Best Running Shoes for Shin Splints?

My son suffered with what he thought were shin splints and was advised by running buddies to just "run through it". So he tried. Just kept getting worse. Finally went and got it checked out and had a stress fracture. Had to wear the boot for 6 weeks. As for switching to barefoot running shoes all at once, I do not advise that. I tried that myself and immediately injured my ankle and had to take about 3 weeks off. Which I hated. Best advice is go to Fleet Feet or some specialty running store and let them analyze your feet and running gait and recommend a shoe for you. I wear the Brooks Ghost 4 and they are AWESOME!

If you don't like the look of the FiveFingers, New Balance makes a set of "minimalist" running shoes (New Balance Minimus), but are very light weight and have almost no drop (drop between the heel and toe).

I've used both, and love both. I have plantar fasciitis, and find when I run with my minimalist style shoes, my heel hurts much less the next day then when I run with $120 asics.

Also, as some people suggest, try running more with a mid-foot strike as opposed to a heel-strike. Check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSIDRHUWlVo

You don't actually have to run bare-foot to have the advantages of bare-foot style running.

Lastly, don't increase your total weekly milage more than 10% a week. It can break down your muscles over time and cause over-usage injuries!

In my experiance, the guys at a sporting goods store aren't very helpful decding which shoes are right for you unless they happen to be a runner themselves.

They can help you with what is a popular shoe, but of course that might not be the right shoe for you.

All of these comments are excellent. Nthing Vibrams (though they take some easing into); Nthing softer substrate (trails cured my shin splints right away); Nthing getting advice from a specialty store (go to an independent store, though; the employees at large chain stores don't know anything and I now have a useless but expensive pair of Sauconys under my bed); Nthing cross-training; Nthing orthotics and arch support. The best things that work for me are: getting new shoes, trail running, and arch support inserts. My problem is every time I find a standard shoe I love (I'm on Asics gel nimbus now), the company eventually changes them from a stability to a neutral shoe to increase popularity. So now I'm in the market for a good standard non-barefoot shoe and I'd love to hear your suggestions!

Can anyone recommend other running stores? I can't find one in my area. (Charlotte nc)

http://www.charlotterunning.com/

http://www.runforyourlife.com/

I'm sure there are others. Google is your friend.

Go to a specialty running store. They will find you a great shoe for the shape of your foot and your running goals. What works for one won't work for another.

I work at a running store so I agree with this 100%. Also, get some compression socks or sleeves-they'll work wonders!

Make sure your getting enough calcium- that was my problem!