Hey everyone,

So my current shoes are dying, it's becoming increasingly obvious so it's time for new shoes (yay!).
At the moment I'm in Brooks Adrenaline 8s, but as I said in another thread, I think the Adrenaline 9s aren't very attractive so I won't be buying them. I used to use the Kayanos as well which I liked, but thought the 14s were ugly so didn't get them.

So, what do you run in and what do you think would be good? I'm a lightweight runner, with...supposedly pronation issues, but see...after returning to dance and many long hours with the physio, I don't feel like I pronate as much as I previously did (it was really bad) and when I run, I'm conscious of the fact that I'm running on the outside of my feet now and I don't feel like I'm rolling in so much anymore - is it possible that now I'm not overpronating so much?

So, what shoe can anyone recommend? I do a lot of mileage every week, and I like my Adrenaline 8s but I'm starting to feel like they are heavy (maybe it's because they're on the way out?).

I was thinking maybe the ds trainers?

Any recs?

TIA

There should be a thread entirely dedicated to naming the best looking and ugliest shoes. If there isn't already.

I've been looking around a bit lately and I reckon the New Balance 904s look pretty flash.

Happy to help.

Buy shoes that fit well and feel comfortable. Go outside the store and jog for a few hundred yards.

As for what they look like ... words fail me.

Most shoes feel good when I put them on...but it's not until I run and I run that I realise there's no stability...

Thinking it through logically, even if you are the sort of person who is significantly motivated by appearance issues, comfort should still outweigh appearance when it comes to running shoes. The appearance of your feet must be more important than that of your shoes, simply because you only wear your ugly running shoes for say 2-3% of your day whereas you are stuck with your ugly feet 100% of the time. And comfortable shoes keep your feet looking good but uncomfortable shoes steadily make them uglier through blisters and callouses and such.


I have the same issue. What feels comfortable jogging around the shop can be very different to what feels comfortable after 20km. But I can't see any way around this other than (expensive) trial and error.

there's a first time for everything

Shoes are such a personal thing that you really can't ask other people what works for them, - even if you have the same basic foot type/pronation issues, it doesn't follow that you'll enjoy the same model of shoe. You need to be properly fitted in a running shoe store.

As for what they look like - firstly, after a few solid runs, they'll (hopefully) be a bit dirty anyway. Secondly, when you're running people don't notice your shoes; and finally, you should ONLY wear your runners for running - hence the "look" of the outfit is immaterial. Save your pretty shoes for wearing around when you're going at a slower pace and people will see you.

The Brooks Axiom is worth a try. It is similar to the DS Trainer and is lighter than the Adrenaline.

Other light weighter racer/trainers with mild support are:
Adidas Adizero Tempo
Nike Zoom Elite
NB 904
Mizuno Elixir

Or you could try a mild support trainer:
Asics 1140
Brooks vapor
Adidas response control
Mizuno Nexus
Saucony Trigon Guide
NB 769

As per the Brooks thread, I'm a fan. I can't say I've ever given the looks much thought. Why don't you stick with what works ie Adrenaline, and shout yourself a pair of cheap funky sneakers? Aasics 2140 are a bit similar but I would be very loath to change what's working for your running.

Well see considering when I buy them, they pretty much all feel comfy, and I spend so much regardless, my final decision often comes down to which one I think looks better! You know I wouldn't go with a really really uncomfortable shoe just because the really comfortable one is ugly, you know?

And yes, I only wear my runners when running, but I still like to look nice! Especially when I'm doing treadmill runs - they're in front of a mirror at the gym, looking at myself for hours while I run...

Anyways, if I can't find something I'm happy with...I would go with the Adrenalines again (the 8s, not the 9s!!), but what I was wanting was to find something a bit lighter, so maybe I'll give the axiom again.

As for the 2140, I tried those a while ago and they just weren't anything spesh...

I like the grey Adrenalines. They all end up grey in the end anyway....

But more helpfully, I use Adrenaline and also Trance. They might be prettier.

Hi Julia, why don't you check out the wiggle website and check out the brooks link i see they have some great specials on.

I'm as girly as it gets when it comes to lots of my running gear - I've posted many a time in the skirts thread and I like to co-ordinate with my CR gear for races - but I have to say that shoes are one area where aesthetics are just not a factor.

You've mentioned two models that you like running in and have had no problems with, but are rejecting purely because the latest version is "ugly." I really don't understand why you'd do that. I'm not even sure what constitutes an ugly running shoe!

If I'm reading you wrongly and you have other reasons to change, get your feet assessed by an expert. It's such an individual thing that other people's recommendations are often not that helpful.

But where does one find an expert on the aesthetics of running shoes?

Perhaps this could be a new branch of podiatry. The foot doctor's version of chiropractic.

