I don’t live near any good running stores/shoe stores other than dept stores (ie Dick’s Sporting Goods, Finish Line etc…) and I’m not ready to drive 2 hours to find a run specific store yet with trained staff. With that said, I was wondering if I could get some suggestions on a decent running shoe based on the following:
Male, 5’-10", about 162 lbs, 35 years old.
Running history: none prior to wife buying me a treadmill 2 years ago. Ran in great big loping steps rolling my foot heel to toe, as that is what I thought you were supposed to do! Actual road running didn’t start until I took up triathlon last spring. Pretty steady then at anywhere from 15-35 miles a week. Figured out last year I was running wrong and have trained to try to become a mid-fore foot striker and not a heel striker. One experienced guy I run with says I have a ‘decent amount of pronation’ in his opinion.
Training for IMWI and focusing on HIM and above distance for now.
Current shoes are some New Balance ones that I got at a dept store, nice but HEAVY I guess. On my long runs I average about 8 minute miles (on hilly courses). Comfy high zone 2 running for me is about a 7:30 minute mile on the flats.
Looking for a decent lightweight shoe for both race (HIM and or IM distances) and training. Any input on good shoes/resources would be greatly appreciated and or let me know what I should be looking for in a good shoe!
I’ve really enjoyed the Nike Free 5.0, I use it for all my running. I’m 6’3" 180lbs and run about 21 miles a week. If you try this shoe, pay attention to the instructions. Do not just go out and run 3 miles in them. You have to start with slow, short distances and work up while your feet muscles get stronger.
Serously???
An orthopedic did tell me once that I had nice, high arches, but the last thing I need is ST telling me my toenails need cut, my carpet is dirty and my arches are too high?
My advice if you are not close to any good running store is checking out www.roadrunnersports.com and becaoming a VIP member (benefits are free fast shipping and replace shoes etc. read the web page)
They are somewhat good on the phone determining your type but the best part of all you can order multiple shoes, try them on (run in them) and return the ones do not fit.
or during one of your trips, vacations etc. do a research and find a reputable running store near by your destination and get fitted by them. once you find a shoe it is easier to order online.
Another option is to check out PT facilities to get a gait analysis, that might help you to narrow down your search.
Good luck. Finding a good shoe is like finding a good woman. You’ll be never satisfied and look for more
Some chose to use the Free for shorter distances. That was my intent at first. But I’ve done multiple 12 mile runs in them with no problems…and I’m someone who would wear a motion control shoe in ‘normal’ shoes.
First, important to understand the amount of motion control you will require. You mention someone observed you having a “decent amount of pronation”, and, most people pronate moderately, so let’s use that to say you’ll be best suited by the “stability” shoes in most running companies product lines
Next, let’s consider the distances you are running and mileage. You are focusing on long-distance running so a training shoe would be appropriate for these volumes.
Speed. You have a good running pace, which would suggest that you could benefit by wearing a lighter shoe during fast training and racing, so I would suggest 2 different shoes for you.
Size. You’re relatively tall and not that heavy, so you can easily train in the mid-range shoes most companies offer and race in their lightweight trainers. You might be uncomfortable racing/training in their racing flats, however.
I would suggest the following shoes:
Trianing:
Mizuno Inspire
Asics 211x
Brooks Adrenaline
New Balance 767
You’ll notice a trend. Others may disagree, but in my experience, Brookks, Mizuno, and Asics - 3 companies that heavily focus on the serious runner - consistently put out excellent shoes that provide support, cushioning, durability, and do it in a fairly lightweight package. While I don’t endorse NB’s entire shoe line, the 767 and 902 are two excellent shoes that have won widespread praise and awards (ex. Outside Magazine’s Gear Guide named the 902 as its road running shoe of the year)
Hope that helps. There are other good shoes as well, the Nike Zoom Elite and Air Structure Triax, the Fila Sanctuary, etc come to mind. Another factor to consider is how soft or firm you like your shoes. I find Mizunos to be quite firm, Brooks a little less so, Asics kind of in the middle, and Nike and Fila to be on the soft end.
