good running shoes?

SHoddyCOmp

Platinum Member
Apr 1, 2002
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Some of you must run some, what would you guys say are pretty good? Im trying to get back in shape some, bulk up too, im pretty slender at 5'10" and almost 140
rolleye.gif
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
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I've heard from many of my hardcore runner friends that Asics are the best running shoes. specific model no.. depends on your taste and what fits.. :)
 

SWirth86

Golden Member
Aug 31, 2001
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Whatever feels good. Go to a store and try em on.

EDIT: It's all personal preference... None of the brands are 'better'
 

MomAndSkoorbaby

Diamond Member
May 6, 2001
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It really depends on the type of foot you have!

I have skinny feet so I find that Nike fits me best. It took me a while to find the right shoe for me and now that I have, I am not changing! :)
 

SHoddyCOmp

Platinum Member
Apr 1, 2002
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ah ok, yea i was looking at them but theres so many :D
wow that was quick, ^^ was to yield.

yea...i was gonna go out today but ive got a huge essay due tommorow, i will if i have time and try some on.
 

loup garou

Lifer
Feb 17, 2000
35,132
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I'm not hardcore or anything--I run a couple of miles a couple of times a week--but I've always liked New Balance.
 

NewSc2

Diamond Member
Apr 21, 2002
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Originally posted by: Yield
I've heard from many of my hardcore runner friends that Asics are the best running shoes. specific model no.. depends on your taste and what fits.. :)

yeah, a few of my running friends wear Asics, a few wear Nike.
 

Kelvrick

Lifer
Feb 14, 2001
18,422
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:) You're like me. I'm about 5'9"-5'10" and i'm a little over 140, depending on my water weight. I ran 4 years of Track and field in highschool doing 100m, 200m, 400m, 400m relay, and long/triple jump with 3 years of cross country.

It really depends on your foot, but then I really recommend Asics, with New Balance as the runner up, with their nifty wide shoes available. :) My advice is to go to a real running store where the salesmen are runners too, not SportMart or Big5, but they'll actually put the shoes on you and tell you to go run around and let you get a feel for the shoes. They'll then see how you run and recommend you shoes depending on how your foot impacts agains the ground/surface you are running on.

Post more questions and I'll answer as best as I can. Also, there are a couple more shoe threads out there if you do a search for running or whatever.

<== monkey dance

EDIT: Also, do not try to make up for the calories you burn by eating fatty foods and such, you'll have to take in more carbohydrates and other things like that. And above all, drink lots of water!!
 

slycat

Diamond Member
Jul 18, 2001
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i have flat feet so i like cross trainers...they usually flatter...
unless ur a hardcore runner
 

Tdawg951

Member
Nov 28, 2001
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Originally posted by: Yield
I've heard from many of my hardcore runner friends that Asics are the best running shoes. specific model no.. depends on your taste and what fits.. :)

Yup, i run a lot, and i wear asics, definately the best. I use the 2080s......
 

dolph

Diamond Member
Jan 18, 2001
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ask vi_edit. he knows what's up.

but you have to go to a running shoe store to start.

i pronate, and i like new balance 1220s, nike air kataras, & asics 2070s. but i got a good deal on asics kayano viis, so those are what i have. and they're great.
 

visgf

Senior member
Dec 19, 1999
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I've run for years (much of it competitively), and the only advice that I can give is to try on the shoe. It's all just a comfort thing.

Personally, the only shoes that I've ever had any luck with are asics or nike. I have somewhat flat feet and pretty small feet. Some shoe makers (new balance, adidas, some saucony) feel the need to make the soles preformed to what a normal foot should be shaped like, and my feet just don't fit that ticket.

I agree that you should go to an actual running store (not one in the mall) to get an expert. You may pronate, suppinate, or do some other weird thing with your feet, and an expert shoe salesman can fit you with the right shoe for whatever quirk you have.


 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
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I should have mentioned New Balance as well. their shoes are actually quite comfy and seem really nice.

Also, Saucony some people like.. but some people think Saucony sucks too.. there's a positive and a negative for each shoe, in each persons's eyes.. people are right though, you have to go out and try some shoes on.
 

SHoddyCOmp

Platinum Member
Apr 1, 2002
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ah cool therse one listed halfway nearby too. (Fleetfeet in santarosa)
Probably could drive up there tonight or when i get off school tommorow...I have school in SR.
Edit - i said fleetfoot :) , yea i have one leg
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vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
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Here's a PM that I sent to dolph a while ago...

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Without having a foot measurer in front of me, it's tough to make any specific suggestions. My best advice is go to a specialty running store and have them measure your foot, and evalute what sort of motion your foot does while running.

Generally, there are three types of feet. High arched, low arched(flat feet), and neutral. People with high arches usually do what's called supinating. Supanators tend to roll their their feet outwards and put stress on the outer edge of their feet. They require shoes with high flexibility in the midsole, allowing them to flex the way their foot needs to flex.

