How to chose running shoes?!

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Compassionrespectgratitude
Compassionrespectgratitude Posts: 28
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi :)
I am new to running and it's about time to get some new shoes :l I can't afford expensive shoes and I have no idea what to look for in running shoes. Any tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks :)

Replies

  • myownadvice
    myownadvice Posts: 95 Member
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    I understand that running shoes can be costly but wearing proper shoes for your foot/stride/build is extremely important. I recommend going to a store that specializes in running shoes (if you have one). Take whatever knowledge you can get from their sales people about style/brand of shoe that works best for you. Once you know what to look for, you can go to more discounted type stores and see if you can find the same style/brand. There any even some online alternatives but you have to know what you need first. I'm not sure if all stores us the same language but here they recommend types like "stability", "cushion", "neutral". Once you know your "type" you may be able to find a cheaper alternative than the specialty store.

    I would stay away from second-hand stores for running shoes as you don't want someone else's bad running habits that may be worn into the shoe already. :wink:
  • stomachflu
    stomachflu Posts: 134 Member
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    We just recently bought running shoes at ****'s last week. Had a very helpful guy who said that if you buy $100 Acis or Brooks you get $100 shoes. If you buy $100 Nikes or NB etc you get $70 buck shoes.

    We ended up getting the Brooks Ghost 4. Was greatly tempted by the Ghost 5..the support..oh they were heavenly but went for the Ghost 4. Comfy, great, no joint ache. They were on sale for $89.99 at ****'s but no idea if they still are. The Ghost 5's were $110..I think *laff*

    We decided to buy our second shoes first..skipped getting the cheap stuff because don't want to ruin our knees! So don't go cheap, you'll probably regret it.
  • lyttlewon
    lyttlewon Posts: 1,118 Member
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    You need someone that understands your gait so being fitted in person is so important. As someone with a lifetime foot injury: I can tell you that you will not regret spending a lot of money on quality well fitting shoes, but you will regret trying to run in cheap ill fitting shoes.
  • stomachflu
    stomachflu Posts: 134 Member
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    Hmm...the name of the store was ***** out..wonder if it is because it was the store name or because it also refers to a part of a man's body *LOL*
  • Mrs_Duh
    Mrs_Duh Posts: 263
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    I agree with the others. Find a good running shoe store and have them do a full gait assessment. The shoes are a little more pricey, but it's worth it... especially if you want to get serious about running.
  • msps1973
    msps1973 Posts: 52 Member
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    I started running in March and went to Sports Authority and bought shoes for trail running. After suffering thru knee pain after running, wearing a knee brace, knee strap, etc, I FINALLY went to a running store and had my gait analyzed and bought proper running shoes. Guess what? No knee pain!!!!!

    Like someone else suggested, have them analyze you and then you can go somehwere else and buy shoes. I bought a pair of Saucony Ride 5 for $110, plus $40 inserts. So worth the investment :)
  • czmmom
    czmmom Posts: 236 Member
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    Go to a running store and get checked. I had found out I was buying shoes a half size too small. I need to buy a whole size bigger for running instead of half a size. My shoes cost $110. I bought them at the store that fitted me.
  • stephvaile
    stephvaile Posts: 298
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    There’s no single 'best shoe' – everyone has different needs. All sorts of things - your biomechanics, your weight, the surfaces you run on, and obviously, the shape of your feet - mean that one person's ideal shoe can be terrible for another person.

    We divide our shoes into three main categories (cushioned, stability and motion control); and three minor ones (performance training, racing and off-road). The first three are everyday options and are categorised essentially by your biomechanical needs; the second three are more specialised and you’d often only consider them as second shoes.

    The first step in finding your basic shoe needs is to try our 'Wet Test', below or, preferably, to visit a biomechanics expert or experienced shoe retailer.

    The Wet Test works on the basis that the shape of your wet footprint on a dry floor or piece of paper roughly correlates with the amount of stability you might need in your shoe. It will show you what features you should look for and equip you with the basic knowledge you need to make the most of our RW Shoe Finder, the next step in your search.


