Running Sneakers - Need Suggestions

[kwelch10377]

I need some new sneakers (women's) for running. Anyone have a recommendation on which ones or even which brand you like? I have always gotten Nike's, but for some reason they just aren't as comfortable anymore.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

I hate to sound like a broken record, but you need to go to a running store (not just a sports store!) and have your stride and feet analyzed to find out what shoes will work the best for you. Your feet could have changed since the Nikes worked for you, or Nike could have changed their shoes. I wore Nike Air Moto Max running shoes for years, until they changed to their version 7 last year. Suddenly, they didn't fit me anymore and I had to find a different shoe.

You'll save yourself a lot of money and a lot of potential injury by being properly fitted for running shoes. What works for me will not work for you. Running in the wrong shoes is worse than not wearing any shoes at all.

 

[purplegirl247]

Do you have a place near you that specializes in workout footwear? Not a Sports Authority or Just for Feet, but a place that will actually look at your current shoe tread, watch how you walk, etc? If you do, I recommend going there and seeing what they have to say. We have a place called Track Shack here (just a single store, not a chain) and their employees are GREAT because they're all runners/athletes, so they really know what they're talking about.

As for a brand reco, I've been using Brooks since they were recommended to me a few years back by Track Shack. No complaints. They usually run me about $100 (and I'm cheap, believe me, but I definitely would rather pay up front for the shoes than down the line at the doctor's for the foot pain or my alignment being thrown off!).

 

[FireDancer]

I have to go with the PPs and recommend going to a good local running store and having a professional fit you. A good running store will have staff that knows about arch height and gait as opposed to just a clerk who stands in a shoe department.

They will take a couple of measurements and watch you walk or jog on a treadmill or in the parking lot and make some recommendations. Then, they will let you A/B some shoes and watch you again to see if your gait seems more natural with one shoe or another.

A shoe that works perfectly for one person will cause blisters or pain with someone else so recommending specific models without more information probably won't help. Someone who uses a very natural shoe could recommend their shoe but if you need motion control you may not like it.

Good luck finding something you like.

 

[AKL_Megs]

For whatever reason, Reebok have always been my favorite. They give me a nice, snug fit, and nice arch support.

 

[MiniGirl]

I would highly suggest going to a running specialty store and being properly fitted. My perfect shoe probably isn't your perfect shoe. The folks there will watch your stride and maybe even videotape it and will make recommendations from there. They will not automatically recommend the most expensive shoe in the store and will show you a variety of shoes in different price ranges. You will even be allowed to return the shoes if they don't work for you.

I'm very frugal. Believe me. However, getting properly fitted for shoes was the best thing I did when I got serious about my training.

 

[MiniGirl]

LOL!!! We were all posting at the same time. It is good advice though.

 

[kwelch10377]

Thanks everyone! I was thinking I was going to have to go to a running store, now I just need to find one near where I live.

 

[Golf4food]

A New Balance store will fit you and have a good selection of running shoes. We love ours.

 

[cats mom]

I agree that being properly fitted for a running shoe is your best bet.

That said, I'll tell you that I'm an asics fan. I always seem to be able to find an asics shoe that works for me, other brands are much more hit and miss for my feet.

Good Luck with your shoe search.

 

[rina900]

New Balance all the way. One thing I will say is not to get Nike Shox - I spent $120 on a pair and they are the most painful sneakers I've ever owned.

 

[cepmom]

Thanks everyone! I was thinking I was going to have to go to a running store, now I just need to find one near where I live.

not sure where in Boston you are, but I went to Marathon Sports in Norwell when I needed to get new running shoes. They also have other locations in Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Wellesley and Melrose. I ende dup with a pair of Adidas Supernova Sequence after having used Nike's forever. The staff there are very helpful and knowledgable.

www.marathonsports.com

 

[wvjules]

Ditto to what the PPs said. I went last weekend to get a pair of shoes from a running store. I was measured in length (who knew my running shoe would be 1 size bigger than my regular shoes?), width (narrow) and also had to walk on a treadmill. The awesome runner shoe guy brought out some shoes. The first pair the arch didn't work. The second pair, arch was good and the shoe felt good but it wasn't the shoe. I finally put on a pair of Brooks Ravenna. They were perfect. That was my shoe! I am now a firm believer in going to professionals for athletic footwear.

I will be taking DD to get her new shoes in June when we start marathon training. For now she is good in the shoes she got for track.

 

[TangaroaTiki]

Asics are my fave.

We use Roadrunnersports.com to get our runnings shoes, of course we already know our shoe size. Their return policy is awesome. We love it.

 

[Deb in IA]

Yes, you need to be professionally fitted (sorry this is a broken record).

That is the only way you can tell not only the size and width, but also what type of arch support, type of last (hard or soft), whether you over- pronate or supinate, etc. that you need.

 

[cherylp3]

I agree with others find a local independent running store. They can help you best.

 

[ChristaDeVil]

I agree with the professional fitting suggestions. I, however, swear by New Balance, and so does my entire family!

 

[WriteDisney]

I do agree with the other posters but I'm on my second pair of Brooks Switch 2 running shoes and I love them. I highly recommend Brooks.

 

[shortbun]

I hate to sound like a broken record, but you need to go to a running store (not just a sports store!) and have your stride and feet analyzed to find out what shoes will work the best for you. Your feet could have changed since the Nikes worked for you, or Nike could have changed their shoes. I wore Nike Air Moto Max running shoes for years, until they changed to their version 7 last year. Suddenly, they didn't fit me anymore and I had to find a different shoe.

You'll save yourself a lot of money and a lot of potential injury by being properly fitted for running shoes. What works for me will not work for you. Running in the wrong shoes is worse than not wearing any shoes at all.

This is totally what I would have posed. Get fitted.

 

[marcyinPA]

If you are actually running, go to a reputable running store and get fitted. They watch how you walk and then suggest a pair of running shoes that work for your feet/arches. They are pricey, but well worth it. I tried on several pair, and settled on a pair of Saucony. They were the most comfortable when I tried them out on the store treadmill.