. After feeling those inserts in those shoes I couldn't leave the store without them. I ended up paying a little over $100 total and it was probably one of the best purchases I have made all year. Happy hunting : )

alienblonde1

Best thing to do is go to a sports or athletic shoe store and tell them what you need the shoes for and describe your feet and walking.

Like I go in and say I have high arch and high instep with wide foot. Also if you over pronate (foot turns in and you end off big and 2nd toe) or under pronate (foot turns outward and you end off smaller toes) or pronate goes straight through. Then they can tell you which shoes are best for you.

CoraGregoryCPA

I have New Balance. I started out with horrible shinsplints.. <--whatever they are called. Someone told me it was the shoes.. I thought they were crazy. I did my research and found lots of information about New Balance shoes and how they help with that horrible pain. I'm sure there are a lot of other brands that help too, but it was something about the information I researched kept coming back to New Balance.

I went to a New Balance store and they helped me to pick out the right type of shoe. Treadmill vs. outside, it all matters. Now I'm running outside and I need to go buy a new pair of shoes. I'm going back to New Balance. I've loved both pairs that I have owned! And I always bought the ones that were on clearance.. the worked fine for me.

Newkell

I did as others here have advised and went to a running store (Run On) to be properly fitted for the right shoe for me. It was a great experience. They took the time to fit me, watched how I moved in the shoe and finally I selected a shoe from Brooks. I am really happy with my purchase. I also got a few pairs of running socks that fit snugly so my socks don't move around and twist and turn in my shoe.

ElleC

I am the manager of a small family run chain of shoe stores here in Florida. I have a couple of recommendations.

Brooks
Asics
Saucony.

These guys have won technical awards for their shoes. They are currently outdoing New Balance and Nike in the technical performance studies and have been all over specialist running magazines.

As suggested by someone else, be fitted by a pro. My staff can look at a foot and tell you straight away whether you have a high arch, high instep, your stride pattern and can fit your shoes properly, but they ALWAYS measure. Anyone who asks you what your shoe size is and then just offers you a shoe, is not doing their job properly. You should always be fitted. Failure to be fitted properly can have an adverse affect on not only the performance of the shoe, but on your feet, hips and back. Badly fitted shoes can cause damage.

We shoe peeps also have a couple of tricks up our sleeves when showing you how to properly lace your shoes, to ensure snug ankles, and make sure pressure is not being placed on the front of your foot.

Barefoot running (and shoes that simulate this) is the new craze, but be wary. These shoes should only be recommended to experienced runners and those running on softer surfaces. They are not suitable for running on concrete, no matter what anyone tells you.

Dont cheap out. It's tough out there at the moment, and people are looking to save money on anything they can, but you absolutely get what you pay for. The above recommended brands make excellent shoes for anywhere between $79.99 - $124.99. If you are serious about wanting to get in to running, a great pair of well fitted shoes is the best investment you can make! If you decide that this running lark is for you, then buy a second pair. Most shoes contain impact deflection technology, but if you use the same shoes everyday, you do not give the materials adequate time to recover, and they break down faster. . If you buy 2 pairs of shoes and keep swapping them out....they WILL last you longer.

I just fitted my husband for a pair of gym shoes, and he has been singing like a little birdy for the last week about how much better his knees and hips feel. He doesn't run, but he uses the elliptical, arc and circuit training. The difference it has made to his training is huge. One of the most noticeable things for him, is that....as a mild pronator in a cheap shoe, his knees and hips were killing him. In shoes that offer a medial post, to prevent pronation, he is now having far less problems with these areas.

Good luck with the running. Having just downloaded c-5k on my phone, I hope to join you as a runner soon

JeSuisPrest

Definitely go fitted....tell them your budget and they will help you find the right shoe.

dietpop

I was stalled at week 2 of C25K due to knee pain. Then I got fitted at the Running Company, learned which stretches work for me, and started doing limestone trails, not pavement. It's perfect now!

I got Saucony Pro Guide 4.

cherryObebe

I highly suggest going to a running store and being fitted with a running shoe. Go to one where they watch you run either outside or on a treadmill. I had a decent pair of Asics that I bought at Sports Authority before learning the correct thing I should do. Now, I have developed shin splints and this is probably largely contributed to not wearing the proper shoes.

Tamie_Girl

Can't give advice on running shoes. But I just lucked out getting a pair of Asics on eBay for a 1/3 of the cost new. A woman wore them once - her loss, my gain.

When you find what you want - check out eBay.

I refuse to pay upwards of $80 to $100 for alethic shoes.

:drinker:

faithhopelove42

WOW!!!!!!!! Thanks for all the advice!! I will go and get properly fitted and hopefully will soon be on my way to becoming a runner~!!!

Thanks again!!!!

JavaClaws

If you have the time and money, go to a running store to get fitted. If you don't have the money, but the time, take someone who knows a thing or two about shoes to a place like Academy and start trying them on. I used to sell shoes so I know what I'm looking for in terms of fit, arch support, etc and found what works for me that way and it is the Saucony Grid Cohesion (thankfully it is the "cheap" end of the Saucony line!)

Hey Laura,

BobbiDaniel had some great advice. 'Nuf said

I love hiking but often use shoes designed for "trail" running. New Balance, Asics, and Adidas are my favorites. I love Merrell for high pace hiking.

I was properly fitted three months ago and what a difference. I used to think, "I quit growing around 25." So shoe size shouldn't change right? Obviously, I changed as did sizing standards. Seems common sense and I walked out of sporting goods store feeling relieved but very foolish. I wore the wrong sizes for so long that I didn't know how a proper fit felt. All my shoes were .5-1.5 sizes too small.

If you have the time I'd enjoy hearing about what you learn from class.

All the best and success!

CoraGregoryCPA

I went to a running store to get fitted. I've never seen a store charge for this service. In another words you don't need money to do it, but call around just to be safe.

I got fitted today and realized I had the WAY wrong shoe. I did buy a new pair: Brooks-ghost shoe.

If you have the time and money, go to a running store to get fitted. If you don't have the money, but the time, take someone who knows a thing or two about shoes to a place like Academy and start trying them on. I used to sell shoes so I know what I'm looking for in terms of fit, arch support, etc and found what works for me that way and it is the Saucony Grid Cohesion (thankfully it is the "cheap" end of the Saucony line!)

holmevik

I did a lot of research before I bought a pair of Nike Lunarglide 3. Guess I didn't know all that much because over the next few weeks my knees always hurt after running, so I went to a local running shoe specialist and asked them for help. They picked a pair of Brooks Defyance 4 for me, and the pain went away immediately. It waas amazing. My advice is to let the pros help you pick a shoe that fits you.

Good luck.

dugsgirl67

New Balance are my favorite and have always treated my feet great!!! Highly recommend them!

sunshine421969

I have been running for a year and a half now.I never knew there was a shoe for running and walking until then.I thought they were all the same.But there is a difference..I just bought a pair of Brook's.They may cost a little more,but are worth it.I bought them right before a 5k and they did great.No aches at all.It is best to go be fitted because people have a different running stride.A sales clerk can watch you run and let you know what kind you may need.I have only ran four 5k's,but plan to move up next spring.Good luck on finding the right shoe and with your running...

Huskeryogi

I love my Brooks Adrenaline - just ordered a new pair (I can't wait til they get in).

I'd rather spend $100 on athletic shoes now then who knows how much on knee replacement later.