Bamboozled by new trainers

[Susieq174]

W2R3 was nothing to write home about but it's done. I need to buy some running trainers now I think as I'm currently running in my adidas high tops which are half a size too small! The thing is I think I want a pair of asics but the local sports shops don't stock them. I've looked online but there's so many to chose from! My friend recommended a running shop to go get my gait analysed but I'm afraid they will try and get me buying really expensive trainers that I can't afford. What do I do??? 😩Help!

[AnnieW55]

You go to a reputable sports shop and tell them what you are looking for and what your budget is. A good place will analyse the way you run, probably on a treadmill which is nothing to be worried about as it is only for a short time just to see how your feet, ankles and legs move.

It's fine to have a brand in mind but be open as it may be that they don't actually feel right. You should try several different brands/styles. Often older styles and unpopular colours are available cheaper.

A reputable shop will also often take your shoes back if they are not right when using them - or will exchange for others with a discount.

If you do find some shoes you like but they don't have your size in stock then you could look on line for them.

Good luck in finding "The Ones"😀 . And don't forget to post a picture of your new beauties as it is the number 2 rule around here. Number 1 being Go slow, then slower still and then maybe a bit slower.

[Susieq174 Graduate in reply to AnnieW55]

Thankyou so much for the advice! Looks like I'll be heading to the running shop then. I'm prepared to buy their most lurid unpopular pair as long as they're comfy, cheap and fit me! Will post a pic when I mange to get some 😊

[AnnieW55 in reply to Susieq174]

I'll get my sunglasses ready 😄

Also unless you know you have some foot problems you should not need any insoles that one sports shop I know of usually tries to sell you (at around £40)

And don't be surprised to find your self buying a size larger than your normal size - that is the norm.

[Hidden]

Any good running shop will do gait analysis and work out the right shoes for you. They are not cheap but cheaper than loads of physio to sort out injuries. I said I needed the cheapest they had and they seemed fine with that. I know some people get this then go and buy the recommended pair cheaper on line. Not very ethical but still better than injury.

[Susieq174 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou! I don't have the cheek to let them find me a pair of trainers and then go buy them online as much as I'd like to. Will explain that I'm a newby runner with no money and hopefully they can match me up with a pair! 😊

[J9_54 Graduate]

Go to a specialist running shop. Get your gait analysed and listen to their advice. Try all the different models they recommend on and test them out in the shop to see which you prefer. You don't have to buy the trainers there if you really don't want to. In my experience of Up and Running they put no pressure on me at all. The ones I bought were not cheap but I have to say they are like running on clouds so are worth every penny I spent. Their shops also give you a 10% discount if you take a ParkRun barcode with you. I used to pay £40 per month gym membership that I never used so compared to that my trainers are an investment that have paid for themselves already. Show us a piccy when you've got them.

Happy shopping

[Susieq174 Graduate in reply to J9_54]

Yeah that's how I'm trying to think of it...as an investment 😊 I will visit the shop my friend recommended and let you know how I get on!

[linney1]

Hi I bought a pair from JD sports today Nike running trainers,was £53 down to £37 with 30%off 😀 a pic of then are on my profile page x

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to linney1]

Yes cheap, but are they appropriate for your gait and running style.

[Susieq174 Graduate in reply to linney1]

Ooh I will have a look now 👀😊

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

The correct running shoes bought after gait analysis, are the best investment you can make in your health and fitness.

[Susieq174 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Well that's what I thought too! Let's hope the shop can sort me out with some good uns in my budget 😊

[Midriff_Crisis Graduate]

I don't think you can easily buy trainers online, unless you're just replacing a pair like-for-like. Alot of brands don't fit true to size and even if you think an extra half size will be enough for your tootsies, it may not be. I'm a 9 / 9 and a half and the new balance trainers I bought are actually 11s!

Make friends with you're local running shop and I'm sure they'll look after you.

[AnnieW55 in reply to Midriff_Crisis]

Love your user name!

[Susieq174 Graduate in reply to Midriff_Crisis]

Yeah that's the downside to buying online is that you've no idea how anything is going to fit! And I hate returning stuff. Off to the shop it is 😊

[misswobble Graduate]

You can have your gait done and then ask to see older models as well, which will be significantly cheaper

Good luck!

[Millsie-J Graduate]

So my latest new shoes buying went like this:

Check gait....no change...still over pronate

Check width.....still require wide fit..... that means fewer women’s models to choose from😞

Check size....tried loads on, ended up with one and half size bigger for my road shoe, TWO sizes bigger for my trail shoes.

Check heel to toe drop .........I need at least 10mm due to past plantar issues.

Check arch fit and comfort

Check for any slippage etc.

Walk around shop for ten minutes to check overall comfort

At this point I had:

- one pair of trail shoes that fit perfectly........men’s because of the width required.

- two pairs of road shoes to choose from.

So make and colour of shoe at no point entered the equation.

Because of my particular needs I cannot always get sale shoes ( rarely ever do), But my local specialist shop gave my 20% off the full price because I was buying two pairs. If I had bought one pair they were happy to give my 10% off. I’m happy at that.

Took my trail shoes for a run as soon as I got back.......they need mud on them to be real trail I understand🤣😉