Best running shoe for under $100

[Nebor]

They weren't banned. Well, not in the Army at least. They don't conform to the standard of AR 670-1. Not mention, if the 1SG doesn't like it, you don't like it.

Uh, yes they were.

 

[destrekor]

I second this.

Well fitting shoes is better than expensive poor fitting shoes.

There is something of specific concern here:

either cheap shoes can work for you, or they'll cause you untold amounts of pain over the long-term.

And you'll know it after a few runs one way or the other. Oh... you'll know.

If they a random pair of shoes work for you, good for you! Not everyone is so lucky as to be graced by a neutral set of feet and a style of gait that accepts whatever style of shoe you throw at them.

In short, it's really pointless to ask for the best running shoes at so and so price.
Some shoes, by nature of the manufacturer, will be said to have better construction and thus hold up for greater mileage, or simply have a better style.

Here's the thing: if any old shoe works for you, recommendations are just about worthless. If you end you needing a specific style of shoe, again, general recommendations will be worthless.

Once you determine a certain pair of shoes causes pain, then the process of narrowing down shoes for your fit thus begins.

Of course, you could skip all of this and go to a running shoe store and have them fit you based on your feet and gait. Most likely, the shoes they recommend will feel very comfortable and provide little to no discomfort while you are running.

I state this because I am one of the many who can't just go walk into any old shoe store, pick up whatever random pair of running shoes catches my eye due to the design/colors, and go run as often and as far as I like. I wish, but I can't. I have a slight case of over-pronation, and coupled with the rest of my gait and mostly heal-strike approach, a lot of neutral and cheap shoes give me shin-splints, ankle pain, and in general feel like shit after a run.

In short, the Brooks Adrenaline series of shoe was my favorite and a very comfortable shoe, but a recent model (new release just about every year or or two) caused a lot of discomfort and even pain, so I decided to go back and focus on all the pairs that were recommended for me - which included the Nike LunarGlide+ shoes. My first pair was the original, and I loved them. Definitely feel a bit different in the feet compared to Brooks, but at the end of a run, it's better without discomfort, so I like them. My current pair is the LunarGlide3+, and they continue to keep my feet/legs happy during/after a run.

 

[AeroEngy]

I ended up buying a pair of Asics GT 2160's. Tried on a crapload of shoes before settling on these. Man, what a difference from my old pair.

"The 2160 wraps the foot in a soothing embrace that makes long runs feel much shorter."

Those are great shoes. The 21xx series has been awarded Runner's World Editor's Choice for the last several generations. I have had the 2140, 2150, and just got a pair of the 2160s. They add 10 to the model number every year. I was having shin problems running with Saucony so I switched to the Asics and have not had any problems since.

I train in them every day and have run 5Ks, 10Ks, 10 Milers, 1/2 marathons and a 1/2 Ironman in them and no complaints.

Edit: They are sort of in the middle as far arch support, pronation control, and stability are concerned. Which is why they are generally so poplar. However, if you are a bad over/under pronator or have really high or low arches then these are probably not for you.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Depends on so many factors and it's really a personal decision for everyone. One shoe doesn't work for everyone.

Personally, I run in VFFs and Nike Free's. If I'm running more than 5 miles, I use the Free's. My gf thinks I look hot in the VFFs and bought a pair for herself too which she loves just for walking.

fwiw - for a long time I was a diehard Asic 2100's fan but knee issues forced me to change my running gait and allowed me to go to lighter, more flexible shoes.

 

[QueBert]

I'm currently reading a few articles on Google about people who run in Croc's, that's the only shoe imho that can give VFF's a run for their ugly title. Perhaps I'll get some Croc's and hit the gym and see what kind of weird looks I get.

 

[ElFenix]

QFMFT.

These flat shoes are just the latest gimmick.

the wedge heel invented by nike is just a 30 year old gimmick. not a drop of research or science behind it.

 

[darkxshade]

The most comfortable runnings shoes I've worn so far is the Saucony Kinvara, Nike Free Run, & Nike Lunarglides. All 3 are minimalist shoes weighing about 6-8oz which is what you would consider an inbetween of traditional running shoes and barefoot/VFFs.

 

[Triumph]

Pfftttt...I spend $30 on an APPETIZER. If each one of my meals isn't at LEAST $200, it's not worth eating.

haha, funny but i didn't mean it like that. you know what i mean.

 

[abaez]

I don't care what they look like or what other people think, I don't like those vibram five fingers because I don't want to feel the road, I want to be cushioned from it. The less impact on my bones and joints the better.

You do know that your actual leg muscles are supposed to absorb the impact right? Not your shoes. What do you think people did for thousands of years before the running shoe was invented?

 

[AeroEngy]

I'm currently reading a few articles on Google about people who run in Croc's, that's the only shoe imho that can give VFF's a run for their ugly title. Perhaps I'll get some Croc's and hit the gym and see what kind of weird looks I get.

You could be like this guy I saw running a 1/2 Ironman.

