Best Running Shoe, Best Price?

[SA53]

Hello all wise budgeteers,

My son is starting Track and Field next week and will be running a lot of distance. He has had trouble with his sneakers this year that have resulted in too many rolled ankles, so I want to semi-invest (this is the budget board after all) in a good pair of running shoes. Any recomentations?

Also, where do you find the best deals on good shoes? He starts next Monday so the internet is out, but I am in a large city (San Antonio) so there are many possibilities to be had.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

K in SA

 

[sksjasams]

Well, I'm not sure what you are looking at spending....I usually never spent more than $40 on a pair of athletic shoes. However after being diagnosed with arthritis in my feet and knees, the doctor recommend I go to Fleet Feet to be fitted with proper athletic shoes. I am not an athlete, but do llike comfy tennies as my main shoes. They were able to find shoes for me that had a neutral pronation that would not aggravate my knees. They were about $80 or so. Here is the link to one in your area.

http://www.fleetfeetsanantonio.com/

There may be other stores that offer similar assistance in finding a good fit for your DS.

Good luck!

 

[deerhart]

oh this is SOO hard because different runners like different shoes for different reasons.

When I started with reboks but they always felt way to heavy for me. Eventually I stumbled into sacconys and they were a godsend. They were snug on my foot (nice because I have slightly narrower feet and always had to tie other shoes very tight), felt light on my feet (good when your running 5-10 miles a day for training), and extremely comfortable with lots of cushioning. It is still the only tennis shoe I wear.

But for actual meets, I wore nike track cleats (both track and cross country).

as for rolling his ankles, I would look at his form before the shoes (unless he's not using a running shoe but some other type of tennis shoe) and then at ankle strength. I would also look at the times he's rolling his ankle. If its late in a run, it could be due to a loss of form because he's tired.

My parents purchased my track cleats outright and I wore them for at least 3 years. I got a new pair of tennis shoes usually 4 times a year, one pair for track, one pair for off season, one pair for cross country, and a pair of high tops for b-ball. By the end of both track and cross country, I would have worn out each pair of shoes (b-ball would usually last me all year). I still had to have a spare for off season training.

 

[Jennifer in MI]

I am VERY frugal, but running shoes is not something I try to save money on. I ran in shoes that were not right for my feet for a while. I ended up with shin splints and tendonitis. It was AWFUL.

On the advice of running friends, I visited a running store (not a sports store - a store specifically geared toward runners). They had me take my shoes off. They looked at my shoes to see where the treads were worn so they could tell how I ran. They watched me walk to see if I pronated or not. Then, they recommended shoes. I tried on a LOT of different pair. They let me run in them outside - around the block. It was wonderful!!

Anyway, it wasn't cheap. I spent nearly $100 on them. But, I didn't get injuries with them. I usually end up buying around 2 - 3 pair each year (after about 400 miles). It's cheaper than a gym membership for me!!

Yes, you can go to a sporting goods store and you may find a pair of Nike or Adidas or another popular brand for a lot cheaper. BUT, they usually don't carry the nicer styles of shoes that are more expensive and they don't have the sales reps who are as good as those in a running store.

 

[Tweedle]

Your best best is to go to a running store (ours is called second sole) or a New Balance, Nike or Addidas store. Take his old running shoes. They will be able to tell by the wear pattern how he runs. Some people over pronate and some under pronate, etc. They will be able to tell you what kind of shoe he needs. Let them know that price is a factor and they should be willing to work with you (less likely at at a name brand stand alone store b/c they have limited options.) At our store they even watch you run to check your stride and will let you run in your new shoes to try them out. I am not a runner but get shin splint when doing anything active so I went this route and I have not have shin splints since!

Good Luck!

 

[micheleq]

Ditto PP said -- go to a runner's store. My co-coach (I used to coach hs track) owned a running store. Depending on what kind of running he's doing (short or long distance) will determine the shoe, what kind of racing flats he'll need. It's best to be fitted by someone who is a runner/knows the brands and how they fit differently on each person's foot.

Certainly invest in racing flats as well. Because they are only used at meets, they will hold up longer than daily training shoes.

Also ask the coach where to shop. Many stores have deals with schools so you can get an extra % off.

Hope your DS loves track and has a successful season!

 

[apnep]

Been a runner since I was 7. If your kid is a running then invest in a good pair of shoes. Take him to a running store and let them analyze his foot pronation and they will show him shoe types that are best for his feet. I totally agree with previous posters.

Maybe you'll get lucky and they'll have something on sale. I usually spend at least $75-80 for a good running shoe and that's on sale.

Good luck,
Ang

 

[apnep]

Your best best is to go to a running store (ours is called second sole) or a New Balance, Nike or Addidas store.
Good Luck!

I would not go to a specific brand store because everyone's foot and comfort levels are different. Go to a running store with a variety of brands.

Ang

 

[Ceila]

The most budget-conscious option is to go to a reputable running store and buy the shoes that best fit your son's feet. Otherwise, you'll likely be spending money on several pairs of shoes until he finds a pair that doesn't hurt.

