Since my last post where I was talking about replacing my running shoes, I have purchased some new ones. My previous Brooks Adrenaline GTS's had done over 600km, had definitely seen better days and were starting to give me blisters, so I was satisfied that they needed replacing.
Now there is such a gargantuan variety of running shoes on the market, each purporting to do this that or the other, I find it completely bewildering. When I have had my gait analysed previously, I apparently overpronate and need a stability shoe, hence why I have always run in Brooks Adrenaline GTS's, however this time, due to everywhere being shut I could not go and chat to my friendly neighbourhood sports shop, so I had to make up my own mind. Also the other thing that really annoys me is the enormous cost of these bloody shoes...
Anyway so I thought I would go with what I know and get some more Brooks shoes, however the GTS's are all way over £100, especially the new version 20, so I looked for another model, I ended up plumping for the Ravenna. This is a mild support shoe, new version 11 is still over £100 though, too expensive, so looked at the previous version 10, and I managed to get a pair for £59.99, which I thought was a good deal.
I have now run 75km in the new shoes, so they are worn in, and I must admit I can notice absolutely no difference in the support, weight or any of the other characteristics that are supposed to be different. I am beginning to think that I could have bought any support or neutral shoes and my experience would still be the same no matter what the brand or model, unless you are some sort of Olympic athlete, which I certainly am not, I really don't think there is much difference.
Apologies for the long post, just wondered what others opinions were...?
Cheers
V.
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Visionon
Graduate10
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I think if you get the right running shoe that suits you thats the main thing. I also think buying last years or previous model if you can get it is great as some of them can be as much as half the price of the most recent one. Happy running 😊
It’s interesting isn’t it, I started the programme in an old pair of ‘fashion’ trainers, got all the normal aches and pains, went to a running shop, had gait analysis, over pronate, had stability shoes, which were like ‘slippers’ - that’s my gauge......😂
They certainly weren’t cheap, but I did get to try several pairs......
Some time on went back again and I’m now ‘neutral’ and have been ever since......
My theory is, we are impatient, if we took longer we’d all get up and running eventually no matter what footwear - remind yourself of the running shoes available in the 50’s and 60’s.....but, the cushioning and ‘stability’ enable us to get where we want quicker, without too much pain and bother.......I’m not sure how much straightening out or levelling up stability shoes actually do, as I say, if we took more time, I think we’d all get there eventually.....
Once you do find a brand or type you like, it’s always good to look for earlier models, we all love a bargain! Plus, feeling like ‘slippers’ is my go to, no matter what the brand etc.,
Hello Madge50, I agree entirely as you say in the 50s and 60s, they were running in plimsoles with no so called stability features or cushioning... go figure!
I went to my local specialist running shop. They analysed my gait and recommended a number of different shoes to try. I eventually got a pair of Brooks GTS 19. I settled on these as they seemed to be the closest to the shape of my feet.
Since buying them I cannot fault them, more for what they don’t do. They don’t give me blisters, knee pain, sore feet, or any of the other issues I had in my previous fashion “running” trainers.
For what they cost and the fact that I drag my left foot, they are great. Whether I would be as well off in any running shoes, I do not know.
I am sure that Brooks will gain another chunk of my money by the end of the year when these ware out. But I can run 11km in them without discomfort and that to makes them worth the expenditure.
I believe many could run in anything, Visionon so on one hand I agree with you.
However, following nerve damage to my leg from sciatica three years ago, I have struggled to regain my form and have had recurrent trouble with my knee. I was determined never to give up on my running and have tried various different shoes since, as well as lots of work on strength and flexibility too. However, I recently changed to Hoka Arahi's and since getting them my knee pain has almost gone! I am converted and convinced they have made a big difference. They felt great from the off, and my foot-fall at last feels normal again. 👍
Funny you posted this as I was going to post about my 'magic ' shoes this weekend...I still will! 🙂
Opinions are divided worldwide... some countries you can’t even get gait analysis in a shoe shop... a top US track and field coach describes it as BS... and one biomechanics PHD says gait analysis as a way to choose shoes is weird, it’s better to work on fixing the gait... and there was a post earlier on C25K with a video of a physio who only recommended gait assessment for people suffering issues. Other people swear by it, and claim less injuries. Maybe it’s placebo? Maybe wishful thinking? Maybe there’s something in it. I did see Nike admit that there was zero scientific evidence that running shoes helped reduce injuries... but I was slightly sceptical as it was in a film on minimalist shoes, and they had just developed Free RN 🤣
Interesting that you mention Olympic athletes... Kipchoge and all of his Nike team mates wear the same shoe... and looking at the footfall of the 3 athletes in a treadmill while watching Breaking2 I noticed that they didn’t all run the same. Surely if there was much to it they’d have been in the best shoes for them individually 🤷♂️
I think on price, like just about everything, there’s a development cost and they get that back in as soon as they possibly can... then you get reductions. My first pair of Pegasus 35s were £105, my third were under £60 and they were £30 at one store this last week... I’m sure they’re not losing any money on them either, but they may as well sell that good shoe at the budget end of the market now it’s made millions, and the 36 is about to be discounted as the 37 goes out at full price. Phone companies do it all the time, they only lower the price when the new model is announced, unless it’s not selling... and they make a tidy profit on them for a couple of years after it’s the flagship model.
