How many pairs of running shoes do you own? - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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How many pairs of running shoes do you own?

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate
46 Replies

Having run through puddles that went over my trainers this morning, I washed them, put them outside to dry but am sat at work watching the rain falling so they won't get dry today! This made me wondered how many pairs you all own (and how many of those do you use).

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Slowstart profile image
Slowstart
Graduate
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46 Replies
AndyD profile image
AndyDGraduate

3...

Normal road running,

Trail/Off Road running,

Old pair for gym :-)

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to AndyD

Not too many to confess to, I bet someone will get into double figures!! I'm not lucky with shoes, I have one pair I use, and had to give my new trail shoes away after one outing due to bruised toenails!

OldPossum profile image
OldPossum

I'm a beginner so only one pair but I plan to have more - I love shoes!! :-)

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to OldPossum

Oh, a graduation present to yourself maybe? :-)

MarkyD profile image
MarkyDGraduate

4.

Good pair (colour: hyper-crimson and wolf grey)

Old pair (white/yellow)

Trail pair (white/yellow)

Old trail pair (green/grey).

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to MarkyD

That makes sense. I feel another investment coming on.... :-)

RainbowC profile image
RainbowCGraduate

Three: Good pair, trail pair (tiny bit on the small side, so only used in particularly muddy weather), and old pair for anything but running.

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to RainbowC

I was expecting a lot more from everyone! This is all sounding very reasonable.

Slinkyminky profile image
SlinkyminkyGraduate

2 pairs:

My old pair that I started the program with; now used when I do normal stuff at gym

Running pair; my lovely new purple running shoes; very necessary purchase 😆

Also have a pair of trail/walking shoes which I use for walking the dog

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to Slinkyminky

Yes, all very sensible. downgrading the runners when you get a newer pair. So you are still within the normal range!

I dont know, id have to go and count them :D

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to

Oh, this sounds like the start of a confession.........:-)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Three

Old Faithfuls- worn for longer runs... 5K or over

New Old Faithfuls... for short runs... 3 K to 5K

Tigger shoes...now worn for walking after the terrible bouncing incident!!!! :)

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to Oldfloss

As soon as I saw your name, I knew Tiggers would be mentioned......

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to Slowstart

Oops! Sorry... :(

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to Oldfloss

No, I didn't mean it like that! Tiggers make even Eyores smile, and the image of you bouncing along (i'm glad to say) remains with us all. :-)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to Slowstart

..Tee hee..and I just get loopier..☺

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSue

2, both fairly new but plan to try and keep one pair a bit cleaner

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to RunaroundSue

Good luck with that...haha Clean trainers, I wish :-)

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSue in reply to Slowstart

my trainers are dirty! 😃

Shivani05 profile image
Shivani05Graduate

Just the one, bought them early on in the programme and very comfortable with them. Also I run only on the treadmill so no mud ever gets on them, they always look squeaky clean!

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to Shivani05

Now that IS an advantage of running in the gym. I had to give mine a really good clean yesterday as they smelt really bad. The farmer has filled in some deep holes with loose earth and stones which just collapse underfoot, so I had mud and goodness knows what half way up my legs!!

Shivani05 profile image
Shivani05Graduate in reply to Slowstart

Ugh, that does not sound pleasant! Are you planning to get another pair in case something like this happens again?

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to Shivani05

Yes, I think a trail pair would be good, and another road pair later in the year maybe. I ordered a trail pair off the internet but gave them away as they were uncomfortable and bruised my toes! Will have to go to the shops instead.

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate

4

No 1 Nike - now used in the garden

No 2 Brooks - now retired completely as they have too many miles

No 3 Nike again - retired recently but have maybe a few miles left

No 4 Nike - same as no 3's, but gorgeous colour 😊 and my current pair.

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to Irishprincess

Surely 1 & 2 no longer count as running shoes!! This is still very reasonable.

yatesco profile image
yatescoGraduate

1 - my vibrams - what else would you need? :-).

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to yatesco

As expected, you and your vibrams! Do you get commission for advertising yet?? :-)

yatesco profile image
yatescoGraduate in reply to Slowstart

I wish. The other problem is that if people saw how I run I am not sure that would make a positive association with the Vibrams :-)!

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to yatesco

So we will have to wait a bit longer for your barefoot running video? Shame :-(

yatesco profile image
yatescoGraduate in reply to Slowstart

Well, since you asked, I am the third one in: youtube.com/watch?v=LTHzlUQ...

