How to pick the right shoes and where

[jrnyback2life]

Okay so i have a syiatic nerve thing since Thanksgiving that causes my legs to hurt when i walk to long, i also have the bottom of my feet that have pain when i walk to long. I have flat feet also.

How do you pick the right shoes to work out in. Money is not an object as i am tired of aching all over, so i am willing to dish out the money to have a really really good pair of working out shoes.

What i do is the eliptical, and walking on the treadmill, and working out with my trainer, and walking at lunch around downtown Nashville, that has lots of hills.

Also, where do you get your shoes and how do you determine what is good for you? My trainer and others have said to get running shoes, people have recommended the asics' gel ones and some say the Nike Shox though these don't last very long for the money you pay for them.

Any advice?

[ValidRouge]

Re: How to pick the right shoes and where

jrny, you can go to a running store and be fitted for shoes. I, personally, did better with the Nike Structured Triax after using the Nike AirMax. Sometimes it takes just trying shoes out. If you go to a good store, they should allow you to wear the shoes for a while, run around the store and get a feel for them. Some good stores can video tape you on a treadmill and watch your foot strike so that they can see if you pronate (over or under) and then recommend the appropriate shoe (which is why I switched from Airmax to the structured Triax shoe).

Also, the nashville country music marathon will have a health expo along with it. That's a great place to try out shoes and be fitted. That's how I got fitted last year...Nike had a booth with the treadmills and the video. The nashville one isn'tuntil April, though.

[jrnyback2life]

Re: How to pick the right shoes and where

Hi ValidRouge,

Oh cool, thank you so much. I looked up running stores in Nashville and called one and they said they do exactly what you explained without me mentioning it, i just said,

How do you guys go about helping a novice figure out what pair of shoes to buy. I didn't even realize there were "running stores" lol.

I appreciate the advice and will be heading there soon.

[ValidRouge]

Re: How to pick the right shoes and where

I didn't know it either until I went to the health expo last year. It was really cool. And, I have to admit that the shoes made a big difference.

[BigRunner]

Re: How to pick the right shoes and where

Running stores are the only place to go to get fitted.

I have very wide flat feet (10.5 4E) in Brooks shoes. Once I was fit properly, no leg problems whatsoever. Whenever I start getting little aches and pains, it's usually because my shoes are wore out (usually between 500 and 600 miles).

Best of luck.

RichF

[jrnyback2life]

Re: How to pick the right shoes and where

Oh i can't wait, ever since Thanksgiving and this back thing my legs haven't been the same and i hate when my legs hurt lol as all my life i have abused them playing basketball and track and pushing them when i sprained ankles and knee problems etc.

I have a feeling a lot of my aching is from my poor foot wear, my old old nikes don't give me any support. I should use my old old nikes from my last year of basketball the ONLY place i ever wore them were on the court, ever lol so i am sure they still have some support etc left.

[Boo1667]

Re: How to pick the right shoes and where

Arch support might be another reason why you are having leg pain. Most grocery stores have this Dr. Scholl's machine thing set up, where you can step on it without your shoes on, and they can tell you which arch support you need. The supports are only $30, which isn't too bad if you're on a budget.

[jrnyback2life]

Re: How to pick the right shoes and where

Hi Ryan,

Yes, I have arch supports in my Nike's now and i can tell the difference when i wear them and when i don't. I am really excited about this place I am going to either tomorrow or Monday. From what i understand they will help me with all that.

I have never seen a Dr. Scholl's machine however in any store where you can step on it and it tells you the arch support you need. Sounds interesting!

[ttdriver]

Re: How to pick the right shoes and where

The right shoes are ESSENTIAL to providing the support and cushioning that YOUR FEET need. Feet are so unique .. no one shoe brand is right for every foot. I agree with others; get FITTED by a running store .. any store worth a hoot will have a machine that they will use to examine your particular GAIT (i.e. "how" you run...whether you overpronate or underpronate, whether your foot is high arched, flat, etc. I have a bony, narrow foot, and there are some brands I simply cannot wear, i.e. Nike, Brooks, Asics ... NO NO NO. For me, my feet swoon over New Balance .. other runners I know can't wear NB .. Its an entirely PERSONAL thing ... Once you find your dream shoe .. I strongly suggest you shop online at www.onlineshoes.com. I love that place .. and heaven knows after 4+ years of running, I've saved mega bucks buying through them. They deliver quickly, no charge for shipping, and no tax. And they happily exchange shoes for you if you find you're not completely satisfied. They even pay the return shipping!

Oh and one more thing .. shoes wear out long before they look worn out .. If you are a runner, replace them every 300-500 miles, NO IFS ANDS OR BUTS. If you replace them, I guarantee .. NO INJURY.

Best of luck finding your perfect shoe!

Betty

[jrnyback2life]

Re: How to pick the right shoes and where

Thanks Betty!! Well i went yesterday and bought a pair of puma complete Tenos III. The guy was really cook and did exactly what Validrouge indicated. Its hard getting use to the arch in them as my nikeys were literally shot. My left foot started hurting yesterday after a while while doing the devil machine but its the foot that didn't have an arch support in it from my other shoes. So, i am going to see what happens over the next 3 days and if it still hurts I am going to call the store. But one good thing lol my legs didn't hurt at all yesterday!

Unfortunately, the website didn't have my size that you suggested, but i am keeping it in mind for next time. From what i am looking up, the price i paid was pretty average, but i would love to pay less as i will need to replace them probably every 6-8 months from what the guy said based on what i am doing.

I have ONE complaint -- what's with the ugh colors in running shoes lol,i have to get TN Orange and i don't OWN anything orange and don't like the color orange in clothes lol because that's all they had and even the website had these off blue and green and full bright red ones lol. Have they not heard of simply plain white shoes?

Even when i was looking at shoes before i went to this store lol the colors were just ugh!! grins. Oh well, the sacrifices one makes, fashion for comfort and fitness lol. Geesh.

So i am on my way!! wooo hoo, thanks for all the help folks!