Flat feeted people generally have their feet roll inwards, doing what is called pronation. Pronators are usually best fitted with shoes labled as "motion control". Motion Control shoes typically have beefed up midsoles and possibly some sort of plastic bridge or brace on the inside edge of the midsole. It's their to try and prevent their feet from collapsing inwards.

Neutral feet are exactly that. They don't roll in or out, and have no need for any sort of motion control correction.

Self diagnosis isn't really preferred because a lot of people think they have flat feet when they really don't. They go out and buy a heavy duty motion control shoe and end up hurting themselves. The wrong type of shoe for your foot can cause a great amount of discomfort and can actually even harm you(in the form of tendonitis usually) if you are buying opposite of what you need.

If you have a specialty running store near you, they are your best bet offering *real* running shoe choices, and many times, some of the best prices on things. Many mall retailers offer nothing but junk in their "running shoe" sections.

I'll give you a brief rundown of most shoe companies and what they offer -

Asics - Full line of shoes. A couple motion control, several for neutral runners, and a couple for high arched people with the need for a lot of midsole flex. I like asics because they offer good cushioning, and are usually lightweight. They tend to run narrow as well, which is essential for me.

Adidas - I've never worn them because they were too wide. They also are fairly low-tech when it comes to cushioning technologies. They just use a soft rubber plug for their cushioning. They typically offer shoes for nuetral runners and supinators.

Brooks - Shoes for big people Typically built to last, and are geared twords flat footed people. These guys make shoes for offensive linemen to wear.

New Balance - Fairly unfamiliar with them. Biggest claim to fame is having different widths available in most models. Also have a reputation of being fairly rugged and durable. Also the only shoe out there that is actually made completely in the US I beleive, if that matters to you.

Nike - A full lineup of shoes. They actually have two different lines of shoes. They have a line of shoes they sell to mall retailers, and then they have another line that they sell to specialty sports stores. The ones in the malls are junk, and the ones in the specialty stores are very nice. Regardless of what people may say, the air soles Nike makes IS the best cushioning on the market. They have the best forefoot cushioning available. They have great comfort, in a low profile, and with very little weight. It also doesn't break down as quickly as the foam and gel inserts that other companies put in their shoes for cushioning. Nike offers shoes for high arches, low arches, and everything in between. Nikes tend to run narrow, making them my first choice to look at.

Saucony - Shoes generally geared at nuetral runners and pronators. They have wide toeboxes, but usually have narrow heel cups. Have a good fit for a lot of people. They usually lack forefoot cushioning, making them not as appealing as nike or asics.

That covers most big name shoe companies that I know of. Get your foot measured and just try a bunch on

 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
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i find nikes and reeboks are a bit narrow... i usually go to the outlet stores and have a hard time finding 12W sizes... adidas fit fine without being wide... i actually have some inexpensive avias which are really comfortable... they're not as flashy as nikes or reeboks or NB but they are inexpensive.
 

LakerGod

Platinum Member
May 19, 2001
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Consider what surfaces you plan on running on too when looking for a shoe. I love New Balance because you can get them in wider sizes. I own the 805s and they have been good to me thus far. God bless Footlocker's 30% coupon. :D
 

SWScorch

Diamond Member
May 13, 2001
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I'm 5'9" and 130lbs (quite skinny) and I run cross country and track (usually about 50 miles a week or so). I prefer New Balance for my training shoes, although I've heard good things about Asics and Saucony. I think my next pair of shoes will be Saucony, so I can see how I like them.

But New Balance 704s are probably the best "budget" running shoes you can find, if your feet like them. They're good for road and trail, are fairly light, and are comfortable (for me). Whatever you choose, though, I recommend you run a little ways in them before you make your decision. Most good running stores will let you take the shoes out for a "test run."
 

SWirth86

Golden Member
Aug 31, 2001
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Originally posted by: SWScorch
But New Balance 704s are probably the best "budget" running shoes you can find, if your feet like them. They're good for road and trail, are fairly light, and are comfortable (for me). Whatever you choose, though, I recommend you run a little ways in them before you make your decision. Most good running stores will let you take the shoes out for a "test run."
Those are good shoes, I'm on my second pair. They're pretty durable too.
I run XC and Track too, and weigh about 135.
 

LongCoolMother

Diamond Member
Sep 4, 2001
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all the running shoes ive bought for XC and track hurt my feet :(..

i would buy a shoe that fits me well and is comfortable, but i always find the idea sitting down and letting the store employees help me awkward. it makes me feel embarassed, with them looking at my feet and everything, and making myself look like i dont know anything (which i dont) so they'll just find me a joke.

and taking shoes for a test run? is that possible? that seems unlikely, but then again, i usually only go to the mall stores (footlocker, footaction).
 

eakers

Lifer
Aug 14, 2000
12,169
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i recently purchased a pair of fubus


NEVER AGAIN. they wore out way faster than any other shoe i have ever bought.
 

dolph

Diamond Member
Jan 18, 2001
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vi_edit: just got back from my daily 3 miler, in the kayano viis. thanks again! :)