Choosing a Shoe: The Very Basics

Hi, I've only been running a few months and am taking part in my first 5K race on Sunday. I could do with getting a decent pair of trainers and i can get to London or anywhere in Herts on Saturday but don't know where to go to get someone who can help rather than a Saturday kid who doesn't know anything about the trainers they sell - any ideas?
Posted: 13/05/2003 17:07

Difficult to advise on trainers - different people need different things - shoes one person raves about aren't necessarily right for someone else. Best go to a specialist running shop (if you can find one in your area). Not sure it's a good idea to run your first race in brand new shoes (however, others may know better). I feel I always need to break mine in a couple of times before they feel really comfy. Maybe best to do the race in the shoes you've been training in and then look for some new ones? Anyhow, good luck on Sunday. Let us know how you get on.
Posted: 13/05/2003 17:19

Hi Claire, I'm definately no expert but I would say don't under any circumstances change to new shoes the day before a race. Sounds like a recipe for pain anguish and a DNF!! Stick with what you've trained in and then change. Best of Luck for Sunday. Paul.
Posted: 13/05/2003 17:21

I agree with the others - go with what you have for the race. It would be a shame to spoil the day with blisters from new shoes (been there, done that...) As for getting new shoes in the future, you are dead right about the "Saturday kid" tyoe shop assistant - basically steer clear of any "sports" shop that sells mainly football strips and only cotton t-shirts. I don't know London, but there are Sweatshops there which come recommended.
Posted: 13/05/2003 17:47

Claire, check out http://www.sweatshop.co.uk/ They have a shop directory on there which will tell you where your nearest shop is. THere's at least one in London (Covent Garden) but you might find one closer. But, as the others have said, it might not be best to run a race in new shoes. I got my first running shoes at the Maidstone branch not long ago and they were really very helpful. I said to one of the members of staff that I wanted to buy some running shoes but I didn't know what sort to get. I didn't whether I was an overpronator (feet roll inwards) or supinator (feet roll outwards) or neutral (all of which require different shoe types). They asked me to run across their footscan (in bare feet) to assess my gait and then they recommended a few pairs for me to try on. I seemed to spend ages running around the shop trying shoes on. I found I was a supinator and needed cushioning shoes so I got Mizuno Wave Riders. V. comfy, no blisters so far. Enjoy your race and let us know how you get on Tweety
Posted: 13/05/2003 18:50

Thanks everyone, I'll run the race in my old trainers but I'll look on the sweatshop website to find my nearest sweatshop to buy new shoes afterwards. It sounds like the people there will be able to advise me as i don't know anything about what trainers i need.
Posted: 14/05/2003 08:54

Claire, veto what the others said about running on the old trainers for the race. With regards to new ones, Sweatshop shop are not bad, and they do have a footscan analysis system to tailor find your perfect running shoe. There's one on the high road in north finchley, about 200yards from the tally ho pub. The best shop i go to is runners need in camden, and they have a new shop in liverpool street. They use video footage analysis with you running on a treadmill, just as effective, but the staff in my opinion are more technical and knowledgable, and they have more shoes and variety tailored for running. If you are a member of a running club and show your membership card, there is also a 10% discount at the sweatshop too.
Posted: 14/05/2003 11:05

Sorry Claire, Just remembered too, that there's a shop in Bishop's Stortford called fast feet and the owner Paul, is a lovely chap, and he's a running fanatic too. Again 10% discount is offered to club memebers
Posted: 14/05/2003 11:07

Claire There's a Running Specialist shop in Bancroft, Hitchin, Herts. It's called ARO Sports and is run by Tony Osborne (a Runner)and Race Organiser with lots of experience. Tri- Sports in The Wynd, Letchworth, Herts is also run by a Runner. Both should be able to offer good advice as well. As everyone else said ....I would race in brand new shoes, break them in a bit first. In my humble opinion..NEVER EVER try to buy decent running shoes from a so-called "Sports" store flogging footy shirts, non-running brand t shirts and fashion trainers. This type of superstore is not going to have knowledgable staff who can focus on your specific needs. Also, check out shoe buying guides such as on Runnersworld site to check whether you pronate etc and ensure you get suitable cushioning for your intended use and weight etc. Personally I make quite a bit of use of mail order via ads in Runners World or from web sites such as promoted on this site. You can always ring them up, they often provide decent advice too. Good luck
Posted: 17/05/2003 11:01

