Scarlett Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 I've been walking every day. I'm contemplating actually taking it to the next level of running. Either way I need new shoes. I really like New Balance, but I'm open to recommendations of a really good shoe. I'll spring a bit for them..I have bad feet, or rather feet that seem to need quite a bit of support or they begin to hurt. I'm walking 30 minutes at the track while ds does swim. Or in the mornings with my dh here in our neighborhood. Even after 1 week I feel better...more energy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staci in MO Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 Most recommendations I read say Asics are the best, but they run narrow. I have bunions, so while I have a normal to narrow heal, I need extra room in the toe box that Asics just doesn't have. The past two pairs of running shoes I have bought have been Saucony. They're my favorite. A friend of mine who has done a lot of running goes back and forth between Saucony and New Balance. One thing that helped me is learning about my stride and buying shoes that match that. I have low arches and tend to pronate (put most of my weight on the inside of my feet), so I need a lot of arch support. My husband, on the other hand, has high arches, so he needs less arch support and more cushioning. Shoes that are cushioned feel good to me when I try them on, but if they don't have enough arch support my feet and legs start to hurt quickly when I run. You can read more about this on runnersworld.com. They explain how to figure out whether you have low or high arches and what kind of shoes to buy. I also have found that the manager at my local Lady Foot Locker is a runner who knows a lot about the different kinds of strides and what shoes work for what people. If you can find someone at a athletic store who knows what they're doing, that's the best way. Unfortunately it's a mixed bag. If you do find someone good write down their name. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Governess Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 I highly recommend going into a professional running store and being fitted for shoes. It really does make all the difference. A good one will watch you walk/run, analyze your gait/running style, and try several shoes on you until you find the perfect pair. A good pair of running shoes will save you much pain, soreness, and injury!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 I highly recommend going into a professional running store and being fitted for shoes. It really does make all the difference. A good one will watch you walk/run, analyze your gait/running style, and try several shoes on you until you find the perfect pair. A good pair of running shoes will save you much pain, soreness, and injury!! :iagree:. It really does make a difference. Almost immediately after getting new shoes, professionally fit, my knee pain went away. They brought out 3 different brands (maybe 6 different shoes) based on what they saw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prim*rose Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 Asics are really comfortable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyDay Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 I highly recommend going into a professional running store and being fitted for shoes. It really does make all the difference. A good one will watch you walk/run, analyze your gait/running style, and try several shoes on you until you find the perfect pair. A good pair of running shoes will save you much pain, soreness, and injury!! :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TN Mama Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 :iagree: Ditto! The professionals will watch you walk/run and help you by selecting a shoe that works for YOU. I got Brooks when I was training for a half marathon and they feel like walking/running on clouds. Love them! Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugarfoot Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 It would be great if you could go to a store that analyzes your stride and gives you recommendations. Other than that, I think you really just need to try on lots of different styles/brands to find your favorite. I love my Asics, but I have small, fairly narrow feet. My husband's feet are wider, and he has less of an arch. He loves New Balance. It's such a personal thing!:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted July 19, 2008 Author Share Posted July 19, 2008 Thanks all! Very helpful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in CA Posted July 19, 2008 Share Posted July 19, 2008 I absolutely love my Nike Pegasus - I've had many pairs of them over the years for running Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rose in BC Posted July 19, 2008 Share Posted July 19, 2008 Asics are really comfortable. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted July 19, 2008 Share Posted July 19, 2008 I highly recommend going into a professional running store and being fitted for shoes. It really does make all the difference. A good one will watch you walk/run, analyze your gait/running style, and try several shoes on you until you find the perfect pair. A good pair of running shoes will save you much pain, soreness, and injury!! :iagree: And by "professional" running store, this means the store where real "runners" go to get fitted for running shoes in your area by experts, and NOT just going to the local mall or Footlocker and getting a kid who doesn't know a thing. A proper fit, and a shoe that works for (and compensates for) your gait is really essential. An expert really is essential to prevent injury. Especially for a person just starting out. