AIBU to think expensive trainers are a waste of money?

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I'm walking a lot lately and my skechers memory foam just werent supportive enough, plus I have hip issues. It stopped me going for a family walk on Christmas day (within covid rules in case you wonder). My brother in law was saying I should spend over £100 on something like New Balance or Asics. He just would not stop going on about it and saying it was my fault I had hip pain since I was to stingy to 'invest in myself'. But I hear that such fancy trainers are not actually better, just paying for the brand name etc. AIBU or should I tell DBIL to stop going on about it (and stop blaming me for being in pain)!

Cheap trainers are a mistaken economy. The only time I have had ankle pain is when I was starting out in running and purchased for price and not performance. My ankles are the bell weather for the end of a pair of trainers - slight ache means the support is going on my current pair and time to order a new one. A good pair will not necessarily be the most flash, but they won’t be the cheapest, and will save you hours of misery.

I'm hypermobile and need good footwear. Day to day I wear fitflops, like walking on a cloud. Can't recommend them enough. I buy them from vinted/depop/eBay. To jog I use Nike air hurraches, they "bind" squeeze my feet which works well for my hypermobility and general floppiness

The voting is tricky, as to me "expensive trainers" brings into my mind the "named brands" which are fashion items and all about 'the look'.

However

It does make a good difference to your feet and comfort, if you get the right shoes on your feet to walk in.
I wouldn't go for trainers though, I'd get yourself some 'walking shoes'. Can often pick up bargains in places like Mountain warehouse.

What's the saying, buy cheap buy twice

I bought some £30 nikes last year to fit my orthopaedic insoles in post foot surgery. This summer (1year post op) i took up couch to 5k. The shoes were ok. I was just impressed I was running as I hadn't since primary school. I treated myself yo some asics this September with birthday money from their outlet shop. What a difference. So supportive I dont feel the need to add my insoles. They were £70 in the sale, could have spent loads more. I tried some £50 ones in too, while good these felt so much better.

I'm on my feet eight hours a day at work and can clock up a few miles per shift. Switched from trainers to karrimoor orthotics walking shoes, honestly it's like wearing slippers once they are broken in. Helps with my knee pain ( knees are out of alignment to where they should be) so much because they are supportive.. and waterproof which is great as I hate my feet getting even slightly wet. I get mine from sports direct my current pair were about £36

Buying ASICS running trainers made a massive difference for me. I get them at an outlet shop

My last pair of Asics were £25 on eBay. Absolutely no wear on them - they look completely unused, but the seller said she’d worn them a few times but they hadn’t suited her feet.

They weren’t the colour I’d necessarily choose but 🤷🏻‍♀️

They make the world if difference to my hip pain.

It's not always about expensive trainers, it's getting the right trainers for you.

I run about 35k a week and wear some £30 nikes. I've tried New Balance, Saucony and some much more expensive Nikes. All of them caused pain and I ended up giving them away and going back the the same kind of cheap Nikes. I'd love some lovely new trainers that look nice, but it feels too much of a risk to keep trying out different trainers. Should probably get a gait analysis done, but assuming this might be difficult to come by at the moment.

Asics are recommended for people with foot problems . Have a look in the sales . You could buy from the children’s section if they’d fit ?

As a teenager, DM just bought me M&S trainers. I was hopeless at PE, terrible shin splints within 30 seconds of attempting to run...

I took up running in my 30s and my feet and legs are sensitive to different pairs. I'm now on my 4th pair of a particular style from Decathlon. However in November, my old pair were causing blisters and I needed a new pair pronto, and my usual pair were unavaliable online so I ended up blind-buying a different style. I shall be saving them only for short road runs... and ended up getting my usuals as soon as I could.

Price isn't everything, but unless you have forgiving feet and legs and light use, the cheapest are unlikely to perform well. Equally, unless you're a pro, £250 for a vaporfly is not going to be great value for performance and there is a happy zone between £50- £120 where most will find a decent bakance between performance añd price.

I can use my old runners for walking long after they retire for running because of the reduced impact. I used to wear walking boots a lot more, but now use trail runners more frequently which are lighter and more comfortable for dry walks in lowland countryside.

New Balance sorted out my PF. They weren't £100s though, maybe £50 in the sale.

those memory foam shoes are awful for posture and foot pisition.
I disagree that trainers need to be expensive to be good though.
I run with decathlon own brand trainers that cost about 50£.
but I also have running trainers that cost 4x that...

I’m a podiatrist. I flipping hate sketchers! It’s great that patients are in something with laces and a wide toe box, but the foam is usually pretty rubbish, they don’t have much space inside for the style they are and they’re not very supportive.

YABU. Cheap shoes are a false economy.

I recommend Runners Need for shoes (part of Cotswold Outdoors stores ) for gait analysis and fitting. I was recruited this year and can confirm the product training is exemplary.

I've got plantar fasciitis in one foot and Brookes trainers were recommended to me, and they are absolutely brilliant.

New Balance Fresh Foam are amazing.

I think some trainers are better and so I buy in the sales rather than pay full price to save money!

Good supportive trainers make all the difference. I need a flexible sole and not too weighty as my left leg is weak and gets tired more quickly. Merrell is my favourite walking shoe brand, and New Balance or Nike for running.

It isn't so much about the brand or the price. Its about getting a shoe which is designed for the purpose. I walk a lot and wouldn't entertain wearing regular trainers or skechers as I'd end up with sore feet and hips. At the moment I have a pair of Berghaus walking shoes which were less than £100 and are a dream to wear.

ASICS with the little dots on the inside edge of the sole. Indicates good arch support. The ones without has less support. Get some proper advice for the right type for the activities you do and the shape of your foot. With some trainers it is worth it.

I voted yabu as you clearly need something better than what you are currently wearing.

Best bet is to get £100 trainers when they are in the sale. I tend to do this and not pay more than £60.