New to running - trainer recommendations please

[Emmmmz9]

I've done strength training for last few years and now moved to a more hybrid style of training.
Whilst my Nike metcons are great, I cannot run in these.
Would appreciate your recommendations for entry level running trainers.
Nike vomeros or other styles?
ps don't live anywhere near a foot analysis / gait service
Thank you

I've tried Brooks & Asics but Asics have been far better for me, but the absolute top of the range ones, due to suffering from plantar facilitis in the past.

Get yourself to somewhere doing gait analysis though, the inconvenience will be worth it.

I wouldn’t bother with gait analysis. It think a lot of it is a waste of time.
if you’re injury prone having gait analysis by a sports physio can be really beneficial but I don’t believe there is much benefit from someone who works in retail and has probably had half an hours training doing it.
Not least as how you run now as a beginner will likely not be how you run in 3 months time.

Nike Pegasus are a great, all round cushioned daily trainer and if you already get on with them for other sports I’d go for them. They bring out a new one seemingly every 9 months so you can get an older model still new for a bit of a bargain.

Go and try someone. You don't have to have gait analysis (although I do about every 3rd pair of running shoes). But different shoes fit different people differently. I love Brooks trainers! New Balance too. Nike are too narrow for me. Innov8, Salomon and Saucony just don't fit my feet. I go to a great shop in Sheffield run by runners for runners, who work with podiatrists, and they really know their stuff on shoe fitting and only use gait analysis as part of a wide range of shoe fitting methods.

Another ASICS fan here, although I use the lower range trainers, but include orthopedic insoles as I can be prone to plantar fascitis. It certainly works out cheaper!

But if you've got the cash, go for it!

ASICS 100%

Another Asics fan here. I buy mine at Sports Direct so don't spend a fortune, but I do try on different styles and go for the most cushioned. I've also had plantar fasciitis in the past (while wearing Adidas for running) but have not had a recurrence since I've been wearing Asics (although I still do my physio exercises which may also have helped).

I second this - you need to try on several different pairs from different brands to see which fit your foot shape
Several friends rave about brooks but they just don't feel right on my feet

I wear Hokas and Altras for trails with some Inov8's for really muddy or icy fella (I forgo comfort for grip)

It's a bit like Goldilocks - one pair will feel just right

Unless you know that you overpronate , I'd go for neutral cushioned Asics. Look for a pair from a previous season from a running shop/sports web site (e.g. Start Fitness etc), and aim to spend about £50 but reduced from £££. Don't get cheapo Asics/Nike/Adidas from Sports Direct.
I'm not a fan of Nike or Adidas. I prefer Saucony, but I'd get those later.

Your feet 'grow' as you run, so get a pair in half a size bigger.

Sites like Runner's World will have info on how to figure out what shoes to get, different ways of lacing them etc.

Womens Neutral – Start Fitness - I'd probably get Asics Cumulus but a few of the other ones appeal so best to try a few different ones.

Don't wear your running shoes for walking around in, the gym, tennis etc. and don't wash them in the washing machine.

You'll also need a high impact bra and clothes that don't chaffe.

Really useful everybody. Thank you so much x

I have Hoka for road / treadmill they’re amazing - so comfortable. One of the main things with running trainers is go bigger than your normal size. Don’t be vain about it - if you edge towards a big 5 for example go for a 6. Your feet expand as you run. In the running shops they tell you to go even bigger which sometimes feels a bit ridiculous - a half size to one size is usually enough I find. In fact suffering from bunions I now buy all my shoes bigger in this way and it’s so much more comfortable! I also remember reading that a foot model does this to avoid getting blisters and deformities on her feet which make her a lot of money so it totally makes sense!

We can all tell you what we like/what works for us, but that has no bearing on what's right for you.
Brooks, Nike, Saucony & Asics are all trusted brands for good reason. Hoka are more of a love/hate brand.

Whether you have someone look at your gait or not (and at the very least you need to find out whether you overpronate (or under, but that's rarer)) you need to try on several pairs, ideally on a treadmill.

Where do you live? Someone may be able to recommend a good shop to visit.

I bought HOKA trainers last year and they're honestly amazing. I'm quite a heavy runner and my runs are mixed - sometimes on pavement, sometimes on fells. They're as light as a feather and so comfortable.

With brands like New Balance, Nike, Asics and Adidas, make sure they are runnning shoes not fashion ones.

I've not tried Hoka.

Brooks do a Run Happy 90 day guarantee, the only way you know if you get on with shoes is to try them out. I would be surprised if you can’t get some kind of online gait analysis now where if you filmed yourself running on a treadmill they would give you recommendations. I personally run in the Adrenaline GTS shoes as I need the support/cushioning.
Don’t skimp on trainers, so many new runners injure themselves running in the wrong shoes or doing too much too soon! Local running clubs can also be super useful for advice and company, they aren’t all elite track clubs!

Depends if you're doing trail running or road running..

But my tip would be try shoes from hoka or Brooks - as they allow you to wear them for 30 days hoka/90 days Brooks, and send them back if your feet/body doesn't get on well with them.

Shoes are pretty personal, but it does make a big difference if you don't get a good pair.

My personal favs are hokas for road /city.
And then Scott shoes for technical trails and hokas/altras for more padded running on trails.

Used to be a massive ASICS fan a few years ago when I ran more but their quality has gone massively downhill and even the supposedly supportive and padded trainers feel like pancakes - got a pair of HOKA for Christmas and they are amazing - just like my very first pair of ASICS twenty years ago and a much more reasonable price.

Go to a proper running shop and they'll let you try on as many pairs as needed.

@brooksghost , OP said p.s. don't live anywhere near a foot analysis/gait service so presumably not near a running shop.

Not all proper running shops do gait analysis but you can try on lots of different shoes to find the best fitting ones. Not all small independent running shops or even chains are known to those starting out.

The local one to me lets you run around outside in them to get a feel for them.
It's an independent shop and the staff are runners.

Definitely ASICS. My last two pairs have been ASICS. They're great for running outside and inside, gym, clubbercise. I didn't even have to really break them in

And I got the medium price point ones from sports direct. About 90

I was an asics fan for years ( 10 + years) but then got the next seasons one of my go-to trainers and they weren't right at all. Now i'm a fan of brooks (but i have a pair of nike alpha fly for races)
I would buy a few pairs from somewhere that has free returns and try them on.
Start fitness (online) often has last seasons design for a decent discount.

Don't take any advice from anyone in sports direct they will try to sell you their own brand even when they blatantly don't fit! (And then try to persuade you they'll be fine with insoles!)

startfitness.co.uk
Start Fitness
33-35 Market St, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 6JE

Ordered from them many a time and been to the shop.