In the New Year I want to do more running, and I need a pair of shoes but don’t know what to look for or how to evaluate what I find.
I’m a running beginner. I occasionally run 5K on a treadmill at the gym, in my sneakers, and that’s fine, but my feet hurt more than I think they should. I’m thinking a better pair of shoes would help, especially as I start to run outdoors and for greater distances.
Possibly relevant info: I’m 6’0" (183cm), 175lbs (79kg), 43 years old, with flat feet.
Please recommend your favorite shoes or tell me how to search!
Thanks in advance, E.
P.S. Any other running-related advice is welcome too…
Running shoes in all likelihood will help.
The best way to find good ones is to go to a local running store, one that specializes in running. They’ll do a better job fitting you for your particular needs than ordering online or a Dick’s or Sport’s Authority tends to.
You have three basic foot types-high, rigid arch, normal arch, flat foot(you).
I would normally recommend a motion control shoe in your case, fitted by a real running shoe store. Though in the above thread, Cisco had a bad experience with that .
Do not go to a big box dept. store or sporting goods. The shoes they carry, while name brands, are built to a lower price point and do not have the features of a real running shoe. The extent of the employees expertise will be to recommend the highest price shoe or the overstock they’re trying to get rid of.
As for the minimalist shoes-Vibram does not recommend a runner with flat feet train in their shoes. They do say that with a gradual build up, you can make the transition but it will take a number of months.
Good. The #1 most important issue is to get the right size. Most people get shoes that feel right in the store, but are a bit too tight when the foot swells a bit during running. Make sure whoever measures your foot knows what they are doing.
I just bought a new pair of running shoes and tried on maybe 20 pairs before I settled on one. You should jog around, or in place, in each pair and be hyper aware of any place the shoes rub or you can feel pressure. Any discomfort you feel in the shoe shop will be excruciating by 20 minutes into a run.
Can I butt in with a related question? My knees are too knackered for running but I enjoy a 2 to 3 hour walk. On trails I use lightweight hiking boots. Would running shoes be appropriate for long walks on paved surfaces?
IMO, yes. Hiking shoes (or trail runners) are designed to give grip and cushioning, neither of which you really need for paved surfaces. In fact, walking shoes - specifically designed for walking, would be best, since you don’t need shoes designed for the impact of running.
