Do shoes really make a difference?

Hi there,

I just started Isagenix and I'm also incorporating the couch to 5K program. Given I'm new to running - I've just been using what ever sneaks I have and I'm finding my knees are hurting. Does sneaker type/brand really make a difference? If so, which ones would you recommend for new runners with knee issues?

Shoes do make a difference when you're running.

However, I can't really give you a solid recommendation over the internet.

Your best bet is to find a local running store near you. Not just a sporting goods store, but a dedicated running store. The people there can watch you walk barefoot and tell you what kind of shoe you need for your foot/arch/gait type.

If you don't have that near you, then there are online sources that can help you determine your foot type. Like THIS ONE.

The vast majority of runners will need Stability type running shoes, but it's best to be tested just to make sure.

Also, if you're running a lot then you will have to replace your shoes every 6 months or so, after you've beaten all the support out of them.

Absolutely!!! Shoes are huge and can definitely lead to injuries if you have the wrong type of sneakers. I would recommend going to a speciality running store and having them look at your walk and your feet. They can then recommend a stability sneaker or a support/cushion sneaker or if your feet pronate etc...

My favorite brand is asics and I need the extra cushion because I have bad heels. They are expensive but worth every penny.

i run cross country in high school and i would reccommend Under Armour shoes. i got my new ones this year and i can already feel a difference in my running and comfort while running.

Yes, shoes are very important! I had a pair of Cheap new balance that cost me about 75$ and I always had pain in my lower legs when jogging. Now, I have some Nike shox that cost 175 and I have very little pain! I think shoes are very important for not only comfort but also for injury prevention.

I am not so sure. From what I've read, the injury rates amongst runners have not changed since the fancy expensive running shoes became popular about 30 years ago, in fact there have been studies that have shown that people with more expensive running shoes are more likely to get injuries than people with cheaper running shoes.

I am pretty interested in this subject as I am training to jog a Marathon in October, and have just put on somewhere in the range of 100-120 miles in my Converse All-Stars over the summer (including a half-marathon two weeks ago and 17 miles last week).

I'll probably be going to a local running store to talk with them about the shoes within a week or so, but I've also been seeing a lot of people recommend running barefoot vs any shoe at all (granted, if you've been walking and running in shoes, no one is recommending a sudden full switch to barefoot).

Here's one recent article on the subject: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/07/barefoot/

"Now, a small but growing body of research suggests that barefoot is the way adults should run, too. So, many runners have been shucking off the high-tech trainers in favor of naked feet — or minimalist footwear like Nike Free, the Newton All-Weather Trainer and the glove-like Vibram FiveFingers."

And one more http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/04/your-shoes-are/

"And if you must wear shoes, it turns out that the less shoe you wear, the better, because expensive running shoes are no better than cheap ones, and wearing expensive running shoes actually increases your odds of getting injured by 123%."