Trainers for running

[Dinosauraus]

Can anyone recommend any cheapish/reasonably priced trainers for road running?

I haven't run in years and I'd like to get back into it to just generally improve my health and fitness, so planning to do couch to 5k. However, I need some new trainers. I don't want to spend the earth, but hoping to find something reasonable priced in the sale.

I always used to go for trainers with 'air' or cushioning in the heel, as sometimes my knees would ache from the impact. The trainers I used to like, Nike Air something, c.£40 in the sales around 8/9 years ago, don't seem to exist in the version I liked, or without costing a small fortune!

Can anyone make any recommendations?

Go to a runner's trainers shop with a treadmill, where they will analyze your gait with various trainers and you can choose the one that's best for you. It's free and absolutely worth your time.

Will you be running on tarmac or grass? I prefer tarmac to grass, but my parkrun is on grass, so I do 50/50. The difference is in the sole grip.
A running shop had my gait analysed and reached the same conclusion as me, I underpronate. Basically, I need a sole that corrects the alignment of my ankle/knee. Hence the need for gait analysis.
I have Brooks Ghost, I’m a 6 but my running shoes are a 7.5, that’s why you need to try them on before you buy.
I also have narrow feet.
Mine were £140, but that’s because I’ve got really difficult feet and I need those shoes to to everything but cook. You might find that you’re standard fit and it’d be much cheaper.
Welcome back to running!

If you have previously been a runner and ‘just need to get back into it’ then you should go to a proper running shop and get your gait analysed. Trainers will be £70 -£140 ish , but often they will have last season’s colours on sale (but only if you ask).

An alternative is sportsshoes.com who have various ways of testing your own gait at home to work out the best shoes for you. Obviously not quite as good as a specialist running store, but pretty good.

One thing I would say though is if you haven’t run for years then you might be better off just starting couch to 5k in your current trainers and then buy some more in 4-6 weeks once you have developed your style and running muscles. I’m a run leaders and this is what I tell all those starting our Couch to 5k courses .

I echo what everyone above has said re; gait analysis, specialist running shops and £70+ trainers. The “danger” of cheaper trainers - as well as the risk of injury - is that they may not feel as comfortable as they could, you may not enjoy running and you won’t stick to it. I get every third pair fitted, and buy online (the sane model) in between.

Also, don’t forget a good running bra, even if you are not well endowed. Sane reasons of support, injury prevention and comfort as trainers. Again, needs specialist fitting, and spirts bras rarely fit the same/sane size as ordinary bras, as they do a different job (flatten and hold, rather than lift and seperate).

I don't bother with gait analysis any more, but that's only after years of running and figuring out what suits me. In terms of road shoes, I now rotate Sauconys and Nike Pegasus - or Brooks Ghost if I can get a pair cheaply - and Inov8s for the fells.
In your position, I'd do two things...

1. Get thee to Sportshoes.com and buy a good, solid, standard running shoe to get started with. The Saucony Triumphs iso4 are v cheap at the moment, are neutral and cushioned, and IMO are a good "workhorse" everyday shoe for anyone. At £40 they're a proper bargain:
   www.sportsshoes.com/product/sau3485/saucony-triumph-iso-4-women%27s-running-shoes/

2. Go to a good, independent, running shop in a few weeks time and get a gait analysis. If they try to put you in stability shoes, be polite, ignore them, and go elsewhere Then, if you have the cash, buy the shoes they recommend. Brooks are generally great. ONs are overrated and fall apart. Hokas are the Marmite of the running world. Nike Pegasus are a firm classics for a reason. Don't buy Vaporflys!!
   If you don't have the cash for the shoes they recommend, remember the model and buy last year's colours on sportsshoes for half the price.

Happy running!

I'm a barbarian as I love Hoka! They are definitely the most cushioned shoe you can buy.

Other well cushioned neutrals are ASIC Dynaflyte, Mizuno WaveRider (on about it's 23rd release, so usually possible to find old season colours) and the just as hardy perennial Nike Vomero (puke making name, but really good 'entry level' shoe)

I don't get on with Saucony

Adidas and New Balance are pretty reliable too. Have never tried Brooks or ON.

Make sure you size up by at least half a size (I usually go a full size up)

Hoka gave me stress fractures, @AuntieStella! I thought I loved them, but in retrospect the fact they were so built-up they caused me to land too heavily on my forefoot. Ended up with two broken toes (which I then ran a fast half on, through gritted teeth, as I didnt want to miss the race. That wasn't my finest hour)

Can totally see how they'd be good for heel-strikers though, or people who need a lot of cushioning. They were originally popular with ultrarunners IIRC.

Anyway, sorry to digress. I just love running shoe chat!

Thanks all - I’m excited to get back to it!

I was hoping I might be able to order some online as no where in my town offers gait analysis. However reading your responses it sounds like it’s probably worth a visit to one of the bigger towns, so that’s tomorrow’s plan