New shoes, new experience

[Roadrunner65]

An overdue investment in new shoes had me guessing what was wrong with them in the first outing with them.

It's easy to get bamboozled by the technology that goes into running shoes and there are of course the big brand names that many are automatically drawn to, nothing wrong with that.

As a relative newcomer into the world of running, I wanted to make a statement to/for myself at least that I have become a full-fledged member of the international society of runners. I know that's not a thing but if it was, if it was a football league then I'd be in the lowest division and unlikely to ever get promoted. Sure I may have a good cup run (10k, half marathon!!), but at the end of the day, I'll be lower league. But I'm still a part of it, and for life! So I treated myself. I looked for shoes not from the big brand names, and settled on Astra Turin's foot shaped shoe.

Sooo comfortable from the off. Light, soft, great looking shoe. I was bouncing along thinking I should have upgraded a long time ago.

Half way through what was to become my longest ever run (6.8k), I felt my trainer socks begin to bunch up behind my toes, bunching more and more the further I went. I'll tolerate it I thought but how disappointing. Do I need to get special socks for 'foot shaped' shoes. Have I made the wrong choice? They started out so comfortable!

In truth it was not that uncomfortable. In fact, after a seriously stressful day at work, with a bleak outlook ahead still, I needed to run and I felt in my new shoes I could've run 7, 8, 9 maybe even 10k.

But I didn't. At 6.8k I was near home, so that was that. Still had work to do anyway.

To my surprise however, when I took the first shoe off, expecting to find a crumpled clump of sock slippage underfoot, there was none! The sensation then must have come from my feet experiencing a difference in shoe shape and was reacting somehow to their new environment. A bit like the first time you use a good quality electric toothbrush. It feels weird right, wrong even. But when you get used to it, the experience and feel and the benefits of it, there's no going back.

I suspect that is what I am, or more precisely, what my feet were experiencing.

I can't wait to go out again to see if it happens again, but if anyone knows of, or has experienced a similar 'new shoe shape foot phenomenon', please reassure me that it's ok, normal. I love the shoes, but is what I felt unusual, wrong, or normal for switching from older, regular shoe shape to new, super lightweight footshape?

[Plattszo]

I experienced a change with numb toes when I changed into some proper running shoes. I contacted the store (and Brooks) and they advised it could be tieing of the laces... watched YouTube to find other lacing methods and laced each show differently to suit. They have been fine ever since.

The other advice the running shoe shop gave me was to ensure enough space for toes (as they swell during running) and to do that, one should size up.

Hope this helps!

[Roadrunner65 Graduate10 in reply to Plattszo]

Thanks very much for the reply. There's definitely room in the shoe, front and sides. It could have been how they were laced, I'll give that a look next time out. Thanks again

[Plattszo in reply to Roadrunner65]

I wonder if you are trying to grip with your toes? Which makes me think not tight enough or slipping on heels... it there are lacing methods to deal with that.

Let us know how you get on!

[Roadrunner65 Graduate10 in reply to Plattszo]

Will do. Watch this space

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

I was advised to get a running shoe size bigger than my normal shoes and a good pair of socks to match, it does help, the other day I put on normal socks with my running shoes, that felt very uncomfortable and soon changed into the proper socks, so it is very important when you buy a pair of running shoes you also ask for a pair of socks to match.

[Roadrunner65 Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks, I never thought about the socks! I'll be looking for new ones as well now then. I'm confident with the shoe size. I have not needed to go a size up as I've a reasonable amount of room at the toe end.

[Slothgoesrunning Graduate10]

I normally wear a size 5 but my running shoes are 6.5! It’s necessary as the foot does swell and toes/nails can be compromised. Running socks make for an ever more comfortable run. Happy running!

[KaryB in reply to Slothgoesrunning]

Same for me! It was an expensive mistake first time out to buy running shoes the same size as I normally take. My normal size 5 translates into 6.5 for running too.

[Roadrunner65 Graduate10 in reply to KaryB]

Hmm! I bought same shoe size as normal. I have probably a half shoe size of room to spare. I've used them, so no sending them back. Why do you not get told this when buying from a specialist site, it should be in your face for us novices. My fault, I know.

Will use them through winter as they felt good, but if I need to, I'll go up a size in spring, when the feet more likely to heat and swell more 😬🏃

[KaryB in reply to Roadrunner65]

I found the size 5 I bought were fine at first, but once I was able to run for 30 mins plus then they started to make my feet numb as my feet were swelling. Agree, it would be good to be advised of this when buying!

