Best Running Shoes

I just found this quick video on youtube about the best way to lace up your running shoes.  This is a trick that Rich Harris taught me and this video does a great job illustrating it, so here it is.

 

 Best way to lace running shoes: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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September 5th, 2008 | Tags: best running shoes, tips and tricks | Category: best running shoes |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

Yesterday I posted an article with a little history about running shoes as found in Jeff Galloway’s book on running.  Today I continue my review of the material he covers with some definitions that will help you understand your feet better, and hopefully be able to find the best running shoes for you.

First off, it’s important to understand what a last is.  A last is a metal or plastic form which is shaped like the human foot and the shoe is shaped around it.  Well, there are two types of last; Board Last or Slip Last.  In his book Jeff suggests that the board last will typically provide extra support and reduce flexibility.  On the other hand, the slip last is more flexible but offers less stability.  When deciding which type of last will make the best running shoes for you, you’ll need to first understand whether you need more flexibility or stability.

Keep in mind this is a personal choice and that the shoe companies are constantly revising the last that they use based on research and feedback from a panel of runners that try new shoes.  One reason that you might argue that one particular brand makes the best running shoes for you is because their last best accommodates your foot shape and stability vs. flexibility needs.  Don’t let a good history with a particular brand prevent you from exploring other brand shoes, since they all make changes periodically.

That’s it for today.  I’ll continue on with additional terminology and definitions in my next post.  Meanwhile you can check out Jeff’s book here: Best Running (shoes) Book.

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September 4th, 2008 | Tags: best running shoes | Category: best running shoes |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Comments (1)

So I just picked up a copy of Jeff Galloway’s book on running and found that there is a chapter (two full sections) on best running shoes.  He starts off a little dramatic comparing the search for the perfect or best running shoes to a quest for the Holy Grail.  What he suggests is that runners tend to think that there is a perfect shoe that will prevent all injuries, make you faster, etc.

Well, he quickly snubs that idea and goes into a history of running shoes.  I can’t believe that people actually used to run in All Star Converse, but they did.  It was standard issue, rubber glued right to the canvas bottom of the shoe.  Hardly the best running shoes, but they have sure progressed in recent years.

As he continues his history, he talks about his first pair of Adidas and then a Japanese import running shoe.  As it turns out, Bill Bowerman got his hands on a Tiger-brand running shoe from Japan and tore the thing apart.  His interest in those shoes and some personal experimentation with his wife’s waffle iron led him to the first Nike running shoe.  A short while later Nike was established and quickly became the leading producer of running shoes in the United States.

Part of the evolution toward the best running shoes was to begin taking individual shape, physiology, biomechanics, etc. into account.  This is a daunting task due to the huge variety of people in the world.  Along with this fine tuning and accommodating of individual feet came various attempts to score shoes and manufacturers.  Jeff points out that this is inherently tricky and often fails.  Either the analysis is too technical or attempts to talk to the mythical “average” runner, as he states it.

So, back to the same old thing: Choose the best running shoes based on your own personal needs and how they feel while running in them.  Don’t get swayed by the look, or what everyone else wears or what Consumer Reports says.  That doesn’t mean you can’t use them as reference points, but just because a magazine suggests that Nike makes the best shoe, doesn’t mean that Nike will be best for your feet.

Ultimately he suggests that the most fool proof way to get the best running shoes is to consult with a sales person who is also a runner and who knows running first-hand, is up-to-date on all the available shoes, understands fitting techniques and biomechanics of the running foot.  He should also be able to listen to your problems and make a sound decision.

That’s Jeff Galloway’s advice, but he admits that finding that knowledgeable person may be more difficult that he makes it sound.  For that reason he goes into a little more detail about how to understand your foot best and make the right choice.  I’ll write another post summarizing some of that in the next couple days, so stay tuned.  In the meantime, if you want to get your hands on his book, here it is Best Running Book (including the running shoes chapter).

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September 3rd, 2008 | Tags: adidas, best running shoes, nike | Category: best running shoes |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

I been reading a lot lately about running shoes and thinking about how I would identify the best running shoes.  There are a lot of ideas and a lot of data suggesting one thing or another.  What it comes down to for me is experience.

