Alright, who runs or does any amount of exercise?

I'm just getting back into running after a few years off due to injuries not related to running.

Looking at new shoes is really scary. I normally wear them out pretty quick do I've never been a $200 pair kinda guy. Breathable is really important also as I get super sweaty feet. I have been down the minimal no rise path but now I'm looking for more support than these low cut shoes offer.

So, what shoes are you all into?

Check out wiggle.co.uk they have some good stuff cheaper than the shops and they deliver to your door, you just have to be careful with the size you order

If possible, go to a shop that can properly fit running shoes and know what they are talking about. We are lucky to a shop near us run by a couple of super fit triathletes who know everything about running. They put you on a treadmill and film your stride. You'll pay a bit more but if you want to avoid knee and ankle injuries related to poor alignment then it's worth the trouble. Don't get your mind set on any particular brand. Find shoes that properly fit your wide/narrow/high arch/low arch feet.

Also, while getting back into running don't overdo it too early in the training. Walk a bit, run a bit, build up to running 30 minutes over a six week period and you'll be injury free.

A good sportman gave me this advice. He reckoned it is a waste of money to pay for expensive shoes with bugger-all soles that will wear out in no time. He suggested to buy a pair of good shoe in-lays that will provide good supports to your feet. The shoes can be just cheap and nasty, but of course, have to be comfortable.

For comfort and lightweight on your feet I recommend Skechers.
Dad and I bought a pair in Melbourne and I love them

Do not jog or do any high impact activity.
Surfing or swiming type of activity will be better and your body will last longer.
Well in most cases
Disclaimer all based on my experience so no responsibility for this advice as your individual cercimstsnces may be different

Obviously I'm brain washed with this world's stuff ??

I do the dreaded long walk a lot! Only a windsurfer would know what l mean.

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gavnwend said..
I do the dreaded long walk a lot! Only a landyachter would know what l mean.

fixed it for you

Spend the extra and pay for the full service of a decent shoe store and get them properly fitted. Once you've got a decent pair then go and buy the second pair online in six months time.

I go through 3-4 pairs of runners a year and couldn't afford full retail on every pair but I do go back to a bricks and mortar store every 18 months or so and get a proper fit and buy that one pair in store. Seems to be a good compromise and everyone gets something out of it.

I used to run pretty seriously. Good running shoes fitted by a knowledgeable salesperson are definitely worth it. If you run a lot (more than 3-5 hours a week) you will need to change shoes every 6 months. It does make a difference- less injury for example.

There is a lot of wank factor around sporting goods, but $150-$200 shoes from a brand like asics, brooks, adidas are a good benchmark. With some brands (asics for example) once you get over a certain price you are paying more for light weight than "protective" qualities of the sole/cushioning (eg kayano are $30 more expensive than their equally supportive but marginally heavier "training" type shoes).

When you look at the hours you run in a pair of shoes, the cost of gym membership and so on, the price of good running shoes is really bugger-all.

Clarence

Last time I ran Dunlop KT-26's were the bomb !!

That's a little time ago

They had a bit more cushion than Volleys

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LittleFella said..
Alright, who runs or does any amount of exercise?

I'm just getting back into running after a few years off due to injuries not related to running.

Looking at new shoes is really scary. I normally wear them out pretty quick do I've never been a $200 pair kinda guy. Breathable is really important also as I get super sweaty feet. I have been down the minimal no rise path but now I'm looking for more support than these low cut shoes offer.

So, what shoes are you all into?

I do 40 odd km a week

adidas glide boost for the past 3 years, 2-3 pairs a year due to getting sore spots after 600k or so

the wife just got some hoka's a few months back and reckons they are pretty ok

When I was about 14 the PE teacher at my school pointed out to the class that humans are the only animal that walks and runs on our heels. Every other animal is up on their toes.
Why does it matter? Because you get an extra flexing joint when you have knee PLUS ankle involved in each step ( stand on your tippy toes and you'll see that the ankle flexes) Running on your toes results in less damage to the cartilage in the knee because the load gets distributed across two joints and supporting muscles.
I used to run a lot in Dunlop Volleys, but up on my toes, following that advice. When I decided to try to run a bit harder I bought joggers with a cushioned heel and started landing on my heels instead of my toes. It took a few months to wear out the knee cartilage, and it was very painful for many months.
That's why I took up cycling instead.

