Running shoe opinions?!

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Replies

  • Bailey543
    Bailey543 Posts: 375
    I've tried them all. But let me tell you, I have a pair of Brooks and will never, ever, ever go to any other brand again. Brooks are like crack for your feet. Sooo addicting :laugh: I have a high arch and was getting shin splints and was about to give up running. Figured I'd heard so many good things about Brooks, tried em' and love em'.

  • I suggest you go to a reputable shoe store (we have some specialty running shops in my area) and get fitted. It won't cost you anything extra. The right shoe for you is not one that other people really like... It's the shoe that fits your feet, corrects any alignment problems (if you have any), and feels "like wearing a slipper" (as the store rep told me)

    I really like my Nike Free Runs but I find I run best wearing the New Balance W880GS I got fitted for.

    Sound advice!! I've been running marathons for years, and I was fitted for Asic Kayanos. I recently bought the Asic Nimbus because it was on sale, and that was such a bad idea. Completely different, actually almost opposite. I need support and Kayanos give that, while Nimbus is all cushioning. I've also tried Brooks because all my runner friends loved them, but they weren't for me. Plan that trip, and let us know how you make out! And HAPPY RUNNING! :smooched:
  • tikikris
    tikikris Posts: 81 Member
    Asics gal here :-) I love my Asics gels!!

    I've tried Nike and New Balance.

    I may try Brooks but I'm pretty sure my next pair of shoes will be Asics. I am an over pronator so I buy stability shoes.

    Agree totally! I've spent bucks on the Brooks Glycerins, but the Asics Gels just seem to work better for me.

    And, invest in some good supportive running socks like Thorlos.
  • artbkward
    artbkward Posts: 238 Member
    What if there are no running specialty stores within 200 miles of your location?
    (i live in the boonies) we have shoe stores but the clerks in there are high schoolers, or college students at best...

    If you're serious about running, I would make a trip to the non-boonies, maybe you can tie that in with something else like taking the kids to the zoo or going to a concert? If you find the right shoe once, you can keep reordering that same shoe without having to make that long trip each time. I would guess road runner sports carries any shoe you would need.

    http://www.roadrunnersports.com/
  • Ke22yB
    Ke22yB Posts: 969 Member
    I wore NB models for 3 years got them at a running store where I was fitted and had me jog on treadmill to film gait stride etc. went a few years replacing them as I went to other newer New Balance models a month or so ago went in and was talking with a sales assistant and when he found out is was 3 years insisted I go thru the whole routine again Guess what gait stride pronation even a change in my arch as my weight and distance changed so refit me and no longer need 4E width extra support went to a regular flatter and more stiff but I feel great so if you replace your shoes a few times a year get recheck every so often
  • JustJennie1
    JustJennie1 Posts: 3,749 Member
    Nike is not for every one. I had a pair because people raved about the brand so I figured there has to be something to it. Turns out they are NOT the running shoe for me. They were very narrow and uncomfortable. I went to a reputable store to get fitted and it turns out that for me Nike is not a good shoe based on the way I run.

    I highly suggest you take the hour trip to the store and get fitted for your running shoes. They will have you run on a treadmill and tape/observe the way you run and then get the shoe that's right for your strike and stride. The store I go to will give me about two to three different brands of shoes that are for my feet, let me try them on and then let me go run outside for a little bit (not too long) to see how they feel before I buy. I also learned that even if it's the same brand but an "updated" version of the shoe to try before I buy! I made the mistake of buying an upgraded version of a shoe I previously had and it was NOT the same shoe! Thankfully they took back both pairs. My current shoes (which I need to get new ones) are Brooks and I love them. I don't know what the next shoe will be though. For me it's not a case of a particular brand that I keep going back to (as I said an upgraded version could be drastically different) but more of a shoe that's comfortable on my foot.

