October 1, 2008 2:06 PM
Best athletic shoe for women
Rerunning this from last year:
When I decided to get serious about my exercise, I wanted to find the best shoe - within my budget - to protect my feet, ankles, knees and legs. I'd been wearing a pair of primeval athletic shoes and I could see that better technology was available. since I was eating and costing less I felt like I deserved it. Still, I didn't want to go overboard.But what a confusing realm to enter nowadays. Back in the 70s when I actually ran 5 miles a day, running shoes were not the blend of technology and art that they are today. How to separate the hype and end up with a pair of shoes that would enhance my efforts?
I did what I do so much of the time - headed for Amazon to research brands, prices, and especially customer reviews. These days I do that with almost everything I buy. For years I used Consumer Reports, but I've found the Amazon reviews to really be most helpful.
I decided to give these a try:
Amazon's price was very good plus free shipping and no tax. Plus, they come in lots of colors.
I've had my shoes for six months and am AMAZED at what a difference it makes in my walking each day. Both my still-at-home daughters Sophia and Maddy have since ordered them - they're available in different colors and are very very happy with them too.
I'm posting this because I know many of you are, like me, turning over new leaves and deciding to be better stewards with your bodies. Some of you are dieting and some may be exercising for the first time in a long time. I went many years without doing much because - let's face it - when you're fat it's not that much fun to do stuff. Now that I'm down to size 10 (can you believe it?), I can say it is a wonderful feeling to MOVE.
And I have the confidence of knowing I'll be around a while longer for my kids.
Ooops, I got distracted :)
My main point here was that if anyone out there, like me, needed to buy new shoes and didn't know where to start, here's what worked for me.
Since I wrote this, my sons - who tend to run five miles a day - have gotten ASICS too, maing us an ASICS Family.
And Kohl's is carrying the ASICS line too.
Posted in Practical Info | Permalink
Comments
Just a note - I tried that brand, but they don't fit my feet. It would be good for people to check them out in person before buying them. It is worth a little extra money on good shoes to not end up w/ dr. bills.
Posted by: beccy | October 1, 2008 2:48 PM
Oh Amazon, how I heart thee. It's the first place I go for reviews as well.
Posted by: Stretch Mark Mama | October 1, 2008 3:26 PM
Echoing beccy's point - it's critically important to have shoes that fit your foot and support your running/walking correctly. I wore the wrong type of shoe for years and suffered stress fractures, tendinitis, and other such aches that made me think running wasn't for me. After a few years I tried again, with a pair that FIT, and have run w/o injury for four years now - including four seasons of triathons and a half-marathon. Check running magazine websites for info on how to fit yourself, or go to a specialty shoe store for advice.
Posted by: Joy | October 1, 2008 9:31 PM
I love asics. I played volleyball in highschool and college and tried pretty much every shoe out there. I loved asics because they're so lightweight, yet supportive. Now, I wore their very specific volleyball shoe not a cross-trainer, but I have nothing but good things to say about them.
Posted by: lauren | October 1, 2008 11:29 PM
My hubby and I both like the New Balance brand of shoes. They carry them at Kohls, and they're the only brand that seem to fit both our feet correctly. My husband is a size 13 shoe, and I'm a size 6.5 wide- neither are easy sizes to find. They cost a little bit more, but we wait until the % off coupons come and get them then.
Posted by: Stacy | October 2, 2008 12:54 AM
Who knew that there were so many types of “athletic shoes”! Can someone please tell me what the difference is between “running shoes” and “basketball shoes”?.here i found some interesting info about athletic shoes on shoes.in
Posted by: deepika | October 2, 2008 7:53 AM
Deepika - shoes are "named" based on the support they will provide for the given form of exercise. For instance, basketball shoes will provide more support at the ankles because there is a lot of side-to-side and quick moves. Same thing with aerobic shoes, since there is a lot of jumping and fast movement from side to side. Running shoes, tend to be much lighter in weight and provide support in the toes and balls of the feet.
Someone had mentioned it earlier about going to a specialty store and this is a good idea for your first buy. We have a chain here in the DC Metro area called "Metro run and walk" it used to be called "fleet feet". My husband and my parents have gone there b/c they are able to look at your current shoes (to see how the soles are worn down) and watch you run/walk to see how you pronate (feet turned in/out/flat) and then recommend the best shoe for you. My husbands running pains/blisters lessened when he had the right shoes and when he starts hurting again, he knows it's time to get a new pair of shoes. Because it is also important to remember that athletic shoes do have a life-span depending on how much exercise time they get!
I've been challenging friends and family lately to increase their "steps". Most people have heard that it is recommened to get 10,000 steps a day, but I don't think many people realize how difficult it can be to get to that number. I started wearing a simple pedometer ($15) to get an idea of just how many I walked in a given day. Even with all the running around with kids and all their activities, up and down the stairs doing laundry, gardening, grocery shopping (you get the point), without a specific time set aside for concentrated exercise (I walk), I had a hard time reaching the 10,000 step goal. Now my kids are in on it and asking what my step count is each day, it's great motivation. Hey even my dog is in on it since I found him eating my week old pedometer :( I went out that day and replaced it so that I could stay on track!!
HAPPY WALKING/RUNNING ;)
Posted by: Margaret | October 2, 2008 8:22 AM
Can anyone recommend a shoe for someone with wide feet and VERY high arches? Those arch inserts don't seem to do me any good and since my son was born my feet hurt all the time. I think it's because they're not supported by the shoes I wear.
Athletic and/or dress shoes.
Posted by: Courageous Grace | October 2, 2008 12:52 PM
