Cheap running shoes

[Elesirdur]

I've always been partial to New Balance runners/trainers myself. I've got long, narrow feet and I found they gave the best fit for my foot shape.

Before buying online, go check some local stores out (especially any that specialize in running) and try some shoes in in person. Then go online and see if you can find that particular shoe model cheaper; you might even find other foot widths that you can't get in store but would work better for your feet. Don't forget to think about what terrain you'll be wanting to run on most. Pavement-oriented shoes are built different than ones for gravel or chiptrails (cushioning, ankle support, etc.).

Lastly, check out this company's products: http://superfeet.com/default.aspx They are, by far, the best insoles I've ever used. They are stiffer than the drugstore type (and more expensive) but they're like low-grade orthotics. I have a set of the green hiking/military for my work boots (foot courier, walk 5-7mi a day on pavement carrying a medium load) and they improved my foot and leg comfort immensely. They took a bit of getting used to, but I have noticed that they helped my natural inclination to pronate a lot. My legs feel stronger and I feel much more solidly planted when I walk. They make applications for everything from dress shoes to runners, so even if you don't use them in trainers they might help in your everyday shoes while you recover.

Good luck!

PS: Yes, I know my advice is kind of a dick move for the store, but unless you can get them on a crazy sale, cost+shipping might not even be worth it online.

[Tyche]

I've always thought trying on running shoes is absolutely useless other than analyzing gaits. I've put on shoes, wore them in the store, jogged around the store, and they've felt fine. Then I get out, run a few miles, and I get blisters and my feet feel like shit.

What I always suggest doing is to buy shoes online (the website I linked gives you a free return label to return shoes in new condition, no questions asked). Get your new shoes in and just use them on a treadmill for the first 25 miles or so. The sole stays in a clean good condition, and you get a risk free test-drive.

[Boyiee]

Thank you for the suggestion tyche, those are a lot cheaper than I expected. I was looking at these http://www.runningwarehouse.com/desc...?PCODE=AK16MWB

[Stumblingdrunk]

Running barefoot is great, but finding a place to comfortably run barefoot is a big pain in the ass.

[Ace-o-fire]

Running barefoot is great, but finding a place to comfortably run barefoot is a big pain in the ass.

agreed,m plus if your a big heel runner, it teaches you how to run on your toes.

[stars1]

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.

Replaceable Spiked Running shoes, help accelerate and save energy during the running competition.

[Boyiee]

The shoes I run in cost $85, and they're the best running shoes ever invented.

so which shoes would those be lol

[Tyche]

Nike Lunaracers. They weigh next to nothing and they're as cushy as trainers.

[Elimir]

agreed,m plus if your a big heel runner, it teaches you how to run on your toes.

Running barefoot is great, but finding a place to comfortably run barefoot is a big pain in the ass.

vibramfivefingers.com

I've had these (the classic model) for several months now, and they're the best I've had. They do take a bit to get used to depending on how you currently run, but it's worth it imo.

Also.. 10 posts for links.. ; ;

[Boyiee]

I have a pair of vibrams already actually. They've been brought up 20 times in this thread and its brought up in every thread about running lol.

I ordered the pair your linked me Tyche, should be in tomorrow, thanks!

[VivixKujata]

Asics are pretty nice for just everyday running, i used them for cross country a whole year, they got wet and stuff but still held up very nice. Basically i used them on every type of terrain (sand, mud, concrete, track blacktop, etc.) and they withstood everything. Very durable and comfortable imo, but then again i haven't really gone everywhere trying on running shoes, so yeah. You should be able to get a good pair with the gel heel things for like 70$.

[Boyiee]

Well update. Got the Lunars Tyche recommended. Fucking. Amazing.

They feel great, and running for the first time in... shit... 2yrs maybe? went pretty well. I took it easy did a nice 5min brisk walk, followed by about 8-9transitions of run 1-2min > walk 2min > repeat with a 10min cooldown. Also didn't know they were Nike+ ready, used my iphone on an armband today, maybe will hook that up eventually as well. Just gotta find proper running music lol.

