Never really enjoyed road running, normally (when I can be arsed) prefer running across the moors and have a few prs for that (scarpa, Inov8, adidas), but I’m going to try running in winter of an evening again (not sure how long it’ll last before I get fed up). I threw away my pavement plodders a few years ago (asics gel) and haven’t really bought any normal ‘trainers’ for a long time.

It’s always difficult to buy in this market as many of them are just fashion ‘trainers’, some serious and some produce fashion range and serious range. Anyone got any buying advice besides the obvious ‘go to a running shop’, best brands to look at etc. My feet are pretty standard as far as I’m concerned, I’ve always been pretty much able to run in anything as long as it’s a trainer type of shoe and fits. I won’t be doing more than about 4 miles at a time. max £60 to spend.

The running shoes I’ve looked at so far appeared more like skater shoes on the face of it, not sure if I’m making a mistake or I’m just getting old and “things move on Grandad” ?.

That’s a pretty low budget for running shoes, if it’s a real hard limit I’d be looking at the Decathlon Kalenji stuff, it’s got pretty good reviews and is excellent VFM.

It’s pretty much impossible to recommend running shoes to somebody else IMO. What works for me won’t necessarily work for you. For example I don’t get on with Adidas or Saucony but I seem to fit Brooks, Mizuno and Asics – as a general guide.

If you have a branch of Sweatshop near you, they’re well worth a visit if you’re not sure what you want. They offer a free exchange guarantee if the shoes don’t suit you after a week or so. I took mine back after running about 20 miles in them and they swapped them without quibbling. Not sure if many others offer that service.

Anyone got any buying advice besides the obvious ‘go to a running shop’,

To be fair it’s hard to beat that advice, unless you know someone else who has your feet.

Have a look on Sportsshoes.com, loads of choice and they always have offers on.

To be fair it’s hard to beat that advice, unless you know someone else who has your feet.

The problem is you won’t get far in most running shops with only £60 to spend.

The problem is you won’t get far in most running shops with only £60 to spend.

I’ve got a bit of an issue with going into shops, trying loads on and then going home and buying online and my local running specialist doesn’t have anything under £100. Sportshoes.com are just down the road from me, tho online sales only, returning stuff might be easier depending on their policy.
I just can’t justify spending a load for something that I might realise in a few months, still isn’t for me.

I run off-road in adidas and inov-8 too.

On roads, I went for Adidas Supernova Glide Boost (just trips off the tongue…) on the basis that they’re neutral, light, cushioned and in the sale at sportsshoes, wiggle etc for £60. I’m v happy with them.

Best to go into a shop but might be worth a try.

If you hate them and are size 11 I’ll probably even make you an offer…

In that case I’d just gamble on getting a road pair of the offraod shoes you have e.g. Innov-8, most companies do an equivalent on a similar last. Try them around the house and if necessary return.

Not sure what size you are but I have some nearly new, less than 30km, running shoes that I’m going to put on eBay. Both size 10.5 Uk or Eur45.

Mizuno Inspire 11 in blue/lime

Asics Columbus 15 in white/black/red

Both cushioning shoes for road running.

Sportshoes.com are just down the road from me, tho online sales only

I preferred it when they were at Jacobs Well, Bradford. Plenty in the store and it was big enough to run around the aisles and test the trainers properly.

If you’ve got a normal foot shape and don’t over pronate, just pick a good neutral shoe that fits your budget. I get on very well with Saucony, but everyones different.

moremile are nice and light and very cheap for a good running shoe.
Startfitness is good place to look as well.

although it does depend on your feet – i like a simple shoe!

I’m 8/42, but thanks for the offer 🙂

I didn’t realise inov8 did road running shoes, will have a look

I preferred it when they were at Jacobs Well, Bradford.

Yep, I don’t think they even have a counter anymore, purely online only, I think.

Well Innov-8 did make road trainers but just looking at their website it looks a bit confusing and some of the road range seems to have reduced.

I’ve got a neutral foot/gate and get on well with Nike Pegasus, though I do go up half a shoe size. You can pick them up for around the 60 mark at the moment.

B-Nana

If you do find a pair that you like, and can run in injury/pain free, go back and buy another 3 or 4 pairs straight away, as they will discontinue or change them and they may not be similar. It also means you can rotate 3 pairs or so, and not end up running on old knackered shoes which can result in an injury.

Im fortunate that I have a neutral gait. I use more mile London pro strike at around £25. On my second pair now after training for and running several mara’s in them.

Your feet may be different, but @£25 could be worth a shot?

Decathlon at that price.

I’d rather have a pair for £5 that fit than £150 that don’t. Fit varies within brands as well.

I use ascis gel cumulus or nimbus. There are plenty of places to save a few quid and avoid retail prices, especially if you dont mind last years colour or can wait a few weeks for deals. I use [/url]

Asics outlet store if there,s one close enough.
Like a normal running shop, but single brand, and they have treadmills and do gait analysis if needed. Tbh, if you had them before and got on OK then they probably still do a version of your previous shoe, just with a different year number. Good place to start.
All their shoes are recent models but not latest, and they usually do 30 to 70 % off.
My last three pairs have been 30 to 45 pounds each so (for £110 shoes) so well within budget.

Always last model of Asics GT2000, you can usally get them for around £60, used them for 17 years only ever not got on with them once.