what make of running shoes?

Question

i am a amature runner who starts and stops training. i want to buy a new pair of trainers but not sure what to buy. i have been getting back in to it on treadmills but would like to get out on the road again but get accasional backaches.can anyone reccomend some good shoes that will ease the impact on my back and knees,thanks.

Answer 1

What works for one runner will not necessarily work for you, but for a starter Nike Shox are not suitable for running as they lack any notion of torsional support. All runners regardless of speed or distance need shoes which are appropriate for their 'gait' i.e. what your feet do when they hit the ground. For a basic guide, look at your wet footprint and gauge the size/depth of your arch. The more of it in contact with the ground, the flatter your arch. A flatter arch tends to (but doesn't always) encourage over-pronation. Look at any of your shoes that you've had for a while and you'll notice that you wear away the outside of the heel - this is because as your foot swings out it angles itself and hits the ground heel first and rolls in to (ideally) a flat position before flexing forward to allow the push off from the toe. This rolling inwards is called pronation and is good. If the foot rolls too far inward then it is said to over pronate (too much pronation) and this is bad. If your feet pronate naturally then you will need what is termed a 'neutral' shoe; if you over pronate you will need a stability shoe of some degree (mild, moderate, or heavy), or possibly even a motion control shoe if you have very flat feet which over pronate to a severe degree. The wet footprint is really just a rough guide to give you some idea, your best bet is to seek out a specialist running store. They will stock several makes which are all reputable and suitable for running. The running store I work in stocks Brooks, ASICS, Nike, Mizuno, New Balance and Saucony. All have their pluses and minuses depending on the individual feet wearing them.

EDIT:

Also note that over-pronation causes mis-alignment of the body from the ankle upwards till the body is strong enough to resist - somethimes the knee, somestimes the hips which can also cause lower back ache. Extreme uncorrected cases could cause pain further up the spine. Likewise, even if you have a neutral gait, if your shoes lack suitable cushioning then the joints in your body will be taking the impact of each foot strike and that shock will travel up through the body, which could also cause back pain. If your local specialist running store offers a free podiatry consultation then make use of that as well.

Answer 2

Everyone is different so you need to take advice from somebody that knows what they are talking about. Specialist running shops can give you this advice. To find one near you look in one of the running magazines, Runners World, Running Fitness or visit their websites.

The shop should help you try on several makes of shoe and let you run in them, either on a treadmill in the shop or outside on the pavement. If they try to rush you or only show you a very limited range then go elsewhere. Getting shoes that are right for you is very important if you are going to enjoy running.

If you can try to run off-road as this is kinder on joints etc and will give you a better work out.

Answer 3

Running shoes are going to be comparable when it comes to shock absorption. And you can't pick a shoe based on brand. A Brooks shoe will be more closeley related to an Asics in the same category (cushion, mid-stability, motion control), than to another Brooks in another category. You really just need to go get fit for a shoe. Running stores (good ones at least) will watch you run and listen to your story and pick a great shoe for you.

Good luck.

Answer 4

DO NOT BUY NIKE SHOCKS! They are probably the worst possible shoes for feet. They hurt your arch and youre feet and knees will feel horrible after longer runs. I prefer brooks. They are reliable, and i have put about 1500 miles on my brooks trainers and i have not felt any leg pains yet. Especially for beginners, brooks are good. dont even worry if they are the latest and greatest.

Answer 5

not sure where you live, because that might limit what you can go out and try on, but if you are in the states, i would suggest asics or new balances - those are the two that i always wore for running and cross training. light-weight, good support and thick padding so it eases impact on your joints. you can always go to a running store in the area, and they are really good at figuring out what shoes fit your particular feet and body.

Answer 6

im a huge asics guy. they are my favorite. new balance is alright but not great. brooks makes a better racing shoe than they do a trainer, but they aren't to shabby. Also you have to make sure you have the right type of shoe for the arch of your foot. That is very important for support for your knees and back.

Answer 7

A friend of mine now retired from running would only use trainers by " BROOKS " he started running at age 51 he did 9 full marathons worldwide.

Answer 8

Definitely not Nike shox...they look like they have a good support system, but they don't. Asics are great! They're my favorite brand of trainers. They're comfortable, and they would give you the support you sound like you need! Good luck!

Answer 9

Reebok DMX's for street running
(Comfortable cushion)
Saucony for beach running
(nice stability)
Nike Air Trainers for the treadmill
(cushion isn't that great but good flexibility)

Answer 10

DONT get Nike Shox - you'll hurt yourself with those.

Asics and New Balance make great running shoes. I've heard good things about Brooks also, but never tried them.