I ran it by my hubby who is 6’0" … 155-160 lbs (lower at race weight). He used to work full time at a running specialty store…they train their guys and are former elite athletes…
He has really high arches as well:
Nike Air Pegasus
Brooks Radius
If you are concerned about stability, since you have high arches, try a stability shoe:
Nike Air Structure Triax (stability but with cushion)
Take video of yourself walking away (barefooted) from and to the camera. Then tape yourself standing on one leg at a time from the front and the back (barefooted). Send those to me and i’ll shoot you back some recommendations based on the flexibility of your arch, deflection of toes, etc… and foot shape/size.
The road runner sports catalog is a good way to pick your shoe based on foot type, weight etc. The stores are useless but the catalog is good. any of the stability shoes will probably work for you. Light weight shoes are usually lighter because lower density sole materials are used which means shorter life span. I run in some brooks glycerins on road and brooks cascadia on trails with about 60mi/week between the two. The glycerins are holding up pretty well and I weigh 200 lbs.
I ran it by my hubby who is 6’0" … 155-160 lbs (lower at race weight). He used to work full time at a running specialty store…they train their guys and are former elite athletes…
He has really high arches as well:
Nike Air Pegasus
Brooks Radius
If you are concerned about stability, since you have high arches, try a stability shoe:
Nike Air Structure Triax (stability but with cushion)
Those are his recommendations.
Thanks to all, some great advice.
I did used to have a pair of the Air Pegasus when I first started running and loved them. But that was before I ‘learned’ how to run the proper way. I haven’t seen or really looked for a pair since but it’s funny he mentioned them.
Seriously? That’s a great offer. Should the walking be a video of all of me or just from say the knees down? Same with the standing pictures, just the feet or are looking at everything?
Now I just have to explain to my wife what the hell I am doing, as she thought I was a nut for making her tape me while I rode my trainer to check my bikefit. She’s gonna think I lost my mind.
seriously. Take it from the hips down. Also, if you have access running on a treadmill, take a pair of shoes you are currently running in and video tape from behind focusing more on the feet. Let me know what shoes those are.
Wife: Did you find any shoes or any information you were looking for today?
Me: Not really, well kind of.
W: What did you buy now?
M: Nothing.
W: Well what do you mean kind of? What are you up to and how much did it cost this time?
M: I’m not up to anything and it won’t cost anything.
W: What won’t cost anything?
M: Well, before I make any decision about shoes, I need to send some pictures of me feet in.
W: You’re going to send pictures of your feet to strangers? How do you know they aren’t crazy and have foot fetishes?
M: They don’t. But I also need you to help me do something.
W: Do what???
M: Well, remember when you video taped me riding my bike on my trainer? I need the camera so you can video me walking to and from the camera to see what my feet do and how I walk.
You’ll notice a trend. Others may disagree, but in my experience, Brookks, Mizuno, and Asics - 3 companies that heavily focus on the serious runner - consistently put out excellent shoes that provide support, cushioning, durability, and do it in a fairly lightweight package. While I don’t endorse NB’s entire shoe line, the 767 and 902 are two excellent shoes that have won widespread praise and awards (ex. Outside Magazine’s Gear Guide named the 902 as its road running shoe of the year)
Hope that helps. There are other good shoes as well, the Nike Zoom Elite and Air Structure Triax, the Fila Sanctuary, etc come to mind. Another factor to consider is how soft or firm you like your shoes. I find Mizunos to be quite firm, Brooks a little less so, Asics kind of in the middle, and Nike and Fila to be on the soft end.
Thanks for the help…I actually finally got around to going to Dick’s Sporting goods and was happy to find most of the shoes in the above list. Ended up with the Brooks Axiom. Seems like a really nice shoe and took it for a quick 6 miles last night. Seems lighter than what I was using and it was also one of the least expensive of the bunch.