    The Normal Foot
    Normal feet have a normal-sized arch and will leave a wet footprint that has a flare, but shows the forefoot and heel connected by a broad band. A normal foot lands on the outside of the heel and rolls inwards slightly to absorb shock. It’s the foot of a runner who is biomechanically efficient and therefore doesn’t need a motion control shoe.
    Best shoes: Stability shoes with moderate control features.
    Next step: RW Shoe Finder
    More about stability shoes | Just show me the reviews
    The Flat Foot
    This has a low arch and leaves a print which looks like the whole sole of the foot. It usually indicates an overpronated foot – one that strikes on the outside of the heel and rolls inwards (pronates) excessively. Over time, this can cause many different types of overuse injuries.
    Best shoes: Motion control shoes, or high stability shoes with firm midsoles and control features that reduce the degree of pronation. Stay away from highly cushioned, highly curved shoes, which lack stability features.
    Next step: RW Shoe Finder
    More about motion control shoes | Just show me the reviews
    The High-Arched Foot
    This leaves a print showing a very narrow band or no band at all between the forefoot and the heel. A curved, highly arched foot is generally supinated or underpronated. Because it doesn’t pronate enough, it’s not usually an effective shock absorber.
    Best shoes: Cushioned (or 'neutral') shoes with plenty of flexibility to encourage foot motion. Stay away from motion control or stability shoes, which reduce foot mobility.
    Next step: RW Shoe Finder
    More about cushioned shoes | Just show me the reviews
    The Other Shoe Types
    Our other shoe categories are for faster runners, and off-road runners:

    Performance Trainers: RW Shoe Finder | More about performance trainers | Show me the reviews

    Racing Shoes: RW Shoe Finder | More about racing shoes | Show me the reviews

    Off-Road Shoes: RW Shoe Finder | More about off-road shoes | Show me the reviews
    Previous article







    THERE SHOULD ,VE BEEN A PIC AT EACH SIDE TO SHOW WHAT THE FOOTPRINT LOOKS LIKE BUT IF YOU GOOGLE WET FOOTPRINT TEST FOR RUNNING SHOES YOU WILL SEE THEM ,
    THIS IS AN ARTICLE FROM RUNNERS WORLD CHECK OUT THEIR SITE FOR HELP WITH BUYING YOUR RUNNERS :wink:
  • polishmehappy
    polishmehappy Posts: 92 Member
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    I have a friend who is an avid runner and according to her it is not the price of the shoe, but the fit. I have an old pair of adidas running shoes that I got on clearance over 2 years ago that is the perfect running/walking shoe for me. And then I have a pair of $100 Nikes (said to be made for running) that is not good for running at all! Also I've been told that it is better to get a shoe slightly bigger than your foot to give room for socks and some swelling in the feet from running/walking
  • gungho66
    gungho66 Posts: 284 Member
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    I bought Brooks gts 12 and love them, i started out in a cheap pair of nikes that i liked but didnt give me the stability that i needed, spend a couple bucks extra if you can its worth it

    maybe this info will help you decide what you need and you can find something a bit cheaper at a discount store , but i would go try them on in person first

    http://www.runningwarehouse.com/LearningCenter/FootAnalysis.html

    http://www.runningwarehouse.com/learningcenter/footwear.html?video=FOOT05
  • stephvaile
    stephvaile Posts: 298
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    http://www.therunningshop.uk.com/questions.cfm
    THERE U GO FOUND A GOOD ONE FOR U

    u don,t have to pay alot go online and buy last seasons in the sale you can get 50% off if they are an older model
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
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    whatever you do, stay away from the cross trainers.

    you can probably find something for $60. i used some adidas sneakers for a year and it was ok.
    i upgraded to a pair of brooks this year, its made a huge difference.
  • lillydlc
    lillydlc Posts: 162 Member
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    According to this programe http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01l1yxk/Panorama_The_Truth_About_Sports_Products/
    it doesn't make the blindest bit of difference. The advice was: just buy a pair that are comfortable for you.
  • stephvaile
    stephvaile Posts: 298
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    According to this programe http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01l1yxk/Panorama_The_Truth_About_Sports_Products/
    it doesn't make the blindest bit of difference. The advice was: just buy a pair that are comfortable for you.

    i don,t agree when it comes to your feet and the right trainers for running everybody is invidual in the way they run and so i would always go on the caution side and get a proper fit for the individual
  • jaz050465
    jaz050465 Posts: 3,508 Member
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    I understand that running shoes can be costly but wearing proper shoes for your foot/stride/build is extremely important. I recommend going to a store that specializes in running shoes (if you have one). Take whatever knowledge you can get from their sales people about style/brand of shoe that works best for you. Once you know what to look for, you can go to more discounted type stores and see if you can find the same style/brand. There any even some online alternatives but you have to know what you need first.