[Hidden in reply to Slothgoesrunning]

Same here..Size 9 in shoes 10.5 in trainers!

[mrrun Graduate10]

Have you bought them online without previously testing them, or they've been sold to you through a shop?

[Roadrunner65 Graduate10 in reply to mrrun]

Online. Have vulnerable family so in-shop shopping is not really a starter for me at this time

[mrrun Graduate10 in reply to Roadrunner65]

Online can be a big hit and miss, unfortunately. Sizes and shapes all differ from brand to brand and although many shoes are fine for walking, running (as you've found out) is different. I bought a spare pair of the ones that I've got at home and although I got them straight from their official site they simply didn't feel the same. They must have changed a tiny speck but I can still feel it. I had to play around with laces in order to make them 'good'. The trouble with shoes that don't fit perfectly is that they can lead to injuries, ankle/knee/hips and back. Maybe you should wait and get them through a specialist gait analysis shop once you can visit them?

[roseabi]

I think you mean the Altra Torin shoe? If so, they are 'zero drop' shoes, which is to say they are completely flat. Many running shoes have some sort of difference between the height of the heel and that of the toe, so switching to zero drop shoes will feel strange at first, and will affect the way you plant your feet on the run. You are probably landing on your toes in the Altras, which may account for the sensations you experienced. The recognised advice is to transition slowly into zero drop shoes, because you will find they exercise your muscles differently - calves in particular you may find will be more sore than usual.

[Roadrunner65 Graduate10 in reply to roseabi]

Very helpful thank you. I'll mix the old with the new, as the investment is made and they feel so good under foot

[Roadrunner65 Graduate10 in reply to roseabi]

I purchased them from a reputable specialist who in fairness have accepted the return of the shoes and given me a full refund. Shopping online is the preferred option in the current climate as I have vulnerable family members. I see some folk go up a size and a half! That to me feels too extreme! I'd be flapping along. A half size up I've been told, a whole size up I've been told, now a size and a half size up. How can it be so different for so many? I'll go a half size up I think, any bigger I feel slipping shoes coming on that could only be controlled by tying the laces so tight it'd cut off the circulation to my feet !

[roseabi in reply to Roadrunner65]

I am glad you were able to get a refund!

I have a suspicion that the 'normal' shoe size of many people is just too small. We are conditioned into thinking that shoes are meant to be uncomfortable, that they need to be 'broken in'. And our feet change over time just like the rest of our bodies. For myself I now ALWAYS (running or not) wear shoes that are at least a half size bigger than the size I used to wear! They also have no heel, and have wide toe boxes which allow my toes to move. Essentially I live in running shoes 😊 I have been running for over 5 years, and have learned a lot about my feet in that time!

An additional problem is that sizes vary between brands, and even between models! I have running shoes in sizes 7, 7.5, and even 8 😳 because of this.

Your feet move differently when you run, changing the spots inside your shoe that your feet may rub against - in particular your toes will push further towards the fronts of the shoes. But to a large extent the need for a little more roomy shoe comes down to how long you will be running for, because as some of these replies have mentioned, the feet expand somewhat during a run. In warm weather the effect may be exaggerated. Going back to my shoe collection, I have one particular model in a 7 and an 8. The size 7 pair is comfortable for about an hour of running (I did not realise their sizing was on the small side when I bought them), but the size 8 is great for 4 hours plus!

NB I wear Injinji toe socks which take up a little extra room in the toe box, so I am also accounting for that! I recommend them though 😊

You are right to think that if you go up too many sizes you will find that the shoes are too loose around the heels, so it is well worth trying on first. When you get the new ones wear them around the house for a couple of days.

Short answer: it's complicated 😂

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10 in reply to Roadrunner65]

It's very different as feet are all very different!

As you're shopping online start by measuring your feet. Stand on some paper and mark a line behind each heel and at the end of the longest toe on each foot. Measure the longest line for each foot in cms and use the longest measurement as a guide. Add .5cm to this (mine is 24cm so 24.5cm) use this no as your min size. Most big brands have cms available on their size charts (often under Japan). Or ask the retailer to only recommend shoes in sizes within that bracket.

As Abi says many brand sizing varies enormously so keep to the cms guide.

It is worth measuring again from time to time (6 months or so) as our feet will change with different use.

Good luck!! 👍🏻