Running shoes

[monk3y]

I'm doing a half-marathon in Feb and have starting training... I've been running with a pair of Reebok cross-trainers. They're great but are starting to wear out. I've heard buying 2 of the same pair of shoes and just alternating shoes every run is a good way to increase longevity. I'm willing to give this a shot.

Any runners out there have certain shoes they prefer brand or style wise? (btrw I don't run on trails or anything, just sidewalk/road)

 

[blamb425]

Get them at www.eastbay.com

Brooks Adrenalines own

 

[sash1]

i've always bought Asics. good support for my high arch and they are well padded and comfortable

 

[Wonderful Pork]

get fit for shoes at at a store that caters to running. After I did that, i had no pain/shin splints. They had me try on several different pairs and analyzed my stride.

Personally I use Saucony Omni-3, they cost about $100/pair, but they last for several months because I only use them for running.

 

[mjh]

Originally posted by: Wonderful Pork
get fit for shoes at at a store that caters to running. After I did that, i had no pain/shin splints. They had me try on several different pairs and analyzed my stride.

Personally I use Saucony Omni-3, they cost about $100/pair, but they last for several months because I only use them for running.

Ditto on going to the running shop.

A lot of specialized shops will have you try on a pair and run on a treadmill for a couple of minutes, allowing you to see how well they fit. And for the sake of the store, please, please don't be one of those people who go there to try on 25 pairs of shoes, then go home and order the right pair online! :frown:

 

[SWScorch]

If you're going to be running seriously, ditch the cross-trainers and get honest running shoes. I won't recommend any brands because it's all subjective, but any shoe that is in a specialty running shop is going to be a quality shoe. Go there and ask for help getting fitted for the right shoe. It might take a long time; that's ok. You want to find a shoe that's right for your foot and gait (they will help you with that) and then you have to go by feel. Try on as many different pairs as you can, and jog a bit in each and buy whichever feels best.

Also, yes, rotating different pairs of shoes does help. I have 3-5 different shoes that I wear throughout the week; the time off helps them dry and they say it helps the foam to rebound; I'm not so sure that's ever been proven but it can't hurt, right? Also, one subtle thing to note is that rotating two different shoes (like completely different models) can be beneficial as different shoes make your foot work in slightly different ways. So instead of working the same muscles in the same exact motions day in and day out, switching between two similar but different shoes can actually reduce your chance of injury. Again, I'm not sure exactly how much of an effect this has, but it's something to think about.

 

[senseamp]

Originally posted by: mjh

Originally posted by: Wonderful Pork
get fit for shoes at at a store that caters to running. After I did that, i had no pain/shin splints. They had me try on several different pairs and analyzed my stride.

Personally I use Saucony Omni-3, they cost about $100/pair, but they last for several months because I only use them for running.

Ditto on going to the running shop.

A lot of specialized shops will have you try on a pair and run on a treadmill for a couple of minutes, allowing you to see how well they fit. And for the sake of the store, please, please don't be one of those people who go there to try on 25 pairs of shoes, then go home and order the right pair online! :frown:

If they were smart, they would charge a fee for their analysis and picking a shoe out for you, and then credit it towards the purchase if you buy from them.

Anyways, I run in Adidas Megabounce shoes, and even though everyone thinks they are a gimmick, I like them. I am a heavier guy and the cushioning does wonders for my knees.
Also I tried Nike Air Max 360 and Mizuno Wave Creation, and was impressed by both of those as well. I run 10kms almost exclusively.

 

[StageLeft]

You don't need to alternate shoes.

I'm not so sure that's ever been proven

I'm fairly sure it hasn't been

switching between two similar but different shoes can actually reduce your chance of injury. Again, I'm not sure exactly how much of an effect this has

It could, but at the same time if you're totally tweaked and perfectly setup in one shoe, switching to a slightly different one may have the undesired effect of introducing a new, negative stress and increasing injury.

All that said, I think shoe makes a substantially less important impact on warding off injury than a person's running style, approach to running (where they do it, amount of speed work,etc.), and physical characteristics (muscle strength, flexibility) has.

