Affordable good quality running shoes

I have recently started running again and i am trying to train for the princess half marathon. I have been wearing Nike free run and my knees are killing me. Can anyone recommend a good pair of running shoes that aren't going to set me back $200. :scared1:

The Free is an OK running shoe IF you are running correctly. Many of us tend to heel strike which is when you need a padded shoe. Look up Pose Running and barefoot running (no, you don't actually have to run barefoot!!) and learn to strike properly with the correct cadence. Then look at New Balance Minimus, Inov8s. I have minimalist mizunos with a little padding but they are not my favorites.

-a former plantar fasciitis sufferer with a chronic ankle injury who can now run!
 
Definitely get fitted at a running store. And don't worry. You will be able to find a pair under $200 :-) There are many good shoes for around $100. Running stores are really good at helping you pick out a pair of shoes that fit you - especially how your foot strikes - overall how you run. It is well worth the money, especially if you are training for a half marathon. Definitely buy the pair you like from the running store. After the first pair - if you like the shoe - you should be able to find them at other sporting goods stores.

If you are running several times a week, be sure to get a new pair every 6-8 weeks. Running shoes wear down. Believe me, it is much better to pay the money to have good quality running shoes - instead of getting injured and having to pay a doctor or for physical therapy.

Congratulations on your goal - and happy running!!

I think you mean 6 to 8 MONTHS, but I agree with everything else. ;)

As for that figure, that's mainly to sell running shoes, I think. I was told by tne NB salesman to watch my shoe; when it starts to wear down, then it's time to buy new and not before. Per the guy who was trying to sell me shoes, really, for someone like me who runs only about 10 to 15 miles a week, so long as the shoes are only worn for running, I can get at least a year out of them, probably more. My DH has a pair of NB 1260s he's worn for 2 years every day, day in, day out (not for running though) that are still in great shape.

(Just an aside. . .NB are made in Maine and Massachusetts - not overseas.:cool1:)

I did pay $200 for my shoes, but I got the most support I could AND orthotics for extra support. NB 1080v3 with orthotics. Those shoes, ice packs and keeping a serious eye on my running and walking form have kept my hip bursitis at bay, mostly.
 
Get fitted, at a specialty store, and spend the money - you can get a good pair for $100, not $200. Going cheap on running shoes is asking for problems with your feet and/or knees.

:thumbsup2
going the second this one. I returned to light running and walking after knee surgery and this was the number one rule my ortho surgeon stressed. running puts tons on pressure and shock on your knees and feet. Now is not the time to cut back. Get fitted professionally and spend the money on quality.

I tend to like the Asics gel line, they run me about 150 bucks on sale. some time 180.00
worth every dime. I have absolutely no knee pain when I run in these.
 
Everyone I know goes an gets fitted and buys their first pair at a local sports shop then buys off the interet thereafter. I like Brooks Glycerin. They run about $110-$140. I've never paid more than $50. I just wait until I find an earlier version of the shoe for cheap on Amazon, Shoe Buy or Ebay.
 

I think you mean 6 to 8 MONTHS, but I agree with everything else. ;)

.

I would think 6-8 weeks was correct, if she is running a fair amount. You need to throw them out at about 300 miles. If you're running most days, it doesn't take long to get to that mileage. Its a shame when they LOOK brand new....but you know to save your knees, they need to go to garden use only.
 
/
I would think 6-8 weeks was correct, if she is running a fair amount. You need to throw them out at about 300 miles. If you're running most days, it doesn't take long to get to that mileage. Its a shame when they LOOK brand new....but you know to save your knees, they need to go to garden use only.

That is way to many miles for a beginner. 40 miles a week is more than what most people in marathon training run. 300-500 miles should take a beginner at least 6 months to reach.
 
I recently started running again, doing the C25K program (on week 6 now) with my (eventual!) sights set on the Princess 1/2. I happened across a pair of Asics Gel Cumulus 13's for $40 at an outlet store and they have been a god-send for my knees (past left knee injury) and my plantar fasciitis in my right foot and much added weight that I'm trying to lose. I was running on some Nikes and they caused flare-ups of my knee and PF issues and I had to take a couple of months off to heal again. I'm telling you all of this to say, if you've found the shoes that work for you, spend the money on them!! I wanted a second pair of my Asics (the 13s had since been discontinued) and found them for $110. A little searching online and some patience and I was able to get a second pair for $50.

-Astrid
 
My husband is an avid runner and I used to run quite a bit as well (now I do more cross-fit). We always get our shoes fitted at Road Runner. They're a national chain, so there might be one in your area. Fitting and picking a shoe takes around an hour, so I buy my shoes from them after they spend that much time with me.
My DH and I also have very high arches (our lucky kiddos get a double whammy on that front), so we both need custom inserts. Since we each replace shoes every 2 or 3 months, shoes are quite a chunk of our budget. But, we either pay for good shoes or we pay for physical therapy to fix the damage cheap shoes caused!
 
The Free is an OK running shoe IF you are running correctly. Many of us tend to heel strike which is when you need a padded shoe. Look up Pose Running and barefoot running (no, you don't actually have to run barefoot!!) and learn to strike properly with the correct cadence. Then look at New Balance Minimus, Inov8s. I have minimalist mizunos with a little padding but they are not my favorites.

-a former plantar fasciitis sufferer with a chronic ankle injury who can now run!

I've naturally got a perfect gait and I STILL get hip bursitis, so it can happen. (I and the other women in my birth family have some sort of genetic thing that gives us odd, poorly designed hips.) Minimalist shoes are not my friends, sadly. :worried:
 
I have really bad knees and spend my days on my feet walking so I need a good shoe. I used to be a Nike girl through and through until I tried New Balance a few years back and now I am all about the New Balance. you can find some great deals on them at Bass Pro Shops and Big 5 Sporting goods. Also Amazon has some great deals for shoes. Like the previous posters said go and get fitted at a brick and mortar store and then shop online for deals. I scored a pair of New Balance shoes for 35.00 on clearance and wear them pretty much daily. lots of support and tread is still really good after a year. Just keep watching the sales. also khols sometimes have them on clearance
 
I've been training for my first 5k (this Saturday!) for about 9 weeks. Before this I hadn't exercised in 5 years so I started out using Nikes and had occasional knee pain. I went to the Skechers outlet 2 weeks ago and got the GoRun Rides and love them! They totally felt different and I ran farther and faster than ever. I could feel them changing my strike. I hope to go later this year to be fitted but there's no way I can afford that right now, so $50 for a quality pair will do it.
 

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