New shoes advice

[Beach-runner]

Dear experts

I have been running since the end of April last year in a pair of Addidas energy boost trainers. I run 3 times a week and have built up to 10k for my big run and do 2 other 5ks. I feel I deserve another pair and want to start my research.

First pair were from a running shop, though no gait analysis. I live in France and it would not appear to be done here in Lorient. I was given 2 options the boost or a pair of Brookes I was advised that the Boost was best given my need for a significant cushion. I had a herniated disk in 2016 which ended with an emergency op. So needless to say I need a "protective" pair of runners. My dilemma is that though the shop was good I'm not sure they would have anything new to offer, they don't have a big range.

Therefore my question is, could you recommend something given my history ? Or should I just get another pair of the boosts. Thanks in advance.

[pinkaardvark Graduate10]

Is it not worth a trip to somewhere bigger so you can get gait analysis done. You don't have to buy the shoes you choose from the place that recommends them.

Sorry I don't know France well, are you near Nantes? It'll have somewhere no?

[Beach-runner Graduate10 in reply to pinkaardvark]

Thanks, we're a couple of hours from Nantes but It's not somewhere we go often. No plans in the next couple of months.

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

If you're runnng three times a week and built up to 10K in them and you haven't had any problems then I would go for the same ones. While it's nice to have a choice it's not necessary if you know what works for you. The last time I bought shoes I tried on the first pair and said, " I'll have those" because they were right. The assistant looked a bit shocked 🙂

mfamilias lives in France and can perhaps advise you where to go re gait analysis.

[Beach-runner Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks Irishprincess. It's true, I do like my shoes. I could always just get the same.

[mfamilias Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Hi IP, and hi beach runner! Sorry to reply so late, I haven't been here for ages (hangs head in shame). I went to an iRun shop - I don't know if there is one near you. Another good place appears to be Endurance Shop. iRun are specialized in running. Father Christmas took me there (ok, scrub that, I frogmarched him there) and the guy spent a good half an hour making me try different shoes, once h'd got me to run up and down their amazing indoor track (I kid ye not) as he watched my gait. Result: a fantastic pair of Hoka One Ones that haven't given me any jip whatsoever.

[Beach-runner Graduate10 in reply to mfamilias]

Thanks mfamilias. I'll have a look where they are, not sure they'll be near. Though we're going to Geneva soon must be something there, may have to sell a kidney however to pay for them.

[Beach-runner Graduate10 in reply to mfamilias]

It would appear that there is an endurance shop here in Lorient, yippee. Irun website has the make I like too thanks.

[mfamilias Graduate10 in reply to Beach-runner]

Try a pair to check the size and fit, then ask for time to think about it and get them online in the sales if you can find them cheaper elsewhere. Have fun in Geneva, and make sure you come back with both kidneys.

[Irishprincess Graduate10 in reply to mfamilias]

Mfam! Great to see you here again. Hope all is well in your world and I knew you'd have an answer for Beach-runner

[mfamilias Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Very hectic in my world at the moment, your Majesty. I will try to post soon.

[Hidden]

Gait analysis would be best if you can find somewhere. There are so many variables. For example, my first pair of running shoes have a 12mm drop and I find they make my legs ache on longer runs. I clearly need a lower heel drop, and have bought some On Clouds which suit me perfectly. My daughter runs in Brooks and they suit her better. I had some Brooks Ghosts and they made me heel strike, so they are going on ebay. We are all different. If you have run injury free in your current shoes and cant get your gait done, then it seems wise to stick to those. Dont buy Brooks without trying for size, they come up small.

[Beach-runner Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks FlickM3. As you say we're all different. I'll look about for gait analysis further afield. But might just get the same again.

[benwill Graduate10]

Are you having any pains or aches or issues with your current shoes? Stick with boosts.

If you have no access to a gait test then you can try an online test brooks do one to work out if you need support or a natural running shoes, or there is one website where you can send in a video of you running and they will tell you.

Personally I went from boosts to brooks and I preferred the boosts just for comfort and the boost they seem to give me.

there is no harm in sticking to what you know if its not broke when why fix it

[Beach-runner Graduate10]

Thanks Benwill, I'll have a look at their site. Yip, if it's not broke... I do like my boosts.

[benwill Graduate10 in reply to Beach-runner]

I do understand your want to try something different after all something different might be better and you never know until you try! But shoes are not cheap and can cause injures

And sometimes I am not sure I even believe in gait, if a shoe feels right then go with that. (but dont tell anyone that around here!)

[Beach-runner Graduate10 in reply to benwill]

Ok our secret. Shhhhh

[Anniemurph Graduate10]

Are the Boosts the exact same model though? I have had problems before when Brooks brought out a new!improved! version of the Adrenaline GTS. The ones I had were wonderful so when I needed a new pair I automatically tried them again, but alas, they had been 'improved' meanwhile and the latest version were oh so wrong. I went for NB that time. A couple of versions on again, and the Adrenalines were great. It's just worth checking, that's all.

[Irishprincess Graduate10 in reply to Anniemurph]

That happened to me too with the Brooks Annie and I had to go with another brand. Pain in the a**e 🙂

Beach-runner you've got to go with the exact same shoes, ie same year. Look online.

[Anniemurph Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

I think there was quite a fuss because they changed the last or whatever it was and many people noticed that the fit was different. I know they often change the <thing in the sole> (sorry,, can't remember what it's called!) that gives you more or less stability and the shoe more rigidity but when they change the last, the actual shape of the shoe changes as well. A right nuisance, when you've just found something that works. The lesson is, when you find something that's right, wait till it comes down in price in the sale and buy another pair!

[roseabi in reply to Anniemurph]

insole

[Anniemurph Graduate10 in reply to roseabi]

The thing underneath? Not the thing you can pull out and change, the thing that is set in the plastic bit. Aaargh!

[roseabi in reply to Anniemurph]

Ohhh that thing...

[roseabi in reply to Anniemurph]

Medial post?

[Anniemurph Graduate10 in reply to roseabi]

Could be!

[roseabi in reply to Anniemurph]

Rosemary, the telephone operator?

[Beach-runner Graduate10 in reply to Anniemurph]

Smart thinking. Maybe I'll be quids in this time.

[Beach-runner Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Ok will do. I'll check that they are in fact the same model.

[Bazza1234 Graduate10]

If you have been successfully running in a certain kind of shoe - why do you need "gait analysis" ?? What you need is simply a replacement for your current shoes. (That in itself will not be easy as these shoe manufacturers have deliberately designed a marketing system whereby their use of the words "pronation and "gait analysis" plus their change of shoe designs every year are intended to cause you confusion!!! - and cause you to buy new shoes.

[Beach-runner Graduate10 in reply to Bazza1234]

Thank you Bazza1234 it is confusion. And as you highlighted I think the clever marketers want us always on the hop, creating a new fandangled something or other.