In Desperate Need of Shoe Advice!!!

Also, I need the shoes to have decent durability

Brooks Ravenna, Saucony Glide, Nike Lunarglide. All 3 are lighterweight stability shoes. All of them are great shoes.

Source: I work at a shoe store.

agree with above poster. these have a little bit more cushion and a touch of stability. source: i also work in a running shop so i am super knowledgeable.

P.S. Dont Drop any more weight...that is all.

Hoka's are your best investment; i had hip and knee issues and every time i get sore-200lbs sometimes avg 50' under 7' pace-hokas leave you tired but not beat up. This is bc they are so soft.

They wear well; and are well worth the investement. I still have mine after 2years.

Thumbs up for HokaOneOne's

Also, try Nike Air Structure.

A Duck wrote:

Thumbs up for HokaOneOne's

Also, try Nike Air Structure.

Don't get the Hoka's. You're in high school there's no reason to get a shoe with that high of a platform. Structures yes but I still suggest lunarglide over structure if you want a more versatile shoe that won't weigh you down for speedwork.

ShoeMan wrote:

A Duck wrote:

Thumbs up for HokaOneOne's

Also, try Nike Air Structure.

Don't get the Hoka's. You're in high school there's no reason to get a shoe with that high of a platform. Structures yes but I still suggest lunarglide over structure if you want a more versatile shoe that won't weigh you down for speedwork.

Don't listen to this guy, get the Hoka's, the Lunarglide caused many injury problems to many highschool runners. The Air structure is just a poorly built and designed shoe.

What do you guys think about the Kinvaras? A lot of kids that I've talked with love that shoe but I'm worried about them being too similar to the PureFlows (which sucked!).

Bottom line is I'm just looking for a shoe most similar to the 880's that meets my needs of being a competitive shoe. I don't care what the industry says, I need what's really the best option.

I am larger (200 lbs.), and older (54), but I had great success with the Kinvaras. They are light, cushioned, and don't mess with your mechanics. Speaking of which, your running form is way more important than your shoes. Does your coach work on that with you?

Yeah, he's a great coach and heavily emphasizes form mechanics. That being said, I'm still transitioning from a heel striking form into more of a mid-foot strike. The shoes that he wants me to get are the asics gel lyte 33 series, and another coach recommended the new balance 890's. I'm just too indecisive to make a decision and the last shoes my coach recommended sucked (PureFlow 2).

There is no one shoe that will work for everyone.

Your coach, who wants you to wear asics gel lyte 33, may be a midfoot striker with high arches and supinates.

If you are a heel striker with flat feet and pronate you would probably need a different shoe than your coach.

Don't listen to recommendations. You need to try on A LOT of shoes and find what works for you. Most stores will allow you to take a test run around the block.

Don't buy them too small. A common mistake. Especially females.

Based on the information I have given, which shoe (these are the top choices I have come up with) would be best for me as an every day trainer that could also handle fast paced stuff?

-Asics gelLyte33v3

-New Balance 890v4

-Asics gelExcel33v3

I want something that helps emphasize mid foot striking!

Thanks!

Oh look another post...

Hi Nick,

First to clear things up from your statements.

-you don't have 8 months training base. taking 3 months in winter with barely any running doesn't count.

-your 5k time was 18:31 not 18:10

-you ran 2:14 last week. not 2:10

-you're actually only running 20-25mpw unless you are running on your own on Sundays bc i haven't seen you on the trails with us.

-you have neutral pronation. This changes most of the responses from others.

-I didn't like the NB 880s bc they are pretty soft and you heel strike A LOT! I said i prefer you to be in something that promotes a midfoot strike. But the 880s are ok for easy/ slow days too.

And if you would have listened to the multiple texts i replied to you regarding these shoes, I said that the Lytes would be fine to finish up track season since you are running the 400/800. It will encourage a midfoot strike. However, it is not an everyday trainer. The Excel 33 3 would be a better choice going into the XC mileage. I'm just not a fan of the NB shoes as their cushioning seems too soft. And I prefer something firmer and more responsive. Plus we make an effort to stay on trails and other soft surfaces. But you should go to the Athlete's Foot and try on what you can to help you decide. It matters more how they feel to you, not me. Also, i believe you picked out the Pure Flow at the running store after trying on other options. Granted they are very limited in selection. And just to remind you that you should have had this taken care of a while ago and not have kept running in a shoe you had all of XC season too.

And again, unless we get your core strong enough to get you out of your back tightening up, the shoes wont make much difference on your foot strike. The latest research out shows no real correlation to shoes and injury. Its mechanics. Lets not waste time asking random people who know very little about your specific situation when you could be doing work to help fix the problem.

See you tomorrow Nick!

Try the NB 870. Lightweight but also has motion control.