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Expensive running shoes worth buying?
Lately I've been trying to stay healthy by doing some running and sports, but I find that after a few days my shins start to hurt. I suspect that it may be my cheap 10$ Wal-Mart shoes. I see some expensive Nike running shoes that are 60$-150$ and I was wondering if these are worth the price. I've never had a pair of expensive sports shoes, but I am always reluctant to buy expensive name brand clothing because they are usually inflated with no increase in quality. Also, maybe it has nothing to do with my shoes, but maybe I just have weak shins?
Comments
Remember this, though. Pretty much every good pair of shoes is going to be expensive. However, it doesn't work in reverse. There are plenty of expensive shoes out there that are not good. Shop for quality, and ignore price. Once you've found the perfect shoe, buy it no matter what it costs, unless the cost is absolutely insane. I'm sure it will not be hard to do some Internets research to get reviews of running shoes on some running sites and forums. Then you can go to zappos.com, and you'll be all set.
Here's a little anecdote to help: At the beginning of track season, I figured I needed to buy some new shoes, as the tread on my Adidas was getting pretty worn down. Not wanting to spend too much, I decided to just get a reasonably cheap pair of Asics, which felt fairly comfortable and fit pretty well. All was good with the Asics, until I started to push myself when wearing them. If I was just jogging they felt great, but as soon as I started to do interval training I hit problems. Whenever I broke into a sprint they would start to flop around and chafe the side of my ankle when I took a turn, and whenever I ran at below a 6'10'' mile, they would rub the back of my foot very badly. I actually decided to push myself while wearing them one day, and ended up running a 5'38'' mile, but when I had finished I realized that I had rubbed quite a bit of my foot off and had stained my socks red. I ended up switching back to my Adidas after that.
So, if you do want to buy a shoe in any price range, make sure you look out for some important things. -The shoe fits properly. It may seem obvious, but don't make the same mistake I did with the Asics. If the shoe moves around while you are running it will take skin off. -It has the proper level of support. This is really down to preference and running style. Lately, I have been trying to find as minimalist a shoe as possible, and have even begun to switch over to barefoot running due to some soreness beginning in my knees. Just pay attention to your stride and find something that works. If you have to, go to a running shoe store and ask the guy there to make some suggestions on what kind would work for you, and then try and find deals online. -Proper weight. Heavy shoes suck.
Other than that, try not to get distracted by looks. You are looking for a piece of performance equipment, not a fashion accessory. Oh, and as for the shin pain; take it slow. If you are just starting off with this don't over train yourself, your body needs time to repair itself. Eat enough to fuel your activity and recovery, and get a good nights rest. Also, pay attention to how you run. Good form is crucial here is a good place to get started. I'll post more if I come across anything else that is good.
I hope this helped, and good luck with your goals.
Also, I've become a Merrell fanboy when it comes to shoes lately. I bought a pair of Merrell boots over the Winter, and they are amazing. I expect them to last me 5-10 years. I like them so much that I bought these sneakers when my pair of New Balances died. They're technically running shoes, although I don't run in them. Regardless, they are hella awesome for walking and just being an everyday shoe.
Merrell's are bad ass.
What can not be argued is that there is nasty shit on the ground. Not only are there things like dog poop hiding in the grasses, there are pebbles in the street, spines from plants, pieces of glass, very hot sidewalks baking in the sun, I could go on. You absolutely need something under your feet to protect you from having the bottom of your foot cut-up and nasty. If you want barefoot, at least get the Vibrams. Also, even if you find a cool clean surface to run barefoot on, like an indoor track, remember to wash your feet like crazy to avoid fungus.
Any shock absorbence between your feet and the ground will avoid chronic joint disease.
Your stretching routine, your stride as you run, and over training may also be contributing to your shin splints.
That said, I prefer RBK Hexride running shoes. They're fairly cheap, extremely effective, and surprisingly durable. I used to use $50 NBs, but they couldn't even last a summer.
If you can afford it, I'd suggest always buying them in sets of two (pairs ;^) ). Make one the "dirty" pair, for daily running (in the rain, overland in the rough, etc...), and one the "clean" pair, for tracks and sidewalk. Once the dirty pair wears out (very quickly), switch to the clean pair for the rest of the season.
The sales assistant should measure both the width and length of your foot, inquire about foot injuries in the past, frequency and distances you plant to run. Some will also have a plate which allows them to work out where you place most pressure as you walk.
After that they will then specifically recommend a shoe for you. Make sure they work out how high your foot arch is, this is crucial.
I even get these measurments done for my feet when buying work shoes because I'm standing for my entire work day.
Speaking from experience by the way. I've walked all over town, on multiple occasion, with a friend, barefooted. No problems, not on grass, no shit anywhere. Just wash your feet, normally, when you return home, not because of OH NOES FUNGUS, but just because of dirty feet. The only danger is sharp objects, like pieces of glass or rough terrain.
Those Vibrams also look very awesome, I'd buy a pair if funds allowed.
I can also vouch for Merrells as a brand - I have a pair of their trail shoes (for hiking, with extra awesome tread for climbing) that are very nice.
Or maybe there is some other more mystical reason! I am not a runner.
Now aside from this, the greatest benefit on getting a nice shoe is going to be consistency from year to year. When you find a shoe that works well for you, you're going to want to keep using that shoe forever. This is only really possible with the higher end lines because while they may change the outward look, the shoe itself is essentially the same with each model. For example, I can count on an Asics 2006 Nimbus to feel the same as a Asics 2009 Nimbus. If you happen to get something cheaper, there's no telling if that model will exist in the future or what changes they may make to it. In my experience, switching up shoes after you've grown accustomed to a model can seriously throw off how you normally run and greatly increase the chance of injury. Running injuries suck big time because they wind up being walking/sitting/doing normal stuff injuries.
There's the old school method of driving a route with your car and keeping track of the miles used.
If you have a smart phone, there are probably apps available to keep track of distance covered via GPS.
Your local schools probably have tracks you can use, and those are almost always mapped out to some standard.
One thing to keep in mind is that distance isn't necessarily all that important depending on your reasons for running. For instance, cardio exercise is all about heart-rate rather than miles. If you're trying to drop pounds, longer runs at fewer miles may be better than a quick sprint at the same distance.