What sneakers should I get?
September 28, 2007 5:49 PM Subscribe
I need some new sneakers. What should I get?
Mostly I use them for going to the gym. And, occasionally I use them for light hiking and other activities. I've been getting New Balances for years. But I feel like I haven't had this pair very long, and then they wear out in the heel. The plastic starts poking through. In addition I think I may need a wider shoe, because my last two toes have been rubbing lately.
Any suggestions on brand? Places to buy them? Do I need a wider shoe? And I why am I wearing my sneakers out so quickly in the heel.
Mostly I use them for going to the gym. And, occasionally I use them for light hiking and other activities. I've been getting New Balances for years. But I feel like I haven't had this pair very long, and then they wear out in the heel. The plastic starts poking through. In addition I think I may need a wider shoe, because my last two toes have been rubbing lately.
Any suggestions on brand? Places to buy them? Do I need a wider shoe? And I why am I wearing my sneakers out so quickly in the heel.
Some sneakers have a wider toebox than others and still fit nicely in the heel. If you do much walking you would do better to get a walking shoe to wear to the gym than try to use a lightweight training shoe for walking.
Some people really like Rockports and Etonics for walking. You might want to try a pair of those on for size.
posted by msbaby at 6:05 PM on September 28, 2007
Some people really like Rockports and Etonics for walking. You might want to try a pair of those on for size.
posted by msbaby at 6:05 PM on September 28, 2007
Avoid Pumas. Poor arch support.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 6:05 PM on September 28, 2007
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 6:05 PM on September 28, 2007
But I feel like I haven't had this pair very long, and then they wear out in the heel. The plastic starts poking through.
How long have you had them? I get the plastic starting to come through as well on my New Balances but I figure it's just time to get new shoes. The time is pretty dependent on use (obviously) but I've also found it's quite activity dependent. Using the shoes for walking/running wears out that part a lot faster than riding a bike. I've used my current pair of 406s pretty heavily for riding for at least six months and they're holding up so far. Were I doing a lot of running or similar I don't think it's unreasonable to go through a few pair a year.
For fit your best bet is probably to find a local running store and try on a bunch with their input until you find something that works. Take in your old pair so you can show them the wear.
And just in case anyone is here looking for non-exercise sneakers my fav are Airwalks from Payless. The price is right especially if you get the buy one get the second pair half off sale, and they have actual leather in them which might not be so common for the price range. But I would never use them for exercise.
posted by 6550 at 6:32 PM on September 28, 2007
How long have you had them? I get the plastic starting to come through as well on my New Balances but I figure it's just time to get new shoes. The time is pretty dependent on use (obviously) but I've also found it's quite activity dependent. Using the shoes for walking/running wears out that part a lot faster than riding a bike. I've used my current pair of 406s pretty heavily for riding for at least six months and they're holding up so far. Were I doing a lot of running or similar I don't think it's unreasonable to go through a few pair a year.
For fit your best bet is probably to find a local running store and try on a bunch with their input until you find something that works. Take in your old pair so you can show them the wear.
And just in case anyone is here looking for non-exercise sneakers my fav are Airwalks from Payless. The price is right especially if you get the buy one get the second pair half off sale, and they have actual leather in them which might not be so common for the price range. But I would never use them for exercise.
posted by 6550 at 6:32 PM on September 28, 2007
I wouldn't write off NB just for one dud pair. I've not heard about any general fall off in quality lately. I've wron them for years as well, and my only problems have been when I misjudged fit.
That said, they, unlike (many) other brands, regularly make wide sizes, which it sounds like you need. Also, New Balance are manufactured in America, if that makes a difference.
But what do I know? I say, get thee to a running store, a real one, recommended by real runners, and have them see your feet and gait and advise you on these things.
posted by IndigoJones at 6:34 PM on September 28, 2007
That said, they, unlike (many) other brands, regularly make wide sizes, which it sounds like you need. Also, New Balance are manufactured in America, if that makes a difference.
But what do I know? I say, get thee to a running store, a real one, recommended by real runners, and have them see your feet and gait and advise you on these things.
posted by IndigoJones at 6:34 PM on September 28, 2007
New Balance are the best. Love 'em. They fit my feet perfectly and I have a wide foot.
posted by HotPatatta at 6:34 PM on September 28, 2007
posted by HotPatatta at 6:34 PM on September 28, 2007
Response by poster: I can't remember how long I've had them but the thing that gets me is that they look like they're in great condition except for the whole heel thing.
And, my last pair did the same thing. I am wondering if it is how I walk in them or just the fit that is making them wear that way.
posted by hazyspring at 6:49 PM on September 28, 2007
And, my last pair did the same thing. I am wondering if it is how I walk in them or just the fit that is making them wear that way.
posted by hazyspring at 6:49 PM on September 28, 2007
Also, New Balance are manufactured in America, if that makes a difference.
