Running Shoes

[Jon Miller]

I need some. My current shoes are quite nice Vans (I think that is it?). Anyways, despite being nice they aren't really the best for running in even though I have been running in them for a few years now.

So how do you find good running shoes? Preferibly they would be something I could wear to workouts in general and on some of the other rare occasions I wear shoes (although honestly, the Vans are still serviceable for the latter requirement).

JM

[Provost Harrison]

Yeah, when I run I don't wear bog standard trainers or it knackers my feet and really makes me ache with the bumping up and down (I'm quite a heavily-built person) so I have some running trainers that are quite well cushioned. Do the job...and they are fine around the rest of the gym.

[-Jrabbit]

It really depends on your foot, especially the arch shape and foot width. I know a lot of people who swear by New Balance, but they rub on the underside of my ankles. Same problem with Puma. Nikes are actually pretty good but overpriced. I don't consider Vans a legit running shoe.

I currently wear Avia, and have had good luck with Reebok and Adidas in the past.

Bottom line: you need to go somewhere with good selection and try on a bunch of them in your price range.

[Jon Miller]

Vans aren't running shoes, that is the point.

I don't really care about price.

JM

[Blaupanzer]

Avia is popular with a few of the runners I know. They work out to maintain military fitness but don't have to run in boots in their current assignment. They claim they did a lot of research to settle on the Avias. One of the three is female, but I don't know her life situation.

[Darsnan]

I don't really care about price.

JM

Don't know the distances your thinking of running (I do races in the range of 16km myself), but I've been using Asics running shoes the last few years. Since I switched to this brand the number of running injuries I've experienced has decreased dramatically. Very comfortable, light as a feather, and expen$ive.

D

[-Jrabbit]

Ooh, yeah, forgot about them -- Asics Tigers were my shoe of preference for a long time. I'm not a serious runner anymore, just enough to stay in semi-shape.

[Jon Miller]

What sort of place do you go to find such things? Target?

JM

[Traianvs]

Any shop with sportswear should be a shoe retailer as well. I'm sure you'll find one in those typical North-American 'malls'.

[Japher]

I have Asics. Make sure to not get trail shoes, they hurt my feet. Get ones designed for street running or treadmills.

[-Jrabbit]

Sporting goods stores are a good bet, but I usually end up at Kohl's or JCPenney.

[Japher]

I got mine at Dick's for $40. They didn't even try to get me to buy the more expensive ones.

[Timexwatch]

I have to do New Balance because I have 4E width feet and New Balance is the only game in town for running shoes, but I've never been dissatisfied with them. I got a pair for work designed for flat footed people and so far I've been able to do 3 to 5 miles every other day no problem. So other folks in my class also do Asics, which are also good.

Bottom line: Try to find a running store and see if they can size up your feet and make sure that you get the right kind of arch support so you don't kill your feet and knees.

[Kidlicious]

NB

[BlackCat]

When I read the thread title, I got the picture of shoes running away from you.

Don't know why - sorry