Hi there,

I'm just starting out in my quest to become fit and healthy through running/jogging/walking and need a pair of shoes...

To give you an idea of the sort of training I'll be doing... It'll be something along the lines of the couch-5kms program and also a decent amount of walking to burn those calories.

Can anyone point me in the right direction in where I should be looking for shoes? Is 'The Athletes Foot' fit system thingy any good?

Also, just as a rough guide...how much do you think I should be looking at spending?

Thanks very much

Paul

Hi NikonUser,

To help you avoid what I and many others have endured (hassle, confusion, cost, time, injury, frustration, mood swings, variable opinion and dubious expertise), I offer the following:

Seriously, don't buy shoes before you see a podiatrist and get a proper assessment.
The cost is a lot less than the price of a decent pair of shoes and you may save several hundred dollars, several dozen hours of mucking about in various shops, and quite likely several injuries, simply by going to a podiatrist first.
It's worth the investment, even if right now you think it may be over the top for a "casual" jogger ambition.
If the running bug bites, you will be doing more than 5k in time to come, or likely doing that e few times a week. The wrong shoes will show their dark side and it won't be fun.
If you can't find a pod (look in the Aus Runners World mags - your library may have some to borrow), go to a SPECIALIST running shoe store.
I have had mixed success with Athelete's Foot - theoretical fit is one thing, what you walk out with can (and has been) another. Besides, their technology, while being a long way better than nothing, still takes only a static shot, whereas a good pod will use dynamic analysis. After all, you don't run standing still do you?

(I'm not a podiatrist or shareholder in any store either)

Don't know where you are, but on the off chance it's Perth, go to Peak Podiatry in Subiaco, and/or Runners World also in Subiaco for a specialist store.

As to cost, you should pay between $160 and $220 depending on the brand and "complexity" of shoe you require. Don't scrimp on this, it's not worth injuring yourself and incurring thousands of dollars of surgery, or months of pain and frustration from injury just for a few bucks. Besides, with running, you really only have to buy shoes, the rest is free(-ish).
Then, start easy, go easy, and Enjoy!

Hi NikonUser
Firstly, congratulations on starting to run.

I would like to reitirate what WozFasta has said. I know too well from experience what it is like to buy the wrong runner. I used to think all runners were the same. As soon as I started to go longer distances, the problems began in my lower legs. Lots of frustration and pain, but finally sorted it out with correct shoes after visiting podiatrist. I had no idea, but I found out that my feet roll in alot and are extremely flat and I was in a neutral shoe, when I really needed something that was going to give me support and correct the problem.

See a podiatrist first who will tell you what type of feet you have. A good sports one will tell you what type of runner will suit. Then go along to a good shop. Not sure where you are , but "Active Feet" are very good.

Don't muck around! You'll save yourself alot of expense and pain. Prevention is better than cure!
Good luck with your goals!

Thanks for the suggestions,

Sounds like a podiatrist is the way to go.

Do you think I should wait until I can actually run (for more than 30 seconds) before I go and see the podiatrist? Or won't it matter when I go (ie, the earlier the better)?

Paul

I guess everyone is different. I didn't have physical problems until I did too much too soon, but it was going to happen eventually while I had the incorrect runners on my very flat feet.

I obviously don't know your financial situation either, but personally, I'd make sure running is something I really enjoy. Otherwise, I'd have kicked myself after spending the dollars on shoes, then finding I wasn't as keen as I was before. Luckily, I am still hooked almost 2 years down the track (no pun intended )

Maybe there are others on this forum that have had problems from the beginning that would advise you to go and sort it now, but I can only go by my own experience.

head off to your local friendly specialist running shoe shop,athletes foot is like coffee from a franchise coffee shop-why would you-tell cool running where you live and some one will know the nearest one-brizza

I live in Mornington, Victoria.

You guys have been very helpful with my 5 posts so far

Paul

Hi NikonUser / Paul,

One other thing you may want to consider which may not pop up on any podiatrist's radar is shoes by a crowd called Locos.