I can recommend NB 904s for looks and feel. They are yellow - nice. and they feel good on my feet. I'm heavy (90kg) so will only use them for racing but if you are a light female they could be a good trainer option. I've only worn them once and ran a 10k pb, so far so good

I think those stupid socks that Paula Radcliffe wears are so very ugly she should put up with running 5 minutes slower or being injured for 6 months in the year. After all, nobody admires her for her records.

I can't recommend a particular shoe, but I can recommend the skills of a specialist running shop to help you choose. I was planning on buying a particular type of shoe basted on opinions on this website and elsewhere and was searching the internet for the best prices. Then I came to my senses and went to one of the specialist shops here in Brisbane. Not only did I get the right pair for me after running on treadmill and jogging outside but I also saved myself money as the pair I had been thinking of were not the best for my feet and were more expensive than the pair I actually bought. I was quite happy to part with more money for the great service I got at Intraining thanks to Steve and the time he spent with me, but when comparing prices to other non-specialist shops, I found I had got a better than average price.

Those shoes have done 800k with me at present and no pain or injury so far. A few PBs though!! ...........And they aren't ugly.

DD

You could ask my 5yo daughter. Every time I come in from a run in my Brooks Radius she tells me to take them off because they're ugly! (I agree with her on that).
She doesn't mind my sauconys though. They are silver with red stripes, very flash.

There's nothing wrong with wanting the prettiest shoes you can find that are appropriate for your gait. Whatever keeps you running I say.

Me was thinking in da head

buying shoes for the looks but don't fit isn't so silly after all.
They last a lot longer and stay pretty for many years to come.

Plus, there is another top saving tip.
Buy two sets and you have matching boxes to wear.

But, Hey you shoe manufactorers of the world
I am like so sick of white laces, honestly who wants to be seen with those and stuff.

La vie est dur

So did you actually process what you read in 'da head'?

I didn't say I'm going for shoes that don't fit. I said I'm going for shoes that fit but also look good. Considering I can spend the same amount on shoes that feel the same to me, I may as well go for ones that I think look nice too. But as there are some fairly comparable shoes in terms of stability and comfort out there, which I don't often get to have a look through because I'm often short on time, I decided I would ask people what shoes they're running in and how nice they think they look.

I'm not stupid or know so little about running to buy shoes that don't fit or don't provide me with the stability I need.

I'm pretty sure my coach would smack me across the head too.

But I would like to not feel like a dag in the next shoes I buy. I think it's pretty reasonable considering how much I pay for them.

K thx.

I have in the past told the shop assistant that the shoes feel great, but, ah, not in that colour. They bought out same make and model but in a different and more aesthetically pleasing colour scheme.

Im with you Julia...

If your gonna spend $200+ on a pair of shoes you do want them to look like you actually want to wear them and head out for a run? Obviously its most important to get the correct fitting shoes, any idiot can work that out... but by example, Kayanos come out in prob 4 or 5 different colours each year (my preferred shoe, which I buy 2 -3 pairs per year) Some of the colours are terrible and some look really cool.... I chose to buy the cool looking ones...

I always feel better running in a pair of shoes I like the look of... I have no idea why but I just do. Perhaps I like to take a bit of pride in my appearance???

Great call Julia! As long as the shoe fits and doesnt cause an injury there is no problem.
I have to admit I am guilty of the same thing but in the long run I think it helps you to get a better understanding of what type of shoes you are most suited to. Most people are definately capable of wearing more than one type of shoe (I have worn more than 20 different styles in the past) and the only way you will find out is to give it a go (although if you get it wrong it can be a costly experience, but that is what specialist running stores are for).
Let us know how your next pair go!

i wish i had multiple shoe makes/models that felt the same on my feet - i can only find one that works, and since i refuse to pay retail and buy from an outlet, i get... zero choice in color! luckily it was blue this year, so that works. that's what you get for having high arch/overpronation, kids

So I got these!

Asics DS Trainers 13, and the whole shoe is bright orange.
I'm in love with them, they're so bright it's awesome, and they were fantastic on my run this morning

Great Choice Julia! They look awesome... and a very good shoe to run in aswell!

I got the exact same type but I diffrent colour. The girls always complement me when I'm in them. Ever since I brought Ascis I haven't had anywhere near as much trouble with my knee's, definitely a good choice!

That colour wouldn't go with any of my outfits

For shoes like that you should buy new outfits.

They go with my outfits just fine. Everything goes with black running tights!
...and I think they go with my blue and white team uniform quite nicely

I'm tempted to go and buy a few more pairs because they are the end of that line and I didn't like how the 14s were heavier.

They look like good shoes, I am looking at shoes with lots of forefoot padding and they seem to fit. Wouldn't it be best to wait and see how they bed in before buying more though?

