Fila shoes

I notice a good offer on Fila shoes in RW this month. I don't know anywhere round here that stocks them - I could do with some more shoes though now I've started doing the odd double training day.

Can anyone tell me what the fit is like on Filas. I've generally found that Nike, New Balance (normal width) and Asics (DS Trainer) fit me OK, Adidas I took a half size bigger in running shoes.

Obviously mail order is a bit of a risk but I can always send them back and swop them for something I know.
Posted: 05/01/2004 at 10:46

Popsider - I had a pair of Fila Flow which I got on very well with having also used Nike Air Structure Triax and then Mizuno Wave Mavericks. Initially I found them a bit too roomy in the forefoot since I have narrow feet but over time and as the foot swells during a run anyway they were fine to the point that I happily ran last years FLM in them. I particularly remember finding that they had a lovely lightweight "fast" feel to them in comparison to the Nikes.

Basicaly if I hadn't got onto the Pose method malarkey I'd still be buying them now.
Posted: 05/01/2004 at 11:09

I recently acquired a pair, they are the same size that I usually wear (i.e no bigger or smaller). Still tryng to break them in though.
Posted: 05/01/2004 at 11:11

Do you know if any of them are suitable for mild overpronators?
Posted: 05/01/2004 at 11:12

Yes Huw they do do shoes with stability features. As an overpronator myself albeit a lightweight one at 10.6st, I found the Flows were great for speedwork and races. Possibly wouldn't use them for steady and long runs. Not sure what their other models are like but I'm fairly sure they have everything except a motion-control shoe.

These sound a possibility - http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/article.asp?SP=&V=1&UAN=350
Posted: 05/01/2004 at 11:29

Have a look at Start Fitness. Looks like there is Fila shoes sale. All shoes £29.99.

Don't know much about the shoes, but the clothing is great. I really like the fabric. Unfortunately, very hard to get and find.
Posted: 05/01/2004 at 11:29

i got a pair of Fila Ancerus (off road type) shoes a couple of years ago when they were on offer at sweatshop

never got on with them - even as just a leisure shoe - too flat ..although i did walk 14 miles of Moonwalk in them !
Posted: 05/01/2004 at 11:32

I got a couple of pairs of FGT340's from Start Fitness - one for me, and one for my wife. She wanted to give running a bit of a go, and I needed another pair of shoes. They don't feel as stable as some I've tried but they do have a medial post, and cushioning's fine. The review said good forefoot feel, and I'd agree with that.
Fitwise - I have fairly broad fit, but they've been okay - blister on little toe on first run, but since then no problems.
Basically if I had £70 to spend on shoes I'd choose something else, but at 2 pairs for £50 you can't go wrong - also if you order online orders over £40 are free.
Posted: 12/01/2004 at 15:17

I've just ordered the FGT 300s and the Fila Racers. Popsider - any more feedback on the racers? Eg suitability as marathon shoes?

Thanks
Posted: 12/01/2004 at 15:42

I think I saw Tergat in a pair of Fila Racers.










ok - not very helpful feedback...
Posted: 12/01/2004 at 16:03

Huw, first impressions are the racers are half way between a performance trainer and a lightweight flat. I'd definitely do a half in them - might chance them in a mara if I was really looking for an edge or if I was rarely injured.

Chaos - are you sure it was Tergat and not me testing mine out?
Posted: 12/01/2004 at 16:38

Are you a neutral runner? I'm a slight overpronator, but the Fila website reckons they provide excellent arch support - would you agree? If so they might be worth a shot in the FLM, although I don't want to end up with ITBS halfway through...
Posted: 12/01/2004 at 17:00

Hmmm, quite interesting. Any ideas on sizing? I'm normally a 9, but 10.5 in Adidas.

I'm guessing the FGT 340 II is a stability shoe whilst the FGT 1000 is more of a motion control shoe?

I might be tempted at this price...
Posted: 12/01/2004 at 17:08

Ring and ask them would be my advice - 0191 222 0984. The guy I spoke to seemed fairly knowledgeable.
Posted: 12/01/2004 at 17:13

Huw I was told I was an overpronator but I couldn't get on with orthotics and then went back to forefoot striking - I just sort of hope that means I don't have to bother about overpronation and all that - although I have bought a couple of pairs of shoes like my other Filas and DS trainers that are supposed to have a bit of support since being injured. I do nearly all my running in Skylons though.