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Chris6791 said..
Spend the extra and pay for the full service

I usually go that too

You guys have to get more current, for only $720 US dollars you too can be the first one on your street to be the proud owner of a brand new pair of Nike self-lacing shoes.
www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2016/11/14/nike-sell-self-lacing-shoes-720/93813970/

That's only $360 a foot!

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Mark _australia said...

Chris6791 said..
Spend the extra and pay for the full service

I usually go that too

Yeah but I hear you don't get much for your $20.

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Mr Milk said..
When I was about 14 the PE teacher at my school pointed out to the class that humans are the only animal that walks and runs on our heels. Every other animal is up on their toes.
Why does it matter? Because you get an extra flexing joint when you have knee PLUS ankle involved in each step ( stand on your tippy toes and you'll see that the ankle flexes) Running on your toes results in less damage to the cartilage in the knee because the load gets distributed across two joints and supporting muscles.
I used to run a lot in Dunlop Volleys, but up on my toes, following that advice. When I decided to try to run a bit harder I bought joggers with a cushioned heel and started landing on my heels instead of my toes. It took a few months to wear out the knee cartilage, and it was very painful for many months.
That's why I took up cycling instead.

I switched to these when the quality of Volleys dropped significantly few years ago. These ones are stupid cheap, but good for at least 3 months of hard wear. www.icnbuys.com/

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LittleFella said..
Alright, who runs or does any amount of exercise?

I'm just getting back into running after a few years off due to injuries not related to running.

Looking at new shoes is really scary. I normally wear them out pretty quick do I've never been a $200 pair kinda guy. Breathable is really important also as I get super sweaty feet. I have been down the minimal no rise path but now I'm looking for more support than these low cut shoes offer.

So, what shoes are you all into?

Good question, one that I've been looking at myself. I do a reasonable amount of walking, have always bought under $30 runners while the missus buys $180+ nikes or whatever is the popular flavour. They both last about the same time, this year I bought a pair of Merrels and so far (6 months in) cant pick any tangible difference in comfort or other between the cheapies and not cheapies.

Don't agree with running! Way too damaging on the Knees etc.

If you must run - run on grass or sand.

K-mart or Big W in Belmont sells awesome walking shoes for 30 dollars.

I add a 20 dollar Scholl sports insole and another Kiwi boot insole that you can buy from Coles for 16 dollars.

For 66 dollars they are better than any running shoe on the market,and I get to keep the insoles after the shoe is worn out.

Paying a 100 or 150 bucks for running shoes is a con!

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petermac33 said..
Don't agree with running! Way too damaging on the Knees etc.

If you must run - run on grass or sand.

Or run up stairs. Slows the impact down, slows everything down. You place your foot rather than collide with the ground at speed. Uneven steps up a local hill even better, forces you to plan and think about every step. Will improve rough water sailing fitness no end. You get the same cardio workout with about 10% of the impact. Don't be tempted to run down them though.

( Onitsuka tigers were the go in the '70s )
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onitsuka_Tiger

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Mr Milk said..
When I was about 14 the PE teacher at my school pointed out to the class that humans are the only animal that walks and runs on our heels. Every other animal is up on their toes.

On flat ground maybe. But for how long in our evolution have we had flat ground to run on? On a natural surface, (apart from a beach at low tide maybe) every step would be different, on not too many steps would you choose to land on your heel. Test yourself out, find a rough bit of turf to run over.

Before you select a shoe because of either the price or brand favourite you need to understand you foot and the type of pronation you have i.e. high or low instep and the way your foot rolls. I made the mistake of buying a shoe online for running because i liked the look of them. I ended injuring my feet. It was then i realised i got the wrong shoe that didn't have the correct support. I have high arch and under pronation /neutral pronation and found that Asics or Brooks shoes the correct pronation are good for me. Not all shoes have the same support and even the brands. The shoes that killed my feet ($200) were Asics but the another model ($220) asics fixed my feet. Point to this is understand your pronation

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Ian K said..

Mr Milk said..
When I was about 14 the PE teacher at my school pointed out to the class that humans are the only animal that walks and runs on our heels. Every other animal is up on their toes.

On flat ground maybe. But for how long in our evolution have we had flat ground to run on? On a natural surface, (apart from a beach at low tide maybe) every step would be different, on not too many steps would you choose to land on your heel. Test yourself out, find a rough bit of turf to run over.