They sell by internet, with a money back offer.
Their point is, basic shoes, that keep their design for 5 years so runners that use them can stick with them.
One of the the blokes who is amodereator on this site is an owner of Locos, I think.
Again, whether a pod recommends them or not, I wouldn't know.
There are quite a few folks on thsi site who seem to use them.
(I don't have shares in Locos or use their shoes)
This is just another idea for what may become a verey busy head-space shoe wise)
The website is here: Locos Australia

Hasta la Fasta Baby!

With the podiatrist recommendations I was wondering what sort of recommendations come from the podiatrist. Is it for a type of shoe or a particular model or brand? And if it's for a particular model, what happens then the following year when the model changes.

The reason I switched to Loco's (on my second pair) was because of the big change between 2070 and 2090. If I had been recommended 2070 by a podiatrist, I'd probably back again the following year to get a new recommendation.

hi NikonUser!

congratulations in taking the first steps to running comfortably and reducing the risk of injury! (pun intended)

from this sneaker freaker's perspective, definitely see a podiatrist as WozFasta and pommierunner suggest - even if you're not running yet!



... please note - some podiatrists are better at foot pathologies and some are better at biomechanical assessment - some also have a much richer understanding of footwear technologies and footwear function than others.. either way, it's still worth the investment for identifying foot type, structure and needs.

AND as far as footwear specifically - thanks SlowDave - it's the construction and features, not simply a specific brand or model, AND the models DO normally change every 12 months and can significantly alter fit and to a lesser extend function (how about Kayano's 12 year history back and forth from motion control to neutral) - THEREFORE, it's best for a podiatrist to recommend features and function over specific models

ALL brands are starting to get serious about footwear solutions for different foot types and shapes - I personally recommend you look at a running shoe with both heel and forefoot cushioning to combat the unforgiving surfaces we tend to step on - this usually means a shoe starting at AU$150-160 RRP - I normally run in models between AU$160 & AU$200 and have been very happy.

although athlete's foot is not getting a great wrap so far, these types of stores liase with local podiatrists, staff have ongoing training sessions, and they should go out of their way to fit you appropriately - same goes for any store claiming to offer a specialist fit

best of luck in your quest!

samplesize

Hi SlowDave
I saw a sports pod who gave me 3 or 4 models of shoes, and told me why they would be ok for me feet. She pointed out the parts of the shoe that gave me support in the right places and what to look for when shopping for runners. I'm learning as I go basically. So far so good with the reccommendation she gave me. I need mid foot and rear foot support.
I learnt from her that I have very flat feet / pronate. Up until then , I had no idea. Thought I had perfect feet.
So in answer to your question, she gave me specific models, but also the type of runner. I'd feel quite confident now shopping for new runners.

I looked at this thread again and I think I may not have been entirely fair in what I said about Athlete's Foot. Sorry.
I should have also said that I actually got my latest pair of shoes from them, which seem to be working for me OK so far.
The fact that it could probably have happened at the first attempt instead of messing about with visits to other shops and then back to AF is now moot.
The fitting machine wasn't used to make the final choice, just continual research and trial and error, all on my part, but that's also moot, since it did give me an initial idea of my foot and arch shape. The fact that this did not translate into a successful first choice is now neither here nor there, and may be as much my fault for not insisting on implementing often given advice: try all the models on the wall.
However, the service at the Garden City AF store was impressive and friendly, and everything one could ask for, especially late on a Thursday night 5 minutes before closing time. Well done AF - we may not have got it the 1st time, but between us we seem to have got it in the end.
I reckon their foot fit screens are a good advance on other retailer shoe selection methods, especially for the newbies. Could they go further? Sure but at what expense? Floating pods who visit stores on appointments for those customers who want video treadmill analysis? Maybe, but maybe also too over the top for the bulk trade.
Bottom line? Do personal research. I did...eventually.

Howdy everyone, I have just joined CR and stumbled onto this thread and wanted to make mention to any new runner's or long time runner's,

Poditrists are not the best thing on this earth for runner's, like everyone else in here we all have our own experience....

So from my experience with POD's, alot of Pod will be connected to a specific local running store so everyone they see they will send to that store and in turn they will get a free pair of shoes once or twice a year, in saying that yes they can still recommend you get certain types of shoes, but I have been to 6 different Pod's over past 3 years and every single one said I needed orthitics and have over prontaing feet so get a pair of shoes that restrict this, after 3 years of running I went to a well known sports doctor and he said my feet are fine and my running tech are fine, the problem was I had Chronic Shin Splints, 8 weeks later I am using Nike Air Pegasus (nuetral Shoes) and my shins feel amazing, not running big distance's yet but I am sure I will be early 07.

