Best Running Shoe

[JDgator]

For running, I'm on my second pair of Asics GEL-Kayanos. I do about 9 - 13 miles a week in them. About 150 bucks a pair. They are good for those with flat arches.

[g_uithoven]

Nike Free's are great running shoes to get you back into it. They are very flexible, lightweight, and surprisingly have a lot of cushion. I did a handful of 5ks in mine then a halfmarathon this past March before I noticed them starting to wear out. I now have some New Balance Minimus shoes but they are more of a barefoot no cushion feel.

[ScottyLee]

it's not as much brand, although some great running brands have been mentioned, as it is getting a shoe that is truely structured to fit your foot's needs. do you have pronation or supination issues? does your foot "roll" through the gait cycle with ease? high arches, flat foot etc...

we can all throw out a brand or even a specific type shoe. but without you speaking/working with someone who is knowledgeable about the shoes and your feet then chances are you will not be happy.

i did this for 5+ years in sales and technical R/d with several rep's for some of the companies listed in other posts...


to answer your question though:


some of the higher end brands to begin looking at Mizuno's, brooks, asics

Remeber the average life span on the midsole of a running shoe that is actually being used everyday is around 3 months. and if you wash them in the washing machine you have killed the life of the shoe....


i'm out

[Long Cut]

Go with the Brooks Beast if you dont mind a heavier shoe--great support and very stable especially if your miles are under 5miles a day then the weight of the shoe will not be an issue.
My newest shoes are the Brooks Adrenaline they are supportive as well with a lighter weight. I trained for and did several triathlons in the brooks beast shoe when I was over 300 pounds im a little lighter now at 280 and the brooks adrenaline are big difference in the weight.

If your prone to rolling your ankles like a lot of big guys then consider the Brooks Beast.

[curlytail]

As others have said, go to a running store and have them to check your feet and gait, then have them make some recomendations. It might take several different pairs before you find the one that is best suited for you. Over the years I have tried them all, the one that best fits me is the Brooks Adrenaline or the Beast. The Beast is a very stiff shoe and is for motion control. Now days, I only run around 4 days a week and have 2 pair of good shoes that I rotate.

[Chuckle12]

Another vote for Stinky Feet. I got the Mizuno Wave Riders about 6 months ago. Best thing since sliced bread as far as I'm concerned.

[Sbroadus]

Best advice has been given. Get fit! I did and it was the best thing I did. I was to the point I could not even think about running. Walking without my feet hurting would have been nice. I went to Fleet Feet and had them fit me and I tried on several pair of shoes. I ended up in a pair of Nike Pegasus 28 and love them!!

[rjohnson]

Won't go wrong with Brooks. They carried me through a half and full marathon and the mileage leading up to them. Bought a new pair about a month after the marathon. Get something to track your mileage on and replace 3-400 miles like someone has already mentioned. Second for Stinky Feet or Fleet Feet. Both great places.

[huntersmky]

I like the Nike Free 5's. They have been great so far and are only $100. I've had them about 3 months so far, running 12-16 miles a week and they are holding up great.

[WilM88]

Get fitted and dont pick em just cause of the color... if you want comfort, purchase for comfort. I just got some Brooke PureCadence and they are by far the best i've owned. The new Brooks Pureprojectl lines is great. Lightweight but very supportive and cushioned. Fleet Feet has you covered

[moose]

I run 20-25 miles/week and wear Newtons. They alleviated almost all the the pain I was getting in my knees and hips from running in Nike.
+1 on Stinkey Feet.

[Gottahunt]

More votes for Stinky Feet and Brooks shoes. I'm 5'10" and hover around 260lbs. Joined Marathon Makeover in 2011 and completed a marathon after 10 months of training (and before that had NEVER exercised a day in my life!!). I wore out two pair of Brooks and was in my third pair when I did the marathon. I'm sure Fleet Feet will do just as good a job of fitting you and other brands of shoes are good, but the main thing is go to one of these places, get them to watch you walk and/or run and fit you with a pair of shoes. Try several different brands/styles and get what you like. Also, don't go cheap on socks. That can be very important as well. I stay away from cotton and buy the synthetic materials - usually $10-$12 a pair, but worth every penny. Good luck with your running.

[medic11]

For those of you running in Newtons did you have to change your stride or foot strike ? I have been told they cause more of a foward to mid foot strike ?

[bhuggins]

For those of you running in Newtons did you have to change your stride or foot strike ? I have been told they cause more of a foward to mid foot strike ?

I didn't change anything but the shoe kind of does that for you. When walking in them around the house it seems like your heel is a little lower than the rest of your foot. Running doesn't feel any different but it did seem like my calves and lower legs were more sore after running. Definitely takes some getting used to.
I wore them on my shorter runs through the week and wore my normal Brooks on longer runs until I got well used to them.

[rjohnson]

More votes for Stinky Feet and Brooks shoes. I'm 5'10" and hover around 260lbs. Joined Marathon Makeover in 2011 and completed a marathon after 10 months of training (and before that had NEVER exercised a day in my life!!). I wore out two pair of Brooks and was in my third pair when I did the marathon. I'm sure Fleet Feet will do just as good a job of fitting you and other brands of shoes are good, but the main thing is go to one of these places, get them to watch you walk and/or run and fit you with a pair of shoes. Try several different brands/styles and get what you like. Also, don't go cheap on socks. That can be very important as well. I stay away from cotton and buy the synthetic materials - usually $10-$12 a pair, but worth every penny. Good luck with your running.

Great program to get anyone started running long distances. Helps hold you accountable by being with a big group. Second what you say on the socks. I probably have over $200 in running socks but never get blisters like when I used cotton socks before I knew better. They aren't cheap but worth every cent.