Running shoes !!

[Girlyswot]

I have an Amazon gift voucher so naturally I am thinking of buying new running shoes. Any thoughts/advice re the relative merits of Asics and Brooks (or any other make for that matter) ?

[AncientMum Graduate]

What ever you choose, make sure you try them on in a running shop before you buy online, just to be sure they're a perfect fit.

[Girlyswot Graduate in reply to AncientMum]

Thanks AncientMum. I got my current Adidas shoes online but as you say, better to try them on properly.

[MarkyD Graduate]

I'd say... ignore the brand for now.

Go to a shop that can do gait analysis, and also have your feet measured. Allow 1 hour for the consultation, and go in your running gear so that they can video you on their treadmill. The assistant will be lovely, I promise and will take the time to get the best shoes for your gait, footshape and your type of running (road, trail, grass, distance....)

Explain that the shoes are going to be purchased for you by <partner, mum, favorite auntie, wellness program at your office.....> and get the full details (brand, colour, model year, size, style). Then purchase them on Amazon with your gift voucher.

If you feel bad/sneaky then purchase something from the running shop - water bottle, running top, Garmin ForeRunner.... (!) Or better, buy the shoes from the running shop - you can take them back if they are not right - and spend your Amazon vouchers on something that you don't need to get 100% right.

[Girlyswot Graduate in reply to MarkyD]

The gait analysis is a good idea. I'm now having some Garmin shaped thoughts re the gift voucher !

[Jase44 Graduate in reply to MarkyD]

I agree with markyD best to get the foot wear 100% right or that's ur running done for. Buy a nice top or tights from Amazon J

[Tomas Graduate]

It's nice to have shops around that will do gait analysis and take the time to give a personalised service. I find it morally wrong to consume their service and then give the business to an internet outfit that offers zero personal service.

[MarkyD Graduate in reply to Tomas]

You're right. Once GirlySwot finds a helpful shop, she'll end up buying from there in the future, rather than online. It is the voucher that complicates things this time.

[Girlyswot Graduate in reply to MarkyD]

I keep meaning to go and have a look a the Humber Runner shop. Very tempted to get a Garmin instead (at least I don't have to try it on) !

[Atalaya Graduate in reply to Girlyswot]

Looks like a good shop which I hadn't heard about before and I'm just over the river.

[Girlyswot Graduate in reply to Tomas]

I was lucky with my existing shoes but fair point re trying them on - personalised service is always good.

[MarkyD Graduate in reply to Girlyswot]

Running shop = shoes

Amazon = Garmin

[Girlyswot Graduate in reply to MarkyD]

That's a very fair point !

[Hidden]

I quite agree, I returned my second pair of shoes to the sports shop today, covered in mud, you don't get that with Amazon...shoes need to be just right, it's worth paying for that service x

[Girlyswot Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Yes, that's true. First pair of trainers (Adidas) were bought online. Now that I have completed c25k, the next pair can be more expensive (at least I now know that I like this running malarkey) !

[hopelessCause in reply to Hidden]

Did they not do an analysis?

[Girlyswot Graduate in reply to hopelessCause]

I bought my running shoes online when I first started C25k. When I bought new Asics gel pulse shoes from Humber Runner recently, they looked the wear pattern on my existing shoes, measured my feet and got me to stand on a heat sensitive pad to see how my footprint looked. Love the new shoes and it is well worth going to a proper running shop (in my case, Humber Runner in Hull).

[hopelessCause in reply to Girlyswot]

Oh, okay. I'm running on ASICS Gel Cumulus trainies I bought a couple of years ago for walking as my left foot has arthritis but they're neutral and I actually don't know if I need a different type. I will definitely get an analysis done before I buy my next, running pair as I have quite enough issues to worry about to not get proper shoes and invite more.

[turnturtle Graduate]

I just LOVE my lightweight Sauconys. After a year plodding in heavy Brooks shoes, they have definitely put wings on my feet!

[Hidden in reply to turnturtle]

That's interesting, I found my Brooks super-light after my Asics...must have a look at those Saucony's

[turnturtle Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Guess it could be down to the model, but my son wears Sa

uconys and swears by them and he's about to do an Ironman!

[Girlyswot Graduate in reply to turnturtle]

Thanks for that, I will definitely investigate further.

[turnturtle Graduate in reply to Girlyswot]

Mine are Saucony Kinvara 5. I guess everyone suits different shoes....

[misswobble Graduate]

Yeah me too! thanks TT! I was looking at some bargain basement Adidas Adizero Boost for my upcoming race. They're on sale for £50 and get top reviews

I think our JuJu likes Saucony's

Asics were too narrow for me. I wanted some of the super-cushy Nimbus and was disappointed that they pinched me.

I have Brooks Cascadias for trail running, which I adore! Nike Pegasus for road running/racing but they'll need replacing soon so I'm on the hunt for new ones.

When you get new shoes Girly be sure to show us a photo!

[Hidden in reply to misswobble]

I got them yesterday Miss W, they are the same style as the old one, Brooks Adrenelin, but they are the men's ones. I took them for a little spin this morning, so far they don't seem to press on my big toe joint, but they are a bit heavy, certainly not magic shoes like the other ones..sigh... I loved those shoes sob...

Pic coming...

[turnturtle Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I had to buy men's shoes in Brooks too Curlygurly. I think the women's are a bit narrow, but I too found they were pretty heavy!

[Hidden in reply to turnturtle]

They are going back to the shop, they are worse than the others!

[Girlyswot Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Thanks Miss W ! Will do !

[groovyforster]

I have a pair of brooks and a pair of nikes. The nikes were actually suggested by a running store. After the y did my gait analysis and discussing the running I was doing, she suggested to go with a full size larger than my normal shoe size. I like both pairs of shoes and am continually taking time off my 5k runs. Hope this helps you. Good luck, keep motivated, and never give up.

[Girlyswot Graduate in reply to groovyforster]

Thank you, I will definitely go and have a gait analysis at Humber Runner ! Interesting re Nikes and Brooks. Good luck with your running !

[Girlyswot Graduate]

Thanks ! Will look out for Newtons.

[MarkyD Graduate]

Hiya KK, I've not heard of Newtons.

Their slogan should be 'May the force be with you'