Recommend me a pair of 'running' trainers please

[CrumpetPeanutButterBanana]

When I say rubbing...obviously I mean C25K plodding.

Want some really springy and bouncy trainers to help cushion my middle aged and fat frame.

Less than £100.

We don't have a shop that analyses your gait etc anywhere near here I'm afraid so that's out, plus I'm really shy and would find it difficult anyway.

Would be grateful for any recommendations

I like Brooks as a brand in general. I always get them from a previous season, so they're cheaper!

You need to try and work out somehow what kind of gait you have. Whether you over-pronate or not is important to know if you're buying trainers.
I think one of the big online shoe places does this - maybe sportsshoes.com. I'd google that first.

After that, what is 'good' comes down to personal preference and what works for an individual. I could tell you what trainers I like/wear/have found to be good, but it's irrelevant for you, as we're not the same person!

FWIW, Brooks have lots of choice in their range, and I have found them to last well. I have a friend who swears by Saucony and won't wear anything else. Some people love Hokas (but I think they're like Marmite, and I know plenty of people who have been injured wearing them). Asics are a big brand with a wide range (but they don't work for my feet, so I don't know much about them).

I'd second the PP - getting some from last season should save you some money.

Agree re type of shoe as PP above said. However as someone with wide feet and a huge bunion, I also recommend Brooks. They have very wide toe boxes with plenty of room for my unsightly plates of meat.

Trouble is, without gait analysis it is actually hard to recommend as different brands cater to different things. Since having a proper analysis I've become a bit evangelical about it because it's pretty much prevented DH and me getting any injuries from running as we have correctly fitting shoes for over pronation etc so our joints are supported and cushioned.

But if you really can't get an analysis then I'd suggest going to a park run and looking at what people there wear. ASICS and brooks both popular brands and if you look online you should be able to get a pair in your budget in colours and styles that are being discontinued. Or try eBay, I sell my shoes once I get to 1000k run and typically get £20-30 a pair so it might be a way for you to try a style as you start c25k and then invest a bit later in a new pair.

Gait analysis is absolute nonsense so don't worry about that for now. What you need is a decent, cushioned, neutral pair of running trainers.

Avoid anything that says "speed" or, equally, anything that says "stability." A stone cold classic like Brooks Ghost or Nike Pegasus are the place to start. You can usually get previous years' models on Sportshoes for half the price of the current range.

The thing is with gait analysis, if you went for gait analysis now they would almost definitely tell you that you land heavily on your heels and overpronate. 99% of new and steadier runners do. But if you seek to "correct" that by wearing built-up stability shoes then you're not going to help the issue - all you're going to do is refer the problem elsewhere (usually a knee or ITB injury).
You are far better off getting a quality cushioned shoe in the early days, building up your speed and strength and mileage very gradually and then - when you're a more experienced runner and know what your form looks like, see if you need any specialist shoes. You probably won't..

Brooks do a shoe chooser which asks about gait by asking you to do a few things and look at your feet - you can do at this home.

Look on a website like sportsshoes.com and you can filter for things like cushioning. They also have a ‘shoe finder’ thing that narrows down your options if you want to use it.

Just make sure you get at least half a size bigger than your everyday shoes otherwise your toes will rub.

@FeelinTwentySixPointTwo

That's really interesting what you say.
Thanks.

Go ASICS, brooks or hoka. Use sports shops.co.uk as they have good deals ana will explain the style of shoe
Try for a middle/neutral shoe and then if you carry on running and start to get injuries you might then look into a support/over or under pronation shoe but don't start with anything fancy. Don't go for the likes of Nike/addidas, not good running shoes if your series about running. Good luck 😁

Do you have any old trainers / shoes that have a 'tread' that you could post a photo of the soles on here?? That allows for a basic guess at whether you need over / under / neutral shoes

I always come back to Asics running shoes. I have had many pairs over the years. Unlike other posters, I did not get on with Adidas or Brooks, so it is very much trying them on and seeing what is supportive and comfortable. I always size up with running shoes, between half and one size bigger than my normal shoes.