In reality, I can’t tell you what will work best for you, but I can tell you what running shoes work best for me.  And some things are a bit surprising.  For example, I have low arches and can’t stand wearing shoes all day that have a high arch, but in running shoes where I’ll only be in them for 30 minutes to a couple hours the slightly higher arches don’t really bother me.  In fact I think that they provide me with needed arch support when I’m continuously pounding.

Another surprise is that I know when my running shoes need to be replaced.  Even the best running shoes wear out (it’s a fact).  When I end a run and think to myself that I’m getting old it’s almost always a tell tale sign that I need new running shoes.  My wife usually reminds me to think about my running shoes when I come whining to her after a morning run, and it almost always works.

Finally, the best running shoes feel comfortable and natural from the very beginning, no break in required.  I still remember the first time I put on a pair of running shoes.  It was amazing, especially in contrast to the cross trainers that I had been running in.  The motion of my feet and the way they felt in my very first run was unbelievable.  The flexible toe and added cushion in the heel were the most noticeable.

One last surprise I’ve had recently was to find that a brand of shoes that I had written off years ago is now one of my favorite brands.  I remember buying a discount pair of Adidas running shoes from an outlet store.  They were the worst pair of running shoes I had ever worn and I threw them out after about 50 miles.  Then, a couple months back, I received a pair of Adidas SuperNova running shoes from a friend at a running store and I run in them every day.  Don’t forget to keep experimenting.

So, are you running in the best running shoes?  It’s quite possible that you are, but if you have experienced any of the symptoms that I mentioned above, you might take a minute and ask yourself if they really are the best for you.  In the end, the decision about whether or not you have the best running shoes is a matter of personal opinion and personal experience.

For the things that you can research that would influence your choice, I’ve made this web site.  Best of luck finding the best running shoes for you.

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August 29th, 2008 | Tags: adidas, best running shoes | Category: best running shoes |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Comments (1)

You’ve heard the old addage that you get what you pay for, but how can you know whether it’s necessary to pay a lot for running shoes and what you really get out of it?  This was the topic of a recent article published in Consumer Reports about running shoes.  Their analysis consisted of two dozen brands of shoes for both men and women, but can you really trust their results?

The reason that I bring this up isn’t that they weren’t scientific in their approach, in fact they were very thorough.  The potential issues is that they ultimately had to rely on a panel of “typical runners” to essentially grade each shoe.  Now this might not be a huge deal, unless you don’t match their profile of a “typical runner”.

With that said, they do mention at the end of their article that no one should buy a pair of running shoes that don’t feel right just because they scored well in their ratings.

Now, what could the difference possbily be between a $30 dollar pair of running shoes and a $120 pair of running shoes?  The answer, according to Consumer Reports, comes down to how well the shoes fit.  And, as it turns out, there is only one brand that comes in under $80, and that one has the poorest fit, but that’s not to say that it’s a terrible fit.

In fact, if you’re a casual runner (by the way, when I say casual, I probably mean less than four miles a week), a less expensive shoe might work out just fine for you.  But once you start to run more consistently and put in more miles, it’s not worth it to wear lesser shoes.  You don’t necessarily need to have the best running shoes, but certainly you want running shoes that have a good fit and provide proper support.

Well, as you might have guessed, Nike was at the top of both the mens and womens shoes lists with their Air Zoom Vomero+ 2 model.  These were rated by panelists to have excellent fit and cushioning.  They were rated very good for stability and flexibility and breathability was either very good or just good.  These came in at $120.  I guess that you might expect this from the industry icon in running shoes.

At the low end appeared the running shoes brands Champion and surprisingly New Balance.  I say that seeing New Balance is surprising not because I like them, but they seem to have a lot of brand recognition and I would have expected them to perform better.  I’ve personally never liked New Balance when I tried them on, but that’s not to say that someone else might not find them to have a great fit.  These brands scored lower for breathability and good for fit, cushioning and stability.  The Champion’s cost around $30.

One point worth mentioning is that there isn’t always a lot of selection when it comes to width of shoes.  This can be a big problem, since a lot of people have wide feet.  Another issue is the arch support.  Keep both of these in mind when making your purchase.

