What are good running shoes?

[masraum]

I'd like some good running shoes and my stepson also needs some.

So, what are good running shoes?

Background info, he's flat footed and horribly uncoordinated. Unless much has changed since the last time I saw him run, it looked painful.

I used to run track and cross country, but I was never that fast at either. I'd like to start running again. The last time I ran I barely made it a mile, but it only took me 7:30 which I think is decent (I'd like to get down to a 6-6:30 average for 3 miles.

Neither of us is going to be running marathons, but I'd like us both to get good shoes.

Thanks

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Do either of you have pronation issues? That will be much more of a determining factor in what the "right" shoe is than one's coordination. Personally I use the ASICS Foundation, which is a very good stability shoe that also gives decent cushion. I have pretty significant overpronation and that shoe addresses it well and has prevented me injury for a long time (I've used them in two out of my four marathons including training, plus a lot of "just out for a run" stuff in the last few years).

I would find a GOOD running store near you (i.e. NOT Footlocker or someplace with a bunch of high school kids pumping "bling" shoes) where the help knows what pronation is, knows their products and can make sound recommendations. I was steered into mine by the staff of Marathon Sports in Boston years back (they are utterly amazing - they'll put you on a treadmill, watch your stride and form and make recommendations after reviewing that). I'm sure there's probably a similar place near you, but you'll have to look. SERIOUS running stores are rare and you'll have to weed through a lot of overpriced-bling-shoe-pumpin' stores first. Talk to some serious runners in your area for recommendations would be my advice.

[Rick Lee]

It all depends on your feet and running style. I used to use Asics Kayanos because I had heard they were the best. They were good and I did several marathons using only Kayanos. Years later I was at a serious running store trying on a new pair and the salesman had me do some tests for him. Turned out Kayanos were totally the wrong shoe for me. He talked me into some Gel-Nimbuses and I've never been happier. Everyone is different and not every brand makes a shoe for every kind of foot. I think serious running shoes are usually good for about 300 miles. I used mine for running only and never wore them for anything else.

[Tobra]

Some shoes are available in various widths, some better for support, some for cushioning. The kid with the flat feet might need supports, Superfeet a good brand, Sorbathane also good, better for cushioning. These replace insoles that come in shoe. Yiou need to go to a good running shoe store, cost a bit more, but will get a better fit and good recommendation on a shoe for you.

Most of the injuries I see are due to lack of flexibility, stretch out before and after, start slow and not too much mileage.

New Balance athletic shoes are made in USA, and are not bad, but I prefer ASICS myself, gel 2120's I think were last ones i got. They have Podiatrist discount deal for like 50% off, which is not bad.
Check this
http://www.apma.org/MainMenu/RecommendedProducts/SealofAcceptance/ProductsbyCategory.aspx#FOOTWEAR

[HardDrive]

I feel its more important to find a good store where you can try on lots of shoes, rather than focusing on a brand. I just got a pair of Addias Supernovas, and I love them, but so what? You might hate them.

I will say that I have had lots of New Balance shoes over the years, and they always seem to fit well and last a long time.

This place seems to get good reviews on Yelp:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/lukes-locker-houston

[Zef]

I'm a triathlete...I run a lot...+ 1 on New Balance...and proudly made in USA.Review of Stability Shoes for Neutral Foot Types...from http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=100

[Halm]

It is kind of interesting that the running shoe business has gone full circle from the mid 1970's when running became fashionable. Marty Liquori (elite runner) and Jimmy Carnes (coach, U of FL) started The Athletic Attic. It was a boutique running franchise for serious and novice runners alike. Many of the original franchise owners were other elite runners and they made a serious effort to put the right shoe on the customer as well as carry all the accessories. Sometime in the 1980's they were bought by a major shoe company -Kenny Shoes, I think- and it morphed into one of the typical shopping mall stores.

The concept of a specialty running store is on the rise again, Here in Charlotte, for example, there are 3 of them that I know about and they carry models you won't find at Foot Locker. I would think that somewhere in the Houston area is a similar store. Find it and listen to what they say about your needs.

[fireant911]

If one is local to you, I would recommend going to Fleet Feet Sports. These stores are staffed by real runners. Additionally, they do a gait analysis to help determine how you run which helps in defining the characteristics you need within a shoe.

I took a quick look and you have one...
http://www.fleetfeethouston.com/
At least visit the store and see if you are not impressed.

[Buckterrier]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

I would find a GOOD running store near you (i.e. NOT Footlocker or someplace with a bunch of high school kids pumping "bling" shoes) where the help knows what pronation is, knows their products and can make sound recommendations.

+1 Also take a pair of old shoes with you, preferably running shoes but pretty much any shoe will do. By looking at them the sales person, (usually someone that runs), will be able to point you to several brands to fit your foot. I've been down the path of a retail store. Yeah you save initially but when the damn things are the wrong shoe for your foot it doubles the cost because you end up going to a running store anyway. Good luck.
(I took my first run this morning after a prolonged flu/cold/infection. Felt AWESOME!!!!! Only 2 miles but was great)

[Tobra]

The Fleet Feet stores in my area are where I send people, though when I went to their open house deal, the hippie helping me failed to notice that my L foot is a half size bigger, which meant the too small shoe made my L great toe jam a little and give me pretty severe discomfort if I tried to go at any sort of pace.

