Best and worst running shoes

emmab0902
emmab0902 Posts: 2,338 Member
edited October 5 in Fitness and Exercise
Really interested to know what people rate as their best and worst running shoe experiences, and why?

I am new to running but so far possibly give a big thumbs down to Asics Trabuco - have had major tendon problems in past few weeks and it is LOOKING like it is due to the shoes, as when I have gone back to old cheapo ones, my knees are ok. I need to try another run in the Asics to confirm my hypothesis, but it's looking like the shoes are not right for me.

Replies

  • gp79
    gp79 Posts: 1,799 Member
    I have
    Newton
    Saucony Kinvara 2
    Mizuno Wave
    Merrell Sonic Glove
    Brooks Beast
    Nikes

    Fav. Pair are the Saucony Kinvara 2. Light, comfortable and some sexy colors.
  • Spruillie03
    Spruillie03 Posts: 155 Member
    I have Saucony Glide 2 and I LOVE them! Lots of support and a nice, squishy heel.
  • Athena413
    Athena413 Posts: 1,709 Member
    I have the Brooks Addiction 9 and the Asics Foundation 10. I like the look of my Asics better, but honestly, with having a pretty wide foot, the Brooks are a lot more comfortable because they have a wider base and toe-box. I have to have the extra cushioning on the inside of the arch because I pronate pretty bad, but both pairs of shoes seem to take care of that problem.
  • mommamuscles
    mommamuscles Posts: 584 Member
    I have mizuno wave shoes. Love them! They cost like $200 but they are so worth it. I used to have tons of pain in my arches. Gone! I justified it by telling myself if I had to keep replacing shoes every 3-4 months in the course of a year they would pay for themselves. Not sure but I sure do love those shoes!
  • amyelizbradley
    amyelizbradley Posts: 379 Member
    I am one of those Vibram Fivefinger geeks; I've got a pair of Bikala LS and I absolutely LOVE them! After a long history of joint issues and lower back trouble, I can finally run with these shoes; I just ran my first 1/2 marathon in them!
  • chevy88grl
    chevy88grl Posts: 3,937 Member
    I only run in Nike Pegasus.

    I've tried other shoes and didn't like any of them - from New Balance to Saucony to Adidas. Nike works the best for me. I have steel rods in my spine and they are super comfy and supportive.
  • emma44ny
    emma44ny Posts: 141 Member
    I used to run in Asics gel Kayanos but then I found out they weren't the right shoes for my feet. ( They're more for over pronators ) and now I run in Asics Cumulus which I really like. they'll the sales ppl) give you tons of tips to pick the right pair for you. I've run in Brooks, Mizunos, and Nike while the brooks and Mizunos were a little too light for my taste, the nikes did not have enough ankle support- I was forever twisting my ankles.. Good luck!!
  • mojiwoji
    mojiwoji Posts: 23
    I used to have asics for cross training when I ran track in high school, and they were really awesome and comfy. When they totally wore out, I replaced them with a pair of Nikes that didn't work for me at all, I don't think they were the right fit or something. At the end of a run I'd notice my toes were almost numb in them. So I replaced those with a pair of Adidas that work just fine, but I still miss those Asics!
  • LiL_MisS_C
    LiL_MisS_C Posts: 332 Member
    I absolutely love my Saucony Pro Grid 4's for their comfort level..but sadly this particular shoe is already wearing out only after a few months. I would definitely suggest this brand though. :)
  • hello77kitty
    hello77kitty Posts: 260 Member
    Bump
  • gp79
    gp79 Posts: 1,799 Member
    One thing to keep in mind, is you will want to figure out the shoes for you by going and trying them on. Go to a specialty running store where they will analyze your gait by either watching you walk barefoot or putting you on a treadmill and recording the way your feet strike the ground. From there let them recommend some shoes for you. Choosing the wrong pair of shoes can make running uncomfortable and potentially cause an injury.

    Having done this a number of times I know the brand / model that fits me best.

    Shoe weight is another consideration, I prefer light shoes. A brooks beast size 15EE is about 1lb+ per shoe, vs a Saucony Kinvara 2 (Glide is the womens model of the kinvara) size 15 is only 10.25oz. The 5-7oz of weight reduction does make running that much easier / faster.

    Don't forget to get yourself a couple pairs of nice technical socks. Balga are my favorite, and they are under $10 per pair.
  • love22step
    love22step Posts: 1,103 Member
    Good topic! I'm making notes.
  • emmab0902
    emmab0902 Posts: 2,338 Member
    Great posts!
  • emmab0902
    emmab0902 Posts: 2,338 Member
    What about some worst experiences??

    I don't think I could handle the appearance of the Vibrams!
  • Athena413
    Athena413 Posts: 1,709 Member
    Worst idea ever: NOT getting properly fitted for running shoes.

