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The Importance Of Running Shoes?


Vinnie

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The thread on running got quite a response, so hopefully this will prove equally popular and point me in the right direction.

Was out for a morning run on Monday, only 5km but picked up blisters on both feet.  Went out on Tuesday, after a km or 2, the blisters got particularly sore, but rather than stop, I plodded on to 7km.  My current trainers weren't cheap, although I was wearing a normal pair of trainer socks (rather than my proper running socks that were in the wash).   Have barely been able to walk since, but did take a dander to Run4It on Lothian Road for some advice.

At Run4It, I took the gait test in my current trainers, in bare feet, and in two pairs of trainers they recommended.  The recommended trainers were both £100+. 

I watched back the gait test videos, and I couldn't see that much of a difference, but now its got me thinking.  Did an "expert" see more than me because they knew what to look for, or was there a £100+ sales opportunity?   

I did buy two pairs of recommended running socks, but that was fine, I needed spares, and at £22 was considerably better for my pocket.

Discussing it at work, there appears to be conflicting advice.  Apparently according to a TV documentary its all marketing spin.  Thoughts?  

 

 

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It's all marketing spin. There is also a belief that trying to change your natural running gait is more harmful. Prices of trainers are irrelevant. 

There are a few things you need for good trainers. They should hold your heel in place, they should be about 1 size larger than your normal shoe size (to allow for the expansion when hitting the ground) and most importantly they should be comfortable. The comfort element was stressed as the most important.

The guy (he had some relevant qualification that i forget) on one of the programs stated that there are no medical benefits associated with high priced trainers. He himself was wearing a £20 pair of Aldi trainers.

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I've heard the same story about Footworks advising £100+ trainers after a gait test, but then again both are specialist running stores and won't have anything cheap.

I would take the advise and results given after the Gait test and do you're own research for an affordable running trainer.

Good article on in-store gait tests here - 3 Reasons a Gait Analysis at a Running Store May Not Help You Find the Right Shoe

I kind of found a good pair by chance, previous pair gave me lower back pain so went for a pair of Adidas Sonic Boost running trainers at around £60-£70 which has a ton of cushioning.

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I stumbled on ASICS Gel running shoes by sheer chance, having started out with a pair of Hi Tec Silver Shadows. The increase in comfort was amazing and my shin splints disappeared. When I stepped up from half marathon races to the real McCoy, a friend recommended I get myself a pair of Sorbothane footbeds to replace the polystyrene insoles found even in good running shoes. What a difference! These extend the life of your shoes and make running an absolute pleasure - you no longer feel the tarmac below your feet.

Curiously, I went to see Shrek at Footworks a couple of years ago and came away with a different brand. Found that these weren't comfy at all and on e-mailing Shrek, he had me back and exchanged them for me. The replacement pair weren't ASICS either, but they were very comfy. Best thing about going to Footworks was getting my feet measure and finding out I needed a size larger than I'd been running in for almost 30 years! Shrek was able to point out how I was wearing out my running shoes on the inside at the heel. Can't believe I didn't realise that myself, although being a wee guy with big feet is nothing to brag about. :-(

Worked out who you are now, btw Vinnie. It's OK, I won't out you either..............:-)

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Worked out who you are now, btw Vinnie. It's OK, I won't out you either..............:-)

Hahaha!!  Its not really a secret at all.

Shrek was really good.  I wasn't convinced that the guy in Run4It was really listening to what I was saying. 

Managed to pick up a new pair of Nike trainers from the outlet store for £28 (heavily reduced as they were the last pair).  So now Im not sure if it was really the trainers, or wearing proper socks, that have made such a difference now?

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Meant to reply to the OP -ended up rambling, as usual. :-(

Blisters suggest ill-fitting shoes. You didn't say if your shoes were brand new, Vinnie? If they're not, try wearing an extra pair of socks. I've never worn the recommended running socks - they're extortionate.Currently using socks bought as a multipack working out at £1 a pair and they're fine. Not wearing them out nearly as quickly now I'm wearing a larger shoe. 

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My shoes were two and a half years old.  I thought they were perfectly comfy, although I would normally wear running socks with them rather than two pairs of thin trainer socks.  Like you said, Shrek suggested wearing a size larger for running shoes, running socks help fill them out a bit too. 

My old shoes are Nike, so decided to stay with Nike for my new shoes, simply because I know their sizing fits and works. 

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