What are some of the best and worse running shoes you have used?

2019-04-25T08:46:07-04:00

Recently I've been asked by some of my soldiers about advice on running shoes. I personally have a very limited scope of experience with running shoes because once I find something that works for me I tend not to sway from it unless the model is discontinued or quality drops in manufacturing. However, we all know what works for one might not work for another. Especially with some runners who pronate or supinate their feet as they run.

I'm looking for collective advice on what has and hasn't worked both brand wise for shoes and insoles you may have used. What was good? What was bad? And what should be avoided at all cost?

My go to advice for my soldiers is to visit a store that specializes in running shoes such as "Fleet Feet" but I would like to be able to give a broader range of advice.

Advice from long distance runners and high volume runners would also be appreciated as well as any advice from S.O.F. community members!

Thanks All!

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2019 8:52 AM

2019-04-25T08:52:50-04:00

I like Under Armore and Nike shoes, but those are the best for my type of feet and the amount of running I do. I would recommend your Soldier to get with Podiatrist (foot doctor) are your installation for professional advice.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2019 9:01 AM

2019-04-25T09:01:11-04:00

I'm a fan of On Shoes, Brooks, and Saucony. The key really is understanding what level of stability and cushion you need though. The best way to find this is by going to a run specialty store and getting a customized consultation while trying on various shoes

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Apr 25 at 2019 9:04 AM

2019-04-25T09:04:28-04:00

So far the best shoes I've had are New Balance.

Response by LTC Jeff Shearer made Apr 25 at 2019 9:12 AM

2019-04-25T09:12:55-04:00

Cory great question, however, as is the case in life I think many variables go into the answer. Me personally I love Aasics, I also have a pair of New Balance I found on sale and had to have them. I have ran in Nike, Brooks and a million different others but personally prefer an Aasics. Some shoe stores will put you on a tread mill and asses your running gate and make a recommendation. But many things go into that decision, distance, surface of runs i.e. trails/tracks etc... Not to mention body comp and many many more. I guess the simple answer for me is if I am shoeless I will use a banana leaf to cover my feet but based on what has felt great on my feet is the Aasics.

Cory the ugly answer is no damn court shoes, running shoes only, and run, if you have a guy that runs 2 miles a week and blames the pain and discomfort on shoes I would say its possible but... But, the odds are pain and discomfort is from not moving your ass enough.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2019 9:13 AM

2019-04-25T09:13:33-04:00

It sounds like you're already giving them good advice. I always recommend that people start somewhere like Fleet Feet. That way a professional can recommend a shoe type and if it doesn't work out they will typically let you return the shoes and try a different pair. I am personally a big fan of the Mizuno Wave riders. They give me good support and seem to outlast some other brands. But the only way I know I like those more than others is because I've gone through numerous pairs of numerous brands. Through all that running I was able to get a feel for what I like and what I don't. Since every person has different likes and needs, I'm afraid I don't know of a better way to figure it all out except to start running and see where you end up.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2019 9:16 AM

2019-04-25T09:16:33-04:00

At one point I was a pretty avid runner and trail runner. I was even part of the wear test program for New Balance, where they would send prototype shoes, you'd run on them 6-8 weeks, and evaluate them.
In my experience, there isn't really a bad brand, just a bad fit or poor quality materials.
People with gait deficiencies should get a shoe type that matches them. For years my feet and knees hurt because I wore shoes that were made for people who over-pronate. Something like 80% of runners are overpronaters, so it's a common shoe. Wearing the wrong type of shoe can mean wearing a shoe with a sole that's too firm or too flexible. That will lead to strained or sore achilles or shin splints. Wearing a shoe that doesn't allow you to pronate correctly can lead to all kinds of knee if you over pronate, and IT band syndrome if you under pronate.
The other advice I took that helped was never buy a shoe worth less than $100. You can get some good quality shoes on discount at the online outlet shops that sell last quarter's model. But, shoes that cost under that $100 mark are usually made with inferior materials that wear out quicker or are less comfortable.
The single most important thing is fit of the shoe. People should get their feet measured in a Brannock device, both feet, to know the correct size and width. Then know whether the model of shoe you are wearing runs true to size, small or large. In all the shoes I wear-tested, the worst pair I ever wore was a set that ran half a size too small. I barely made it two miles before one foot went numb and a toe started bleeding. People frequently have mismatching sizes in feet as well, so it's important to actually put the shoes on and run around the store a few times before buying them.
Certain brands run large or small as a rule. Nike almost always run thin. Altra have a really wide toe box.
My personal favorite shoes are New Balance because they make the most models in additional widths. Most shoe companies only make a standard width, but I have a 4E extra wide foot, so for me to wear a normal width shoe, I would have to go up 3-4 sizes. NB is one of the very few to offer 4E shoes at all and the company that offers the most models in extra wide widths.