Ullyrunner profile image
UllyrunnerGraduate

Only 3 pairs. One for indoor treadmill ( rarely used) and two pairs for outdoors, one old pair out going and the other new pair wearing in.

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to Ullyrunner

Ully, you've been running for so long, I thought you would have a cupboard full. :-)

Ullyrunner profile image
UllyrunnerGraduate in reply to Slowstart

No. I've been through three pairs so far but only tend to have a couple on the go at once.

You should see the vast pile of running clothes though!

Bazza1234 profile image
Bazza1234Graduate

I now have 13 pairs !!! -- Have been searching for the "perfect" shoes for me :( Got two pairs of Skechers GoRuns this week and a pair of Brooks Pure Cadence - all old models so quite cheap. I think I am now done with buying running shoes!

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to Bazza1234

I hope the new ones turn out to be "perfect". And at last someone has hit double figures, mind you with the number of miles you clock up, you must need lots of options shoe wise.

GoogleMe profile image
GoogleMeGraduate

I was very good and binned my Adizeros (seriously holed) once I'd had my inaugural run with my Brooks Cascadias.

I also have pairs of Vivobarefoot trails, regularly used, and New Balance Minimus trails, not using at the moment. The outer layers of the uppers on the New Balance came apart far too soon after I got them (should really have sent them back). I am not really sure about the support now but more to the point, large volumes of bog get between the layers and become uncomfortable. I have been toying with the idea of letting my Dad loose on them with some shoe glue (he has been known to cut and shut his own running shoes... we are all hoping that after a recent experience when his soles fell off during an event which meant he had to retire he will not do that again)

I very regularly get mine seriously filthy (as in can't see the laces for mud) and am probably a one woman cause of peat bog erosion the amount that goes down my kitchen sink, so I do need more than one pair.

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to GoogleMe

Yes, getting them dry before the next run is a constant battle. Love the idea of your Dad with the super glue. We used to call them "smiling " shoes when the soles come apart as they smile as you walk. :-)

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

I never wash mine. Just dry them and that's it ☺

I still have all the running shoes I have ever bought, except one pair I returned as they got a hole in very quickly. I have 8 pairs but currently only use four for running. When I retire them from running I walk the dog in them or wear them for exercise

I have saucony zealot, saucony kinvara, nike elite and brooks cascadia.

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to misswobble

I HAVE to wash mine otherwise they get so smelly, I say it's mud on them but as I run through cow, sheep and horse fields.................... it's probably best to agree it's mud! :-)

Theziggy profile image
TheziggyGraduate

So we have a winner - is 13 the tops - would a centipede own that many pairs?

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to Theziggy

Ha ha Bazza1234 the centipede...........but I still think there are some people staying very quiet out there!

Zev1963 profile image
Zev1963Graduate

6 :)

Two pairs of Brooks Ghost 7s who have lost their bounce, but do not look at all worn, I keep those for very wet weather. Two pairs of Addidas Glide Boost, which I use most of the time, one pair is almost new and I use occasionally to compare to the main pair to decide if they have deteriorated enough to replace, the main pair of Glide Boost have done about 650km and still feel fine but the mid sole is starting to split a little due to small sharp stones penetrating the soft midsole rubber. I have a pair of Brooks Ghost 7s which I have not yet worn as they are a half size smaller than my normal running shoe size, I'm keeping them in case with weight loss they become the right size :) Lastly I have a pair of Addidas Run Strong which were cheap, and were the runners I bought to begin C25K, they are still in good condition, but I've not worn them since graduating C25K when I bought my first Brooks Ghost 7s.

I love the Addidas Glide Boosts, they don't feel so different from the Brooks Ghosts when both shoes are new, but the Addidas shoes continue to feel just as good after 600km, whereas the Brooks Ghosts loose their bounce long before that.

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate in reply to Zev1963

Apart from when you start picking up injuries, I wondered how you would know when to replace the old faithfuls, having a new version ready and waiting is a great idea. And thanks for the comparison of different brands, it's good to know what works, it can get very confusing in the shop with the sales staff hovering.

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

I walked the dog in my lost-bounce Glycerine this morning. Fine for that purpose so they live to fight another day ☺

I run a horse-poo trail on my runs but side step the worst of it 😊 I don't want to wash my shoes as I hate the thought of disturbing the inners when I have them just-so 😊

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate

Hmmmm, I don't deliberately set out to tread through every item on the path, but sometimes it can't be avoided but now you've made me think of the inners and I'm worrying that I'm ruining my shoes by cleaning them. Another running conundrum. To clean or not to clean. Oh I need a run to clear my head. :-)

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