Running Shoes — recommendations

Well, after rereading all the recommendations, I headed to the closest true running shoe store, about an hour away. Their “gait analysis” consisted of having me walk about 15 feet after which I was declared to have a slight over pronation. Makes sense given I developed mild pes planus as a Marine.

I tried on various Asics, New Balance, Hokas, Altras, and Brooks. With each pair they let me go out in the parking lot and test them out. The Hokas had way too much height and drop, and not enough flexibility in the front of the sole for push off. I could see them being great shoes for the gym. The Altras had too wide a toe box and too wide a shoe overall. The New Balance were just ok. I ended up settling on the Brooks Adrenaline GTS. More support than I had in the Nike Frees, but still some flexibility in the sole and feel for the pavement. And they’re the right width front to back.

Appreciate all the advice, gave me a great starting point when I started picking out shoes to try on!

 

Hell yeah! Now the most important part, go out and run!

 

First light tomorrow morning, can’t wait

 

FYI, Brooks Running's website has free shipping both ways if you create an account.

 

Thanks! I checked out the website and that shoe is available at the Dick’s 10 mins from me. Which is fine, the customer service at the store I went to was fantastic, and they offered a military discount. I bet Dick’s doesn’t have half the shoes I tried on there.

 

I'm a "clydesdale" runner at 6', 225 lbs, so my experience is probably significantly different from lighter, thinner runners. I also used to run 6 days/week until I had a bout of PF, which crushed my running for 7 months. I really never got back into it until recent years.

I went through two pairs of Hoka Gaviotas before I said "no mas." They offered max cushioning, but zero support. I'll never buy another pair of Hokas.

I've also gone through running shoes by Asics, Saucony, New Balance, and found those to be excellent choices, but I've pretty much settled on Brooks Beasts and On CloudFlyers. Both are fantastic for me! I rotate between the two on a daily basis. Since I'm cheap and won't buy anything at full retail price, now that I know what I like, I generally go to their website and buy shoes when they have them on sale. I'll routinely buy a $170 pair of shoes for ~$100...sometimes lower.

I used the Brooks shoe finder to find one pair that was even more comfortable than the Beasts, but the sole split prematurely. Brooks sent a new pair, but went back to Beasts after I wore those out. The Beasts seem to last longer than any other running shoe I've worn...probably 50% longer service life. When they're done for running, I make them my lawn mowing shoes.

If you are a retired marine, check out your closest Exchange. The Marine exchanges usually have an excellent selection of running shoes.

 

How’s your PF now?

I definitely need to swing by the exchange. There’s an air base local to me, from time to time I’m near the larger base that’s an hour away. Keep meaning to check out the selection, so this is a good reminder.

 

Here’s a new question: any advice on a solid cross training shoe? I lift 3 days a week, and some of those lift days include super sets with a quarter mile treadmill run in the mix.

I’d rather not lift in my nice new running shoes. The heavy leg lifts alone will take lots of life off the soles and overall support. But I do need a shoe that’s ok for some short distance running too.

 

I tried gel heel pads and several other things to ease the pain, but the only thing that worked (short of shots and/or surgery) was to just stop running. That really sucked for someone who ran 6 days/week, but it worked. I finally started running again a few years ago, and thankfully it hasn't returned. But if I am bothered with it again, I'll just shift to bike riding. I can get just as good of a cardio workout with it without the additional stress.

Sorry, can't recommend a cross training shoe. I only have running shoes since I stick with upper body weight lifting, and cardio (running, biking, etc.) for my legs.

 

You shouldn't lift in running shoes at all. Whether new or old. Running shoes typically have way to much cushion that will makes things like a squat harder. When I lift and workout I like a shoe that is completely flat with zero cushion.

A good cross training shoe I'd reccomend would be the On Cloud X. I don't have the 4s that are out now, but I have the OG pair and they are a good enough running shoe for short distances up to a mile or 2 while being flat and firm enough to do various forms of HIT or weight training.

Also, if nobody has mentioned it yet, look into insoles for your shoes too. Some superfeets, Curexs, or other good brands of insoles will make a lot of difference in just about any shoe. I have 3 different pairs of them. One for rucking in boots, one for running in my Brooks Ghost, and one for my TYR CVX weight lifting shoes.

 

Good that your feet got healthy.

I don’t know how the stationary bike crowd does it. I did a lot of that when rehabbing from my foot fracture surgery, and I was sore as hell in all the wrong spots.

 

While I don’t want to lift in cushioned running shoes, I can’t do thin, flat sole shoes for lifting. It creates too much foot pain. I need a reasonable level of cushion. I’m not trying to be a body builder or win a lift competition. I actually have no issue at all lifting in the running shoes temporarily, hit around 550 lbs on the leg press and had no issues whatsoever. I don’t do upright barbell squats any more due to shoulder and back issues, that might be where it would’ve mattered. I’ve replaced that with belt squats, which has been fine in running shoes. Where I worry about the cushioned runners would be in lateral movements where they’re easier to roll an ankle in, because they’re so high.

Oncloud is a good one, I’ll check out the X for sure, appreciate it. Never owned a pair but my wife loves Onclouds for work and she stands a lot.