A final point is that you want to spend some street time in running shoes before making a final decision.  Some of the higher end running stores encourage this, actually letting you run around the block.  Some go so far as to let you run in them for a few days and bring them back if they’re not working out.  This is more difficult at discount stores, but not impossible.  With all that said, a new pair of running shoes should feel good right off and generally won’t require any break in time.

Remember, they don’t have to be the best running shoes for anyone other than you.

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August 25th, 2008 | Tags: best running shoes, champion, consumer reports, nike | Category: best rated running shoes, best running shoes, discount running shoes |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

When I first started running, my shoes were possibly the farthest thing from the best running shoe.  All I had was a pair of adidas cross trainers.  When I first started out I didn’t know any better, but when I got the worst shin splints of my life and thought I had to quit running, my running partner pointed out that I should try some running shoes.

So, I went to the mall and bought a cheap pair of running shoes, but at least they were running shoes.  I met him for a run and at the end of a 3 mile run, my shin splints were almost gone.  I’ve never had them again (and I’ve always purchased real running shoes).  So when I had the chance to ask Rich Harris why it worked out that way, this video shows his response.

Keep in mind that what I bought couldn’t be called the best running shoe, but it was a heck of a lot better than a cross trainer.  Hope you enjoy this clip.

 

 Best Running Shoes aren't cross trainers: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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August 23rd, 2008 | Tags: best running shoes, discount running shoes | Category: best running shoes, discount running shoes |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

If you’re anything like me you have plenty of things to spend your money on.  Running shoes can seem like many other commoddity type items, which is to say, you think that a pair of discount running shoes is as good as an expensive pair.  Well, you might want to weigh the risks before making your purchase.

What’s the difference between ball point pens and running shoes when it comes to dated or discount items?  One is that a bad pen most likely won’t injure your joints or put you at increased risk of injury.  The same might not be true for running shoes.

There are millions of dollars of research put into the latest foams, gels, air pockets, etc. that provide cushion for todays running shoes.  There is just as much effort put into designing the shoe to accommodate different types of motion, landing, follow through and toe off.  These are just a few of the things that running shoe manufacturers take into account, and that off brand or imposter shoe makers may leave behind.

While not uniquely a comment on running, Dr. Neil Levin admits that summer is a busy time for him with foot injuries.  The temptation to choose fashion over foot support can increase the strain on the foot and the liklihood of injury.  Here are a few comments that he made.

“When patients are barefoot or in flip flops, there is a tremendous amount of strain in the arch, as the foot collapses without support,” says Dr. Levin.

“And wear the right shoes for the right sport. Ankle support for running, and spikes for soccer are there for a reason.”

You can read the commentary here.

It’s not necessarily all doom and gloom, and I think that there are some situations where it would be safe to purchase discount running shoes.  For example, I used to live near an outlet mall and one of the outlet stores was a Nike outlet.  I had been running for years and came to like the Nike Air Max line.  I could go to the outlet and get a slightly late model and pay almost half price.

Is this ideal?  No, since I don’t know how long the shoes had been sitting around or what effect aging has on the shoes, but I justified it.  However, as I get older (going on eight years running now), I am more willing to put money into a pair of shoes that will give me more cushion and that I can be sure are new, up to date material.

Whatever distances you’re running, take some time and go to a specialty running store and let them measure your feet and try on a few pairs of shoes.  This is sure to give you an idea of what to look for and what your special needs will be.  Then if you decided to buy discount, at least you’ll be in a shoe that makes sense for you.

If you would like to know what to look for in a running shoe and how to choose the best discount running shoes every time, check out our Best Running Shoes video.

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August 19th, 2008 | Tags: discount running shoes | Category: discount running shoes |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

When asked about how to narrow your choices down from 40 different models of running shoes to the best running shoes for you, this is what Rich Harris had to say.

Rich:
You come into our store and look at 40 models of running shoes on the wall and ask, how do I know which one is right for me, how do I know which shoe I need.

