what type of shoes to buy? - Triathlon Week

kirsten02 · 12-23-2002, 01:34 PM

I'm a beginner runner, what type of shoes should I buy?

obergirl · 12-23-2002, 03:39 PM

I'm a big fan of New Balance and Asics - my first few pairs of running shoes were Nikes and Reebok (ick), and after I wore my first pair of New Balance I never went back.

dwest · 12-27-2002, 05:26 AM

I used to only run in Adidas, but for my last pair I bought some Nike Storm Pegasus instead. They are an excellent shoe IMO, good cushioning and versatile as far as running on or off road. I am currently looking for a new pair.

ogfm · 01-15-2003, 05:25 PM

I don't know that the brand is as important as buying them from asomeone who KNOWS what they are doing. I started training for a Marathon last January, and bought a very well known, quality running shoe. Becasue I hadn't done any serious long distance running in the past, I thought the brand I always bought was "safe". A very bad case of shin splints / stress fracture later I found out they were all wrong and had to lay off for several months. I now have several pair fitted by a pro, and I ran my first half-marathon recently without a problem.

stephend50 · 10-17-2003, 10:22 PM

I agree with buy from someone who know what they are doing. Here in Portland we have a couple of good running stores where the employees know how to fit shoes to the runner. Personally I like New Balance. I ran in Asics for several years until I met one of those knowledgable people who explained to me why Asics were wrong for me. They are good shoes but they are no right for my feet, 6'6" with size 14s.

jtwhitmor · 10-19-2003, 08:06 AM

As the employee of a running store I have fit thousands of people for running shoes. But I am not the expert to finding the right shoes you are. Speciality running stores are usually the best place to get your shoes since they can tell you if you need a cushion (neutral), stability or motion control shoe. If you bring in your old shoes they can look at the wear on your shoes, they may watch you run too. They can usually tell how much stability in a shoe you need.

After that these are the criteria that I look for when fitting someone. A
The running shoe should have about a thumbnails length from your toe to the end of the shoe, if not as your feet swell your toe will hit the end of your shoe, your toenail turns black and falls off (it's not pretty). Rememer to measure the distance from your longest toe. You should have room for your toes to spread but your heel should not lift out of the shoe when you run, if it does you could get blisters. If there is a part of the shoe that feels strange I would stay away from it. Something that hits you strange at the store may be horrible at mile 13. If you move into a shoe that has more stability than you are used to it will feel different so keep that in mind. The shoe may feel stiffer and heavier.
Asics, Saucony, NB, Brooks, Mizuno, Adidas are among my favorite. Each company tries to make a shoes for every type of runner. Each shoe company usually makes their entire line off of a similar mold so each brand has it's own feel. Try one of each brand and find what feel best. Happy shoe shopping.

wannatri · 09-15-2004, 09:21 AM

Buy the shoe that fits...

I think the best advice is to go to a running specialty store, try on lots of shoes, test them, run in them, and buy the ones that fit best. Ideally, the salesperson will watch you run, analyze your stride, look at your feet, see how much you pronate, and find a shoe that matches YOU and your running.