Is there any way of getting cheaper running shoes?

[Dolphin-Girl]

I was looking at the posts here and the links explaining about gait analysis, why it's important, and running shoes. I do need a pair. I know not to just buy as the pair of sketchers trainers I have I can't run in.

All the shops that offer gait analysis the trainers verge on at least £100. And I think trail running ones are more expensive. I don't run on proper trails per se, but I'm not running on the road at all. Maybe a couple minutes on the road.

I just don't have a hundred or more to spend on running shoes at the moment... ideally I was hoping to spend 30, reading up on it, I know that's not realistic.

I'm hoping to keep running after starting week 8 yesterday (although I've been in a funk the past couple weeks).

Any thoughts/suggestions/ideas?

What do you do?

Thanks!

[Sleagirl19]

I’m in the same boat re-shoes. Further behind you on the C25k

[Dolphin-Girl in reply to Sleagirl19]

Look at the comments below

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

There is absolutely NO need to spend more than £60 ... and as a beginner, you can definitely find more than decent shoes in the £30-50 bracket, so don't worry.

But you need to get out of the house and try some on. The best non-running shops to try are DW Sports (who do gait analysis), SportsDirect, Decathlon and John Lewis.

and online, have a look at Amazon and StartFitness.co.uk (especially their MoreMile range) and SportsShoes.com - the last 2 are excellent retailers and always have good offers on well known brands.

Top tips:

- buy for COMFORT not style

- try lots on (and then shop around for price)

- go for at least half a size up from your normal shoe and probably 1 whole size bigger - don't be afraid of having an unusual amount of room around your toes

- stick to your budget

Hope that helps

John

cc Sleagirl19

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Here you go... shoes in the £15-45 bracket:

startfitness.co.uk/running/...

[Dolphin-Girl in reply to John_W]

Thank you!!! I'll have to wait until more shops open to try on. I'm glad to hear this... the bigger size seems to be the most important as the trainers I have I can't wear (they're new, expensive, but when wearing too small...)

[Twinkle2 Graduate in reply to John_W]

Thank you for posting this link John_W. I ordered some Brooks Ghost 12 from them yesterday and they arrived today. Fabulous service and good price.

[Ant50 Graduate in reply to Twinkle2]

I’ve been running in Ghost 12’s for the last six months or so and love them, comfortable and wearing well. Enjoy them !

[Sedge Graduate]

runnersworld.com/uk/gear/sh...

I started a few weeks ago, and the trainers I were using were destroying my feet. I had to bite the bullet and hope that something I could find on the internet would do. I found the above article, and although I couldn't find the Contend 5s, I managed to find the newer Contend 6 for just over £40 on amazon.

They feel like slippers!

Once I am running further, I will probably get my gait analysed etc and pay more then, but I don't see the need whilst I am only running shorter distances.

See you at the finish line....

[Dolphin-Girl in reply to Sedge]

Thank you!!!! Yeah, when we're running for longer still it may be more important...

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

In my experience you get what you pay for.

I have had a couple of pairs of Karrimor trail shoes and the quality and durability is poor.......my last ones had a sole delaminating within about six months, which might not sound bad but because I have several pairs of shoes these had only been on about ten runs........very poor value compared to my Brooks GTS15s which are still usable five years after I first bought them, although again, they get less use now they are beyond their best.

It is definitely possible to get top of the range shoes at half price when they become last years model, as mentioned in the FAQ post about shoes healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Dolphin-Girl in reply to IannodaTruffe]

I read the post. It may not last as long, but I just don't have the money to spend at the moment. I was thinking of getting a gait analysis either way because then can know which style to buy. Waiting for more shops to open...

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Dolphin-Girl]

If you run off-road then trail shoes will do the job and they are nearly all neutral, so require no gait analysis.

[Dolphin-Girl in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Oh, that's really good to know. Thank you!! Do you know how you know which are trail shoes, or do you have to ask the people who work there?

I run off road, but they're not real 'trails'. They're pretty much flat, if rocky.

[MarkyD Graduate in reply to Dolphin-Girl]

Trail shoes tend to have more “open” weave material to let the water out; more & larger cleats on the sole (“outdoor tread”); much less support and impact-reducing gels (a trail is more forgiving than road); and are not built with pronation in mind “neutral”.

[Dolphin-Girl in reply to MarkyD]

Thanks Mark

[melly4012 Graduate]

I know it seems a big expense and if you just can't justify the outlay at the moment then that's fair enough. Perhaps you could wait for a birthday or celebration or something? My running watch and shoes were a graduation present to myself with birthday money! But I found a pair of shoes I liked after having a gait analysis in a running shop which happened to be last season's style (often cheaper) then went on the internet and found them 20 quid cheaper than in the shop. They were still £84 which sounds a lot but they have lasted me 4 years and over 500km! Running is free - no membership or sign up fees, so decent kit is the only expense. Decent shoes have probably also saved me from injury as my first ankle injury was caused by naff shoes. Some people I think are fine with any old shoes but I wouldn't be without mine (although I'm starting to look for my next new pair now and very sad to say goodbye to my old friends). I'd say it's definitely worth saving up for a pair, even if you can't afford them now. Sometimes you can pick up very decent running shoes second hand hardly worn from ebay, etc, so keep an eye out just in case!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to melly4012]

I agree with you.

Once you are a committed runner the expense does not seem so outlandish, but a pair of £129 running shoes are still the most expensive item of clothing/footwear that I have ever bought.........no regrets though.

[Mumpark Graduate]

Running shoes are expensive.

sportsshoes.com you can do online gait analysis and they also have a bit where you can submit a video ( I haven’t done it myself )

Their shoes are very competitively priced and they do price match I have done that.

And they have previous season styles.

Hope this helps.

I don’t work for them just used them a lot over the past 11 years.

[Dolphin-Girl in reply to Mumpark]

Thank you! I'll check them out

[Maddie82 Graduate]

If anyone has a Vitality membership (I have mine through work so worth checking) they have some great discounts. I got 50% off a pair of Brooks Ghost running shoes with Runners need.

I didn’t have any real issue with my £30 Reeboks but I knew that if I was going to keep running I needed to invest. I looked at it that it might also help prevent an injury so if you were riding a bike you’d buy a helmet right?

For now I did the standard online gait analysis and I will get that checked at a shop as soon as convenient.

I was a bit cautious on my first run with them but I have to say they are so light and comfortable. I don’t think I have ever had a pair of trainers or shoes that haven’t rubbed a little at first.

I am sometimes tempted to wear them when not running

[Dolphin-Girl in reply to Maddie82]

Thanks for sharing Maddie. When I have enough money I can buy more expensive ones....