Cheap running shoes?

[Racethesunset]

Depends on your foot type.

Do you need a big toe box? A narrow heel? Extended arch support? Long term durability? Grip?

Answer these questions first.

 

[HellsCanyon]

I'm totally fascinated by this aspect of footwear. I came from a baseball/basketball background where you bought shoes with good grip and ankle support but that's about it... I figured running footwear would be about the same.

I wear a size 11.5-12D typically. Narrow heel, my ankles pronate inwards, and overall my feet are long and skinny... No idea on running form.

Mike

 

[Darren Best]

In a paper for the British Journal Of Sports Medicine last year, Dr Craig Richards, a researcher at the University of Newcastle in Australia, revealed there are no evidence-based studies that demonstrate running shoes make you less prone to injury. Not one.

Runners wearing top-of-the-line trainers are 123 per cent more likely to get injured than runners in cheap ones. This was discovered as far back as 1989, according to a study led by Dr Bernard Marti, the leading preventative-medicine specialist at Switzerland's University of Bern.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/mos...-Are-expensive-running-shoes-waste-money.html

 

[Jason Snyder]

In a paper for the British Journal Of Sports Medicine last year, Dr Craig Richards, a researcher at the University of Newcastle in Australia, revealed there are no evidence-based studies that demonstrate running shoes make you less prone to injury. Not one.

Runners wearing top-of-the-line trainers are 123 per cent more likely to get injured than runners in cheap ones. This was discovered as far back as 1989, according to a study led by Dr Bernard Marti, the leading preventative-medicine specialist at Switzerland's University of Bern.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/mos...-Are-expensive-running-shoes-waste-money.html

So do they get injured more because people who buy top of the line trainers tend to run more? I'd take this data with a big grain of salt, it shows a correlation but certainly no cause and effect.

Whatever you decide on shoes, I would be very leery of any super duper "motion control" type shoes. Most people who need shoes like this have a shitty run gait. You can do a lot by changing your running mechanics, mine have changed drastically over the years as I have learned how to run the way the body is designed to. I don't do the whole minimalist barefoot thing, but I've logged a lot of miles on very simplistic shoes that didn't have a ton of cushioning in them.

 

[Jason Snyder]

Narrow heel, my ankles pronate inwards, and overall my feet are long and skinny... No idea on running form.

Mike

The inward pronation could very well be from either a muscle imbalance and/or flexibility issues.

High, normal, or low arches?

 

[HellsCanyon]

The inward pronation could very well be from either a muscle imbalance and/or flexibility issues.

High, normal, or low arches?

I would classify my arches as normal (but what do I know?).... and I'm about the least flexible person you've ever met. I think that flexibility is a big part of why running sucks for myself (and I probably have bad mechanics which I don't know what that entails). I've had some bad injuries in the past like separating a hip socket in a streetbike crash, broken collarbone, broken shoulder on a bull (last two I never went to the hospital)... I once had a doctor tell me that my body has become seriously adapted to compensating for old injuries. At one point I had about 30% more strength in my left leg vs. my right from compensating for that hip separation for a few years.

Mike

 

[Z Barebow]

TRD makes a very valid point. But first you have to find a shoe that works for you.

That is where the Local Running Store (LRS) comes in. They actually size your feet (there can be a full size difference between feet) watch how you run (Pronate or supinate), and then give you options on shoes that will compliment your running. Also working on proper form will help with many injury issues.

To give you an idea, I'm a former Defensive lineman that has been able to run marathons and ultra marathons because I invested in proper footwear and some coaching. You can buy 4 pairs of shoes (2000 miles worth of running) for the price of the latest and greatest pack.

Spot on advice. I run a lot and mostly on roads. (2000+ miles per year for last 4 years). And I burn through shoes, (like 2rocky said ~ 500 miles per pair). So yes, I go through a lot of shoes. But it is cheaper than spending you money on an orthapoedist and way more enjoyable!

Impossible to pick a shoe without your gait being analyzed first. Find a good running store and have them analyze your gait. If they don't offer this service, they are not a running store and find one that is.

 

[HellsCanyon]

So I've stumbled onto this Ebook and it's actually giving me some hope that I might be able to do some decent running for the first time in my life... I always figured my pronated ankles and poor long distance running ability was due to just bad luck with genetics.

http://trainingclinic.vivobarefoot....oprioception-MakingSenseofBarefootRunning.pdf

While I don't agree with macro-evolution part of the article, there's no doubt that we have evolved within our species (IE: Micro-evolution and imho de-evolved physically with the advances of technology).

Mike

 

[hflier]

They have good ones at a cheap price on Steep and Cheap.

 

[Ridge Ghost]

So I've stumbled onto this Ebook and it's actually giving me some hope that I might be able to do some decent running for the first time in my life... I always figured my pronated ankles and poor long distance running ability was due to just bad luck with genetics.

http://trainingclinic.vivobarefoot....oprioception-MakingSenseofBarefootRunning.pdf

While I don't agree with macro-evolution part of the article, there's no doubt that we have evolved within our species (IE: Micro-evolution and imho de-evolved physically with the advances of technology).

