<p>Son is home. Has been running for awhile. 3mi/d I was a runner in late 70’s but had to stop. Any tips on what to look for in running shoes now? Lots of improvement since my days. I do know skateboard shoes are not good for running-which is what he is using :(. We do have a Chicks sporting goods near us.
Thanks.</p>
<p>Go to a real runner’s shoe store and have him “fitted”. A good sales person will take him outside, have him run across the parking lot or something and will note his stride and foot tendencies. The right shoe can keep a runner running. The wrong shoe - well, it’s just painful. You will probably end up paying more for that first pair, but you will learn a lot and going forward can shop for that shoe or similar at a better price.</p>
<p>My d runs a lot. 8-12m a day. It is important to be fitted. </p>
<p>I keep a list of shoes that she has been fitted for. If I see them on sale, I buy them and hold onto them. Also, sometimes a shoe just won’t work out–and you don’t know until you have run in them. My daughter got fitted for a pair of shoes and the first time out they made her feet bleed. The running store took them back–and fitted her with another pair. I think there was a 10 day return policy.</p>
<p>Thanks,
The first search-closest running store was over an hr away. Found one locally that fits. will ck it out :)</p>
<p>My S has to run daily for military training. His favorites are Asics (currently wearing the Kayano). He is an overpronator (very flat arch). These shoes are good for stability. The reviews show they are great for some and not for others.</p>
<p>We are a New Balance family.</p>
<p>This is my area of expertise. Agree it is best to be fitted. That said, Roadrunnersports.com has excellent online assistance and it is easy to make returns. I think Asics currently makes the best shoes on the market. Kayano XIII is the top shoe, although if you don’t need that much support, Nimbus is very cushioned and cheaper. Nike Vomero is VERY cushioned, but can be a little squishy for someone liking more of a firm feel. Puma Heras is another good shoe.</p>
<p>MOWC, S tried on the cheaper Asics and then the Kayano and said there was a huge difference to him. There was no question which one he was buying. They are pricey but for an everyday runner, probably worth it.</p>
<p>Agree with all the tips here. My DH is a runner (marathons, etc). He gets a good pair of shoes fitted at a good store, and buys a pair there. But he goes through them quickly because of how much running he does. So, he will order another pair or two (of the expensive ones he bought at the shop) on line, for a lot less. He, too, prefers Asics. He’s got gel Evolution, and Koji gel and some others in the closet that I can’t read because it is worn off the insole. I think he got the Kayano XIII also. MOWC- Looks like we’ll have a lot to talk about over dinner, eh???</p>
<p>Everyone at my school that is on the cross country team wears asics.</p>
<p>I wore the Asics Kayano for years, but then they changed them slightly.</p>
<p>I’ve recently started wearing Saucony Hurricane 9 which are very similar.</p>
<p>It’s a good idea to get fitted, but unless your S’s running style is really pronounced, I wouldn’t count on getting accurate advice. If he’s only running 20 miles/week, he could start with a decent, neutral running shoe (sometime called a stabiltiy shoe) from one of the reliable makers (Saucony, NB, Asics, Brooks, etc.). Try to avoid the cheapest models–some are made to sell at stores like dept. stores and sporting goods stores and are not for serious runners. </p>
<p>After a couple hundred miles, take a look at where the shoes wear out: if it’s the outside edge near the heel, try a shoe for underpronators (supinators). If there’s wear on the inside edge try a shoe for over-pronators (sometimes called motion control). Unfortunately, it’s trial and error: I can try two theoretically nearly identical models from the same maker and have great results with one and terrible with the other. When I find a “winner” I often get several pairs and stock them away for the future.</p>
<p>roadrunner sports has a good questionaire to determine type of shoe a runner needs.
roadrunnersports.com</p>
<p>I found this article reviewing different running shoes in Runner’s World magazine which might be helpful. <a href=“http://www.runnersworld.com/channel/0,7119,s6-240-0-0-0,00.html?cm_re=HP-_-Homepage%20Channel-_-Shoes%20And%20Gear[/url]”>http://www.runnersworld.com/channel/0,7119,s6-240-0-0-0,00.html?cm_re=HP-_-Homepage%20Channel-_-Shoes%20And%20Gear</a></p>
<p>The running specialty store here has a little “track” in the store where you can actually run for a bit with the shoes in addition to seeing how comfortable the fit is - if yours doesn’t, ask if you can take a lap or two within the store somehow (while dodging the racks no doubt!). My D has different styles of shoes for road running vs. trail running, and really needs the arch support (halfway through her HS career injury-free knock on wood). We are a New Balance family, but since they change the numbers/styles frequently we try to hoard a few pairs of a style once we like it - sort of like Elaine on Seinfeld but I won’t go there!</p>
<p>Another point about going to a running store to be fitted is that I buy running shoes 1 size larger than my everyday shoes. If I buy the size shoe that I wear everyday, the shoes rub and I get blisters. I also buy running socks, more cushion and strangely, they do help.</p>
<p>I like asics, but my family also likes New Balance. We have bought shoes at roadrunner sports and they have great customer service but lately I’ve been going to my local running store. </p>
<p>It’s also very important to buy a shoe that is right for how you run and also your weight. I don’t weight alot and neither do my kids and if they buy a heavy shoe, it’s a terrible experience.</p>
<p>Wow, no mention of Nike and running was how they started their biz. I’m also an Asics user, using the Cumulus model, which yeah is like running on clouds. So one suggestion is make sure the shoes you demo are the most comfortable and feel like an extension of your foot, much like a tennis racquet should feel like a natural extension of your arm.
Demo several different models at your shop for comfort.</p>
<p>D also likes aisics. She has had the nimbus, and now has the newest model the kinsei. </p>
<p>My MIL had a salesman once tell her to buy two of a pair of shoes she bought for walking. He said to use one pair one day a week and when you can tell the difference, the first pair is worn out. My experience with D is that the shoe still looks good , when the cushioning starts to break down.</p>
<p>Thank you all so much.
The sales person asked a few questions. Brought out a pair of Aisics-son ran & liked them, I suggested he try at least one more pair. Tried 3 pairs and took the second-New Balance. Bought some new socks also. Son is very pleased. The price was close to Zappos, see no reason not to return.</p>
<p>Ages ago I used to know all the brands by sight, but that was ages ago when I could run and there were fewer brands:(. I think I liked Brooks, maybe New Balance but couldn’t wear Nike.</p>
<p>You guys are all so great. Am remembering all the hints.</p>
<p>Get Asics! They’re great running shoes, New Balance works well too.</p>