Must Be Da Shoes!

[Jester]

So last fall, I needed a new pair of sneakers. Went in to one of the local places where I have bought such before, and expressed my needs clearly to the associate assisting me: cross trainers, preferably all or mostly black, durable, good for someone who's job involves them moving a lot on their feet, i.e., bartending. I was looking to spend what I usually spend on sneakers, $50-$80 or so. Didn't need anything fancy. Dude listened to what I said, and talked me into a $130 pair of Nike Shox. They were HOT! And I figured, why not? Might as well splurge for once. And I love Nikes....been wearing them the majority of my life.

Within a short time, I realized the mistake I'd made. After several hours on my feet at work, I felt hobbled. These things were killing me! I figured it was just that they were knew, and they'd wear in, so I gave it some time. And, over the next few weeks, it did not improve, and I was in agony, to the point that I had trouble enjoying the early part of Fantasy Fest. This was just not acceptable.

So on the last day of the return period, I went back, and hoped to speak to another associate. And the other employees there directed me to their "shoe expert," who, naturally, was the same guy I'd dealt with originally. *sigh*

I explained my issues. He said I simply needed a pair of inserts. Um, no dude, I don't need a pair of inserts. This is not something inserts are gonna fix, since it feels like I'm walking on the wrong end of ice skates! I made it clear that I needed different sneaks. So he suggested a pair of Asics, which were the same price as the Shox. Since I wasn't getting any money back, and the Asics seemed comfy enough, I took them. And they were, in fact, comfy.

And a few weeks ago, after less than a year, far less time than it usually takes, the damn things started to fall apart on me, losing bits of their tread, with other bits coming loose and threatening to fall off. So I need new wheels again.

I will not pay $130 again. And I certainly won't go back to this local place. Luckily, I'll be in Phoenix in a couple weeks, where prices tend to be less than in Key West, and where there are far more options of where to buy stuff.

So I need suggestions, kids. A durable cross trainer that is not ridiculously expensive, and/or a store that is not going to simply try to sell me up, but will sell me what I need and want. Since most chains are represented in Phoenix, aka Mallville USA, most suggestions will be valid.

So....can ya help a Jester out?

[Kheldarson]

He talked you into buying Shoxs? For work?!

Ow...your poor feet.

And what style of Asics did you buy? Because I'm surprised they fell apart that quickly. I'm still rocking a set of 1160's I bought a couple years ago.

But as for a decent crosstrainer in black that is good for work? The New Balance 623 is a popular line for that. Or Nike's Air Monarch.

If color's not a big deal, I love Saucony's Cohesion line as well as their Progrid Guide. The Guide has the added nicety of being a stability shoe, if you're an overpronater.

Since I don't know which Asics you bought, apologies if I list the one you got. The Kayano line, while expensive, is the culmination of Asics tech and comfort. But their 1000 line (what was the 1100 series which I own) is awesome too.

I'd recommend when you go shopping, go to a store that specializes in running. Like Dick's (if they have a decent Running Specialist) or a local running store. Not a general footwear place. You want to talk to someone who has an idea of the tech that goes into a shoe and how it affects your stride. That will help with getting a comfortable shoe

[mathnerd]

New Balance and Reebok have been recommended by doctors repeatedly for comfort and support for people with foot problems. Pretty much everybody I've ever known, both online and in real life who have problems like plantar fasciitis have said that's what their docs told them to wear. While you don't say you have any actual problems, they're still probably a good choice given the sheer number of docs who like them for such things.

[mathnerd]

Oh, and my sons, who have bone deformities in their ankles swear by the Saucony's they wear.

[WoodenSunshine]

I third the New Balances. I use them for walking and running. I have had an ankle and knee surgeries and those New Balances are AH-mazing for my feet. I have to use specific inserts for arch support (flat feet), those kind of suck, but the New Balances give me the comfort and support I need for my feet.

[AccountingDrone]

New Balance is what my podiatrist recommended, and as I have a fairly serious foot issue, I tend to follow his instructions [I have calcium crystals depositing between the tiny little joints in my feet, and unlike regular gout there is nothing I can take to stop them depositing nor dissolve them - but they could flay my feet open and scrape them out]

Back when I did kitchen work, I had cooks clogs from Birkenstock - they now have other looks besides clogs and sandals, you could check them out. The ones for kitchen work have nonskid soles and are very comfortable.

