Replacing running shoes

[bunnyfoo]

Hi everyone! Just curious - what does everyone do when it's time to replace their running shoes. Do you go with the same brand/model or do you try something new? I realized I've had my shoes since January so maybe it's about time they get replaced?

 

[wfloyd]

I will generally stick with the same brand and model. If the version number has changed, I will usually get the newer one.

Bill

 

[Cindylou]

Vicky,

I always buy the same shoe until they discontinue it. Then I cry for a while and buy the "new" model and hope it fits similarly. It usually (but not always) does.

Good luck.
Cindy

p.s. My daughters have just learned the Little Bunny Foo Foo song at pre-school, so I think of you every day.

 

[windwalker]

I know I'm preaching to the choir with most of the vets here but for anyone new, here is how to pick out shoes:

Go to a running/walking store that is staffed by trained shoe specialists. Even if you have to take a day trip, it's worth the time to go. When you get there let them determine what shoe type you need; cushioned, support or motion control. Let them watch you walk/run so they can see your gait. Take a worn pair of shoes with you so they can see the wear pattern.

After you have been typed, ask them to bring out all the shoes in your size that fit that catagory. What ever size you normally wear, go a half size larger to a full size larger than your everyday shoes. As soon as you have walked a couple of miles your feet are swelled a little so that's when you start getting blisters and foot pain in a shoe that is to small.

Try on every shoe, walk in every shoe, on their treadmill if they have one or if not at least around the store. You should get down to a couple of brands/models that feel way better than the others. Remember A WALKING/RUNNING SHOE DOESN'T NEED TO BE BROKE IN, IT SHOULD BE COMFORTABLE RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX!

Look for a shoe that is snug enouth that there is no heel slipping but not tight anywhere. Look for light weight.

Buy the two shoes that feel the best, if you can afford it, then you can switch up on them. One will feel better than the other as your miles increase so you know which one to buy next time.

A good place to shop is a big race expo where there are shoe company reps with their full line of shoes. I have found my best shoes that way. I had never seen any of my shoes in stores. I have some Brooks ST2s that are my back up shoes.

Hope that helps.

Walking Panda

 

[CarolA]

Panda has some great advice.

The running store near me actually has you go outside and run around on the sidewalk while they watch!

Actually it's not the time you have had them but the miles on them. I have been running in this same pair for about 6 months and I think they are doing fine. I will switch to a new pair after the Peachtree in July.

 

[Cruella de mom]

I always tell my shoe man at Fleet feet that I want to try a different brand. So we try on 20 pairs of shoes and I usually end up getting the newest version of what I already own. (I think he secretly hates me but he always tells the other clerks that I am "his" customer)

Then I had a guy at an expo tell me why I do that. The newest version feels the most familiar when I try it on. OF course it's the most comfortable, it's what I am used to!

So last time, I bought a completely new brand. They didn't feel quite as comfortable right out of the box but they had a lost more cushioning and I run on mostly concrete so I need all the cushion I can get.

After 30 miles, I had a new favorite brand.

I keep track of the miles on my shoes in my running log and usually replace them at about 350 miles (concrete again)

Cecilia

 

[wtpclc]

One thing ot remeber. No matter how much time or mileage you have on your shoes, i fyou have a new ache or pain, the first thing to rule out tends to be shoes. I have been wearing ASICs since I ran in HS. Been doing teh 2100 series since 2005. I've strayed a few times, but they were never right. So, if oyu have shoes you like and have no problems, stick with them. If you think they may be causing issues, ask someoen at a runnign store for opinions on teh right show for you.

 

[laxdef69]

Actually it's not the time you have had them but the miles on them.

I keep telling my wife the same thing...its not my age, its the miles!

 

[JimB.]

I took my shoes back to the store where I was initially fitted & had them check the wear patterns on them.

Since there were no surprises, I replaced them with the same model & now I just buy new ones online.

 

[Duanerice]

I do get my shoes from a running store - usually. This last time I actually took home 3 different pair until I found a shoe that was OK. Actually I felt too guilty to take the last pair back so I use them for my shorter runs. I took the first pair of Mizuno's home but the problem I had was my toes on my left foot started bothering me around 4 miles. I took them back and he ordered the newer version of my current shoe the Asics Kayano XIII. Same thing, actually got a blister on my heel this time. Last time I took home another pair of Mizuno's and they are just OK.

The marathon was getting close so I needed a new pair. So I went online and ordered the exact same shoe I had Kayano XIII (the running store couldn't get it). Guess what, same problem. I started thinking, "did I have the same problem when I bought my current Kayano's?" I think I did. Well I just had to run through it because I needed to break them in for Disney. It took only 3 runs for my foot to get used to them. I love them like my old ones.

