This running malarkey is getting expensive! Need new shoes. Need Garmin recommendation.

[xsquared]

My Nike running shoes are no longer able to sustain my increasing mileage and I need something more supportive

Having had a gait analysis, I was recommended to get support running shoes for overpronation. I haven't tried any on yet, but looking online I have read lots of positive things about Brooks and the lady at the shop also recommended them. I am planning to try some on the next time I'm in the shop with a view of buying them.

I did post a running watch thread a while back and I have done lots of online research about Garmin and have spoken to a few people who own one.I have shortlisted to Garmin Vivoactive 4S and Forerunner 245. Does anyone have anything negative to say about them before I make an expensive mistake?

Thank you in advance.

No idea about Garmins. Brooks shoes sorted out years of awful knee problems for me though. They're expensive but I've saved their cost in chiro and physio fees!

I have a 245 and it's served me very well for a few years. Does everything I need (and more).
Also love my Brooks. Definitely buy them in a shop though, where you can try them on a treadmill and they can observe you, to check they're right for you.

Mr Forestcantrun loves his 245. Regrets getting the music option though as he doesn't use it. I just have a plain forerunner 35. It does all the things I need it to do. Garmin does have a sale on at the min.

I have a Forerunner 35 too. I love it. I had a fancy Fitbit that died on me, but the Garmin is easy to use, completely reliable and does everything i need. It has GPS and syncs with Strave. My husband has the 45.
Shoes wise...I'm an over-pronator too.

My first proper pair of running shoes were Brooks Adrenalines, then I bought a pair of Hokas. The Hokas are very bouncy but didn't last as long as the Brooks, so I've just bought another pair of Brooks.
The last person we spoke to in Runners Needs was amazingly helpful because you do get boggled by choice after a while.

I have the vivoactive 4s, Mr Piranesio has the forerunner 245.

Biggest initial difference js the size is the watch face. The 245 is the same size as the vivoactive 4, whereas the 4s is 5mm smaller. His watch looks too big on my wrist. The 4s is touchscreen (although you can lock it for exercise) and only has 2 buttons. The 245 is not touch screen and everything is done using the 4(?) buttons.

I believe the 4s has more smartwatch-y options (can pay with it and stuff), but i'm not sure. Both give notifications of WhatsApp, calls etc.

The 4s is marketed more as a general fitness watch, ie not just for running, which appealed to me, but the 245 also tracks swims, walks and golf, so DP hasn't had an issue. I use mine for yoga, walking, swimming and running.

Oh and the other big difference is the screen type. Mine is back lit, so lights up when I look at it, the 245 is not, but is more visible in direct sunlight. Although I don't have an issue reading mine.

Thank you all for your comments, they're very helpful. I will try to have a look at both watches in the flesh first, but I suspect the regular sized ones will be huge on my wrist.

I have brooks adrenaline gts and a garmin vivoactive 3, which looks like a real watch iykwim. Both great, really recommend.

I’ve had a Garmin 45 for coming up to 5 years now. Use it mainly for cycling and hiking but just finished C25k and will continue to use it for running. It’s pretty simple but used with Strava it does everything I need.

Brooks are great - I really noticed a difference after I bought mine. Definitely less knee and foot pain.

Re Garmin I'd recommend the Forerunner 35 too. It's basic but really reliable. Depends on whether you want to wear it daily or just for running as it is quite large if you have a small wrist!

I have the Vivoactive 4 which is really neat for daily use. Definitely a Garmin over a Fitbit in my experience!

On watch size... I have the tiniest wrists of anyone I know! I only wear my 245 for running (and other sport, on the rare occasions I do any), and it's fine for that, but it would look too clunky to be used as a normal watch. So it depends how you want to use it - if you're looking for a nice looking watch, then the 245 probably isn't it, unless you're generally wearing sports/leisure wear and it would fit with that look!

Personally I like the 45s - it's a smaller size so not excessively big on my small wrist - it doesn't do everything but is good for what I need. There are some handy comparison reviews here:

imperfectidealist.com/garmin-forerunner-45-vs-245/
imperfectidealist.com/review-garmin-forerunner-245-vs-vivoactive-4/

I have the fenix 6pro- great for directions if you run in areas you don’t know!

I tend to over pronate and am happy with asics gel kayano.
sometimes you can get lucky with last season's colours.

I overpronate and always stick with asics, gt1000 and gt2000 are good for overpronation.

I used to love Brooks shoes but my last pair went in holes after 200km (I got a refund under their 90 day policy thankfully) and they were very rigid compared to the previous models so didn't really suit my feet. You really need to try them on in the shop.
I have a forerunner 245, it does everything I need it to do and more.....GPS tracking, custom workouts, other activities, sleep, steps..... I have pretty small wrists and wear it all the time.

I just have a plain forerunner 35. It does all the things I need it to do

Me too. I wanted an idiot proof one , and it is (I can be spectacularly idiotic at times!)

One day I might trade up to one of the ones that's so clever it can do everything for you , but frankly they scare me!

But I dint think you can go wrong with either of the ones you have short-listed - they have very good online guides

I don't think there's any substitute for trying on trainers and running in them, that's why Runners Need get so many shout-outs - they have a treadmill in the shop so you can try them out (some independents do as well). Proper running shops are often staffed by runners/triathletes and they do know their stuff.

If you know you like Brooks, then go for it. If you're not sure, a brand that's always worth trying on as comparison is Mizuno

I love my Forerunner 245. I had the 220 for years and years, and then upgraded. Garmins are great - simple, accurate, and far less glitchy than most other brands.

I'm also a fan of Brooks but they're pricey and not often easily found in sales. If you wanted a cheaper option for a supportive bouncy shoe, that's just as good, check out the Saucony Endorphins.

Thanks for the links @UnaOfStormhold, the comparisons are useful.

Thanks again everyone for your input, I shall arm myself with these notes when I go shopping at the end of the week.

If you’re not desperate for a watch I’d say it’s worth waiting for Black Friday deals now. Work out what you want, check out out the standard RRP and be ready to pounce! There’s also a good Facebook group “running gear buy and sell” where watches come under daily.

I’ve got the Fenix 5s plus and I love it. I’ve got tiny wrists and it doesn’t swamp me.. does everything you need and more… it’s on offer here which is a bargain!
www.run4it.com/garmin-fenix-5s-plus-running-watch-unisex?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_d27j9C38wIVTJ7tCh1VgAu4EAQYBiABEgIt0fD_BwE

I also run in Brooks. Normally wear the ghosts but may try another pair when I next but some as fancy a change!

*next buy some 🙄

Another Brooks fan here - I run in Brooks Ghost for road running and Brooks Cascadia for trails. Very comfortable, I have no cartilage in one knee so need good shock absorbers! I have the Garmin Fenix 6s pro, the 5s is just as good and cheaper. It is small and pretty enough to wear all the time.

Nike have a 20% off sale prices at the moment, I picked up some of the infinity react for £55 which are a great shoe! They also have the latest Pegasus reduced too, also a great all round shoe.

Also recommend the saucony endorphin range (I have the speeds and pros - pros being for races) they don’t seem to be in sale often though 😞