Running shoes: So how much are people spending... - Couch to 5K

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Running shoes

Hotfoot365 profile image
40 Replies

So how much are people spending?

I’ve just completed week 1 in gym type trainers and don’t think think they are helping much?

How much have you guys / girls spent?

I know you can spend well over £100 but I’m going through separation and money is tight 😩

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Hotfoot365 profile image
Hotfoot365
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40 Replies
AliK0871 profile image
AliK0871Graduate

Go for gait analysis first and once you know the type of shoes you need shop around SportShoes.com is very good. My shoes were £60 and in the shop they were £90

I had the same problem today. I was advised to have a Gait Analysis and went to a Runners Need store. The CHEAPEST men's shoe they had was £125!! I walked out and have now ordered myself a £50 pair of Asics. If I complete the programme and decide to carry on I may invest in something more expensive but I'm not prepared to invest that kind of money in what may become a (rather ugly) fashion accessory if it comes crashing down

mrrun profile image
mrrunGraduate in reply to

Bad shoe is a certain injury that ultimately costs more than a good shoe. If you want to carry on running, that is.

in reply tomrrun

So you're basically saying that running is a pastime for the wealthy. Rather at odds with the advice from health professionals.

mrrun profile image
mrrunGraduate in reply to

No, that's not what I'm saying, and I'm far from wealthy. I took up running to improve my health and decided to buy some shoes on the cheap to save up. That caused injuries to my knee and ankle and months of treatment by a physio who l had to pay for because of a long waiting list through the NHS. Once healed l forked out for some good shoes and for a while l've had no injuries whatsoever.

Put it this way - inadequate shoes nearly stopped me from running when l was struggling to string a few minutes without stopping. Good shoes have helped me reach a half marathon target .

Your choice ;)

in reply tomrrun

Ok. So what's the solution for those who want to run but don't have a spare £100+? Help me out here...

in reply tomrrun

Here we go. I've found a pair of Asics running shoes for £25.

mandmdirect.com/01/details/...

Asics also make shoes at £150+ so one assumes they are good quality. They are marketed as Running Shoes so why not buy them?

mrrun profile image
mrrunGraduate in reply to

Price and make of your shoes have got nothing to do with how they fit. When l did gait analysis none of the top range models were any good for me. The ones that did where asics for around £85. You won't find out before you see a specialist shop.

Cwtch2018 profile image
Cwtch2018Graduate

I got a pair of Adidas memory foam soles - I tried a few different trainers on but as soon as I put them on I knew - they were comfy straight away - kinds hugged my soles - money is tight here too - mine were£28 in sports direct X

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

End of year sales... colours no one wants or old styles...But.. next to you... the shoes are your best asset... I wear Adidas... road shoes and trail shoes for off road... all sale price and great colours.. suit me and I would not swap! All under £50

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

You may find this helpful healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Do also follow the link about gait analysis.

Good shoes are cheaper than a physio.

mrrun profile image
mrrunGraduate in reply toIannodaTruffe

Oh god, yes they are...

Abaggs profile image
AbaggsGraduate

I went for gait analysis and spent £100! I was not expecting to spend so much but they are amazing. He exp!aimed now many miles they should last, which is loads when only doing 5k, he also had loads of advice. I would have had to pay for the analysis if didn't buy anything. I also bought some great running trainer socks, cheap off Amazon!

Rumour profile image
RumourGraduate

We bought the right shoes. When running, without the correct fitment and any adjustment for pronation, there is a danger of injury or damage to the joints. We also bought shaped insoles that can be used in any like sized shoe. Yes it was more expensive that most want to spend, but the Adidas Ultra Boost shoe is awesome.

The difference between the Ultra boost and what I call "fashion trainers" is marked and well worth the gait analysis, insoles and shoes and the cost. Threw the fashion trainers away. Best advice I can give is to buy the best you can afford. Then spend a little more. Insoles are not necessary, but certainly make a difference.

Superstarnewbie profile image
SuperstarnewbieGraduate in reply toRumour

I too bought Ultra Boost, which inner soles to you use and what are benefits?

Rumour profile image
RumourGraduate in reply toSuperstarnewbie

We bought from Sweatshop and as with lots of places that do good running kit, they do a sole that you have shaped to your foot. They are expensive, but do last around about 1000 miles of running. They are done while you wait (they need your feet!) and the difference in support is great. They enhance the Ultra Boost comfort. Find a Sweatshop near you and ask the question. :-)

PMakin profile image
PMakinGraduate

Hi, I tried to take up running a few years ago and used my gym trainers - bad mistake! Suffered with knee/ankle/shin pain and gave up. As I have a "larger frame around the midsection" I decided to get gait analysis this time round at Up and Running and it highlighted a need for more reinforcement on the inside of my step. I paid £120 for a pair of Saucony running shoes which I know I could have got around £20 cheaper online but I wanted the gait analysis to avoid making the same mistake again.

In a nutshell, definitely get gait analysis (you might need to pay if not buying trainers) then see if either the shop can get you a pair within budget or take your gait analysis and buy a pair online.

Good luck!