    It is very important to have shoes that fit and are comfortable. If you feel like you have to "break them in" then they are not the shoe for you. You should never have to break in runners that fit properly. Also remember that running shoes should be 1/2 a size bigger than what you normally wear.
  • JennaM222
    JennaM222 Posts: 1,996 Member
    Team Asics!!

    and YES get fitted at a professional store ( Running Room )

    I after losing 30 lbs I just got a new pair of shoes and I needed a different style becasue I no longer pronate.
  • Sox90716
    Sox90716 Posts: 976 Member
    I run in Vibram Spyridon and New Balance Trail Minimus.
  • What if there are no running specialty stores within 200 miles of your location?
    (i live in the boonies) we have shoe stores but the clerks in there are high schoolers, or college students at best...

    I dont' know for sure about the other shoe sites, but I know that the Brooks website offers a live chat option with some of their shoe specialists. You can tell them what you currently wear, how you run, etc. They will ask tons of questions and then give you a few options. Brooks is great because they have a no questions asked 30 day return policy. If the shoes don't work, you can return them within the month!
  • I just bought Adidas ClimaCool Oscillation and I love them. I was having foot pain in my New Balance sneakers but ever since I started wearing the adidas I haven't had any problems. I think the NB had too much support and the adidas allow my feet to move better and are more flexible.
  • mrmanmeat
    mrmanmeat Posts: 1,968 Member
    I have started running 5-6 days a week in the last month. I mainly either run around a track or around an outdoor path. Usually do 2-4 miles per day. I need opinions on good shoes! I like the new lightweight shoes, like Nike Free. I am a huge Nike fan but I'm open to other brands if they are better!

    NB Minimalist are what I rock right now.
  • skingszoo
    skingszoo Posts: 412 Member
    [/quote]

    Sound advice!! I've been running marathons for years, and I was fitted for Asic Kayanos.
    [/quote]



    Love Love Love my Kayanos!!!!! Saving my money for some 18's!
  • OSU_Sarah
    OSU_Sarah Posts: 107 Member
    Thanks everyone. I ran my first 5k last night and have decided to go with the specialty shoe store fitting as soon as I can make the trip to the nearest big city. Thanks for all the opinions and information!!
  • cdftw
    cdftw Posts: 2
    I swear by Asics.
  • belgerian
    belgerian Posts: 1,059 Member
    Ditto what everyone else said go to a good shoestore that may even specialize in running. In my area theres running fit all the employees there run. I have tried other brands but New Balance seem to be the best fit for me if you really want to know specifics New Balance 860. Also when I started i just wore a size 12 becouse thats what I always wore but my feet were alwasy sore and break in really hurt my feet. I went to a speciality store and I was wearing the wrong size shoe now I wear a size 13 and no issues.
  • Roadie2000
    Roadie2000 Posts: 1,801 Member
    Yep, your running store should suggest a couple different brands of shoes, usually go with the one that feels more comfortable.

    I don't really like Nike as a company sometimes, but damn my Nike running shoes are the best ones I've ever had. And they were cheaper than most of the similar ones I tried on. But these days I'm leaning toward shoes with a lower heal-to-toe drop.
  • dsjohndrow
    dsjohndrow Posts: 1,820 Member
    Have you running style evaluated but a reputable running store. At least use this site to determine what you need.

    http://www.runnersworld.com/shoeadvisor
  • secretlobster
    secretlobster Posts: 3,566 Member
    Yeah. Even with an hour drive, it's worth the trip. The shoes I had in mind when I got to the store did not fit my feet well AT ALL. The New Balance sneakers I ended up with were not on my radar at all until I tried them on. Feet are very individual and varied things! It will be worth the drive, and once you do find the sneakers that fit you perfectly, you don't need to keep getting fitted. Just keep buying the same shoe, even online. let us know how it goes :)

  • Sound advice!! I've been running marathons for years, and I was fitted for Asic Kayanos.

    Love Love Love my Kayanos!!!!! Saving my money for some 18's!

    Kayanos for LIFE!! lol :happy:
  • kgprice11
    kgprice11 Posts: 749 Member
    Go to a running store such as Fleet Feet to get fitted appropriately for the right running shoes