10 replies to this topic

[Charlie M]

Hi All

I am after some advice and haven't been able to find it searching through previous threads and other websites.

I am currently logging around 30km per week with my long run being between 10-14km.

I am a heavy runner (95kg) and wear orthodics.

I am currently, and have always since beginning running, used Asics 1090s for my training, although I recently started training in a pair of 1120s, which I have found very soft and spongy, which hasn't really been a good thing.

I am interested in trying a new brand but seem to get conflicting information. I have normal to high arches which suggests a cushioned shoe but because I carry a few kgs and wear orthodics, other information tells me I should be wearing motion control shoes. The 1090s have always offered me plenty of support and I have experienced no injuries as a result of shoes.

I was interested in trying the New Balance 1061s as I have read a review which state it is really good for heavy runners such as myself. I am concerned though that I don't need the features that such a shoe would give me and would therefore be making an incorrect choice and be risking injury.

Any advice those experienced soles (pardon the pun) out there could provide would be greatly appreciated. If I haven't provided enough information I apologise and can do so if requested.

Cheers

Charlie M

[azza]

Simple advice -
Ignore the brand, just go to a shop and try on as many pairs as possible until you find a pair that works for you! Alternatively, head to a specialty running shop (not sure of any in Darwin, someone else may be able to recommend one), and have them fit you with a pair.

Question for you, though: if you've never had issues with your current shoes, why change? Have the 1090's been discontinued?

Edited by azza, 29 June 2007 - 10:24 AM.

[Charlie M]

Azza

Cheers for the advice.

I'd have as much luck finding a specialty running store in Darwin as finding a decent book shop - its not likely to happen anytime soon.

A couple for reasons for the change:

1) 1090s have progressed as this line of Asics does to the 1100 series, of which i have the current model which is the 1120s, which I haven't been overly happy with.

2) I find the 1090s wear fairly quickly arround the inner heel, a problem I have encountered on all of the pairs I have had.

Basically I'd like to try something new to see if there is better out there and rather trusting it only to the people of Athlete's foot, I thought I'd try to drum up a few ideas and models before trying some on and making a decision.

Charlie M

[Oocles]

I have just recently bought a pair of NB 1061 and after initial problems (blisters) have found them to be quite good. I weigh approx 85kg. I changed to the NB's from Mizuno for something different and I can only comment between the 1061 and Mizuno wave riders. In my opinion the orthotics would fit much better in the 1061's. Good luck

[Wellsy]

I have a friend who sounds similar to you who has tried Asics, and although he found them ok, says he much prefers Brooks. He is about 5'10 and 93kg and tracks 40ish+ km per week.
I can't speak from personal experience on this front, but he swears by them!

[ChookLegsMonkeyBoy]

Wellsy, on Jul 3 2007, 03:27 PM, said:

I have a friend who sounds similar to you who has tried Asics, and although he found them ok, says he much prefers Brooks. He is about 5'10 and 93kg and tracks 40ish+ km per week.
I can't speak from personal experience on this front, but he swears by them!

Dear Charlie M,
I'm also a big fan of Brooks running shoes, although I'm not as heavy as you.
I started out with some Asics 2070s a few years ago, but these didn't quite agree with my feet / running style. A good friend of mine (who weighs ~110 kg and stands 5' 11") swears by Brooks Beasts, and so I changed over to some thinking that their motion control capabilities would help me from overpronating. However, I found that these were overkill and too heavy and inflexible for a good mid/forefoot push-off during running.
I have now changed over to Brooks Adrenalines and have found that these are a great balance between cushioning, motion control and stability, while giving me sufficient flexibility to run reasonably quickly (for me anyway). My wife also runs in Adrenalines and fits her orthotics in them with no difficulties.
I'd also have to agree with Azza and suggest trying lots of shoes!
Best of luck!

[k_run]

Hi Charlie M

It is always difficult to find the right pair of shoes. In contrast to popular belief foot orthoses are not always designed to reduce excessive pronation. In fact they are just as effective at reducing and redistributing pressure in people who have high arched feet and do not pronate enough. So your orthoses may be designed for this purpose if you have a high arched foot, meaning a neutral running shoe would be the correct choice. However without seeing you I could not give an informed opinion.

I am not sure if the person that prescribed your orthoses gave you shoe advise but if they did I would try the shoes they recommended on in the shop and see how they feel. Alternatively go to a good shop and try a number of shoes on with a similar amount of support to your current shoes, as you have not had any problems, (Brooks vapour, Adidas Supernova control, NB 767, Nike Structure Triax) and see which ones have the best fit and are the most comfortable. Try and ignore the brand as most companies have some good shoes it is just a matter of finding the correct one for you.

Happy shopping.

[HillsAths1]

Free plug for Kevin, Why not try out the Loco range of shoes, Kevin assures everyone that they will be satisfied with the shoes or he will take them back. I am in the hoping to get either a Loco Mojo or Perfecto in the next couple of weeks. The price of the Locos are also very good, and they dont have the constant changes to models.

[Colin]

Charlie M, on Jun 29 2007, 12:58 AM, said:

.... I have normal to high arches which suggests a cushioned shoe but because I carry a few kgs and wear orthodics, other information tells me I should be wearing motion control shoes. The 1090s have always offered me plenty of support and I have experienced no injuries as a result of shoes.

Knowing nothing else, then all three of those factors I emboldened point to giving neutral shoes a go first, as k_run concurs:

Quote

So your orthoses may be designed for this purpose if you have a high arched foot, meaning a neutral running shoe would be the correct choice.

The most popular and most highly regarded neutrals are the Nike Pegasus and Asics Nimbus. The former is reasonably priced (around $140-$150) and the latter probably closer to $200, and both of them have essentially remained unchanged for years- or at least no change that has been radical to force you into another shoe.
I know thats a debate for another topic-but since it has been raised- for example the latest Pegasus change (which earnt it 7 out of 11 RW editor awards) has been in reaction to feedback - eg bigger toebox etc, and Nimbus has evolved similarly.

If its the same price, and the change is minor but an improvement then surely its better than a five yr old model- but I digress.

For a bit more $$ the big brother of Pegasus is Vomero. Very, very much softer and also a bunion cell ( a common problem for those with high arches).

Neutrals are also in most cases a logical platform for modifications such as orthotics.

cheers

...I have no links to either company mentioned

Edited by Colin, 11 July 2007 - 04:43 PM.

[Charlie M]

Thanks all for your replies.

What I think I will do is to rotate a new pair into my training each time a pair is up for replacement. I am not fussed on brand names but appreciate the feedback all have given on their experiences with particular brands and models.

I must say, its a great motivator to keep on training and logging up the kms - new shoes are a lot easier to justify if you have been loggin up some decent kms!

Cheers all

Charlie

[chookrunner]

As an aside,

You know those signs you see in librarys - "If you like Frederick Forsyth's books you'll love Percy Peaknuckle and Arnie Armpit."

Well the other day I saw a similar thing in a sports shop, (was it Rebel ?), if you wear Nike Kneebuster you should try Brooks Backaches or Saucony Soretoes.

I wondered whether it was a way of moving people away from the brands that are no longer in favor with the shop.