I’ve got these Asics, and I really like them, but I went running the other day before the grass was dry and they got wet, and now they’ve dried funny. Plus, I’ve been using them for about six months (or more :eek: ) and I really need to replace them.
Could any runners out there recommend me a brand? Maybe even a specific shoe. Money really isn’t a problem, but I’d rather not spend more than a hundred.
I run three times a week, no more than half an hour. I’m a girl and I wear size 11, sometimes 10 1/2. My knees hurt if I run too much, so I want something with nice support.
Thanks guys. This is my third month of jogging and I’m really enjoying it!
I swear by Saucony. I’ve tried them all, and Sauconys seem to be the best shoe for my running form. They are known for their cushioning - in both the rear and forefoot. They do have a wide toe box though, which I really like. Most of the models cost less than $100.
If your knees are starting to hurt, that’s usually a good indication that you need new shoes. Hopefully you have a running shoe store in your area that can help fit you with the right shoe. This reminds me that I need to replace my running shoes too!
However, this is a trail shoe and I usually run on concrete.
Also, I haven’t had very good luck with Nike. I find that they fall apart easily, specifically that the soles tend to separate at the toe quickly. I haven’t tried New Balance but I’ve never liked the fit.
I like the looks of the Saucony shoes (thanks Iris). Can you tell me what would be better for running on asphalt, the responsive or supportive cushioning type? Thanks!
This depends a lot on your running form. Do you over-pronate (lower leg internally rotates when your foot strikes the ground) or over-supinate (externally rotates)? Mild pronation or supination is normal, but if you do one or the other to some extent you should probably go with the supportive cushioning type. This type of shoe will provide more motion control to help stabilize your form.
On the other hand, the responsive type shoe will be more flexible. I would consider either model, and go with the one that fits best. I think it’s wise to go with one of the cushioning models if you run primarily on asphalt.
The problem with recommending running shoes is that everyone runs differently. A great shoe for me might suck for you, and vice versa.
I recommend going to a store that specializes in running shoes and trying on a variety of shoes. Most stores of this type have treadmills in the store that you can run on, and the salespeople will watch you run and determine if the shoe is really supporting you. The really good stores even videotape your feet as you run, so you can then watch the tape and see for yourself if the shoes work.
I’ve been jogging 5 days a week for over 10 years.
I think there’s a lot of nonsense when it comes to running shoes. IMO there’s not much difference between the speaker cable industry and the athletic shoe industry in terms of the amount of BS they produce.
As an example, if you’re new to jogging and your legs or feet hurt, “snoggers” (snobby joggers) will sanctimoniously tell you that you need “better shoes.” They will tell you brand X or Y running shoes, which are “designed” for running and happen to cost $90 a pair, should fix the problem.
So you go out and buy the $90 shoes. And lo-and-behold the muscle pains go away! But was it really due to the shoes? Keep in mind that, if you’re new to jogging, your leg muscles will hurt a little for the first week or two. Buying new shoes during the first week or two will make it appear the shoes “fixed” the problem, when in reality the pains would have subsided anyway after your muscles got stretched & worked.
So IMO the biggest lie in jogging is that you must spend $90 (or whatever) on a pair of specialized “running shoes.” Most people who believe this would be surprised to learn that $14 Wal-Mart shoes usually work fine. That’s what I’ve worn for the last 10 years, and I haven’t had any problems.
I agree with Athena. Going to a specialty running store and getting fitted by a professional is the best way to go. I love FleetFeet and Marathon Sports. The only problem with FleetFeet is that it’s a chain, so some are better than others.
I’ve run a few marathons in Brooks Adrenalines. They’re designed for “Clydesdale” runners. I hate that term, but basically it means they’re designed for runners who are built a bit more stockily than the scrawny image you associate with runners. They’re really good for preventing over-pronation, and they have fabulous cushioning. Still, you really should get fitted. If you decide that the shoes are too expensive, you can always decide not to buy them at the specialty place and find them for cheaper elsewhere. But it’s definitely worth it because someone at a specialty store can look at your stride and determine what would likely work best for you.
ultrafilter, I know that no one is able to recommend the perfect shoe over the internet, however, I am totally in the dark about things like this. When I go to the shoe store I am confronted by a big wall of shoes, most not available in my size, and I would like some direction from those who know. I don’t know whether Asics are better than Nikes are better than whatever, and I’d like some advice.