I can usually tell after 1 or 2 runs whether or not I'm going to like the shoe.
And considering I used to use Kayanos, I'm fairly familiar with how they feel. I liked them a lot. One more run will confirm, but they feel sensational. Soooo much lighter than my Brooks, it was so nice! I'd get a lot of heel pain when I wore Brooks, but didn't experience any in these!

Have you tried the BROOKS AFFECTATION? I'm guessing it may suit your needs but you may require a larger size than what you wear in the other models.

145 Euros !!!! That's almost $300 a pair.
I won't be buying any shoes in Europe this year.

.....are spending your money profligately.

Purchase them elsewhere or when on sale.

If you still feel the need to part with that much cash after buying your shoes, give the difference to charity.

Don't all standard running shoes look pretty much the same? Garish stripes on a white background?

What's worse - ugly shoes or lying flat on your back on the physio couch?

It amazes me how many people have missed the fact that I am choosing shoes that are the right type for me, but which I think look nicer.
How does that land me in physio? Really? Explain how nice looking shoes which provide me with the stability I need with the right sort of cushioning will land me in physio, because I really don't understand? I'm pretty sure going for the standard looking 'stripes on a white background' shoes that aren't the right fit for me are the ones that are going to lead to injury. Really, I just don't understand that comment at all.

Heh Spud I got the shoes on sale, + extra discount from being a member of my squad, so I got them for $152. But $300? That's way more than what they retail for here, so I'll be staying away from buying shoes in Europe too!

And as for Paul Every, I do buy my shoes on sale when possible, but a lot of the time, for shoes like Kayanos, it still results being over $200 - not to mention I can have difficulty finding shoes in my size, so often I have no choice. Not a lot of good buying the cheaper shoe when they only stock available are too big for me.
Running shoes are what I'm willing to spoil myself with, because they are used for an important part of my life - at least I'm not spending my money on something useless. I still give to charity regularly - and the charity I give to, I have been doing so since I was 15. And I give the shoes away when I'm done with them, which is usually around 4-5 months afterwards, does that count?
As for the Brooks, I haven't come across that particular model, but yeah, I've been thinking the past week or so that I'll probably venture away from Brooks...

Julia, it was DSN I quoted so no need to take a general comment so personally.

I'm not suggesting anyone buy cheaper shoes, just that, with more judicious purchasing, one can buy their preferred make, model and size of shoe more cheaply.

I run in shoes that regularly retail for $200 plus. It was not until last year when I paid $140 for running shoes that I had paid more than $120.

That model sells out so fast you'll never see them on the shelves.

I've seen them from time to time on eBay though.

I haven't missed the point at all. I'm just a little bit amazed that anyone would give such a toss about what their running shoes looked like.

I'm with you Paul. Anything over $120, I hold out until I am desperate. I recently bought 4 pairs of Nike Zoom Elite 4 for $90 a pair. This should keep me going until toward the end of the year. Around July I'll start looking to purchase more, around the time the new models come out.

I've also read the review you did of that model on your blog Bellthorpe

Because they'd be fake, right?

Paul Every - sorry if I came off harsh, I have a tendency to sound like that but I really don't mean it.
As for the price of shoes, I usually shop at the outlet factories but I've never seen the shoes that I prefer to run in for less than $150. The cheapest I ever got Kayanos for were $199. But I usually have the issue of when I wait for shoes to become runout lines, I'm stuck with a choice from shoes which are either a half size up or down. And I can definately feel that half size! Unless there are cheaper, accessible places to shop than the outlets in Auburn/Parra??? Our sports club used to have a fantastic discount at a sports store on campus, but after VSU was introduced, our discounts got cancelled or are worth hardly anything and that store shut down.

PodBlod - I guess we have different standards in how we like to look. I'm still a fashion loving female in her early 20s - I know it's dumb and superficial, but I still like to have the nicest looking stuff! When I'm not training, I'm spending the majority of my time in an office - so I like to...I dunno, like how my running gear looks...

Sarcasm. My favourite language. Of course I haven't come across the model
But I meant what I said about venturing away from Brooks.

Yeah Ploddles, how come you are always SO dowdy. For once, couldn't you at least look a little stylish.

Didn't you say your physio was hot?

I love it when I beat a girl at shopping.... DS trainers for $42US. Mine are plain old white, so looks like I won't stand out when I next run for hours on the treadmill. Then again, I dont run for hours on a treadmill, so life is good again.

Cheers
Hornet

so where's this hot physio then?!

Not hot to you or I-but hot to Ploddie and no doubt some of the other ladies.

that's what i get for not paying attention!

Cough up your sources metro-shopper-man - the cheapest I can find DS trainers for is $59USD and I've got 2 pairs of shoes that need replacing at the moment.

Fashion tip - I find a big puddle of mud is the best way to neutralise lairy shoe designs.