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Original poster

Running Shoes

42 replies

DFI000 · 13/01/2023 20:44

Can anyone recommend running shoes? The more I read the more confused I get as most people seem to have more than one pair for different types of runs. How do you know what to wear for what?

i am doing a marathon in April and my only pair (ASICS) have holes in the top so I definitely need new asap. I am new to needing multiple pairs for different purposes and have always just had one pair.. Can anyone recommend an all rounder?

Any advice welcome! Thank you

OP posts:
cailinvelo · 13/01/2023 20:46

I'd recommend finding a local running shop and having a gait analysis and a good try on. A decent shop will be happy to let you try them on a treadmill. If you're running a marathon you need to find the right shoes! Best of luck with it all.

Siezethefish · 13/01/2023 20:49

Hoka.

emmathedilemma · 13/01/2023 20:55

You have to go to a running shop and try them on, particularly if you’re doing a marathon! (I can’t run the length of myself in Hokas!). Don’t be put off by the price tag, it’s cheaper than the physio bills from wearing the wrong shoes and if you find a pair that suits buy another pair in a few weeks time to keep as new until nearly marathon day.

greenacrylicpaint · 13/01/2023 20:57

find a sports store that carries multiple brands and try some on.

I assume that you do a road race? so look for road shoes.

try on a few, go on the treadmill in the shop if possible. make sure they are big enough.

I don't run as far, but regularly. J buy a new pair about once a year. new pair is then used for the longer runs and the old ones for shorter sessions or when the groun is muddy or I run on the beach.
after 2 years shoes are 'done' for running and are relegated to walking if they still look good.

RelentlessForwardProgress · 13/01/2023 21:00

If you have been running enough in the ASICS that you've worn a hole in them, perhaps buy the newest model of those shoes as a replacement as they seem to suit you?

Broadly running shoes are either designed to be stabilizing/supporting or cushioning as one pair can't do both things perfectly.

Gait analysis at a running shop will give you an idea if you tend to roll inwards, which would call for stabilizing ones or not. Cushioning ones are more springy and are supposed to protect the joints from the shock of running more.

First of, if you are training for a marathon, I assume its road running, and therefore discount any that say 'trail'. Secondly, decide how much stabilizing or cushioning you need.

I personally think two pairs of slightly cheaper different trainers is a better bet than one pair of hugely expensive ones. As each shoe gets a chance to recover between uses (and dry out if necessary) and they tend to correct the gait problems caused by the other, if that makes sense.

I would go to a running shop to buy a pair if you are really not sure, but after that, if you know what you like, its often much cheaper to buy last seasons colours (I tend to buy from here ).

Good luck for you Marathon! And buy some good socks, they are half the battle!

fellrunner85 · 13/01/2023 21:01

Go to a running shop and try a lot of different road shoes on (presuming you're doing a road marathon).

What you get on with won't necessarily be the same as what others recommend - for example I hate Hokas (far too narrow and crap quality), like Nikes and Brooks, and am pretty ambivalent about Saucony.
Don't bother with gait analysis, it's bollocks. For long marathon training miles you just need something neutral, cushioned and comfortable.
If in doubt buy a pair of Brooks Ghost and be done with it!

RelentlessForwardProgress · 13/01/2023 21:05

@fellrunner85 It's so interesting you say that about the quality of Hoka's. They are a brilliant shoe for me, I keep rebuying them as they are so comfy but for the life of me I can never seem to get more than about 200 miles out of a pair.

fellrunner85 · 13/01/2023 21:12

@RelentlessForwardProgress yep. Every time I've had Hokas, they've developed a hole on the outer edge and the upper has come away from the sole.

They also lose their "bounce" very quickly and become heavy, in my experience.

BabyMoonPie · 13/01/2023 21:13

Yes to going to a running shop and speaking to the staff - they're usually very knowledgeable and helpful. Also second getting good socks for preventing blisters. I'm not mentioning brands as that's personal to every runner. Happy marathon training!

AdelaideRo · 13/01/2023 21:15

Go to a running shop and go on the treadmill and accept the advice you get given.

If you are training for a marathon might be worth buying two pairs. I'm not running currently but used to always have a few pairs on the go - perfect, new and being run in and old (that I wore for gym floor work or round the house).

DomesticShortHair · 13/01/2023 21:16

If you find a brand and type that you like, check out the previous seasons version. Usually, the changes year to year are minimal and mainly cosmetic (though marketing often makes it sound like a radical redesign), but last seasons trainers can usually be found at quite a discount.

Bandol · 13/01/2023 21:20

I have two pairs of running shoes. I have one pair of road running shoes that have a flattish sole and then I have a pair of trail shoes which have lugs on the soles. I use my trail shoes for my runs on very muddy trails because they have better grip in the wet mud, and my regular running shoes are for the road.

I started out with only one pair of running shoes and then got my trail shoes because of the terrain that I have for some of my runs.

tresleches · 13/01/2023 21:22

If the hole is on the top, is your big toe pushing forward into the fabric as you run, i.e. are they too small?

