I have owned many, many pairs of running shoes. Most pairs I did not like. They feel great in the store and while running through clothes racks and around customers but once I lace them up and hit the street I hate every step. I tell myself that it's a break in period, that every shoe has a few bad miles in the right away, but most of the time I never feel good in them. To be frank, there are very few shoes I have ever actually enjoyed running in.
It is true that a new shoe will not feel 100% right away. They will give you sore spots and blisters, they will fall funny or have an odd bounce for the first 30 miles and you won't really know what to make of them. After the leather, rubber and nylon have all worn in a bit, fitting your feet better, you will have a better understanding of the shoe. There will come a point where once it goes onto your foot it will be there for protection and nothing more. It will be to you as your favorite pair of jeans, just something to cover your nakedness. A good shoe should give you nothing more than does a good pair of socks.
A pair of shoes should not slip around underneath you. There shouldn't be any extra movement from your foot; you shouldn't slide around in the heal, arch or toe box. All of these things point to an ill fitting shoe.
Most people buy a size similar to their daily shoes, something thats comfortable to wear at work and around the house. A running shoe is different. A running shoe must perform better, must fit better and above all it must be the right size. Something too big will cause serious irritation to you skin and cause burns or your feet will slide around and smash into the front or sides causing damage to your bones and nails. A shoe too small with cramp your feet, reduce blood circulation and bind against your skin causing strange pressure points. Check our your preferred size first but don't be surprised if you go a size smaller. In everyday life I wear a 9-9.5, all much preferred running shoes have been 8.5.
Is there a Secret?
Try a lot of shoes.
Most big time running stores will have a very large selection to choose from, a daunting challenge for anyone. You'll stare up a a wall covered in color and brand names and have no idea where to start. Your best friend in a time like this is an experienced sales person.
Every person needs a different shoes and many times it turns out not to be what you expected. A trained sales person will be able to watch you walk, jump and even a few paces running to help point you int he right direction. But thats just a suggestion. There is no way anyone else will know how it feels to run on your feet. Try on everything, even ugly shoes. Try on things from the super high-end to the cheapest thing on the wall. Take a stroll through the isles in a pair of minimalist shoes and a pair of super supportive old-man shoes. You never know which one will strike your fancy.
Don't feel awkward for being a needy customer. A good sales person understand the importance here and the fact that they ARE knowledgeable and selling shoes at a running store means they care about the product. Spend some good time just putting on shoes. Ask a lot of questions; talk about your running style/distance/goals/expectations and past shoe problems. The more info you give the better chance you are at getting what you need.
Next, buy two pairs. If you're going to be serious about this then you're going to need something good. It doesn't make any sense to buy one when you could buy two, plan on spending $120-200 on day one. The good news is most running stores have a return policy, find out what that is. Many times it will pertain to where the shoes were worn, not how long. If you can take them to a track or indoor running for a day or two that will give you a better side by side with a couple pairs than just walking in a store.
After you've found the perfect shoe buy a second, or third, pair. You never know when you'll need a new pair and you can't be sure they will still be in production when you'll want them. Something I have struggled with in the past is switching shoes every season, or mid-season, and having to break in a new pair or learn a new style because unfortunately when you switch brands or styles you will starting this whole process over again.
I have run in everything and hated them all the same. From full support Asics to light weight Saucony, they just dont feel right. I was lucky enough to find a shoe I loved, the Puma YuGoRun, unfortunately for me when I discovered this shoe it was already out of production. I have spent a lot of time tracking the right size down on Ebay and online only to be left wanting for a second pair.
There is no magic answer here. I hate running in Nike, Brooks and Asics. I like running in Saucony and Puma. My friends all run in a different brand and style than I do, and thats OK. What works for one person may not work for another, there is no silver bullet here. Just because a shoe is wildly popular in the world does not make it the right shoe for you. Just the same with price, more expensive does not make better. The materials may be better on a $140 pair but that does not mean it will feel as good to your feet as does a $60 pair.
Reading shoe reviews is helpful, to a point. The authors will do their best to help you understand what the shoe is doing, but its hard to make a judgment off words alone. It is a good place to start, if you have run in the past then you can relate to issues or concerns other may have about a shoe, so keep them in mind but don't base your decision off what someone else has said. Especially when buying online. Buying sight-unseen (read: unworn) can be a disaster. You wouldnt buy a car without test-driving, why would you buy shoes that way? Once you have a pair you like for sure buy more online, just be cautious with brand new style or brand.
Why is this so important? I mean, they're just shoes after all.
As cliche as is sounds, in running every step counts. The difference between you getting better and getting tired or hurt comes down to training and shoes. Without either you are left in the cold. Forget about running shirts, shorts, hats and gear, the only thing that truly makes you a better runner is training and if every time you walk out your front door and hate the shoes you're in then every step will suck. Running in bad shoes is like being in a bad mood at work, its really hard to get anything done and you hate everyone around you. Start with the basics, the street and your feet, the rest will fall into place after that. Treat your feet well, get them a great pair or shoes.
Because the right pair of shoes will change your running life.
My Saucony Kinvara, about 75 miles ran
Puma YuGoRun, about 300 miles ran on and off-road
