UKC

I've been running a few months and don't do loads, maybe 8 miles a week but my very old running shoes (actually I think they are more indoor racquet sports shoes) are falling to bits and I've had to tape the heel on because it's falling off.

I don't want to spend loads on shoes because I don't do enough running to justify it but I don't want to knacker my knees either. I mostly run on the road on fairly hilly routes. My feet are fairly wide.

My budget is about 50 pounds.

Can anyone recommend some decent men's shoes at that price? I just want something that won't knacker me and won't fall to bits.

I'm a bit lost as to what shoes are decent and what aren't. I perused Sports Direct because I though it would be cheap but 90% of their shoes were Karrimor ones and I know they own Karrimor and I wasn't convinced by the quality nor the supposed discounts.

I've looked online at some specialist running shops but the shoes seem to be 80 pound plus which is too much for me to spend when I really don't run that much.

I'm based near Penrith but I also get into Leeds reasonably regularly. So somewhere to try on some shoes near either of those places would be good.

In reply to MeMeMe:

New Balance Factory Shop next time you are in Keswick. Just go for a simple neutral shoe with a moderate amount of cushioning. If your squash shoes aren't giving you injuries, a pair of neutral shoes are not likely to cause you any problems. I think NB cater for wider feet.

In reply to MeMeMe:

Better still, they have a shop at Shap.

In reply to MeMeMe:

I have these and they are great (and this is a great price!)

http://www.sportsshoes.com/product/ino102/inov~8-road~x-255-running-shoes/

In reply to The New NickB:

Fantastic, will have a trip down and take a look.

Had thought about trying the various shops in Keswick but it's so busy there I'm not sure I could cope with the shopping experience, Shap looks much more sedate!

In reply to Bjartur i Sumarhus:


They look good but I'd really like to try a pair on before I buy.

In reply to MeMeMe:
What NickB said. Might try Rheged on your way, they have a BMC/MCofS discount and stock some I think. Needlesports or Cotswolds in Keswick as well, discounts there too.

If you find some that feel good with running socks, pay over your budget if you can. The returns on comfortable, good shoes are very difficult to price anyway and depends on how long you live. You may actually run more than you think in future, especially if you have so far been running in the shoes you describe.

Look for something with a more solid sole if road running, not too knobbly, plenty of cushioning and a heel that is firm. If the salesperson starts confirming everything you say, even what colours are great, stop listening.

If the shoe feels a bit big in volume (Salomon run large) but the length is fine, try a thicker footbed. Take a footbed with you from home that fits perfect and put it next to the one in the shoe that you find in the shop. I think a finger's space at the front is good for me, other's might differ etc. Ignore the numbers around your usual size, just go by individual feel of the shoe, as they vary anyway in their estimation.

Jon

Edit: If you think it is going to be busy, try getting to Keswick early or go when the five day forecast is sh*te. There's a new cafe on the bridge near the bike shop that's supposed to be good as well (now that the Pedlar is no more). Shame you missed the running shops that used to be in K and Ambleside, they couldn't compete with the internet in the end.

In reply to Dorq:


In contrast, when I asked a sales person why all off-road shoes are in such awful colours, and he agreed that they were, I warmed to him.

In reply to mbh:


That's funny.

Try this next: contradict yourself after a few minutes and watch the salesperson do the same in agreement.

In reply to The New NickB:

Got a pair of shoes from the New Balance shop at Shap.

Great shop, lot of shoes and good discounts!
Feel much better giving them my trade instead of Sports Direct!