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Advice from Runnist's required

oxomanoxoman Posts: 11,306
in The bottom bracket
Morning BBers I'm after a few suggestions for new trainers for road running. I'm OK for offroad and gravel stuff but struggling when pavement plodding. Used to use Adidas Durano,s but after something a bit better. I've got a few half marathons coming up and I'm looking for comfort. Any advice appreciated.
Too many bikes according to Mrs O.
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  • mrb123mrb123 Posts: 4,091
    oxoman said:

    Morning BBers I'm after a few suggestions for new trainers for road running. I'm OK for offroad and gravel stuff but struggling when pavement plodding. Used to use Adidas Durano,s but after something a bit better. I've got a few half marathons coming up and I'm looking for comfort. Any advice appreciated.

    Shoes are a bit like saddles. What works for one person may not work for another.

    Go to a decent running shop and they'll do the gait analysis and suggest some options.



  • WheelspinnerWheelspinner Posts: 6,247
    Depends on many many things...

    I run pretty neutral, worn mostly Nike for 40+ years, and used to occasionally swap to Asics Nimbus or Kayano but their last few versions have been shite for me. They changed the last shape.

    Nike Epic React Flyknit are the most comfortable thing I've had in ages. Minimal lateral support so if you are a pronator or supinator they'd be a fail. Also not the longest wearing shoe, but comfort is pretty much perfect on me.

    I've tried Saucony, Mizuno, Brooks, Under Armour, Asics, On Cloud, Adidas, and even Reebok back when they were a half decent thing. But I've always found the shape of the Nike shoes to be the best match for my feet.

    YMMV.



    Open O-1.0 Open One+ BMC TE29 Titus Racer X Ti Seven 622SL Kestrel RT1000 On One Scandal Cervelo RS
  • johngtijohngti Posts: 2,481
    My line manager is a seriously quick runner, he’s just bought a pair of Hoka one running shoes and says they’re the best he’s used. I’m not anything remotely like an expert but he knows his stuff.
  • tlw1tlw1 Posts: 21,220
    Hoka’s are good, but I got through a trail pair in just over a 150 miles!

    I like saucony because the do a zero drop shoe, which is what I need (after gait analysis)

    100% recommend visiting your local running shop
  • mully79mully79 Posts: 853
    As a heavy heel down first neutral gait runner - Brooks Ghost are really nice but I wore the sole at the heel too quickly.
    I really like Mizuno waveriders and they've lasted well. I would buy them again.
  • shirley_bassoshirley_basso Posts: 5,708
    edited February 2022
    I bought some cheap Nike's which have never caused me any issues. I run 10k in 45 mins for reference.
  • oxomanoxoman Posts: 11,306
    Looks like a visit to local run and ride shop for analysis and advice is in order, might be an expensive visit as they have nice bike stuff as well. TBH in the past I've just picked a pair off the shelf tried for fit and never had issues. I use some new balance ones for offroad with no problems but killed me doing a half pavement plodding.
    Too many bikes according to Mrs O.
  • mercia_manmercia_man Posts: 1,431
    edited February 2022
    If you want a really good all-rounder combining comfort with speed, I can recommend Saucony Endorphin Speed. They are one of these new “super shoes” with a springy plate, rocker sole and thick bouncy midsole. They’ve won best shoe awards over the last couple of years and demand has been so high that it has at times been tricky to get hold of a pair. Running shoe tests and forum feedback suggest they suit a wide range of runners and are good for racing as well as training. They would be perfect for half marathons.

    The Speeds have a nylon plate rather than the carbon of their Endorphin Pro racer cousins. This is claimed to make them a bit more forgiving and easier to adapt to. I have both and use the Speeds for training and Pros for race day.

    All the big names now do super shoes after Nike started it all off. They really do make a difference. The Endorphin Speeds are better value than most. Another good value carbon super shoe option is the Hoka Rocket X (another award winner) which can currently be picked up for less than £100 - most carbon plated shoes are over £200.

    One extra point. Gait analysis is starting to be considered outdated in the running community. It may not be as useful as was claimed in finding which shoe is best for you.


  • kingstongrahamkingstongraham Posts: 23,429
    mercia_man said:



    One extra point. Gait analysis is starting to be considered outdated in the running community. It may not be as useful as was claimed in finding which shoe is best for you.


    What's a good starting point if not that? If you're gait is massively away from neutral, doesn't it make sense to have a shoe that works with that?

    A shoe that fits is a good start, and not too much cushioning. I ended up with years and years of DS trainers.
  • mercia_manmercia_man Posts: 1,431
    edited February 2022
    kingstongraham said:

    mercia_man said:



    One extra point. Gait analysis is starting to be considered outdated in the running community. It may not be as useful as was claimed in finding which shoe is best for you.


    What's a good starting point if not that? If you're gait is massively away from neutral, doesn't it make sense to have a shoe that works with that?

    A shoe that fits is a good start, and not too much cushioning. I ended up with years and years of DS trainers.
    It used to be you’d have your gait analysed, they’d say you were, for example, an over pronator and sell you hefty motion control shoes with pronounced arch support.

    High end shoes are no longer sold in stability, motion control or neutral options. Shoes are designed in just one version, often with more subtle stability features built in. For example, Hokas have a sort of “bucket seat” structure in which your foot sits low and is cradled all around.