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted July 19, 2008 Author Share Posted July 19, 2008 :iagree: And by "professional" running store, this means the store where real "runners" go to get fitted for running shoes in your area by experts, and NOT just going to the local mall or Footlocker and getting a kid who doesn't know a thing. A proper fit, and a shoe that works for (and compensates for) your gait is really essential. An expert really is essential to prevent injury. Especially for a person just starting out. Bill So how does one find such a professional running store. I looked at Asics on line last night and they were not nearly as expensive as I feared. I also read on runnersworld.com about feet and I think I have a medium (normal) arch and I don't over pronate. (I think that is the right word), so maybe many shoes will fit me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staci in MO Posted July 19, 2008 Share Posted July 19, 2008 I'm pretty sure I would have to drive to the nearest city (St. Louis). I don't get there very often, though. I would certainly do that if one was convenient, but after doing the research I feel pretty confident of the shoes I need. If I can find a salesperson who knows which shoes are best for mild pronators who need a wide toe box, it's easier because I don't have to constantly refer back to my notes. But I've managed on my own so far. Definitely go that route if you can find such a store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brindee Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 Ditto! The professionals will watch you walk/run and help you by selecting a shoe that works for YOU. I got Brooks when I was training for a half marathon and they feel like walking/running on clouds. Love them! Good luck! I agree too! I also agree about the Brooks. I just got a pair less than a month ago. They're made for my feet! I've NEVER had shoes that fit me so well. I used cheapies until I recently started having feet problems. So I went to a good store and had someone help me pick ones good for my feet. These shoes are made with a narrower heel, and wider around the front of the foot. They also hold the foot in a straight position--midline somethingrather. As you can tell, I don't quite remember all he said, I j*st know that I LOVE them! It's good you're looking for a good pair. It's worth spending more for something that truly fits and supports your feet, than skimp on shoes, and pay lots more later for foot, leg, knee and back problems! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhonda in TX Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 So how does one find such a professional running store. I looked at Asics on line last night and they were not nearly as expensive as I feared. I also read on runnersworld.com about feet and I think I have a medium (normal) arch and I don't over pronate. (I think that is the right word), so maybe many shoes will fit me. That's where I went. My husband has terrible feet and, while he doesn't run, he went there to get fitted properly. It's made a big difference for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted July 20, 2008 Author Share Posted July 20, 2008 That's where I went. My husband has terrible feet and, while he doesn't run, he went there to get fitted properly. It's made a big difference for him. Never heard of Fleet Foot. :( I bought shoes last night. I went to one store in the mall and the kid gave me a blank look when I asked him for help in choosing the right shoe for me. So I moved on to Lady Foot Locker because I wanted to try on Asics. I hit the jack pot there with that clerk. He was awesome. He talked and talked about shoes and running and my particular feet. He watched me walk, looked over my bare feet and measured them both. He listened to my plan of eventually running but for now walking...and then he directed me to a pair of Asics. I loved them. So I came out with $136 less than I went in with,(I also bought inserts and socks) but I'm happy. I went to Academy and found the same shoe for $10 less, but his help at LFL was definitely worth $10. When I told him someone had said, LFL wouldn't have the expertise I needed he looked wounded and told me he helped design their running program. Anyway, I will definitely send any and all people I know to him. I'm excited! Dh and I walked 2.5 miles this a.m. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brindee Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 Great! Glad you found a good person to give you the help you needed! How'd the shoes feel on your walk this am? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted July 20, 2008 Author Share Posted July 20, 2008 Great! Glad you found a good person to give you the help you needed! How'd the shoes feel on your walk this am? Good. Slightly, ever so slightly stiff, but I told him I wanted support....AND I've been used to my broken down, worn out New Balance that are about 3 years old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brindee Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 Good. Slightly, ever so slightly stiff, but I told him I wanted support....AND I've been used to my broken down, worn out New Balance that are about 3 years old.Yeah, I'd guess after a few times of using them you'll be able to better see how well they REALLY do! I do hope they do well for you! It's so hard to find good shoes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foofy Coffee Lover Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 I'm an Avia fan -- not too expensive (a must for my budget!) and fit my feet well. Then again, I have WEIRD feet! :) You're on the right track -- good shoes SO important. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted July 20, 2008 Author Share Posted July 20, 2008 I'm an Avia fan -- not too expensive (a must for my budget!) and fit my feet well. Then again, I have WEIRD feet! :) You're on the right track -- good shoes SO important. Good luck! He said my feet were narrow...so that might be weird too...he also put me in 1/2 size bigger than I've ever worn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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