Looking for affordable running shoes

Nanako

Hello all!
I have recently started the famous Couch to 5k program, and i spent three weeks running 3x a week, and getting much fitter, i was seeing great results until I ran into a proverbial wall: Shin Splints

Not a fun condition, so now i'm in the middle of a 2 week break from running to let my shins heal. I do want to return to it though.
Shin splints has many causes, weight, environment, stance, etc. But one important factor I've overlooked so far is proper gear. The trainers i was using for running are old, worn, and relatively flat soled, this is not good.

So I am looking for advice on getting some better shoes. My first priority is functionality and ergonomics, I need trainers that will work well to cushion high impact physical activity

But a second priority is cost. I know that the shoe market is flooded with all kinds of crazy brands, that charge ludicrous prices. This muddies the waters and makes it really hard to find reasonable products, when you can find a pair for 20 bucks, and a functionally identical pair for 10-20x the price. I need some guidance here.
I have no interest in fancy brand names or fashion, i just want something that will work for intense purposes, and not cost an arm and a leg.

My provisional budget is £50 for now. If there's a really good reason, i could stretch to 100. I doubt i could fathom spending more than that on a pair of shoes.

Is this reasonable? Any ideas, product advice, etc? What should I get?

Penguin_

Something like this may help your shin splints. SONORAN 2 Pairs Compression Socks for Women & Men 20-30 mmHg Graduated Compression Stockings Knee High Best Support for Running, Flying, Sports L/XL (Black Gray) : Amazon.co.uk: Fashion

I really struggled with shin splints when running & a friend suggested these. I now run pain free.

elsien

I found that the  running shops that assess your gait weren’t interested because they Only stocked shoes £100 plus which I wasn’t going to pay. At least not until I knew if I was going to continue running or not.
I did find a good small independent store (Becoming rare nowadays) Where I could try several pairs on and see which felt the most comfortable for me. Ended it with some Asics that I think were about 50 quid which I managed the couch to 5K in no problem. 

It was surprising how different some of them felt in the same price range.

Emmia

Once you've found your make/model you can just buy online, looking particularly for the previous season's stock which is usually discounted.

Brie

Would you consider second hand if you found the right shoe for you?  Maybe look in the charity shops or on Gumtree etc.  There's lots of people who start with great intentions, buy all the kit and hate it.  Or get shin splints.  And never put their shoes on for a second/third time.  

And look for shoes too in different places.  As a woman with block type feet the women's departments rarely provide me with something wearable as the toes are too thin.  They also tend to have a slightly raised heel as most women  (unlike me) wear heels.  So I found that a large boy's shoe tends to fit better.  And it's cheaper usually.  And not pink.

If that doesn't work for you try TKMaxx or similar.   Possibly lots of stock coming up due to the end of summer as less people may be willing to be out running as the weather gets colder, damper and the evenings darker.  

Nanako

Penguin_ said:

Something like this may help your shin splints. SONORAN 2 Pairs Compression Socks for Women & Men 20-30 mmHg Graduated Compression Stockings Knee High Best Support for Running, Flying, Sports L/XL (Black Gray) : Amazon.co.uk: Fashion

I really struggled with shin splints when running & a friend suggested these. I now run pain free.

When you say "help", do you mean treating it now, or preventing it from happening again?

i'm not really sure why compression would do either

Floss

You really need to find the right running shoes for your gait - as suggested, try an independent shop who can analyse it and help you find shoes in your budget.

ljfulcher

I buy most of mine second hand from Facebook buy and sell groups. Often people only run in them for a few miles before deciding they don’t fit or are the wrong sort of shoe for them, but they can’t return them as they are used, so plenty of bargains to be had if you know what shoes suit you. 

Andyb01

You could try Decathlon - they do decent entry-level own brand shoes. As for shin splints - often caused by overstriding - try and reduce the length of your stride when you run. Try and land your front foot under your body rather than in front of it.

Have a look at the wear pattern on your current trainers - this might help determine whether you under or over pronate (landing on one side of your foot) - in which case a shoe with some support would help, but in the majority of cases a well-cushioned neutral shoe will significantly improve your biomechanics and running gait.

A gait analysis at a a specialist running shop is usually free and worth getting - you can always walk away without buying and say the shoes aren't a good fit or you don't like the colour.

See here: https://upandrunning.co.uk/pages/gait-analysis?

Hope that helps

Andy 

Glad

Depending on where you are, the ASICS store in Cheshire Oaks outlet village have some great deals 

Pollycat

Might be better on this board:
Sports & fitness MoneySaving — MoneySavingExpert Forum