Running shoes/trainers.

hywelg

Since the summer and at the referral of my doctor (high blood pressure) I've started going the gym. Don't enjoy it, it's a trial but I am determined to make it work.

Since starting I've gone from burning 500 calories in a 2 hour session twice a week to 1400 calories per session so it is working. Unfortunately the treadmill has given my left heel a pounding and is now mildly painful but getting worse, undoubtedly due to cheap trainers. 

So today was exercise bike, rowing machine and one of those step thingies only. I need to get back on the treadmill soon so I'm going to have to spend some cash on decent footwear. 

What do you recommend? 

duotone

Never bought a pair myself but an old work colleague who loved outdoor running/park-runs etc. swore by Brooks. 
http://www.brooksrunning.com/en_gb

jonnyburgo

Brooks are good runners, as are Saucony and Asics. If you go to decathlon they check your gait etc to see what you need FOC, or at least they did a few yrs ago.

beed84

New Balance. They're the comfiest trainers I've ever worn, and I've been wearing them before they got trendy. I don't run in them though.

jrc2806

From personal experience I would say that Asics offers the most protection against foot related injuries (planter et. al). I have run 4 half marathons over the last 4 years and they always performed well (GT range). However even different models within a brand can suit or not sut an individual so it is always recommended to get your gait analysed. Good luck with the training!

monquixote

I really like Brooks as do a few other runners I know.

A mate of mine bought some ASICS which were great but fell to bits really quickly but that's a sample size of 1 so make of it what you will.

DiscoStu

I loved my Asics that one time I did running. I got my running style measured and I'm a heel striker so got a decent pair to suit.
If you are in to walking or trails then I would thoroughly recommend you try some Salomon shoes/boots. 

eSully

The nicest pair of running shoes I've owned were Asics Gel Nimbus which I clocked up quiet a milage on. I now have Asics GT2000 which are decent too but not quiet as good as the Gel Nimbus.

fields5069

Hmm, if your heel is taking a pounding then running form is far more important than shoes right now. I would recommend, regardless of amount of cushioning, that you go for something with as low a heel to toe drop as possible, and try to land on your midfoot just before your heel comes down. This usually means increasing cadence and decreasing stride length. Do the treadmills have a cadence sensor? If so then 180 steps per minute, i.e. 90 per foot, is a good cadence to aim for.

Neill

I wouldn't buy a pair of shoes on someone else's recommendation.  The best advice is to go to a proper specialist outdoor/sports shop and ask to try on different types of road running shoes.  If you find a pair that you really like buy another pair straight away - this applies to all outdoor footwear because they change the styles so quickly. 

But I would caution against assuming new footwear is the cause of your problem.  It's more likely you are doing too much too soon, very easy if you are not used to regular exercise. 
  

victorludorum

Don't buy Decathlon's own branded trainers. I bought a pair this year to see how they stand up to my regime, which is only a few miles a week, and the nice spongy sole has already turned into what feels like a hard piece of rubber. Anyway, the experiment is over and I'll be going back to New Balance or Brooks soon.

PC_Dave

Neill said:

I wouldn't buy a pair of shoes on someone else's recommendation.  The best advice is to go to a proper specialist outdoor/sports shop and ask to try on different types of road running shoes.  If you find a pair that you really like buy another pair straight away - this applies to all outdoor footwear because they change the styles so quickly. 

But I would caution against assuming new footwear is the cause of your problem.  It's more likely you are doing too much too soon, very easy if you are not used to regular exercise. 
  

A thousand times this. What fits others may not fit you. Go see a specialist and get the right shoe for you, Cinderella. 

joneve

PC_Dave said:

Neill said:

I wouldn't buy a pair of shoes on someone else's recommendation.  The best advice is to go to a proper specialist outdoor/sports shop and ask to try on different types of road running shoes.  If you find a pair that you really like buy another pair straight away - this applies to all outdoor footwear because they change the styles so quickly. 

But I would caution against assuming new footwear is the cause of your problem.  It's more likely you are doing too much too soon, very easy if you are not used to regular exercise. 
  

A thousand times this. What fits others may not fit you. Go see a specialist and get the right shoe for you, Cinderella. 