I end up buying the vast majority of my shoes over the internet because shoe stores do not carry shoes in my size. It doesn’t matter to me if the shoe doesn’t have that magical perfection of whatever that a store who staffs competent running-analysis-workers could find for me. I just want a shoe that fits and is suitable for running on concrete. Thus, I value very much recommendations of people who know what they are talking about. If, in six months, I am not satisfied with those shoes, I will just go get another pair.
So if someone says that I should try Saucony, I will go to their website and buy a pair. If I don’t like them I will go and buy a different pair in six months. No big deal.
Crafter Man, I agree that there is a large amount of hype in the athletic shoe industry. However, I have heard over and over again that the most important thing for a beginning runner is to have a good pair of shoes, and I’m not all that sure Wal-Mart stocks them. Plus, I know for a fact they don’t have them in my size. If they do, they end up looking like boats on my feet and feel like cardboard. I have flat feet with metal rods in them from prior surgeries. I have Osgood Slaughter’s in one knee, which aches sometimes. I need a good shoe, and Wal-Mart just doesn’t do it for me.
I really envy you that you can wear Wal-Mart shoes and be just fine. I just don’t want to ruin my feet and knees, that’s all.
I’m glad the Wal-Mart shoes work for you, but the fact that YOU don’t need high end shoes proves nothing. I’ve had the exact opposite story. When I first started running, I was young & poor. I wore a pair of cheapo shoes because it was all I could afford. I ran for several months in those shoes, 2-4 times a week, and ended up running on the high school track a few blocks away from me because any time I tried running on anything other than the very soft surface of the track I got horrible shin splints. I tried running in the road rather than on the sidewalk when someone told me it was softer - same thing, horrible shinsplints. Back to the booooring track.
I finally scraped together some cash and went to the running store. I think I paid about $80 for a pair of shoes custom fitted by the store employees. Voila, I could suddenly run on any surface I wanted, and never got shin splints again.
Once again, that’s only a personal story, and means very little in the long run. But given the fact that there’s a huge business based on running shoes and most runners think a pair of $80-$100 shoes is worth it, I can’t imagine my story is too far from the norm. Hell, when it comes right down to it, running is one of the cheapest sports out there. Shoes are the only real expense - most other sports START with shoes then add gear and equipment and special clothes!
I was starting to get really bad knee problems this past summer and people on another board I frequent rightly pointed out that I a) Need to not overpush myself and b) Stop using cheap-ass Kohl’s sneakers and get myself fitted at a proper running store. My aunt is a reconstructive surgeon so I had her look at me and she basically parroted said people. I was overpronating b/c I have a very low arch (not flatfooted but very low) so I tried on a bunch of sneakers at the running store and found that the Brooks Addiction 6 fit and feel like a dream. After a sufficient resting period I took up running again and have been remarkably knee problem free. The best part was the darling college-aged hot Indian guy who fitted me for the shoe. I really have to go back there during Christmas for an additional consultation.
I’m going to go outside the shoe and say no shoes! I have never been able to get a good pair of shoes that I like running in. I haven’t been trying just my bare feet for long, two weeks, and I’ve only been out a couple of times but I do like it. I’ve started out at the track and doing only once or twice around the track, the rest on the grass. I was even walking over the weekend in my barefeet and they came out ok. I didn’t really care for running but without the shoes I have actually wanted to go. And if you don’t believe me you can ask Iris as she goes with me all the time.
Hah! Great site, Edward, and I think worthy of its own thread. I like the idea a lot, and I find myself running on the balls of my feet a lot because I do find it more cushioning. I’m sad to say that it’s not going to be good for me to run with naked feet, because of the aformentioned metal rods in my feet. If I run downstairs with no shoes my feet tend to tingle as the rods vibrate. Not good for long distances!
But I do find the idea rather cool. The Greeks exercised naked, so I’m sure it works. I bet you draw some looks at the track
