Running shoes - what to get.

redrighthand

So, I've decided to get off my arse and do the couch to 5k.

I hate running. However in the absence of any time to get to a gym it makes a lot of sense.

So I need some running shoes. I've never had any proper ones in my life, so know nothing about them. What I do know is that any time I've tried running before it's been painful. Plus I've had knee and back problems in the past, so want to make sure I get some decent shoes.

I went to a running shop at the weekend, went on the treadmill, they filmed my feet and played it back. Girl gave me a lot of technical babble about one of my feet being straight and one slightly different and that I shoould go for something with a bit more support. Then brought me a load of different shoes to try. Tried a few but they didn't have my size so haven't got any yet.

So, runners out there, any tips for a total newb on what to get / look for??

mike_l

I've always got on with Nike, but I was never really a runner, just wore them for five-a-side or the gym.

Tone71

I have Brooks Ghosts, light and comfy.

Hertz32

I'm a huge barefoot running fan, your foot is designed to work in a specific way when running; why do we keep trying to improve on that funcion by adding cushioning and support? It's counter intuitive as it typically leads to more injury!

I use a pair of Vivobarefoots, Vibram fivefingers are supposed to be very good too. 
I shall allow you to research into barefoot running and shoes designed for it yourself though, up to you what you want to believe, and there are those who will argue both cases better than I ever could  

beed84

I would highly recommend New Balance.  I only run when I'm going to be late for something; however, in those instances I feel satisfied with the trainers I have.  Not only are they extremely comfortable, they're very durable too.  I've had about four or five pairs in the last 16 years or so: 574, 577 and 420, which I'm currently sporting now.

Also, in addition to general sizes, they also have various width sizes to, which allows for a comfier fit.

Why not take a look.

http://www.newbalance.co.uk/men/footwear/running/101000,en_GB,sc.html

and

http://www.newbalance.co.uk/men/footwear/classics/106000,en_GB,sc.html

(Due to feeling sluggish and generally unfit, I'm sort of inspired to run the 5K myself. Could be a good a goal

:-? )

failed_astronaut

I've been running since about April this year and did the Glasgow half marathon in October. You've made the best first step in getting measured up, most people need some sort of support/reinforcement in at least one of their shoes.

It will hurt to begin with but just start slow and with small distances and you'll find your distane and fitness getting better with time. It's a gradual process but it's one I'm personally glad I started.

Good luck!

xSkarloey

Go back to the shop. They'll see you right. I got fitted up for some trainers like that and it was the best thing to do.

NervousJohn

Couch to 5k is the easiest way to do it. If you have knee problems you really want to learn how to run on your toes rather than heels, as this is what stopped me.

vasselmeyer

Get some black ones.

nickp

go to a specialist running shop and let them fit a pair for you

ROOG

I think you took the right course first time, if you are a member of the local gym or running club bring your membership card they may give you a discount, mine does.

JAYJO

Dont get fast ones until your fitter!

Evilmags

Find out what sort of runner you are ( they film you on a treadmill and analyse your gait). Then buy appropriate shoes

Mark_R

Been running for past ten years and have always gone with New Balance.  Was advised 6 years ago to get a pair of orthotics as I dont land my feet perfectly and ended up with knee problems (related to tight calf muscles caused by the planting of the foot)

My wife went to Pro-Feet at the weekend and had her running style analysed and bought a pair of brooks.  Expensive as orthotics, shoes and assesment was £240.  HOWEVER, most people pay £30-40 per month for the gym, if running replaces the gym then this is a great saving.

Never buy Nike or Adidas. Look great but built for normal feet.   Get assessed, get the right gear, dont get injuries, simple as that.

Jalapeno

mike_l said:

I've always got on with Nike, but I was never really a runner, just wore them for five-a-side or the gym.

Running shoes + 5-a-side = broken ankle

Well it did for me

TinLip

Asics. If you go to a run look at all the guys in the front, all wearing Asics and there's a reason for that...

I've stopped counting how many marathons (and ultras!) I have run and have tried every brand of shoe out there. I even had a stint of running barefoot but thankfully never fell for the Vibram trap with those funny rubber toe sock things.