@FeelinTwentySixPointTwo - I started off in a pair of decent neutral shoes... and over a period of time developed an ankle problem that involved months of physio to correct.

Gait analysis doesn't have to be all-singing-all-dancing - even looking how someone stands naturally (without running) will tell you something about how they pronate.

@WhiteBedding - shoes with 600miles in them would be a really bad idea (for anyone, I'd say, but particularly for someone trying to work out what's right for them). They'll be worn down according to your style of running, and the cushioning is probably shot, so they're going to be terrible for anyone else to wear. I usually aim to get 500-600 miles from a pair of trainers, and when I switch to a new pair (of the same shoe), the difference is noticable straight away. Trying out someone else's used pair isn't going to give OP any sensible idea about whether they're the right shoe for them!
(I can't imagine anyone wanting to buy manky old trainers, but that's another topic altogether)

decathlon is a good start. they have decent own brand and also a few 'big brand' shoes.

try a few on. buy what feels best.
make sure they are big enough. you need a thumb width of space between longest toe and tip of shoe like new shoes for a toddler

all the best!

Are you joining a c25k group? If so, are they running on grass or tarmac? My local group is mostly on the village green/playing field and it's slippy in wet weather so trail shoes are needed for grip.

I like Altra for some cushion, or Xero for none.

DW and I both use Brooks. I bought last year's model only yesterday reduced from £135 to £95

I have three pairs of Asics (and one pair of Hoka) and they are perfect for me. And very comfortable. I recommend them highly.
You can always find some good deals on sportsshoes.com
Best to always go up half a size or a size with running shoes.
Good luck!

@TheTripThatWasnt I partially agree with you, but I was trying to give the OP some options that might work for her before she spends her £100 on a pair that might do nothing for her particular gait. For someone who runs a lot like me, and from the sounds of it you, we can immediately feel the difference to our performance in a new pair of the same style. For a new runner doing c25k it's very different. Yes pre worn shoes will be worn to someone else's feet but for short runs they work fine. And a washing machine is perfectly able to make any shoes I sell on fit for sale, never had anyone wish to return. It's an option for the OP, I was trying to be helpful.

Hoka are excellent cushioned trainers and can be obtained for under £100 if you buy sale ones from Sportshoes or one of the other discounted websites. And you don't mind about colours !

My favourite are my Brooks Ghost. I needed to go up a size, which I think is standard for running shoes

I always go to Sportsshoes.com.

I filter for my size and the price I'm willing to pay and see what's available. I like Saucony but Hoka and Brooks seem to have a good reputation (not sure if it's just good marketing though!)

As PP said go up half a size for running shoes.

Hoka are the Marmite of running shoes - some people love them, others think they're very overrated. From my own experience, I think they come up narrow in the toebox, lose their cushioning very quickly, and feel very heavy.

Couldn't agree more!

OP as a novice runner you're not going to be banging out miles and miles in these trainers. C25k is mostly walking in the early days. Just get something comfortable.

I also recommend sportsshoes HOWEVER you don't get the same bargains these days now carbon supershoes have pushed the acceptable price window significantly upwards.

A classic neutral shoe is what you want - Nike Pegasus, Brooks Ghost, Asics Nimbus, Saucony Ride etc etc

Asics have an outlet store which is significantly cheaper - that's definitely worth a look.

I think gait changes. I used to overpronate when I started, but as my legs strengthened I now have a neutral gait.

Go for light weight, well cushioned. I like Hoka for hybrid/trail, and they double up as walking shoes. Currently loving my Asics for everyday shuffling.

There are a number of ways of tying laces, which can be useful if you develop foot pain. I lace each foot different as my right is prone to plantar fascitis.

Funny someone upthread said don't get Nike or Adidas.... the best trainers I've ever had ( and I've had Asics, Brooks, Saucony, New Balance over my jogging years) but the best by a mile (!) were Nike React for road running.

Thanks all, lots of excellent food for thought.

I'm going to try some ASICS and see how I go. The trainers will almost certainly outlast my running motivation 😂