13 replies to this topic

[brucer]

i am about to purchase new running shoes and i am receiving a lot of advice. i want to run marathons and some believe i need a light weight racing shoe. my questions are;

1 what is a light shoe - in grams
2 can you get a light shoe that has excellent cushioning.
3 i am neutral and hae a wide foot- shoes recommended?

thanks

[brucer]

any help would be appreciated

[blkbox]

I would suggest you try and find a specialist running shop in Adelaide and go and seek advice from them.

There is Joggers World, 123 Pirie Street, Adelaide - phone 8223 6744

[HillsAths1]

I am just wondering why you would need a light weight pair of running shoes. If your goal is to do the marathon get a pair of shoes that is built for the purpose.You need a show which will give you support and comfort over the distance.
A shoe shop is likely to be quite happy to sell you a racing shoe however they are usually more expensive and secondly do not give your feet,ankles etc the care that they need for marathon work.
It may help however if we had some more info on your background. How many km's do you do a week, how fast etc.

[Don Juan]

You could get a lightweight training shoe rather than a racer. If so, try the asics DS trainer XI or new balance 835.

But if this is your first marathon, and depending on your weekly kms, you might want to play safe and get a shoe that will minimise the chances of injury first.

[Eagle]

Don Juan's recommendations are fine as these are good shes for someone of average weight and not a major pronator one wayor the other. But you should not but a shoe just because it has been suggested.

Go to a specialist running shoe shop, have yourself assessed and try on a number of shes before buying. You should train and run in shoes that provide good support. You might like to have a pair of 'light' runners for racing but they should not replace you regualar training shoe. B)

[Eagle]

In regard to a wide foot you will find that New Balance are maybe (?) the only running shoe maker who has shoes in different widths but no doubt someone will correct me if I am wrong about NB being the only shoe company with varied width sizes. B)

[Jeremy M]

BruceR, you should be aware that although the DS Trainer and Nike Air Zoom Elite are often recommended as 'nuetral', they do have some stability features. They seem to be a kind of catch-all type of shoe, like lightweight Kayanos. They also have a fairly narrow fit, as do many NBs, unless you can get the wider fittings (which most stores don't seem to stock).

I have wide feet too and they can be a problem in finding lighter weight shoes that fit. If you can get hold of the Dec/Jan edition of R4YL magazine, it has a good survey of shoes including lightweight trainers, which gives their wieghts as well.

[ed_c]

I just bought my 3rd pair of Asics Evolution - they give loads of support for people with flatter feet but these were originally recommended by a running shop.

[matt12]

Not sure about the weight question, but I just bought some Asics Kayano that are light, extremely well cushioned, and allow for a wide foot (like mine). (I picked them up for a bargain price of $125 in Rowe and Jarman clearance shop in Perth - they normally price at $250.) I wouldn't run in any other shoes.

[Pabags]

brucer

I agree with Eagle, get yourself into a running shop who can assess you and fit you with the right pair of shoes FOR YOU . Whilst its great to read peoples different opinions and experiences with shoes we are all different and require different shoes.
Eagle - I'm pretty sure that Asics now make a wide fitting shoe in some of their brands.
Matt12 - the latest Kayano is a fair bit lighter than its predecessors and if they are the ones you got you have got them at an unbelievable price.

Pabags :)

[DuncanTheIncredibleDivingHorse]

Agree with Eagle and Pabags. Having said that, one that might be worth a look is the Asics Speedstar. Lighter than the DS Trainer, without the stability stuff, and (I've heard) broader too. Plus bright yellow bits :) .

They remind me a bit of the old DS Trainers with the orange and sparkly bits. Wish I still had them.

[SMC]

brucer,

I wouldn't worry too much about light racing shoes for a marathon unless you're expecting a podium finish, you're not? Then read on. I run last years Gold Coast Marathon (my first) in 2:51 in a pair of Saucony Grid Trigons, certainly not light shoes buy any standards. I also recently won a fun run in simular Saucony's beating a number of guys in Asics featherweight racers. I'd rather spend my money on shoes I can use any day of the week, not just on the odd occassion. If you're looking to shed a few grams try wearing a singlet top. I'm sure this will give you the 80-odd grams in difference you'll need for that flying finish.

Cheers, SMC

[brucer]

thanks evryone - your replies have been most helpful. I think i received some wrong advice from one running shop