[Ellain]

I would suggest Merrell brand shoes. I love mine. You can browse on Zappos.com and read reviews too.

[Kheldarson]

I would suggest Merrell brand shoes. I love mine. You can browse on Zappos.com and read reviews too.

I'd recommend buying Merrell's in person before buying online. They have a tendency to run small. :/ But they are another good brand, especially if you like hiking shoes. Keen's are another good brand too for that as well.

[mathnerd]

If you're interested in something a little dressier, try Clarks. They're the preferred brand for teachers, and we do spend all day on our feet.

[Jester]

And what style of Asics did you buy?

Um...a cross trainer? Honestly, I couldn't tell you anything beyond that. I go in, find shoes I like, try them on, buy them, wear them. Couldn't tell you the model of any of them.

If color's not a big deal, I love Saucony's.

I prefer all black or mostly black because they go with anything, and if they get dirty, no one notices.

The Guide has the added nicety of being a stability shoe, if you're an overpronater.

I...have no idea what that means. Which probably means I'm not, but who knows?

I'd recommend when you go shopping, go to a store that specializes in running.

Since I'm not running, and I don't run, and I've had great success in cross trainers over the years, I'd like to stick to that style. It's designed for people who do everything, and that pretty much covers the footwork you do working in a bar, to be honest.

Back when I did kitchen work, I had cooks clogs from Birkenstock

I would suggest Merrell brand shoes.

Keen's are another good brand too for that as well.

If you're interested in something a little dressier, try Clarks.

While I appreciate all the suggestions--and I really, really do--I want to be really clear here that I absolutely insist on sneakers, as my work shoes are my every day shoes. They are the same. I've done the whole work shoes/non-work shoes, and it's a royal pain in my ass to lug an extra set of shoes around. And since I work downtown, and live on the other side of the island, if I'm going out after work, I am so NOT going home first just to change shoes. It's enough of a pain in the ass to carry my backpack for all my other shit as I do.

I have nice dress shoes. I have nice sandals. For work, I insist on sneakers.

That and I just hate the whole Crocs thing. They may be great for other people, by you'll never catch me in them!

I'd recommend buying Merrell's in person before buying online.

The only shoes I've ever bought that I didn't try on first were Nikes many years ago, when a local store ordered me a pair of Nike cross trainers, since they didn't have my size in the store. Now, while some brands may run large or small, I've been wearing Nikes long enough to know that their size 9s fit my size 9s every single time. They are probably the only brand I would ever purchase without trying on in person, for that very simple reason.

[dendawg]

Try shoesforcrews.com. From what I've heard, they have slip-resistant and comfortable shoes for work of all types. As for New Balance shoes, they were comfortable for me, but the soles wore out unbelievably quickly, so YMMV.

[Kheldarson]

Um...a cross trainer? Honestly, I couldn't tell you anything beyond that. I go in, find shoes I like, try them on, buy them, wear them. Couldn't tell you the model of any of them.

Ah, too bad. It's a good thing to pay attention to, especially if you find one you really like

I prefer all black or mostly black because they go with anything, and if they get dirty, no one notices.

True!

I...have no idea what that means. Which probably means I'm not, buy who knows?

Pronation speaks to how a person walks: basically, it's your stride. A normal pronator steps from the middle of their heel to the middle of their sole. An over-pronator (and most people are over-pronators, actually!) step from the outside of their heel to the inside of their sole. So an inward roll. A stability shoe corrects this roll.

Since I'm not running, and I don't run, and I've had great success in cross trainers over the years, I'd like to stick to that style. It's designed for people who do everything, and that pretty much covers the footwork you do working in a bar, to be honest.

Cross trainers can still be found in running stores as most running brands make a cross trainer. That's why I recommended it. You'll be able to speak to a person who specializes in sizing, pronation, and tech, which means you'll be able to find out shoes of all styles (from cross trainers to runners) which will address your needs.

Personally, for work, I wear generic runners; I prefer their weight over the weight of cross trainers.

