Running Shoes??

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.

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!

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!)

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 : )

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.

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

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.

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:

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!

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.

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...