StimAbuseR**
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what are some good cheap running shoes?
running shoes?
- Thread starter StimAbuseR**
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Depends on how you run, some shoes are better than others for certain people. I've got high arches so I get shin splints real bad, I got my step analyzed at this running place and they gave me best match shoes. No matter what any good running shoe is gonna cost ya.
The one that fits you best. You have to go out and try them on. Wear them around in the store for a half hour or so to make sure they fit. Nike doesn't fit me, but Saloman fits me great. Just the way my foot is shaped. Don't cheap out! Your knees and feet are important. You can sometimes find some good stuff on clearance or on sale. Once you find a shoe that fits buy another pair. Switch them back and forth for running that way they will last longer.By giving the foam time in between runs to expand.
Halls
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I'm partial to New Balance. But Sacouny, and Brooks are OK.
Go to a specialty running store. Wear a pair of shoes you currently run with when you go. They should be able to tell by looking at your shoes what type of runner you are and they will help you choose the correct shoe dependent on your style.
In my experience, when it comes to running you can't skimp out and need you to buy quality comfortable shoes.
Go to a specialty running store. Wear a pair of shoes you currently run with when you go. They should be able to tell by looking at your shoes what type of runner you are and they will help you choose the correct shoe dependent on your style.
In my experience, when it comes to running you can't skimp out and need you to buy quality comfortable shoes.
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Google "running magazine" the runners know the best information about shoes. My experience with buying a shoe has been bad. You read about a shoe, and how good it is for you. When you try to find that specific shoe its not available at the local stores.
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Tizoc
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Asics, Nike, New Balance, Mizuno, Adidas...doesn't matter the brand, just gotta find one that works right with your foot and feels great when you run in them. I would try a running store if you're looking for discounts, they tend to have special frequent buying discounts or club discounts if you join.
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As long as you're not fat/overweight or a horrible heal-striker, I suggest you do all your running in road or cross country racing flats.
http://www.everythingtrackandfield.com/detail.aspx_Q_ID_E_4502_A_CategoryID_E_430
Don't believe the shoe store hype. They're going to tell you that you're some sort of pronator and you need some sort of gigantic spongey sole on the bottom of your shoe. The ideal shoes are as close to barefoot as possible.
Even the nike free is a better shoe than all those gigantic, spongey shoes that they push on you at the shoe store:
http://www.fabuloussavings.com/online/us/eastbay/nikefree/
http://urbansemiotic.com/2005/06/26/nike-free-50-review/
But the free is still too much shoe for my tastes.
http://www.everythingtrackandfield.com/detail.aspx_Q_ID_E_4502_A_CategoryID_E_430
Don't believe the shoe store hype. They're going to tell you that you're some sort of pronator and you need some sort of gigantic spongey sole on the bottom of your shoe. The ideal shoes are as close to barefoot as possible.
Even the nike free is a better shoe than all those gigantic, spongey shoes that they push on you at the shoe store:
http://www.fabuloussavings.com/online/us/eastbay/nikefree/
http://urbansemiotic.com/2005/06/26/nike-free-50-review/
But the free is still too much shoe for my tastes.
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As long as you're not fat/overweight or a horrible heal-striker, I suggest you do all your running in road or cross country racing flats.
http://www.everythingtrackandfield.com/detail.aspx_Q_ID_E_4502_A_CategoryID_E_430
Don't believe the shoe store hype. They're going to tell you that you're some sort of pronator and you need some sort of gigantic spongey sole on the bottom of your shoe. The ideal shoes are as close to barefoot as possible.
Even the nike free is a better shoe than all those gigantic, spongey shoes that they push on you at the shoe store:
http://www.fabuloussavings.com/online/us/eastbay/nikefree/
http://urbansemiotic.com/2005/06/26/nike-free-50-review/
But the free is still too much shoe for my tastes.
I disagree with this. Specifically, if you over pronate during stance then what you need is a less spongey, more rigid foam directly under your arch to prevent that potentially deliterious motion. Incorrect footwear is a major cause of overuse injuries in the lower extremities. I personally don't buy into the Nike Free marketing hype, from my standpoint it just doesn't make sense any sense at all. Personally, I wouldn't recommend flats for somebody who is running a ton of mileage, or running on a hard surface (anything but soft soft dirt or sand). Cross country runners, who are the leanest lankiest lightest athletes don't even do their training in flats, almost all of them put in the majority of their mileage in with trainers (i.e. your typical running shoes) because flats have almost no cushion in them. Flats are designed for racing; lower weight, less cushioning and energy absorption, traction.