After years of wearing standard issue Nikes, I recently switched to Altra because they have a wide toe box. When I run, there is space for all my toes to move forward and not be squashed. When I was trying them on, the guy in the running shop said that he'd noticed his pinkie toes curve under the toe beside them from wearing narrow Hokas and was considering Altras too. I'm a bit of a wide toe box evangelist now, in all shoes (Birkenstocks, Vivo Barefoot etc)

Beyond that I'd consider one road pair and one trail pair if you like muddy or country runs.

ReviewingTheSituation · 13/01/2023 21:25

Go to a running/sports shop, talk to someone who knows what they're talking about, get them to look at your gait, and take their recommendation. Try them on a treadmill in the shop (so wear a sports bra) and get them to watch you run in them.

Recommendations from randoms online, however much they know their stuff, are meaningless really. What works for them may not work for you.
Also, just because you had Asics before they might not be right for your current needs. I ran in Brooks Adrenaline for a few years, then they changed shape very slightly and now they don't suit my feet at all.

If you're marathon training, you're going to clock up several hundred miles in your shoes, and ill fitting/unsuitable trainers are the most likely cause of injury. It's the one thing that it's really worth getting right.

Shopgirl1 · 13/01/2023 21:36

It’s very hard to advise on this. I agree on getting gait analysis done. I don’t know how much you run, or what your aims are. I currently use the following:
Brooks Ghost: all easy miles, basically my workhorse training shoe
Brooks Hyperion Tempo: tempo runs and 5k to 5 mile races, I also use these for track sessions
Nike Vaporfly: racing shoe for 10 mile and half marathon. I haven’t ran a 10k recently, but would likely wear these also.
Adidas spikes for cross country and Nike trail shoes for trail running
Other random shoes I’ve picked up just to add variation, for example Nike Pegasus for easy run, I don’t love them, but wear them occasionally to mix things up on easy runs.

For a first marathon, if my goal was to finish really, I would wear the brooks ghost. If I wanted a fast time, I would look at Nike alphafly…

mdinbc · 13/01/2023 21:38

I found the quality of Asics has gone down since they use the knit fabric. I sent some back after wearing them about a month my toe went through the end, then the next pair had rubberized material over the toe, but then the knit material wore out where they joined. The sole still looks new.

I agree if you are a marathon runner you should go to a proper shop for a fitting.

fellrunner85 · 13/01/2023 21:43

For a first marathon, if my goal was to finish really, I would wear the brooks ghost. If I wanted a fast time, I would look at Nike alphafly

Agree for race day - but if you were only buying one pair of shoes you wouldn't buy the Alphaflys and do all your training in them. As that would be insane. If you're only buying one pair, it has to be a workhorse shoe (Pegs or Ghosts IMO)

Shopgirl1 · 13/01/2023 21:45

I agree with that @fellrunner85 , I should have been clearer, the alphaflys would be for racing, not for training. Good point.

StamppotAndGravy · 13/01/2023 21:50

Probably better to ask for recommendations for a running shop rather than particular shoes. There are two in my city. One in the centre with fancy cameras that everyone else goes to, and a second on the outskirts which I love because they make you run right round the huge carpark before they let you buy them

piedbeauty · 13/01/2023 21:54

Ds's coach says that trainers are knackered after 300 miles of running in them... means we have to buy lots of trainers!

If you have holes in yours, then cut your toenails or buy new trainers! You will need really good trainers for a marathon...

Original poster
DFI000 · 13/01/2023 22:03

Thank you all. I am planning to go to a running shop - I just wanted to go in with some clue as to what I am looking for/at and so I can look at some price ranges/reviews beforehand too. I don’t want to be brainwashed as they see an easy target come in!

I’ll make it my priority to go this weekend.

OP posts:
Shopgirl1 · 13/01/2023 22:07

You need a good training shoe, regardless of brand. Something that will hold up to a lot of miles.

ReviewingTheSituation · 13/01/2023 22:07

A good pair of trainers that are well suited to your gait should last more than 300 miles. If they suit your running style then they should wear evenly and last longer.
The pair I ran London in (Brooks Glycerine FWIW) have about 500 miles in them now, and are on the verge of needing changing. The wear on the sole is totally even, but the cushioning is going.

300 miles would be disappointing- that's less than 3 months for me!

AuntieStella · 13/01/2023 22:13

If you go to a running shop, their gait analysis should show whether you need a neutral sole or a supportive one (this isn't the cure for all ills, but it helps)

Think about how much cushioning you want.

And whether you're planning to run a PB or are just aiming to get round (ie whether you want a performance or a more general shoe)
Road race?

As you've still got 4 months to go, you might want to think about getting two pairs, because you're going to be clocking up a lot of miles in training, and you want a nicely worn in pair for The Day. Two pairs and you can alternated them. Worth avoiding the chance of your new pair being utterly knackered just a couple of weeks before.

Lazydazey · 13/01/2023 22:15

Running shop + gait analysis. Take your current shoes (they may look at wear on the soles) and wear something you can run in (for a couple of minutes at a time) as they’ll want to watch how your feet and ankles move from behind.

This season’s shoes £130 - £160 , but often if you give them a budget say £80-100 they’ll miraculously find a few on sale or cheaper because they are last season’s colour.