Hi Claire,

If you are in London then Run and Become are really helpful or indeed sweatshop in Harolds - they offer a foot scan that detemines if you over pronate etc and can then reccommend the right shoe. As everyone else has said, might not be a good idea to run in new shoes - break them in first,
Good luck!
Posted: 10/10/2003 17:28

I am thouroughly confused by this article - I have a normal foot based on the wet test and therefore am advised by article that I am biomechanically efficient runner and the best shoe is stability shoes with moderate control features.

For High-Arched Foot - this article states that best shoes is "Cushioned (or "neutral") shoes and to stay away from stability shoes.

However, in the Shoes Review / Cushioned Shoes Review section of Runner's World
, it mentions that "the cushioned shoes are best suited for biomechanically efficient runner (minimum pronation) and midfoot or forefoot strikers."

So, these two Runner's World articles contradict - for the biomechanically efficient runner - one recommends Cushioned Shoes while the other recommends Stability shoes. I don't get. Can anyone shed light on what's the best shoe for biomechanically efficient runners with a neutral gait cycle?
Posted: 03/11/2003 04:32

if you are neutral, go for cushioned shoes, which are also known as neutral shoes

(this doesnt mean that stability shoes aren't cushioned by the way, its just that some people refer to neutral shoes as cushioned shoes)

but are you neutral? if you have a normal foot then youre more likely to overpronate,however...

if you have a high arched foot (not a 'normal' foot-well obviously not abnormal...! just not in the majority!) then you are more likely to be neutral.

(the wet foot test is fairly accurate, but its best to go to somewhere where they can tell you what type of running gait you have, e.g. I work in a running shop)
Posted: 04/11/2003 16:48

I have been running for about a year now, I never bought any running shoes by visiting any shops. I did the foot print test and ordered my running shoes online, which saved me a few pounds.
I have two pairs now, and I am very happy with them. So it depends how you feel about trusting your own judgement.


Posted: 22/01/2004 11:35

I got my shoes by doing the foot print test, The going to a specialist running shop. Both the test and the shop suggested I tend to overpronate slightly (more on one foot than the other, I'm apparently lopsided). after lots of running round the shops trying on different shoes, I decided the shoe for me was the Asics Gel 1080, which they were selling at £65.00. Due to a bank error, my card was refused and I went home sad and shoeless. Browsing start fitness website I found the same shoes, in my size for £35.00. Ordered them and haven't looked back since. So it's worth remembering that the shoes you want may be cheaper on the web.
Posted: 22/01/2004 11:47

Startfitness are a great place to buy shoes, I bought my two pairs from there.
It is worth calling them before placing order as I found their website not always up to date with what is really available.
Posted: 22/01/2004 14:03

Hi,

I've been running for a while now and need to get a new pair of trianers. Does anyone know of any shops in the Leicester/nottinghamshire area where I could get some advice?



Posted: 24/02/2004 14:28

Nottingham - Total Fitness Nottingham (Beeston), Sweatshop (inside Holmes Place Gym) or Up and Running (Huntingdon Street or there's one in Long Eaton)
Loughborough - The Running Fox
Leicester - bit of a vacuum as far as i know
I can also recommend The Derby Runner at Spondon just off the A52
Good luck.
Posted: 25/02/2004 10:05

Hi, I'm looking at buying my first pair of running shoes. Any recommendations for shops in the South-East London/Kent borders?

Kathryn
Posted: 24/06/2004 12:00

Hello
Has anyone tried running in MBTs or Chung Shi trainers? x
Posted: 09/02/2006 09:27

Those MBT trainers must weigh about a ton each ? Cant see how anyone could run in them ?

<waits to be proven wrong>
Posted: 09/02/2006 09:29