buying running shoes - specialty stores.

[vash]

I usually just buy them from a store, knowing my shoe-size. this time, I hit up a running shoe store.
the sales person started by asking, "have you ever had your feet scanned?".

"nope". (thinking the entire time, Why didn't I get the cute runner girl salesperson??")

I got my feet scanned and I walked on a pad to measure pressure points. kinda cool. well, I got new running shoes, some inserts, and the biggest enjoyable thing? awesome running socks!! they are cushiony on the bottom, and thin on top..to breath! and they are the perfect level of tautness. and the fabric on the back of the ankle is thickened to allow my fingers to grab them easily and yank them up.

I cant wait to wake up tomorrow to take the new kicks for a spin.

I dont know if it all snake oil, but my new shoes fit nice!!

[Bill Douglas]

I had the same thing at a running shoe shop. I'd planned to buy the cheapest pair I could find (Scottish) but GF dragged by the ear to a real running shoe shop.

They did a computerised video of my walking, then showed me the pictures with lines and angles added by the computer. Guy said I had almost perfect legs ankles and feet. If it was a girl I'd have said thanks and so are yours.

He said lots are fine but I recommend these Salomon trail running shoes. Mainly because I would be running over rock and some gravel.

So it was a good experiance and didn't really cost anything more than usual.

[DonDavis]

What shoe?

I prefer ASICS.

Getting the foot scan is a good thing. Back in the 80’s in Philadelphia I found a great store. No clue where, tho. He made me come back with my current running shoe and any older shoes of any type so he could look at the wear type. I have a very neutral foot strike and a wider foot.

He set me up with ASICS and running was much better. I’ve kept up over the years by getting that scan to see if the strike is the same. It is, I’m happy. Still using ASICS primarily, but mixed in a couple others.

[DonDavis]

Great story Bill!

[wdfifteen]

I had a similar experience at a running shoe shop. They sold me some shoes (because that’s what they do) when they should have said, “you need to see a doctor.” I spent a year experiencing pain and frustration because the shoe store guys thought their shoes could do miracles.

[masraum]

The folks at running shoes stores know a lot more about running and running shoes. It's the way to go.

And the shoes at some stores, especially discount show stores are not the same as the shoes that LOOK the same from running shoes stores.

[vash]

my person asked if I had any pains..nope.

I'm fairly pain free when I run. if I was in pain, I dont think the dude dressed like a football referee is the expert I am listening to. I didnt hit up a foot locker, but my salespeople dressed like normal healthy folks, and the referee shirt made a better story impact. sorry.

the store manager looked like she could run down a gazelle. she was lean, and powerful looking. super happy I didnt get her!! my 3-4 mile run is so pedestrian..hahah..

I got Hokas. I asked for a shoe befitting a person of my weight class. and my speed...just above "stop".

[vash]

not to hyjack..but I am.

knee pain for me is occasionally a thing. it is never ever the knee. it is a quad muscle and I fix it by laying on the living room floor with a foam roller and I lay on it, and roll back and forth over the sore spot. I can feel the knee pain dissipate. I had a PT person show me this..he handed me a roller and I left with my eyes opened and happy to know the culprit.
that and yoga like stretches..

[Gogar]

I usually run into DSW with my head down and grab the first pair of nikes that has the right size on it.


And then THIS ONE TIME I went into the running store somewhere in the world and the kid said "want to scan your feet? Free. Makes it easier."

I reluctantly got on the scanner and then the kid proceeded to get me the best pair of running shoes Ive had in 20 years. He was like "You know your left foot is an 11 and your right is a 10.5. Hold on a sec"

Totally worth it

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I can echo all of the above. Went to Marathon Sports, famous running store in the Boston area, changed my life forever. Just like tires are the only thing connecting your car to the road, so only buy the best, shoes are the exact same thing.

[Starless]

My wife likes to walk, me, not so much, so I follow her on my bike. She was having foot pain and went to a foot Dr. They sent her to a running/specialty shoe store and told her to get Hoka 8(?). Night and day difference. The owner also turned out to be our friend's son's wife's father.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by vash

knee pain for me is occasionally a thing. it is never ever the knee..

I wouldn’t say “never” but in my case my knee pain was due to the way I was turning my foot when I ran. I had arthritis in my left big toe and would twist my foot clockwise to take pressure off of that toe and roll off the other toes when I rotated off the foot.
I did not need good shoes, I needed a new toe joint. Once I got my titanium toe and learned how to walk properly again the knee pain went away.

[vash]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I wouldn’t say “never” but in my case my knee pain was due to the way I was turning my foot when I ran. I had arthritis in my left big toe and would twist my foot clockwise to take pressure off of that toe and roll off the other toes when I rotated off the foot.
I did not need good shoes, I needed a new toe joint. Once I got my titanium toe and learned how to walk properly again the knee pain went away.

I once asked a foot doctor how important a particular toe was for me. He laughed and said he could fix the situation.

This morning run was pillowy. Nuts.

[porsche tech]

I don’t run anywhere unless someone or something is chasing me.

[vash]

Originally Posted by porsche tech

I don’t run anywhere unless someone or something is chasing me.

Oh. Something was chasing me. Fatty liver disease and diabetes. I left both in the mofo-ing dust!!

[zakthor]

My whole life ive had huge trouble fitting shoes. ‘I have a huge instep.’ Nothing made sense. Wide/narrow?

Few years ago took my runner child to get a proper fit at a running store. While he was trying different shoes on the treadmill they offered to fit me too, just for fun.

They explained i have a size 15 heel and ankle and a size 10 front of foot, adding up to 12.5. I need vast space at the top of the shoe, and a small narrow toe area.

Nobody had connected those dots before. Explains why ill probably never find another pair of ski boots - i had to sand back the clamshell edges so they didnt cut my socks when putting them on/off.

I ‘know’ how my shoes should fit but their measurements really helped me out.

[911 Rod]

How does the scanning work if you have orthotics?