Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Running shoes for teen DD

39 replies

NotPlops · 04/12/2023 15:55

DD15 has asked for running shoes for Xmas as she wants to take up running. It might never happen so I'd like to get something fairly stylish that she can still wear anyway!
I know ASICS are pretty good running shoes but don't think they're very stylish.
Any ideas please? New Balance?

OP posts:
Roosmarjin · 04/12/2023 15:57

Get her gait tested. A shop like up and running or runners need do this

Also you need to go up a size

florenceandthemac · 04/12/2023 15:59

On Cloud, not the 'everyday' ones but a pair of the ones designed for road running.
Everybody round here wears them, not for running

KirstenBlest · 04/12/2023 16:12

Get her gait tested. A shop like Up and Running or Runners Need do this
Also you need to go up a size I'd say go up at least half a size, but the shop will advise.

If she's not actually running but wants to get ones that are suitable for running that look nice.

Not all trainers are suitable for running. Some are sporty looking fashion shoes.

Gait Analysis Explained | Runners Need
All about Gait Analysis in your local running shop - The Up & Running Gait Analysis | Running Trainers, Clothing and Accessories (upandrunning.co.uk)

Don't just buy a pair in her size.

I like Saucony, Mizuno, and Asics, and Brooks is popular

Original poster
NotPlops · 04/12/2023 17:21

Yes gait analysis. I'd forgotten we need to do that. We have a couple of places nearby.
On cloud is a good shout. Any other ideas? I'd be concerned the bits on the bottom might not last.

OP posts:
KirstenBlest · 04/12/2023 18:13

If you have an independent running shop nearby, try them.

If your DD takes up running seriously, you'll be buying a lot of shoes.
My feet grew!

You don't need fancy running shoes when beginning. I started running on a whim and my trainers at the time happened to be running ones. I think they lasted me until I was up to running 10K and by then my feet had got longer.
The trainers were still in good nick and got passed to a grateful family member.

If you run seriously, you won't want to wear the running shoes for anything other than running.

If she is taking up running, she will need a high impact bra, and a lightweight running jacket would probably be useful.

Foxesandsquirrels · 04/12/2023 18:15

Hoka are popular. But yh get her into a proper shop. Maybe her present could be a voucher for a gait analysis and shoes of her choosing? They'll have Jan sales so you can get them cheaper.

Original poster
NotPlops · 05/12/2023 00:57

Had just asked her to go for gait analysis on weekend but I like the idea of the voucher for the sales @Foxesandsquirrels

She has a lot of gear from the gym and football and has a sports bra but I don't think she wears it. She is a 26c so I'm not sure we'd find a high impact one. Something to bare in mind if she does take it up properly

OP posts:
Mirrormeback · 05/12/2023 01:58

Nike Pegasus are always popular runners

mdinbc · 05/12/2023 02:51

What brand of trainers does she wear now? Maybe try to get a running pair of the same brand. I've always worn Asics or Nike. There are so many to choose from, it's just a matter of choosing one from the hundreds available.

How about a high-vis arm-band, and bright fluorescent hat to go along with the shoes? That way she is visible in dark and dreary January.

NotFastButFurious · 05/12/2023 07:48

You can’t just buy someone running trainers unless they know what suits their feet. I couldn’t run in any of the shoes that have been suggested above! Even once you’ve found a pair that suit they change the models every 6 months or so and the next ones don’t always suit. If she’s got a neutral gait then she’ll have more choice but I’d still take her to try on and see what fits best.

VenusClapTrap · 05/12/2023 08:01

My teenage dd likes Saucony.

Original poster
NotPlops · 05/12/2023 08:12

Yes we will definitely be going together to chose and do gait analysis. Just trying to get an idea of prices and popular styles first. Nike Pegasus are a good shout. I've seen those while browsing.
I haven't been able to run for a couple of years but I overpronate and all my running shoes were the opposite of stylish. Not passed on my dodgy ankles though!

