Running shoes question
- Thread starter stephec
- Start date
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sittingbull
Veteran
- Location
- South Liverpool
Almost all road shoes will have basic trail capabilities, particularly as we head towards the drier weather. It's only true off-road mud and wet grass which require dedicated studs or spikes. Specific trail shoes are available and will generally just be a darker colour to hide the dirt and have a slightly chunkier tread pattern.
Road shoes will be fine, particularly if you're just starting out, just don't get any with a purely flat tread (and generally only racing flats will have this anyway). Make sure you get a half-size bigger than your normal gym trainers unless you like black toenails.
Road shoes will be fine, particularly if you're just starting out, just don't get any with a purely flat tread (and generally only racing flats will have this anyway). Make sure you get a half-size bigger than your normal gym trainers unless you like black toenails.
Dayvo
just passin' through
- Location
- 59° 50′ 5.55″ N, 10° 47′ 41.89″ E
And if you're running on grass or through woods and fields, get Gore Tex shoes. Wet feet soon get cold.
Asics is my prefered running shoe.
http://www.asics.co.uk/Running/cat/SportRunning
Asics is my prefered running shoe.
http://www.asics.co.uk/Running/cat/SportRunning
Dayvo
just passin' through
- Location
- 59° 50′ 5.55″ N, 10° 47′ 41.89″ E
Don't get out much, eh, Crax!
I did 25 miles on my new white ones before my knees went on strike in February.
ayceejay
Guru
- Location
- Rural Quebec
Just beware of road shoes with excessive heel cushioning (height) as you could end up with a twisted ankle.
You need two pairs of shoes. Road shoes on trails are like slick 23mm road tyres on mud: you might just be OK now, but as soon as there is any moisture you're going to be all over the place.
Go to a proper running shop (not just a sports shop), and get your running technique assessed before you spend a single penny. Your pronation, or the opposite, is going to determine which sort of shoes suit you.
Mike
Go to a proper running shop (not just a sports shop), and get your running technique assessed before you spend a single penny. Your pronation, or the opposite, is going to determine which sort of shoes suit you.
Mike
sittingbull
Veteran
- Location
- South Liverpool
Opinions will vary, every runner can only really comment from their own experience. If I was starting out running again I would get some mid-range (price wise) neutral road shoes. That way you wont lose much if running is not for you and you'll still have a comfy pair of trainers 
By the time the weather deteriorates you'll probably be looking for a second pair anyway, then you'll have a better idea of your running style: neutral, over pronator, or supinator from the pattern of tread wear (not a perfect gauge but the wet foot test has it's critics too). Your running style will still be developing anyway.
Maybe I've just been lucky but I've stuck with neutral shoes and they've been fine. Most runners I know have done this until they suspect there might be a problem (very few and even then some shoes are fine whilst others are not - even of the same "type", it's a personal thing, and trial and error). Some have gone down the assessment route, in extremes even leading to orthotics, which I've heard both good and bad about.
I've had track spikes, cross country spikes, road shoes, racing flats (road) and fell studs. Personally I've never felt the need to have trail shoes and I don't think they would be suitable for road use other than short stretches. On the other hand I've raced successfully on trails with road racing flats (in Summer).
A lot of the jargon and hype is all about selling shoes. There is growing opinion that shoe development has gone too far and can in some cases lead to injury, hence the return to barefoot and natural styles. The worst shoes I ever had were also the most expensive. Advice from a proper running shop is a good call (@MikeG) as is the comment above about excessive heel cushioning when off-road (@ayceejay ).
Running should be kept as simple as possible, don't over-think it, just get some comfy shoes and enjoy it!
By the time the weather deteriorates you'll probably be looking for a second pair anyway, then you'll have a better idea of your running style: neutral, over pronator, or supinator from the pattern of tread wear (not a perfect gauge but the wet foot test has it's critics too). Your running style will still be developing anyway.
Maybe I've just been lucky but I've stuck with neutral shoes and they've been fine. Most runners I know have done this until they suspect there might be a problem (very few and even then some shoes are fine whilst others are not - even of the same "type", it's a personal thing, and trial and error). Some have gone down the assessment route, in extremes even leading to orthotics, which I've heard both good and bad about.
I've had track spikes, cross country spikes, road shoes, racing flats (road) and fell studs. Personally I've never felt the need to have trail shoes and I don't think they would be suitable for road use other than short stretches. On the other hand I've raced successfully on trails with road racing flats (in Summer).
A lot of the jargon and hype is all about selling shoes. There is growing opinion that shoe development has gone too far and can in some cases lead to injury, hence the return to barefoot and natural styles. The worst shoes I ever had were also the most expensive. Advice from a proper running shop is a good call (@MikeG) as is the comment above about excessive heel cushioning when off-road (@ayceejay ).
Running should be kept as simple as possible, don't over-think it, just get some comfy shoes and enjoy it!
Last edited:
Berties
Fast and careful!
all depends on how serious you want to get,I started with a average pair of runners off the shelve ,great for low milage,then starter breaking 10 miles starting to get injuries so went to see a biomechanics physio who fitted me with orphotics and recommended neutral trainers,that suits my gait,then took a trip to a specialist running shoe specialist its the trainer that suits you not the ones you like
smokeysmoo
Legendary Member
- Location
- Bolton, not very far from Nob End
Gait analysis, I went to FOOT TRAFFIC on Blackburn Road at Astley Bridge, but TOBUTT'S do it as well I believe. The guy that owns Foot Traffic is a former high level runner, the plethora of trophy's in the shop is pretty impressive.
I had a few quid spare when I went, and I ended up with a pair of Mizuno Wave Inspire 8 shoes, and TBH they've been smashing and are still still going strong now. They handle Parkrun at Leverhulme Park with ease as well, and that gets pretty grotty under foot at times.
I don't actually run very much at all, (although I am trying to increase my mileage, between non-related injuries anyway!), but having gait analysis done was definitely beneficial and illustrated how I'd been wearing the wrong shoes for years.
I had a few quid spare when I went, and I ended up with a pair of Mizuno Wave Inspire 8 shoes, and TBH they've been smashing and are still still going strong now. They handle Parkrun at Leverhulme Park with ease as well, and that gets pretty grotty under foot at times.
I don't actually run very much at all, (although I am trying to increase my mileage, between non-related injuries anyway!), but having gait analysis done was definitely beneficial and illustrated how I'd been wearing the wrong shoes for years.