Mike

You should also pick up the book Born to Run. It has similar material on barefoot running and is a great read.

 

[HellsCanyon]

You should also pick up the book Born to Run. It has similar material on barefoot running and is a great read.

You're the second person who's recommended that book... I'll check it out.

Mike

 

[tradair1980]

Look into the hoka one shoes they are goofy as hell but have been proven to last into the upper tiers of mileage like ,700+ .... I have shin I issues and have been prone to some reoccurring injury. And have had good luck with the Solomons as well. I'm 1500 + mile a year guy and these personally will be my next shoe being most guys are getting around 700 in them and they just beat you up less on the way .. Good luck and like most said above get looked to see what your gait is --Tim

 

[HellsCanyon]

Well I was just in at a local shop called performance footwear. Got to try on a lot of different shoes and the lady watched my gait and we talked about my problems. 2.5 years ago I got into a custom pair of orthodics because I've always pronated pretty bad. Well looks like the orthodics have done good things for me the last few years and she said I was actually supinating (sp?) slightly and recommended a pair of neutral shoes combined with my orthodics. She said that I'm likely a bad heel striker...

The most comfortable pair I tried on was the Asics Nimbus-14. I will likely order them off of promotive as I can save 40% of MSRP...

 

[Racethesunset]

The most comfortable pair I tried on was the Asics Nimbus-14. I will likely order them off of promotive as I can save 40% of MSRP...

Nice, Nimbus has a good reputation for support, fits the long, narrow foot types, and although the shoe is a bit bulky for shorter distances, the discount helps. How long and often are you planning to run? I trained triathlon and marathons for a long time and always had a couple different shoes to play with. The Nimbus is a great big distance shoe for your foot type - are you training long? Might be fun to have a second lighter weight pair (e.g. Cumulus) for shorter distances, e.g. less than 4-5 miles.

Also, strike and stride are personal. If you want to train yourself to strike flatter, do it, but I would be cautious about transitioning to 'barefoot' running, as it requires considerable retraining. Yes, it's more natural, however, it doesn't make it better for your current technique without practice.

 

[Trout bum]

I agree with Racethesunset.

I made the transition to minimalist shoes slowly (new balance zero drop minimus and Luna sandals). I have been running in them for a couple years now and would not go back. Ankle and knee pain issues I used to have are gone. Calf tightness and achilles discomfort are immediate signs to back off and not push through. Achilles tendonitis can get ugly and put you on the shelf quickly. If you go the minimalist route I would recommend walking around in them for a few weeks and then run very short distances and see how your body responds. They are not for everyone as natural strides are different and too much too soon can lead to injury.

 

[Above Timber]

Mike,
Going to a good running shop was a great move. having them watch your gait and trying on several different brands is best. I go through a pair of running shoes in about 3 or 5 months I average around 140 miles a month. The best running shoes will only last 600 miles or so. Once the foot bed starts breaking down it is time for new shoes. I have gotten along great with Brooks Glycerin running shoes. They do not need to be the most expensive to be good shoes. I have found most of my leg problems from form shoes that have seen better days. Stay in good fitting shoes and you should be fine.

Best of luck
Jeff

 

[bz_711]

Always had shin pain myself in regular running shoes...went to Brooks Pureflow shoes last year to train for my first marathon and love them. No more shin pain and not a single blister on long runs...wife went with Brooks Pureconnect and had same results...we both own multiple pair now. The right shoe for you makes all the difference...

 

[HellsCanyon]

Nice, Nimbus has a good reputation for support, fits the long, narrow foot types, and although the shoe is a bit bulky for shorter distances, the discount helps. How long and often are you planning to run? I trained triathlon and marathons for a long time and always had a couple different shoes to play with. The Nimbus is a great big distance shoe for your foot type - are you training long? Might be fun to have a second lighter weight pair (e.g. Cumulus) for shorter distances, e.g. less than 4-5 miles.

Also, strike and stride are personal. If you want to train yourself to strike flatter, do it, but I would be cautious about transitioning to 'barefoot' running, as it requires considerable retraining. Yes, it's more natural, however, it doesn't make it better for your current technique without practice.

I'm glad to hear you approve of the Nimbus! Don't mistake my wanting to start running for wanting to start training for long distances! I really see myself averaging anywhere from 2-5 miles maybe 2-3 times a week. I'll likely use the shoes for everything from gravel to some trail runs and as a workout shoe in general. They definitely fit my foot shape the best. I don't believe I tried on the cumulus but I'll look into them! The lady said that she'd recommend continued use of my orthotics with a 'neutral' support shoe.

Mike

 

[kickemall]

Consistently doing 2-5 miles, 2-3 times a week is no easy task with all the other commitments in life. Well done!

 

[HellsCanyon]

Consistently doing 2-5 miles, 2-3 times a week is no easy task with all the other commitments in life. Well done!

Haven't started yet... that's what I would just like to condition myself too.

One thing I've noticed with my running in the past is that it doesn't hardly help my hiking/packing muscles so it's not as high on my conditioning list... conditioning hikes on the weekend is what really helps me or riding hills on a bike. So if I make a run twice a week I'll be doing good!

Mike