Running Shoes Advice please

zulubabe

Hi everyone - I'm looking for some advice. I need to buy some running shoes (and luckily I just won £65 or else I wouldn't be able to afford any). Really can't spend more than this but would be great if they were cheaper. I need advice as this will be my first pair of running shoes. I really need support for my back as I had a back injury a few years ago. Would love to go to a running shop to get a proper analysis but am worried I'll end up spending a lot more than I can afford. Can anyone suggest any tips?

Thanks!!

buyitall

You could always go to a running shop for the analysis, say you'll think about the shoes and then google for the best price on the ones you like? Then ask the running shop to price match? Someone will prob come along and shoot me down in flames for this suggestion, but at least you'll be giving the shop a chance to make the sale if the price is right.
Alternatively, do the wet foot test for your foot type:
http://www.runnersworld.ltd.uk/foottype.htm
Or, there have been similar questions asked on here before, do a search and you will find some good advice - good luck!

heskpesk

I have always been told that any Asics Gel running trainers are very good

rainbow_carnage

If it's your first pair of running shoes (and even if it's not), definitely go to a reputable running store like Runner's Need and have them analyse your gait. They'll ask you to run on a treadmill for a couple of minutes and videotape your feet. Depending on how you place your foot, they'll recommend a shoe with the right amount of support. Once you know how much support you need, the brand doesn't really matter. Asics is good, but so is Brooks and New Balance.

Think about where you're going to run. Shoes that are good on pavement aren't going to work on muddy paths. Many runners have at least two pairs. If you can only afford one, make sure it suits your needs.

Never, ever buy running shoes online without having tried them on first. Even if you've worn the same brand in the past. Every model of shoe is different.

Depending on how much you run, you'll probably need new shoes in a few months. It's expensive to keep replacing your shoes, but it's better than risking back and knee problems.

epicurus

1. Definitely go to a specialist shop to get fitted.
2. Tell them your medical/back problems and any pains/soreness you get when running.
3. What type of running you are realistically going to do i.e. surface, frequency, distances etc
4. When you are running on the treadmill do as you would do normally. Really important that you don't artificially change the way you run to look better.
5. Ask them if you can run up and down the street outside the shop as treadmills feel differently to road running.
6. DON'T exclude a pair based on what it looks like. Your back is more important than the colour of the shoes.
7. Don't squeeze into a smaller pair because they look more feminine. I've seen so many ladies do this and regret it. You should be able to fit two fingers down the back of the trainer.
8. Once you have chosen a pair check the price online. I've bought £90 shoes for £30-£40.
9. You can often find last seasons stock heavily reduced. There is the slight risk that the sizing is different.
10. Get some good socks.

Fire_Fox

zulubabe wrote: »

Hi everyone - I'm looking for some advice. I need to buy some running shoes (and luckily I just won £65 or else I wouldn't be able to afford any). Really can't spend more than this but would be great if they were cheaper. I need advice as this will be my first pair of running shoes. I really need support for my back as I had a back injury a few years ago. Would love to go to a running shop to get a proper analysis but am worried I'll end up spending a lot more than I can afford. Can anyone suggest any tips?

Thanks!!

I am a qualified personal trainer, one of my 'specialist interests' is posture. £65 is plenty to buy a good pair of running shoes - in fact you might even get away with two pairs! Good shoes can be had from £30 to £100, you only need the top end if you are training for a marathon or racing. I work in the industry and I spend £70 to £80 per pair but I encourage most of my clients to buy an entry level shoe at £30 or so. :money: No reputable specialist store will expect you to spend more than your budget - if they do leave the shop - they rely on repeat business and word of mouth.

Given that you have an old injury a gait analysis is a must, the wet foot test is not enough. You should only buy a pair of shoes that you have jogged in on the treadmill, and you may need to buy a larger size than normal to allow for your foot swelling. Do you have some proper sports socks? If not you may be best buying some out of your budget, you need them to wick sweat and prevent blisters.

Different brands suit different people - Asics, Saucony and Mizuno are the top three but Brooks, New Balance, Adidas and even Nike (only a few in the range) are also good. I suit Mizuno and Adidas as I have very narrow feet. You may need different levels of support in different brands, I certainly do!

One pair of entry level runners will do you fine to start off with, but if you are going to run off road or you sweat a lot you will need two pairs simply because you will need to let them dry out naturally between run. If you run frequently they need to be rested to let the cushioning recover, so again two pairs are required. Never put running shoes in the washing machine and never dry them on or near a radiator, you will ruin them.