I would hazard a guess that says that for most of our evolution we have had flat ground to run about on. It is our preferred environment. By standing, we have elevated our eyes to the same height as a much bigger animal. There is no real advantage to having a higher point of view if the ground is not relatively flat. And we are also persistence hunters, which is a damn sight easier to do on flat ground.
Just because hominid fossils tend to be found where they were buried by sedimentation you can't say that was where the hominids were spending most of their time. All you can say is that the environment was better for preservation of remains in those areas.
Most of the world is fairly flat, after all.

In my experience the "knowledgeable sales person" fitting your shoes is BS. They put you on their sizing machine, or pressure pad or whatever marketing tool they're using, then line you up with whatever they have in stock. The process doesn't take your individual preferences into account. How can they possibly know what your running style is like standing in a shop when problems don't emerge until you're a few km into a run?

The latest trends are minimal padding, relatively cheap shoes. Run on your toes. Short strides. High cadence. etc etc. High intensity interval training is either the latest big thing, or a big mistake, depending on what you read (I think it's a scam). Again, it all sounds good, but it doesn't take the individual into account.

My take (at 59, almost 60, and just returned from a month flying, mostly, and hiking in the Himalaya), is:
- Running is fine if you do it right. Any exercise is fine if you do it right. Any exercise is bad if you over do it. When I run I go for smoothness. The idea is to flow along rather than pound.
- The exercise industry is mostly full of ****. Their main message is a recipe for over training and injury. They talk about improvement but ignore sustainability which is far more important.
- Do something. Do anything. Do it most days.
- Pace yourself so you can continue. Again, doing stuff is the most important. Knocking yourself out is bad. If you feel a little bit crap then don't be a wuss. If you feel a lot crap then you probably need a rest.
- Push yourself sometimes. Be honest with yourself. If you're too lazy then kick yourself in the bum. If you're starting and finishing each day feeling like crap, and don't improve during the day, then you're probably over doing it.

PS. The single best exercise is hill walking. Go for a brisk walk. Whenever you see a hill (or stairs or ramps or dune or whatever) then go up and down it a few times. You don't have to get naked or buy special stuff to do it.

PPS The fittest people I know are mountain guides. Most of them smoke roleys, the odd spliff, and drink whisky late into the night. I have to almost run to keep up with these guys on a mountain trail.

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Mr Milk said..
I would hazard a guess that says that for most of our evolution we have had flat ground to run about on. It is our preferred environment.

But there's degrees of flatness. The unexpected rabbit scrape, loose rock or whatever is going to need a bit more suspension to be soaked up, i.e.you keep more weight on your toes if unsure of the ground ahead. It's only on predictably flat surfaces that you can sacrifice suspension for energy conservation.

The human frame is not yet optimised for the abundance of flat surfaces in the modern world. That's why the bicycle was invented.

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petermac33 said...
Don't agree with running! Way too damaging on the Knees etc.

If you must run - run on grass or sand.

K-mart or Big W in Belmont sells awesome walking shoes for 30 dollars.

I add a 20 dollar Scholl sports insole and another Kiwi boot insole that you can buy from Coles for 16 dollars.

For 66 dollars they are better than any running shoe on the market,and I get to keep the insoles after the shoe is worn out.

Paying a 100 or 150 bucks for running shoes is a con!

Just think how lucky you are to have shoe choices and you can buy at kmart. I'm doing exceptionally well if i can choose the colour of my shoe and being able to choose a model is like winning lotto.

When it comes to price, if i need shoes and they are $250 i have little choice but to pay that. That said i bought a pair here for $229 and i saw the exact same shoe in the same colour in the states for $69.95us.

All the people I know who were long time runners now have replacement knees and hips
Do yourself a favor and run on a local rubber track.

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Beaglebuddy said..
All the people I know who were long time runners now have replacement knees and hips
Do yourself a favor and run on a local rubber track.

A bloke around here is an ex-metallurgist. He tells the same story. He did some work with an orthopedic surgeon on developing artificial joints. "What's with all the artificial joints Doc?" He asked. The Doc was in no doubt. "Jogging"

What about vibram barefoot shoes and running on the balls of your feet? Its the way nature intended.

Good mate injured his back running bad enough to be kicked out of services and on a partial disability pension

unless someone's chasing you

why would you bother