What exactly is a running shoe store? Names please!!!

The closest large town to me is Omaha, NE. I am sure you are not talking about a foot locker or something like that. I want to buy a decent shoe, but I want to know what to get for my feet. Is is just as easy to do it on-line?

Nothing replaces sitting down in the store and trying on a few shoes. Road Runner Sports and Zappos do a good job at getting the size correct, but that assumes you know the type of shoe you need.

But what is a real running shoe store that everyone is talking about going to to get everything correct? I have been to a couple web sites, but I don't know what shoe to get.

i go to one of these stores.

http://www.fleetfeetsports.com/

Thanks, but there are not any stores within 250 miles of me. Are there any other suggestions?

A two second google search turned this up:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=running+store+in+omaha,+ne&ie=UTF8&ll=41.384022,-95.997162&spn=0.401846,0.823975&z=10&iwloc=A&om=1

I find shoes are usually about $10-20 more at a specialty running store, but if you dont know what you need, it is money well spent.

+1 I find shoes are usually about $10-20 more at a specialty running store, but if you dont know what you need, it is money well spent.

Once you get a good fit from a running store you can go online in the future.

What do they do for a "Good Fit"?

Can any store do the good fit?

Only running store with knowledgeable staff can get a truly good fit. Some store will video you walking/running (free service), have you walk on special paper that determines how flat your foot is, they can determine if you are an over or underpronator. They do charge more for the shoes, but the service makes worth paying the extra money worth it. I wear Brooks running shoes and have owned 3 pairs of the same shoe since I went to a good running store and had them give me a lot of help.

Get a good pair of shoes or you will get shin splints on long runs. Check out the article from Doctor Ryan: http://bodybuilding.com/fun/drryan1.htm

I bought asics Gel kayano shoes from the sports authority. yo ucna buy them online

What do they do for a "Good Fit"?

Can any store do the good fit?

No not just "any store" can do a proper fitting. Seriously.

For years I bought running shoes based on what looked cool and what was well advertised and I always had problems with my shins and knees. Last year when I decided to give triathlons a shot I stopped into a local shop and within a few minutes the guy told me I was wearing the completely wrong shoe. He switched me to some Pearl Izumi shoes and within a few days of using them I actually started feeling better. I never changed my running style in all of this as I was comfortable with my mechanics, which he also agreed with, I just changed the shoes. In no time the shin and knee pains healed up and I give all the credit to the right shoe.

Worth the $$ to at least go in at least once. I'm frugal so I bought my next pair of shoes through runningwarehouse.com using the info I gained through my visit to the local store, but I still tell folks they should go in and get the adice from the pros. Once again, it is worth the coin.

RoadRunner sports (http://www.roadrunnersports.com/) online. Essentially the Performance bike of running with great customer service and no silly games. The club gambit gets you very generous shipping and return policies in addition to @10% off everything.

Hey guys... if you still need some advice on shoes. I was a footwear specialist at Galyans before we got bought out by K-mart errr.... Dicks sporting goods.

Even though it's over the web, I'll shoot you guys advice if you need it. I have 5+ years of experience.

But the true benefit of going to a "specialty store" is that there are different tools available. Not just some shoe jockey pulling a number off a shelf for you.

Proper fit lies mostly in the gait. If you can target the type of gait an individual has you can get a shoe to work with it. Bottom line, you will almost NEVER be able to change a gait... with or without orthotics, but you can easily get a shoe that will compliment your gait.

And for the record, if your podiatrist told you to buy something... ask them why, because very few actually know anything about shoes. They simply know the "dumptruck full of money" theory.

~DAVE

EivlEvo - I sent you a PM to keep the thread clear of dumber than normal questions.

Eivl-Evo --- I responded again with the information. Thanks for the help.

I wanted to post up and thank everyone for the advice. I did go to a shoe store "Peak Performance" in Omaha, NE. The checked a few things and gave me 4 choices for shoes and I picked the one that felt best for me.


Thanks again.