If you look on the start fitness site it has a little description of what each shoe is for I think - more than was on the Fila site itself.
Posted: 12/01/2004 at 17:19

v similar to me - I have tried to land more mid-foot rather than on the heel to take overpronation out of the equation. I also think that I may have been "misdiagnosed" - Run and Become in London thought, from watching me, that I overpronated, but on an Adidas footscan I was told I was perfectly neutral, but on physical inspection they said that I had low arches. So my feeling is that I could get by with neutral shoes provided they had arch support; apparently the Racers do...

Plus they look cool...
Posted: 12/01/2004 at 18:07

Anyone hav experience of Start Fitness, particularly in terms of returns if the shoes don't fit or aren't suitable?

I'd never normally conider buying shoes without trying them on, but at these prices...
Posted: 12/01/2004 at 19:13

All people point to the good regarding Startfitness. Nearly always get positive feedback when people ask about which company to use.

I've used them once but never had to return anything and they were great. Very quick turn around on the order.


Posted: 12/01/2004 at 20:06

I've found the fit pretty standard or even maybe on the generous side of standard.
Posted: 12/01/2004 at 20:07

Sport Soccer - a bargain clearout store around the Northwest - has lots of Fila running shoes so you could go and try them there

and i noticed a Fila Outlet shop at the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet at Cheshre Oaks near Chester

so maybe you try for size if its near you
Posted: 12/01/2004 at 21:03

or Braintree outlet centre, they definitely stock a full line of the running shoes. Nearly grabbed a pair of Racers me-self...
Posted: 12/01/2004 at 21:23

Taken the plunge and ordered a pair each of the FGT 300s and the FGT 340IIs.

Spoke to a very helpful operator - was honest enough to admit it was his first day and he hadn't had much chance to play with the Filas yet, but tried to help as much as possible. I'm not too worried about having ordered the wrong thing, as he said I could just send them back for a refund.

Everything I've read about Start Fitness seems positive so I've no worries about the after-sales service.

I'll let you know what they're like!
Posted: 13/01/2004 at 10:05

Interesting that no-one apart from Start seem to sell Fila.

Hope I don't fall in love too much with these new shoes and then can't buy them anywhere in the future!
Posted: 13/01/2004 at 14:51

Go on then, have they arrived yet? Spill the beans

I've convinced the missus to stump up £50 for some new trainers. Hopefully I can get 2 at that price and relegate a pair of my casual trainers to boat house shoes and bin the current ones


Posted: 16/01/2004 at 19:20

I'd love to, SalfordRower, but they haven't arrived yet!

If they haven't turned up by the afternoon I might ring StartFitness - I ordered last Tuesday and I'm an impatient person at the best of times!
Posted: 19/01/2004 at 11:35

Update: they have arrived! Need to collect them and I'll at least let you know what the fit's like by tomorrow.
Posted: 19/01/2004 at 11:49

SR - I've had a nightmare - Start Fitness sent them out last week (by "Citylink" ?), but as I work during the day they couldn't be delivered, so have gone to a depot in Brent Cross. There is basically no way I can get them now! (they only hold them for 5 working days anyway).

Therefore my advice is to get them sent to your work, or pay a bit more and have them sent by Royal Mail, as right now I'm not sure I'm ever going to see my shoes!
Posted: 19/01/2004 at 11:50

www.shopforsport.co.uk do Fila running shoes.
Posted: 19/01/2004 at 17:22

Well, they're here. First impressions follow (but bear in mind I've only had one pair of Adidas Supernova Controls to compare to). First test run will be on Wednesday.

Bit miffed that only one pair was actually boxed - the other pair were just loose in the packaging.

But the shoes themselves...

The FGT340s first off.

They seem to have all the features you'd expect of a stability shoe. Medial post stretching from the heel to just short of the forefoot. More cushioned midsole to the rest of the shoe, with a particularly squidgy bit (a bit Nike Air-like) round the outside of the heel. Plastic shank under the midfoot. So far, so similar to the Adidas.

The main difference is in the upper and the arch, both of which feel firmer on the Adidas. Whether I'll prefer the slightly less restrictive feel of the Filas is open to testing.

