Ross (Dress for Less) has lots of good shoes (Nike, adidas, asics, sketcher, new balance, saucony, Puma) for around $40. Usually last years model.
They also have some specialty shoes (high jump, long jump, shot, javelin) that are $100-200 shoes for $15. Great buy for a high school kid doing those events.
That's the dirty little secret about the running shoe biz, you can find good shoes at places like Ross, DSW, etc. Pretty much from all brands including the ones that say "we are a specialty running brand" sell at these places. Styles may be "last years model" but they still work pretty good.
I have worn expensive shoes via sponsorships as well as many cheap shoes via my own wallet, including a $19 pair from Tarzhay that was certainly the worst made shoe. Even the $19 pair lasted 600 miles. In my experience, there is no reason whatsoever to get the expensive shoes. Many of the very expensive Nikes in one sponsorship were awful, although I liked the Lunar Trainers a lot and got 1300 miles out of a pair. Select among the bargain rack of older shoes and you'll do just fine, trying to avoid excessive stability and cushioning so that you maintain strength in your ankles and flexibility in your foot. And don't replace the shoes every 500-600 miles. Just do various strengthening exercises, calf drops, step-ups (with cross over front), dynamic stretching, deep squats, and so forth and you'll find yourself able to run 1k-3k in the same shoes.
The key, for me, has always been to buy one of last year's top-rated models. The difference between, say, the Adidas Supernova Glide 6 and 7 is almost entirely cosmetic. And get your shoes from an online site like Running Warehouse with no tax or shipping fees and usually an easy to find online coupon. Of course, preferably you try the shoes on at a regular store before ordering them online.
Shawn H wrote:
The key, for me, has always been to buy one of last year's top-rated models. The difference between, say, the Adidas Supernova Glide 6 and 7 is almost entirely cosmetic. And get your shoes from an online site like Running Warehouse with no tax or shipping fees and usually an easy to find online coupon. Of course, preferably you try the shoes on at a regular store before ordering them online.
I will have to check out Running Warehouse. I'll probably have to only shop online now that Leonard is mad at me for posting the article and won't let me in his brick and mortar store.
As a disclaimer up front, I work at a Running Specialty store.
I agree with most stuff on here that the highest price shoe does not mean it's the best shoe and you can find high quality last year's models on sale. Depending on the person, some people need support, cushion, ect. Some people can put on anything and go. Not everyone has the strengh/biomechanics/ect. to be able to run 800 miles in K-mart shoes but there is a middle ground somewhere.
In response to buying online, it is going to happen as that is the world we live in, but if you are going to go that route (which is fine), do it and live with the consequences. Going into a store to try them on and ask 50 questions about the shoe is pretty disrespectful. If the current online retail trend continues (in every industry, not just running) which it will because the consumer gets a cheaper price because the online retailer or shoe company doesn't have the overhead (rent, salaries, ect) of a brick and mortar, there probably won't be running stores around anymore to try things on or get advice. Also, a lot of local road races, either put on or sponsored by Running Stores will start to go away in anything other that Major Markets.
Not saying that online shopping is the devil and you should always buy at Running Specialty, but there is a cost of going for the lowest cost. Not trying to go Lorax, but I'm as curious as everyone to see how it all plays out.
In fact, expensive running shoes get worse reviews than more affordable ones . I bought usually Kswiss running shoes on http://www.kswiss.com/men/footwear . They are not expensive (mine costs about 70$) and have a great quality of material. I am a coach who is on the courts almost every day, it was necessary for me to have a comfortable pair of runners.
endurestrong wrote:
...but holy cow, why so much negativity!.
You do know which World Famous Message Board you posted this to, right?