So, a long story short, I am not comfortable in any shoe until I run in them for a while. Sure they were all comfortable but the first few runs were not that fun. I don't track my mileage, but I get the feel when the shoes are too old. You can just feel it. I am now starting to look for a new pair myself.

good luck,
Duane

 

[skfulkers]

I usually just buy whatever looks cool and by what brand has the best commercials at the time.

Kidding. Ok, everyone here has good advice. Here's one other tip: when you get your new pair, keep track of the mileage. I actually put tick marks inside the shoe with a sharpie at the end of each week (a tick mark for every 5 and 10 miles). So I can always add up the total miles on the shoe, give or take a few miles. Replacement mileages vary, but usually between 350-500 miles depending on quite a few factors. You'll know where your shoes fall within that range when you start to really "feel" the road a lot more under your feet. Then it's time for a new pair.

Good luck with your new shoes!

Steve

 

[bunnyfoo]

Thanks for the advice everyone! The pair of shoes I have now, I bought based on recommendations from the staff at the local running store. They watched me walk and run without shoes and then with a whole bunch of shoes. I also had my chiro and PT check them out and they said the shoes were fine. I'm starting to get shin splints a little more often now. So I'm wondering if it's time to replace my shoes. I'm not sure how many miles I've put on so far - I lost my spreadsheet with my Jan-Mar miles on it. Maybe I'll give a little bit and replace them closer to September.

p.s. My daughters have just learned the Little Bunny Foo Foo song at pre-school, so I think of you every day.

That's cute!! That was my favourite song at camp. I use to sing it all the time and drive everyone nuts! Now I do the same thing when I hum the song from Journey Into Imagination

 

[princessrunner]

I kind of do the same thing as everyone else with the driving crazy of the salesperson. I bought new kicks yesterday. I went in for the buy one get the second half off after my Adidastar Control 5s calved out on me during my Sunday run. I did not like these shoes in particular as they gave me rub spots and blisters but they were okay for a short run. My favorites are my Saucony Guides. Well, no one had Guides so here we go into the endless trying of shoes to fit my really, really, really (did I mention really) high arches.

I ended up with a pair of Asics Nimbus and Saucony Rides which are the same as the Guides without the hard arch piece for my pronation issue. I am going to try them out today (Nimbus) so I will let you know how they go!!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Unfortunately my fave shoes are the Asics Kayano XII. That is TWO models ago...so they are not available in stores. I buy them off ebay....and I currently have three new pair in my closet. If I find them in my size on ebay I just grab them. LOL....I must have bought 6 pair in the past two years. I've tried to switch but have yet to find any shoes that feel good to me .

 

[bunnyfoo]

Unfortunately my fave shoes are the Asics Kayano XII. That is TWO models ago...so they are not available in stores. I buy them off ebay....and I currently have three new pair in my closet. If I find them in my size on ebay I just grab them. LOL....I must have bought 6 pair in the past two years. I've tried to switch but have yet to find any shoes that feel good to me .

I wear the Kayano XIII ... I went by a running store yesterday and they had a whole bunch of them out on sale. I thought they were discontinuing them but they were just getting rid of last year's color. Nothing in my size though

 

[skfulkers]

Vicky--I think they may actually be getting rid of their supply of the Kayano XIIIs. I just called our local running store to have them order a new pair for me, and they called me back to say that it's the Kayano XIV now. He wanted to make sure I was ok with the XIV, because he didn't think he would be able to order the XIII anymore.

So I hope you're not opposed to a new model since I think it's coming soon.... I'll let you know how the XIVs are. I'm a little nervous myself, but then again I get nervous every time they change my shoe on me!

Steve

 

[AmyBeth68]

Steve...ITA...because the XIII were WAY different than the XII...gave me HUGE blisters. I did try the newer model but it didn't feel right to me but I know I can't buy the 12s online forever. You'll have to let me know how you like the newer model.

 

[mkymsehi]

Typically you change every 6 months, or 500 miles.

You want at least 200 miles on your shoes for a full marathon race day.

I rotate four pairs of shoes over 3 or 4 days per week of training. That way they actually last longer than 6 months.

It is okay to wash them and air dry when they get dirty.

I wear either Sauconcy or Brooks shoes.

 

[CarolA]

Well, they did it to me again! Brooks discontinued my shoe!

So I now have a new pair of Saucony. They are nice, but I liked the old one's better!

 

[bunnyfoo]

I managed to pick up a pair of Gel Kayano 13. The running store downtown is having a sale and getting rid of older models. I think I'll stick with these for now. I didn't have a chance to try the 14 but they were double the price anyway.