Yep, thirded. 

munckee

Neill said:

I wouldn't buy a pair of shoes on someone else's recommendation.  The best advice is to go to a proper specialist outdoor/sports shop and ask to try on different types of road running shoes.  If you find a pair that you really like buy another pair straight away - this applies to all outdoor footwear because they change the styles so quickly. 

But I would caution against assuming new footwear is the cause of your problem.  It's more likely you are doing too much too soon, very easy if you are not used to regular exercise. 
  

This too definitely.  If you end up with Asics they will tell you which shoes are direct replacements for your currents based on whether you over pronate, under pronate etc.  

sticker

definitely worth getting a gait analysis and buying the "right" running shoes .

 I've had a similar experience to yourself and been through most makes of trainers .

 Asics fell apart really quickly and are not worth the spend , I'm currently using Mizuno Wave 13's which are very light , hard wearing and comfortable and have lasted 8 months of almost every day use .

The "best" trainers I've ever had were a pair of £25 Reebok Pheehan Run 2.0's with some after market gel heel pads added ...

after you have a gait analysis , check the prices at sportsshoes.com , you could save 50-60% on shop price.

guitarfishbay

Pretty much only had ASICS fo the past 10 years. They’ve always lasted very well including some court shoes that got a hammering when I used to play sports.

Last year to save money I bought a pair of new balance fuel core as they were super comfy in the shop and cheaper than getting another pair of gel nimbus. My previous pair of gel nimbus basically had no tread left.

Wound up being an expensive mistake, in a few months of light use the fabric on the heel of the shoe wore out and started causing blisters, they were only worn in the gym and otherwise the shoes hardly look used at all. Contacted the company who sent me back to the shop I bought them from. Since I think the fabric is very thin and the company didn’t seem interested (as compared to dealing with good music companies such as Fender and EMG who will actually be helpful) I didnt have the confidence in the product to bother and went and bought another pair of gel nimbus, they are more sturdily made around the heel than the new balance pair.

I agree it’s probably not entirely down to the shoes but getting an appropriate pair that fit well is always good.

mudslide73

My Mrs has had both Asics and Brookes and swears by em. It's definitely advisable to get analysed so you can get the right ones. 

munckee

mudslide73 said:

My Mrs has had both Asics and Brookes and swears by em. It's definitely advisable to get analysed so you can get the right ones. 

I had gait analysis and after first pair of asics got brooks and had lots of calf strains which may or may not have been related, never had it with asics though.

CHRISB50

Row instead!

It's far kinder on your joints. Your foot won't hurt. You won't need need new trainers either. 

I'm biased though, as I hate treadmills

FazTheWookie

joneve said:

PC_Dave said:

Neill said:

I wouldn't buy a pair of shoes on someone else's recommendation.  The best advice is to go to a proper specialist outdoor/sports shop and ask to try on different types of road running shoes.  If you find a pair that you really like buy another pair straight away - this applies to all outdoor footwear because they change the styles so quickly. 

But I would caution against assuming new footwear is the cause of your problem.  It's more likely you are doing too much too soon, very easy if you are not used to regular exercise. 
  

A thousand times this. What fits others may not fit you. Go see a specialist and get the right shoe for you, Cinderella. 

Yep, thirded. 

Absolutely! Make sure they do a full gait analysis, ideally where they video you running on a treadmill, to make sure you get the right shoes for your running style. It'll save you a world of (literal) pain!

FazTheWookie

joneve said:

PC_Dave said:

Neill said:

I wouldn't buy a pair of shoes on someone else's recommendation.  The best advice is to go to a proper specialist outdoor/sports shop and ask to try on different types of road running shoes.  If you find a pair that you really like buy another pair straight away - this applies to all outdoor footwear because they change the styles so quickly. 

But I would caution against assuming new footwear is the cause of your problem.  It's more likely you are doing too much too soon, very easy if you are not used to regular exercise. 
  

A thousand times this. What fits others may not fit you. Go see a specialist and get the right shoe for you, Cinderella. 

Yep, thirded. 

Absolutely! Make sure they do a full gait analysis, ideally where they video you running on a treadmill, to make sure you get the right shoes for your running style. It'll save you a world of (literal) pain!