So where we start is that we’ll have you stand in your stockings or your bare feet. Spread about a foot apart.  We’re going to have you stand on your left foot, stand on your right foot. What we want to see is what happens with the weight. Does your foot cave in or roll in. Does it go to the outside? Are you just real stable, kind of like a rock, does it even move? What goes on right there? That is going to give us some indication of how stable your foot is. How supportive it is.

From there we’re going to say, you need a neutral shoe, you need a motion control shoe, here are some recommendations right here. So right away we’ve eliminated 80% of the shoes on the wall, and we’ve narrowed it down to these 3 shoes right here. There could be 10 choices of each up there, but we are going to try and get some more information out of you, wide foot, narrow foot.  These questions help determine what the best running shoes will be for your particular feet and needs.

If you have an old pair of shoes, they tell the best story ever, turn it over and look at the wear pattern. That tells us over many, many miles what your biomechanics are and what’s going on. If you have an old pair of shoes, by far that’s the single best thing you can do is bring that down to us, let us take a look at it, let us take a look at the wear pattern. We can get a really good idea, was that a great shoe for you, or maybe we will suggest we should go somewhere else with your shoes.

Daniel:
What exactly are you looking at?

Rich:
We are looking at the outsole, the bottom of the shoe, looking for that wear pattern. We will also look at the foam that is in the middle. That is your major cushioning device, so what we are going to look at is do you see creases and wrinkles in a certain part of that shoe, in that mid-sole foam, because there generally should be some in the outside corner of the heel strike, that is where you put the most of the wear and pressure on the shoe. But then as you roll through the shoe onto your forefoot, is there more on the medial side, the lateral side. Is there a lot maybe its on the lateral side of the shoe, way inside by the heel, that would indicate that you are pretty severe pronator.  Even if your last pair of running shoes weren’t the best running shoes for you, they tell a story that will get your closer to the best running shoes.

So we look at those creases and the wrinkles and where you are putting the most stress on the shoe. And then you look at the outsole and you see where is the rubber worn down, mostly along the outside, along the lateral side, mostly along the medial side, and that really tells you what is going on.

To get watch the video of the entire interview go here: Best Running Shoes

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August 16th, 2008 | Tags: best running shoes | Category: best running shoes |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

I found an article today that talked about running shoes vs. sneakers.  While it gave a lot of great information, not a whole lot was new.  Finding the best running shoes is much more than a matter of price, and even the cheapest running shoe is unbelievable better than a sneaker or cross trainer.  Now if you think that you can run just fine in an old pair of shoes, you should probably think again.

How do I know?  I can tell you from first hand experience.  When I first started running all I had was a pair of Adidas cross trainers.  They were NOT the best running shoes, in fact far from it.  After only a few weeks I had developed absolutely terrible shin splints.  They were so bad that I went to a massage therapist and paid her to spend an hour on my shins.  It didn’t help at all.

The next time I met my running partner I told him that I would need to quit running because of my shins.  He suggested that before I threw in the towel at running, I should go and buy a pair of running shoes.  Well, since I didn’t want to quit running only weeks after starting, I went to the mall and took his advice.  I purchased the cheapest pair of running shoes I could find (I think they were $50).

What happened next is nothing short of amazing!  We went for a 3-4 mile run.  It was my first ever run in real running shoes and they felt sooooo different than the cross trainers I had been wearing.  Now remember that these probably weren’t the best running shoes either, but they WERE running shoes.

By the end of that run, my shin splints were GONE!

The article actually talks about how improper pronation can cause shin splints and tendinitis.  I didn’t know before now that that was the cause, but it seemed magic that a pair of running shoes could fix what a massage couldn’t.  I’ve always purchased actual running shoes ever since and I’ve never had shin splints again.  And that’s over eight years of running so far!

Well, the article that I mentioned earlier talks about the differences between high and low arches and points out that there can be huge variation.  It explains typical classifications that manufacturers give to identify a particular type of shoe as it relates to your arches.  It also points out that fashion should take a back seat to what your feet really need!

Here’s the original article: Finding the right running shoe

If you want to know more about this and see how a real professional examines feet in his specialty running store, go here: Best Running Shoes

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August 15th, 2008 | Tags: best running shoes | Category: best running shoes |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment