Running shoes help please!

[Pineapplemonkey]

Hello

I'm about to start running and I need a pair of trainers, good god there are far too many options. Needs to be online, we don't have any sports shops nearby.

I'm (very) heavy, wide feet and under pronate (high arches, feet roll outwards) and at this beginner stage don't want to spend much - seems silly to spend loads on trainers that I potentially might not use for that long. Will upgrade at a future time if I really get into the running thing.

Anyone got any recommendations? I seem to have looked at hundreds of pairs and am no closer to purchasing!

Thanks

Fashion trainers and running shoes are totally different.

Can you go to a sports shop where they will measure your feet, analyse your gait and advise you? I know it sounds like a lot of hassle but having the right shoes will protect your ankles, knees and hips.

I also have large wide feet and ended up with some men's ASICS but they are a joy to run in. 🙂

Have a look at mens as you have wider feet. Can recommend Saucony.

Go to an independent running shop - I would not recommend just ordering on-line.

I went to a proper running shoe shop where they put you on a treadmill and analyse the way you run. I also under pronate. I bought Hoka Arahi 6 and would definitely recommend. They’ve got great arch support. I’m very much a beginner to the world of running

I echo pp and think it’s worth getting a gait analysis at a running shop. Even if the running thing doesn’t last for you, they’ll still be useful for walking in, or even other sport. Having the right shoes can make such a difference to how it feels to run, even in the early stages!

If you can't get to a shop have a look at the Brooks website, they have a shoe finder section which will help you decide. Their returns policy is also very generous.

Echo everyone else - if you intend to run it's really worth the trip to a proper running shop to get your gait analysed, especially if you have wonky ankles.
I messed up my knee by carrying on running in shoes that didn't suit me.

If price is an issue, pay the tenner to get your gait done, then find last season's version of the shoe online.

I love ASICS they're quite cheap and junior sizes go to size 5.5 so even cheaper! I like the gel excite best as I mainly run in roads. But I would suggest going to a proper sports shop first if you don't have a standard gait. You can always look for the trainer's recommended online afterwards.

Thanks everyone for the advice

I get the suggestions to have my gait analysed but it's a 60 mile round trip to my nearest running shop and all their shoes are £100+ which is far too much money for me at the moment, I was hoping for sub £50. Especially as my run speed is slower than most peoples slow stroll and the chances of me running for more than 30 seconds without dying are remote.

I'd also recommend having shoes properly fitted. The investment of time and cost will save you from aches, pains and probably injury. The is no real cheap alternative, although once you knows what works for you, you can hunt around online for older/reduced stock. Ditto sports bra.

I live between 2 cities, and don't think a lot of a 50-60 mile round trip for a specialist shop, but if you genuinely can't get to
A running shop, Accelerate in Sheffield were doing virtual fittings online in lockdown. Maybe they would do a one-off for you now. Obviously won't be so go, but you do need that specialist input.

Going against the grain here, I’ve never been to a running shop and I’ve been running for a long time. Fully aware this may be stupid, I humbly accept your flaming. I’m pretty sure I need neutral shoes and I know that Nike are a good fit for me in general (I tend to find them a bit wider than other brands) so I just go with Air Zoom Pegasus. You can often pick them up on offer. I always go half a size up from my regular size. If you want to, you could take a video and have a go at analysing your gait using youtube. Lots of issues can’t really be ‘fixed’ with shoes, they can kind of mask it, and you actually need to address your form e.g. heel striking, over striding. Having said that, you’ll see elite runners heel striking and over striding, so go figure. Under and over pronation is pretty easy to spot, in my opinion. If your shoes or technique are wrong, your body will let you know.

If you have "normal" sized and behaving feet then I would agree with @smooththecat that you could probably take a gamble on a pair of neutral running shoes online. However, you don't and will probably need support shoes and possibly in wide fit, or even the men's model and you're only really going to find this out by trying them on. IMO £100 on a pair of shoes is cheaper than a £50 pair and several session of physio if they don't fit you right! Unless you have very small or large feet and can pick up the "bin end" sizes you're not likely to get a decent pair of running shoes for under £50.

I think gait analysis on a treadmill is a complete waste of time and utter snake oil. If you have an issue with your gait that might lead to injury you need a physio big someone who works in retail with sales targets. A shoe won’t fix that. The ones that put you on a treadmill are the worst. You won’t run on a treadmill for ten strides like you’d run outside, let alone at the end of a long run…

If gave a look at hokas from what you’ve described. Sports shoes.com often has offers

I went to a running shop and have wide feet, came away with Saucony which have been fantastic

I once took a punt on some £60 shoes from Decathlon (Run Long style) and am now on about my 6th pair. I have fussy feet, high arches, wide forefoot, slim heel and am easily prone to niggles. I upsize to size 37 from 34 for width and just to be in a

There's a great running shop local to me, but manufacturers like to play around with their models so my feet nr

(Phone key board keeps disappearing so I hit post by accident mid-typing 🙄)

...just to be in an adult size.

... so my feet never found a favourite shoe. The running shop was typically around £100-120 per pair which isn't easy to justify twice a year on my milage.

I have found the wrong shoe too. Twice in lockdowns I reached the replacement stage, couldn't get "my style" and tried something different blind off online shopping and regretted it. Trying on is essential.

Lacing affects fit and support. Youtube "lace lock" as that gives much more support at the ankle. I often have to skip laces to have enough lace to do this.
Balance and targeted strengthwork will also help avoid injury.

Lots of issues can’t really be ‘fixed’ with shoes, they can kind of mask it, and you actually need to address your form e.g. heel striking, over striding. Having said that, you’ll see elite runners heel striking and over striding, so go figure

Absolutely agree. Also agree that gait analysis is nonsense 99% of the time. The person fitting the shoes will put you in support shoes to try and mask any pronation (which in fact then makes it worse in the long run) and then flog you expensive shoes based on the fact that they feel good for 30 seconds on a treadmill.
We all fall for the blurb when we first start running (I certainly did) but there's a reason why, a few months or years in, most runners ditch the built-up support shoes and go for a classic cushioned neutral shoe instead.
OP, I would go on Sportsshoes if I were you and get a cushioned road shoe in last year's models (cheaper!) Saucony Triumph or Endorphin Shift are a good all-round option. Just make sure you go up a size from your usual shoes.

I have wide feet and get on well with Brooks wide fitting. I run 5k three times per week and have never tried gait analysis but haven’t experienced any injuries, The style/colour choice in the wide footing option is usually quite limited and they are about £100 but they normally have a plain black style, which could be worn with jeans/for general walking if you don’t take to running.