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Running Gear: New Shoes - Price or Comfort?

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- CommentAuthor dbikekc01
- CommentTimeNov 24th 2008 edited
All,

It's time for new shoes again. I'd like to read some comments about your own decision on the shoe purchasing dilemma - Price versus Fit/Comfort. After going to a reputable running store and being analyzed by the professional, I settled on the pair that felt the best during my repeated runs up and down the sidewalk outside the store's front door. I compared the fit/feel of at least six different shoes; one model on one foot and the shoe I bought on the other. The issue is comfort at what price? My last pair fit the best and felt the best, so I opted to spend whatever it cost to get into that pair of shoes ($120). Now it's time to go for another round of deliberation. I know that a shoe that fits is a non-negotiable but if the price is $20-40 higher; do you find yourself settling for shoes that are not the best feeling of all?

I also have the dubious honor of having a shoe size that is not always in-stock. My current pair are 13’s but that is because the $120 shoes felt the best. If I would have gone with a less-expensive pair, I would have been into a 14 (no 13.5), which felt very sloppy. Mind you that I tried on several 14’s and they all felt sloppy.

What has your experience been?

Thanks,
- CommentAuthor Topher69
- CommentTimeNov 24th 2008
At mile 22 comfort counts and is worth every penny that I paid for the shoe.
- CommentAuthor tranquil21
- CommentTimeNov 24th 2008
Definately comfort over price...but don't get sucked into things that are overpriced. take your time and try all the shoes in your area of need. Buying shoes is like everything else. They are going to try to sell you the top, most recent, and most expensive shoes out there. But there are great models from last year or the year before that work just as great. I like to read old Runner's World shoe guides to get a feel. But getting what is most comfortalbe will prevent you from having to pay more for injury later.

Good luck!
- CommentAuthor jkolodin
- CommentTimeNov 25th 2008
Once I found "the shoe," I buy two pairs when they go on sale. I don't even have to try them on...spend a little more right now, but you sure know that one of those pairs needs to go in the trash after 500 miles.....and you will always have a pair waiting.
- CommentAuthor LexB
- CommentTimeNov 25th 2008
The sales person in the store is not always so mercenary. At the moment I'm working part time in a very reputable running store and I am not on commission - so the price of the shoe I sell has no effect on me directly, my aim is to get someone into that 'perfect' shoe. Having been on both sides of the fence I would say that if it's 'the one' then buy it - whatever it costs. If you're on a real budget take the make and model and check out the internet, you can sometimes find some really sweet deals. But don't compromise fit or comfort for money. The single most important thing is that you are properely fit (pronation level) by someone who knows what they are doing and that you are in a shoe that provides the right amount of support and cushioning.

The bad news is that $120 is not that much for running shoes!
- CommentAuthor dbikekc01
- CommentTimeNov 26th 2008
All,

Thanks for your comments. I would love to find this model of shoe on the web but alas they are all gone. At least in my size.
- CommentAuthor polynesianmetal
- CommentTimeNov 29th 2008
Comfort and price. I'm a trail runner and these are the perfect shoes for me and cost between 50 and 60 dollars online (1/2 of what you are thinking about paying, just order one pair, see how you love them then order more like I did) Adidas Kanadia Trail. (zappos.com or adidas .com u can start) I've used them in a road race but perform like hell on a trail. (I'm referring to a very awesome hell).
- CommentAuthor boyjame
- CommentTimeNov 30th 2008
In september, I made the plunge into the world of expensive running shoes. Prior to that I bought what I thought would be good shoes on ebay. Long story short, my feet were taking a beating. I went to a running store inthe middle of the day on a weekday when I knew they would not be busy. The worker talked me through the process and let me try on a dozen shoes he thought would fit my foot type. He didn't push me at all and when it came down to two shoes I liked, he said the cheaper one he personally liked better. But in the end I went with the Brooks Ghost at $95. I haven't looked back since. My foot problems have since disapperaed and I have been running much better. Oh by the way, good running socks help too and they can be pricey as well. But once you find a shoe that fits you well, stick with it.
- CommentAuthor CarolinaCrazy
- CommentTimeDec 9th 2008
Good shoes are worth every penny - a proper fitting shoe should fit like a glove and be so comfortable you hardly think about it. And proper fit and comfort means less chance of injury.

I agree w/ jkolodin - if you find a pair that works for you, stock up when they are on sale (or sadly when the model is discontinued).
- CommentAuthor doxeysmith
- CommentTimeFeb 1st 2009 edited
I've played both sides of this game, and don't think you have to spend to get a great shoe but KNOW that you can easily get the worst deal by spending too little. (buy crap for a buck and you wasted a buck) I say find a shoe that fits, and works for the conditions etc you need, then... try to mentally break down the price to a per mile or some other figure. the difference b'w shoes at $10-30 isn't much, just get what you like. if your looking a 50+ maybe think longer, there may be several comparable options at any price, or a better deal on someone's comparable model. I also agree that if you find the deal don't be afraid to buy two pair.
- CommentAuthor socalsteve262
- CommentTimeFeb 2nd 2009
both? comfort in your price range )

but if I had to choose, I'd take comfort over price.
- CommentAuthor leezer
- CommentTimeFeb 6th 2009
Comfort over price to a degree. At $120 I'm guessing you are trying on some of those $200-250 last years models. This is the right time to buy. The biggest drop in price has already happened and it will start decreasing very little into this year. Our feet don't evolve every year and I would say most shoes don't either. Some runners even stick to the same model. Stay a year back, and get those pricey high-end you feel most comfortable in at half-price. If you want those shoes, $120 will be your best price point to buy for best value-over-time.

(I am of course assuming you are going for last years high-end shoes, but it sounds like you are since most are $120 atm.)
- CommentAuthor rpetreccajr
- CommentTimeFeb 6th 2009
I think we need clarifications from folks when talking price on things. Here in Indianapolis US$120 is towards the high end on pricing for running shoes. You can find higher prices, but lots of models are avaiable for less money. Also, sticking to last years model is not always an option. Often a shop won't stock large numbers of unusual sizes, or they may run out of the common sizes on popular shoes.
- CommentAuthor dbikekc01
- CommentTimeFeb 6th 2009
You are correct reptreccjar, I am a little further west of Indy and the upper-range here is between $100-150ish. My pair cost around 140 and are still not quite broken in yet. The older models are rarely available in my size (13-14) either in the store or on-line, so I am relegated to shopping the new models only and then hoping the store has them in-stock. However, I did find out that the model I purchase is one model year back from the latest. The store did not offer me the latest; I believe it was because they did not have them in yet.

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