Yes those are leather flip flops tied to his feet with some kind of twine. And yes he did the swim and bike in those gigantic shorts.

 

[silverpig]

You could be like this guy I saw running a 1/2 Ironman.

Yes those are leather flip flops tied to his feet with some kind of twine. And yes he did the swim and bike in those gigantic shorts.

Hurarches.

http://www.invisibleshoe.com/

 

[Triumph]

You do know that your actual leg muscles are supposed to absorb the impact right? Not your shoes. What do you think people did for thousands of years before the running shoe was invented?

Well, people died at 32 and they didn't run for fun and they had no word in their vocabulary for "exercise", so I guess it really wasn't a problem.

 

[MBentz]

Uh, yes they were.

How the Hell can something be banned from me if it's already against regs?

 

[Nebor]

How the Hell can something be banned from me if it's already against regs?

Please see ALARACT 241/2011. They were allowed under command discretion prior to that message. Now they're banned.

 

[MBentz]

Please see ALARACT 241/2011. They were allowed under command discretion prior to that message. Now they're banned.

My bad. I was at RAMROD when the craze hit. I completely missed it!

 

[velillen]

Guess im lucky and have good feet. i just go to the local store and pick out a pair of (usually 30-50) dollar running shoes. Recent pair is Avia (not sure on the model) but i've had new balance's in the past. I'll generally just run 3 miles 3-4 times a week anymore (on the road) but back in the day i was running a good 50-60 miles a week on trails and road. Average mile was usually around 6 minutes depending on what we were doing that day.

I think the most i've spent for running shoes was my track spikes. Think i paid like 120 for them. But i only used them for races and got 3 years out of them (still good to use actually). PR for mile was 4:28 in them (though average was 4:40-4:45) and PR in the 800m was 1:54

 

[Bateluer]

I buy running shoes once a year. So I go to the local running store and make sure that I'm outfitted properly. I've never paid more than $80 there. On sale somewhere the shoes might have been 40-50, but for the service and the fact that I'm supporting a local independent business, I have no problem spending that extra 20 bucks once a year. Hell, I drop $30 on a meal on the weekend without even thinking about it, and have nothing but calories to show for it.

Heh, must be nice having low enough mileage to only put 300-500M in a year.

I burn through a pair of shoes in 3 to 4 months. If I didn't have such a strict code of ethics, I could take my worn out Adrenalines back to Roadrunner Sports every 89 days with close to 400 miles on them and get another pair under their return policy.

Me: Yes, I'd like to return these shoes, they did not meet my expectations. Can I get another pair of the same size, brand and model?

 

[purbeast0]

I'm currently reading a few articles on Google about people who run in Croc's, that's the only shoe imho that can give VFF's a run for their ugly title. Perhaps I'll get some Croc's and hit the gym and see what kind of weird looks I get.

some dude at my gym lifts in crocs, a collared shirt, and gloves that look like you would use when doing gardening, all while wearing his weight belt all around the gym, not just for exercises.

he obviously doesn't give a fuck, and he is a pretty strong guy.

 

[Fritzo]

some dude at my gym lifts in crocs, a collared shirt, and gloves that look like you would use when doing gardening, all while wearing his weight belt all around the gym, not just for exercises.

he obviously doesn't give a fuck, and he is a pretty strong guy.

Does he grunt REALLY loud when lifting, and then walk around clapping his arms between reps? Those are my favorite gym guys.

 

[alkemyst]

It's all about what feels right when you're trying it on. I ran for a year in a pair that I thought fit me fine until I tried some Nike Pegasus. The difference was night/day. Those things fit me perfectly and I will never change.

Nike Pegasus are designed for a certain gait. I love them too.

OP go to www.shoedog.com and tell us what type of runner / gait you have.

I usually find great deals at zappos and online...the best deals are local clearance though.

 

[micrometers]

Get a pair of racing flats. No over-sized heel. IMO it prevents achilles injuries.

Most people will run like 5 miles at a time IMO, so you don't need the super-thick sole.

 

[disappoint]

You do know that your actual leg muscles are supposed to absorb the impact right? Not your shoes. What do you think people did for thousands of years before the running shoe was invented?

Do I know....Do I know that? haha! Does a bear shit in the woods? But more to the point, do you?

 

[alkemyst]

Get a pair of racing flats. No over-sized heel. IMO it prevents achilles injuries.

Most people will run like 5 miles at a time IMO, so you don't need the super-thick sole.

Abaez and you must only run on proper tracks. Most of us have to deal with concrete and uneven paths.

 

[abaez]

I run in downtown los angeles which doesn't have a track and you can bet it's uneven. When running on my forefoot, any bumps and whatnot are absorbed by my legs. There are no issues running with my vibrams once you get the proper form. I can't even imagine heel striking anymore with the impact going right to your bone, even with thick running shoe cushioning.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Abaez and you must only run on proper tracks. Most of us have to deal with concrete and uneven paths.

No proper tracks here and my current running is done at night.