Looking for affordable running shoes

josephine82

I run a lot and when you are starting out, the best decision you can make with shoes is to get shoes that are comfortable and fit correctly. 

As a ex-couch to 5k coach, many many people get shin splints because of the jump to impact excersise and it’s often that you just need more time to build up the strength in your lower legs. This can be as much as repeating weeks or just walking more instead of running to build up strength. 

At this stage I really wouldn’t think too much about gait. Another vote for decathlon for an affordable entry level running shoe. 

MeteredOut

I also run a lot (although what people consider "a lot" is can differ quite a bit from person to person). 

Pretty much all my runners are Nike Pegasus (always previous years models). You can get decent prices by shopping carefully (Black Friday, outlet stores etc). I bought 4 in the Black Friday sales last year for £63/each and have just started using the 4th pair now as they others are well past their recommended mileage (though I do rotate them).

I also got a pair of Nike Renew Ride 3 for under £40 and they were surprisingly comfortable, supportive and durable.

I've never done a gait analysis test, but am considering it. As much as anything, I feel I need to try alternative shoes.

Nanako

a lot of interesting replies, with an intimidating level of complexity

I've decided to go for asics of some sort, since they seem to be the most commonly mentioned, ill look for a pair around my pricepoint, ideally one of the models mentioned here

Gait analysis will be a more longterm solution, when i have a bigger budget. I will keep this in mind!

Floss

Nanako said:

Gait analysis will be a more longterm solution, when i have a bigger budget. I will keep this in mind!

You should really get this done in a specialist running shop, and take the advice given as that may well influence which shoe brands / styles are best for your feet. 

You could cause long term damage by wearing the wrong shoes for your gait & feet.

MeteredOut

Floss said:

Nanako said:

Gait analysis will be a more longterm solution, when i have a bigger budget. I will keep this in mind!

You should really get this done in a specialist running shop, and take the advice given as that may well influence which shoe brands / styles are best for your feet. 

You could cause long term damage by wearing the wrong shoes for your gait & feet.

Does that not depend on how much distance is being run each week?

This is someone who has a budget of £50 for a pair of runners, so I can't see how the cost of gait analysis is worth it for someone starting out on couch-to-5K.

Running can be a cheap sport, but if you follow social media, you'll see people running 10K a week and spending hundreds on Alphaflys, running vests etc. My personal trigger is seeing people who have somehow been convinced they need to take gels for 5K runs!

kempiejon

I'm not sure shoes are necessarily the root problem or best solution here. Muscles, flexibility, joints and strength. You can probably get rid of medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints) with some ankle and lower leg work. Toe raises, calf raises there's loads more I'm sure. When I started running I had some pain in my hips and oddly my belly obliques. I did exercises to strengthen the obliques and improve hip mobility. All better now. 

I've yet to buy special clothes or shoes to run in, but I had a pair of trainers knocking about that are mostly dedicated to this purpose now. For the winter I might want a less porous product.