Good trainers needed

[SunnyAnnie]

My trusty trainers are developing holes. Has anyone got any recommendations for a replacement? Not too expensive, but good for running indoors and outdoors. I'm just embarking on Week 8, so long runs.

[Rob_and_his_westie Graduate]

Hello Annie. Well done on getting to week 8. You're nearly there and that means your time on the road is increasing now. Your running shoes are the most important piece of kit you possess, particularly if you intend to keep running regularly.

In my view its not the brand that matters, so I won't be directly recommending the obvious candidates. The best thing you can do is get yourself along to one of the specialist running shops and let them suggest some footwear appropriate to you. The better shops have treadmills where they video your style. I went to Runnersneed - there are others - and they clearly showed that I had a particular tendency when I run, which the right pair of shoes would correct. Those shoes weren't inexpensive in absolute terms, but I maintain that it was the best investment I've made so far and I finally retired those shoes some 850km later - so I certainly got value for money from them.

Look after your feet - they're very important!

[CKC1 Graduate]

I would highly recommend going to a running shop and getting properly fitted for new trainers - the correct trainers will definitely help you avoid injury as you increase your running. Most places will have a range of prices too, so it doesn't necessarily have to be expensive.

My first proper pair were Nike structure 17, as I have some pronation. I got them in my local running shop - the staff were great and the shoes have made a HUGE difference to my running. However, I recently found the same shoes very cheaply in a Nike outlet on holiday so I have my next pair already waiting!

Good luck with week 8!

[GoogleMe Graduate]

And again with the recommendation to visit a specialist shop in person. None of us can really recommend a shoe for *you*

Because I was looking for trail shoes, the gait analysis wasn't especially relevant - sounds as though for you it will be. The first shoes I bought, despite trotting around the shop in them and thinking they were great, were not right at all in actual use - my knees knocked together. But I was able to take them back and exchange them, still muddy and I love the shoes I got then (Adizero XT4). Currently facing your situation as they are (two years on) starting to get just a bit too full of holes. I have an alternate pair (Vivo Barefoot Trails) which I bought very cheaply but I am finding that using them too many runs in succession may not be working optimally for me at least not on the harder surfaces. My main shoes were a lot of money for me but on a per use (and no injuries) basis, they have worked out at good value.

The Runners World magazine website has quite a nice feature where you put in a shoe that is working for you and it suggests similar ones.

[Mummytotwo Graduate]

I cannot stress enough the importance of getting a gait analysis done. I was having knee trouble until I had mine done. Turns out that I over pronate so need a support shoe. Now no knee pain! My current ones are Brooks

[snoozylou Graduate]

the best thing I ever did was to get my gait analysed!! It made shoe buying a lot of fun to! I got to run up and down the street in trainers to try them out before I decided (at one point a different shoe on each foot!). I also got advice about size as well which has made a huge difference and I now have shoes a size bigger and I feel a lot more comfortable! there is usually no obligation to buy and you can always ask for the cheapest option. I spent £90 on mine which is a lot more than I would usually pay but I use them a lot and I deserve it!

[bromatt Graduate]

+1 for gait analysis. Any good running store will advise you. You'll find some shoes are naturally better for different styles - I am pretty neutral so could pick anything I wanted and managed to get some Sauconys that where heavily reduced, the wife on the otherhand had to get some rather expensive Asic's and then innersoles to help her - ended up costing twice the amount of mine.

It really is a investment.

Matt

[IndieWaif Graduate]

Another recommendation for gait analysis here! I was getting shin splints from running in the wrong shoes untill I went down to runners need and found out I over pronate.

[misswobble Graduate]

Horses for courses, indoors shoes for indoors and outdoor shoes for trail and road. So, that's 3 pairs! You can never have too many pairs of shoes can you

I was at a race last weekend and there was a running shoe stall. The ones on sale are the ones that go back to the shop as the running shops all offer a guarantee that if your shoe is not suitable for whatever reason they will take them back. There were loads of lovely shoes, all at knock-down prices. I had to avert my eyes.

[Theziggy Graduate]

How much is gait analysis? Anyhow there are no places anywhere near where I live that offer it - I also saw this article championseverywhere.com/why... - whether it is valid or notm thought it could to throw among the pigeons. I do know about the wet paper test - is it any good?

[mossy1 Graduate in reply to Theziggy]

Hi. Usually free if you are buying shoes but I have seen posts where folks have been charged if going for this service only, never come across that myself though. I live in a rural area so had to travel to get mine done but we'll worth it and I now know what shoes work for me so got my next pair on a special offer so have them waiting or as back up if mine get wet. Not sure how reliable the wet paper test is as you are standing still to do this and gait analysis includes your foot movement when running

[Vixchile Graduate in reply to Theziggy]

I did the wet paper analysis when I recently got mine, I would not recommend you do it! I didn't have the option to get a gait analysis done in chile so I just did this. Well my first run my calves were sore I put this down to my race and walk, then my insoles gave me huge angry blisters, I had to put my old insoles into my new trainers. They are now ok but if I could get some advice I would happily get it for the right shoe rather than researching, guessing and hoping for the best. I think I have just been very lucky but the guy even said that if you have too much support in your trainer that you can do more damage to yourself so why risk it? Then like people say once you know what trainer you need you can look out for cheaper pairs who doesn't like a bargain ?

[Kellywillow Graduate]

I haven't done the gait analysis but got some good advice from my local Nike outlet store and managed to get a pair for under £20!!! (They were marked at an extra 30% off.) Lovely and comfy for me. If you know exactly what sort of shoe you need an outlet store may have what you need at a good price. Hubby also got himself a replacement pair of shoes at a discount - he has had gait analysis done in the past so knows exactly what model of shoe he needs (for him Nike Air Pegasus) so the outlet store is a good choice for him.

[BloomingEck]

I had gait analysis a couple of weeks ago at upandrunning. They were very thorough and helpful and I was video-d running in a few pairs. The ones I bought were Asics gel, and I did pay more for them than I would have done on the internet, but figured it was worth it for the advice, if it saves me injuries. Good luck!

[helingmic]

I don't have trainers as such. I have good leather (waterproof) shoes. I use them at the gym.

another peice of advice that I saw si that the ordinary Plimsoles which are flexible, yet light are enough at least for the gym.

I read awful reviews about the latest fashion with minimalist shoes and shoes which are fully padded and have special "bounce" quality and so on. These are too expensive and do not do any good to our normal foot which needs firmness. Blisters develop because of badly fitted shoes which are too narrow or too loose. Yes, you have to choose the shoe that fits you, and is comfortable, that is important. We do need protection against stones, spiky bits, rain, mud, etc. We don't need to mollycoddle our feet! I hope this helps.

[AncientMum Graduate]

If at all possible, have gait analysis and buy your shoes at a shop that offers a guarantee. Then go out and run your socks off for a few days and see how your toes, feet, ankles, knees, calves, hips and back feel. If you've got the right shoes, they'll all feel fine. If you haven't, then something will hurt or ache. In that case, exercise your rights under the guarantee and go back and swap them. Win, win

[Colin-H Graduate]

Running shoes are the one thing not to skimp on. Go to a decent shop, not a low cost one where the staff have no idea. Decathlon use a treadmill to analyze your running style if you have a loyalty card.

[jzane Graduate]

Gait analysis is it done at places like JD sports? I live in a fair sized town never heard of running shops

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2 bits of advice ~ have a gait analysis done, and buy last years model shoes. They are just as good as the new ones (generally) and they are much cheaper.