Hi, I just had a massage and the guy said the way my shins & ITB on the left side are acting after a five-mile run on Sunday that he thinks my New Balance 992s aren’t working for me any more. I’ve been using these shoes for umpteen thousand years, they’re my workhorses, but he says to look around. The ones I wore last weekend don’t have that many miles on them, so I’m thinking it’s the style and not that particular shoe. Anyone have any experience with a shoe for a heavy runner who tends to roll to the outside? Need a larger toe box, too. No need for speed here, just need to keep from getting injured at my slogging LSD pace. Thanks for any and all suggestions!
I’m a fan of Asics 2120s… however, shoe selection depends more on your gait than on weight (hey, that rhymes :)). If you are lucky enough to have a running specific store close by (such as RunTex here in Austin), take a roll by and ask them for their take. Depending on the amount you pronate and amount of support you need, you may want to consider Asics 2120s or Kayanos if they are right for your style.
BTW, don’t know what you consider heavy, but I am ~180 right now and have run in these as heavy as 210. Would HIGHLY recommend being as light as possible while still being healthy 
I’ve had good luck with Asics Nimbus 9s. They’re definitely for a bigger runner, they have multiple widths, and they are for under pronators.
Hi, I just had a massage and the guy said the way my shins & ITB on the left side are acting after a five-mile run on Sunday that he thinks my New Balance 992s aren’t working for me any more. I’ve been using these shoes for umpteen thousand years, they’re my workhorses, but he says to look around. The ones I wore last weekend don’t have that many miles on them, so I’m thinking it’s the style and not that particular shoe. Anyone have any experience with a shoe for a heavy runner who tends to roll to the outside? Need a larger toe box, too. No need for speed here, just need to keep from getting injured at my slogging LSD pace. Thanks for any and all suggestions!
So, the guy giving you a massage says the shoes you’ve been using forever and haven’t had any issues with aren’t working for you, and you’re going to switch?
What am I missing???
Steve
I bought the Nimbus 9’s and after one run on the treadmill I returned them because they didn’t have enough cushion.
I exchanged them for Nike Vomeros and I’m as excited as my 7-year old on Christmas morning. I weight 200lbs and have had a hell of a time sustaining even 10 miles per week on my high-end asics that I’ve used for the last few years.
When I switched to these Vomeros all the pain went away! (shins, knees, hip, Sacroiliac). It’s beautiful.
I highly recommend these for a heavy runner unless there’s something specific about your gait that negates them.
I’m an underpronating big girl with swimmers’ ankles. My current shoes are Ascics Cumulus in a D width, and I’m happy with the ride.
As for the current shoes, sometimes you just get a bad pair of them. I went through like 4 or 5 pairs of Saucony Trigons, and then hit the pair of them that tore my feet up something fierce.
I agree with Steve - unless the person giving you the massage knows a lot about running and running shoes I wouldn’t necessarily take their word for it. Best bet is to go to your local running store where they will listen to the problems you are having, watch you run in a few pairs of shoes, and then get you fit in the best possible pair. Another thing to consider is the total mileage on your current shoes (maybe the shoe is fine, it’s just time for a new pair).
I am 195 and use Brooks Addiction - I was fit for them when I was around 220 and have been using them since.
I am ~215 and have ran a marathon as heavy as 250. New Balance 76x series. I think they are up to 768 now. The 766 was my favorite. The whole series has a big toe box. Not sure I would change just because some suggested I should though if I didn’t think I was having an issue. Your problems could be because you just have ran too much regardless of the shoe. Maybe you need to replace them more often. I replace mine much sooner then they suggest because of my weight.
One thing that has helped is rotating shoes.
Asics Kayano’s and Brooks Beasts
Steve, thanks for the post. You’re reading in the phrase “and haven’t had any issues with.” Maybe I’m dumb as a post, but I’ve had chronic issues with my lower lumbar, hip, ITB, SI, flexors, etc., over the years, mostly on the left side. Gets so bad I do cortisone/lidocane injs from the doc. And PF on both feet from time to time. NEVER connected it with shoes. And that despite visits ad infinitum & nauseum to podiatrists, custom orthotics, leg length discrepancy tests, etc., etc.
This massage guy is something else. I mean, he KNOWS. He works on the Browns, Cavaliers, and Indians (but doesn’t talk about his clients. ever.) So when Bill speaks, I listen. He says that chronic ITB stuff that runs down the shins and into the feet may well be shoe-related.
Never hurts to mix it up & try something different.
BTW, our local shoe guy here in Cleveland isn’t worth a poop, in my opinion. My feet are so damned large, the last time I went in, the lady didn’t have a clue what I needed, wasn’t listening, but nevertheless drug out the several pairs she had in my size (44.5 cm). It was clear to me that she was looking only to sell shoes, not to help me find one that works. Luckily I have a 2d home in central Florida and in fact plan to visit the Track Shack in Orlando on my way home from the airport next Friday afternoon.
Thot I’d get the ST Guru to speak before I went to the shoe store so I’d have some background in shoes for big people.
Thankx again for your observations.