Advice on buying runners

0utshined

I've started adding some jogging to my routine and need to get a proper pair of runners. I've heard that Asics are a good brand but what exactly should I be looking for ? Would a pair from Champion Sports or somewhere do or do I need to go to a specialist shop?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

LegacyUser

Good thread. Would like to know this too.

Gillo

Chances are you'd get a decent pair in Champion, Lifestlye etc. Although, there'll be no point in asking the staff for advice (of course that's working the basis that you can get their attention).

New balance are also meant to be a good brand if you are series about running. Whichever brand you go for, it's prob gonna be a good idea to invest in a pair of shock absorbers if there's much road running involved.

tunney

Champion, lifestyle etc are not sports shops - steer clear.

In Dublin try Mick Dowlings in Terenure.

Asics are good for some people, New Balance for others. Unfortuntately there isn't one shoe that suits everybody.

i71jskz5xu42pb

tunney wrote:

Champion, lifestyle etc are not sports shops - steer clear.

In Dublin try Mick Dowlings in Terenure.

Agreed. You'll get somebody who'll spend some time with you/advise you on a good shoe. I got Asics there which seem to be popular running shoes but you should obviously try a few brands.

iregk

Probably the best runnign show out there is Asics Gel Kayano. The latters the V10 and 11 are brilliant. Be carefull though, its also depends on how you walk/run. I'm talking about the roll of your foot basically, weather you pronate or over pronate. I used to work for Marathon Sports and yes i was one of the few sent on training courses to Nike and Reebok for all this stuff.

From my experience of working with footwear and from being a long distance runner myself I always buy asics. They are for me the best. The only other brand I would buy outside this is Saucony but they aren't exactly easy to get over here. Don't bother with Nike air your only waisting your time and your money.

Reyman

As Iregk says the Asics Kayano is probably the best shoe -- very pricey though and maybe justified if you're doing very high mileage.

Try the Asics 2110 also a very good shoe but better value around €100. If the sale is still on in Arnotts they have them for half price or €50.

Again as Iregk says you really should know if you're slightly flat footed or not. This allows you to get a shoe which controls or corrects pronation or supination foot defects.

copacetic

asics or mizuno are the best for me, go in to mick dowling and get some advice it best, depending on your foot type the kayano, nimbus or cumulus from asics or the wave rider from mizuno is one I like..

I alternate between kayano/nimbus and wave rider myself. with asics speedstar/ds trainer for faster runs/races..

Oobie

You can get them in Elverys too.

0utshined

Thanks all for the advice so far.

Reyman wrote:

Again as Iregk says you really should know if you're slightly flat footed or not. This allows you to get a shoe which controls or corrects pronation or supination foot defects.

As it happens I am slightly flat footed. Does this make a difference to the type of runner I should be looking at getting? At the moment I'm jogging on the road so gillo's point on needing shock absorbers is noted.

Also, would anyone know whereabouts in Terenure Mick Dowlings place is? I don't know the area and a quick google didn't throw up anything.

kona

0utshined wrote:

I've started adding some jogging to my routine and need to get a proper pair of runners. I've heard that Asics are a good brand but what exactly should I be looking for ? Would a pair from Champion Sports or somewhere do or do I need to go to a specialist shop?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

well 1st off what type of build are you?? heavy, light etc
look at the bottom of your shoes now tell me how the direction of wear goes on them??
i am small and i do alot of distance running,50+ miles a week i wear nike air max moto 3, i found asics to be very hard, not enough cushioning for my road running however on a threadmill the asics would be fine as threadmills have more give than concrete and tarmac.

Johnny Storm

Just my 2 cents. Make sure there is plenty of room in front of your big toe in your running shoes. At least the width of your thumb.

daymobrew

0utshined wrote:

Also, would anyone know whereabouts in Terenure Mick Dowlings place is? I don't know the area and a quick google didn't throw up anything.

Approximate location.
Mick Dowling Sports World
55 Terenure Road North
Dublin 6W
Ph: 490-4502
9:30-18:00 on Saturdays (I've never visited weekdays)

I wear Nike Air Pegasus. For races I wear Asics DS Trainers.
The ground floor of Champion Sports on Grafton St (St Stephen's Green end) is Nike. If you know the model or type you want (and don't need specialist advice) you will probably find it there. Arnotts seems to be more of an Asics outlet.
You can get some independant descriptions of different shoes at Road Runner Sports.
Under Shopping Tools/Shoe Dog is a utility to suggest shoes based on your gender, weight, whether you pronate and the miles you do each week. IT might give you some ideas.
Obviously nothing beats advice from a knowledgable retailer.

John Buckley Sports in Cork has good Internet prices for shoes. Only 5 euro for delivery.

copacetic

0utshined wrote:

Thanks all for the advice so far.




As it happens I am slightly flat footed. Does this make a difference to the type of runner I should be looking at getting? At the moment I'm jogging on the road so gillo's point on needing shock absorbers is noted.