Edit: almost forgot... I’m also running in the £10 shoe from decathlon. It’s only good for dry tarmac, and I don’t think I’d like to run more than about 4 miles in them, but they feel pretty good when used for what they were intended... and I’m faster in them than my cushioned long run shoes. Going to splash out for their £15 ones soon as it’s a little grippier and has more cushioning. I will keep my more expensive shoes for long run day. I did read about shoe rotation... alternating shoes increases the life of them, and also having a shoe for each run type can help with the psychological side of things. So, I’ll probably end up buying their whole line... and will post a full review of them up then!
I’m a little jealous as we went in there the other day (a few are fully open already) and my daughter tried the £15 ones on and loved the fit... got to the till and they were £10... I was robbed when I went 🤣🤣
I’ve over pronated since I started toddling, to such an extent I was given “special” shoes for many years as a child. I still over pronate when I walk and I’ve always had knee problems. I always buy support shoes but not the latest model. I wasn’t aware over pronation went away for some people I’m quite puzzled by this. I replaced my old puma faas yesterday (reduced to £25 18 months ago) and treated myself to some Brooks Transcend 6 (also substantially reduced) I wouldn’t risk running in plimsolls. Maybe sports shops are too enthusiastic in assessing over pronation?
I am highly suspicious of some of the science relating to this TBH. I had 2 GAs done within a month of each other 1 said distinct over pronation the other normal. I asked a friend who was in army rehab and he said normal but also says he is not a specialist in the field. I did a footprint test that to was normal. I buy Acics Gel Pulse, I have models 8/9/10, normally around the 40/50£ mark, I get them from Sportsshoes.com they also will do a GA if you send a video in. All bar the newest shoe have done over 500k. The oldest which is still in good shape, I now wear to the gym, the second oldest I do the shorter 5/6/7/8 k runs with and the newest I push the distance. I have lost a fair bit of weight and I think losing a kilo is probably better value against injury than an extra £50 on a pair of shoes. I have not been injury free but have never been athletic, have not always done the most health things and I am now running 25-30k per week so something will give from time to time.
We seem to get everything now sold on a new and improved basis, razors with 4 blades that vibrate but the blades cost a fortune (I use classic razor blade razors either hanger shaped or open blade cuthroat type I spend about £3 per year on blades) washing powder always new and improved, 50 years ago our clothes were filthy obviously, dishwasher tablets that remove egg and the roasting tin comes out like new, never have and never will etc etc. It is all marketing and manipulation. 40 years ago you could run in plymsols and play sport in green flash trainers, not now. If you dont spend £100 you will run at a snails pace and injure yourself, you also need support socks, gels to rub on afterwards, special drinks, a thing on your arm to hold your phone, a belt for your keys and a camelbak.
Buy what is comfortable, ask what makes that one £50 better and remember that the latest model will be last years model next year and just as good and they are probably all made for next to nothing.
Hello Jonno34, great post! A man after my own heart. Although I do get tempted by these new shoes, cos they look sooooo good, I know its marketing though. Feel a little proud of myself this time, getting a discount and going for last year's model.
I love your post, it reminded me when I taught marketing.
You mentioned washing powder . Hay what about the tin if toothpowder Gibbs wet toothbrush and dab dab ! - I sent the students out to count how many brands offer different types of toothpaste for different issues that we all have !
*Sorry - I know this is about running shoes . I am sure those who run many miles per week must find out over time there is some kind of difference . Weight , fit, length , feel , grip and of course price. As a new runner ( plodder) and 69+
I have to replace my old shoes . Price is a factor for me .
