Not sure if this is allowed...i was wondering on average how much people pay for their specialist running shoes? I am going to have to go and get some gait analysis done due to very painful knees but they only do it in the specialist running shop around here and the reviews say the trainers are very expensive. I am on a very tight budget.
New trainers: Not sure if this is allowed...i... - Couch to 5K
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LUHANGraduate
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AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate
Not really allowed to advertise here on C25K but a gait analysis in a specialist sports shop is usually free and after that they recommend the shoe which is most suitable for you to run in, you can walk out after the analysis by perhaps using the excuse that the price is too high, a three figure sum is usually required.
RealfoodieclubGraduate
Getting new running trainers on a tight budget is tough but there are things you can do to help. Go to a shop that offers free gait analysis, be honest with them, tell them you are going to be saving up for a pair, Have your gait analysis done and ask what sort of shoes you need. Ask if they have any in your price range, if they don’t remember as much information as you can.
You can then use that Information to have a look at sports direct or Decathlon to see if there is any shoes within your price range. Go for the best ones you can afford on your budget. I know you read about expensive trainers on here and most of them are very good but if they are out of your reach go for the ones that will suit you the best. Hopefully you will be a neutral runner and many will suit you. Also look for older versions of the ones they recommend in the shop on amazon they sometimes come up a bit cheaper on there. Good luck. Rfc x
Thank you...I appreciate your advice. I have not felt good enough to go to a running shop for help before so very daunting. Worried i will just look silly.
I wouldn’t worry about this part. I was very upfront in the shop - told the guy I was a nervous novice and he was lovely. Turned out he led C25k groups & we discussed various weeks from our different viewpoints. When I said colour was of no concern, he found me some excellent shoes in the back for considerably less than this year’s price.
And he started me off on my running sock journey - for which he will one day have to answer to my bank manager! 😄
Good luck with your search.
You won’t look silly, most places just want to help new runners. Rfc x
K8nnoGraduate
The important thing to do is to get the gait analysis done at a reputable specialist running shop. After that, the choice is yours. Please don’t feel obliged to purchase the shoes there and then. As has been mentioned you can always get last seasons shoe on the net somewhere.
Thank you. I worry i will feel very pressurised.
I had the opposite in the first shop I went in for gait analysis. They looked at my cheap Aldi ones and said they look alright, then suggested if I wanted new ones I should just look at the shelves to see what I liked. I asked several times for the gait analysis but they wouldn't do it. This was a supposedly reputable company and I was a very new runner so I felt out of my depth. But everyone on here said to get gait analysis so I tried another shop who couldn't have been more welcoming and helpful. The salesman couldn't believe that the other shop was so unhelpful. I sent an email to complain but didn't receive anything in response.
Out of my depth...exactly how I feel.
Before you know it you will be here giving advice. You can learn so much from this forum, and from experience.
If you are not happy with the first shop you try, find another.
Thank you for your support. I will try and remember that when I am struggling
IannodaTruffeMentor
You might find this guide to shoes helpful healthunlocked.com/couchto5... if you haven't already read it.
I have never in my life bought any item of clothing or footwear as expensive as my first pair of shoes bought after a free gait analysis done at Runners Need.............£120!!!!!
Subsequently I have bought the same shoe at half price when they became old stock.
Good shoes are cheaper than a physio.
Good point....thank you.
"Good shoes are cheaper than a physio"
I will make a sticker and put it on the back of my car. And will honk each time l see a runner.
That’s what I do! Who cares if it’s old stock! You just want to run in shoes that keep you running 😉
As others have said, have the gait analysis and take advice.
When I had my gait analysis done I was offered Footbalance insoles which were moulded to my feet. They were about £40 but they can be removed for use in other shoes and boots. I move them between my road shoes and trail (mud) shoes.
I recently forgot to swap them back before running and although I didn't have any problem I could certainly feel the difference the next time I ran with them back in.
I felt they were well worth the money and they are still going strong nearly 3 years later.
At the same time I bought my first proper pair of running shoes and the salesperson was really helpful, he didn't get the most expensive ones out, just brought out a selection for me to try. He must have got it right because I have just bought a third pair of the same shoes. My first pair are now everyday walking about trainers, so comfortable.
Oh yes, never buy this year's colours! There was a difference of nearly £40 by choosing an older version of my latest shoes!
Thank you! I appreciate your reply
Tasha99Graduate
First gait analysis you’re looking at £130. After that you can buy the same style online for cheaper.
Not necessarily. Mine were £65. He matched it to their online price. And suggested that I didn't choose the latest colour
backintimeGraduate
Whatever you buy we want photos : )
If you know what type of shoe you need Decathlon are often a reasonable option. Or Sports Direct online.
Thank you. Just have to build up the courage to go now!
Go with a friend ?
Good idea. Thank you x
Bluepup1Graduate
I’m also on a budget, so when I went for gait analysis I was upfront and told the guy, he said not a problem, explained the cost of the analysis and would be free if I bought trainers (which I get), showed me the trainers and costs and asked if I wanted to proceed.
I went ahead, and settled (as it happened), on an older style and the lad’s 2nd recommendation, which, to be fair was my choice and a bit more expensive than the lad originally suggested (which just didn’t feel right to me)
I’m lucky that my gait is neutral and starting to save towards a new pair, so now I can take my time, shop around and get the best I can afford from ‘anywhere’. Like with a lot of things the initial cost is the most expensive but in terms of comfort, durability and safety well worth the extra 🤗 x
Thankyou for your reply. I think your advice about being up front is the way to go.
