The Hell That Is Buying Shoes

[TheRoseLady]

I survived buying athletic shoes today. I just wanted some comfortable shoes to walk in - no running marathons for me. I won't be playing basketball...

I am amazed at the sheer number of factors involved in buying a pair of tennis shoes. Are you running? If so, in town, trail, country, all-terrain? Okay...so should I get Saucony, Brooks, Rykia, Asics, New Balance?

If I were going for regular shoes, I already know what to do with Sebago, SAS, Clark's or Ecco. But athletic shoes....

I settled on a pair from New Balance. I hope they last for a long time - I don't want to think about having to go through this again.

I guess I should have asked here...I'm sure that someone has some knowledge...

So what kind of athletic shoes do you own and why did you choose them?

[OreoElf]

I have big wide feet for a girl... Shoe shoping is a day in hell for me... the wide shoes are never actually wide... though some mens shoes that aren't labeled wide often fit great :)

I know what you mean though... I stick to new balance though my fav walking/working out shoes are my merrells

[Edited on 7-10-2005 by OreoElf]

Nike, running shoes. They are uber light weight, made of mesh, and make me run like lightning.

[SpunGirl]

I adore shopping for shoes.... not necessarily athletic shoes, but whatev. I have a pair of Nike running shoes I wear when I walk or use the elliptical machine. Since I prefer to swim more than anything, those Nikes don't see a lot of road time.

-K

[Brattt8525]

I found New Balance to be a waste, but it depends on what/how much your doing with said shoes. I much prefer Reebok/Nike/Fila for durablilty style and proper support.

[Terminator X]

walk barefoot like the original man

[HarmNone]

I prefer New Balance, as well. However, different people do better in different brands. Those with high arches will find some brands comfortable and others less so. Same goes for people with forms of "eccentric feet". ;)

[SpunGirl]

Eccentric feet, LOL.

-K

[Skirmisher]

New Balance has been my favorite for awhile also.

[AnticorRifling]

Adidas all day every day. They have a nice wide toe box as I find most Nikes to be too narrow. They last a good long time and can take abuse. They are comfortable and I've always liked their style. I also like Brooks they are another comfortable wide shoe.

I am looking at a pair of Nike shoks though because I was told they run alittle wider than the norm for Nike.

[Ravenstorm]

I wore New Balance fot the longest time. But I started to get shin splints on the treadmill and that meant I needed new sneakers. I now have the best sneakers I've ever had.

Reebok Walk DMX Max. They're fantastic.

Raven

edited to add for Anticor's sake:

I also know the problem of getting a sufficiently big sneaker. I take a 12 4E

[Edited on 7-10-2005 by Ravenstorm]

[4a6c1]

The only type of shoes I actually enjoy shopping for is athletic shoes. Which is a bad thing sometimes. I always end up spending too much on them. Or buying something just because it was pretty that I really dont need. And so begins the love affair (fixation, really) between me and my new shoes. For weeks afterwards I just stare at them lovingly. And then months afterwards I start planning hiking holidays (that will never happen) for which to use my new hiking shoes (that will probably never get used).

Anyways.

Nike Air Zoom is my fav. :heart:

[Tsa`ah]

Originally posted by AnticorRifling
Adidas all day every day. They have a nice wide toe box as I find most Nikes to be too narrow. They last a good long time and can take abuse. They are comfortable and I've always liked their style. I also like Brooks they are another comfortable wide shoe.

I am looking at a pair of Nike shoks though because I was told they run alittle wider than the norm for Nike.

I have one pair of Nikes that I rarely wear. My experience has been pretty much the same ... too fucking narrow. Not to mention I get more miles and better wear from Adidas and Brooks. Every pair of Nikes I've ever owned either seperates between the tread and the sole, or the sole from the top.

I must say that I find it baffling that a woman has more trouble buying an athletic shoe than she does any other.

I just log onto eastland, browse, buy. Buying something that isn't a work or athletic shoe is like fucking torture.

[Chadj]

Nike cross trainers worked well for me. I've had them for over a year, and I use them for pretty much everything, and they're still in great condition (except the smell).

[isebumples]

I buy a pair of Adidas once a year, and wear them the entire time, unless I have a job that requires dress shoes, and then I'll still wear them if they don't notice that I am. I've been repeating this cycle for the past seven years.

-Bumple's player

Originally posted by Chadj
Nike cross trainers worked well for me. I've had them for over a year, and I use them for pretty much everything, and they're still in great condition (except the smell).

If you do a lot of running cross trainers will fuck up your knees.

Gotta stick to the running shoes and change them every 6months

[Nieninque]

Vans for normal wear
Umbro for sports. Often wear adidas for sports.

Wont ever buy Nike until they stop using children in sweat shops in Indonesia to make their goods.

[theotherjohn]

From being in the army and the running that I do, I have found that asics gel works best for me

[TheRoseLady]

Originally posted by Tsa`ah
I must say that I find it baffling that a woman has more trouble buying an athletic shoe than she does any other.


I think it's all about experience. I have purchased pumps, flats, birkenstocks, comfort walking shoes, even shoes to match my wedding dress. I just don't buy athletic shoes often, and picking out those which are best suited for me requires serious research.

I should be able to go to the store and look at a guide like you do for things in the auto parts store and say, okay I need cushion, walking and I don't pronate in one direction or the other so these styles in this brand should work for me. :D

Sadly, that's not likely to happen.

[Edited on 7-10-2005 by TheRoseLady]

[Jazuela]

Easy Spirits have served me extremely well for the past decade. I've had a few pairs during that time, without any problems at all. The soles are comfy and don't irritate the joint of my big toe, which is a godsend. I broke two toes back when I was a bartender, rolling a keg of beer over my foot by mistake because the guy who usually got kegs for me didn't "feel like" helping me that day and the customers were starting to froth at the mouth. The toes never healed properly so I have days when it's still pretty painful. The Easy Spirits always save the day for me. They also have a broad toe-box, which is awesome. Oh and their backs don't rise up so high that they dig into your heels, or so low that they're always feeling like they're slipping off.

They come in all kinds of styles, are moderately priced (compared to some I've seen but I still think $60 is too much to pay for sneakers), and you can find an Easy Spirit store in almost every mall these days.

[Divinity]

Originally posted by Dave
Nike, running shoes. They are uber light weight, made of mesh, and make me run like lightning.

We'll call you The "Flash" Edine. :lol:

On-topic: I love my Sketchers. They look good, make shoes that always fit me and they're comfie. They last forever too. So I'm all for it.

[AnticorRifling]

Originally posted by theotherjohn
From being in the army and the running that I do, I have found that asics gel works best for me

Agreed asic gels are money if you're going to pound alot of pavement. I used to go through a pair every 3 months when I was running alot (20+ miles a week) but they kept my feet in great condition.

[Soulpieced]

Nike and Adidas are quality. I have an old pair of Air Max Elite low, and just recently bought a pair of Adidas A3 Axiom.

[Artha]

I have a pair of Nikes (http://image.www.rakuten.co.jp/icefield/img1021908188.jpeg) that I wear for just about everything. Walking, tennis, work, whatever. They've held up really well. And they were on clearance for like $25, so no complaints there either.