Deals on quality men's running shoes?

[mrsbornkuntry]

My 14yo DS has decided to join cross country in the fall and I want to get him good quality running shoes, but of course I want to get a good price on them too. Any suggestions? He wears men's sizes. What is a good brand to look for? I'm not a runner so any tips are welcome.

 

[mrsklamc]

I would start with saucony.

 

[girli565]

I second Saucony. I started training for a 5k and the person I spoke to at the store told me that Saucony was a good place to start. They are the lightest sneakers I've ever owned. when I first put them on I thought I was walking on 5+ inches of cushion.

I actually found the same pair I bought at the running store at DSW for $30 less and I had a coupon so I got them for under $40!! I now own two pairs of the same shoes and love them!

They also come in mens at DSW. My husband bought the same pair I had (for men, mine are pink so I don't think he'd like that ) for about $50, he didn't have a coupon.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Thanks, I will look at Saucony. I'll also check DSW, I'm pretty sure there's one not too far from me.

 

[Doofenshmirtz513]

If there's one nearby, I would recommend that you find a store that caters, at least in part, to runners. They will have staff who can observe your son's stride and recommend a brand or style of shoe that will provide the proper support for your son. For example, I was recommended a Brooks shoe, and now I swear by that brand, while my wife lives in Asaics.

I did get that pair from the store I went to, even though slightly more expensive, because of the service they provided, but now that I know what I want, I can find the shoe someplace like Sierra Trading Post online for less.

 

[PlutoPony]

If there's one nearby, I would recommend that you find a store that caters, at least in part, to runners. They will have staff who can observe your son's stride and recommend a brand or style of shoe that will provide the proper support for your son. For example, I was recommended a Brooks shoe, and now I swear by that brand, while my wife lives in Asaics.

I did get that pair from the store I went to, even though slightly more expensive, because of the service they provided, but now that I know what I want, I can find the shoe someplace like Sierra Trading Post online for less.

THIS!! A good running store will observe your son's gait and show you a range of shoes that match the way he runs. It will likely be cheaper to buy at least the first pair of shoes this way than go to DSW or someplace like that and get something that just feels good and may well give him a problem down the road. Pain and doctor's co-pays are the likely results of a pair that isn't a good fit, given how many miles XC runners put in. Once you have a pair that work well,you can always go on-line and find better deals for the next pair.... and he may go through several pair in a season, depending on his mileage.

Tip to drying wet running shoes (and you will have those OFTEN ) Pull out the insole, loosen the laces and stuff the shoes with crumpled newspaper. If the shoes are absolutely soaked, you may need to replace the paper once, but by the next morning the shoes should be dry. We don't recycle newspapers very often during XC season and keep a big stack of them around for just this purpose.

Good luck to your son, hope he enjoys running!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

THIS!! A good running store will observe your son's gait and show you a range of shoes that match the way he runs. It will likely be cheaper to buy at least the first pair of shoes this way than go to DSW or someplace like that and get something that just feels good and may well give him a problem down the road. Pain and doctor's co-pays are the likely results of a pair that isn't a good fit, given how many miles XC runners put in. Once you have a pair that work well,you can always go on-line and find better deals for the next pair.... and he may go through several pair in a season, depending on his mileage.

Tip to drying wet running shoes (and you will have those OFTEN ) Pull out the insole, loosen the laces and stuff the shoes with crumpled newspaper. If the shoes are absolutely soaked, you may need to replace the paper once, but by the next morning the shoes should be dry. We don't recycle newspapers very often during XC season and keep a big stack of them around for just this purpose.

Good luck to your son, hope he enjoys running!

How can I find a store like this? What would it be called, something like "runner's specialty store"? Trying to figure out what to google, or if anyone has any suggestions for one, I'm in the Raleigh, NC area.

Also, what's the most I should budget for a store like that? So I know what to expect.

 

[mrsklamc]

Just googled Raleigh North Carolina Running store and got several results. Good luck!

 

[PlutoPony]

How can I find a store like this? What would it be called, something like "runner's specialty store"? Trying to figure out what to google, or if anyone has any suggestions for one, I'm in the Raleigh, NC area.

Also, what's the most I should budget for a store like that? So I know what to expect.

Look at someplace like Raleigh Running Outfitters on Six Forks http://www.raleighrunning.com. Their website talks about video gait analysis and having running spikes (for racing) so they probably are pretty good. Am sure they're not the only store in Raleigh - or even best - but it's that type store you're looking for. There should be quite a few stores like that in the Triangle, try google. We used to live in the area but it's been quite a while so I'm not sure who is good anymore. OR e-mail the high school XC coach and ask him for suggestions - I'm sure he has some ideas. If your son knows any XC runners, ask them too - the kids usually know where to go.

Cost - $100 wouldn't surprise me at all. You'll see some up to $130 or so but you should be able to stay under $100 for the first pair. Anything under $60 would scare me if your son is fairly serious about trying this.

Hope you can find a store that works for you! We'll be down in late September when my son's team runs the Great American race in Cary

 

[weHEARTmickey]

DH just bought last year's model (#17) of the ASICS Kayano for 1/2 the price of the new #18 model. I believe it was around $75 for $150 pair of shoes at Finish Line. He bought the last pair they had in his size!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Thank-you! This is great information

 

[PlutoPony]

DH just bought last year's model (#17) of the ASICS Kayano for 1/2 the price of the new #18 model. I believe it was around $75 for $150 pair of shoes at Finish Line. He bought the last pair they had in his size!

That's a good point. My husband and son (both serious runners) have a couple shoe models that they especially like. When the new models of their favorites come out, they read the reviews and try them on..... if they don't like the changes, they go on-line and find good deals on close-outs of the older shoe. They both go through multiple pairs of shoes a year and alternate between a couple pairs, depending on the type of run they're doing.