Make sure the salesperson really takes time with your son - they should look at him walking, both without shoes and in the shoes he tries on. Also, a good running store will allow returns after a week of him wearing the shoes. They want people to be comfortable, and the only way to be really sure is to wear them while actually running.

If you go up to Austin or Georgetown, RunTex is awesome.

 

[Calliaz]

I agree with everyone else. Many local running stores will have a discount for teams/clubs. My husband is a runner and has a model he always uses, but we still go to the running store. I'm a non-runner and I can say that I never had a good-fitting pair of walking shoes until I went to the running store and got fitted properly.

 

[Calliaz]

Also, remember to keep track of the miles he runs (in general). Shoes should be replaced every 300-400 miles.

 

[disneyfan007]

Your best best is to go to a running store (ours is called second sole) or a New Balance, Nike or Addidas store. Take his old running shoes. They will be able to tell by the wear pattern how he runs. Some people over pronate and some under pronate, etc. They will be able to tell you what kind of shoe he needs. Let them know that price is a factor and they should be willing to work with you (less likely at at a name brand stand alone store b/c they have limited options.) At our store they even watch you run to check your stride and will let you run in your new shoes to try them out. I am not a runner but get shin splint when doing anything active so I went this route and I have not have shin splints since!

Good Luck!

We love Second Sole. That is where my son gets all of his running shoes, they are wonderful. (We go to Medina)

But back to topic - yes find a store that specializes in running.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

I'm the idea of getting fitted at a running store. When I first started running several years ago, I went and bought the fanciest pair of running shoes that I could find that were most on sale. I had a sprained ankle and shin and knee pain within 6 weeks.

Also, seconding the advice to monitor how many miles he runs and replace the shoes as soon as they no longer feel like they should. I went through 4 pairs of shoes in 6 months, while training for the Goofy (the WDW half and full marathon in the same weekend). I could tell exactly when they were starting to go, as I'd start to get shin pain; I'd check my charts and, sure enough, it was always around the 300 mile point.

Once your son has found a pair of shoes that work for him (and buy his first pair at the store that fits him, obviously - it's just rude to do anything less!), he can order replacement pairs from Road Runner Sports, Endless, or other online discount shoe sellers.

 

[SA53]

Thank you all so much for the replies and wise words. I am not too worried about spending $100 or less for a pair of good shoes, so from what you have all told me that should be a good budget.

There are 5 running stores here in San Antonio, so we will head out to one or two tomorrow and get fitted. I will also bring his athletic shoes with us as per your advice.

I also wanted to thank the poster for the idea of me (a very much non-runner) for getting fitted for walking shoes. I hate to wear shoes with backs as they always seem to either give me blisters or slip all time so maybe it is just a poor fit.

You all rock!!!

K in SA

 

[crisi]

Running store. Let them know your budget.

 

[dawson5]

I read this last year:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/mos...-Are-expensive-running-shoes-waste-money.html

and then they recently covered it again on NPR:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123031997

I can see how this might be true. When we had the treadmill I loved running on it barefoot and when my husband convinced me that I was going to hurt myself, I put on my shoes and I started getting shin pains. Definitely food for thought.

 

[crewmatt]

Hey, I'd go hit your local running store. Get fitted (they should put him on a treadmill and watch his stride in a neutral shoe). Once you know what type of shoe he should run with, you can save quite a lot of money by buying last years models. There are plenty of good brands that are reasonably priced, new balance has a wide range of shoes. I've personally run in New Balances for years when I was in highschool and college, and they offer a very wide range of shoes for all budgets and styles. Since graduating I've gone to the higher end shoes Saucony's (Omni and Paramount), Brooks (Adrenaline GTS), and my newest shoes (Mizuno Wave Elixirs) are far and away my favorite. All of those have run me around 80/pair.

the other thing you can look to do is buy last years model online where you can get a good discount, or pop into like your local shoe warehouse store or outlet center where they often have the overstock running shoes from the previous year or two on a super discount (I def scored a set of Brooks Adrenalines at one point which were the previous years model at one of those for about half of what I had paid for them that year - and personally I think 06's were better than 07's).

Local running stores often have loyalty and discount programs as well. Just make sure to know the type of shoe he needs, and not simply oh the running store recommended new balances.

On the barefoot running thing, I like it as a drill - works really nice on grass or a track, and as supplemental training, but I still prefer to have rubber under foot when on roads or going for distance or speed. But everyone's made different.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Like everyone else has said - go to a real running store. If you find a shoe that he likes and works well and the size doesn't change, you can buy the second pair from an online running shoe store. My husband needs to build up his right shoe because his right leg is about 2 inches shorter than the left and he runs half marathons. So we look online for great prices now that he has found a NB shoe that really works great for him. Saves him a bunch of money on the new shoe.

Then we have to take the right shoe to a prosthetic shoe place that builds it up. We spend about $250 for each new pair of running shoes for him between the cost of the new shoes and the build up. Running is an expensive hobby for my husband.