[L8Apex]

Shoes are overrated in my mind and are part of the problem. What is natural about cushions elevated heels or heavy support?..this weakens the muscles over time leading to injuries. I've run a lot of trails, half marathons and even knockout fourteeners in a very minimalist shoe from Inov8 for years. Guys I run or hike with take it a step further and use the Vibram five fingers and love em. Get back to the basics and what is natural. Joint longevity is a function of many things, including imbalances. As a species, we were not made to run on "air". I see shoes that literally have a giant air pocket spanning the sole of the shoe. Those who keep running on "air"...is a lame way to compensate for lack of muscle strength and bone density.

[igotaweinerdog]

Originally Posted by L8Apex

Shoes are overrated in my mind and are part of the problem. What is natural about cushions elevated heels or heavy support?..this weakens the muscles over time leading to injuries. I've run a lot of trails, half marathons and even knockout fourteeners in a very minimalist shoe from Inov8 for years. Guys I run or hike with take it a step further and use the Vibram five fingers and love em. Get back to the basics and what is natural. Joint longevity is a function of many things, including imbalances. As a species, we were not made to run on "air". I see shoes that literally have a giant air pocket spanning the sole of the shoe. Those who keep running on "air"...is a lame way to compensate for lack of muscle strength and bone density.

YES YES YES!!!

Vibram five fingers all the way

I started wearing them about 4 months ago and havent worn anything else since

[L8Apex]

Originally Posted by igotaweinerdog

YES YES YES!!!

Vibram five fingers all the way

I started wearing them about 4 months ago and havent worn anything else since

All of the technology some now use has forced them to change their natural stride and body mechanics which also causes injury. Check out the book "Born to run" by Chris Mcdougall It's about the Tarahumara indians who run 100 mile races in nothing but a piece of leather strapped to their feet for many years without injury

Quick video:
http://www.popsci.com/entertainment-...nning-barefoot

[Bobby_Light]

Originally Posted by igotaweinerdog

YES YES YES!!!

Vibram five fingers all the way

I started wearing them about 4 months ago and havent worn anything else since

Vibrams are the great for running or lifting. Really glad I grabbed a pair.

[Mega Man]

I just use the same New Balances I was introduced to while in the Air Force. They last better than the Nike's I used to buy, and to be honest, feel about the same in terms of performance.

[all8up]

You need to give us more details...Do you over pronate, under pronate, neutral? What type of distance are you planning on? Wide feet usually = New Balance...

[MikeLogan]

I never knew what shoes to buy. Always just got whatever looked good at Sports Authority or whatever. I just recently started running half marathons, so I've been getting my shoes from running stores. Definitely improve my running by having someone other than the avg. joe at a sporting tell you what's good or not. Find a running store that has a treadmill in the store that they can monitor what type of runner you are. They will see how your feet move, how they land, etc.. Just got a new pair of Saucony's and man they feel awesome. Way better than my old Nike's.

[BTM]

My shoes have about 400 mi on them so I'm starting to look for new shoes as well... the Vibram's are really intriguing, is there a specific model that's best for running? I don't hike, and do my running on packed gravel/pavement

[Bobby_Light]

Originally Posted by BTM

My shoes have about 400 mi on them so I'm starting to look for new shoes as well... the Vibram's are really intriguing, is there a specific model that's best for running? I don't hike, and do my running on packed gravel/pavement

I am partial to the KSO.

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/pro...ucts_KSO_m.cfm

Your running form will change for the better as you won't heel strike, and your foot will land underneath the hip.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...ryId=123031997
http://www.popsci.com/entertainment-...nning-barefoot

[BTM]

Thanks

How is your pace compared to traditional shoes?

[Bobby_Light]

I am not a long distance runner as I am type II fiber dominant (designed for explosive, power but poor endurance) so I sprint and lift heavy in mine. Your ability to properly modify your running mechanics will determine how successful you are with the shoe change. If your mechanics are already solid, the transition won't be very daunting. If the opposite is true, it could take some time.

[bobbyd1961]

Originally Posted by LeeD31

Hi All,

I was wondering if any of you people have recommendations on which running shoes are good?

I have an arched foot (not flat footed) and my feet are wider than normal, and I want something that I can casually go out and jog, that won't hurt my feet or knee's.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

id go with the michelins pilot sport

[Cookiemonster]

I am all for Barefoot technology. Takes a few weeks to get use to. But once you do it with the proper form its almost like your legs are seperate from your body. You can totally crank and your knees will never be sore.

I like the Nike Free series. The Five fingers are good but you look like a complete dork and say goodbye to the fuck me stares you get from the hot chicks at the gym when wearing five fingers.

[ArmyBimmerDude]

I buy a new pair of running shoes every 5-6 months and have always had either New Balance or Adidas due to comfort and because of my wide feet.

People really hurt themselves when they fail to exercise regularly or constantly run on hard surfaces. But hey, you guys are more than welcome to spend three figures on shoes and electronics.

[Silverstone]

Brooks are great...they ain't famous worldwide, but as soon as I tried them on the first time I was sold. Check the models they got. They have different models for different shapes of feet and type of activity.

[kt3130]

Huge fan of the nike lunar glide/lunar swift series. Very light, alot of cushion, breathe well, and they form to your foot and style of running. However, typical nike fit, somewhat narrower through the forefoot (which is perfect for me). Have not heard a negative thing about them yet.

[Trijicon]

For the ultimate natural running shoe, check out the newtons

http://www.newtonrunning.com/

A bunch of pro Triathletes are using them now. Great shoe. Prevents heels striking. I gained 1min on my 10K the first run out.

[dcgolfdr]

Brooks have a wider toe box which will help if you have wide feet. Don't listen to some of these jokers about running barefoot. It is a fad that Vibram is maching a pile of money on. I agree that changing your gait to more on the ball of your feet may help with limiting injuries but we wear shoes all day, sit at a computer, 2/3rds of the population is overweight, we eat like shit, drink too much, overmedicated, overworked and overstressed. To compare us to people in Mexico, as this book states, is absurd. Could it be possible that these guys run great distances, barefoot, without injury could be a result of a completely different lifestyle. There is nothing common between us except that we are humans.

[sworks335i]

Brooks! Best shoes I have ever ran on. Been running on the same style pair for 7 years now! I think I have gone through about 8-9 pairs by now....

[RC3]

New Balance IMHO

[CIGARGUY]

Shockingly, I have purchased Mizuno brand running shoes the past 2 times. I didn't even know they made shoes until last year. I tried on multiple brands that I have always liked and these completely blew me away. Awesome comfort.

[BTM]

Originally Posted by sworks335i

Brooks! Best shoes I have ever ran on. Been running on the same style pair for 7 years now! I think I have gone through about 8-9 pairs by now....

I love my Brooks too, I have wide feet. But really, go to a store that will analyze your gait and as long as you are prepared to spend $100+ you will end up in a quality shoe that should last you 400-500 miles. Also avoid "gimmicks" like air pockets and shocks and what have you - these don't promote a proper stride rather they minimize the consequences of an improper one

And +1 on injuries not being the fault of shoes, rather the fault of the wrong shoes. I looked into the barefoot concept and really wasn't convinced one way or the other, and I didn't feel like throwing money at something I would potentially hate.