They are generally pretty good, never had a bad report from anyone I have sent there, which is not an insignificant number of people over the last few years. The method they use is sound, I just picked a poor primate for the neon green kicks they gave me that I gave to my buddy with feet the same size, but flat as Nebraska. He uses some orthotics that I made for a guy who dropped dead between the time I started and finished them.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

I would find a GOOD running store near you (i.e. NOT Footlocker or someplace with a bunch of high school kids pumping "bling" shoes)

Jeff, you live near me... where do you buy your shoes? I'm going to be shopping this weekend.

Thanks

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Go with New Balance. Excellent running shoes and made in the U.S.

Make sure you get the right size. I went to a local store that specializes in running/tri. We went with a shoe that was 1/2 size bigger than normal and having a high arch, narrrow foot, went with a women's size. I haven't run in a year, but when I was, having a properly fitting shoe on the first mile and 5th mile was worth the few extra $ going to a specialist, and of course the feel good of shopping local was nice too.

[Halm]

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

Go with New Balance. Excellent running shoes and made in the U.S.

I appreciate your sentiment, but candidly there is no one shoe for every foot or stride style. A couple of years ago a podiatrist put me into NB 991 because of plantar fasciitis. I have massive supination and am a forefoot striker. I should have known the straight last was wrong. And it was the wrong shoe for me. . . I developed several hip problems that ultimately caused me to go to formal physical therapy.

You may have to go through several shoes and makes to find the right one. But I really believe you will know it when you find it.

[Buckterrier]

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

Go with New Balance. Excellent running shoes and made in the U.S.

I've been to the factory, Newburyport? I ran on NB for quite a few years. One thing about running shoes is they change so damn often. You find a shoe you like and in a year they are discontinued. I've been on Niki's for awhile now and I like those also.
Not to get to far OT... I wore Niki wrestling shoes in the early 70's before the swoosh was on everything. Now those were comfy shoes!

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Jeff, you live near me... where do you buy your shoes? I'm going to be shopping this weekend.

Thanks

Honestly I meant to go to Marathon Sports when I was back in Boston last week but I couldn't get it into my schedule. They're my "number one" but they're also on the other coast, sooooooo...

I bought my last pair at Top to Top in Santa Monica. They're not too bad. Not an awesome store and I already pretty much knew what I wanted, but they weren't too bad. Runner's High isn't too bad either from what I can tell although I haven't really gone in and talked with them. My current pair is pretty dead and I was seriously considering going down there in a week or two to get a new pair - again I'll most likely get the ASICS Gel Foundations 'cause I know they work well for me, but I can try and "play dumb" and see if they identify my specific needs well and recommend suitable products if you want as an experiment...

[masraum]

Wow! That's a lot of info.

Yeah, I haven't been in a footlocker or store similar in at least 15 years. The last 2 times I went in I was convinced that the shoes were actually different than the shoes at a non-discount place. I'd try on a pair of Nike or Reebok at footlocker that felt like they had flat hard plastic soles and then go even someplace like Sears or Dillards and shoes that looked identical felt like they had support and cushioning. I think those discounts are because they make a shoe that looks the same but the important stuff is left out.

I'll have to see what's around here. Lots of good info, thanks.

Of course, both stores that are recommended are on the opposite side of Houston from me. I guess the Engineers that work for NASA don't run. It looks like I'll have to make a trip for a set of good shoes.

Supination - pronation. Hell, I don't know. No clue. I guess I'll have to get the whole family out to one of these places.

Thanks for the deluge of info.

[masraum]

I did find a place called "Runner's Link" closer to me.
http://www.therunnerslink.com/home.php

They say all of the right things on their page, "professional fitters", "podiatrists' recommend us", etc....

but then they tout this thing, http://www.therunnerslink.com/page5.html

iStep/iFit is an easy-to-use pressure analysis diagnostic tool which maps the pressure distribution of your feet in only 20 seconds. iStep/iFit will show your correct shoe size and arch type, at the completion of your test, a blueprint of your feet will be analyzed and a shoe will selected for your individual foot care needs.

I'm always a little cautious when someone says they use the newest whiz-bang computerized "even an idiot can use it" tool. Makes me wonder if since they have the tool, that they hire idiots. I guess I can give them a shot.

[AndyK!]

Saucony shoes have carried me through seven marathons. Saucony is an American company and I highly recommend their shoes!

[Buckterrier]

Originally Posted by masraum

Supination - pronation. Hell, I don't know. No clue. I guess I'll have to get the whole family out to one of these places.

That's why it's a good idea to take a pair of shoes with you. So when the smart-arse, (hopefully not), kid asks you can give him the shoes and say "you tell me". Serioulsy, a good salesmen at a running store will tell you from looking at old shoes.

[peppy]

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

Go with New Balance. Excellent running shoes and made in the U.S.

.

I must have the cheap Chinese knock offs. Mine say made in China.