This should be fun....SHOES!!

[dclsnailpace]

I've been a member/lurker on this board for a while but haven't posted.. Run a couple races a year, and am never very fast. In any case, as a 45 yo 180 lb plodder, who sometimes runs as far as a 13-miler, any thoughts on a training shoe?? I've been in the Asics Kayano 13's for a while; buying a couple new pairs of something. I've also had 3 knee surgeries- two for cartiledge!

I need to get some new ones to break in before the Snowflake!!

[frojoe23]

Hard to make a recommendation on those two factors. Shoes for me seem to be a bit of a personal preference. I have never had any problems with cheap Asics shoes ($45-65), but the more expensive shoes don't hold up as well for me. Only about 250 miles and they tend to bring on plantar fasciitis, some minor knee pain, and foot neuromas. As a "heavier" runner, I suggest finding some shoes with a lot of cushioning in either the heel or forefoot depending on if you are a heel or toe striker. The Kayano is a very light shoe for somebody around 180 lbs. It is a light trainer meant for light efficient runners. In fact, my latest shoe was the Kayano and at 155 lbs, I ripped them to pieces in less than two weeks and powered through another half a week after having to replace the insoles.

[dclsnailpace]

Thanks Jaron!

[kevinspradlin]

For runners around the 180 mark and are not setting landspeed records - along with medical history as indicated - I would strongly recommend trying New Balance or Saucony. I don't have a specific model to recommend because, as froejoe23 said, it's a personal preference and experience goes a long way. Try NB or Saucony - try them on in a store and run in them. They should feel good immediately. If you think "oh, I'll break them in by my next race" put those back on the shelf and put on another pair.
I think you'll find success with NB or Saucony -and please remember, once you've put 100 miles on a pair and you really like them, go buy several pairs as soon as you can before they become extinct.

[flyinghighrunner]

The kayano used to be one of the best cushion shoes to buy....sad to hear it's been downgraded, possibly for the newest model the have (kinsei?). I quit when they messed with the width, making it very tight in the forefoot. Anyway, look for one that has rear and forefoot cushioning (which I think the kayano's can still boast about).

[bevj]

Taking into consideration your foot arch is also an important factor. I have an arch that's not quite normal but not quite "flat footed" either, so I tend to overpronate a little bit. I run in Nike Air Structure Triax 10s which are stability shoes. I'm breaking into a new pair of them right now and this is the third time I've bought this shoe because it's worked well for me in the past and as they say "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." It has pretty good cushioning as well. Check out your arch type, it should help you in finding the right shoe.

[frojoe23]

I think that Kevin brought up an interesting point. I know that when I try on shoes, if they don't feel good in the stores, there is no way I'll buy them. But the minute I put on the shoe I'm going to get, I just know it - it just plain feels good!

[dclsnailpace]

I knew I'd get some good info! I used to run in Saucony's for years- ran the Marine Corp in them back in the 1980's, actually. Then it seemed as though they played with their design, and I started losing toenails, etc.

I switched to Asics, and I thought they had a good product too. Of course, now they've thingyered too, and I'm less than enthusiastic again.

I don't seem to have arch issues. Kind of a narrow foot, but I've never had issues there either. I buy my shoes online usually, but maybe it's time to revisit a store. Dave Rhinehard may be due a visit...

New Balance, huh? I don't know if I've EVER had their shoes. I dunno- for some reason I've always thought of them as a girl's cross-trainer company! How Neanderthal is THAT??

Ok- let's get specific, if we can... What shoes are YOU running in??

[baldisbetter]

Asics GT 2130's or 1130's depends on the best deal. I get about 400 miles per pair.

[frojoe23]

right now I'm in Asics 1120's. Gotta love Dunham's for being two years behind!

I agree with you about New Balance shoes. I used to love them, but the only ones you find anymore look like a rubber rectangle with an upper attached.

[Justin]

I've always run in New Balance training shoes. Right now it's the NB 902's. I loved the 900's, didn't like the 901's. I like the feel of the 902's, but not the loud orange color and crazy design. I get about 1000 miles out of a pair. I also just got a pair of the NB 790's, which are their real lightweight trail shoes. I like then so far, a little rigid in the midfoot, but ok.

I also love Mizuno racing flats. My favorite is the Wave Revolver.

[dclsnailpace]

I'm running in the Gel-Kayano 13's. Hey! I just reread my post above and there's NO WAY I typed "thingyered"! What gives?? Does someone somewhere think I typed something inappropriate?

[QCS Admin]

Hey! I just reread my post above and there's NO WAY I typed "thingyered"! What gives?? Does someone somewhere think I typed something inappropriate?

Just the Censored Word List,that is set up
it gets pretty touchy sometimes,this has happened before

[kevinspradlin]

Justin, I would strongly caution against getting 1,000 miles out of a single pair of shoes. I'd love to take a look at a pair that's traveled 1,000 miles by feet next to a pair brand-new, out of the box. I bet they look quite different.

Even if you're healthy short-term, I'd be careful, that's all, about continuing such a practice.

I like NB, too. I had a pair from Feet First in Columbia. Thought from my first run they'd be problematic - then learned I had the darned things tied too tight. Lastly roughly 400 miles - the far end of what I allow shoes to remain on my feet...

[Justin]

Kevin,

Thanks for the concern, I mainly go by feel and they seem to feel fine. I started running in HS in the NB 990 series, I think they were 996's when I started. I could get 800-1000 miles out of a pair with no problems. When I got to college they said I had extremely flat feet, which I knew since I was very small, so they recommended switching to a heavier, motion control shoe, the NB 587's. They're like bricks. I never had any injury problems, but those things would breakdown real quick, probably 400-500 miles, over that and my back would hurt or knee flare up. I stuck with those for a couple years. I then decided to switch back to a more neutral shoe, when which I tried the 900's and loved them. They had almost no cushion, which I like, so nothing to really breakdown. The soles last forever and the uppers keep together too. The primary things I need are a straight last, since my feet are flat, and a wide toe box. Since switching back I've had no injury problems, which is pretty much true for my entire career, I've never had any overuse injury or wear and tear injury.

I wouldn't categorize myself as what some people call a minimalist, if you've read letsrun at all you'd know what I'm talking about, but I've found the general reasoning behind it seems to work for me. I kind of fell into it on my own, I didn't really take anybody's advice and go this way, it just kind of happened and it worked.

The secret to get a lot of miles out of a pair of shoes for me is to have the right pair of shoes, if I'd get a pair of Nike's, which I've tried before, the things would fall apart in 2 weeks.