Running shoes?

Question

I just have a few questions about running shoes.

1 Is it really worth blowing a hundred dollars for a pair of running shoes?(I a 14 year old with little cash to spend on such expensive shoes)For example, has anyone bought cheap shoes and ended up being injured because of the shoes?

2 How often should a runner replace his/her shoes?(I usually run about 4 miles five days a week)

3 What is the running shoe for the money?

Answer 1

I work at a specialty running store in California and im also a competitive runner. I have worked with running shoes for years and know that brands like asics, brooks, new balance, nike, misuno, adidas, sacony and a few others have great long distance running shoes. It all depends on what type of shoe you need (neutral, stability and motion control) and how you want it to feel. If you over pronate (your feet and/or ankle role inward) than you need a shoe with some stability (stability=grey material on the inner arch of the shoe or with mizuno is more radical wave like on the Inspire) to support your foot so it can run neutrally. A neutral shoe has white all around the base and is for people who supinate (roll out while toeing off) or for people who don’t over pronate. Motion control is for people who over pronate like crazy or for rare conditions like surgery on the foot.

Each brand caries all three types of shoes; they just feel different for each brand.
Asics and Brooks are two brands that have a happy medium feel where most of the population will buy a shoe from them so it’s safe to by from them and if you don’t like them; try New Balance.

Fit:
This is a list of what foot type usually works with each brand (this is not always right, but it is most of the time).
Adidas: high arch
Sacony: high arch
Nike: normal to high arch
Asics: normal to high arch
Brooks: normal to low arch
Mizunno: normal to low arch
New Balance: low arch

Price:
When you buy a running shoe the price should be about $85 and up for a new style. If you go to an all-a-round sports store, the shoe should cost $65 and up unless you’re buying an Asics 2110 for $45. The shoes around $85 dollars and up usually are lighter and last longer. A good place to buy shoes is the running center or www.runningcenters.com
(all online orders are 10% off)


Shoe life:
Depending on your weight and how you run, the shoe should last about 400-500 miles until you need a new pair. Running on worn-out shoes is one of the best ways to get injured. I have see shoes last about 900, but don’t chance it.

I have a high arch and a couple shoes work for me.
I currently run in asics (DS trainers), nike (Vomero), New Balance (1061) with a DS trainer liner. I race in adidas (adizero). I still want a pair of the new brooks (Adrenalin) and I know they work for me and feel good.
I use different shoes for different workouts; that’s why I have so many (I also work at a running store so get a BIG discount and some are free for testing^_^).

Answer 2

.
All good questions!!

1. Cheap shoes really can hurt you. At your age and with the distances you're running, you may not FEEL an injury, but you could be doing some harm to yourself that could come back to haunt you later. In my case, my feet and knees start to hurt if I use my shoes too long. As soon as I change, the pain goes away, so apparently the good shoes are doing something.

2. You could probably use your shoes for 4-6 months, but if your joints give you any problems, change them sooner.

3. Everyone has their own favorite shoes. I like Reebok the best, but can also live with New Balance. You should check discount places that sell closeouts to get good bargains. I've recently been able to pay between 35 and 40 dollars a pair for "last year's model" of the $100 shoes. I don't care what color they are or how stylish they are; I'm just trying to protect my joints.

Good luck! Running is a great sport/hobby.
.

Answer 3

1. Yes it is worth it buying quality shoes, but you don't always have to pay that much. Some good shoes can go for $75-$100, or you can also buy good 05 and 06 models for around $50 or $60.

2. You should replace your shoes around every 6 months, and maybe less if you're running on pavement most of the time. Once your feet start to hurt or your shoe is wearing down, you should think about new shoes.

3. The best running shoe for the money is whatever is right for you. Differnet shoes fit different people. A lot of people like the Asics Gel, but those were completely wrong for me. The trick is to go to a running store (I went to Fleet Feet, check online if there is one near you), and they will evaluate your running style and your feet, and help you choose what is right for you. That is the most important thing in a running shoe. Whether they're Nikes, Sauconys, Asics, Mizunos, they need to fit your feet.

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

You need a good shoe. If you live in a large city there will be several running stores and you can get a good shoe on sale. I have never paid that much for good brand name shoes. Cheap shoes, besides not preventing injury, will not last as long as a good shoe, so they cost more. Depending on the surface the shoe should last several months. You need to look at the shoe and see if it si wearing or has lost its cushion. Any major brand is a good shoe for the money. What you need to find is a model that fits your foot, feels good, gives you the support and cushion you need, and is a good value. Again if there are several stores around they will put shoes on sale so look around.

Answer 5

You can buy good shoes from Eastbay (online) for $50.00 or even less. You can get good shoes from Big Five sporting goods for way less than $100.00. DON'T BUY SOME CHEAP SHOE JUST BECAUSE IT IS CHEAP! You'll hate them and end up investing in a good pair anyway. Look for Nike, New Balance or Asics. Watch the shoes for wear and tear---you'll get hundreds and hundreds of miles out of a good pair. Last book I checked said 1,000 miles. Save your running shoes for running only and take care of them.

Answer 6

If you are going to run, buy the expensive shoes! Running in cheap shoes can, and will!, hurt you!

Runners are supposed to replace their shoes every 300-500 miles, depending on the surface you run on, I guess,

I don't get the last question.

Answer 7

You got hurt that should tell you something. Many serious runners get hurt because of the wrong shoes. A great source for the information you are looking for is in Runner's World.

You can go to a local Library and read the magazine and perhaps ask for a subscription for a gift!

Answer 8

1. cheap shoes can hurt you. plus sometimes they are a bit heavier than good shoes.

2. i replace my shoes when they get to small or when the tred on the bottom gets smooth.

3.i will spend 100 bucks on a pair of nikes, they last a long time. sometimes i wait for our local sport stores to have like side walk sales where you can get last years $100 shoes for 30 bucks (im also 14 so i dont have TONS of money.

Answer 9

as a runner I always believed in getting new running shoes every 3 months. you can get good running shoes for cheap. usually you can tell when it is time because the sole of the shoe gets hard. The only time I got expensive with my running shoes was when I was buying my spikes. 40 to 50 dollars usually bought me quality running shoes. 100% injury free
My personal records
400 48.1
800 1:56.8 GEORGIA STATE CHAMPION
mile 4:36.6 3rd at state
5000 16:44

dont think because you buy expensive shoes that you will run faster. its the work that your willing to put into it that counts.

Answer 10

Basketball shoes are not running shoes they r shoes. They arent meant for running on concrete for a long time. they 1 will easily wear out and 2 you could end up injurying yourself. think of it like this. running in those could be like running in high heels and mess u up son!