It sounds like you might over-pronate slightly (foot rolls in a bit too much) and you would benefit from a structured shoe. This just means that the inside of the shoe, usually the heel, has a counter or a harder built up piece to stop your foot rolling in. Structured shoes are also good if you are planning on running when you are tired (as opposed to just a trot around the block) as they help you prevent injury from over pronation.

Personally I used the Asics 21xx range (2170 are the last ones I have) and they are by far the most comfortable shoes I have owned. It makes a difference having proper shoes, you are less likely to come up with excuses for not running.

Gait analysis isn't an exact science and there is so much going on with the biomechanics of the foot while running that the best idea is to find a shoe that you like and that "feels" right. I changed from a structured to a neutral shoe for a 10km run and nearly crippled myself. My body definitely knew that it worked better in a structured shoe.

imalone

Brand-wise it's often down to fit with running shoes. Fit trumps everything. Saucony and Nike are too narrow for my feet, I get on okay with Asics, Mizuno, Brooks. Can't remember about New Balance.
Within that the conventional wisdom is that people are either under-pronators, neutral, over-prontators or heavy over-pronators. (As TinLip says, how much your foot rolls from outside to inside as you land.) Shoes come in neutral (just cushioning), stability (with a harder post on the instep to control that) and motion control (stability, but more so), stability and motion control are intended for people who overprontate, neutral for cushioned or light overpronators. Never quite sure what under-pronators are meant to do, it's rarer though, I think insoles or stability are suggested. The other factor is the amount of cushioning, which is mainly down to how heavy you are. The most expensive shoes tend to be the ones with the most cushioning, if you're quite light they mightn't be for you.
That's the basic picture most people in shops doing gait analysis are using. I think it somewhat assumes a heel-landing jogging motion. Some are better at it than others and know the shoes better. I've often been recommended stability (and used to use 2100s), but found neutral actually suit me better, possibly as I'm a fairly forefoot runner.
But, you don't really know how this is all going to work out till you've done a bit of running! I'm not sure how well gait analysis (and this is a fancy term for looking at a video of your feet while wondering and deciding how much they roll) is going to work until you've been going a while and developed a style. Short distances and building up gradually you're not going to seriously injure yourself unless you try to push through pain (and I mean injury type pain, rather than the 'this is hard work' stuff). Think I started off with something fairly neutral like asics cumulus or stratus, then went 2000/2100 for a long time and then went back to neutral with less heel support. You should change shoes every 500 miles or so anyway, so what you start off with you don't have to stick to.
Unless you're super fashion concious, last season colour shoes are usually discounted quite a bit (I'm sporting some hideous yellow ones currently), and tweaks between models aren't always improvements.

mike_l

Jalapeno said:

mike_l said:

I've always got on with Nike, but I was never really a runner, just wore them for five-a-side or the gym.

Running shoes + 5-a-side = broken ankle

Well it did for me

Not for me.

Rugby = various broken parts (I won't bore you with the list, but there's been a few)

Jalapeno

mike_l said:

Jalapeno said:

mike_l said:

I've always got on with Nike, but I was never really a runner, just wore them for five-a-side or the gym.

Running shoes + 5-a-side = broken ankle

Well it did for me

Not for me.

Rugby = various broken parts (I won't bore you with the list, but there's been a few)

Mine were thick spongy running shoes, but with the stop-start of 5-a-side my foot rolled off and my ankle pinged (this was the 80s mind you).

frankus

redrighthand said:

So, I've decided to get off my arse and do the couch to 5k.

I hate running. However in the absence of any time to get to a gym it makes a lot of sense.

Couch to 5k is a great routine, unless you get shin splints, running shoes only matter for greater distances. Asics are great though.

If you're missing the gym try something like the plank or burpee challenges... I like running for CV but not doing stretches afterwards is responsilble for some of my back injury

http://30dayfitnesschallenges.com/30-day-plank-challenge/

Snap

redrighthand - you did right first time, go to a proper shop, take their advice. Its not about brand, it's about what is right for your posture. Let the people who know about it recommend you a pair. I've been running for 20 years, and I do exactly this. Never suffered from any injuries or discomfort due to shoes.
I've no particular brnad allegiance, and have had most of the major makes, can't say any are better or worse, its all down to the particulary shoe at the time.

Also, it's often worth taking in you old pair with you, so that they can look at how you have worn them down.

Take proper advice, act on it. Simple really. Proper shoes make a huge difference in every way, runnin wise.