Picking Running Shoes

[kristi]

I went Friday to be measured and fitted for a pair of running shoes, Brooks Adrenaline. Today was my second run in them and my heel and knee started hurting. How do you know what to look for in a pair of shoes? I know that I have narrow feet and a low arch which makes me almost flat-footed when I run. Do you just use trial & error until you find the perfect pair? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[dianet]

I am not a very experienced runner, so there are probably better people out there than me to answer this question, but I think it is trial and error. I have gotten my feet fitter several times, and didn't like any of them. I actually ordered the Brooks Adrenaline by accident (I thought I was ordering another Brooks shoe) and I love them. You did the right thing getting fitter for new shoes, so just keep trying. I always bring in my old shoes if those didn't work out for me and so they can see where the wear on the soles is and figure out what went wrong. Also, I recently got some better running socks that have made a big impact on how my feet feel. My heel used to hurt, but my new socks have a cushioned heel and more support in the arch and it doesn't hurt anymore. They are Thorlos.

 

[kristi]

Thanks Diane! I'm going to return these shoes tomorrow and maybe the next pair will work better for me. If I have a problem with my heel again then I will try a cushioned heel sock. I never would have thought of that. Thanks!

 

[acatalina]

There is a site :
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,5033,s6-52-0-0-1038,00.html.
Check out this article.
Also high arch
Normal
flat footed.
There are specific kinds for different feet and there is cushioning and stability.
Anne
http://www.picturetrail.com/acatalina

 

[Leslie40]

You might look at some of the models that have gel in the heel and forefoot. I had a lot of problems with tendonitis and sore heels until I switched to Asics. If they have a model that matches your foot specs you might like them.

 

[amyg]

Kristi, if you don't want to take the Adrenalines back, which a good store will let you do, either talk to the store, or call Road Runner Sports and speak with someone there. www.roadrunnersports.com HTH a little!

 

[kristi]

Thank you!! I really appreciate all of your help. The article was helpful too. Hopefully I will have more luck tomorrow. Thanks again!!

 

[toughYrun]

Just because a shoe is designed for the type you need does not necessarily mean that it will work for you. For me it's been trial and error. What really steams me is when I find a shoe that I love and they change it so much on the next year's model that it is not the same shoe any more!

A good running store will let you run around the parking lot a bit so you can get an idea of how it feels.

 

[sancho]

I'm not sure if you mean this when you say "fitted" for a shoe . . . but there are several stores that will video tape you running on a treadmill and then will analyze it with you to see your issues. Then, they make recommendations and you are video taped running in the shoes they think are right. They analyze this to see if it's a good selection for you. Maybe you already did this. But it worked great for me.

 

[JeanneMarie]

"Fleet Feet" shoe stores do the video tape on the treadmill. Not only do they use the video to analyze your gait and whether you pronate or not, they examine your bare foot to look for obvious signs of wear on the toes, heels, arches, etc. They fitted me with a great pair of Mizunos back in the fall, and I've never had a more comfortable pair of running shoes.

If you have a franchise near you, I highly recommend them.

 

[Bunbun]

You have to go by how the shoes feel, though. I had that whole videotaping/exam thing done; got fitted with Mizunos and had to bring them back. They were killing my knees. I wound up with Saucony, which I am ok with--I don't think they're that great. I was using New Balance for years and years, but they must have changed their model somehow or my feet changed, because no matter what I did wiht my most recent pair, I wound up with blisters.

 

[acatalina]

Never heard of fleet feet.
I agree though. Every shoe feels different after a week.
I bought 4 pairs. I ended up with a nikie runner in wide(nike runs skinny).I ordered them direct and they would take returns. They are stability.They are the ones i grab for .It is hard and it took me a couple weeks to decide if i like them and they feel good.
It is all about your individual feet and what works for you.
Good luck though.
Anne
http://www.picturetrail.com/acatalina

 

[kristi]

I just looked up Fleet Feet and there is one in Louisville which is about 1 1/2 hours away. I'm so excited. I'll need to plan a special trip to go there. Thanks for suggesting them. Unfortunately when I was "fitted" at the store this past Friday they did not have the video taping on the treadmill available which I'm sure would have been helpful. Thanks everyone for your help!!

 

[mspina]

I *highly* recommend that you find a real running store for help. An honest to goodness running store will have people there who REALLY know about shoes / feet / and how to find the best match. They will watch you walk barefoot across the room to assess how your feet move when you walk, talk to you about your weekly mileage, etc., and they will help you select the BEST shoe for your particular situation. I believe that the Road Runners website has a search capability for running stores. If you happen to live in the Boston area, get thee to Marathon Sports immediately!

m.

 

[leanbean67]

The Fleet Feet in Louisville is a great store, both owners are Runners (with a capital R) and so are all the employees. I've always gotten a good fit there.

Bean

 

[seeking_guns]

I echo the earlier recommendations for Fleet Feet. That is the ONLY place I go for new running shoes. The staff is knowledgable, and they will spend the time making sure you find what's right for you. It's worth the drive. Good luck!