Not all of their shoes are made in the USA. Though I suppose they do more here than their competitors. Your comment struck me as odd because I've been to a New Balance shoe factory in China. ;)
Anyway, New Balance are the only shoes I can reliably find in 4E width. And not just one or two--almost their entirely line. Love 'em.
posted by mullacc at 6:58 PM on September 28, 2007
Not all of their shoes are made in the USA. Though I suppose they do more here than their competitors. Your comment struck me as odd because I've been to a New Balance shoe factory in China. ;)
Anyway, New Balance are the only shoes I can reliably find in 4E width. And not just one or two--almost their entirely line. Love 'em.
posted by mullacc at 6:58 PM on September 28, 2007
New Balance. But not all are created equal. Some are cheap/jsut for show. Buying from a running/sports retailer or website helps considerably. And then Google the hell out of what style you are considering. You will be amazed about how much these shoes get written about. In fact, I still fetishize the classic 851 and pretty much the entire eight-fifty series.
BTW, I began training in them before I left for the Army in '99, and the Army had the same shoe available as one of the boot camp picks! I left the Army, but have kept on running.
posted by humannaire at 7:32 PM on September 28, 2007
BTW, I began training in them before I left for the Army in '99, and the Army had the same shoe available as one of the boot camp picks! I left the Army, but have kept on running.
posted by humannaire at 7:32 PM on September 28, 2007
I had the same problem with new balance. I recently switched to Saucony for every day uses and Easy Spirit brand for work.
posted by Snoogylips at 7:42 PM on September 28, 2007
posted by Snoogylips at 7:42 PM on September 28, 2007
I've had a few pairs of Adidas that have lasted for up to five years without wearing through like that. (I know, running/foot purists would say you should never keep the same pair of tennis/running shoes that long. But I don't run—my activity level is similar to the OP's.)
posted by limeonaire at 8:24 PM on September 28, 2007
posted by limeonaire at 8:24 PM on September 28, 2007
I love Asics. I have high arches and an unusual stride, and when running, walking or hiking my feet always feel good in these.
posted by croutonsupafreak at 9:52 PM on September 28, 2007
posted by croutonsupafreak at 9:52 PM on September 28, 2007
Just remember that you need to replace exercise shoes often anyway to maintain the support they provide your feet, ankles etc. Look up the average millage for work-out or running shoes, and you'll get an idea of how long they should last.
posted by Packy_1962 at 10:06 PM on September 28, 2007
posted by Packy_1962 at 10:06 PM on September 28, 2007
Screw the brand name - go to a really good shoe store and have a professional fit you into the right pair of shoes for you. It's tough to find a store that will really take care of you, but if you ask around (and there very well might be someone from Buffalo here in AskMe who can make the suggestion), you'll stand a much better chance of getting a shoe that will fit - and a shoe that really fits will last longer as well.
posted by mikel at 10:33 PM on September 28, 2007
posted by mikel at 10:33 PM on September 28, 2007
I'd suggest you go to a specialist running shoe store. The staff there will be able to look at your gait and suggest a shoe that'll give you the best fit and support for your foot. You may pay a little more than if you went to a general shoe retailer but you'll get something that fits properly.
posted by essexjan at 11:30 PM on September 28, 2007
posted by essexjan at 11:30 PM on September 28, 2007
Keens. I have narrow heels a wide feet, and they're one of the few shoes that fit. All of the their shoes have a huge toe box, though they only come in medium.
posted by doctor_negative at 1:08 AM on September 29, 2007
posted by doctor_negative at 1:08 AM on September 29, 2007
Addidas - Mine have lasted forever!
posted by mu~ha~ha~ha~har at 4:11 AM on September 29, 2007
posted by mu~ha~ha~ha~har at 4:11 AM on September 29, 2007
Adidas rather.
posted by mu~ha~ha~ha~har at 4:12 AM on September 29, 2007
posted by mu~ha~ha~ha~har at 4:12 AM on September 29, 2007
Response by poster: I am in NJ right now. It looks like there is a specialty running store in Princeton, so I am going to go today.
posted by hazyspring at 5:15 AM on September 29, 2007
posted by hazyspring at 5:15 AM on September 29, 2007
I'm seconding Mikel. Get thee hence to an actual running store with people who know how to run diagnostics on you. Here in Cambridge, MA, we have Marathon Sports; they can glean all sorts of useful information just by watching you run up and down the street a few times. They found me the perfect shoe within five minutes, and I've been walking (and running, and hiking, and biking) on clouds ever since. I would think such a store should exist in Buffalo.
posted by mykescipark at 9:17 AM on September 29, 2007
posted by mykescipark at 9:17 AM on September 29, 2007
Rockports last forever. When I was a Mormon missionary (lots of walking) my companion wore a pair out from the inside. Also, almost any shoe will be dramatically improved by using Superfeet, expensive, great inserts.
posted by craniac at 9:37 AM on September 29, 2007
posted by craniac at 9:37 AM on September 29, 2007
Response by poster: Ok, went to a running store in Princeton. Turns out I have a high arch and need wide toe beds. Ended up getting asics after trying on about 4 pairs. Thanks for the advice here. Also, the heel has much more cushion than my old pair of New Balances.
posted by hazyspring at 10:10 AM on September 29, 2007
posted by hazyspring at 10:10 AM on September 29, 2007
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by fire&wings at 5:54 PM on September 28, 2007