Hip and leg held up fine, the longer I went the bigger smile I had on my face lol. The first couple sets were absolutely brutal. I was striking wrong, too flatfooted, then my left shin got a really tired numb feeling. Completely running wrong basically, but as time went on it got easier to breathe and just felt smoother. Never even cramped up.

Shoes were a great buy, thanks for the tips. I do have some Vibram Five Fingers btw that I will use eventually when I find a non-pavement/concrete place to run in them. I literally bought those around my accident and never had a chance to use them.

Now for the long process of getting back to 5k, then getting up to 10k. Gonna be a bitch, hopefully I learn how to run again quickly. I'm assuming since my anatomy actually changed from the surgery, that I learned to walk and move this leg differently from before. Now I'm paying for it.

[ZarakiKujata]

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.

I bought my Vibrams last summer and they are amazing, I would agree with what Tyche said, if you don't condition your calves to running in them slowly over a period of time you can fuck up your foot/leg in a number of ways. While most of the force of the impact on your legs is absorbed your calves/dissipates as sound you should probably avoid going straight to Vibrams after serious injury.

I have been meaning to read Born to Run but his fascination w/ the Mexican tribe who is the subject of the book is by no means a completely luddite thing because there have been plenty of clinical studies that support barefoot running.

Lastly, if you haven't tried Vibrams before you should go to a store that stocks them b/c they size weird and don't fit all foot types

[Gekii]

Sorry to be semi off-topic, but felt my question didn't require a creation of a new topic since its in the realm of sports footwear. My question though, does anyone have some good recommendations for indoor soccer shoes? Tired of using my reg sneakers, feel like lead blocks after awhile

[Daemien]

Sorry to be semi off-topic, but felt my question didn't require a creation of a new topic since its in the realm of sports footwear. My question though, does anyone have some good recommendations for indoor soccer shoes? Tired of using my reg sneakers, feel like lead blocks after awhile

http://www.zappos.com/adidas-samba-classic-black-white

[Mistress Stowastiq]

Considering that you are running for therapy for an injury, you are better of investing in a good pair of shoes that will help with impact on your hips. The outlet stores have amazing prices for good quality brands. Good luck

[Caiyuo]

on the topic of Vibrams, are they something you have to go all or nothing on when choosing running shoes? To explain, I've been wearing Chuck Taylor All-Stars for years and have heard they're a good shoe to wear in the off-time when or where you can't really wear Vibrams, so I thought it might be a good transition to try and make.

If I were to do that, would I need to stick to Vibrams exclusively or can I mix up my choices at times with regular running shoes? Would there even be a reason to want to do this? I found a place to have my gait analyzed and am just at the point of trying to decide which to start with and how much of a commitment I'd be making. Just based on Tyche being a runner, being aware of Vibrams and opting not to use them makes me a little less enthusiastic about trying them, but I don't know if that's because he naturally doesn't heel-strike or not. (If you see this I'd be interested to know!)

For what it's worth, I get that my muscles are going to have to adapt to one style or the other depending on whether I use regular running shoes or Vibrams so that's apart of my dilemma.

Also, this probably sounds really stupid, but is there any certain feature or detail about walking/standing shoes for comfort? Just as an example, I can't be on my feet in my all-stars for more than a few hours before I feel totally crippled lol. Is it as simple as finding a pair of shoes that feels comfortable with notable cushioning when I'm expecting to be on my feet for awhile? I'm thinking of like restaurant shifts because that's when I remember being at my most miserable, but even a night at a bar is usually long enough for me to start being miserable.

Sorry for hijacking!

[Tyche]

You can always mix of the shoes, you don't have to stick exclusively to Vibrams. I I would try to keep the same stride though. Nike Free 5.0's are a good shoe for when you want to keep the forefoot strike without the vibrams.

TO answer your question as to if I'm a natural forefoot striker...well, I guess we all are. At least from the sense that we'd all run on our forefoot if we were barefooted. Real answer though, is no, I'm not. I heelstriked when I first started distance running. After a lot of knee issues, I made the transition. Best decision I've made in regard to running.