Response by SGT Chris Stephens made Apr 25 at 2019 9:18 AM

2019-04-25T09:18:38-04:00

I'm a track and cross-country coach. This is actually a question I address with my runners at the beginning of every season. Your advice to Soldiers about going to a place like Fleet Feet is the best advice. Everyone's foot is different. Fleet Feet does more than just have you try on shoes. They watch you walk, they take the measurements of your foot and they look at your arch, among other things. Based on the data they collect from that, they'll a few pairs of shoes that they feel will work the most for you. Going into a store saying that I only wear a certain brand of shoes is actually not a healthy one. Every shoe every company makes is different.

For instance, the difference between a Nike Zoom and Nike Flyknit are very different for me, even though they're both labeled distance running shoes. They're shaped differently and due to the fact that I have a high arch, the Nike Zoom is actually better for my foot. The same across other companies. When it comes to my running shoe, I don't look for the cheapest shoe available. I look for the one that will be the best for my foot.

Also, I know a lot of Soldiers who keep the same pair of shoes for a year or two, some even longer. For the military, at a minimum, you should be changing out your running shoes every six months, assuming all you use them for is PT, running and work in the gym. They should never be your every day shoes. You should have another pair specifically for that. As a running coach, I actually have my runners have two sets of practice shoes and a pair of spikes for racing. They alternate their practice shoes depending on the surface that we're doing our workout on.

Hope this information helps. If you have any other questions, please let me know.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Apr 25 at 2019 9:33 AM

2019-04-25T09:33:18-04:00

Anything with a Nike Swoosh. Instep is in the wrong place. Narrow. Generally uncomfortable.

Hokas were supposed to be great, but they wear and fit like Nikes.

I have had hit or miss luck with NB. Worst service I got was in their corporate flagship store in Boston. Sales staff had no idea how to fit them and which ones worked for which feet types. I explained what I needed. Direct quote: "we have blue ones, do you want those?" Better luck using the AAFES classification system and doing it myself.

I used to have good luck with Asics, but it was also hit or miss.

Response by CWO3 Randy Weston made Apr 25 at 2019 10:03 AM

2019-04-25T10:03:52-04:00

Having been a runner for the better part of 40+ years and currently 61 running over 30 miles per week, the advice given above to go to a quality running store and get a professional opinion if your soldiers have no idea what to look for, is the best way to go. You can look at the wear pattern on your shoes and get an idea as to any issues that need to be addressed such as pronation, supination, etc. Most shoe companies will have specifics as to the benefits of each model.

Personally, I have tried Nike, NB, and Asics. Nike and NB (several models each) gave me shin splints. The Asics were decent and if I had to, would run on them, but my go to shoe has been and at this point always will be Saucony. I need a super cushion type shoe and Saucony fulfills this need well. Not all models work. Price has also been brought up and unfortunately, for good shoes you are going to pay a premium, any manufacturer. I have found that if you buy from the online factory sites, you can get last seasons shoe for 30 to 40% off.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Apr 25 at 2019 10:18 AM

2019-04-25T10:18:40-04:00

I think your advice is on target. When I started running some serious mileage a week, I started getting shin splints. I had an co-worker that was a serious distance runner, so I asked him about it and he said it was most likely my shoes and made the same suggestion, hit one of the running shoe specialist. I over pronate, which I knew before hand, but they set me up with some shoes that dealt with that issue and my shin splints went away. You will probably still go through a couple of pair before you find that certain ONE, but it's a big head start to get professional advice.

