question about running shoes

[ReallyReally]

when I first started running I went to a really good shop and the bloke watched me run up and down and said that there was no issue with my gait, normal shoes would do, and sold me some lovely asics for about £80.

These are wrecked now, they didn't wear particularly well, little holes formed in the mesh where my toes finished.

So I was planning to go back - it's a lovely shop, I've bought running clothes from there - but today I was in the Reebok outlet and saw some running shoes for £25 - £30 and thought what is the difference exactly? I mean if there were no issues with my gait and I didn't need anything special?

I run for half an hour about 3 times a week, I'm not running marathons or anything. I don't want to injure myself but I really don't know if I need to spend the extra £50.

Any advice?

i would spend the extra, get new balance they last for ages.

I'd spend the extra, too.

No amount of money is worth the pain from an injury.

thing is you're supposed to replace every 3 months or something aren't you?

I can't afford that at £80

I've had these for over a year; I 'mended' them

which is most important?

Your runners should last for around 400 odd miles before needing a change. While it is true toadegree that runners with more stability and support often cost more eg the Asics Gel Kayano for serious over pronaters, this is not always the case. Cheaper ones will not have the same durability at all and you risk damaging your legs running in poor quality shoes. You may pay more for names like Brooks, New Balance, Saucony or Asics from decent running shops but this is for a good reason. What you can try doing is buying last season's style in your recommended runners online as warehouses are often cleared for new stock as often as each season. Buying in bulk also gets you a great discount.

I buy my aerobics trainers from a Reebok outlet now I know what type of trainer to buy - if you're not precious about the latest model and don't necessarily need someone in the shop to pick out the right shoes for you, then I'd go there - the quality is the same as new stock, just not as trendy

they should have lasted a wee bit longer but i have heard other people complaining about that mesh thing. my new balances lasted about 2 years. then got my new ones on amazon for a fraction of the cost but only becuase i new the make and model

oops need to name change

Maybe you can find the same model cheap online?

Alternatively, if your gait is good, if you find the same sort of shoes (e.g. not correcting for pronation or whatever the opposite of that is), then you should be fine. But the cheap shoes you're seeing may be designed for people with a v different gait to yours. I have moderate pronation, I don't spent more than £80 on shoes, but I no doubt wear a different model than you.

I bought New Balance because my dad runs in them, I found a cheaper pair of Nike runners were better.

oh NQC I got v excited about looking for the same pair online

but I can't find them

I got some from a Adidas discount outlet. They are the best shoes I've ever had. Reduced from about 70 to 25. They are men's shoes as it happens but they are lovely. Adizero LT.

I agree with you that 80 is a lot to pay. I can't really afford it TBH. But mine tend to last a year - that's running approx 22 miles a week.

I think what I might do is buy some cheaper ones for a while because I'm not really running a lot - more interval training building up to longer runs. Then I can see if I feel I need the more ££ ones later on

I think certainly that is a better option than running about in asics with sticking plasters over the holes; sure that's not how they're supposed to be worn

thanks

these are they

They are very narrow as the review says but I got a bigger size. I have a problem with my big toe always getting sore in tight shoes so having more space is good.