Trainers for stability

[MrsMartinRohde]

Hi, I'm after recommendations.

I run most days, in the gym, about 40-50km per week. I've got fallen arches, but manage great with no pain, in Brooks Adrenaline trainers. I got the 15s when they first came out, another pair a while later, then 16s last summer. Had to size up to a 6 (usually 5- 5.5).

I need a new pair because the 16s are developing a hole in the upper where my big toes puts pressure on, so I ordered what I could, which was 18s, also in a 6. But they're so so tight I'm going to have to send them back. I'm going to go to a Runners Need tomorrow and get measured, but wondering if anyone had suggestions/recommendations for a different make or brand of stability trainer. I love my Adrenalines and if I could get 15s again I would, but they're not available in my size.

I have neutral sole trainers, so am not quite so familiar with the supportive soles. Googling the Adrenaline to find out what it's like brought up some places which still have the 17, so maybe that's worth a try? Plus of course the far corners of the Runners Need stock room where older things lurk.

Google says Adrenalines are cushioned. I like plenty of cushioning, and the parallel supportive sole versions of my recent favourites are the Mizuno Wave Inspire and Hoka Arahi. Might be worth trying New Balance too.

Thank you @AuntieStella - I did go to a Runners World today and tried on the 19 Adrenalines. Guy in the shop seemed to think the 6.5s were not long enough, but then the 7 was too wide. So he recommended the adidas Solar Glide ST Boost, which were comfy enough (in a 6) and I took them for a trot on the treadmill. a lot lighter than the Adrenalines, which are substantial, but I wonder how supportive they'd be. I really do have flat feet. Going to try some more before I decide. Plus they only come in yellow, which I don't love.

Or I might bite the bullet and order the Adrenalines in a 7, narrow fit... £120 though. Maybe I'll call round some shops and see if they have any in stock to try on.

They had Mizuno Waves but not the Hoka Arahi, but by the time I'd tried on four pair and tested them I had to get back to work...

Is it the width making them too tight? I think Brooks come in two widths, as I had to buy the narrower of the two, but mine are 16s so not sure whether they still do that with the 18s.

Sorry - just seen your latest post, ignore me

@ZeldaPrincessOfHyrule - the 19s come in three widths. I've always had the standard, and certainly in the 16s I have at the moment it's not width that's the issue but I think they're possibly too short. The 18s I bought last week that are way too small and going back - they're normal width and just crazy tight everywhere. Today was the first time I've been in a running shoe shop in 4 years, I just ordered online after my first 15s but something's changed. No idea if my feet are bigger...

Your feet sound similar to mine. I also have fallen arches and wear Brookes adrenalines (not sure of number I’m afraid though) which I had to size up in. Took me about an hour and a half in the shop to find the right pair but my feet are pretty rubbish and I have other issues with them too.

I’m just commenting for when you do find a pair of trainers that suit... I had the same problem with a hole in the upper. The running shop recommended blister patches on the shoe upper to try give more resistance to my big toe making a hole in them. I used engo ones and so far they seem pretty good.

Saucony Omni

Thanks @TooStressyTooMessy - I wouldn't have thought about blister patches, what a good idea. This pair that's got holes from the toes is the first pair that's gone like this - they're 16s - so I wonder if the mesh upper in that model is just not robust enough. I have an old pair of 15s and there's not the slightest bit of wear in that area. That could be because I upped the distance and frequency of my runs around the time I got the 16s so they've done significantly more mileage, but they're only 7 months old. I did make a point of examining the uppers of the pairs I tried yesterday and I think the 19s were more sturdy, certainly the Adidas were, they felt pretty reinforced actually.

@user - thank you - how are the Sauconys size-wise, do you have to size up? This is the most annoying thing I am finding, that some are true, some are not and there's this variation within brands. Sigh.

What mileage have you done in that 7months? Cause if it's over 350ish, then they are probably at the end of their lifespan, and very cushioned shoes tend to get knackered soles earlier

@AuntieStella - yikes, it's probably close to twice that. Between 600 and 700 anyway. They're definitely dying in other ways, apart from the holes, I'm getting feet and leg twinges.

There's not a huge amount of visible wear on the soles.

Worn through upper, increase in twinges and over 600 miles in them definitely sounds like replacements needed!

Sole can be knackered even before tread is worn down.

Runners Need btw do free weekly running groups and reps visit quite often with new release shoes which you can try over 5k. Even if you're not looking, it can be useful to try some out and store in your mind which ones you like for when you're next looking.

Thank you! I didn't know that. I run alone, don't have any runner friends, so rely on the internet for advice etc, but obvs that can only go so far...

Yes, I should have said, the blister patches are good if the shoes are wearing prematurely at the top but if you are running a lot then you will need to replace them a lot I’m afraid.

Have ended up with the Hoka One One Arahi 3, after trying Nike Lunargljde, a New Balance, and the Adrenaline 19s again (different Runners Need branch and the guy I saw didn't quite believe what I said about the 6.5 being too small but sure enough...). I feel fairly confident I'm actually a 6 as every 6 in every brand
fit fine apart from the Adrenalines.

So fingers crossed these will be good I took them for a short run on the treadmill and they felt great, really light but properly firm and supportive.

Thanks for the suggestions. @AuntieStella @ZeldaPrincessOfHyrule @TooStressyTooMessy @user1486076969

That’s great . Glad you got sorted.