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Apr 25 at 2019 10:43 AM

2019-04-25T10:43:49-04:00

Every show should be personal to every runner. Go see a professional and not asking a forum for advice. Gait, weight, body type all has something to do with it. You may pay more but in the long run you will be glad you did

Response by SFC Quinn Chastant made Apr 25 at 2019 11:48 AM

2019-04-25T11:48:57-04:00

I've used several different shoes over the years and the one constant for when I was running my peak miles during the years I was marathon training and running was the foot bed I used. I have a fallen arch and was provided a custom orthotic by the VA. Working with a specialist in footwear for diabetics to ultramarathoners as well as a maker of custom orthotics, I was introduced to superfeet insoles. but not the common ones you can buy off the shelf. These are semi custom. the heel counter is custom formed and the entire orthotic is then molded to the foot shape. So while, I may say Brooks, Saucony, New Balance, et al, are a good choices. I can say that the insoles will make a greater difference to the individual. I completed 3 Marine Corps Marathons and maybe another 6 half marathons after age 50 before ending competitive running.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2019 1:46 PM

2019-04-25T13:46:19-04:00

I currently like my saucony shoes. I am recovering from a broken leg and needed a good sturdy trainer while I learned how to walk again. I caution against people going with a particular brand name just because of the name recognition. I also caution against any particular style that may be popular due to current endorsement efforts. Everyone has different feet and different running styles, and that can translate across different manufacturers. Adidas for one, Nike for another..the best bet is to go to a place that measures your feet, your gait, balance distribution, and so on to get the best metrics needed to find the right shoe.

Perhaps one of the biggest mistakes I have found with runners is not paying attention to your shoe life. Most recreational runners should get new shoes after about 300 miles; less if you use minimalist shoes. This translates to about 15-20 weeks for most Soldiers. (When I was active, we only ran about 15 miles a week during unit PT..I imagine more high speed units put in more miles). 15-20 weeks is 5 months, I know people who continue to use shoes well after a year and don't get new ones until the soles are falling off.

Personally I think proper shoe replacement intervals is more important than which brand you get. The major manufacturers all look each other closely and end up coming fairly close to each other with the current technology.

One last point, running shoes are for running. If these are also being used as everyday footwear off duty, it shortens the life as well as puts a different kind of wear stress on the shoe. People should get some other kind of casual style for everyday, non-athletic use and leave the running shoes under the bed until PT.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2019 2:09 PM

2019-04-25T14:09:21-04:00

Brooks are by far the best I’ve worn. Also, find a actual running company and go to. I use to have lower back pain when I ran. Someone took me to Manhattan running company when I was at Riley and they laser measure your bar feet to see your arches then make you run on a treadmill an video you super slow motion to show you if you pronate or anything else. Then they show you shoes that fit your body and running style. Changed my whole run outlook... worst have been Nike’s.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Apr 25 at 2019 4:15 PM

2019-04-25T16:15:41-04:00

New Balance and Brooks brands have been great for me for runs. I run in the 2-4 mile range at a time, so not all that far.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2019 6:35 PM

2019-04-25T18:35:03-04:00

I currently run in Hoka. Before Hoka, I ran in Brooks. I like Brooks shoes, but the shoe store had a spat with the Brooks manufacturer and stopped carrying the shoe. Hoka is a relatively newer show manufacturer. Hoka's have a two inch cushion in the sole. Helps takes some of the stress of knees, back, and neck.

Some of the retailers have mentioned to me that Nike's shoes are made for individuals with thinner feet. I cannot speak to the accuracy of the comment, thought it was interesting information to pass along. I suggest asking for a gait test and foot measurement at the local specialty running shop.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2019 7:37 PM

2019-04-28T19:37:45-04:00

If you want good running shoes you are going to pay for them. First, the person needs to know what kind of runner they are. I have a hard heel strike and I am bigger than your average runner. So I look for stability shoes. By knowing that you can go to a running store like Fleet Feet. Let them tell you what they think would work. I am a fan of their store and have been there a couple times. If a person is a novice at it then they should really learn more about running and trying to go to a running store.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2022 10:10 AM

2022-02-17T10:10:18-05:00

I love Brooks Ghost series but I had really good ASICS (Nimbus 23) being my last pair and I was not happy with it. New Balance some models are awesome but lately the quality is very deceiving. To me Nike is the worst...I still need to try Newton, ON and ALTRA...