Yes. If you go to an independent store, you get a friendly, knowledgeable person. They are on your side. They will thank you if you can be honest about your budget. Since it is an independent store they can be flexible on price, probably don’t get paid on commission (one of the stores mentioned above will make 2x the commission if you buy Karrimor trainers) and will have last years model in the back of the store at a considerable discount. And they know that if they are helpful, you’ll keep coming back.
YW!
If I’m looking to buy something expensive, whatever shop I’m in I’ll try and pick out a friendly person, tell them I’m on a budget/recce mission and go from there. That way, you are taking control and letting the staff know you can’t or won’t be pushed (your setting the boundaries if you like). Its surprising how helpful staff can be too.
I find using this approach is likely to get you (at least) closer to your ideal without getting staffs backs up, and they may be able to give some discount (voluntarily or by asking). Doesn’t always work as I suppose it depends on store policy etc but worth trying imo - a sale is better than no sale?! 🤗 x
Dexy5Graduate
My specialist running shop charges £25 for the gait analysis if you don’t buy shoes from them. Given they spent 45 minutes on helping me , I thought that was pretty good. I did buy shoes from them though, so it was free.
misswobbleGraduate
You don’t have to spend a lot Last year’s models, or even further back 😃. Unpopular colours can be much cheaper. My best bargain was Kinvara’s for £28
Karrimor tempo from Sportsdirect are inexpensive
Try them on ! That’s the most important thing 😃
Thank you x
GoogleMeGraduate
Bear in mind that if you are running off road, gait analysis is irrelevant to your choice of trail running shoe. Just another reason to run offroad if you possibly can, besides your knees (worth spending *time* on exercises to support your knees).
The most expensive pair of running shoes I ever owned were also the absolute worst (and yes, I had gait analysis when buying them!) Fortunately this was from Sweatshop *before* they were owned by Sports Direct and they had an excellent exchange policy (sadly no longer) and I had a good pair from them after that. The duff ones were fine running round in the shop.
Worth joining your local Freegle/Freecycle and asking there. And you might find something in a charity shop/Oxfam online (free returns on the latter)
Biddy62Graduate
I’ve bought older versions of my favourite Brooks shoes from SportsShoes.Com at less than half the price of the up to date models. They do all makes. But make sure you do get gait analysis done. Lots of good advice above. Good luck and yes do let us know what you get. We love new shoes on here!! 😜
mrrunGraduate
I'd pay whatever they ask for. If they are good at their job.
Ok, let me clarify. I initially (when l started running) paid very little for some trainers from a shop that sold them cheaply. I thought l'd got myself a cracking deal. I didn't even bother with insoles (extra tenner). Not long afterwards, into my second week of running, l experienced issues with a knee which soon developed into something more sinister and once l got properly injured, and my knee resembled a balloon, l needed help. Fast forward through the chain of events: no running for two months + physio + osteopath + sometime off work coz l walked like a harlequin = way more money than l spent afterwards on gait analysis and a pair of shoes that fitted me like a silk sock in Heaven. In nearly three years since, I haven't experienced any issues that exploded so quickly and easily through poor shoes and no insoles (I had them custom cut, every penny is now worth its weight in platinum). For me it's worked out as high interest savings, basically. 
My local sweat shop do runs they give you freebies like tech top, foam roller, nutrition pack and £100 to use on a lair of trainers after so many times.
I would say yes spending a three figure sum would probably happen but I really like the Nike air vapour max for running no cushioning like it. The recesses in the trainer make stepping in poo 💩 a pain in the arse, no pun intended.
But like anything a quick search online will find half price trainers. I did this and the quality kinda matches the price.
Yuk! Luckily havent suffered the trauma of poo yet! Mmn..i will have a look into that. Not sure if we have a shop like that around here. Sounds good though. Thankyou
I've just bought a decent pair on Ebay, nearly new, Goretex too for £22. Check it out. xxxx
Ooh thank you! That's a bargain !! Xxx
QueenBolsGraduate
I’d get the gait analysis done but there is usually no obligation to purchase. Use the information to search web to purchase the shoes you need which is often cheaper than in store..... keep an eye out for past season trainers (ie. 2017 instead of 2019) for the ones you need, you’ll often get this at a significantly knocked down price....
Good luck!
Sillybilly1Graduate
Definitely get your gait analysis done, and like others say, be upfront about your budget, also mention that you have no intention of “buying today”. Most running retailers will be helpful as you are a potential new customer. They will probably offer you a few choices to try on....and you will know straight away which one “fits”....good luck and show us some photos when you get them!
Thank you! I will let you know!
PrecentrixGraduate
I did a quick wet foot test and decided that I was fairly neutral. Then I went on Amazon and bought some shoes for £25. They're Underarmour and we're originally way more £££, but are last year's model, and they're a mad colour, and I wear a half size. There is no specialist shop here, fwiw.
I also bought some cheapish trail shoes after completing week 5, as there's a lovely off road route nearby that I'd love to tackle regularly once I can do the hills a bit better. And I hike, so they'd potentially get used in summer for that if I don't run in them. Those were like £30.
I went to a sports shop who offered to do that test for me. I have lots of off road trails near me too....will have a look at trail shoes once I find what type of trainers I need. Thank you x
We have a designer centre near us that has a specialist running shop. They do free gait analysis and have some great bargains to boot, some more brightly coloured than others. As a result I've only ever paid £35-£60 for a pair. They also do great running socks - three for the price of two. Double winner!
Do you mean like an outlet centre? I had never thought of looking at one of those...thanks!
Yes indeed. Our closest is in Braintree, Essex but they are all over I think. The running shop is an Asics, and they have some great bargains. Best of luck with your search for new trainers... I'm sure you'll notice the difference straight away.
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