I too have new shoes this week, (Trawled the internet to get replicas of last models just for peace of mind, £94 worth!) my last ones ASICS gt 1000’s were bought from a running shop after gait analysis, that was 5 years ago! Hadn’t realised how bad they had got. Decided not too wear the new ones as the weather had been so bad and the old railway track where I usually run was so muddy I just didn’t want to muddy my shiny shoes, wore the old ones, pulled a calf muscle! Now I’m thinking it’s because of shoddy shoes! Lesson learned old ones binned. X
Maybe if you have a specific problem with your gait, analysis is useful. And you probably need to go to a professional physio rather than a shop. The quality of advice and knowledge in shops seems to be very variable.
I have a pair of On Clouds which cost £125. Bought without gait analysis. I've been wearing them for over 6 months and I love them.
During lockdown I was tempted by a pair of Asics Nimbus gel shoes bought half price £50 on sportsshoes.com. (Do I care that they're last year's model?) I hadn't tried them on, hadn't even tried that style, which couldn't be more different from my Ons. I run in them, they're fine. A bit chunky after what I'm used to, but they don't seem to be doing me any harm. Maybe I'm just lucky. 🤷♀️
Two of my sons are mad keen cyclists, they just run as a form of cross training. When I asked them how they chose their shoes, they both said they went to an outlet shop (all their serious expenditure is spent on bikes) and bought a reasonable pair of comfy shoes. Job done and no problems.
Very interesting discussion, thanks for starting it.
After fit, I need a very wide fitting, the next thing for me is difference between heel and toe height, most running shoes seem be about 12mm. I am looking for no more than 4mm, and ideally zero, which is almost impossible to find in the big names. The reason is that I have great success extending my duration by training myself to run more toe-strike, which increases the energy stored in the foot for push-off. I was initially heel-strike, but I have got over that now.
I guess I'm now in the 'train your feet' school, rather than the 'trust the gait analysis' camp. Mind you Eliud needn't worry about my competition (and nor may most of you lot!)
Hello theoldfellow, I have always been a forefoot runner naturally, I didn't know that a smaller difference between heal and toe helped toe strike. My previous GTS 18s were 12mm and the new Ravenna's are 10mm, so going in the right direction I suppose!
I need to emphasise that I'm not a doctor or physio, just an avid reader of running books! I think the physiology says that if you have a high heel on the shoe, then even if your natural gait puts the toe down first, then the heel strikes sooner, removing some of the energy going into the plantar muscles - which are a natural spring.
The heel to toe drop thing there does make a lot of sense. The so called barefoot running shoes are close to 0. When watching videos like Born to Run and doing some reading the impression I got was that the daily shoes we’ve worn for many years cause heel strike... one guy claimed that kids don’t start running that way until 6th grade (whenever that is!) As a regular junior parkrun marshal I had the opportunity to check this theory out... and indeed all the young kids ran on their toes (faster ones) and mid foot (the rest) the only heel strikes I saw were in the older end 13/14 year olds who were new to running. As a lot of the heel height is for impact protection, then reducing it little by little as we gain experience could well undo the tendency to land that way... and lots of serious runners (I don’t put myself in that category!) have “racing flats” in their kit bag.
I don't actually think a thick absorbent heel is too bad, provided there is also a thick absorbent toe. Look at the profile of the latest, controversial, Nike Air Zoom Alphafly's, they have huge thick soles, but only a 4mm drop (34/39mm). But don't look at the price! And these are the ones that they are considering banning from competition. To my mind these are just adding to the plantar spring with some fantastic-plastic.
Yup. I have some free RN but don’t really like them for distance... that flat with more cushioning would help a lot. Price? Why they’re “only” £260ish 🤣
I didn’t get the statements around their legality... it was moving too quickly, one day they were confirmed legal, next day they were being looked at again... as far as I understand it, the shoe they have out is legal but only because it was released, whereas the prototype that broke 2 hours will not be legal, nor will any shoes that are now developed along that line. The “arms race” that was going on can now be a foot race again... until one of Nike’s competitors finds a different direction that can beat it. I never saw these in the shops, and really wanted to try them gearjunkie.com/enko-spring-...
Mr E overpronates ( a lot) & without shoes to correct this has a recurring problem with a pulled calf muscle. After about a year, when his shoes are worn, along comes the old injury to tell him it’s time for new shoes - which then disappears until the next pair are worn out.
I think these shoes are needed for some people- Mr E would have had to give up running over 10 years ago if it wasn’t for them. 😄
This would tie in with what the physio was saying in the C25K post yesterday... buy shoes for comfort... if you have issues then get a gait assessment.
I’m suspecting that the stores use it as a way to protect their business from the big chains (which isn’t a bad thing) and that it started because they needed to be able to keep Mr E and others like him running.
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