the answer is go on sportshoes.com, make sure you have a 10% off code*, and buy whatever is on sale. Im sure they have a size calculator which will match whatever size you have (say you're a definite size 11.5UK Nike) and find you the equivalent in whatever shoe you're looking at. If you're a size out then its easy to return and get the next size.
*Im sure if you ask nicely here someone will give you a 10% off code, they're always flying about in running circles
If you're just starting out I'd try to find something in the sub £50 area and, go to a shop that sells what you're interested in (you must already have some idea already) and try them on for comfort. If they are comfortable buy them and use them, but think critically about how they work and don't work for you. Toe box too tight, not enough support around the heal, don't flex properly, feel harsh, etc, and then buy your next pair with several of those things in mind and be bold in willingness to switch brand. I was a New balance guy for a long time, but in all honesty, my Nike Pegasus have been better in almost every respect.
go to a shop that sells what you're interested in (you must already have some idea already)
I have run regularly for decades and still have no interest in what I put on my feet. All of the shoes I've used over the years have worked, some more comfortably than others. The only ones that crippled me were the ones suggested after a gait analysis. For a lot of us, running kit is exceedingly boring. When I kill a pair of shoes I'm just as puzzled about what to get as the person posing the opening question.
Now, the more important question - what about the lifejacket thing that seems to be de rigeur over any distance these days?
what about the lifejacket thing that seems to be de rigeur over any distance these days?
😀Yes - its like mountain biking 20 years ago when everyone seemed to have a full 3ltr camelback on to ride their local trail centre.
Yes - its like mountain biking 20 years ago when everyone seemed to have a full 3ltr camelback on to ride their local trail centre.
Except that those were invariably full of unnecessary stuff. The running lifejackets seem to have nothing in at all, so I assume are some way of holding the runner's upper body together, like those bras that footballers wear?* I haven't actually used one (obviously - why would I want to get informed) or closely examined the upper body of a wearer, but it can't just be to carry a phone, surely?
* do they still do that?
but it can't just be to carry a phone, surely?
I often use a 5L vest. Nearly always the same combination of stuff, keys, phone, if out after work, head torch*, jacket, if out for a a 2-3 hours, water and gels. I think some of the really minimal ones will still carry a similar amount just using stretchy pockets more. There's those waist band things as well.
*And a spare hand torch if out somewhere like the Ochils at night.
Why would you want/need to carry keys, phone, jacket, water & gels if only a sub 3hr run?
If it's off the beaten track and a hot day or if you have serious health issues then I understand the phone, jacket and a water bottle .. but no idea why you'd need those if your just covering some local roads/lanes.
but no idea why you'd need those if your just covering some local roads/lanes.
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FWIW, not always but it's still winter, spring and summer I'll quite often just have a key in a key pocket my shorts have. Neither of my two local hill areas are places if drink the water from, way too many sheep. I'll usually carry less if out in the Highlands.
Do we need to do this again?
The kit carrying thing is very terrain and location dependent. I’ll run 20 miles of trails with nothing but a few gels. But, that’s because the route is always close to civilisation, has lots of water stops on the way and the weather is not extreme.
If/when I venture deeper into the hills or into an area I don’t know then I’ll take more kit. Though even then, I prefer to keep things relatively minimal.
Speaking of terrain, descended the Llairig Ghru path towards Aviemore today, I'm not sure how many times I'd have to run that before I got bored, but it'd be a lot
Er, go to a sports shop and buy a pair that fit. Pick ones with off road tread and weather proof.
IME. Adidas are narrow and small for their size and Nike are average width and are half a size too big in my experience.
Er, go to a sports shop and buy a pair that fit. Pick ones with off road tread and weather proof.
IME. Adidas are narrow and small for their size and Nike are average width and are half a size too big in my experience.
If it's off the beaten track and a hot day or if you have serious health issues then I understand the phone, jacket and a water bottle .. but no idea why you'd need those if your just covering some local roads/lanes.
Yeah, most of the runners around here stick to the flat cycle path along the seafront. The numbers dwindle as soon as you head onto the lumpier tracks around the cliffs and I'll see absolutely no-one if I head into the hills. So, I may be being unfair to the runners on the seafront, but I suspect that most of them are running the 10k route or a lesser distance, while wearing their 5L of luggage capacity. At least if they fall in the sea they'll already have a lifejacket on. 😀
For your first pair, go to a shop... for your second pair buy the same online in a sale
Definitely recommend this. It's really good to be able to try on a few different pairs back to back on a treadmill. You may find one pair reasonably comfy, and which if you'd ordered online may have been tempted to stick with, but trying them next to another pair you realise there can be subtle differences that mean others are much better.