 

[Rustler]

I have 2 pair of Asics 2 Nike running shoes and I prefer the Asics for support and comfort when running.

 

[ppdes]

I've been using a pair of Nike Free 5.0 with the extra padding inserts removed for several years running about 20 miles a week on average. Padding is pretty much useless if you run on your forefeet so the shoes last much longer.

 

[Planetoa]

I prefer to go to a specialty shop to get properly fitted.

 

[HomerSapien]

What do you guys mean specialty store? I live in the boonies and the fanciest store we have is Big 5 and their super awesome LA Gear shoes. Closest mall is a couple hours away and they only have a foot locker and finish line.

I have heard of east bay, but what other online stores do you recommend? I am not sure if i have flat feet, but i tend to run on my heels. Any recommendations?

Thanks.

 

[jalaram]

Originally posted by: HomerSapien
What do you guys mean specialty store? I live in the boonies and the fanciest store we have is Big 5 and their super awesome LA Gear shoes. Closest mall is a couple hours away and they only have a foot locker and finish line.

I have heard of east bay, but what other online stores do you recommend? I am not sure if i have flat feet, but i tend to run on my heels. Any recommendations?

Thanks.

A store that's dedicated to runners. I.E. they have running shoes, clothes, gear, and info on races. The employees also tend to be runners themselves. What's your city/state?

If it's too hard to find one, try seeing a podiatrist or sports doctor to suggest a shoe for you.

 

[jmcoreymv]

You definitely should find a running store if you are going for a half-marathon. First you need to figure out what type of shoe you need (neutral, stability, control), and then try on a bunch of different brands till you find one you like. They should be snug around the heel and midfoot with lots of room in the toes. Generally you want a shoe thats at least 1 full size bigger than your normal shoes because your feet will swell when you run and this will help you avoid things like blisters.

Each brand has a different feel to it, I personally hate the Nike's Ive tried. I've run a lot in Mizuno's and I really like them, I also tried the Asics Gel Nimbus which felt great, but every person will have their own preference.

 

[HomerSapien]

I think i will have to head back to Austin for a running store or head up to Albuquerque. I am currently in the southeast corner of New Mexico where the locals are stuck in 1985.

jmcoreymv...i did not realize that feet would swell so much during running...thanks for the tip. To clarify, i have started running to avoid the dangers of so many sugary items brought in to work and all the sitting i do during the day commuting and at work. I am a lightweight at ~2.5 miles per jog/run, but i have the feeling it will be gradually getting longer as i start running more frequently.

I will look into the Asics you mentioned as Nikes tend to squeeze my foot to much.

 

[RagingBITCH]

What everyone and their mom said...go to a specialized running store. Best decision I've ever made when it comes to running.

 

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: HomerSapien
I think i will have to head back to Austin for a running store or head up to Albuquerque. I am currently in the southeast corner of New Mexico where the locals are stuck in 1985.

jmcoreymv...i did not realize that feet would swell so much during running...thanks for the tip. To clarify, i have started running to avoid the dangers of so many sugary items brought in to work and all the sitting i do during the day commuting and at work. I am a lightweight at ~2.5 miles per jog/run, but i have the feeling it will be gradually getting longer as i start running more frequently.

I will look into the Asics you mentioned as Nikes tend to squeeze my foot to much.

If you're feet are a little wider (mine are) I recommend New Balance, as well as the Asics already mentioned. I've been exclusively wearing NB for years now (over about a dozen or so 10K runs, plus a lot of recreational running) and will be getting a new pair this weekend for the 1/2 marathon I am doing in February. They are very comfortable and light-weight, the latter being quite important to me; several of the Nikes I've tried over the years have felt too heavy.

KT

 

[ElFenix]

i went to a specialty shop to get fitted. they weren't any more expensive than the online places. after seeing how i run the girl brought out 6 pairs of shoes, and one was perfect.

a lady in the store that day suggested that when i find a pair i like, buy several. there is no guarantee that next year's model will fit as well.