...Also, about 99% of people are heel strikers when they are walking and running, almost nobody is a forefoot striker. This may change a little bit when you're sprinting really hard, in which case there is no reason to wear flats when you sprint anyway, you'd wear spikes in a meet.
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There are certainly two camps on the issue. Dan is in the more traditional camp while I'm in the camp which prefers to run in shoes that have lower heals and mimic barefoot running.
Here's a ~250 post thread on a message board dedicated to this very issue: http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=102856&page=0
I ran XC and track in college weighing about 165. I'm up at about 185 now and still wear racing flats for all my running. No injuries in 8 years.
Here's a ~250 post thread on a message board dedicated to this very issue: http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=102856&page=0
I ran XC and track in college weighing about 165. I'm up at about 185 now and still wear racing flats for all my running. No injuries in 8 years.
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I'll agree there is a split on the issue, personally, I think the shoe type depends on the runner's lower extremity biomechanics. I've seen people who can run in whatever they want and never get hurt, but other times I can see somebody run for a week in the wrong type of sneaker and be out for a week because of the harm it caused.
If you don't overpronate and you don't have a high arch you can probably run in whatever you want, but if you have high arches you may want to make up for the lack of shock absorption in your foot with a shoe that absorbs shock. If you over-pronate, you may benefit from a shoe that provides more stability in the forefoot and midfoot and limits the motion which can stress tissues that shouldn't be stressed.
On the other hand, some people are just lucky. I hope you keep up your injury free streak. Personally, I need a motion control shoe because I overpronate a little bit, and it has caused me some trouble in the past when I was running cross country many years ago in high school.
If you don't overpronate and you don't have a high arch you can probably run in whatever you want, but if you have high arches you may want to make up for the lack of shock absorption in your foot with a shoe that absorbs shock. If you over-pronate, you may benefit from a shoe that provides more stability in the forefoot and midfoot and limits the motion which can stress tissues that shouldn't be stressed.
On the other hand, some people are just lucky. I hope you keep up your injury free streak. Personally, I need a motion control shoe because I overpronate a little bit, and it has caused me some trouble in the past when I was running cross country many years ago in high school.
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You're right. 99% of people who jog/run around in trainers heal-strike.
Have you ever tried running barefoot? Try jogging at a slow pace without shoes and see if you land on your forefoot or heal. My coach suggested this to me and I tried back during my freshman year of college.
After I realized that I land on my forefoot while jogging barefoot, I started to ask why I heal-strike with my trainers.
Many people actually swear by barefoot running (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=barefoot+running&btnG=Search), but as extreme as I'll go is barefoot jump roping. If I'm going out on roads covered with sharp rocks and tiny bits of broken glass I'm going to need something on the bottom of my feet.
So my coach suggested that everyone on the team do all their training in racing flats. I loved it. I didn't understand the justification until later but after about a week my legs felt great.
If you follow that link that I posted a couple posts up from here you'll see some of these justifications for racing flats. First, they mimic barefoot running in that you don't have a 1" heal which hits the ground first. Second, they are much lighter than trainers; any small addition of weight to the end of a long lever like our legs gets multiplied many times. Lastly, since there's less stability control then you're going to develope and strengthen muscles and tendons in your feet which lay dormant in trainers.
We all agree that there are two camps on the issue. On one extreme, you have shoe companies selling heavy, thick shoes with computer chips in them that constantly adjust to the running surface, on the other extreme you have guys like the two-time olympic marathon winner, Abebe Bikila, who ran entire races without shoes.
I'm toward the more natural, barefoot side, but I still wear shoes. But barefoot isn't for everyone.
So that's my sales pitch on minimalist shoe running.
Good luck to everyone in the thread. Hopefully there's no injuries for any of us.
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This...
...plus this...
...is pretty much all you need.
...plus this...
...is pretty much all you need.
