Hi all,

I have started walking and a tiny bit of jogging recently and I must admit I really enjoy it. But, I need new shoes. The ones I have now have no sole. I want to ensure I get something that is good for me at this weight. I think I have a normal arch / pronation. I hear asics and brooks are good. Any ideas?

Thanks

Go to a running store. Seriously. Getting fitted for shoes by someone who can analyze your gait will be very helpful. Different shoes work for different people.

New Balance! New Balance! New Balance!

Their shoes are very high in quality. They have cushioning for your foot, shock absorbers, fabric that breathes, you name it! You can buy different types for walking, running, etc.

I bought a pair a few months ago and will never go back to another brand of running shoe. I'm considering buying a second pair. One for strictly indoors and one for outside jogging.

I wonder if we could make a shoe stickie?
Truly, there are a lot of fine brands but I recommend you have your gait evaluated by a professional at a running specialty store. Try on different brands with the correct support. I wear Asic, btw, New Balance are awful for me, but Nikes are ok. It's very individual.

Great job on the running and walking and kudos for giving thought to your shoes. Very important!!

New Balance is good. I bought one last week for running and it is suitable for me. The quality is good.

This is a difficult concept for people to understand sometimes because we are use to going into stores point at a stylish pair we like... and then buying them. GO TO A RUNNING SHOE STORE. And bring with you a pair of shoes that you haves used well. A good store will fit you and take in consideration how you distribute your weight on your feet and what sort of gait you have. The wrong shoes can cause knee, shin, back and general body pains as well as being just damn uncomfortable. There are also different kinds of support needed for trails or pavement or if you are racing you may want lighter shoes. All these things a specialist can help you with quickly. My local store is ran by a local running couple and they made me feel right at home and comfortable. They can give you a couple of brands to pick from and help you stay within in a budget.

Reddalice, your scary avatar comes from one of my favorite movies of all time.

And you are right, it is difficult for me to imagine going to be fitted for a pair of shoes. I think the problem might be that (and these are likely wrong) i imagine it will be too expensive, i feel awkward going to a running store since i weigh 200 lbs, i feel like it won't make that huge of a difference, i mean, i know what size shoe i wear.

Please dismiss these mistaken ideas for me.

And, I would love a shoe sticky! One that talks about brands and foot problems and another that talks about getting fitted at a shoe store.

I went to the New Balance store and $100 later, came out with an excellent pair of shoes. --there was no breaking them in, nothing to get used to, excellent fit and excellent performance..I am a cheapskate..never want to pay even 1/2 price for anything....the full-price of this shoe is completely worth it to me though

I bought New Balance and they were very uncomfortable. Same for asics. Then I went to a running store, got fitted and purchased Brooks. I'm on my 4th pair.

It depends so much on each person's feet. I love my Brooks, they were the only pair of many that weren't too big in the heel and didn't have my heel sliding up and down the heel of the shoe. I don't have a narrow foot, just a narrow heel.

I echo the others -- go to a running store, they are experts in fitting shoes to your body and needs. Once you know what works for you, then you can get those shoes wherever you like. It may seem pricey compared to discount brands, but preventing injury is well worth the investment.

All the major brands are good. What works on my feet isn't necessarily what works on yours.

I'll be glad to dismiss those mistaken ideas!

At 200 lbs, I visited my first ever running store and got fitted for shoes. I even went with my friend who is a marathon runner (and very svelte to boot) who also needed new shoes. This particular store had a treadmill that you run on for maybe 15 seconds while they videotape your feet to see your gait/pronation. Like most folks I run slightly on the outsides of my feet. Because of that, I was shown shoes that help with stability.

Now, I am a Saucony girl myself. I have Saucony grid cohesions that I first got for marathon walking, but then changed my mind and decided I wanted to become a runner. But I also tried on New Balance, Asics, etc. I could try on the shoe, then go jog around the parking lot to figure out if I liked it. The pair of shoes I ultimately picked out are $130. Yes, it is expensive. But the reality is, it makes training easier because you have the right support, AND you can avoid injury with the right shoes. It really does make all the difference. I started out with walking shoes, thinking it wouldn't be that big of a deal. Well, 1 week into running I got shin splints. I could easily see why someone would give up after all that pain because you'd figure it's not worth it to be in pain while exercising, right? That's why I think shoes are great not only because they prevent injuries, but the less injuries you have, the more motivated you will be to stick with it.

If anyone is serious about running, I highly recommend going to a running shoe store (NOT one like Dick's or Sports Authority, but a real running shoe store) and get fitted. It will make a huge difference!

Good quality shoes for running are generally $60 to $100. At a running store, they should be able to give you various options based on your budget. I went in with the mentality of "I'll spend whatever I need in order to get a pair of good shoes". I walked out with a $90 pair of Brooks.

Also, don't worry about weight. I weigh slightly over 200 lbs and had no issue in the running store. I've seen people of all ages and sizes in my running store.

There is no perfect brand though, a good running store will carry a variety of good brands. I know a lot of people love New Balance but I can't do them.

you need to call running stores first... ask how they avaluate the foot. I called about 10 places before i found one store i needed. Most of them would just give you your size of the show and thats it. The place i found put you on a treadmill and observe how you walk without show. Then a lady braught tons of shoes for me to try. I spent 1 hour at least at that store. Mine was Brooks company and was about $120. Love it. It has the most support for my foot.

PS i too walk and jog. My goal is to be able to run 5K. I noticed before i got my Brooks shoes my hip would be so in pain after running and its been for weeks. So i waited no longer and got good running shoes. I was soooo pleasently surprised that the hip pain was completely gone!