Running/Jogging Shoes Recommendation for someone who's new to Jogging

LBargain bin boy on 02/01/2023 - 22:19

Happy new years everyone!

Its that wonderful time of year to get started on (and fail) getting into shape, and i've realized i've never actually used runners to do so (using hiking boots). I've decided to ask for help from my peers (and betters) by asking the Ozbargain users what they find works best.

I've been to a few stores (Kmart, BigW, Footlocker and a local shoe store) but i've found only cheap and nasty shoes for $20-$40 that clearly won't last more than a couple of months of use, or $150-$250 branded shoes that don't look or feel much better. I'm a 125kg lumpen oaf who's currently doing three 40 minute jogs a week after recovering from a badly broken leg/ankle last year, so its been a slow return to jogging, and would probably use the runners as everyday shoes, as my current pair of hiking shoes i wear everyday are on their last legs. what have you found is the sweet spot of price/quality? should i cycle through cheap and nasty runners that i destroy, or spend a quarter of a grand on some branded shoe that will hopefully last for a year or more.

TLDR: wanting to buy my first pair of runners, whats the best runners you've found for their price point?

Sports & Outdoors Footwear Running Shoes

Comments

  • ShortyX on 02/01/2023 - 22:46
    +5

    Someone's recommendation might not be the best for you so it'd be worth going to a podiatrist (or if on a budget, try Athlete's Foot) and find out what type of shoe you need. You need to check sizing, how much support you need, how much cushioning, and the type of surfaces you're running on.

    For me, I needed slight support before breaking my foot so went with Brooks Ravenna or Mizuno Inspire. Since breaking my foot, I've gone with Asics Kayanos.

    And be sure to use running apps to track the distance of the shoes - they may need replacing after 300-500km.

    All the best!

    • avoidfullprice on 03/01/2023 - 01:10
      +1

      Second somewhere like atheletes foot, especially with a recovered broken ankle

    • Gunnar on 03/01/2023 - 08:44

      This!!

      Each person’s feet and gait are different so what is good for you may not be good for someone else.

  • wab on 02/01/2023 - 22:56
    -1

    I'd recommend a pair of Ultraboosts 19 - 21. Avoid 22, terrible fit. Should be able to grab a pair for around $100

  • iforgotmysocks on 02/01/2023 - 23:09

    I am not as quite as heavy (105-110 kg) but have a heavy foot.

    The Nike air structure series are a good shoe for me (23 onwards are similar), pretty comfortable and supportive/stable. Around $130-150

  • randomusername2017 on 02/01/2023 - 23:50

    Skechers

    Often on sale too..

  • wal990 on 03/01/2023 - 05:53
    +3

    kayanos, use cheap jogger u pay with your joints

  • scotty on 03/01/2023 - 08:18
    +4

    Check your pronation. You can go to a footwear shop and ask for recommendation (those that get you to run on a treadmill). Or look at your existing running shoes to check out the wear pattern on the outsole. If there's more wear on the medial side of the sole, then you might be overpronated. At 125kg there's a possibility that you might overpronate & need support/stability shoes.

    If you do need stability shoes, then do not go with Ultraboost. Boost foam might be too soft and you'll end up hurt your ankle. Nike Structure as suggested by iforgotmysocks would be more suitable (although wearing socks is also recommended).

    There are stability shoes from other brands as well. For example,

    • New Balance 860 / Fresh Foam Vongo
    • Saucony Guide
    • Asics Gel-Kayano / GT-1000 / GT-2000
    • etc

    Go to a shoe shop & try them on. Pick the ones you like, and then wait for bargains. One of my kids has slight over-pronation and she quite likes Asics GT-1000, but found New Balance Vongo too rigid. Your mileage might vary.

    • iforgotmysocks on 05/01/2023 - 14:23

      Nike Structure as suggested by iforgotmysocks would be more suitable (although wearing socks is also recommended).

      Can you still wear them if, say, you have forgotten to bring your socks? Asking for a friend.

  • NewbiefromVic on 03/01/2023 - 08:21
    +1

    Speaking from experience, and as stated by many of the others, spend more (at least on the 1st time) if you can.

    It will help you to avoid short or long term injuries that could hamper your training efforts and allow you to perform better and be more motivated to keep training

    I'd suggest visiting shops where they have a set up that allows them to monitor your running posture / gait / stance and make recommendations on shoe type / fit. If you have pronation or other issues, this is very important because it keeps your ankles and knees healthy.

    Cheers

  • Rkel403 on 03/01/2023 - 09:19
    +1

    Look into Hoka - they are expensive and ugly as sin but very supportive, you won’t be getting any phone numbers while out jogging with these bad boys. They have a wide range depending on pronation and support required. Go see a podiatrist or physio at a minimum.
    At 125kg and a recovering from an ankle injury, running is going to be the hardest most wearing exercise on joints. Every heel strike puts 3-4 times your body weight through your ankle joint.
    Having gone through a serious ankle injury a few years back and feeling the effects everyday since my best advice is to supplement your jogging program with some weight training. Not 5 mins of pushups at the end of a run, dedicated workouts. Build up leg strength to make your muscles take some of the load that your joints are carrying.

    • Madfrega on 06/01/2023 - 16:56

      Not sure how much of a Hoka guru you are but i am strongly considering them. I normally get the Brooks Ghost model but have read that the Hoka Clifton's are quite similar. I have a bit of a wider foot than normal but dont buy a wider size in brooks. Any thoughts?

