Running Shoes

[playthegame]

Which type do you guys prefer? I have the New Balance 805's and they are ok, but I want to buy some serious running shoes. What do you guys suggest?

I read on www.consumerreports.com that the Adidas Supernova's were overall the best shoe, but the New Balance 1040 and 715 were also ranked really good.

What are your opinions?

[Jean-Paul]

You really just need to find the shoe that works for your own foot geometry. I went to a special running shoe store and they had me try on about 15 different pairs. I finally picked the Asics Gel IGS. I didn't know it, but there are a lot of things to seriously consider for buying a pair of good running shoes, assuming that you intend to put a few miles on them. These haven't prevented my shin splints, but they have not been as bad as all the other shoes I have tried. They are very light weight as well. I did my last adventure race in them and I preferred them to running trail shoes.

[markdonaldson]

j-p is right.

if your serious about running, get a professionals opinion.

they will be able to tell if you pronate or sublinate and ten tell what shoe is best for you.

once you find a shoe that works, and keeps you feeling good, stick with it.

I use New Balance 1020's

[Henry Hawk]

i wear the nike pegasus shoe.ihave worn this shoe for years because it has been good for me and i believe as long as a shoe is doing the job you should ignore the rating charts and stay with who brung you to the dance.however, there are points that a person needs to know before buying a pair of shoes.1.sizing a shoe you need a thumbs width between the end of the toe and the end of the shoe.2.the shoe should bend where your foot bends.if it does not and you have break the shoe down,this will tire the lower leg out rather quick and effect your running.3.the shoe should fit the contour of your foot.4.your body weight might determine if you need a soft or firm shoe.5.if a person pronates or supanates,in other words if the foot rolls in or out you need a firm shoe or one with a lacing system or wedge that would prevent the foot from rolling.if you find a shoe that meets this needs and you have had success and enjoy your running stay with the shoe.

[gobbla]

I wear the addias supernova cushion...2003 model as it was great when I bought it and is $30 cheaper now that the new model is out.

My partners run in mizuno (sp) wave racers and rave about them.

[Xenophon]

I recommend that you buy your shoes from a specialty running store (rather than a sporting goods store or a department store). The salesmen are runners too, and they're trained to help match runners to the shoes that are right for their body type, running style, running habits, etc. Make sure the salesmen watches you run a few strides (lots of running stores have small tracks in them) to get an idea of your stride. The other posters are right that what shoe works for them, or me, or someone else will not necessarily work for you.

By the way, if you're going to run more than about 10 miles per week, it is worth the money to invest in a good pair of running shoes. They make a tremendous difference! Also be sure to replace your runnning shoes after about 300-500 miles of wear.

Good luck and happy running!

[caffer]

Yea, Definetly go to a running store. I tried a local store the last time I needed running shoes and was surprised what the sales person put me through to make sure I got the right shoes. We went out in the parking lot and he watched me run back and fourth in four or five pairs of shoes.

[Becka]

I have 3 good pairs of running shoes, Brooks are great, Asics Gels, and my nike shox.

It all depends on your foot! Definetly go to a running store.

[gobbla]

what do you think of the shox? They are kinda my unicorn but I just can't convince myself to spend that much money for them. $50 for my supernovas that I KNOW are good or $120 for some shox that I might like. What differences do you notice? In between your shoes?

On the same note has anyone had any experiance with the addias climacool? My feet sweat terribly, wearing the light version of the wicking socks more than help out, but they seem pretty sound.

[Becka]

I love my shox, they are expensive but they are awesome. I have a bad knee so it takes off some of the impact. I noticed I big different. It puts a nice cushion between steps.
Another thing I like is nike.com you can customize them any color you want.

As for the climacool, I have those too. I am a big Adidas fan (hehe soccer player) They are good for air flow. You can feel the air go through them when it is windy. But I live in Florida so it blows sand into them
They are a decent running shoe.

[gobbla]

thanks for the info on the shox. It sounds like if I go back into distance training I'll have to look real seriously into them.

The sand and dust was my #1 concern with the climacools. They breath great UNTILL they get dirty. I'm in a bit of a desert right now so it sounds like it might be worth holding off on them for a little while. Mabey wait till next summer in the nice midwest where I have an actual paved track and grass about. Have you had any luck cleaning them in an effective manner? I wouldn't *think* that hand washing would be real effective for getting sand\dirt out of the pores of the shoe...do you do the washing machine thing?

[Becka]

I like the climacool, they are easy to clean. But I hate gritty socks, when running! ewww!

[Kaiser]

Gobbla, if you are getting the Shox make sure you have a neutral, not pronating, foot. The Shox do not have enough motion control for a pronating foot, even if you were to add a costly custom orthotic. I know from experience: a broken plantar fascia band and heel bone.

[Becka]

DAMN are you serious???
You broke your heel bone. Crap lol

[poopy pants]

Q's right Gobbla, I had shin splints from hell until I found the proper shoe (I overpronate) in the Asics Gel Foundation Plus. The correct shoe makes all the difference in the world.

[gobbla]

That's why I stuck with my supernovas on this time around instead of trying something different. The poor little thing have been through a lot. Now I'll abuse their brothers for another 500 mile or so

[Becka]

Any one else try Brooks?

[Kaiser]

Originally posted by Becka:
DAMN are you serious???
You broke your heel bone. Crap lol

Yeah, although I really can't blame it totally on the shoe. I was running a lot in those shoes (treadmill work) and that stretched out my already stretched fascia band. I have very flat feet, so doing this was not a good idea. Then I went to Hawaii, where I ran every other day on the Ka'anapaali beaches in Maui. In bare feet. On the sand. Bad idea. When I came back, I was playing basketball, and just bringing the ball upcourt at a jog when, POP!, my heel made a noise and started hurting REAL BAD. Luckily, my friend who was also playing is also a podiatrist, he knew exactly what had happened. Anyway, 8 weeks of a walking cast later, and I was starting all over again. The friend told me that the shoes probably set up the loosening of the foot, which I made worse with my sand runs in HI. By the way, the bone I broke, the calcaneous, is the most weight bearing bone in the body - and one of the thickest. It is apparently real hard to break. Considering I had never broken a bone before in my life, I guess I got lucky!

Now, needless to say, I am REAL picky when it comes to athletic shoes.

[BamaDave]

How old are you?? When I was in my teens and twenties, I probably could have gone running in flip-flops with no ill effects. Now, at age 38, I freak out if I can't find my favorite shoes locally. Getting a professional opinion is great advice. And when you find a shoe that works, stick with it as long as possible (until the manufacturer discontinues it and the replacement model screws up your feet!).

[Becka]

Has anyone tried the Nike Vapor Trainer? Maybe they are the better alternative to the climacools