So I guess my point is, Pod have there own agenda when refering customer's and alot of people and runner's I know have been wrongly told they should be wearing anti pronation shoes when they dont need them.

So I think now get as much advice from experienced runner's from local club's or running groups, like everything getting the right pair of shoes takes time.

One thing I do agree with above is $160-$200 is a good price point.

Cheers

i have to agree with the Pod's being sometimes tied up with a commercial outlet.. but you can ask.. they have to tell you the truth!!!

As a newish runner (5years running on a treadmill and 12 months in the real world) the crunch time came when i made the move to outdoors.. i was recommended Brooks Beasts (super support shoe), but after 6 months of running outdoors i'd shed a lot of weight and was happy to move on to something a bit lighter and with less support.. so as you improve as a runner and change, your needs will change as well

All is true, some pods are visited by reps from brands i.e brooks,asics, so they can often have a blurred idea of the shoes. I work at the "foot", The Athletes Foot, and as mentioned we have relationships with some pods, and they will often send customers in with referrals(which is good) then on reading the referrals they have just choosen three or four completely different types of shoes. i.e nimbus, evolution, 1120. which is a little confussing for us and also for the patient.

And there are occasions where pods will know more about shoes than other pods. We have a pod student working in our store. From our end, in what we do, it is best to find out what function or features in the shoe you are chasing and an idea what the pod is trying to achieve. Then you can find a shoe that best fits the individual circumstance.
Most shoes around that 160-$200 price point will offer all the features you need, depending on your foot type,
A $300 shoe could end up doing more harm than a $160 shoe.

When I started running in the US, I was fitted for shoes at a store where the staff were runners and knew what they were talking about. I ended up with a pair of New Balance 761 (I think, it was a while ago!) and they were excellent. When I came to replace them 2 years later, they no longer had that shoe. Very frustrating! Also, the shop had gone and the place I was recommended ended up providing shoes that didn't work as well as they should.
When I lived in Sydney, I went to a place on Victoria Road in Rozelle and was fitted with shoes, following a video assessment. Spent $250+ on Brooks shoes. And then found that within 10 minutes of walking (OK, so I slacked off!), the soles of my feet were burning as the shoes just didn't fit properly.
I guess the moral of the story is that you can get lucky or you can get a lemon. Question the staff about the shoes, give them a good wear in the store and speak up if they don't feel right. It's not the store's fault if they sell you dud shoes because you've not told them how they fit!
I'm now aiming for my 5th C2S and wanting to get back to running. So I'm running the gauntlet of finding a decent store in Adelaide that will give me what I want. Any suggestions??

I realise this post is quite old now but for any new inexperienced runners like myself that may be browsing. I want to share my experience. I started running last year purchased a pair of shoes from a running store that i have trusted with my kids sport shoes for quite some time. Trained up and ran my first half marathon with minimal problems, All good. Bought a new pair of shoes with the same store,struggled to choose between the new version of the model I had or buy model up. Choose the model up which must have made a slight alteration to my biomechanics sustained a knee injury fortunately not serious and achilles tendonitis sadly on different legs. Have been on a very expensive journey with the podiatrist and physio. The good thing that has come out of it all is that due to some inherited genetics I have terrible biomechanics which hopefully with orthotics and a heap of muscle strengthining excercises from the physio will reduce my reocuurance of achilles problems.

The point of this story is money well spent on a pod and a visit to a specialist running store will save problems with injuries later.

Wow, reading all of these replies I feel really lucky that I didn't get any big problems with the shoes I bought when I started running. I got the Nike Air Max+ (greeeen ) and had some strange backwards shin splints for my first couple of days, but assumed they just had to do with me never running before because they then turned into calf muscle pain, which is what I was expecting, and then that mellowed out as well. Very happy with the shoes so far, though maybe it's just because I'm comparing to the old sneakers I used to wear day to day. Definitely seeing a professional when I end up needing to buy new shoes, though.