Cheap running shoes

[Boyiee]

I know there have been a few of these threads but I think they've catered to higher end shoes.

Just looking for a cheap pair of shoes to get back into running. I'm coming off a surgery, and running was a part of my routine before I got injured (leading to hip surgery). I am in decent shape, I lift and weigh around 200lbs, only ran 1mile-5k as an added form of exercise and to build endurance/stamina for work (firefighter).

I walked into models recently as they had a sale, some cheap acics for like 60$, I think Phoenix was the model, or Phoenix 2. Just want something that isn't going to cost an arm and a leg, is forgiving because I haven't ran in over a year, breaks in easy etc. I'm probably going to be running wrong for a while, but I need to get my hip to a point where its capable of doing the right motions again. Price isn't a huge concern, but I am not entirely sure how long or far I'll even be able to run, so I don't want to spend 200$ on these amazing shoes to find out my hip won't let me run at all.

Something I could look at, try on, and pick up in a store would be great. But I think I know my Acics size if it comes to online. Normally I would just go out and buy any shoe that feels good and use that, however I think weight and my handicap should come into consideration which is why BG is the place to start.

Thanks for any help.

[Null]

Sorry that I'm not adding much to help you find cheap shoes. Just wanted to say as a runner who has had hip surgery, getting cheap shoes isn't the greatest thing to do. You need great comfort. Broke my hip three times running.

[Fievel]

Sorry that I'm not adding much to help you find cheap shoes. Just wanted to say as a runner who has had hip surgery, getting cheap shoes isn't the greatest thing to do. You need great comfort. Broke my hip three times running.

Pretty much this, if there is one thing worth buying the best of its shoes. Bad shoes can fuck you up so much, can cause foot pain, legs pain, nerve damage, back pain, can even distort your spine. Shit really fucks you up, just get the good stuff.

[Mayareira]

New Balance 757 has rather good price/performance ratio. Its not "cheap" by all means, but its Nike comfort for a lower price.

[bechyni]

Pretty much just echoing everyone else but really go cheap when buying running/athletic shoes.

[foopy]

disclaimer: i worked @ at the running dept of a large NYC sports store in 1999(paragon sports). OVER TEN YEARS AGO. the following info is over 10 years old.

asics and mizuno running shoes were the best bang for your buck ($75-100). new balance sneakers were at the higher end and designed for the more serious runner, so they were expensive ($150+).

nike / adidas / reebok were overpriced compared the the 3 brands listed above.

the most important thing is that the sneaker supports your particular foot stride / shape.

there were sneakers designed for those whose stride supernate/pronate and those who had flat feet/high arches.

[wop]

I like shoes.

[aduidarnenye]

Don't buy cheap shose, you and your feet will regret it forever.

Also, cheap shoes wear out fast and need to be replaced often. Expensive shoes last a very long time and can often end up cheaper than cheap shoes.

[Mizango]

Beaten to it tenfold, but I wouldnt chance it coming off of surgery. With running shoes its one of those 'get what you pay for' situations, just put down a little extra and do right by your body.

Good luck man.

[Tyche]

www.runningwarehouse.com

click on "team discounts"

enter team code "RWMASTERSD"

enjoy 15% off, and free 2 day shipping.

Check their sales, sometimes you can get shoes for less than $50 (plus 15% off). Especially when they are trying to dump all of last year's models. The shoes I run in cost $85, and they're the best running shoes ever invented.

[Gwynplaine]

I'm not a runner so I can't offer any insightful experience. But the idea of running barefoot has been gaining a lot of interest lately. You can read about it here, here, or here. In particular the Vibram Five Fingers seem to be popular, if you're not afraid of looking goofy (but if it's actually healthier than maybe screw appearance).

Supposedly when a person is barefoot they change the way they run that is gentler on the body. Much of the support for barefoot running seems to be based on a book by Christopher McDougall titled "Born to Run". In it he studies native tribes who have been running for centuries without modern shoes and finds that they have none of the common health problems you'd expect.

Like I said I'm not an experienced runner so I really can't speak to the truth or falsity of their claims. It seems plausible at least, but the whole wisdom-of-the-natives aspect makes me wonder if it's just coming from Luddites who hate all things modern. I do know that both my mother and step-father were runners, and over the years their knees have basically been destroyed to the point they can't run like they used to. Requiring multiple surgeries on their knees. And so I think it's at least worth some consideration to look into what's most healthy for you. I'd be interested to know if anyone on BG has tried them or has read this guys book etc.

[Tyche]

The idea of barefoot running generally relates to your gait. If you take your shoes off and run, you'll notice that you're running on the ball of your foot (forefoot). Modern shoes are generally designed for runners to strike on their heels. This takes the weight bearing load from your calves to your knees/quads. Your quads are much stronger than your calves, so people generally use this motion for distance running.

I'm a forefoot striker, but I wear shoes. I just find the lightest and most comfortable shoes (Nike lunaracer 2). Forefoot striking doesn't exactly come injury free. I had a partial Achilles tear because my calves were ill prepared for switching the weight bearing load. Some people also have success with "chi" or "pose" running, which is a slightly modified forefoot strike.

[Tyche]

Also, regarding the life of shoes...depending on the shoe, the generally rule is about 300 miles of use in major brand trainers. Possibly a bit less with flats. Again, all depends on weight and gait.

[Norellicus]

Having just gone through the research and a consultation to better equip myself for running, I'll just reiterate what everyone else has said: cheap running shoes don't exist. You can get cheap shoes, or running shoes, not both.

And you should expect to be replacing them every 6 months/300 miles; sooner if you use them for things besides running.

Edit: Beaten by the running man himself on that last bit, dammit tyche

[ferigor]

www.runningwarehouse.com

click on "team discounts"

enter team code "RWMASTERSD"

enjoy 15% off, and free 2 day shipping.

Check their sales, sometimes you can get shoes for less than $50 (plus 15% off). Especially when they are trying to dump all of last year's models. The shoes I run in cost $85, and they're the best running shoes ever invented.

Thanks a ton.

[antihero]

I've always ran in nike shox, feels good man

[Meat]

don't buy cheap running shoes, if you're going to do no\low impact cardio go nuts with $3 payless shit.

Buy stylish shit, use em till they smell, wash em and now you have another pair of going out sneakers.

[Murdock]

cheap running shoes? There is only 1 way to go, Pro-Wings.

[Boyiee]

I'm not looking for 30-40$ shoes here, I'm just looking for basically entry level shoes to get back into it and get my motions back. I didn't break my hip or anything major, very unlikely for me to re-damage anything, but I am minus a ligament now so I just don't know if I'll be able to run "properly" for a while.

By cheap I expected to pay anything +-100$. I saw a pair of acics for 60 or so and I know they are a good brand, but didn't want to buy them without asking here first. For my current weight and not having run in over a year I was just looking for something that will be good for me to start out with, that's forgiving.

I don't want to buy a pair of shoes that are rock hard and take a while to break in, I need something that will let me enjoy running somewhat so that I can work hip and leg back into it. I don't mind replacing the shoes in a shorter amount of time. I just don't want shoes that are going to make me say "fuck this shit".

Edit: thanks for the link, found some nice acics for 130, plus 15% off. Gonna keep browsing and check sales but those are a decent choice it would seem.

[Tyche]

I think the Lunarglide's would be perfect for you. They're unique in that people who have a neutral pronation, as well as those who need support can wear them. They're adaptive, which would seem to fit your needs nicely. Not to mention the lunarfoam is incredibly soft.