OP posts:
Original poster
NotPlops · 05/12/2023 08:15

Thanks @VenusClapTrap I'll have a browse of Saucony

OP posts:
NotFastButFurious · 05/12/2023 08:19

I don't think you can really buy running trainers to be stylish, you need to buy what suits your feet and the colour schemes are rarely on trend!

gotomomo · 05/12/2023 08:29

I went to the running shop, did the gait analysis etc but the shoes they sold me were too big, you really don't need to go up a size unless the brand runs small. Not convinced it's not just a gimmick. No replacement for trying on. My next pair were asiacs but from Amazon ordered 2 pairs and tried on in the house on treadmill!

Roosmarjin · 05/12/2023 08:30

I found with On Cloud I used to get a lot of stones stuck!

KirstenBlest · 05/12/2023 10:58

@gotomomo , You do need to go up half a size in most brands compared to your normal shoe size. Feet expand when running.
If you aren't running much, e.g. couch to 5K, you probably don't need to.

givemushypeasachance · 05/12/2023 12:24

Introduce her to parkrun! That's free which is a plus.

KirstenBlest · 05/12/2023 12:45

I was going to say 'It's free, but my nearest one isn't the easiest to get there.' but by just checking before posting, i found that there's now one a short stroll from my house.

Original poster
NotPlops · 05/12/2023 15:24

I'm sure we can find some running trainers that are fairly trendy/stylish. She is a 15 year old teenage girl! Maybe she'll take up marathon running but I doubt it! But don't want to get her an expensive pair of trainers that don't get used.

@gotomomo I reckon I could actually check her gait at home on our running machine! I remember when I looked at the video of my gait analysis it was pretty obvious the way my ankles were turning.

OP posts:
Original poster
NotPlops · 05/12/2023 15:28

One problem with Parkrun is they're usually early in the morning. She wants to just head out the door for a jog when she's feeling stressed. It's GCSEs next year and she's noticed that exercise really helps her manage the stress.

OP posts:
SingingSands · 05/12/2023 15:46

I've never needed to go up a size and I'm a regular runner, so I wouldn't take that as a given.

I started off in Nike Pegasus many years ago, they're a good entry shoe for road running and did me very well for years. I've got a pair to run in now and one pair just for "casual" everyday wear.

I run in New Balance or Pegasus for training and Nike Vaporfly for road racing.

I love running and joining a local club has been brilliant for me - but warning - trainers become addictive!

KirstenBlest · 05/12/2023 15:49

@NotPlops , the one near me is 9.30 Saturday morning.
This time of the year it's dark most of the afternoon.

Start Fitness online are pretty good. If she gets girl's shoes not women's they'll be much cheaper. Running shoes aren't that durable unless you get trail ones. They tend to have lightweight uppers. They also don't tend to be stylish.
Saucony ones IME go on and on. Don't wash them in the machine.

I quite like the look of these Asics Gel Noosa Tri 15 GS Junior Running Shoes - Yellow – Start Fitness
Saucony Kinvara 13 Junior Running Shoes - Green – Start Fitness
Mizuno Wave Skyrise 3 Womens Running Shoes - Navy – Start Fitness
True Motion U-Tech Nevos Womens Running Shoes - Red – Start Fitness
Mizuno Wave Rider 25 Womens Running Shoes - Blue – Start Fitness

givemushypeasachance · 05/12/2023 16:04

Yes the 9am Saturday thing is part of the design of parkrun which doesn't always align for teens - though we usually have a handful of them volunteering with us towards their DofE awards!

KirstenBlest · 05/12/2023 16:30

The one I was thinking of is 9 a.m. on a Saturday, and is about 4.5 miles away.
The one I found today and just over a mile away and is at 9.30 a.m., which is a lot more appealing

I could just go there in the evening and run the course. Jog there and back - 2.2 miles. One or two laps at 3.1 miles each. Don't really fancy the park in the dark though.

Swipe left for the next trending thread