I've been running in the Mizuno Wave Nirvana 6's for about 6 months now (was in the 5's before that). I LOVE LOVE LOVE these shoes! I have a really high arch, one bad ankle, and severely over-pronate (both ankles turn inward at an alarming rate). These shoes have helped me so so much. I never really had any pain or transition time in them even at the beginning - they've always been comfortable. I also love Fleet Feet because even if you hate the shoes after running in them for a month, they'll take them back. Hope you find some shoes you love! :)

I'm not sure the exact shoe I have right now but they are Brooks and once I got used to the fact that they're a little heavy... I absolutely love them. I've had less issues running (I alternate from outside to treadmill so shin splints happen often) and they have held up for a long time. Not sure if this helps, I'm not an expert just a fellow girl trying to run comfy!

Ramblings of a Small Town Girl

Aw finding shoes is probably the hardest part of running! I went through a few years where they kept discontinuing or changing my shoe every year and I kept having to find a new one.

One big mistake that even the specialty running stores make is to assume that slight over or under pronation requires a stability shoe. It really doesn't. I slightly over pronate and wore cushioned/neutral shoes for years. Last year as I increased my mileage, I ended up having to ditch the cushioning and use a firmer insole. Now I don't know how I ran in the super cushioned shoes that I once did.

The most important thing is that you are comfortable! Ask to try on some neutral shoes for comparisons sake and if something doesn't work for you, try to explain why so the consultant can figure out the problem.

As for when to get new shoes, most would recommend switching shoes every 300-500 miles. You can stretch that out a bit longer if you alternate shoes every day (rather than wearing the same ones every time). A good rule of thumb is that by the time your shoes start to LOOK old, the shoe has probably been dead for a long time and isn't doing your running any favors.

I think the consultant is probably right though. If the Addidas shoes are working for you, buy another pair and wear those. I stockpiled Asic Gel-Nimbus 8s for three years (I seriously bought every pair in the world because I hated the new 9 model) and I didn't want to have to switch shoes!

Good luck!

I have a normal arch as well and run quite a bit during the week. I recently bought Asics GT 2150 after doing a lot of research and am VERY happy with them! SO comfortable and have awesome reviews from many runners and running mags/blogs/etc.

I have always been an Asics shoe girl. I think I've tried just about every type of Asics there is and have never had a problem with any of them. When I switch brands, I have issues. I have a normal arch.

I overpronate also. My first shoes that I loved were Brooks Adrenaline. When my first pair died I bought my second pair and they killed my poor feet! I guess they changed the model or something and I felt like there was no cushion at all. Now I run in Adidas shoes. I'm on my 3rd pair and I love them because I feel like they have a bunch of cushioning in them. I'm not sure what the ones I run in are called, but on the bottom of them it says pro-moderator...I got them at Fleet Feet. So if you like the Adidas you run in now, maybe you should check out some Adidas stability shoes.

I have pronation problems too--bad! And my knees hurt if I don't have good cushioning. But I have found two shoes that work for me, and I alternate between them (both so they'll last longer, and so my body has a chance to recover from any strangeness of gait caused by a pair). One is the Asics Gel 1140, and the other is the Saucony Omni ProGrid 7. If you're at all interested, both are slightly older models (I stockpile when I find something I like, just like Kathleen) and you ought to be able to find them for cheap at Sierra Trading Club or its ilk.

Oh, and something that has helped me is to look at Runner's World's annual shoe guide. You can find the right issue at the library if you don't subscribe.

Let us know what you end up with! Good luck!

Beth

Girl i'm HORRIBLE with shoes! I found the Nike pegasus (listed above) and fell in love. I'm only worn those for the last 2 years (numerous pair of the exact same shoe - even the same color!) Best of luck - i'm sorry i'm not more help!

I'm an overpronator, former clydesdale triathlete that is still learning to run. That said, I run in neutral newtons and vibram bikilas, as well. I am no longer a fan of shoes that "manage" my foot's attempts to move me thru my running gait.

And while I know everyone is different, I would sugggest that you maybe look into adding in strength building exercies that are focused on your core areas and your lower legs. Jumping jacks, jump rope, quick feet drills, etc...have all helped me deal with what you described about lower leg pains while running.

Good luck...

I am an under pronator so I wear down the outsides of my shoes and I have super high arches - I am also in running shoe limbo as the ones I have been using are just simply too soft and cushy and giving me back pain. I don't think you need a stability shoe if you are a neutral runner- there are a ton of neutral shoes out there and I think the adidas you are currently wearing are one of them. It also depends on your mileage. I can run up to an hour in cushioned shoes, but anything after that I need more stability. It's trial and error babe, good luck :)

I have wide feet and I am a slight over pronator.

I don't prefer a lot of cushioning, but prefer a lot of support (I find that a lot of support help keeps everything "in line" and I have less hip and back soreness) I have run two marathons, and countless shorter races. Ideally, I run 35 miles per week with one speed workout on a track per week, although it is unfortunately usually closer to 25 miles per week.

My go to shoe used to be the Brooks Adrenaline. I have probably had 10 pairs of Brooks - sometimes the exact same shoe, sometimes they change up the color a bit from year to year. I've tried the Brooks Ghost and liked it because its lighter, but I find that it has much less stability.

I'm currently running in the Nike Pegasus (nice, simple, basic old school shoe, but gets the job done). I like the Pegasus and would consider getting another pair.

I've also tried the Nike Zoom Triax, but never went back. It was a decent shoe, but didn't love it.

I would say, if you find a running shoe you love, there's no need to change it up unless its for a specific reason.

Good luck!

i totally missed this post over the weekend and just saw you mention it in your most recent post.

ive given up on trying specific shoes. i have actually moved to minimalist shoes, like the nike free's and the air zoom line. for a long time I wore asics that was supposed to help with shin splints, then I also got orthotics...none of them helped me run with ease or with less pain, and thats when I decided that I was just gonna try the minimalist approach because what else have I got to lose? and you know what, shin splints GONE! seriously. now Ive also been doing other stuff like foam rolling to help with that, but seriously, minimalist shoes are seriously lighter. try it out though just to see how it feels.

This is a good idea for me because I'm looking for a good running shoes. I got lots of idea in this post. Thanks!!!

keens