Wow thanks for all the suggestions, guys. I'm kinda nervous to go to a running store to get fitted, to be honest. I guess I am always uncomfortable doing things that "fit" people do. LOL. I've been slowly getting over that. I've been told that new balance shoes are the best for people who are heavier. Of course, everyone is different!

Glad you got some great advice JGS19! I can't speak to whether NB is best for heavier folks, but I do know that they fit my wide foot remarkably well. I need a wide toe-box. NB also has a good reputation for making a good neutral shoe. I have to admit that when I run I often look at the Nike and Asics wearers and wonder, "why, why, why not me?!" :tantrum: ;). I think Nike and Asics make a really good looking shoe but I also know they aren't for me.

You won't regret getting yourself fitted by someone knowledgeable. They'll ask you questions about your activity level and what you do or hope to do in terms of exercise and then put together a selection of shoes for you. I've been going to the same Fleet Feet for years and even though they know me, my foot, and shoe preferences they will still have me try out my shoes in the store. I'll run down the block. If you're not running yet they should have you walk. It's all in effort to assess your gait and pronation and comfort level in any shoe you try. Don't think that this is something only 'fit' people do; think in terms of "this is what smart people who want to avoid injuries do". I know that lots of people's experiences will differ, but even at my heaviest I didn't feel judged when I went to get fitted.

Good luck!

I also have a "thing" about getting fitted for shoes because I feel self-conscious about my (I think relative to my height) ginormous size 11 (not narrow or dainty) feet. For my first pair of running shoes, I didn't have the luxury of getting fitted because we don't have running shops or really awesomely-stocked sneaker stores where I live and I was ordering online (from Amazon). I did a lot of research online and read a lot of reviews and chose the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS. It was probably a bit more stable than I needed it to be but it's an excellent shoe with no break-in period and I think it's great for a heavier runner.

I recently changed shoes to Asics Gel Neo-33 and they're amazing, really light and like running on clouds. But I don't know if I'd found them as sturdy or as supportive when I was heavier.

Every pair of New Balance I had are gone! They were awful. I can't remember which Nikes it is that I have but they are hot pink with lime green and they are the best running shoes ever! Need to get another pair before they are gone!

Originally Posted by FrouFrou:
Every pair of New Balance I had are gone! They were awful. I can't remember which Nikes it is that I have but they are hot pink with lime green and they are the best running shoes ever! Need to get another pair before they are gone!

You must have the same type of feet I do :) Seriously, I'm not sure what is up with New Balance but I bought a pair of minimalist ones to try out and they are just as bad for me as the other type. I have wide feet but luckily there are other options.

I'm not sure if running stores sell wide Nikes anymore if you have wide feet, they might but apparently they are a special order if you want to order them on their website. I know Nikes 'work' for me so I was willing to special order a pair of Lunarglide 4's from the Nike website. They were pricey ($150?) but having a pair of shoes that doesn't cause me foot numbness or ankle pain was important.

And in general, running stores will work with your budget as well. I mean if you go there looking for $20 shoes, they most likely won't have that but if you say your budget is no more than $80, they will work with that. I've found the ranges to be $60+ in a running store.

A trip to Scheels today and I was rather intimidated by the shoe selection. I hate stores where the only way you can try stuff on is to bother the guy to get it from the back. I kind of like to scope stuff out, and see if they have anything I like in my size (9.5-10). I always feel like I have big feet and I'll have a limited selection in that size. I didn't end up getting anything. My husband doesn't understand why I can't just buy a $20 pair of sneakers from Target. So of course I felt bad dropping $150 on some nice shoes. I couldn't make him understand the importance of good footwear, he doesn't think because something is more expensive it's better. OOOOOOH.

(coughcougheventhoughi'mthebreadwinnercoughcough LOL).

So for now I have decided on Brooks Ariel, I'll update how it runs for an overweight runner. It seems to have among the best motion control and arch support of shoes I've seen. I had been trying to train for 5k's on 7 year old running shoes before. Little did I know....

This could make all the difference. :)

I have done a lot of walking I was up to 4 miles a day which is good for me I have not waled in about 3 weeks as I have really bad ankle and leg pain due to medication I would love to run but just not able to do it I have tried and can run for a min or two then that's it cant go any further can you please tell me how you went about starting to run

CaperMom - google Couch 2 5K program. It's a great program for beginners - even the most out of shape people. There's a great smart phone app, but also mp3 downloads or just a program to follow. If you have ankle problems though, you should make sure you check with a doctor or an expert before beginning so you don't hurt yourself.

Thank you I will look at it

Capermom, I agree with checking with a Dr before starting if you're having ankle problems. That said, I started C25K in late July. This past Sunday I completed my first half marathon. :D

I was going to say no one can suggest a pair of shoes for you since everyones feet are different. Brooks makes a really nice shoe, along with New Balance. Especially for heavier runners, you should be happy with them. If I could make a suggestion is to read a book. "The complete runners handbook" by Bob Glover. The best book ever written, on running. From sedentary to marathoner.