    Sorry to be grumpy but I HATE thus attitude. Why should a business pay to have good staff which take time with you, and then you go and buy cheaper from somewhere without the overheads. If everyone did this, these specialist shops would go out of business and we wouldn't have anywhere to go for good advice. You need to pay for good service. If you don't want to pay then don't go there. If you do this intentionally, this is a firm of stealing, as far as I'm concerned!!
  • Tysonhi98
    Tysonhi98 Posts: 21
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    i'd definitely go to a store that specialises in running shoes, they'll do a gait analysis and decide if you over pronate, under pronate or if you have a neutral gait, they will then advise you on the running shoe that would suit your running gait, e.g stability, cushioning, getting the right running shoes is vital, problems such as shin splints can arise with the wrong type of running shoe.
  • timboom1
    timboom1 Posts: 762 Member
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    According to this programe http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01l1yxk/Panorama_The_Truth_About_Sports_Products/
    it doesn't make the blindest bit of difference. The advice was: just buy a pair that are comfortable for you.

    Define comfortable, no IT Band issues or shin splints or just feel cushy on your feet. I tend to think a pair of shoes that are comfortable to run in also are the same pair of shoes that are fit properly for what your feet do when you are running. I do a agree that if model 17 of a shoe works great and the shoe company changes it up to model 18, rarely are they adding anything anyone needs, including the new sticker price. I do like that once a new model comes out I can stock up on the shoes I like at a bargain price.
  • stephvaile
    stephvaile Posts: 298
    Options
    According to this programe http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01l1yxk/Panorama_The_Truth_About_Sports_Products/
    it doesn't make the blindest bit of difference. The advice was: just buy a pair that are comfortable for you.

    Define comfortable, no IT Band issues or shin splints or just feel cushy on your feet. I tend to think a pair of shoes that are comfortable to run in also are the same pair of shoes that are fit properly for what your feet do when you are running. I do a agree that if model 17 of a shoe works great and the shoe company changes it up to model 18, rarely are they adding anything anyone needs, including the new sticker price. I do like that once a new model comes out I can stock up on the shoes I like at a bargain price.

    yes i agree with this i lways buy last seasons models that are suitable for me once you start with injurys it then gets costly at the physio so getting the right shoe to start can save all your knee and hip problems and i also have a pair of trail shoes a must have for muddy trails
  • kabarnes45
    kabarnes45 Posts: 89 Member
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    While having a specialty store check your gait is best, I could not fit it into my budget recently. I did the wet footprint test and studied the wear pattern on my old sneakers to help me determine what features would be most important in my next pair of sneakers. You may be surprised by what you learn (I am fairly flat-footed but actually under pronate which is unusual). Then I searched online for models in several brands that fit what I needed and made a list of ones to check out when shopping. It took going to a few discount stores that carry good brands before I found the perfect pair (love my new "go-fasters"). You can save a lot by getting last seasons models.
  • chayoxela
    chayoxela Posts: 23
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    I understand that running shoes can be costly but wearing proper shoes for your foot/stride/build is extremely important. I recommend going to a store that specializes in running shoes (if you have one). Take whatever knowledge you can get from their sales people about style/brand of shoe that works best for you. Once you know what to look for, you can go to more discounted type stores and see if you can find the same style/brand. There any even some online alternatives but you have to know what you need first. I'm not sure if all stores us the same language but here they recommend types like "stability", "cushion", "neutral". Once you know your "type" you may be able to find a cheaper alternative than the specialty store.

    I agree with this. Go to a real running store and have them watch you run, test your stride, etc. They'll generally suggest about 3 different shoes. Try them on. Run on the treadmill with them. Figure out which ones are best for you. If you can, buy them there. If you can't, make a careful note of the exact show, then go online and look for that shoe at a better price. I wear Mizuno's for running and I love love love them. Online, I can often find them new for close to half of what I'd pay at the running stores.

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