Running Shoes

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dngauthier24
dngauthier24 Posts: 24
in Fitness and Exercise
I am looking into getting a new pair of running shoes and was wondering what kind of shoes are really good for running??

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  • CUTigersFan
    CUTigersFan Posts: 10
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    I have a pair of Nike Free's. I LOVE them... However, I went to a athletic shoe store & tried on 10+ pairs of shoes before realizing that the Free's were very different from most running shoes & that they were best for my foot shape. Good luck, new shoes are a a great motivator!
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
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    This is the type of thing you can't base on other people's experience. We all have different builds, gaits, running styles, etc. In shoes, what works for one may not work for another. If I suggested my type of shoes, it is a motion control shoe. If you buy a motion control shoe when you don't need it, you are setting yourself up for injury.

    Your best bet is to go to a running specialty store and have your gait analyzed and have them recommend a few shoes. Try them on in the store. Most of the brands are very similar quality wise. What it comes down to is what works for you.
  • dngauthier24
    dngauthier24 Posts: 24
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    I live in a small town and don't get out very much. So I don't have a place to go where they have a specialist to help me, so I just wanted to know what most people prefer just to get an idea of what to look for and to see if the stores here even have them.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
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    I live in a small town and don't get out very much. So I don't have a place to go where they have a specialist to help me, so I just wanted to know what most people prefer just to get an idea of what to look for and to see if the stores here even have them.

    Do you have any running clubs in the area?

    I would at least do some reading on running gaits. They often tell you how to tell what type of stride you have. That would give you a better idea of what type of shoes to look for.

    As for what everyone prefers, you will get a wide variety of answers. It still isn't going to help.
    I prefer Saucony and dislike Asics. They are the only two I have tried because I have stuck with Saucony because I do well with them. I have odd shaped feet and Sauconys are comfortable. Other people love Asics and dislike Saucony (I find peopel are in one camp or the other). Both brands are good brands, but it is personal preference and fit. There are a number of other good brands as well.
    I prefer a motion control shoe due to problems I have. As I mentioned, they would cause problems on someone who doesn't need them. I have no idea if you do or not.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
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    Here is one place to start
    http://www.therunningadvisor.com/running_shoes.html

    And another one
    http://www.runnersworld.com/shoeadvisor

    I feel your pain. I still buy my shoes on out of town trips. The closest place for me to get them is about 5 hours away.
  • tkillion810
    tkillion810 Posts: 591 Member
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    Do you have access to a treadmill? Since we can't tell you what shoe is best for you.... you might try one on a treadmill for a little bit. Many stores offer a 30 day return option. Double check with them first though.
  • jsnearly
    jsnearly Posts: 61
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    aasics gel nimbus are great. cost $120, but worth it.
  • reallymyBEST
    reallymyBEST Posts: 242 Member
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    aasics gel nimbus are great. cost $120, but worth it.

    Agreed! I got lucky in that they were the first pair I chose. Tried others afterward just to see and what a mistake! I need the cushion these offer due to my bad knees. Love the Nimbus!!!
  • agthorn
    agthorn Posts: 1,844 Member
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    I live in a small town and don't get out very much. So I don't have a place to go where they have a specialist to help me, so I just wanted to know what most people prefer just to get an idea of what to look for and to see if the stores here even have them.

    Do you have any running clubs in the area?

    I would at least do some reading on running gaits. They often tell you how to tell what type of stride you have. That would give you a better idea of what type of shoes to look for.

    As for what everyone prefers, you will get a wide variety of answers. It still isn't going to help.
    I prefer Saucony and dislike Asics. They are the only two I have tried because I have stuck with Saucony because I do well with them. I have odd shaped feet and Sauconys are comfortable. Other people love Asics and dislike Saucony (I find peopel are in one camp or the other). Both brands are good brands, but it is personal preference and fit. There are a number of other good brands as well.
    I prefer a motion control shoe due to problems I have. As I mentioned, they would cause problems on someone who doesn't need them. I have no idea if you do or not.
    It really is personal preference/mechanics. I LOVE Asics. I had bought a pair previously and liked them, and when I did go to a running store this summer and had my gait checked and everything, they put me in Asics again. I previously had the Gel-1140 and now I'm in the GT-2160.

    If you can get to a running store, even if it's a trip, do it. Buy two pairs of whatever they fit you for and rotate them and they'll last longer.
  • Skeemer118
    Skeemer118 Posts: 397 Member
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    Try RoadRunner.com to figure out what kind of shoe is for your foot type. My husband has a very flat foot & he bought his shoes from there. I went to a running specialty store about an hour away & bought Mizuno's. They just felt great on my high arch. Good luck!
  • jdjefferson
    jdjefferson Posts: 55
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    I live in a small town and don't get out very much. So I don't have a place to go where they have a specialist to help me, so I just wanted to know what most people prefer just to get an idea of what to look for and to see if the stores here even have them.

    From your profile I see you live in Rhinelander? Try Athlete's Foot. Call and see if they have a pedorthist on staff, or at the very least can evaluate your footstrike and gait. If you are serious about running, maybe a trip to Wausau would be in order--I'm sure they have stores there that can help.
    P.S.: not necessary to buy two pairs. A good pair of shoes will last 500+ miles--more than enough for the casual runner. Buying two pairs doesn't make the shoe last longer, only means longer between buying another pair!
    Good luck!
  • agthorn
    agthorn Posts: 1,844 Member
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    P.S.: not necessary to buy two pairs. A good pair of shoes will last 500+ miles--more than enough for the casual runner. Buying two pairs doesn't make the shoe last longer, only means longer between buying another pair!
    Good luck!
    Sorry, I wasn't clear - that's what I meant. So if you have to travel for hours to get a good pair of shoes you could buy two pairs and then you wouldn't need them again quite as quickly. Wear will vary though - my last pair of Asics only lasted about 275 miles before I noticed a difference in my running. But my feet tend to wear shoes very unevenly - I've had to have several pairs of high heels reheeled because the inner edges wore down so much faster than the outer edges that it was hard to walk in them.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
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    P.S.: not necessary to buy two pairs. A good pair of shoes will last 500+ miles--more than enough for the casual runner. Buying two pairs doesn't make the shoe last longer, only means longer between buying another pair!
    Good luck!
    Sorry, I wasn't clear - that's what I meant. So if you have to travel for hours to get a good pair of shoes you could buy two pairs and then you wouldn't need them again quite as quickly. Wear will vary though - my last pair of Asics only lasted about 275 miles before I noticed a difference in my running. But my feet tend to wear shoes very unevenly - I've had to have several pairs of high heels reheeled because the inner edges wore down so much faster than the outer edges that it was hard to walk in them.

    Ha, we need to switch shoes. My high heels wear at the outside edges and it makes them hard to walk in.

    And I got your point on the two pairs, I do the same thing myself, especially when I make it to the Saucony factory outlet store in the states.
  • pucenavel
    pucenavel Posts: 972 Member
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    Is there a physical therapist in your town? I know mine can do stride analysis. Once you have a stride analysis, picking shoes is a whole lot easier.
  • DontRunEasy
    DontRunEasy Posts: 2
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    A website I recently stumbled across with some solid reviews is www.adidasreviews.com, if you don't have a local running store or somewhere else you can go to check things out you might want to try reading some of their reviews.
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,554 Member
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    I think I'd wait until you can get to a decent store to at least try on lots of shoes, even if they aren't a specialist store - everyone's foot is different.
    For me - I've always had Nikes until my latest pair which are Brooks - I'm happy enough with them, but would probably go back to Nikes next time.

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