The only shoes I've ever bought that I didn't try on first were Nikes many years ago, when a local store ordered me a pair of Nike cross trainers, since they didn't have my size in the store. Now, while some brands may run large or small, I've been wearing Nikes long enough to know that their size 9s fit my size 9s every single time. They are probably the only brand I would ever purchase without trying on in person, for that very simple reason.

Nike is pretty good about maintaining size. I just have the worst love/hate relationship with them that I have a hard time recommending or buying them personally :/

[Jester]

Pronation speaks to how a person walks: basically, it's your stride. A normal pronator steps from the middle of their heel to the middle of their sole. An over-pronator (and most people are over-pronators, actually!) step from the outside of their heel to the inside of their sole. So an inward roll. A stability shoe corrects this roll.

Fantastic! And now, after your excellent explanation....I still haven't the foggiest clue why any of it means.

Cross trainers can still be found in running stores as most running brands make a cross trainer. That's why I recommended it.

Good to know. That changes things a bit for me. Any recommendation of such stores, as far as chains? I ask about chains, since Phoenix seems to specialize in chain stores.

Personally, for work, I wear generic runners; I prefer their weight over the weight of cross trainers.

Whereas I prefer the sturdiness and flexibility of a cross trainer. To each their own.

Nike is pretty good about maintaining size. I just have the worst love/hate relationship with them that I have a hard time recommending or buying them personally :/

I've had issues with them over the years, most notably their durability and their tendency to completely eliminated something that totally worked for me, but for the most part (and ignoring the whole Shox thing), they have been fantastically comfortable shoes for me.

And when I say I've worn them most of my life, I should point out that I got my very first Nikes (which were a (in retrospect) a hideous greens and yellow color combination) I was 13. Today I'm 43. I'm sure you can do the math.

[Kheldarson]

Fantastic! And now, after your excellent explanation....I still haven't the foggiest clue why any of it means.

If you look at the tread of your shoe after wearing it for a month or so, you'll see where it wears out the most. If your wear marks are in the middle of the heel and the middle of your toe box (where the toes flex), then you're a normal pronator. Your stride is even with a forward roll.

If your wear pattern is on the outside edge of the heel to inside edge of the toe box, then you're an over-pronator. Your stride is an inward roll to a certain degree. Most over-pronators have knee issues where their knee naturally turns inward to support the interior rolling movement. Stability shoes are designed to have a different weighted midsole cushioning system to help correct this roll.

If all of your wear is on the outer edge of your shoe, then you're an under-pronator. You roll your foot outwards and walk on the edge of your foot. Under-pronators require more cushioning in their shoes to help with the shock absorption their foot doesn't provide.

Good to know. That changes things a bit for me. Any recommendation of such stores, as far as chains? I ask about chains, since Phoenix seems to specialize in chain stores.

I worked at Dick's Sporting Goods for a year; that's where I started learning all of this and then I continued to research and learn on my own. You can see if there's Dick's there with a running specialist who can help you. Otherwise, ask your friends who live there what the local running shops are; where I live there's no chains, just small specialty stores beyond the normal shoe stores.

Whereas I prefer the sturdiness and flexibility of a cross trainer. To each their own.

Very true. Gotta buy what your feet like

I've had issues with them over the years, most notably their durability and their tendency to completely eliminated something that totally worked for me, but for the most part (and ignoring the whole Shox thing), they have been fantastically comfortable shoes for me.

And when I say I've worn them most of my life, I should point out that I got my very first Nikes (which were a (in retrospect) a hideous greens and yellow color combination) I was 13. Today I'm 43. I'm sure you can do the math.

Are you sure you want me doing the math? :P

As for me, I've got issues with their toe boxes. I've got bunions on both of my feet (thanks genetics!) and Nike's seem to run so narrow, especially in their women's lines. If I can find a shoe that fits comfortably there (which is rare), they are super comfy, but I can't usually find one.

[Jester]

Otherwise, ask your friends who live there what the local running shops are...

MY friends? Know where the RUNNING shops are?

Are you sure you want me doing the math?

I'm sure you can find a calculator.

Nike's seem to run so narrow, especially in their women's lines.

I wouldn't know, having never bought anything from their women's lines.

Other than the Shox, I've never had Nikes that weren't super comfy. Too expensive? Yes. Not my style? Sure. Wrong color? Absolutely. But uncomfortable? This was a first.