I'm due (probably overdue) for a new pair of Asics, but I'm a bit torn over whether to get a youth/junior size 5 (my true size) or a ladies size 6.

I've owned both sizes in Asics (but different styles) and found they were both fine to run in, but the only difference was noticeable (and early) wear in the top of the shoe above each big toe, creating over time an actual hole! Actually, I did notice a bit of movement within the shoe particularly running downhill, but nothing particularly adverse.

Anyway, last time I bought a pair (ladies size 6) the salesperson said that the same technology is not always put in the youth/junior styles of the same shoe. I'm not sure if this is entirely true or just a way of getting me to buy the ladies shoe which is about $100 more!

I tried emailing Asics but haven't had a reply and that was a week ago.

Can anyone offer me any advice for my little itty bitty footies?

Hi, I've only started running this year, so I don't have a lot of experience to share, but here's my experience so far.

I saw a podiatrist when I started running. I have one leg slightly shorter and after some initial pain in beginning training, was wondering if I needed an orthotic. It turned out I didn't, but I did need a proper pair of shoes. Podiatrist suggested Asics Gel Kayano plus some others.

So, I went shopping. When I noticed almost the same shoe on the wall in one store at two quite different prices, I asked the sales person why. He said one was the youth shoe. As I'm a small person (regular shopper in the children's department), the youth shoe fitted. He did say that Asics use the same materials and manufacturing for the youth shoe, but not all other companies do. There wasn't anything in it for him to tell me that, I would have bought the more expensive ladies size if its quality was better. He said he had regularly advised customers to buy the youth shoe if it fitted, and had had no complaints.

At my follow up appointment with the Pod, he agreed that the shoe appeared to have the features and construction of the adult shoe, the only changes were cosmetic: colours etc. He was even impressed with the apparent bargain I had scored!

Thanks for your comments greengreen.

I finally got a response from Asics and this is what they said:

"You are correct in that quite often the Junior version of a shoe doesn't share the technology of the senior.

Often a shoe that fits well will outperform one that doesn't just because the right parts of the foot match up with the right parts of the shoe. This of course has to be weighed against the "technology loss".

The best advice I can give is to try both and make the decision by feel."

I told them specifically in my email that I had purchased the Asics Gel Kayano 15, so I was kind of hoping they'd tell me if it had the same technology or not, but they've kept it somewhat vague.

What to do???

Sounds like they may be different after all. I don't know if I'd buy the adult shoe next time to compare, I'm quite happy with the junior ones (and quite poor!), so it's probably good enough for me.

Let me know how you get on though.

I'm thinking I might buy the junior ones, as I've currently got the ladies one, so it'll be good to compare fit and wear in the same style.

I can always go back to the ladies one at the end of the year when I'll be due for another pair!

I'll keep you posted!