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running shoes

A question I get asked quite often about running is how to choose running shoes.


I'm no expert.  I went to Fleet Feet several years ago and got fit.  They watched me run on the treadmill to determine if I naturally over pronated or under pronated.  I was one of those, but can't remember which right now.  Then they started pulling shoes out for me to try out.  They have a mini strip of track once I tried on the shoes, they watched me run on the track and determined if the shoes did what they were supposed to do.
I haven't had any problems with my shoes so I keep going back and buying the same style.  Yes, there are lots of different versions and they usually make changes with every version. Some runners are so nervous that they will change their shoe so when they find one they really like they stock up.  (Think 10 pairs.  Now take a second to think how expensive that would be.  I do not do that.)
Sometimes I can feel the changes they make to my shoe.  Sometimes I can't.  
I know they give you a recommendation for how many miles to put on your shoes and I know this is bad, but honestly, I go over (way over) every pair.  I can always tell when it's time for a new pair and try to get to the store as soon as possible.


If the price of shoes has you down and you've already figured out what shoes work for you consider ordering them online.  I've never done this, but heard about runningwarehouse.com where you can save up to 50% off retail prices.  I've also heard on Google shopping you can save as much as 2/3 off.
With that said.  Don't hold back on investing in running shoes.  Think how many hundreds of miles you are going to put on those shoes.  Versus the very limited number of miles you will put on those fancy/fad shoes that are the same price.  Get what makes your feet and body happy.


Right now barefoot running or minimalist shoes are the thing.  I think what started this is the book Born to Run.  I loved that book (I think it helped me a lot with my form).  In the book they talk about a tribe that runs barefoot.  Because they've always run barefoot.  That's what they are used to.
Before diving into the barefoot trend I would take your time easing into it.  If you are really serious about the minimalist running shoe, there are lots of options that can help you ease into it.  There's the Brooks PureProject or Saucony Mirage, among many others. Here's a short article from REI, which breezes through the topic.
I've decided this trend isn't for me right now.  Maybe it's for you?  Maybe it will be for me in the future?  You never know.

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