WalkingWithLabradors profile image
WalkingWithLabradorsGraduate

My OH bought me my recommended £100 + running shoes after my gait analysis from a specialist shop. He said that I was investing in my future health and was seeing results so he wanted to show me he appreciated how well I’d done. It is worth getting the right kit to avoid later injury.

I spent £20 in sports direct, Slazenger memory foam, light and breathable fabric. My old trainers had a hard sole but new ones are really flexible. Got mine in the sale too! Single parent = savvy shopper. I bought men's because they always charge more for women's, plus I am a size 7!

Nictwit profile image
NictwitGraduate in reply to

You have to be a bit careful of that, I found out the other day that the men's and women's are different shapes due to the way our feet are built differently. Baffling but apparently true!

in reply toNictwit

No worries, I have big, wide, hairy man feet! 😂😂

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate in reply to

I’m size 9! You’re fine!

in reply toTasha99

I am a US size 9, UK 7 😊

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate in reply to

But I’m 9 UK 😂

Amandana profile image
Amandana in reply to

I agree Mel!!

If you're a woman with wide feet, buying men's (or boy's if you've got smaller feet) is a great way to increase your selection. There are usually only a few to choose from in a wider width. I do this with winter snow boots, as I can fit into the largest boy's size, which are generally far more waterproof and about half the price of similar looking women's boots - which are really difficult to find in wide widths. Here where I live in Canada, children's clothing/shoes are subject to less tax as well.

homlyme profile image
homlyme

have trained and run marathons previously in life and regularly paid over £100 20yrs ago but now do 1hrs jog per day and find that paying about £50 is suitable look out for discounted last years colours on some lines unless you want to look super cool, you need to buy proper running shoes as they cushion you from injuries such as shin splints hope this helps

JulesG1 profile image
JulesG1Graduate

I spend a lot because I have problem feet but the best bet is to go to your local running shop and get an assessment (on a treadmill). If you have a normal gait comfy shoes will be fine at any price. I go a size up so my toes don’t touch the front of my shoes running downhill. You need at least a thumb width of space between your big toe and the end of the shoe, if you don’t want your toenails injured as you increase your distance. I get my shoes from amazon, now I know what I am looking for. Good luck.

HeleneCorsa profile image
HeleneCorsaGraduate

It's definitely worth getting the right shoes.

Yes, it's costly, but I agree with the first poster - if necessary get your gait analysis done then see if you can find the same model on line at a better price. There are some great options on line - SportsShoes . com is very good, as is misterrunning . com. Often previous season's models, which may be ideal for you, are significantly cheaper. Also when you go for your analysis, explain your budget to them. Honestly, it is worth doing this properly.

Camalota profile image
CamalotaGraduate

I paid about £100, didnt buy until the end of week 3 as I felt that I was then likely to continue. Had gait analysis done and it was well worth it, my R foot in particular was rolling markedly to the outside. I tried on several pairs and although they all do the same job they all felt quite different, eventually settled for a pair of New Balance. My knees and ankles no longer ache after running. I would probably buy online next time now I know which type of trainer I prefer and so get them cheaper

Ajay99 profile image
Ajay99Graduate in reply toCamalota

Did your new balance shoes do the job? My right foot rolls to the right (much more than left) - I thought I might have to get special insoles custom made

Teweybear profile image
Teweybear in reply toCamalota

Do you find New Balance are pretty true to size?

Hotfoot365 profile image
Hotfoot365

Thanks for all the advice. Think I’ll do one more week to ensure I’m gonna stick with it and then invest in a proper pair 👍

Sheytan profile image
Sheytan

My shoes was around 189,43US$ and i also bought insoles molded for my feet.

My knees wouldn't have lasted i had bought cheap running shoes without gait analysis, my foot strike is overpronation.

Before gait analysis my knees started to hurt after five weeks of running

runningphobe_no_more profile image
runningphobe_no_moreGraduate

I bought proper running shoes with gait analysis and in a sale after Week 1 Run 1. I didn't buy any other specialist gear until after I graduated and then only a bit at a time. I bought "Marathon" standard shoes because I was already 60 with a family history of hip and knee problems, and I haven't regretted it. They also last a long time when you're only running 3 times a week.

runningphobe_no_more profile image
runningphobe_no_moreGraduate

The shoes, that is, the jury's still out on the hips :)

Hotfoot365 profile image
Hotfoot365 in reply torunningphobe_no_more

Wow! So marathon class are what cost? Is cocaine cheaper? 😂😂

runningphobe_no_more profile image
runningphobe_no_moreGraduate

I think they were £60 (reduced from 80 something as they were old stock.... The "marathon" bit was only about how much squish there was in the soles. I'm still using them four years later

Hotfoot365 profile image
Hotfoot365 in reply torunningphobe_no_more

Ah right I see 👍

johnm12 profile image
johnm12Graduate

I did the first 4 weeks on some sketchers trainers I had for years. Decided I liked running went to local sports shop, fast feet in bishops stortford. Afy2er trying various trainers he sold me a pair of last season's saucony for £70. Running on proper shoes got me even more motivated.

The good advice from a long time runner was invaluable

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate

I spent £50 on some Nike downshifters. They are so comfy! Fine for C25k which I just completed.

m.jdsports.co.uk/product/gr...

Might get a gait analysis if I get up towards 10k though.

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