    Shoe fashions have changed considerably. Max cushioning is the feature of all top end shoes now. Special new midsole foams in rocker soles give comfort, bounce and forward rolling motion helped by carbon or nylon plates giving spring, stability and speed. All current road racing records are held by these so-called super shoes. Most runners at the front end of the field in my local races now wear these shoes.

    A shoe that fits and feels good for you is the way to choose. It’s meaningless to say I recommend Hokas or whatever because each brand has such a variety of shoes. Sorry for pontificating at length. Here’s a recent article explaining the gait analysis issue:

    https://runnersconnect.net/running-gait-analysis-footwear/

  • kingstongrahamkingstongraham Posts: 23,429
    Unless you're at the front end, I don't see why you'd want to wear what is basically a pair of blades.
  • mercia_manmercia_man Posts: 1,431
    edited February 2022
    kingstongraham said:

    Unless you're at the front end, I don't see why you'd want to wear what is basically a pair of blades.

    It’s not like running on blades. The high stack foam is like running on clouds - with the plate giving you extra spring and stability. They’re great. And even back of the field shufflers like them. But you clearly have to be committed to fork out so much on a pair of running shoes. But then of course it’s the same with cycling.
  • kingstongrahamkingstongraham Posts: 23,429
    I don't understand why anyone not racing for places would want to go faster because they have extra spring from their shoe.
  • shirley_bassoshirley_basso Posts: 5,708
    Like deep wheels...strava

    Plus it feels nice running on clouds
  • thistle_thistle_ Posts: 6,896
    Brooks Adreanaline here - but I over pronate.

    If you're going to run and ride, they did a 20% discount if you traded in your old shoes a while ago, not sure if they have anything similar coming up again soon.

  • oxomanoxoman Posts: 11,306
    Cheers for the info. Definitely not a speed demon at the front. I'm after comfort more.than anything as the NB nearly crippled me the last time I did a half pavement plod. Ok for trails and gravel but definitely not a pavement plodder.
    Too many bikes according to Mrs O.
  • mercia_manmercia_man Posts: 1,431
    kingstongraham said:

    I don't understand why anyone not racing for places would want to go faster because they have extra spring from their shoe.

    I think any runner would like to run faster, in more comfort and with less effort - even if not racing. It’s just like cycling. The OP wants to race half marathons. A good shoe would make the experience more enjoyable. Saucony Endorphin Speeds would be a good value option. Plus they’re fine for general training. There’s a reason why they’re so popular.
  • kingstongrahamkingstongraham Posts: 23,429
    If you want to go faster with less effort, get a scooter.
  • shirley_bassoshirley_basso Posts: 5,708
    E bikes all sold out
  • oxomanoxoman Posts: 11,306
    shirley_basso said:

    E bikes all sold out

    Go wash your mouth out with soap 🧼 😒. I'd sooner not ride than have one of those things. Ok for the disabled or medically unable riders but NOK for the fat unfit or to rich individuals i normally see on them.
    Too many bikes according to Mrs O.
  • mercia_manmercia_man Posts: 1,431
    Here’s Coachmag’s summary of the best shoes of 2022. Pretty informative. Should help with your choice:
    https://www.coachmag.co.uk/gear/running-gear/running-shoes
  • oxomanoxoman Posts: 11,306
    Cheers MM. Running is just a sideline for me to keep fit. Hence no real knowledge about it.
    Too many bikes according to Mrs O.
  • MattFalleMattFalle Posts: 11,644
    I like a pair of Saucony Triumphs me - used them for about 15 years: pair wears out, go on internet, order exactly the same/newer version. Sorted.

    I did try a pair of On Clouds a while ago - v v v light, look cool, smashed my knees to bits. They went to a charity shop.

    Loads of other people I know who used them also did knees in.
    .
    The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
  • oxomanoxoman Posts: 11,306
    Visited local running shop and came away with some pumas as recommended on the list. Half a size bigger than I normally have but very comfortable. Hopefully they will improve comfort.
    Too many bikes according to Mrs O.
  • homers_doublehomers_double Posts: 7,563
    Everyone is different, I've had two pairs of Hoka One shoes now. You need to get used to them though as they have an additional 6mm in the heel which will, at first give you calf pain until you stretch your tendons and get used to a new position.

    I cant fault them now.
    Advocate of disc brakes.
  • oxomanoxoman Posts: 11,306
    Tried the hoka,s out and didn't like the extra bit on the heal. The pumas just felt like my addidas ones did when I first started running.
    Too many bikes according to Mrs O.
  • mercia_manmercia_man Posts: 1,431
    edited February 2022
    oxoman said:

    Visited local running shop and came away with some pumas as recommended on the list. Half a size bigger than I normally have but very comfortable. Hopefully they will improve comfort.

    Sounds like you made a good choice. Those Pumas on the Coachmag list of best shoes are widely recommended as comfortable all-rounders and the best shoes you can get under £100. I’m a recent convert to these new style bouncy foams and think they are well worth trying.
  • oxomanoxoman Posts: 11,306
    They seemed more comfortable than my NB and adidas ones I use for training and parkrun. Time will tell.
    Too many bikes according to Mrs O.
  • mrb123mrb123 Posts: 4,091
    New running shoes tend to be a bit like a new bike. Feels amazing the first couple of goes and then they just become normal and it goes back to feeling like hard work!
  • thistle_thistle_ Posts: 6,896
    mrb123 said:

    New running shoes tend to be a bit like a new bike. Feels amazing the first couple of goes and then they just become normal and it goes back to feeling like hard work!

    It never gets easier you just go faster....
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