6 replies to this topic

[gee]

I've just handed over $200 for a new pair of runners and now having second thoughts (I've got a few days to change my mind so long as I only test them out inside).

It's seriously been about 7-8 years since I've bought runners (don't think I can count the $30 I spend every couple of years on shoes to trash at music festivals) so I have no idea what's what - especially for running specific shoes as I've only just started running.

I dilly dallied over half a shoe size. Smaller pair seem to supports toes a little, but toes 3 and 4 seem a little squished. Larger pair give ample room but I worry they don't have enough support for the toes (I think I have osteo arthritis in one toe as well).

It's just such a chunk of cash to be throwing about when I can't test them properly (don't belong to a gym so can't test on treadmill, I do all running outside anyway).

Opinions?

Less or more room for toes? Will runners likely stretch if I exchange for smaller ones?

[seris]

gee, on May 26 2009, 05:54 PM, said:

I've just handed over $200 for a new pair of runners and now having second thoughts (I've got a few days to change my mind so long as I only test them out inside).

It's seriously been about 7-8 years since I've bought runners (don't think I can count the $30 I spend every couple of years on shoes to trash at music festivals) so I have no idea what's what - especially for running specific shoes as I've only just started running.

I dilly dallied over half a shoe size. Smaller pair seem to supports toes a little, but toes 3 and 4 seem a little squished. Larger pair give ample room but I worry they don't have enough support for the toes (I think I have osteo arthritis in one toe as well).

It's just such a chunk of cash to be throwing about when I can't test them properly (don't belong to a gym so can't test on treadmill, I do all running outside anyway).

Opinions?

Less or more room for toes? Will runners likely stretch if I exchange for smaller ones?

I always get my runners a bigger size than all my other shoes.

[goldie*]

Yep, i think it's much better to wear thicker socks than have your toes all squished.

My new pair are exactly the same size as my last pair but they feel so much smaller that I really wish I had gone up at least half a size.

(I did exchange a pair of shoes I had run outside in three times, Athlete's Foot didn't even really closely inspect the soles of the shoes)

[maryclaire]

the general advice is to go with ths larger size as your feet wil swell up when running. I don't know about injuries caused by shoes that are too big (other than tripping over), but there sure are a lot of potential problems from small shoes.

[leelee]

I had the same problem recently when buying my latest pair as I switched from Brooks to Mizuno and the Mizuno felt a little larger in the same size. I think it is safer to buy them too big as well. I notice that I have calouses on the outside of my little toes because the Brooks don't have quite as much room - I didn't actually notice this until I wore the new shoes and found that because they have the extra room they don't rub on my toes.

[southy]

buy the larger size, as running down hill causes your toes to squish up even more. I have had black toe nails from the end of my second toe rubbing the shoe on downhills. Painful blood blisters under the toe nail. Not serious but painful for a few days.

[nik24]

Generally you should have about a thumb width extra from your biggest toe to the front of the shoe. Feet tend to swell with heat as well so it is good to have that bit of extra space. If the shoe is way too big then it does not flex in the right spots and wont serve its purpose. So make sure you get a good fit. As for Mizuno compared to Brooks, Mizuno seem to be constructed with a wider toe box then the Brooks, but then again you can get Brooks in different widths.

Overall if your third and fourth toe is squished now, imagine how they will feel getting squished with four times the force when you are running. I think you'll be in a lot of pain after a 5 k run or even 2 k run. Hope that helps.