      • Rkel403 on 24/01/2023 - 09:55

        I haven’t tried the Clifton’s. When I was fitted for hoka one one I also tried Brookes Ghost and I was a wide fit in that one also. Not sure if that helps. Best advice is to try them on in store, if you are in Melbourne I found the people at The Running Company quite helpful and knowledgeable. I was incorrectly buying normal width shoes for years because I knew no better and they felt nice and snug when I tried them on.

  • Detective fishlips on 03/01/2023 - 10:00

    Recovering from a serious injury I would highly recommend going to a podiatrist to get the once over. There are a thousand different running shoes out there and everyone likes something different in their shoe. As interesting as the Athletes Foot MyFit 3D is it's only as good as the user using it, and I don't have a lot of faith in the casuals running it.

    If you've got some weird feet (like mine) some orthotics can change your life, literally.

  • Euphemistic on 03/01/2023 - 12:09

    At least get your first pair properly fitted from a specialist shop, and be wary of the experience of the staff member. Spending a little more now will set you up to keep running.

    DO NOT get cheap and nasty running shoes if you are going to be doing more than a short jog once a month.

    Getting someone else’s recommended shoe might not work for YOUR feet.

    Once you’ve set yourself up with a decent run I no shoe, then you can look online for the replacement.

    And keep up the running. Look for Park Run in your local area, 5km timed free event on saturdays. Usually a good friendly crowd happy to see people turn up and have a go, it’s not about racing just being active. plenty of people walk it. It also gives you some motivation to turn up at a specific time ready to run.

  • koplik8 on 03/01/2023 - 13:06

    I go to Athletes Foot to get properly fitted. For something like running I'd stick with Asics. If you are worried about the cost the back to school sales usually start sometime in January

  • Pelicannn on 03/01/2023 - 13:25

    +1 to Athletes foot. They will fit your foot properly and you can use they shoes for 30 days, if they don’t fit you or you get sore feet come back and they will try another shoe.

  • p1 ama on 03/01/2023 - 13:52

    recovering from a badly broken leg/ankle last year

    Sounds like you need professional medical advice, not from a bargain forum. You can probably start with your GP who will understand the basic requirements you'll need in a running shoe or at least be able to refer you to a specialist who can give you more detailed advice. This will need to tie in with your ongoing recovery and other medical requirements.

  • GardenGnome on 03/01/2023 - 13:53

    If you buy Asics try and get .5 size bigger. I've found Asics shoes to be tight compared to other brands.

    Where you may get away with a 10 when buying Adidas or Nike with Asics you need a little bit of extra room like a 10.5.

  • Yizzur on 06/01/2023 - 16:24

    Speaking from experience as both as a runner of, shall we say generous proportions with shot knees, and a long stint selling running shoes and other technical gear most of the advice here is spot on.

    I will say that Athlete's Foot is a good bet but do take their advice with a grain of salt. Some staff are well trained and genuinely care, others will use it as an opprtunity to flog a pricey pair of kayanos and call it a day.

    You get what you pay for up to a certain point, and if you don't mind last season's colours you can often pick up a bargain this time of year, especially at outlets.

    Try on as many as possible as everyone's foot and gait is unique. Advice is good, but remember that what works for others is not always best for you.

    Some of my favourites over the past few years have been:

    New Balance Zante
    Allbirds Tree Flyer
    The North Face Hayasa (now called the ultra cardiac or something like that)

    All fairly neutral in terms of support, well cushioned, and with broad landing surfaces.

  • Nos 4r2 on 11/01/2023 - 10:17

    Nike Pegasus. You can generally pick up last years models for around $100 online and are great value at that price.

    The Pegasus is Nike's central running shoe. All Nike's other runners are variations of the Pegasus to suit specific needs of runners (more/less stability, more/less support, more/less cushioning, etc). I have tried a number of runners from different brands but I have been coming back to Nike Pegasus shoes for around 17 years. My weight has been up and down a lot over the years and I've trained in them when I was ~70kg, ~90kg and ~110kg so have a bit of experience in them at different stages of fitness.

    The ones from the 2010's had a wider sole, which was good for stability and I used them at footy training when we weren't allowed to wear boots.

    Today's Pegasus have a narrower sole, a higher platform and a lot more cushioning. I have tried the new Nike Vomeros recently which are supposed to be the more cushioned, more premium, more expensive version of the Pegasus as it uses Nikes more expensive and softer sole compound. But for some reason the Pegasus actually feels softer and imo better, I actualy wore each shoe side by side and the Pegasus were much more comfortable to me.

    If you are mostly running/training in straight lines its like running on a cloud. But to be honest the higher platform on the more recent Pegasus models makes them feel a little less stable than their predecessors. If a lot of pivoting is involved, like using them for footy training for example, I would probably pick something with a wider base and lower sole height.

    Aside from that, they are also a very comfortable and good looking everyday shoe too I use them often as part of a casual outfit.

    This vid here gives you a really good overview of Nikes runner line up, the differences between each of them and what each shoe to aimed towards - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0hWqyBIBRg. That guy does the same videos for other brands as well and well worth the look.

  • kiwiyonip on 02/02/2023 - 09:10
    -1

    I wouldn't spend too much on a running shoes, just go to KMART and buy one of those $30 pair, they're great, and gets the job done. Buying branded shoes like Nike, you're just paying for the name, the comfort is similar to those cheap ones at Kmart, plus you can replace as often as you want but they last very long.

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