Ricky Davidson
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As one who has competed in middle distance running of some sort since highschool, I would have to agree with the following article from www.epodiatry.com/running-shoes.htm
How to choose running shoes:
All the runners need the best protection that running shoes can provide - the running shoe needs to absorb shock, control motion, be flexible and be durable. Because of the complexity of individual foot biomechanics and the complexity of running shoes on the market, it is usually a good idea to go to a specialty running shoe store as they will have the expertise to help you find the best running shoe for your individual needs.
To help you get the best shoe, here are some tips that will help:
* shop in the later part of the afternoon - feet get bigger during the day and they will get bigger when running
* wear the socks that you would normally wear during running
* a number of other factors should be taken into account when deciding which shoe is best for you - such as how much you run; how heavy you are; presence of any specific foot problems
* it often can help to bring an old pair of shoes with you, so the sales person can see where your shoes tend to wear the most
Which is the best running shoe:
There is no best running shoe. Every runner is different; every brand of running shoes is different; each model of running shoe is different - the challenge is to match the features of each runner to the features of a particular brand and model of running shoe. This is why going to a specialty running shop where specialized knowledge provided is so important. If you are comfortable in your knowledge of your foot biomechanics and the type of shoe that is most suitable for you, we recommend online purchases here.
How to decide which type of running shoe you need:
The first step is deciding the type of foot you have - it is probably the most important aspect of matching a brand and model of running shoe to the individual. During normal running (and walking), the outside of the heel strikes the ground first (supinated position) - this is why the wear is common in this area. The foot then rolls inward and flattens out along the longitudinal arch-pronation (pronation). The foot should then supinate by rolling through the ball - this helps make the foot a rigid lever for efficient propulsion. A number of different biomechanical problems can interfere with these normal motions. A running shoe can help facilitate this normal function and help overcome many of the minor biomechanical problems that interfere with a motion. An inappropriate running shoe can actually have the effect of interfering with this normal function.
Usually, most runners who develop an injury either supinate (roll out) or pronate (roll in) too much. Normal amounts of pronation and supination are needed for normal function, but abnormal amounts increase the risk for injury.
Excessive pronation is the most common cause of running injury. A pronated foot rolls inwards at the ankle, the midfoot bulges inwards and the longitudinal arch flattens. Those who over-pronate generally have very flexible and unstable feet, so need running shoes with a lot of motion control. A motion control shoe has design features that give a high level of support - a firmer anti-pronation post on the inside of the midsole; a firm or dual density midsole; and a a firm heel counter.
A supinated foot rolls outwards at the ankle and has a high arch. They tend to be more rigid and are very poor at absorbing shock, so they will need running shoes with a lot of cushioning. Cushioned shoes tend to be poor at motion control.
The amount of excessive pronation or supination present will determine if you need a neutral running shoe with an even amount of mild motion control and mild shock absorption; or a running shoe designed for mild, moderate or severe amount of pronation, with mild, moderate, or severe motion control or stability; or a running shoe for mild, moderate or severe amount of supination, with varying degrees of shock absorption or cushioning.
How to fit running shoes:
Once the type of running shoe is matched to the type of foot, several brands and models should be tried on for comfort and fit.
Tips on how to make sure the shoe fits:
* check for adequate length by determining if there is a full thumb. width between the end of the longest toe and the end of the shoe.
* the toe box should allow the toes to move around.
* the shoe should have adequate length at the widest part of the foot - it should not be too tight, but the foot should not slide around either.
* if in doubt, err on the larger size.
* the heel counter should fit snugly - the heel should not slip and rub.
* go for a run in them - how do they feel?
* try several brands and models in the type of running shoe that you need - they will all have different fit and comfort characteristics.
* get both feet measured (most people have one foot that is bigger than the other - this may or may not be a significant amount) - the running shoes should be fitted to the larger foot.
* make sure the running shoe sole flexes easily where the foot flexes.
* if you have orthotics, fit the shoes with them in. Also, buy shoes with insoles that can be removed so you can modify or replace them with orthotics.
* Do not rely on a break in period - running shoes should feel good the day you buy them.
How long do running shoes last:
This is very dependant on how much time is spent in the running shoes. The midsole, which is the important cushioning and stability layer of running shoes, usually wears out before the outsole. When this happens the running shoe looses its functional stability. The best way to check for this to to look for creasing of the midsole material in areas of high load. Also monitor the torsional (twisting) stability of the shoe.
As a general rule, you should be able to get up to 1000km from a running shoe.
