Affordable running shoes?

[MotherOfGreyhounds]

I appreciate "affordable" is relative, but I'd like to spend under £100 (and probably a bit less ideally).

I've JUST started running (only five park runs under my belt so far) and I was going to hold of buying anything new until I'm certain I'll stick with it.

However the soles are coming away from the front of my poor old trainers (I keep picking up twigs!), so needs must.

What do people recommend? Waterproof would be nice (I prefer running off-road) but not absolutely essential. I'm hoping I might be able to find a bargain on Sports Direct or similar.

Thank you!

Mizunos!

I'f found Decathlon trail running shoes excellent. Usually go for the grey/pink Evadict version type. https://www.decathlon.co.uk/sports/running/womens-trail-running-shoes. I am a very slow runner and below 10k.

I run a mixture of pavements, parks, woods, paths etc with them and can also do 20 mile walks in them in decent weather on all but proper mountains.

I see loads of runners in Hoka!

Their all-terrain neutral sole Challenger is a great shoe for road and not-too-technical trail. But it's unlikely to come in at under £100 unless you find a discounted pair (I think it's the Challenger 8 that came out earlier this year, so any remaining 7s are likely to be discounted)

As well as their own brand (growing positive reputation) Decathlon usually have discounted ASICS which I think would definitely be worth a look.

At just a snippet under £100 - last seasons Hoka’s - perfect if you’re doing off road/ trail running (sounds like it with parkrun and picking up sticks!). You can also try Hoka’s for 30 days and if they don’t work for you send them back.

https://www.hoka.com/en/gb/sale-men/speedgoat-5/195719620172.html

Personally I'd go to a running shop and be properly assessed and fitted for the first pair, then look for bargains on line for subsequent ones.

Again, personally I don't like waterproof running shoes. The water still gets in, over the top, and then it can't get out!

It's a difficult one, OP, because it kind of depends on the shape of your feet.

I discovered Asics Gel Windhawks a few years ago, from Decathlon. Full price they're 70€ in the EU but frequently reduced to under 50€ in the sale. They've been perfect for me. I have quite flat feet and they don't give me blisters.

On a waterproof theme, something that I though sounded like snake oil but tried anyway were waterproof socks.

Yes, they do work! Sometimes I put a thin pair of ordinary socks underneath, other times just put them straight on. They’re quite thick, so you might need to loosen your laces quite a lot! But you get warm, dry feet, even if you have to wade through water.

The brand I have is SealSkinz

I’ve got too many running shoes and have never spent over £100.
There isn’t a ‘best’ running shoe, everyone is different. If you are new to running, go to a running shop and get your gait analysed, tell them your budget and let them make some suggestions.

Goodness - I wasn't expecting so many responses! Thank you. I need to have a proper read once the kids are in bed.

I see the comments regarding waterproof shoes - I hadn't thought of the water getting trapped.

My park run is a mixture of school field, a muddy/puddle-filled lane, and woodland (muddy/grassy). It can get quite slippy but not had too many issues yet, except the soggy feet... but maybe I need to try these waterproof socks!

My current shoes are Adidas ones, I didn't originally get them to run and they were cheap from Deichmans. I like them as they've got plenty of room in the toe box (my feet are narrow but I have a hereditary bunion on one foot) but tighten nicely around the top of my foot so no slipping. I don't really know how to tell if they "suit" me but so far I've had no issues running in them, except for the fact they're falling to bits.

Maybe I do need to go to a running shop...

Have you tried ‘bunny ears’ heel-lock for tying your laces? It’s a way of getting firmer grip round your heel without tightening over the midfoot and toes.

You use the extra holes at the top - making a loop (the bunny ear) then thread the lace through the opposite side loop and it can pull a lot tighter to lock your heel without affecting the rest of the tension

https://www.asics.com/nz/en-nz/mk/choosing-the-right-running-shoe/lacing?srsltid=AfmBOopheaNqbAEQSz1-ieesotuKv8IzUNsP1Mj8zrm3iWXQY0tQj-1r]]

@MotherOfGreyhounds based on the description of your ParkRun I would definitely be looking at trail shoes rather than road running shoes, at least for when running in the winter. Decathlon do a couple that are worth looking at: Kiprun TR is a full-on trail shoe for mud/roots/rocks, TR2 is a more mixed shoe for tarmac and easy off road.

I didn't get my gait assessed as I already know I walk on the outer edges of my feet due to the ridiculous, contorted shape my shoes used to end up in before I decided to go for fit over style. ASICS work best for me and I usually spend about £70 or £80. But I am a plodder and not a serious runner.

I have narrow feet. As per advice from other runners I went up a size. They were still on the narrow / too small side. I run in Brookes for trail and ASICS for road. I've gone up a size and am having no problems.

Hoka road shoes weren't quite as narrow but only got 200 miles out of them. I got far more out of my Brookes ghosts . (Not using them ATM as I'm not paying that much for shoes)

If you're a fairly neutral runner, not significantly overweight and don't have any injuries /niggles you need to protect then have a look at these... I wear mine for off road runs when I know the ground will be soft.

They're not very cushioned so I switch to normal trainers for road / hard ground/ summer. Not waterproof but take the insole out and they pretty dry quickly.

https://startfitness.co.uk/products/more-mile-cheviot-4-womens-trail-running-shoes-blue