Best first running shoes for couch to 5k?

[Happyclappy20]

Sorry posting for traffic.

I want to start running and need to buy some running shoes. I am am a complete beginner to running. What are the best shoes to get and where? I don't want to spend very much in case it doesn't work out! Any other tips and what shall i wear. I will probably be running in the evenings.

I got a pair of Karrimor ones for about £30 from Sports Direct and they did me perfectly up to about 10k, then I treated myself to some 'proper' ones cos I'd caught the bug! Good luck - couch to 5k was the only thing that ever made exercise 'easy' enough for me to stick with it :-)

Go to a specialist running shop and get some advice. It completely depends on your feet. I have no arches and over-pronate and need loads of arch and ankle support. I’ve always used New Balance as running shoes because they are good for my wonky hypermobile feet (though they recently came out as pro-Trump, so will have to reconsider that choice next time I buy). They wouldn’t be right for everyone though and a really knowledgeable salesperson at a running shop helped fit me when I first started running.

Btw, good job starting running. I did couch to 5k probably 10 years ago and eventually ran 2 half marathons - though 2 babies later, could benefit from doing it again!

Agree with above poster, get to a specialist running shop. They will analyse your gait and recommend the best shoe for you. Where I went they charge for gait analysis but if you buy the shoes from them it's free. It was totally worth it to be honest.

Do you wear the soles of your shoes evenly or heavily in certain places? If you wear more evenly then for begining then your feet will be more forgiving of a basic running shoe. Uneven wear could indicate that you need more support or stability.

Running shoes will have the cushioning aimed for a running motion and are built differently to a fashion or general aerobic trainer.

If there is a Decathlon nearby, they do gait analysis and sell good quality, affordable shoes.

I've got awkward feet so went to a specialist shop from the beginning as my feet and legs were going to be unforgiving of a basic shoe.

Cannot over emphasise the benefits of having gait analysis at a specialist running shop.

I have some couch to 5k questions, if you don't mind me highjacking OP?

I'm massively overweight but REALLY want to try it. Will it kill me? Do I need to do something gentler first? Or should I just get stuck in.

I’m going to hijack too, sorry OP! Can anyone recommend a specialist running shop in Central or West London?

My other question is: what do I wear to stop my flabby gut flapping about everywhere? Just until I have a six pack from all the running

I've got utterly terrible feet, to the extent that even having a fair analysis with a specialist couldn't find me a shoe providing the support I need (feet completely flat as a pancake with no arch whatsoever, and extreme pressure on the inner) so I've stuck with my ridiculously cheap karrimor runs which cost about 15 quid in sports direct, combined with some compression sleeves as i get terrible shin splints. They've been fine for everything I do in the gym (45 minutes 3-5 times a week) plus outdoor park runs at 5k