How to choose running shoes:
All the runners need the best protection that running shoes can provide - the running shoe needs to absorb shock, control motion, be flexible and be durable. Because of the complexity of individual foot biomechanics and the complexity of running shoes on the market, it is usually a good idea to go to a specialty running shoe store as they will have the expertise to help you find the best running shoe for your individual needs.
To help you get the best shoe, here are some tips that will help:
* shop in the later part of the afternoon - feet get bigger during the day and they will get bigger when running
* wear the socks that you would normally wear during running
* a number of other factors should be taken into account when deciding which shoe is best for you - such as how much you run; how heavy you are; presence of any specific foot problems
* it often can help to bring an old pair of shoes with you, so the sales person can see where your shoes tend to wear the most
Which is the best running shoe:
There is no best running shoe. Every runner is different; every brand of running shoes is different; each model of running shoe is different - the challenge is to match the features of each runner to the features of a particular brand and model of running shoe. This is why going to a specialty running shop where specialized knowledge provided is so important. If you are comfortable in your knowledge of your foot biomechanics and the type of shoe that is most suitable for you, we recommend online purchases here.
How to decide which type of running shoe you need:
The first step is deciding the type of foot you have - it is probably the most important aspect of matching a brand and model of running shoe to the individual. During normal running (and walking), the outside of the heel strikes the ground first (supinated position) - this is why the wear is common in this area. The foot then rolls inward and flattens out along the longitudinal arch-pronation (pronation). The foot should then supinate by rolling through the ball - this helps make the foot a rigid lever for efficient propulsion. A number of different biomechanical problems can interfere with these normal motions. A running shoe can help facilitate this normal function and help overcome many of the minor biomechanical problems that interfere with a motion. An inappropriate running shoe can actually have the effect of interfering with this normal function.
Usually, most runners who develop an injury either supinate (roll out) or pronate (roll in) too much. Normal amounts of pronation and supination are needed for normal function, but abnormal amounts increase the risk for injury.
Excessive pronation is the most common cause of running injury. A pronated foot rolls inwards at the ankle, the midfoot bulges inwards and the longitudinal arch flattens. Those who over-pronate generally have very flexible and unstable feet, so need running shoes with a lot of motion control. A motion control shoe has design features that give a high level of support - a firmer anti-pronation post on the inside of the midsole; a firm or dual density midsole; and a a firm heel counter.
A supinated foot rolls outwards at the ankle and has a high arch. They tend to be more rigid and are very poor at absorbing shock, so they will need running shoes with a lot of cushioning. Cushioned shoes tend to be poor at motion control.
The amount of excessive pronation or supination present will determine if you need a neutral running shoe with an even amount of mild motion control and mild shock absorption; or a running shoe designed for mild, moderate or severe amount of pronation, with mild, moderate, or severe motion control or stability; or a running shoe for mild, moderate or severe amount of supination, with varying degrees of shock absorption or cushioning.
How to fit running shoes:
Once the type of running shoe is matched to the type of foot, several brands and models should be tried on for comfort and fit.
Tips on how to make sure the shoe fits:
* check for adequate length by determining if there is a full thumb. width between the end of the longest toe and the end of the shoe.
* the toe box should allow the toes to move around.
* the shoe should have adequate length at the widest part of the foot - it should not be too tight, but the foot should not slide around either.
* if in doubt, err on the larger size.
* the heel counter should fit snugly - the heel should not slip and rub.
* go for a run in them - how do they feel?
* try several brands and models in the type of running shoe that you need - they will all have different fit and comfort characteristics.
* get both feet measured (most people have one foot that is bigger than the other - this may or may not be a significant amount) - the running shoes should be fitted to the larger foot.
* make sure the running shoe sole flexes easily where the foot flexes.
* if you have orthotics, fit the shoes with them in. Also, buy shoes with insoles that can be removed so you can modify or replace them with orthotics.
* Do not rely on a break in period - running shoes should feel good the day you buy them.
How long do running shoes last:
This is very dependant on how much time is spent in the running shoes. The midsole, which is the important cushioning and stability layer of running shoes, usually wears out before the outsole. When this happens the running shoe looses its functional stability. The best way to check for this to to look for creasing of the midsole material in areas of high load. Also monitor the torsional (twisting) stability of the shoe.
As a general rule, you should be able to get up to 1000km from a running shoe.
