2 running questions...

I have found through trial and error that the design of a shoe can make a big difference in how easy it is to twist my ankle, how my toes feel after a long run, and in my stride and my ability to make it the best it can be.


I used to think the designs on the shoes were just for looks. After I finally took a good long time trying on shoes and bending them with my hands, I realized the colorful stripes are usually the backbone and support system of the shoe. The shoe would just be a puddle of cloth glued onto a rubber sole, except for the criss-crossing plastic sections.  These things criss-cross differently in different styles of shoes.

Some shoes have only cloth across the toes. Others are criss-crossed by plastic. It makes a big difference in how much space you feel like you have in the toe box.

Look at the shoe from the heel. Is is symmetrical? Most are designed to force your foot inward or outward depending on where you need support. (This is where the running store can come in handy - figuring out where you need support.)


Is the running store analysis a rip-off? Well, they are going to recommend some expensive shoes, but if you state that you can't afford them, they will usually recommend something along the same lines that is cheaper.   You can also walk out and look up the same characteristics online and get a previous year's model on close-out, although that's not very supportive of your local business.


Also, I would suggest using the equipment tracker on BT, and logging your miles. Once you get to 300 or 400 miles on a pair of shoes, get something else. Or have two pair and rotate.

Also, don't just walk around and go to work in the shoes you run in. Use them for running only.

I would save your trail running shoes for winter/snow running and go get something a little more flexible, if I were you.

I have found the brand names don't matter too much. But some brands do focus on triathlon-specific shoes, which is cool.  Also, I've been reading a lot of more neutral shoes, and working on improving my stride through using shoes that aren't quite so built-up in the heel. But you should work up to that.

Trail running shoes will have a stiffer or tougher bottom in the design to help protect your foot from rocks and roots.  May be a bit wider and probably is heavier.  Also, if you're not running in the correct shoe type (stability, neutral or motion control) that could lead to ankle issues.

I found my running specialty store to be very helpful when I started out.  Helped me pick the type of shoe I needed (neutral) and from there I learned about the different brands.    They let me bring back a Pair of Asics on time after I switched to it when they were out of my usual shoe.  I then bought the lighter shoe in the brand I was using and haven't changed since. I didn't realize how much a difference there was with a ~13oz shoe to a ~11.5oz shoe.

I'm in 'the less shoe the better' camp.  I do all my running in racing flats and am very happy!

I had purchased a pair of New Balance from a Sportchek (sports department store).  The looked great.  After wearing them a few times, my toe nails went black and fell off.  Shortly after, a New Balance store opened.  I took the shoes into the New Balance store to find out that these shoes are specifically made for Sportchek. 

A rep for the entire territory told me that the shoes I had are designed on a price point and not for quality.  He was responsible for servicing the Sportchek as well in this area, so he had no reason to lie.  The shoes that are sold at "running" are entirely different design as they are for running and not for the "look".

Not only did he give me this great info, but he personally fitted me with the proper shoes, took my old ones, and said "enjoy, no charge".

I have since gone back to that store and another specialty store and don't mind paying for the better shoe and service.