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Anyone Have Sneaker Advice?

The brand loyalty thread made me think of this. 


I'm slightly embarrassed to say - I haven't bought a pair of sneakers in at least 15 years. I'm 32. 


In my defense, all my workouts are barefoot. I do yoga at least once a day, I surf, and I stand up paddle board. But I'd like to start doing some cross training (indoors) and some outdoor street running both of which I cannot do barefoot. I have no idea what kind of sneakers to buy. There are like 70 billion options. Help, please?

Re: Anyone Have Sneaker Advice?

  • Just go try on all the shoes. I've had some New Balances and some Mizunos that I really liked, and some Nikes that hurt me like hell after more than 2 minutes. You have to find what fits your foot.
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  • lc07lc07 member
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    Inkdancer said:
    Just go try on all the shoes. I've had some New Balances and some Mizunos that I really liked, and some Nikes that hurt me like hell after more than 2 minutes. You have to find what fits your foot.
    Maybe I'm overthinking it. I guess I just worry that I won't know if a pair is good by just trying them on without working out with them on. But that makes sense that different brands feel different for everyone because we all have different feet. 
  • I go to a running specialty store for my sneakers. They have sneakers for all kinds of sports, not just running. They analyzed my gait, my cadence, and overall foot structure. I'm sure there are tons of stores like that around. They current have me in Merrell cross trainers, which I love. I hope to get back into them one day :)

     







  • I go to a running specialty store for my sneakers. They have sneakers for all kinds of sports, not just running. They analyzed my gait, my cadence, and overall foot structure. I'm sure there are tons of stores like that around. They current have me in Merrell cross trainers, which I love. I hope to get back into them one day :)
    What she said.  Even the people at Dick's can help you pick out the right type of shoe for you.  
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  • I have fussy and largish feet, and at the time I bought my sneakers (I'm not even going to say how many years ago, but hey, they're still good) New Balance was the only brand that worked for me.  I'm sure you've got a whole lot more options than I had then.  Any decent shoe store should be able to help, but one with foot mapping technology might be more helpful.  

    That said, I get most of exercise from horse back riding (and sadly, specially ordered boots for that too) so that's why I haven't bought a new pair of sneakers since high school.  I have worn them to the gym hundreds of times, and they've held up really well.

    Good luck finding some that work for you!
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  • lc07lc07 member
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    Thanks, guys. What counts as a specialty store? Dick's? Foot Locker? Something local? Seriously, I need this explained to me like I'm four years old.
  • pinkshorts27pinkshorts27 member
    1000 Comments 500 Love Its First Anniversary First Answer
    edited August 2014
    Nikes hurt my feet and I can really only wear New Balance and Adidas, but that really only came from a lot of trying different shoes. Nikes are too narrow for me.  My whole family wears New Balance.

    FI and my new ILs all wear Nikes, so there is that.

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  • KnightsNurseKnightsNurse member
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    edited August 2014
    I am on my feet sometimes for 12 hours at a time at the hospital and I bought these (hope that hyperlink works) around last Christmas to replace my previous pair. They have memory foam in them and I swear to this day it is still like walking on a cloud. They conform right to the shape of your foot even as you turn/pivot. They also don't have laces, which is a plus for me because I consider laces to be a PITA. I wear these to the gym too and running in them feels great. The price is a perk as well, I've paid much more for crappier shoes...
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  • Dicks and Sports Authority will be helpful, but I prefer even more specialized stores. If you're not ready to be "hard core" with your purchase, than any sports store would work

     







  • Personally, I love my Asics for running. I've also heard great things about Brooks. I am only a fan of Nikes for the look of the shoe, not the function.

    If you're really interested in getting good guidance for what type of shoe is best for you, go to a running specialty store. Otherwise, Dicks, Foot Locker or Sports Authority can steer you in the right direction. I feel those stores big box stores generally don't have associates as knowledgable as I would like (and I used to work in one, so speaking from experience). Just my opinion. Good luck!
  • lc07lc07 member
    Tenth Anniversary 2500 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    edited August 2014
    Dicks and Sports Authority will be helpful, but I prefer even more specialized stores. If you're not ready to be "hard core" with your purchase, than any sports store would work
    What type of store is more specialized?

    Edit: Rather what name of store is more specialized? I'm a perfectionist. I want the right damn pair of shoes. ;D
  • I don't know of any chain running specialty stores, most of the ones I have seen are local, independent business. I would throw you city name + running store (or something like that) into Google and see what is close to you.
  • lc07lc07 member
    Tenth Anniversary 2500 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    Thanks, Ashley. I will do that. I'm in San Diego, CA and travel up to LA reasonably often so I should have a good choice of stores.

    I will try Googling specialty stores.
  • @lc07‌ You'll have your pick of stores in San Diego! Good luck shoe hunting! Sorry I couldn't be more helpful...maybe some of the West Coast ladies can be more specific.
  • I agree with Ashley. It's going to vary by area!

     







  • edited August 2014
    Edited bc I realized my running store is only in Michigan. Sorries. I love Asics and New Balance but every foot is different!

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  • I'm partial to New Balance for workout-related stuff, and Onitsuka Tigers Ultimate 81's for moderately cute walking around shoes.
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  • I get Brooks running shoes and while you're technically supposed to use them only for running, they've also served me for weights and cardio classes. I replace them with the same exact model every 18 months (I work out at least 4 times a week) and I haven't had any shin splints or anything since I started using them a few years back. I loved New Balance for a long time but when I switched to Brooks (after several runner friends recommended them) the difference was night and day in terms of support and being lightweight. That said, New Balance might be the right shoe for a lot of folks--see all the recs above, for example!
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