Also, would anyone know whereabouts in Terenure Mick Dowlings place is? I don't know the area and a quick google didn't throw up anything.

it does make a difference, you will prob need shoes to help your feet pronate properly (i.e not turn in too much which is usual with flatter feet). You will see shoes like this have a diff colour midsole material on the inside edge of the shoe, it's called a stability post usually.

This would rule out the asics nimbus and cumulus and the mizuno wave rider for you. stay well away from nike in my opinion, I used to run in them when I was younger, but when 80% of serious runners run in asics you can't go far wrong..


best to get advice from the likes of mick dowling, the shop
is back toward town from the terenure crossroad about a 5 min walk from terenure just past the car park on the left, trophys in the window.

if you fancy the trip there is an 'up and running' shop in belfast that will look at you running on a treadmill and then recommend shoes and let you try them on the mill too...

kona

daveym wrote:

stay well away from nike in my opinion, I used to run in them when I was younger, but when 80% of serious runners run in asics you can't go far wrong..

thats bullsh1t!!!:rolleyes: people are different, and the 20% that dont wear asics ar the ones that win!!!:D only kiddin, but still that claim is crap as the athletes are prob paid thousands to wear them, any decent runners i train with wear nike.

comer_97

I don't wear nike, but you can't just say they are crap. I know people who swear by them.

It would be great if you could get advice, on what foot type you are and have some gait analysis and what thype of pronator you are. But this is not always possible so go for something that is comfortable and is a good fit.

I have worn Asics GT2090 / 2100 / 2110 and be wary they are a motion control shoe, so they may not suit all people.

I'm currently wearing Gel Kayano with orthotics and they are ok, no complaints!

iregk

if you are flat footed then a shoe like gel kayano will help correct that. however there is a draw back to this. You will experience muscular pain for a while while your foot readjusts. Its not as simple as just getting something to correct it.

You can tell which ones will do this as the inside of the heel will be a different colour and hardness to the outside.

Probably the best thing is to go along to the rds when the marathon is coming up. Yes I know thats a while away yet but adidas always have a stand where you can run on a sensor pad and they will show you exactly how your foot strikes the ground adn recommend the type of runner good for you. Now granted they will try and sell and push adidas onto you but at least you will know exactly what you should be getting.

Gillo

If we are getting into insoles, you should try out superfeet. I've used them for years and find them great. They are one of teh nearest things you'll get to orthotics without spending a fortune. I hadn't believed that they'd work that wel until a rep showed me on my own feet what they do for you.

copacetic

kona wrote:

thats bullsh1t!!!:rolleyes: people are different, and the 20% that dont wear asics ar the ones that win!!!:D only kiddin, but still that claim is crap as the athletes are prob paid thousands to wear them, any decent runners i train with wear nike.

i didn't say nike were crap i said stay away from them in my opinion. some of their shoes are ok for some people but in general they are more fashion than form, while asics, mizuno etc are the total opposite. as for whoe wears them I've neven seen any but the odd top level amateur wear nike, eg tomorrow at the 5 mile race I'll bet anything that as I said 80 of the top 100 will be wearing asics. doesn't mean they are the best for everyone but there u go.

personally I prefer mizuno anyway.

kona

daveym wrote:

i didn't say nike were crap i said stay away from them in my opinion. some of their shoes are ok for some people but in general they are more fashion than form, while asics, mizuno etc are the total opposite. as for whoe wears them I've neven seen any but the odd top level amateur wear nike, eg tomorrow at the 5 mile race I'll bet anything that as I said 80 of the top 100 will be wearing asics. doesn't mean they are the best for everyone but there u go.

personally I prefer mizuno anyway.

1-i said that your claim is crap.
2-ever heard of nike bowerman series???not fashionable btw e.g pegasus

you say you can go wrong with asics then why the **** do you wear mizuno?? i am confused
the fact of the matter is people are different, which means different runners, reccomending runners is bull, you have to tell people the factors to take into account when choosing good runners. but alot is trial and error.
i have run in asics and nike, and i will tell you asics is firm with little spring and nike is softer with more bounce they are the main differences.
asics i my opinion is over hyped. look at the arnotts sale for example!!madness.

toomevara

Anyone ever tried Saucony?.used to be a mad runner, and went to a specialist running shop in London (camden,name escapes me) to get my next pair of ASICS Gels (great shoe) but the guy, after sticking me on the treadmill to watch my gait, refused to sell them to me saying I needed a particluar pair (40 quid cheaper to boot) of Sauconys, and must say they were the best running shoe I ever owned.....

Supercell

Agreed with Mick Dowlings in Terenure, the lady serving me there wanted to know exactly what I was going to be training for, had I ever had any injuries and watched me pacing up and down the shop before picking out a pair of shoes, was very impressed with the thouroughness of it all. Prices are pretty good too, couldn't find the same runners any cheaper on ebay!

If you're coming to Terenure from town its on the right hand side of the road just before the villiage, painted bright red, end of a row of shops beside a small car park.

inigo

Read on irishfit.com there'll be a new specialist shop opening in Bray in August. Keep your eyes open. I''ll give Downlings a try shortly though.