    Everyone's foot is different and you can't just go to any shoe store and buy just any old shoe and think it will work for running. Going to a specialty store and having them do a gait analysis was the best thing I could have ever done for my running, feet, knees, etc...
  • luvbwfc
    luvbwfc Posts: 107 Member
    I bought myself some saucony. The shop had filmed me on treadmill etc and gave me a pair to correct over pronation. Running in them messed up my knee and stopped me running for a few months. I just stick to neutral running shoes now, pronation be damned.
  • SunLove8
    SunLove8 Posts: 693 Member
    About ready to buy some new running shoes actually. Has anyone tried the Inov-8 running shoes?
  • gp79
    gp79 Posts: 1,799 Member
    I wouldn't ever recommend someone to use any shoe with the vibram sole. In my experience these are the graduate level shoes, especially if you pan to run in them. Most folks who are new at running run with a heel strike. Vibram soled shoes are meant be used with a mid or forefoot strike. It's a different way to run. I found it easy to adapt too but it's not for everyone.

    I wear my Merrell Sonic Gloves everywhere. I run in them, weight train in them, wear them out and about. They are not the most comfortable to run in to me as compared to the Kinvara, considering they are the same weight.
  • SmangeDiggs
    SmangeDiggs Posts: 238 Member
    Do you do alot of trail running? Because if you are using the trabuco on anything other than trail or off road then you are going to be suffering.
    I have Mizuno Waves and i love them - they are the most amazing shoe ive ever worn, and are suitable for my over pronating feet. i was previously using Asics Cumulus but found these to be to heavy to run in but i have noticed the new season asics have started to adopt the lighter streamline shoe which may make it feel less like running with bricks on my feet.
  • emmab0902
    emmab0902 Posts: 2,338 Member
    Do you do alot of trail running? Because if you are using the trabuco on anything other than trail or off road then you are going to be suffering.
    I was sold these partly as I said I would be going up the peak a lot. Although that is walking! What is it about the Trabuco that would make me suffer off trails?
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    For me and my wierd feet ... Nike running shoes have been the best (only!) I can find that don't cause me pain.
    The worst were New Balance - which the sales staff always recommend because they are wide fitting but they just aren't right for me, my feet were numb and no matter how I tied them, I just couldn't wear them.

    Honestly, no one else's experience is going to really help you, you need to get some good advice and assistance to find the shoes that are right for your feet and your style. Good luck!
  • SmangeDiggs
    SmangeDiggs Posts: 238 Member
    Being trail shoes they are a much stiffer shoe with less flex than a road running shoe. They are designed to be more supportive and have alot of extra stabilising features that are great when you are running on uneven surfaces but while running on the road or treadmill they are over kill and completely stuff your biomechanics. Wonky biomechanics = painful running
    You will probably find they feel much heavier than road running shoes as well due to all the extra features trail shoes have.
  • emmab0902
    emmab0902 Posts: 2,338 Member
    Just to clarify I am not going to buy shoes based on what suits others lol. Just curious to see others' experiences.
  • gashinshotan
    gashinshotan Posts: 749 Member
    My best shoes are New Balance 860s - my worst have been some Nike Big 5 "exclusive" shoes... I bought them twice before realizing that spending the extra $20 for good shoes was worth it!
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    I ran in my brand new Bikilas with my sensor under the strap of one of them. This combination rubbed my foot and I know have some skin missing. Back to my Trek Sports for sensor running.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    I am a through and through Saucony girl. My favorite pair ever were one of the earlier
    Models of the Progrid Ride. I owned a number of subsequent models which I loved but were never quite as good as that first pair (dont know why). After being out of running for awhile due to an accident, when I returned I needed to move up to a control shoe, not sure of it was the extra weight or injury. I changed go the hurricane, which I love. It sucks because they aren't as nice looking as the Rides but they work well and keep me pain free. I bought a pair of the Progrid guides by mistake and despise them. They are my gym sneakers now.
    I bought a pair of Asics once to try and hated them. I don't even remember why now. It's not that I think the brand is bad, just not suited for my feet. It seems to me from talking to a few people you are either a Saucony fan or and Asics fan (for those who wear one of those brands).
  • chevy88grl
    chevy88grl Posts: 3,937 Member
    For me and my wierd feet ... Nike running shoes have been the best (only!) I can find that don't cause me pain.
    The worst were New Balance - which the sales staff always recommend because they are wide fitting but they just aren't right for me, my feet were numb and no matter how I tied them, I just couldn't wear them.

    Honestly, no one else's experience is going to really help you, you need to get some good advice and assistance to find the shoes that are right for your feet and your style. Good luck!

    New Balance did the same thing to me. Made my feet go numb. I don't have much for an arch (actually I barely have an arch...) and the Nike are the only ones that fit right.
  • brooksaceb
    brooksaceb Posts: 115 Member
    does it cost anything to have the gait test done?

    I have bad shin splints and the pain in my arch is unbearable sometimes, i know i need better shoe i just don't have a lot of extra money
  • emmab0902
    emmab0902 Posts: 2,338 Member
    does it cost anything to have the gait test done?

    I have bad shin splints and the pain in my arch is unbearable sometimes, i know i need better shoe i just don't have a lot of extra money

    it's free at the Shoe Clinic - however I am a little wary of corrective shoes as the orthotics did nothing for me other than add to the knee problems.
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