So many shoes, so little time...
Ok, so buying running shoes can be a tricky business. If you are lucky enough to have a great independent running shop nearby then support them. Even if you can’t get to your nearest independent very often then it is well worth an initial visit to get gait analysis (which many shops offer for free or for a small charge which is redeemable against buying a pair of trainers) to figure out what type of shoe will work best for you.
I am an inveterate reader of reviews. I am physically incapable of making any significant purchase without reading reviews. I quickly discovered https://runrepeat.com/ which enables you to access reviews of huge number of shoes with lots of options to filter down by purpose of the shoe. I like to know what experience real life runners have had wearing a shoe. Applying my review reading to trainers has, however, challenged my review reading sensibilities. Trainers, it turns out, are a very personal thing. While I can use review scores to create a shortlist of likely candidates, there really is no substitute for trying a shoe and doing some running in in it before choosing if you want to avoid expensive mistakes. Where could one do such a thing? Yes, that’s right, the treadmill at your local independent running shop!
My go to shoes for road training are currently Hoka Cliftons (I have the mark 4 but the 5 is just out). Had I read reviews before visiting a running shop then the chances are that I would never have brought these shoes as they are definitely not the highest scorers. Hoka seem to be the Marmite of running shoes - people love them or hate them. I have to say that I love them. With the right insoles they have helped me take my running into a new distance bracket. Suffering from a Morton’s Neuroma (a painful nerve condition) in my left foot meant that I used to struggle to run anything more than 10k without experiencing the sensation of running over drawing pins. My trusty Hokas, with their marshmallowy cushioning, have enabled me to move up into half marathon distances without pain. For me they are truly the holy grail of shoe but if I had read reviews beforehand I may never have chosen them.
So, go independent and go with your gut for what works for you.
I am an inveterate reader of reviews. I am physically incapable of making any significant purchase without reading reviews. I quickly discovered https://runrepeat.com/ which enables you to access reviews of huge number of shoes with lots of options to filter down by purpose of the shoe. I like to know what experience real life runners have had wearing a shoe. Applying my review reading to trainers has, however, challenged my review reading sensibilities. Trainers, it turns out, are a very personal thing. While I can use review scores to create a shortlist of likely candidates, there really is no substitute for trying a shoe and doing some running in in it before choosing if you want to avoid expensive mistakes. Where could one do such a thing? Yes, that’s right, the treadmill at your local independent running shop!
My go to shoes for road training are currently Hoka Cliftons (I have the mark 4 but the 5 is just out). Had I read reviews before visiting a running shop then the chances are that I would never have brought these shoes as they are definitely not the highest scorers. Hoka seem to be the Marmite of running shoes - people love them or hate them. I have to say that I love them. With the right insoles they have helped me take my running into a new distance bracket. Suffering from a Morton’s Neuroma (a painful nerve condition) in my left foot meant that I used to struggle to run anything more than 10k without experiencing the sensation of running over drawing pins. My trusty Hokas, with their marshmallowy cushioning, have enabled me to move up into half marathon distances without pain. For me they are truly the holy grail of shoe but if I had read reviews beforehand I may never have chosen them.
So, go independent and go with your gut for what works for you.
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