If you are ever in West Yorkshire I highly recommend Sportshoes.com in the centre of Bradford. Looks like a a discount sports shop but that is just a cunning disguise, they know their onions! They also sell online but some is last year's stock so you may struggle to match up what you have tried on with what they have for sale if you aren't familiar with the terminology. Nothing wrong with buying last years models, the colours change and teensy changes to technology but not worth paying more for unless you have to.

jenniewb

Great advice given above. Will add to that to say it is definetly worth getting your Gait worked out as suggested above. Runners Need tend to be the most widly known store to do this but there are many other stores that will also offer this service. I have never been talked into buying a pair of trainers from them and they also educate you on what to look for in a trainer (there are different features on the sole to look for depending on your gait) so you can go to places like Sports Direct and know what to look for.

There are though several different degrees of over pronation (if you do have one: 70% of people have an over pronation, the rest are neutral or under pronators) so try to get the exact same sole features, not something similar. The more the grey, the greater the pronation, the more support is given. Also there will be certain trainers that just "fit" better. I have been through about 4 different brands. Still keep coming back to Asics as they just seem to be the only trainers I get no or reduced calf and foot pain with.

Do be aware though that reduced price trainers are reduced for a reason. Often its just that a new design has come out to eclipse the old one and they are getting rid of old stock. But sometimes it can also be that the trainers (or worse, one of the trainers) has been on display whilst the other has been in storage. The storage or the display can put the shoe in a very arid/dry condition which can mean the plump soft sole has hardened and is less cushioned for your feet. This would be a problem if back pain is an issue to you. Its hard to advise as most often there are no tell tell signs and you wouldn't know unless you have an old and a new pair side by side to feel which is softer. Maybe try to do this if testing out cheaper reduced priced shoes at places like Sports Direct- see which feels most supportive and cushioned when you walk in them. Make sure you are very happy as even if they are 50% off, its still a waste if they cause you injury and only last you a few weeks.

Some things to look out for in cheaper priced shoes are...
A change in colour- paler shoes or one paler shoe from the rest would indicate damage from the UV lights which can alter the cushioning/air in the sole.
Lines or creases in the sole. This would indicate some of the air has been lost from the sole making less supportive to your feet legs and back.
Very old designs- do a bit pf research if you find something you like which has been reduced. When did the new version come out? how old is the shoe your looking at? the older the shoe, the more it has aged. Trainers have a time limit even if they are not worn.
Try pinching the sole sideways. Does it feel as springy as the full priced models?

Check also to see any wear from the heel. I boght a price of reduced price trainers in January. The second time I wore them I had atheletes foot!!! I medicated and washed the trainers (which your not supposed to do!) the problem went away but I do find it a huge concidence that I got the infection after wearing the new trainers having never had it in my life before. In places like Sports Direct (still a great store by the way) its very easy to see people trying on trainers without socks. In runners shops they tell you to put on socks first. Big difference!

zulubabe

Thanks for all the advice - can anyone recommend a running shop in the west midlands - preferably Birmingham / Dudley / Wolverhampton / Walsall area - thanks

buyitall

zulubabe wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice - can anyone recommend a running shop in the west midlands - preferably Birmingham / Dudley / Wolverhampton / Walsall area - thanks

http://www.birminghamrunner.com/
Birmingham Runner shop is on the Stratford Road in Shirley. They will do a gait analysis by video-ing you on the ttreadmill. They have been fantastic to a friend of mine who was having trouble getting the right pair of trainers.

Missy™

Really good advice on here! Don't be afraid to try on loads of pairs. I found the ones 'recommended' by other people to be amongst the worst ones for me, it really is an individual thing!

My first proper running shoes were a half-size bigger than my regular shoe size, but they still caused black toenails so now I go for a full size bigger.

One pair got me through my first year of serious running, but now I have three pairs for different terrain/conditions. Good luck with your running!

Gonzo

There's a running shop right in the centre of Birmingham that does video gait analysis. It's just opposite the Piccadilly arcade, round the corner from the big Tesco Metro. It does bikes and running, sorry, I can't remember the name of it!

I'm absolutely no expert, but I've had a few pairs of Asics recently, and they are all top quality shoes. I'm on the GT2140 and the Gel Moriko WP Gore Tex off-road ones at the minute and love them (£65 & £40 respectively in the sales!)