In terms of fit, they seem okay at the moment. The guy on the phone reckoned I'd only need my normal shoe size (9) as opposed to 10s- I erred on the side of caution and went for 9.5. Again, it's difficult to say without running in them, but I'd say that either 9.5 or 10 would be ideal - don't go for your normal shoe size.

Next, the FGT300s. They seem quite similar to the FGT340s in terms of looks, feel, fit, cushioning, support... hang on, they are FGT340s! Not what I ordered or what the receipt says. Never mind - they seem like pretty good shoes and I'll wait and see what happens when I road test the first pair.

Verdict - seem pretty good so far. If I'd paid full price I might feel they were a little insubstantial for the money, but at £25 - hey, they could fall apart after 200 miles and I wouldn't mind!

Road test to follow...
Posted: 19/01/2004 at 18:47

Cheers for this guys, I look forward to the road test!

I'm a size 12 so may struggle getting a size up. Having said that £25 each for a couple of casual trainers wouldn't be worst investment.

I await the road test with anticipation
Posted: 19/01/2004 at 21:12

Okay, road test time! Bear in mind I'm not exactly an expert on shoe matters - I've been running since July '03, do just over 20 miles per week and have only ever owned one pair of 'proper' running shoes...

First thing I noticed even when warming up is that the FGT340s don't feel anywhere near as cushioned as my Supernova Controls, even after they've done nearly 250 miles.

I did my normal Wednesday run of around 3.5 miles including 10 hill reps and didn't find the comparatively firm heels to be a problem. In fact, I found the forefoot to be much more responsive. If I can describe it properly, I'd say (particularly when going uphill) I felt more 'in touch' with the ground without it being harsh or jarring. If I run too fast or far I can normally feel it in my left knee - no problems today.

And the fit, which was my main worry, didn't seem to be a problem. The 9.5 seems to be the right size for me. After my first 3 mile run in the Supernovas (and the next few as well!) I had nasty blisters on my instep - I probably kept Compeed in business single-handedly for a couple of weeks! Today, no problems of that sort at all - just comfortable.

Stability-wise, it's difficult to judge - I'm not a serious overpronator and I'm not experienced enough to really tell. But as far as I can say they seem just as stable as my other shoes, despite the medial post not stretcing quite as far forward.

Money well spent? Well, I reserve judgement on whether the cushioning will be sufficient for me over a long run - maybe I'll try next weekend. But at the worst, they'll probably do very nicely for all my mid-week runs while I save the Adidas for the weekends. So at £25 a pair, the initial impression is definitely money well spent!
Posted: 21/01/2004 at 11:12

SVT, thanks for this, I've just got a pair of 340's and 300's land on my desk will report in due course.
Posted: 21/01/2004 at 13:15

Humph,

How did you manage that? Did you order two pairs of 340s?!
Posted: 21/01/2004 at 15:52

Ah, you have sussed my cunning plan! I do however have a spare box going cheap should you require it.

The dilema is which pair to where on the club run tonight? I guess in the interests of journalistic balance I should really take the 300's
Posted: 21/01/2004 at 15:59

How do they compare to Mizuno's and Asics? These are the brands that I am most familiar with...
Posted: 21/01/2004 at 21:31

KK - 'fraid I can't help you there. The only meaningful comparison I can make is that they're cheaper! (and don't have waves...)
Posted: 22/01/2004 at 07:20

OK, report on the FGT 300 Performance trainer. Felt comfortable from the off, a little narrower than my wider fitting Asics 1080 but even so I had no issues on width. Plenty of room in toe area and a nice heel fit.

These are a nice light and responsive shoe, well tested on a 7 mile hilly fartlek session and have to say I am impressed to the degree I might order some more given a couple more favourable runs.

Colour scheme not to everyone's taste but then you're not supposed to be looking at your feet anyway!

KK, I am a fan of Mizuno's and have had a couple of pairs of ASICS but these compare well and at less than half the normal price of the others represent good value IMHO.
Posted: 22/01/2004 at 07:30

Humph, you'll have to let us know how the two pairs compare.

If the FGT300s are particularly good I might contact Start about their error and swap my unused second pair of 340s.
Posted: 22/01/2004 at 09:41

Next weeki will be mostly testing...
Fila LD Spike,
Fila FGT320's
Fila FGT Light's
I will LUK
Posted: 22/01/2004 at 09:50

so you've ordered then?

Posted: 22/01/2004 at 09:53